The second objective of prophet-hood is explained in the next part of the verse:

??????????????? ?????????? ?????????????

O Allâh! Your Messenger must teach the Book of Allâh and wisdom to his followers.

It is through the blessing of this supplication that dârul ‘ulûms came into existence. Now how should they be taught the Book of Allâh?

????????????? ???????????

Allah Ta’alataught Rasulullah (sallellaho alaihe wasallam) the meaning of the words. Rasulullah (sallellaho alaihe wasallam) has to teach the same meanings to the Sahabah (Radhiallaho anhum) so that they may not commit mistakes by translating them solely through the language.

Consequently, look at the following verse:

??????????? ?????????? ??????? ???????? ????? ??????????? ??????? ?????????

(???? ???????? ??? 70)

This is followed by the words:

???????? ?????? ?????????????

If the above were to be translated solely through the language, it would read thus: Allah Ta’alawill rectify your deeds. However, the Sahabah (Radhiallaho anhum) say that Rasulullah (sallellaho alaihe wasallam) did not teach them this translation. Rather, he taught them the following:

??????????? ?????????????

(???????? ?: 6? ?: 310? ??? ????? ??????)

In other words, Allah Ta’alawill accept your good deeds.

Now look at what a big difference in meaning between

???? ?????and ???? ?????. It is therefore prohibited to translate solely on the basis of language. Moreover, there is the danger of falling into many incorrect beliefs. Therefore, the translation provided by Rasulullah (sallellaho alaihe wasallam), as recorded by the Sahabah (Radhiallaho anhum) who in turn conveyed it to the mufassirûn (commentators of the Qur’ân) – that is the reliable meaning and translation. Just look at these very verses which we quoted above and see how the meaning has changed. How are you going to translate the words

?????? ???solely on the basis of Arabic grammar? Allah Ta’alawill rectify your deeds for you. Whereas the Sahabah (Radhiallaho anhum) narrate that Rasulullah, (sallellaho alaihe wasallam) said that this means:

??????????? ?????????????

Allah Ta’alawill accept your good deeds.

In like manner, look at the following verse:

??????????? ??????????? ???????????

(???? ??????? ???: 6)

What does this mean? The Arabic language generally translates the word najm as “star”. So if you were to translate this verse on the basis of the language, it would read: “the stars and the trees prostrate to Allâh.” However, the meaning which is provided by Rasulullah (sallellaho alaihe wasallam) and recorded by the Sahabah (Radhiallaho anhum) is not that of “stars” but “shrubs”. This refers to plants which grow on the ground and which have no trunks. Plants without trunks are known as najm.

??????? ???????? ?????? ???? ?????

(????? ??? ???????? ?: 27? ?: 100)

In other words, plants which have no trunks.

The word shajar refers to plants that have trunks, which grow upright. So trees without trunks and those with trunks – both prostrate to Allah Ta’ala.