UMM HABIBAH BINT ABI SUFYAAN (R.A)

In the Name of Allah, the All-Compassionate, All-Merciful

In the bustling streets of Mecca, among rising tensions and sweeping religious changes, Umm Habiba faced a life-altering choice. Born Ramla bint Abi Sufyan, into a family brutally opposed to Islam, her conversion marked bold defiance. This decision isolated her from her powerful kin and set her on a remarkable journey that would lead her across seas to Ethiopia, and eventually into the heart of Medina as one of Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ cherished wives.

Early Life and Conversion to Islam

Ramla bint Abi Sufyan, known more commonly as Umm Habiba, was born into the influential and powerful tribe of Quraysh. Her father, Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, was a notable leader who staunchly opposed Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his message. She was married to a wealthy person, Ubaydullah Ibn Jahsh, who was well-versed in the major religions of his era. Despite her upbringing in an environment hostile to Islam, Umm Habiba and her husband embraced Islam, demonstrating deep courage and conviction. Their conversion was not merely a personal choice but a stand against the prevailing socio-political norms, risking separation and persecution.

Migration and Trials in Abyssinia

The hatred towards Muslims in Mecca intensified to such an extent that life became untenable for the early converts. Following the Prophet’s (ﷺ) directive, Umm Habiba and her husband, Ubaydullah Ibn Jahsh, were among those who migrated to Abyssinia—a haven of religious freedom under the Christian king, Negus. Here, she faced one of her greatest personal challenges: her husband had spiraled into a destructive path. He renounced Islam, converted to Christianity, and then succumbed to the constant drinking. This situation left Umm Habiba deeply distressed, fearing for her daughter’s future and her own well-being. In her grief, she turned to Allah, seeking strength to endure the hardships while remaining steadfast in her faith.

Eventually, ‘Ubaydullah’s demise, attributed to his excessive drinking, brought relief to Umm Habiba. However, it also posed new challenges as she wrestled with the reality of being a widow and the uncertainties of survival. This left Umm Habiba to navigate her life alone in a foreign land. During the evolving dynamics of Umm Habiba’s life, her daughter Habiba grew before her eyes, displaying the bonds of motherhood and the difficulties of exile.

Esteemed Marriage Proposal

Umm Habiba’s steadiness in faith and her plight in Abyssinia eventually reached Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), who proposed marriage to her through an emissary. Alongside the invitation to Negus to embrace Islam, the Prophet (ﷺ) also entrusted him with representing him in the marriage to Umm Habiba. This decision stemmed from the Prophet’s understanding of the hardships she endured far from her homeland in a foreign land. The proposal wasn’t merely a gesture of support but also a profound acknowledgment of her commitment and resilience in the face of adversity.

The marriage proposal from Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to Umm Habiba held great significance beyond personal union. It signified a strategic move towards reconciliation and understanding, as it would establish the Prophet ﷺ as an in-law to Abu Sufyan, a prominent opponent of Islam. This familial tie aimed to soften Abu Sufyan’s hostile stance and foster goodwill between the two factions.

Umm Habiba’s honor extended further to the marriage proposal itself. The Emperor of Abyssinia, acting as a proxy suitor on behalf of the Prophet, elevated the occasion with his involvement. Umm Habiba, recognizing the importance of this union, appointed a trusted companion as her representative and guardian in this significant event.

The celebration of this union was marked by a feast hosted by the Emperor in honor of the Muslim emigrants, signifying a gesture of unity and benevolence. Subsequently, Umm Habiba made her journey to Medina, accompanied by Jafar ibn Abi Talib, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her life as the honorable wife of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in the heart of the Muslim community.

A New Chapter in Medina

Amid these life challenges, the delegation of the people of the two hijras set forth on their migration to Medina finally, led by Ja’far R.A. This migration occurred seven years after hijra and the treaty of Hudaybiyyah ensured their safety from persecution and facilitated their arrival in Medina to join the Prophet ﷺ.

This arrival in Medina marked a pivotal moment for Umm Habiba. After thirteen years of separation from her land, family, and community, she sacrificed much, including her livelihood and the loss of her husband. Allah SWT honored her with marriage to the Prophet ﷺ,  culminating in her reunion with the Prophet ﷺ and her fellow Muslims in Medina.

Umm Habiba’s journey to Medina also reunited her with Umm Salama RA, adding another layer of emotional and spiritual significance to her arrival in the city.

Relationship Between Umm Habiba and Umm Salama

Umm Salama and Umm Habiba shared a special bond, having lived together in Abyssinia under similar circumstances. Both women migrated from Mecca with their husbands to Abyssinia, where they experienced motherhood and widowhood before eventually marrying Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in different ways. Despite their unique paths, their journeys had remarkable similarities, leading them to the Prophet (ﷺ) as his wives.

Their friendship was evident in numerous hadith narrations where they reminisced about their time in Abyssinia together. One such narration involved them describing a church they had seen in Abyssinia to the Prophet (ﷺ), highlighting their shared experiences and observations. This interaction, narrated by Aisha radiAllahu anhu, underscores the closeness and sisterhood between Umm Salama, Umm Habiba, and Aisha, who were among the most prolific narrators of hadiths on behalf of the Prophet (ﷺ).

Umm Habiba’s Confrontation with Abu Sufyan

Umm Habiba’s father, Abu Sufyan, learned about her marriage and expressed happiness despite not being a Muslim yet. When he visited Medina to renew the peace treaty, broken by arrogant makkan tribes, Muslim community was in great strength and condition. Abu Sufyan sought reconciliation with the Prophet ﷺ but faced rejection when he approached directly. He attempted to seek reconciliation through other prominent figures like Abu Bakr, Umar, and even Fatima, (may Allah be pleased with all of them), before finally turning to his daughter after years of estrangement.

Upon entering her home, Abu Sufyan attempted to sit on a mattress used by the Prophet ﷺ. Umm Habiba swiftly rolled it up. Abu Sufyan, surprised, asked if he was not worthy of the mattress or if the mattress was not worthy of him. Umm Habiba firmly mentioned the sanctity of the mattress explaining that it was a mattress used by a very pure and clean Prophet, and no idol worshipper could sit on it. This incident left Abu Sufyan embarrassed, and empty-handed. However, his daughter passed the difficult test of choosing between loyalty to her faith and love for her father whom she had not seen for many long years. She once again stood firm on her faith.

Despite her father’s initial resistance to Islam, Umm Habiba fervently wished for her father and brother’s conversion. Her joy was immense when Abu Sufyan and Mu’awiyah accepted Islam during the conquest of Mecca, fulfilling her hope for their spiritual guidance.

Her Legacy

In Medina, Umm Habiba (RA) became an integral part of the Muslim community. She was known for her deep love for the Prophet (ﷺ) and her scholarly contributions, narrating approximately sixty-five ahadith. Umm Habiba’s Hajj journey with the Prophet ﷺ is also noteworthy, where she contributed valuable insights into issues related to pilgrimage. Her legacy lives on through the practice of Sunnah prayers, as every time someone follows her advice and narrations, she is remembered and prayed for. Her narratives provide valuable knowledge into the personal and communal aspects of early Islamic life, offering lessons on resilience, faith, and the role of women in religious scholarship.

Death of Umm Habiba

She also suffered great loss and witnessed much strife in the community after the Prophet’s death. She loved the messenger (ﷺ) of Allah  very dearly and was a learned woman. She passed away at the age of 70, in 44 A.H. She, too, was buried in Jannat ul Baqi, just like the rest of the Holy Prophet’s (ﷺ) wives.

Reflecting on Umm Habiba’s Life

Umm Habiba’s life is a powerful narrative of overcoming adversity through faith and wisdom. Her story challenges societal norms about the influence of lineage and wealth on personal virtue and piety. It also offers profound lessons on handling familial and social divisions, showcasing how personal integrity and faith can go above and beyond the societal barriers and conflicts.

Note: For ease of reading, we have not inserted “May Allah be pleased with her (RA)” each time Umm Habiba’s name or the name of any companion is mentioned, but please take it that the salutations apply to all of them, may Allah be pleased with them all.

To study further about other wives of Prophet(ﷺ), please go to the post -> THE MOTHERS OF THE BELIEVERS – UM’MAHATUL MOMINEEN

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References:

• Umm Habiba RA by Yaqeen Institute | Part 1 | Part 2
• Tafseer Ibn Katheer
• Lectures of Sheikh Yasir Qadhi
• Raheeq ul Mukhtum

Juwayriyyah Bint Al-Harith R.A

In the Name of Allah, the All-Compassionate, All-Merciful
 

Juwayriyyah bint Al-Harith (RA), a distinguished wife of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), offers timeless lessons for Muslims, embodying resilience, advocacy, spiritual dedication, and community leadership. Her life story provides a rich narrative from which we can derive practical lessons applicable to our daily lives.

Lineage

Juwayriyyah bint Al-Harith (RA) was born into the noble lineage of the Banu Mustaliq, being a daughter of Al-Harith ibn Abu Dirar, the leader of her tribe, she was a princess and her name originally was Barrah Bint Al-Harith. However, her life took a dramatic turn in the 5th year of Hijrah following the conflict between Banu al-Mustaliq and the Muslims. This tribe used to live outside the Makkah.

And the Banu al-Mustaliq had an alliance with Abdul Muttalib in the days of Jahiliya. So, when the Quraysh attacked Madinah, the Banu al-Mustaliq sided with the Quraysh against the Muslims — they helped them in the Battle of Uhud against the Muslims. Their location was also handy for the Quraysh, a safety zone that was closer to Madinah — only a day or two’s journey away.

Juwairiyah RA in Captivity

During the expedition, she was captured, and her initial status as a prisoner belied her noble heritage, which set the stage for a remarkable turn of events. While in captivity, Juwayriyya (RA) was given as a slave to Ansari Thabit ibn Qays R.A. under the prevailing customs of war. Unwilling to accept this fate and looking at her status, she sought to negotiate her freedom, a testament to her resilience and strength of character.

So, she approached Thabit ibn Qays initially to negotiate for her freedom. This is something that is uniquely Islamic and it is said in the Quran,

 “If any of those [bondspeople/slaves] in your possession desire a deed of emancipation [i.e., want to purchase their own freedom], make it possible for them if you find goodness in them“. [Quran, 24:33]

Thabit RA agreed to free her by taking ransom. But the problem was, that Juwayriyya RA was penniless. Thus, during this pivotal moment, she insisted on approaching Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) for assistance, a meeting that would not only change her life but also the destiny of her entire tribe.

Marriage Proposal

She was taken to Prophet ﷺ while he was with A’isha RA. Juwayriyyah R.A introduced herself and said to the Prophet ﷺ,

“I am the daughter of the chief of my tribe. And you have seen what has happened to me; I have arranged to free myself from Thabit, so help me in this matter.”

After she had finished speaking, the Prophet ﷺ thought for a moment, and then said,

“Shall I tell you what would be better than this?”

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), recognizing her noble spirit and the opportunity for greater reconciliation, proposed marriage to Juwayriyya (RA) which she accepted. Her freedom was set as her dowry. This proposal was not just a personal union but a strategic and compassionate act that led to the liberation of her entire tribe. Upon their marriage, the Muslim community, recognizing the newly formed familial ties with the Prophet (ﷺ), freed the remaining captives of Banu Mustaliq, embodying the Quranic ethos of emancipation and mercy.

The news spread among the Ansar that the Prophet ﷺ had married Juwayriyya. So, they said,

“How can we have the in-laws of the Prophet ﷺ as our slaves?” So, one by one they began freeing every captive until all of them were freed down to the last person.

Al-Harith, father of Juwayriyya RA came to Madinah to negotiate a ransom for his people, he didn’t know anything about what was happening. He had run away during the expedition. So, he asked for his daughter back. The Prophet ﷺ said,

“It’s her decision. She can go back if she wants.“

Just like, Zayd ibn Haritha RA, Juwayriyya RA willingly chose Prophet ﷺ over her own father. She decided to remain with her husband. When al-Harith saw his own daughter eagerly choose the messenger of Allah ﷺ over him, this affected him and he also embraced Islam.

Life of Piety

Juwayriyya (RA) was known for her devoured spirituality and commitment to prayer. An anecdote from her life beautifully illustrates this: one morning, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) left her room while she was engaged in Dhikr (remembrance of Allah). When he returned later in the day and found her in the same position, he taught her a dhikr that could equal hours of continuous worship, highlighting her spiritual dedication and his tender guidance. That is,

سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ عَدَدَ خَلْقِهِ وَرِضَا نَفْسِهِ وَزِنَةَ عَرْشِهِ وَمِدَادَ كَلِمَاتِه

It means,

“Glory and praise be to Allah as much as the number of His creation as much as pleases Him as much as the weight of His Throne and as much as the ink of His words”. (Riyad as-Salihin 1433)

Legacy and Reflection on the Role of Juwariyah RA

Juwayriyya bint Al-Harith (RA) represents more than just a historical personality; she embodies the principles of resilience, empowerment, and transformation. Her story is particularly resonant for women today, illustrating how personal strength and faith can lead to profound changes, not just within one’s own life but across an entire community. Few of the following are some practical ways through which we can draw some inspiration from her life:

Lessons for Muslims

1. Resilience in Adversity: Juwayriyya’s (RA) life was marked by significant challenges, yet she faced them with immense courage and wisdom. Her ability to transform personal trials into victories is a potent lesson in resilience.
   • Practical Application: Embrace challenges in personal and professional life as opportunities for growth. Approach difficulties with a problem-solving mindset, maintaining dignity and seeking constructive outcomes.
2. Advocating for Oneself and Others: By negotiating her freedom, Juwayriyya (RA) not only changed her fate but also influenced the destiny of her tribe. Her advocacy underscores the importance of standing up for oneself and others.
   • Practical Application: Use your voice to promote fairness and justice, whether in advocating for workplace rights or participating in community activism.
3. Bridging Differences: The marriage between Juwayriyya (RA) and the Prophet (ﷺ) brought together former animosity between Muslims and the tribe of Banu Mustaliq, and fostered peace and reconciliation.
   • Practical Application: Build relationships across cultural, religious, or racial lines to promote understanding and unity among people.
4. Spiritual Commitment: Known for her dedication to prayer and remembrance of Allah, Juwayriyya’s (RA) spiritual practice was deeply rooted in her daily life, demonstrating the strength that can be drawn from a committed spiritual life.
   • Practical Application: Integrate spiritual practices into your daily routine to gain perspective and strength. Regular prayer, meditation, and Dhikr can anchor one’s life in peace and purpose.
5. Role of Women in Fostering Community: Juwayriyya (RA) played a pivotal role in her tribe’s conversion to Islam, illustrating how women can significantly influence their communities.
   • Practical Application: Take active roles in your community or mosque, lead initiatives, or volunteer for causes that help people. Your impact can lead to profound communal benefits.

Juwayriyya RA was a pillar of strength and devotion we can all look to as an example. She lived a relatively long life; she died around the age of 65 in the 50th year of the Hijrah, the same year as Hasan RA. And shared 6 years of companionship with Prophet ﷺ. May Allah SWT be pleased with her and her household, Ameen!

References

• Tafseer Ibn Katheer
• Lectures of Sheikh Yasir Qadhi
• Juwayriya bint al-Harith (ra): A Blessing to Her People | Dr. Omar Suleiman
• To read more, check the main post: THE MOTHERS OF THE BELIEVERS – UM’MAHATUL MOMINEEN

Juz 30 – Points to Ponder (Part 5)

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Surah Al-Maun

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Surah Al-Maun (The Small Kindnesses) is the 107th chapter of the Quran, consists of 7 verses that addresses fundamental aspects of faith, social responsibility, and the nature of true worship. Its ayaat focus on the behavior of those who are neglectful of their prayers, who show off their religious acts, and who withhold small acts of kindness, such as assisting the needy. Here’s a reflection on the Surah and some engaging points:

1. Sincerity in Worship: Surah criticizes those who are careless in their prayers or perform them only to be seen by others. Prayers and religious acts should be performed for the sake of Allah alone, not for social standing or recognition. This challenges all of us to introspect about the purity of our intentions in the religious practices.

2. Link Between Faith and Social Ethics: Surah Al-Ma’un emphasizes that true belief in God manifests through ethical behavior towards others, particularly the needy and the orphan. It critiques those who do not encourage the feeding of the poor, implying that faith is not just a matter of personal salvation, faith and ethics works hand in hand, deeply connected with social welfare and justice.

3. Significance of Small Acts of Kindness: Surah, by its name “Al-Ma’un,” refers to small kindnesses or everyday acts of charity, underscores the value of what might seem like minor good deeds. It teaches that in the eyes of Allah, no act of kindness is insignificant. This serves as a reminder that even small gestures of compassion can have a huge impact on the lives of others and are a crucial part of a believer’s life.

4. Condemnation of Hypocrisy: One of the central themes of this surah is the condemnation of hypocrisy – performing religious duties for show, while neglecting the essence of what it means to be a true believer, such as caring for others who are less-priviledged such as refuges, orphans, poors, etc. This serves as a warning against the dangers of hypocrisy and the importance of aligning one’s outward actions with inner faith. Our external acts of worship are not separate from our internal deeds of Ibadah. Ibadah includes all the acts which are prescribed by same God who prescribed salah, fasting and Hajj. Those who neglect certain commands for the sake of their desires and perform other acts are actually selectively submitting to Allah SWT.

5. Reflection on Community Responsibility: The Surah indirectly calls for a communal responsibility towards the marginalized, such as orphans and the needy. It encourages a reflection on how individuals, as part of a community, can contribute to addressing social inequalities and supporting those in need. Islam doesn’t promote me and my, it is founded firmly on we and us.

Engaging with Surah Al-Ma’un encourages a holistic view of faith, serves as a powerful reminder that true belief is demonstrated through actions that benefit not only ourselves but to others as well.

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Surah Al-Kawthar

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Surah Al-Kawthar (chapter 108), the shortest surah in the Quran, offers profound depth and meaning within 3 verses. It is a surah of consolation, promise, and encouragement from Allah to His Prophet Muhammadﷺ, and through him, to the believers. To connect with Surah Al-Kawthar on a deeper level, consider the following approaches:

1. Understanding of Background and Context

Learning about the historical context and reason for the revelation of Surah Al-Kawthar can greatly enhance your connection to it. The surah was revealed in Makkah during a time when Prophet Muhammadﷺ was facing severe persecution and had just experienced the loss of his son, Abdullah. The pagans mocked him for being “abtar” (cut off, with no lineage). Allah revealed Surah Al-Kawthar to console the Prophet, promising him “Al-Kawthar” – interpreted as abundant good, a river in paradise, and/or his abundant progeny and followers. (verse 108:1)

2. Reflect on the Themes of the Surah

– How Allah provides consolation and hope to His Prophet ﷺ and, by extension, to all believers facing hardship.
– The command to pray and sacrifice to Allah alone is a reminder of the importance of gratitude and devotion (verse 108:2).
– Promises the Prophet ﷺ that his enemies will be the ones cut off from future hope and legacy. (verse 108:3), shows the triumph of truth and righteousness over falsehood and enmity.

3. Personalize the Message

– In moments of personal loss or hardship, recall the surah as a source of comfort and reminder of the abundant good Allah has in store for the faithful.
– Use the surah to inspire a personal commitment to regular prayer and acts of charity, seeing them as means to express gratitude for the countless blessings Allah has bestowed upon you such as blessing to born as muslim, and be a much capable human being as compared to the people who are unpriviledged.
– Let the surah motivate you to remain hopeful and steadfast in the face of adversity, knowing that Allah’s support is always with the believers.

Connecting with Surah Al-Kawthar is a journey of reflection, personal application, and spiritual growth. It invites believers to find comfort in Allah’s promises, to remain devoted in worship, and to be optimistic about the abundant good awaiting them in this life and the hereafter.

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Surah Al-Kafiroun
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Surah Al-Kafiroun (The Disbelievers), consisting of six verses, was revealed in Makkah. It addresses a critical juncture in the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ mission, when the disbelievers of Quraish proposed a compromise: they would worship Allah for a year if the he ﷺ would worship their gods for a year in return (Read more here). This surah was revealed as a response, affirming the absolute monotheism that is central to Islam and categorically rejecting any form of idolatry or associating partners with Allah.

Historical Context

The proposal from the Quraish was an attempt to undermine the Prophet’s message and to integrate it into their polytheistic beliefs, thereby maintaining their societal structure and power. The revelation of Surah Al-Kafiroun was a clear and unequivocal rejection of their proposal, emphasizing the non-negotiable principle of Tawheed (the oneness of Allah). It clarifies the difference between faith and disbelief, guiding the Muslims to maintain their distinct identity and steadfastness in the face of opposition and attempts at compromise.

Reflection on the Message

– Verse 1: [109:1] “Say, O disbelievers,”  The surah begins with a direct address to the disbelievers, setting the tone for a declaration of faith and disavowal of disbelief.

– Verse 2: [109:2] “I do not worship what you worship.” Prophetﷺ  is commanded to openly declare his disassociation from the idols and gods worshipped by the Quraish, emphasizing the separation between monotheism and polytheism.

– Verse 3: [109:3] “Nor are you worshippers of what I worship.” This affirms the irreconcilable difference in the object and concept of worship between the Muslims and the disbelievers.

– Verse 4: [109:4] “Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship.” A future-oriented declaration, ensuring that no matter the proposals or pressure, the Prophetﷺ will never turn to idolatry.

– Verse 5: [109:5] “Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship.” – Acknowledging the deep commitment of the disbelievers in their ways, it recognizes the clear differences that cannot be bridged by compromise on matters of faith.

– Verse 6: [109:6] “For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.” – The surah concludes with a statement of religious autonomy and tolerance, establishing the principle that coercion is not acceptable in matters of faith. This verse underlines the clear boundary between believers and disbelievers, allowing for peaceful coexistence despite fundamental differences in belief.

Reflection

Surah Al-Kafiroun is not just a declaration of faith; it’s a manifesto of religious freedom and integrity. It teaches Muslims to be clear and firm in their beliefs unapologetically, to respectfully disagree, and to maintain their principles without compromise. It encourages the believer to understand the importance of Tawheed, the non-negotiable essence of Islamic faith, and the virtue of steadfastness in the face of attempts to dilute or alter one’s faith. It also serves as a reminder of the respect for different beliefs, as it commands a peaceful and dignified declaration of faith difference without resorting to coercion or conflict.

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Surah An-Nasr
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Surah An-Nasr (The Divine Support) is the 110th chapter of the Qur’an and consists of 3 verses. It is a Medinan surah revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during the later stages of his life, following the conquest of Mecca. This surah is significant for its concise yet profound message, marking the completion of the Prophet’s mission and the establishment of Islam as a dominant force in the Arabian Peninsula.

Summary

– Verse 1 announces that when Allah’s help and victory come, signaling the triumph of Islam over the entire Arabian Peninsula.
– Verse 2 describes how people enter Allah’s religion in multitudes, acknowledging the truth of Islam.
– Verse 3 instructs the Prophet (peace be upon him) to praise and glorify Allah for His guidance and to seek forgiveness, as Allah is ever accepting of repentance.

Application in Our Life

Reflection on Success: Surah An-Nasr teaches us to attribute our successes to Allah’s support, His fadal and guidance. It reminds us that victories in life, whether personal or communal, should lead us to humility and gratitude towards Allah, rather than pride in our own achievements.

Gratitude and Repentance: The surah underscores the importance of turning to Allah in gratitude and seeking His forgiveness at times of success. This acts as a reminder that all achievements are fleeting, and our ultimate success lies in the Hereafter. This mindset helps us maintain a balance between worldly achievements and spiritual obligations.

Unity and Community Growth: The imagery of people entering Islam in multitudes can also be interpreted as a symbol of unity and the strength of community. It encourages us to work towards the betterment of our communities, fostering environments where truth, justice, and peace prevail.

Contemplation of Life’s Purpose: This Surah marks the completion of the Prophet’s mission, invites us to reflect on our own life’s purpose and goals. It encourages us to strive for a legacy that aligns with divine guidance and contributes positively to the world around us.

In summary, Surah An-Nasr calls on believers to remain humble, seek forgiveness, and work towards the collective good, keeping in mind the transient nature of worldly success.

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Surah Al-Masad
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Surah Al-Masad, also known as Surah Lahab, is the 111th chapter of the Qur’an, comprising 5 verses. This Meccan surah was revealed concerning Abu Lahab, one of the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) uncles, who vehemently opposed Islam and harmed the Prophet. The surah foretells the destruction of Abu Lahab and his wife, emphasizing the consequences of their actions and disbelief.

Summary

– Verses 1-2 condemn Abu Lahab to perdition, stating that neither his wealth nor his achievements will save him.
– Verses 3-5 describe the fate awaiting Abu Lahab and his wife: he will be consumed by fire, and she will be carrying firewood, with a rope made of palm fiber around her neck, signifying their roles in fueling opposition against the Prophetﷺ  and the hardships they inflicted upon Muslims.

Application in Our Life

Outcome of Hatred and Opposition to Truth: Surah Al-Masad serves as a stark reminder  that animosity and efforts to undermine truth and goodness will ultimately lead to one’s downfall.

Ineffectiveness of Wealth Without Faith: This surah invites believers to reflect on their priorities in life, ensuring that their actions are aligned with their faith and moral principles, rather than merely accumulating wealth or seeking social prestige.

Importance of Supporting Righteous Causes: By illustrating the fate of those who actively opposed the Prophetﷺ, the surah reminds us of the importance of standing with truth and justice, even in the face of opposition.

Role of Individuals in Society: The mention of Abu Lahab’s wife, who supported her husband’s efforts against the Prophetﷺ, highlights how individuals can significantly impact their society, a cautionary tale about the consequences of supporting harmful actions or ideologies, urging us to contribute positively to our communities.

In essence, Surah Al-Masad encourages a life lived in alignment with faith, truth, and justice, warning against the perils of contributing to harm or injustice.

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Surah Al-Ikhlas

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Surah Al-Ikhlas (112 Chapter) is one of the shortest but most profound chapters in the Qur’an. It serves as a direct response to the question raised in Surah Al-Kafirun about whom or what the Messenger(ﷺ) of Allah prays to. It provides a clear and concise explanation of the oneness of Allah and His attributes, which are further elaborated upon in the last two surahs of the Quran.

Summary

Oneness of Allah: The surah emphasizes that Allah is One, without any partners or associates (Verse:1). This means that there is only one God, and He is unique and incomparable.

Eternal,Absolute and Incomaprable: It describes Allah as “As-Samad,” which means the Eternal, the Absolute that signifies His absolute perfection and self-sufficiency. It refers to Allah as the Eternal, Everlasting, and Self-Sufficient . This conveys the idea that Allah is not in need of anyone or anything, but everyone and everything depends on Him. As-Samad is the Lord who is beyond any needs or deficiencies, negates any concept of Allah having offspring or being born, reinforcing His absolute uniqueness and incomparability. There is nothing and no one comparable to Allah, underscoring His unmatched greatness and transcendence. (Verse:2-4)  When describing Allah’s transcendence, it means that He is far above and beyond anything we can imagine or comprehend. His greatness, power, and attributes are beyond human understanding and surpass the limitations of the created world. This concept emphasizes the absolute superiority and incomparability of Allah in Islamic belief.

In summary, Surah Al-Ikhlas introduces us to the oneness of Allah, teaches us fundamental lessons about Islam’s main tenet of Tawheed, and emphasizes the simplicity and clarity of monotheistic belief. It is a cornerstone of Islamic faith and a guide for believers of all ages and backgrounds.

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Surah Al-Falaq & An-Naas

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Period of Revelation and Background:
The last two chapters of Quran Surah Al-Falaq(The daybreak) and Surah An-Nas (The Mankind), collectively known as Al-Mu’awwidhat. The circumstances surrounding the revelation of Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas have been a topic of discussion among scholars. While some believe these surahs were revealed in Makkah due to intense opposition faced by the early Muslim community, others argue for a Madinan revelation, particularly in response to specific incidents such as magic cast upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by a Jew. However, it is also recognized that certain parts of the Quran may have been revealed multiple times to emphasize their importance or relevance in different contexts. This diversity of opinions highlights the dynamic nature of Quranic revelation and the various layers of meaning embedded within its verses.

Connection between Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas:

1. Parallel Themes:
   • Surah Al-Falaq seeks protection from external sources of harm, such as darkness, envy, and malicious forces.
   • Surah An-Nas seeks protection from internal sources of harm, such as evil whispers, ill intentions, and negative influences.
2. Comprehensive Protection:
   • Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas together provide comprehensive protection, covering both external and internal threats to a believer’s well-being.
   • While Surah Al-Falaq addresses tangible dangers, Surah An-Nas addresses intangible but equally significant threats to one’s faith and character.
3. Unity in Seeking Refuge:
   • Both surahs emphasize seeking refuge in Allah alone, highlighting the unity of belief and reliance on Allah’s protection.
   • This unity in seeking refuge strengthens the believer’s faith and resilience in facing life’s challenges.

Summary of Surah Al-Falaq

Here is summary of the meaning of each verse in Surah Al-Falaq (Chapter 113):

– Verse 1 (113:1): Seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak, acknowledging Allah’s power and seeking His protection from the challenges and uncertainties that often accompany the start of a new day.

– Verse 2 (113:2): Seek protection from the evil of what Allah has created, which includes all potential sources of harm and negativity in the world, whether physical, spiritual, or psychological.

– Verse 3 (113:3): Seek refuge from the darkness when it settles, the later time of night, when usually evil actions are easy to occue such as theft, adultry, robbery etc. It also symbolizes times of confusion, adversity, and spiritual darkness that may cloud one’s path and cause distress.

– Verse 4 (113:4): Seek protection from those who practice sorcery to harm others through magical means, recognizing the dangers posed by such practices and the need for divine protection.

– Verse 5 (113:5): Seek refuge from the evil effects of envy and jealousy, which can lead to harm, animosity, and negativity among people, emphasizing to ask forAllah’s protection from such negative emotions and intentions.

These verses collectively emphasize seeking Allah’s protection to acknowledging His ultimate power and authority over all creation, and recognizing the need for divine guidance and support in navigating life’s challenges.

Summary of Surah An-Naas

Surah An-Nas (Chapter 114) is the 114th and final chapter of the Quran. It consists of 6 verses and serves as a powerful invocation seeking refuge in Allah from the whispers and temptations of the evil whisperer (Shaytan) and other sources of harm.

– Verse 1 (114:1): “Say, ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind‘” who is the only Lord and Sustainer of all humanity.

– Verse 2 (114:2): “The Sovereign of mankind.” Here, the focus is on seeking protection from the evil suggestions and incitements of the evil whisperer to mislead people.

– Verse 3 (114:3): “The God of mankind.“ This verse emphasizes seeking refuge in Allah who is the Ultimate authority and Controller of hearts and minds, protecting from doubts and uncertainties.

– Verse 4 (114:4): “From the evil of the retreating whisperer.” It specifically addresses seeking protection from the harmful whispers and temptations of the evil whisperer (Shaytan), highlighting the need for divine guidance and protection.

– Verse 5 (114:5): “Who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind.” This verse further shows hidden nature of the evil whisperer and the importance of seeking refuge in Allah from such harmful influences.

– Verse 6 (114:6): “From among the jinn and mankind.“ The final verse of Surah An-Nas encompasses seeking protection from all sources of evil, whether from the unseen world of jinn or from human beings, acknowledging the universal need for divine protection.

Surah An-Nas affirms faith in Allah’s sovereignty and protection over all aspects of life.

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Please share your reflections and points from this Juz too, in the comments. Alhamdulilah with this post, Points to ponder series of Juz Amma is completed.

Notes from

TafseerStudy

Al-Quran Academy

Quran Academy Blog

Juz 29

Juz 30 part 1

Juz 30 Part 2

Juz 30 Part 3

Juz 30 Part 4

Discovering Desert Routes: A Journey with the Quraysh

Embark on a captivating journey through time as we unravel the seasonal routes of the Quraysh tribe, ancient masters of desert trade!

In the blazing summer heat, the Quraysh tribe embarked on their trade journeys along the western coastal route known as the Red Sea Route. This path offered cooler temperatures and access to trade with neighboring lands, enriching their culture and economy. This coastal path offered relief from the desert sun and connected them to bustling trade hubs across the Red Sea, such as Egypt and Abyssinia.

As winter approached, the Quraysh shifted to the Incense Route, going through the Arabian Peninsula’s heartlands. They navigated through lush oases like Ta’if, Al-Ula, and Al-Madinah, trading prized goods like frankincense, myrrh, textiles, and spices with distant lands like Syria and Iraq.

But why did they change routes with the seasons? The answer lies in survival and prosperity. The summer route allowed them to escape the intense desert heat, while the winter route opened up new trade opportunities and connections such as cultural exchange.

Learning about these seasonal routes helps us see how clever and flexible ancient tribes like the Quraysh were. It shows how people back then were inventive and curious, always looking for new places to trade and explore, even in different weather conditions and environments.

References:

1. Quran 106:1-4 – Surah Quraysh detailing their journeys along the Red Sea and Incense Routes.
2. “Trade Routes of the Ancient Middle East” by Jodi L. Campbell – Explores the significance of ancient trade paths.
3. “Arabia and the Arabs: From the Bronze Age to the Coming of Islam” by Robert G. Hoyland – Offers historical insights into Arabian trade networks and routes.

Unveiling the Essence: Surah Al-Asr and the Imperative of Time

The theme of time in Surah Al-Asr is intricately connected to the four key traits for success outlined in the Surah. Here’s how these elements are interconnected:

1. Belief (Iman): The passage of time serves as a constant reminder of life’s fleeting nature and the limited opportunity we have to strengthen our faith (Iman). Time is a precious resource that must not be wasted, and true believers recognize the importance of utilizing their time to deepen their faith through knowledge, worship, and righteous actions.
2. Righteous Deeds (Amal Saleh): Time is the context within which our deeds unfold and accumulate. Surah Al-Asr emphasizes that righteous deeds are not only a manifestation of our faith but also a means to make the most of the time we have been given. Every moment presents an opportunity to engage in deeds that bring us closer to Allah and benefit others, thereby maximizing the value of our time.
3. Promoting Truth and Justice (Tawasi Bil-Haqq): Time witnesses the struggle between truth and falsehood, justice and oppression. Believers are called upon not only to uphold truth and justice themselves but also to encourage others to do so. This collective effort to promote truth and justice is an ongoing endeavor that unfolds over time, shaping societies and individuals for the better.
4. Exercising Patience (Sabr): Time tests our patience in various ways, presenting challenges, trials, and tribulations. Patience (Sabr) is not passive resignation but active perseverance and steadfastness in the face of difficulties. The passage of time provides opportunities for patience to be tested and cultivated, leading to spiritual growth and resilience.

In essence, the theme of time in Surah Al-Asr underscores the urgency and value of utilizing time wisely to strengthen faith, engage in righteous actions, promote truth and justice, and cultivate patience. These key traits are not static but evolve and deepen over time, shaping our journey towards success in this life and the Hereafter.

Learning Long Vowel Alef Madd in Arabic

Long Arabic vowels produce sounds of double a (aa), double e (ee), and double u (uu). They simply lengthen the sounds of short vowels. Long vowels are combinations of short vowel symbols and 3 letters of the Arabic alphabet.

1. ا – Alef
2. ي – Ya
3. و – Wao

Long vowel ا always comes in combination with the short vowel fatha ـَ, i.e. the letter before the long vowel ا must have the short vowel fatha ـَ on it. e.g. بَا، تَا، مَا

These combinations are mandatory for long vowels.

1. ـَ + ا
2. ـِ + ي
3. ـُ + و

These combinations make sense because long vowels have similar sounds to their corresponding short vowels and they prolong or double the same sound. If we see a word with a combination like بِا or بُي which doesn’t fulfill the condition of short and long vowels combination, then the second letter is not a vowel but a consonant.

Every Arabic letter (consonant) in a word has harakat ( ـَ ـِ ـُ ), or there are some more symbols that we will learn in the coming lessons, but long vowels are without harakat. If we see a combination like بَاَ . This alif with fatha اَ is not a long vowel because it has a fatha on it.

So, the above discussion can be summarized into:

1. Long vowels must have their corresponding short vowels before them.
2. Long vowels have no harakat.

Here is an interactive game to play and see if you understood the above concept.

Juz 30 – Points to Ponder (Part 3)

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Surah Ad-Duha

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Surah Ad-Duha is the 93rd surah of the Quran, and it consists of 11 verses. The surah was revealed in the early period of the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) prophethood, during a time when he had not received any revelation for a long period of time. The surah provides comfort and encouragement to the Prophet (peace be upon him) during this difficult time.

The summary of Surah Ad-Duha is as follows:

93:1-3 Allah (SWT) has not abandoned or forsaken the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

93: 4 The hereafter is better than the present life.

93: 5-6 The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was an orphan who was given a home and helped by Allah (SWT).

93: 9 The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) should not ignore those who seek his help.

93: 11 Gratitude towards Allah (SWT) is essential for receiving more blessings.

Overall, the surah highlights Allah’s (SWT) continuous care and support for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and provides encouragement to him during a difficult time. It also emphasizes the importance of gratitude towards Allah (SWT) and being kind to those who seek help.

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Surah Ash-Sharh
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Surah Ash-Sharh is the 94th chapter (surah) of the Quran, and it consists of 8 verses. The surah is also known as “Al-Inshirah” which means “the Expansion of the Breast“. The surah is believed to have been revealed in the early period of the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) prophethood when he was facing many challenges and difficulties.

The summary of Surah Ash-Sharh is as follows:

94:1 Allah (SWT) has granted the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) relief from his burden.

94:2 With difficulty comes ease.

94:5 After hardship, Allah (SWT) provides ease and blessings.

94:8 The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) should always turn to Allah (SWT) in prayer and seek His help. 

In general, the surah provides reassurance and comfort to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during a difficult time. It emphasizes that after hardship comes ease, and that Allah (SWT) will provide relief and blessings to those who remain patient and turn to Him in prayer.

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Surah At-Tin
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Surah At-Teen is the 95th chapter (surah) of the Quran, and it consists of 8 verses. The surah is named after the Arabic word “teen” which means “fig“. This surah includes:

95: 1-2 The oath taken by Allah (SWT) by the fig and the olive.

95: 4 Allah (SWT) has created man in the best form and with the best faculties, including intellect and reasoning abilities. However, they have the potential for their degradation by making choices that can lead to their destruction.

95:5-6 The topic in these verses is the balance of good deeds and bad deeds and the reward and punishment in the hereafter. Those who believe in Allah (SWT) and do good deeds will be rewarded with paradise. 

95:7 The importance of faith and righteous deeds for attaining success in the hereafter. Those who reject Allah’s (SWT) message and disobey His commandments will face severe punishment in the hereafter.

95:8 The surah highlights the importance of gratefulness and humility towards Allah (SWT).

Conclusion Overall, the surah reminds us of the power and wisdom of Allah (SWT) and emphasizes the importance of recognizing His blessings. Another important aspect of the surah is to striving to do good deeds and having faith in order to attain success in the hereafter by seeking guidance from Him.

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Surah Al-Alaq
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Surah Al-Alaq is the 96th chapter (surah) of the Quran, and it consists of 19 verses. Al-Alaq means “The Clot” or “The Clinging Clot”. This surah is also known as “Surah Iqra” as it contains the first revelation received by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Allah (SWT) through the angel Jibreel (Gabriel).

The summary of Surah Al-Alaq is as follows:

96:1-5 The surah starts with the command from Allah (SWT) to the Prophet Muhammadﷺ to read in the name of his Lord.

96: 5 Allah (SWT) has taught man what he does not know. The importance of the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom, which is a duty and a privilege bestowed upon human beings by Him.

96: 2-3, 6-7 The human being was created from a clinging substance that is insignificant in its nature. The surah emphasizes that human beings were created from a humble and lowly substance, and they owe their existence and sustenance to Allah (SWT). 

96:7 In this verse, it is mentioned that man becomes arrogant when he believes that he is self-sufficient and independent of the powers of Allah and helps himself without having the concept of God in his life. This verse can be understood as a general warning against arrogance and self-importance, and it applies to all people, including the disbelievers who rejected the message of Islam. The disbelievers of Makkah, including Abu Jahl, were known for their arrogance and defiance, and they opposed the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his message of monotheism and social justice.

96:8-18 The prophet (saw) made a famous dua where he asked that Allah (SWT) strengthen Islam with whichever of ‘Umar ibn al Khattab or ‘Amr bin Hisham (Abu Jahl) was dearer to Him (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3681). This means that the prophet (ﷺ) saw in Abu Jahl something that was worth saving and that he knew that if he had accepted Islam he would have been an amazing asset for the deen. Verses nine and ten were revealed with regards to the two incidents which show how Abu Jahl tried to stop Allah’s slave, the prophet (saw), from praying (‘abd has been used in the Quran for occasions where the messenger (saw) has been honored (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3349,  Sahih al-Bukhari 2934)

96:15-16 The forelock is mentioned as a symbol of human arrogance and pride, which prevents a person from accepting the truth and submitting to Allah’s (SWT) will. The verse warns that those who persist in their disobedience and arrogance will be dragged by their forelocks, which is a humiliating and degrading punishment. This verse can be seen as a warning to the disbelievers of Makkah, in particular to Abu Jahl, who tried to stop Prophet SAW from praying in Kabba. 

96:18 Allah (SWT) says you call your gang and I’ll call my guards. Thus, on one hand, there are gangsters and thugs and on the other is Allah’s security force. There is no contest. Furthermore, we know this happened in the incident where Abu Jahl ran back from his attempt to stomp on the prophet’s neck (while he was praying) after Allah (SWT) released his army of angels.

96:19 The ending of the surah is a commandment of worship. The beginning of surah highlighted the importance of knowledge and ends with the order of worshiping Allah alone in the most humble manner. This sequence shows that there is a relationship between knowledge and practice and that one should worship Allah (SWT) based on ilm.

Overall, the surah emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge, worshipping Allah (SWT) alone, and doing good deeds. It also warns against arrogance, rejection of Allah’s (SWT) message, and disobedience. The surah lays the foundation for the value of the Quran as a source of guidance for mankind.

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Surah Al-Qadr
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97:1 Surah al Alaq explains how revelation began whilst this surah tells when it began. In the previous surah Allah (SWT) taught man with the pen what he could not have known and in this surah Allah (SWT) gives the messenger (saw) knowledge of the Night of Qadr, the knowledge that he did not have before. In the last ayah of the previous surah, Allah (SWT) says prostrate and come close to Him and in this surah, we learn of the Night of Qadr which is that night when it is possible for one to come closest to Him. In the previous surah, the messenger (ﷺ) is instructed to recite the Quran – the Quran that came down on the Night of Qadr.

97:2 A rhetorical question that emphasizes the greatness of the Night of Power and its importance.

97:3 It highlights the superiority of the Night of Qadr over a thousand months (83 years and 4 months). This verse illustrates the immense blessings that can be gained during this night, which is greater than the blessings of worshiping Allah (SWT) for a thousand months.

97:4 mentions the presence of angels on this night who descends from heaven with the permission of Allah.

97:5 concludes the chapter with the statement that peace prevails throughout the Night of Power until the dawn breaks to highlight the tranquility and blessings of this night and encourages Muslims to seek the blessings of this night by engaging in acts of worship, reciting the Quran, and seeking the forgiveness of Allah (SWT).

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Surah Al-Bayyinah
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Surah Al-Bayyinah is the 98th chapter of the Quran, consisting of eight verses. There is a strong difference of opinion between the mufassiroon (scholars of Tafseer) on whether this is a Makki surah or Madani. The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith in Allah (SWT) and the obligation to follow His guidance. Here is a brief summary of the chapter:

Verse 1 Allah (SWT) mentioned two groups of people, the people of the book (Jews and Christians) and the mushrikeen (disbelievers). Allah (SWT) has elaborated on the stance of those who disbelieve and that the verse is also being put in the form of a question – are they saying that they will never leave what they are doing until clear proof comes to them? the ayah is talking about a group among them who would not leave their disbelief even after receiving clear proof. Another opinion is that the verse is talking about those who did leave their kufr when bayyinah came. Previously, this group was firmly connected to their beliefs and traditions, the impact of this proof was so powerful that it was enough for them to be separated from their own legacies conclusively in a way that could never be reconciled again. The verse is also considered to be attributed to the people of the book who were very committed to their scripture and claimed it to be the truth. They would fight with the polytheists but lose and so would then warn them that they have a messenger promised in their book.

Verse 2 explains that the bayyinah is made up of two components, the messenger and the message. The carrier of the message should reflect the teachings of that message and speech must match the actions. The messenger (ﷺ) was not able to read and yet Allah (SWT) says he is reading. This can be explained by the fact that the Quran has a three-step journey.

• The first part is in writing in al-Lauḥ al-Maḥfūẓ (the Preserved Tablet).
• In surah Abasa Allah (SWT) tells us that the revelation to Muhammad (saw) started its journey in purified honored scriptures held in the company of scribes who were the highest-ranked angels (Surah Abasa 80:13-16).
• They gave it to Jibreel (A.S) who then brought down to Muhammad (ﷺ) a certified copy of al-Lauḥ al-Maḥfūẓ and read it to him.

Verse 3 Allah (SWT) is highlighting the laws here and we will see why in the coming ayahs. The word qayyimah means established and upright. In other words, this is the establishment of the upright wisdom of Allah (SWT) which takes all of the crookedness in society and sets it straight. 

Verse 4  In this ayah He (SWT) only mentions the people of the book, which makes this a special case in the middle of the surah. Bayyinah here refers to Esa A.S. Allah (SWT) is giving an example of a historical event when Esa (AS) came to his people who were knowledgeable but fell into division and darkness. It is ironic that the people of the book did not disagree until the clearest proof came to them, they corrupted the message of their book. They fell into disagreements because they were not able to humble themselves to two things – the messenger and the message. Humbling yourself before a messenger in all matters can be very difficult when you see him as just a man. 

Verse 5 This ayah is the essence of the deen that has always been there from the earliest revelations. The core of the deen has always been to become Allah’s slave, establish prayer and give Zakah. The importance of establishing prayer and paying the zakat (charity) as a means of purification and attaining success in the Hereafter. This ayah begins with what is on the inside – sincerity and then moves onto what is happening on the outside – prayer, and Zakah.

Verse 7 warns the disbelievers that they will suffer a painful punishment in the Hereafter as the consequence of their disbelief: The final verses of the Surah warn disbelievers of a painful punishment in the Hereafter, while believers will have their sins forgiven and will be rewarded with paradise.

Verse 8 A glad tiding for the believers that their sins will be forgiven and be rewarded with Jannah where they will live an eternal life with the grace of Allah SWT.

In summary, Surah Al-Bayyinah emphasizes the importance of faith in Allah (SWT) and following His guidance as revealed through the prophets and scriptures. It highlights the importance of establishing prayer and paying charity and warns against the consequences of disbelief in the Hereafter. The chapter encourages the readers to follow the path of righteousness and seek the forgiveness and reward of Allah (SWT).

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Please share your reflections and points from this Juz too, in the comments.

Notes from TafseerStudy

Juz 29

Juz 30 part 1

Juz 30 Part 2

Juz 30 Part 4

Life-Lessons: A Quranic Series

This Ramadan 2022, Verse by Verse Quran study circle (our sister blog) has started a new series for the learners of the Quran. Team of Verse by Verse is trying to compile such lessons that take our hearts back to a crucial moment in our lives and we so many times think to write it down. Here we are bringing this special series for all of you, that connects many of us back to our Creator and with His message. It is based on selected verses from each Juz to ponder further over the Quran.

You can benefit by clicking on the images in the following gallery.

اتنی محنت بھی کرتے ہیں پھر بھی حالات اچھے نہیں

〰️〰️✨⛲✨〰️〰️

💦 ایک دِن میں محلے میں باورچی کے پاس بیٹھا تھا
دِل بہت بے چین تھا
میں نے باورچی سے سوال کیا ۔۔۔

یار میں نمازیں پڑھتا ہوں‼️
روزے رکھتا ہوں‼️
کوئی بُرا کام نہیں کرتا‼️
پھر بھی تنگدستی رہتی ہے‼️
رب کے ہاں بات نہیں بنتی‼️

باورچی کہنے لگا :
باؤ جی!
🫕 ذرا ہنڈیا پکا لیں پھر اِس پر بات کرتے ہیں
یہ کہہ کر باورچی نے ہنڈیا چولہے پر رکھی
🧅پیاز ڈالا ،
🧄 لہسن ڈالا ،
🍅 ٹماٹر نمک مرچ مصالحہ
سب کچھ ڈال کر میرے پاس آ کر بیٹھ گیا
اور باتیں کرنے لگا
🫕 باتیں کرتے کرتے اچانک میری نظر چولہے پر پڑی
دیکھا
🔥 باورچی آگ جلانا بُھول گیا

میں نے اُسکی توجہ دلائی
تو کہنے لگا
باؤ جی!
ہنڈیا میں سب کچھ تو ڈال دیا ہے ، پَک جائے گی
میں نے کہا
🔥 آگ نہیں جلائی تو ہنڈیا کیسے پَک جائے گی ؟

جواب میں کہنے لگا
باؤ جی !
🫕 جس طرح ہنڈیا میں سب کچھ موجود ہونے کے باوجود آگ لگائے بغیر ہنڈیا نہیں پَک سکتی
بالُکل اسی طرح
🌷 نماز ،
🌷 روزہ ،
🌷 زکوة ،
🌷 خیرات کرنے سے اُس وقت تک کچھ حاصل نہیں ہو گا
جب تک اپنے وجود کو تقویٰ اور پرہیزگاری کی آگ پر نہیں چڑھاؤ گے
🪄 اور یہ آگ آپکے ضمیر اور کردار نے لگانی ہے

🥀 غُصہ ،
🥀 غیبت ،
🥀 حِرص ،
🥀 منافقت ،
🥀 ہوس اور بُغض
سے جان چھڑاؤ اپنی ذات کو مخلوق کی خدمت کا تڑکا لگاؤ
تب جا کر وجود کی ہنڈیا پَکے گی

🌟 پھر بات بنے گی پھر اللہ سے رابطہ ہو گا

〰️〰️🌟🫕🌟〰️〰️

From an unknown Source!

Trellis of my life

For the last couple of weeks, tomato plants in my garden growing against the odds of the weather. Since it’s getting colder and colder so it’s time for tomato vines to snooze their fruit. The vines were growing but it was desperately in need of support to grow to their full potential. Finally, I went to a nursery and got a Trellis for the plants.

Today, when I was arranging these plants against the trellis. It came to my mind that how my parents were always like this trellis for me. They quietly but actively supported each phase of our life. Last year, after the passing of my father, I and my siblings experienced many tough issues which would be easily sorted if we would have our trellis. Looking behind, I can see how it was easy for me to share and get my father’s advice when things tangled.

But now, for each and everything, I don’t find anyone who can even volunteer to share that support and say I am here, everything will be fine. Unfortunately, we take these blessings very lightly when we have them in our lives and try to chase those which are not meant for us or we lose. The disappointment in close relatives and loss of trustworthy relations are huge factors that don’t easily let people move on. However, reliance in the guardianship of the Lord can make this transition possible.

My hope comes from Allah SWT, as He is the one who blessed me with the most trustworthy relationships in my life. Allah Al-Wakeel is the ultimate Trustee, guardian, and administrator of all things and we can trust in the fact that Al-Wakeel will provide the perfect resolution for every matter.

O Allah, Al-Wakeel, we know that You take care of all matters.  Make us of the mutawakkileen, those who gracefully rely on You and guide us to work in this world to the best of our ability. Make us of those others can trust in, protect us against our enemies and ourselves, guard over us and make us entrust our souls to you in times of ease and hardship, Ameen!

FUD – Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt

Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (abbreviated as FUD) are collective mental states that can influence people’s thinking in many circumstances and are often used together to manipulate people’s behavior.

For example, a salesperson might push a customer to buy unnecessary services for their furniture, by promoting FUD in various ways, such as exaggerating the risk of light color upholstery getting dirty with unremovable stains, and making the customer doubtful of their ability to handle it by themself.

Another example can be seen in the relationships when a third person influence doubts about the friendship of two people. Most uncertainty in relationships is caused by fear, whether rational or not. You may fear being vulnerable with your partner and being rejected. Insecurity is another common form of fear that leads to uncertainty – when someone is insecure, they may fear their partner is cheating or no longer loves them, no matter how many reassurances they’re given.

Techniques of using FUD

Common techniques that are used to create FUD where it doesn’t exist before or to manipulate people’s perception are,

• Making negative statements about the other person or object (in case of selling something)
• Pushing people to focus on possible negative outcomes.
• Exaggerating the likelihood or impact of possible negative outcomes.
• Pushing people to focus on their own negative emotions.
• Overwhelming people with information that is difficult for them to process.
• Questioning people’s pre-existing knowledge (that how much you have experienced this in your life)
• Attacking people’s alternative sources of information (i.e. if one confirms from other company or person, saying they are liar).

Promotion of FUD

Though FUD is often used intentionally as a manipulation technique, it can sometimes be created, promoted, and spread unintentionally. For example, if someone was the target of a FUD disinformation campaign, they might spread that disinformation further and promote FUD in others, without being aware that they’re doing so, and without being aware of the initial manipulation.

FUD in marketplace

The buyer usually starts with a checklist of what they want in the product and what qualities should not be compromised. Then, they look for the cost factor to pay the lowest for their desired product. If the price is out of budget, they may trade in a few features for discounts.

What we as a buyer seldom forget is the risk factor that can affect the longevity of that product. Here salesperson comes in and uses threats and uncertainties that flare up negative emotions like fear and sow the seeds of doubts that lead to the desire changing of the minds of people.

Strategy to deal with FUD

To deal with FUD, you should identify your relevant fears, uncertainties, and doubts, figure out where they’re coming from, and then move to resolve them directly.

The uncertainty that occurs occasionally in the relationships, is also nothing to worry about. If you feel uncertain only after an argument or when you’re in a state of anger or fear, it’s likely those emotions are causing your doubt. However, uncertainty can also be a red flag. If you’re feeling uncertain nearly all the time, even when things are going well, there could be something deeper going on. Certain relationship dynamics, like on-again, off-again relationships or those that are very unequal, are also unhealthy. It is also important to clarify your wants and needs in the relationships – you can write them in a journal, meditate or take therapy to access your thoughts and expectations.

 In many cases, your best course of action is to first stop for a moment and just think through your FUD, by asking yourself what you’re feeling and what caused you to feel it. For example, ask yourself “who benefits?” from creating, promoting, or using the FUD that you’re experiencing. Another way is you can slow down your reasoning process, in order to help yourself think more clearly and avoid an emotional reaction that triggers FUD. You can also, distance for a while (if not possible to avoid completely) from the source of FUD.

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References

Fear, Doubt, and Uncertainty

How to deal with Uncertainty

How to Overcome doubt in a relationship

Outstanding Character of the Best person

Allah combined in our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) the most outstanding qualities. His person sparkled from every angle and was thus seen as admirable in everyone’s eyes. Have you ever wondered: What was so special about the Prophet (ﷺ)? Why is he loved so much and admired even by non-Muslims? This important question can be answered by examining the characters of the Prophet (ﷺ).

Let’s take a closer look at 5 of the most outstanding characters of the Prophet (ﷺ)

1. His Honesty: The Prophet (ﷺ) was not merely a person whose honesty was testified to, rather his clansmen had officially titled him as-Sadiq al-Amin (the Truthful, the Trustworthy). Even when they persecuted him and rejected his message, they still trusted him with their most precious possessions. I like to elaborate it more with the example from Seerah. Decisions of Prophet ﷺ never affected due to relations or inclinations to one side or other was not due to kinship. The day when Prophet ﷺ decided to migrate to Madinah, he left all the possessions of the owners with Ali RA to return. He was migrating due to many of same people who devcided to kill him, but honesty of Prophet ﷺ didn’t affect with others action.

2. His Asceticism: The simple, austere lifestyle of the Prophet (ﷺ) is a major indication that his mission could not have been self-serving. After all, this was a man who controlled all of Arabia by the end of his life. With all that considered, we find no luxury in any sphere of his life. Instead, we find in his apartment a straw mat that would leave marks on his side and a hanging leather water skin from which he bathed. I like to link his generosity with asceticism as well. A person who has no fear of poverty, who loves that others do grow with him and who wants prosperity for all, can only think for the Khair of his fellow beings. Then, his life goal will not to collect luxuries of this world, it is more focused on bigger aim.

3. His Bravery: The Prophet (ﷺ) never fled in battle; instead, he fought fearlessly on the front lines. It would have been perfectly understandable for the Prophet (ﷺ) to shield himself behind the army, for his death would mean the end of the message. Yet, ‘Ali b. Abi Ṭālib (RA), the celebrated warrior, would say, “I myself witnessed on the Day of Badr how we used to stay close to the Prophet (ﷺ) for cover, and he was the closest of us to the enemy, and he was the fiercest [warrior] on that day.” (Musnad Ahmad 619). Usually people think brave person doesn’t have fear. It is not like that. A brave person doesn’t fear of failure and mistakes and they learn from mistakes and thats why the bravery becomes their strength. Prophet ﷺ as a leader, never failed to set example for his followers either in battlefield or outside it. He ﷺ used to stand in front to strengthen the courage of those standing behind him. He also, didn’t look if a crowd is following him or not, the most important aim for him was to do what is right and what pleases the God.

4. His Perseverance: The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) did not only display bravery at specific junctions in his life but instead showed exemplary endurance and consistency throughout. Important quality of brave person is, they never give up. And thats what we see that Prophet ﷺ didn’t give up and so does his companions in the face of difficulties like boycott of Banu Hashmi and Banu Mutlib. It was so devastating to see his loved ones eating leaves, hearing the cries of little children due to lack of resources and food. Yet despite the awful torture, and all odds being against the Muslims, they did not only survive these years. They came out much stronger and with a clear message that nothing could stop the Prophet ﷺ or the Muslims from their faith.

5. His Optimism: It is remarkable how the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) never lost hope in the support and victory of Allah, regardless of how apparently hopeless his situation would sometimes become. His journey to Taif, and the violence of common people in the city of Taif, didn’t lead him to despair. Out of all the odds, having options to curse them, he didn’t do that. He was very hopeful that with the will of Allah there will be people among the progeny of Taif who would be muslim and serve the cause of Islam. And eventually, we know it happened, the people of Taif embraced Islam later.

He ﷺ was already given the opportunity to punish these people who have made him bleed, but instead of that his love and merciful heart shun this and chose not to give them any trouble. This optimism tells of a heart laced with supreme faith.

The beautiful characters of our Prophet (ﷺ) are many, the above are just few. This was the conduct of Muhammad ﷺ, whom we should all follow.

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Elaborated the article of #IslamNet

Pancakes

A six year old boy decided one morning to make pancakes for his parents.

He found a big bowl and spoon; He pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor. He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten.

He was covered with flour and getting frustrated.He wanted this to be something very good for his parents, but it was getting very bad. He didn’t know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove, (and he didn’t know how the stove works!).

Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to clean up all mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky. And just then he saw Dad standing at the door.

Big tears came in the boys eyes. All he did wanted to do was something good, but he did made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him. Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him.

Moral of Story

That’s how Allah (SWT) deals with us.We try to do something good in life, but it turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a friend or we can’t stand our job or our health goes sour.Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can’t think of anything else to do. That’s when Allah (SWT) picks us up and loves us and forgives us.

But just because we might mess up, we can’t stop trying to “make pancakes”. Sooner or later we will get it right, and then they will be glad to see that we at least tried…

”Success is not permanent and failure is not final. So, never stop working after success and never stop trying after failure.

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By an Unknown writer!

What does sacrifice mean? A short note

Sacrifice is not only purchasing an animal or planning a Hajj trip but it is about sacrificing your desires. You make sacrifices of your desires, your evil habits with the trust that Allah will replace it with best. It is difficult but just like Hajar was running in between the mountains to look for water you run too to make changes in your life. And just like how Hajar found Zamzam spring you too will find your relief.

The sacrifices of nafs, the more one does, more he rises in status in the sight of Allah SWT. Maybe your hardships will not end and maybe it will drain you emotionally but you will gain beautiful patience, strength in faith and maybe that sacrifice which once felt like a mountain on your shoulders is now a blessing. And that sacrifice will be worth it. Every year  Allah sends month of Dhul Hijjah as a reminder to give sacrifice and clean ourselves.

Lets purify our souls and do tazkiyah of our Nafs which is not dependent on any month!

Juz 30 – Points to Ponder (Part 2)

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Surah Al-Ghashyiah

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Surah Al-Ghashiyah is a Makkan Surah consisting of 26 verses.

88:1 The Surah begins by drawing attention to the Day of Judgment, describing its overwhelming nature and the effect it will have on people’s hearts.

88:2- 16 It emphasizes that on that day, people will be divided into two groups based on their deeds: those who will be content and rewarded for their good actions, and those who will be regretful and punished for their transgressions.

88: 17-20 The Surah highlights the signs of Allah’s creation in the world, such as the creation of the Camel, the Heaven, the Mountains, and the Earth, as reminders of His power and ability to resurrect mankind.

88:21-22 Also, a reminder that the duty of any caller of Islam including the Prophet ﷺ is only to deliver the message of Allah. None has the ability to guide any person, it’s only the power of Allah to whom He bestows this blessing to come to the right path.

88:23-26 It warns the disbelievers of the consequences they will face if they continue to deny the truth and live a life of heedlessness. And everyone has their return to Allah and is accountable for all their deeds.

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Surah Al-Fajr

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Surah Al-Fajr is a Makkan Surah consisting of 30 verses.

89:1-3 The Surah begins by taking an oath by the dawn, which symbolizes the passing of time and the rise and fall of civilizations. As this Makki Surah conveys the message that despite the prevailing darkness and uncertainty, Islam will ultimately triumph, as assured by Allah (swt). Just as the dawn breaks through the darkness, Islam will dispel the darkness of polytheism and injustice. However, as per Ahadith, it is that Al-Fajr refers to the day of Sacrifice in Dhul-Hijjah (An-Nahr) in particular, and the oath in 2nd ayah refers to the last ten nights of Ramadan.

89:3-9 It mentions the destruction of the people of ‘Ad and Thamud, who were powerful and prosperous but eventually met their downfall due to their arrogance and transgression against Allah’s commandments.

89:10-14 The Surah also refers to the punishment that befell Pharaoh and his people, who denied the signs of Allah and oppressed the Children of Israel.

89:15-16 What we learn from these two verses is, the true measure of a person’s life and their relationship with Allah (swt) cannot be determined solely by their material wealth or external circumstances. Both poverty and prosperity are tests from Allah (swt), and it is crucial to understand that attaining honor and wealth is also a test in itself. The point is that Allah should be obeyed in either circumstance. If one is wealthy, he should thank Allah for that, and if he is poor, he should exercise patience.

89:17-21 These verses talk about the evils of wealth, and the materialistic approach of people who don’t use their favors for which Allah has commanded them such as helping the needy and poor. Instead, they indulge in increasing it by any means. The abundance of wealth is their priority which overcomes their life and its purpose.

89: 22-26 On the Day of Judgement, everyone will be recompensed according to their deeds. There is a warning in these verses that day of Qiyammah will be harsh and painful and on that day there will be no way out.

89:27-30 The good news is that for those with a soul at peace, known as Nafs Mutmaínnah, their obedience and worship of Allah bring tranquility. Such a soul will experience peace and assurance at the time of death, during resurrection, and in the Divine Court. At each stage, they will be reminded that they are progressing towards the boundless mercy of Allah Almighty.

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Surah Al-Balad
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90:1 The Surah has been named after the word al balad in the first verse. (Also it is a Makkan Surah) Allah (swt) begins this surah by taking an oath against the holy city of Makkah and this is connected to the previous surah in a number of significant ways.

90:4 At the end of these oaths comes the response which is the central message of this surah. The human being has been created in kabad means intense labour – a toil. This world is not a place of rest and ease for man, where he might have been born to enjoy life, but here he has been created into toil and struggle.

90:5 Man’s misunderstanding that he is all in all in this world and that there is no superior power to watch what he does and to call him to account, has been refuted.

90:6-7  Don’t feel pride in amassing the wealth or on  extravagances. Allah is watching watching over our deeds, sees by what methods we obtained the wealth and in what ways and with what motives and intention we spend it.

90:8-9 Eyes, Lips, Tongue all the blessings that we can’t afford even spend our entire wealth.

90:10-12 Allah has given us means of knowledge and the faculties of thinking and understanding and opened up before us both the ways of virtue and vice: One way leads down to immorality, and the other way leads up to moral heights that requires self-restraint. It is man’s weakness that he prefers slipping down into the abyss to scaling the cliff.

90:13-16 The steep path  ٱلْعَقَبَةُ to achieve the heights of this path, one should leave the display of wealth and spend for the well-fare of others such as in helping the orphans and the needy, should believe in Allah and His Religion and joining the company of believers. One should participate in the construction of a society which should fulfill the demands of virtue and righteousness patiently.

90:17-20 The end of those who follow the ٱلْعَقَبَةُ, they would become worthy of Allah’s mercies. On the contrary, the end of those who follow the wrong way, is the fire of Hell from which there is no escape.

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Surah Ash-Shams
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91:1-6 This is a surah of many oaths. The function of these oaths is to invite us to reflect on these illustrations that Allah (swt) has given, e.g. the sun, the moon and the night, in preparation for the rest of the surah. These things are in conflict; the sun is in conflict with the moon and the day is in conflict with the night. When you reflect on the harmony between these opposite entities you must wonder what kind of power must it be that made such an enormous creation like the sun and moon and gave them harmony despite them being such opposites. This is the point of reflection that has been set for us before we continue to the rest of the surah.

91:7 Allah (swt) swears by the nafs. The Nafs is thus in a constant conflict and moves between different states. Our conscience is something that makes us remember Allah (swt) and since He (swt) is the one that gave us our conscience we should realize that He is watching what we do with it. Allah (swt) is the One who programmed feelings like guilt, remorse, satisfaction and joy into us and watches how we handle ourselves.

91:8 The one who continually rebels against Allah (swt) has programmed themselves to ignore their gut feeling and their guilty conscience. Allah (swt) also gave sense of piety in heart in the form of awareness to protect itself from evil. We understand that the two paths are fujooraha (its evil) wa taqwaha (its protection).

91:9 Succeeded is the one who purified his/her soul. We can only try to purify ourselves and when we make a sincere effort it is only Allah (swt) Who can grant us that cleanliness from sins. This is why we should try our hardest to avoid sin in the hope that Allah (swt) will forgive us. And remember, a clean nafs benefits not just itself but others by letting its light reach others. So, even in the toughest time of fitna you will still benefit from a clean nafs because it will be like the bright moon that shines in the darkness.

91:10 Khaaba is when you run after something and fail to get it or you when you desperately want something and after acquiring it, you find it was not what you really wanted. Here this ayah talks about the one who completely and utterly disregarded his nafs by not listening to his inner voice and in doing so has set himself up for immense disappointment. The one who has polluted his/her soul is truly a loser.

91:11 The people of Thamūd defied openly the command of the Prophet Salih A.S, and were punished severely because of the rebellion (tughyaan) inside their nafs. People didn’t care to kill She-camel and ignore the warning of the Prophet and consequence of their actions. They did something that should have caused them shame, something that would have been recognized as wrong by their nafs. So, just like Allah (swt) balanced and evened out the nafs He literally crushed these people. Allah (swt) created the nafs in balance and harmony He destroyed these corrupt people who had created disorder in society and thereby restored order.

91:12  Allah does not fear the consequence of His actions, because He has no need to. This is an important lesson for us. So often we become certain of the fact that Allah (swt) is not going to take us yet as we have so many unfinished businesses. The believer should realize that our families survive not because of us but because Allah (swt) is providing for them and will continue to take care of them after we have gone. We might fear the consequences of losing our worldly sustenance and approaching death but Allah (swt) does not.

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Surah Al-Layl
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92:1 Imaan is more important than the wealth, Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ has preferred Ibn Umm-e- Maktoom over the wealthy kuffar.

92:2  Allah SWT has taken the oath of night when it covers and the day when it shines. It enforces the meaning that the day removes the darkness and makes everything bright and manifest immediately with nothing hidden. It takes a long time for the night to creep up with first ‘Asr and then Maghrib but the brilliance of the day develops far quicker in comparison. There is a parallel here between imaan and kufr. Both disbelief and corruption in society does not manifest overnight, rather it takes a long time for the change to come and for sins to accrue and the acts of oppression and disobedience to spread.

92:3 In the previous surah Allah (swt) mentioned different aspects of the process of creation. Here in contrast Allah (swt) mentions how remarkable the creation of the male and the female is. There are actually many parallels between the sky and the earth  and the male and the female as a contrast. The male and the female, two contradictory entities, work together so to do the sky and the earth work together for a greater purpose. Thus, the male and female complement each other just like night and day. In the same vein if everything is in pairs then life too must be paired and life can only be complete when it meets its other half, the hereafter, a necessary pair to this worldly life. 

92:4-5 The actions of the mankind are also opposites and diverse. Therefore, there are those who do good and there are those who do evil. Next ayah mentions about the one who gave a lot in charity, more than what is required. The person described in this verse is scared even after giving charity. Also, some people have taqwa but they do not give in charity. A Muslim should have both, taqwa and generosity because the believer fears whether his actions will be accepted such as after giving in charity. 

92:6 The word husna means the ultimate or the best possible. Allah (swt) says that the truth is confirmed and attested but He (swt) did not tell us in what the truth was confirmed which is consistent with the theme of this surah to invite us to reflect deeply. It could be in obeying Allah (swt), or in Jannah, or in obeying the messenger (saw), or in giving to the poor, or in the testimony of faith. By not listing every possibility and by using the comprehensive term Al Husna (ultimate good), Allah (swt) has implied that they are all true. Similarly, the word tasdeeq is to know something is good and true but also act upon it.

92:7  So the person who does gives in charity and fears, and confirms the truth then as per the response in this verse Allah (swt) will make ease for him. By implication then if this person does not make that commitment then Allah (swt) will not make things easy for him and things will remain difficult. Yusra means the easiest and so Allah (swt) says that He (swt) will make the easiest easy for him. Allah’s gift to this person is that he finds doing good things easier to do and finds doing bad things harder. Many of us find the opposite that doing bad things is easy and doing good things is hard. This change in attitude is the gift you get in this dunya from Allah (swt). In Surah Al Balad there was reference to the path of righteousness being difficult and akin to a tough trail up a mountain but Allah (swt) wants to change our attitude towards difficulty and so when He (swt) talks about the one doing good deeds which apparently sounds difficult Allah (swt) says that He will facilitate for him the easiest thing and make that path easy for him.

92:8 After mentioning the one that gives generously, Allah (swt) mentions the one who is not only miser (bakhila) in spending his wealth but also encourages others not to spend in His way. The word bakhila comes from bukhl which means to store and hoard wealth. Bakheel is reluctant to invest in any of the rewards of the hereafter and when others choose to invest in the hereafter he advises them to save their money for a rainy day. This disease of hoarding wealth leads to istighna. When you don’t spend your money and save it for yourself it can make you feel safe, empowered and superior to others who don’t have wealth. Istighna is the feeling that you are not in need of anyone else and that you are self-sufficient. However, its a wrong sense of security because only Allah (swt) is truly ghani, the One who has no need, ‘And know that Allah is self-sufficient (Ghani), praiseworthy’.

92:9 As a result of istighna, the empowerment let them deny Islam and goodness. Unfortunately, this is also happening in the Muslim world where some Muslims get further and further away from Islam the wealthier they get to the extent that they are even attacking the religion and verbally questioning the good in everything. They begin to think that they do not need the religion rather the religion needs them as they are the ones with money after all. They do not submit to religious commands and principles. When they say the religion should be adapted to suit them they are lying against goodness and the ultimate good of Islam. May Allah protect us from such characteristics, ameen.

92:10-11 The word ‘usr also means an evil deed and so the verse can be interpreted to means that Allah (swt) will make the evil deeds easy for this person. In it’s literal form though, ‘usr means the hardest possible thing. After developing stinginess, istighna, arrogance, the curse of Allah (swt) upon him is that he does things that lands him in the worst difficulty. This person will live carefree and not concern himself about religion spending his money wherever he wants and ultimately the things he spends his money on such as his children or property will become the cause of his problems in the future. The children may grow up rebellious and difficult whilst their property investments could be a source of loss and stress. The messenger (saw) was told not to be impressed with the hypocrite’s wealth or children as Allah (swt) only intended to torture them with these things (Surah Tawbah 9:55). The ditches of evil deeds are the grave and the hellfire, and this person’s wealth will not help him when he is thrown into them. 

92:12 Guidance is not something one gets through their deeds rather it is something one begs Allah (swt) for and every time we recite Al Fatiha we are asking Allah (swt) for guidance. Allah (swt) says it is only upon Him to give guidance regardless of how poor or wealthy you are. Furthermore, if you are seeking guidance then the ultimate goal and conclusion of that guidance must be Allah (Swt) Himself.

92:13 Allah (swt) owns everything in this life and the next, moulding and changing situations however He (swt) pleases. Allah (swt) told the Muslims to ask for good in both lives (worldly and for Hereafter). Understand that this verse is about the ownership of Allah (swt) . So, to Allah (swt) belongs everything that came before and everything that will come after (akhirah).

92:14 Allah (swt) is warning man about the fire using the past tense in this verse as whenever He (swt) warns about one thing specifically He (swt) uses the past tense. Allah (swt) is saying that the Quran is enough for one to fully understand the situation they are in, where they are headed and what the outcome will be. 

92:15-16 Al-Ashqa are indeed the worst kind of person and need to rectify themselves. This type of person was mentioned in the previous surah too where we learnt that Thamood lied against the messenger Salih (as) and violated and disrespected the miracle that Allah (swt) had sent to them by slaughtering the she-camel. Now the Quraysh have committed a crime against the miracle that Allah (swt) sent Muhammad (saw) by turning away from the Quran. Yet, in both cases the people rebelled against the gift that Allah (swt) sent them and now in this surah we learn what their punishment in the hereafter will be when they throw themselves into the fire.

92:17 A muttaqi is someone who has taqwa whilst an attqa is someone who has the most taqwa. The word janaba means to be on the side and tajannub means to be moved to the side away from something harmful whilst tajneeb means to be taken far away from something harmful and to safety and security, for example, when someone pulls you out of the way of an approaching car. Most mufassiroon consider these verses to have come down in the historical context of when Abu Bakr (ra) freed a group of slaves. He is the attqa who gave and was fearful and freed a group of slaves from the kuffar who were torturing them. This ayah does include those people who have less taqwa than those on the highest level. They also have hope which is a mercy from Allah (swt). May Allah make us from the people with the most taqwa.

92:18 The surah began in verse five by discussing the one who gave a lot without qualifying what exactly is given. By not limiting the verse by adding an object, the verse is left open-ended and general and opens up the possibility of people who don’t have wealth giving other things in abundance such as their time, effort, talent and even their money if they have a lot of it. In this verse though Allah (swt) specifically says wealth because even the poorest can give something and it does not have to be a lot which is why Allah (swt) does not ask for a lot. The condition to cleanse oneself is not to give a lot but to just give something. As Muslims we should be constantly giving away money to charity so that we lose the love of our wealth. 

92:19-21 We should only give to cleanse ourselves and not for worldly consequences, or to be popular, or to avoid getting in trouble and through the fear of consequence. No one will be able to pay you back for what you gave in charity because, even if they were to pay you back in full, they don’t know how hard it was for you to give that money in the first place. Seeking the face of Allah (swt) was the only reason one did it. They were pursuing Allah (swt) through prayer, fasting and other good deeds and then gave charity as they realized how beloved it was and how it was another way of getting close to Allah (swt). It is in fact the one giving who is getting high when he lowers himself before Allah (swt) understanding that He (swt) is the most high. People think that money will make them happy but Allah (swt) says that if you seek His face and do what He (swt) tells you to then He (swt) will give you the contentment you are truly seeking. 

Conclusion The dunya will not bring anyone satisfaction rather they should acquire the attributes described in this surah and they will surely find true contentment and satisfaction. 

(To be continued…)

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Please share your reflections and points from this Juz too, in the comments.

Notes from TafseerStudy

Juz 29

Juz 30 part 1

Juz 30 Part 3

What is Eid ul Adha and why do Muslims Sacrifice?

Learn about the festivity of Muslims also called Eid-ul Adha which comes in Dhul Hijjah – the 12th month of Lunar calendar. What are extra worships that Allah SWT loves in the 10 days of this last month of Islamic calendar?

Ibrahim A.S dreamt to sacrifice his son – Islamail A.S. In obedience of Almighty, did Ibrahim A.S really sacrificed his son? Mufti Menk has explained so well in this video that I can’t resist to share with you all.

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Link to the channel: Mufti Menk

Zaynab bint Khuzaymah RA

In the Name of Allah, the All-Compassionate, All- Merciful
 

If there is anyone to look up to after the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, it is his family and his companions. One of these notable role models is Zaynab bint Khuzaimah (RA). She was Prophet’s ﷺ fifth wife and entitled as “Mother of the Believers”.

Afterward Khadija (RA), she was the 2nd wife who passed in Prophet’s life only after 8 months of marriage to him. Hence, the details on her life before Islam or even after it, are not much known.

Zaynab bint Khuzaimah (RA) was born in Makkah 13 years before the year of prophethood to a noble family in the year 595 CE. She belonged to the tribe of Bani Hilal. Her mother was Hind bint ‘Awf ibn Al Harith while Maymoonah bint al-Harith (RA) was her step-sister, the last wife of the Prophet ﷺ.

She was among the first few converts to Islam during a time of great ignorance. She used to be very generous and lived to help poor and needy so she earned the name of “Umm al-Masaakin”, the mother of the poor. Her kind heart, her sympathy, and dedication to the cause were amazing. Upon her conversion to Islam, her generosity increased.

It is said that she was first married to Tufail bin Harith, who either divorced her or died soon afterward. She then married Ubaydah ibn Al-Haarith, who participated in the Battle of Badr along with Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) and Hamza bin Abdul-Muttalib (RA). However, Ubaydah was martyred during the battle of Badr. Zaynab bint Khuzaimah (RA) helped the wounded during this battle and provided the injured with water.

After her 2nd husband passed away, she was left helpless and in dire assistance. Shortly after Prophet ﷺ married Hafsa bint Umar (RA), he heard that Zaynab (RA) was suffering as a widow. Hence, he proposed to her to ease her circumstances which she readily accepted. It is believed that the marriage took place in the holy month of Ramadan and the marriage proposal by the Prophet ﷺ was a means to ensure the rest of the believers that their sacrifices in the name of Islam during battle would not leave their families neglected and that they would be cared for. Thus, Zaynab bint Khuzaimah (RA) entered the Prophet’s (ﷺ) house as one of the mothers of the Faithful. She was his first wife who did not come from the tribe of Quraish. She spent her time helping those around her and doing whatever she could for the unfortunate.

Eight months after the marriage of Zaynab to the Prophet (ﷺ) she became seriously ill. This illness turned out to be the cause of her death. She was the only wife of the Prophet ﷺ who died during his lifetime other than Khadijah RA. Her funeral prayers were offered by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), who also laid her to rest with his own noble hands. He also invoked Allah SWT to forgive her and he always remembered her for her patience and perseverance.

May Allah SWT be pleased with her and her household Ameen!

We should follow in her generous footsteps and give back to society and help those who cannot help themselves for Allah (SWT) loves those who help the poor and give to charity.

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Bibliography

• Tafseer Ibn Katheer
• Lectures of Sheikh Yasir Qadhi

Ramadan – The Month of Quran

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar is also the month during which Muslims around the world fast from sunrise to sunset. They refrain from eating, smoking, drinking and any refrain from pleasurable activities. Ramadan is the month that aims to purify the soul and bring the individual closer to Allah (SWT). 

Allah SWT said in the Quran,

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous” — Surat Al-Baqarah 2:183

With the above verse, the Holy Quran makes it clear that fasting was ordained compulsory on all Muslims and that they have to fast if they are to stay righteous.

There are volumes upon volumes worth of information available on Ramadan. For the same of simplicity, in today’s post, we will highlight what the Holy Quran says about this blessed month.

Below are 5 Ramadan Quotes from The Holy Quran.

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous” –– Surat Al-Baqarah 2:183

With the above verse, the Holy Quran makes it clear that fasting was ordained compulsory on all Muslims and that they have to fast if they are to stay righteous.

“...But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.” — Surat Al-Baqarah 2:184

It is a great way to cleanse the stomach and also has many health benefits for the brain.

“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” — Surat Al-Baqarah 2:185

One of the stand out features of the month of Ramadan is that the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) during this time. This book of guidance is an invaluable treasure trove of information on how to live life as a good Muslim to this day.

“Allah is with those who restrain themselves.” — Surah An-Naml 16: 128

Fasting teaches restraint; the ability to control worldly desires and spend time in prayer and meditation. It is a noble act that is much beloved by Allah (SWT).

“Allah has made Laylat al-Qadr in this month, which is better than a thousand months, as Allaah says…The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees, there is peace until the appearance of dawn.” — Al-Qadar 97:1-5

You can take the benefit of studying Quran in this month and after. We have uploaded Summary of each Juz to facilitate our readers for further study of Quran.

Ramadan is a gift from Allah (SWT); an opportunity for Muslims to capitalize on and earn His blessings and a way to seek salvation and forgiveness. We should all make the most of it. Let’s all make this Ramadan the best Ramadan yet. 

What is Hajj? (Finale)

 Assalumuailakum,

This will be the final article of this talking about the last steps in Hajj.

Now, let’s start at where we left off: the 10^th of the Dhul Hijjah. For those who are at home hajj, this is Eid-ul-Adha for them today, and so they perform udhiyah. On the other hand, those performing hajj, they stone the big jamaraat with 7 pebbles, and each time they throw them, they say: “Allahu-akbar“. Then, they will perform udhiyah. After that, they will cut their hair and nails. Some will completely cut them down to being bald, and some will only trim it a little. They can now also take off their ihram. Then they can do Tawaaful-Ifadah now, or they can postpone it for later. In this step, they go back to Makkah and circumambulate the Kaaba 7 times. Then, they pray two rakah behind maqam Ibrahim, drink some zam-zam and perform sa’ee. These were the same steps they did at the beginning of the hajj. After all this,muslims return back to Mina, where their journey started.

On the 11^th of the Dhul Hijjah, they will stone all jamarat with 7 pebbles for each one. Then, they go back to Mina. Additionally, if someone who went to hajj with their relative/spouse, he can ask his relatives to stone the pebbles on behalf of him if he is tired or sick. For the next two days, all they will do is throw pebbles at the jamarat. Now, those who postponed doing Tawaaful- ifadah can do it on the 11^th or 12^th day. However, for those who didn’t postpone, they will stone the jamarat with 21 pebbles, 7 for each one.

Now, the 13^th of the Dhul Hijjah. It marks the end of hajj, a great and tiring journey. Those who have limited time or in a hurry, they can stone the other 21 pebbles on the 12^th and leave on the 13^th. However, for those not in a rush and have an extra day, they can stone the jamarat with 7 for each one of the pillars. Then,muslims will perform Tawaaf-ul- Wida, known as the farewell tawaf. This is the final and last step of hajj!

Now they can leave or look for gifts, or visit Madinah or anything else because hajj is officially over.

What is Hajj? Part 1

What is Hajj? Part 2

Hajj Part 1

Assalmaulaikum,

Today, I will be talking about some of the steps we need to do in hajj and hajj in general. First thing is that hajj is the fifth pillar in Islam, it does not need to be done if you do not have the money for it, and you need to do it only once once in your life. However, we need to know what is hajj itself?

Hajj is the act of going to Mecca, Saudi Arabia  and going to the kaaba to perform certain acts of worship in the month of Dhul-hijjah, the last month of the lunar year, and non-muslims cannot go to hajj.

1. The first step is to wear your ihram clothes before arriving at the meeqat. Then  you make your intention to do hajj once you arrive at the meeqat. You cannot go to the hajj before you put on ihram clothes. The meeqat is a place very close to the kaaba or the haram as it is known. There are 5 places of meeqat that you can arrive at before you go to hajj and it usually depends on where you come from. For example, those who come from America, they go to the same meeqat no matter which state or city they come from. The ihram clothes for men are two pieces of white cloth and for women, they only need to wear regular clothes as long as they do not have any impurities on them. however, they should take a shower firs and clip their nails, then, they can put on ihram clothes. One part of the ihram clothes needs to be wrapped around the waist, and other other part is wrapped around the left shoulder and the right shoulder uncovered. however, you do not need to do that, as it is optional. all you really need to do is cover your awrah.

2. The second step after that is to make the intention to go and do hajj once you arrive at the meeqat. And it doesn’t matter which language you put your intention in either.

3. The 3rd step is to start with something called the talbiyah, the talbiyah goes like this:

لَبَّيْكَ اللهُمَّ لَبَّيْكَ – لَبَّيْكَ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ لَبَّيْكَ – إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ وَالنِّعْمَة لَكَ وَالْمُلْكَ – لَا شَرِيْكَ لَكَ 

This dua means:

“At Your service, Allah, at Your service. At Your service, You have no partner, at Your service. Truly all praise, favour and sovereignty is Yours. You have no partner.”

 Now, let’s say that you have reached the haram which is called ‘Masjid al haram’, this is where the kaaba is located. Before you start circumambulating the kaaba(also known as tawaf in Arabic), you should know that there are different types of hajj, these 3 types of hajj have a few differences. What makes them different is the intention.

• The first one is called hajj Tamattu. This means that this intention is if you intend to perform hajj after you perform Umrah. Then you can take off your ihram clothes off and then you are free for a while. Then, when it is time for hajj, you should go to the meeqat and put on your ihram again to do hajj.
• The second type of hajj is called hajj-al-Ifrad. This hajj for those who wish to do hajj only without doing umrah.
• The third type of hajj is hajj-Qiran. This hajj is for those who wish to do hajj and umrah together, that means that when you finish umrah, you should start hajj right away. In hajj-Qiran, the person has the intention to make umrah and hajj without taking off the ihram.

Tawaf

Now that you know the different types of hajj, it is now time to move on to the next step: tawaf.

• The first tawaf you will do is called tawaf-al-qudoom, the first of three types of tawaf, tawaf al qudoom is the arrival tawaf. During tawaf al qudoom, you will circumambulate the kaaba 7 times. It is a sunnah that the prophet (pbuh) used to say,

”Oh my lord, give us in this world that which what which is good and in the hereafter which is good and save us from the torment of the hellfire” Ameen.

4.  Now that you are done circumambulating the kaaba 7 times, you will go to maqam Ibrahim. Then you pray two rakah. The story behind this is that those footprints inside the cage is actually Ibrahim(pbuh)’s footprints preserved from thousands of years ago.  Allah(swt) gave the order to prophet Ibrahim to build the kaaba with his son Ismail[A.S] .The kaaba was not built by Ibrahim himself, it was built by the angels who made the foundation. However, it was kept being destroyed by floods so Allah[swt] gave the order. So every time Ibrahim A.S put some bricks on the foundation, he would go back to this point. Over time, he went back and forth, back and forth, and so on. Eventually, his footprints stayed and those who came after him preserved it unto this day.

5. After praying on maqam Ibrahim, muslims should go and drink some zamzam water. It is known that if you drink zamzam water and then make a dua, Allah will accept your dua.

The story behind this water is the story of Hajar A.S, when Ismail A.S was a little baby, Ibrahim A.S, his father, left her wife with Ismail in the hot desert. Hajar and her son were left with a little and a few dates. So Hajar looked around for some water. She walked on mount Safa and Marwah seven times but she could not find any. When she went to her son Ismail, she found a gush of water in front of her son’s feet because Allah sent the angel Jibril to kick the earth and water came gushing out. However, Hajar was afraid that the water would go away so she started to make a well around the blessed zamzam water. Hajar was trying to contain the water while saying zamzam! Or stop, and it is said that if she didn’t do this, the water would’ve covered the whole earth in its entirety.

6. After drinking the water, it is time to do sa’ee. This is when muslims walk between mount safa and mount marwah 7 times.

7. After you finish this, congratulations, Umrah is over. On the 8^th of dhul hijjah, you go to mina, and that is where Hajj starts.

In mina, all there is… is tents (nowadays, they have air conditioning and food). When you are in mina, you should pray, read Quran, and make dua…  you have just reached hajj! Now, we will talk about hajj next time. See you soon!

 

To be continued…

Juz 30 – Points to Ponder (Part 1)

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Surah An-Naba
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78:18. On the Day of Judgement, all the people from past and present will be resurrected and they will come in multitude.

78:35 No lie is spoken in Jannah. So whoever wants to enter Jannah must omit lies from his life

78:38 That Day no one can help anyone by his will

78:40 That Day the disbeliever will wish that he would’ve got mixed in the soil never to be raised again.

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Surah Nazi’aat
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79:1-2 It is the duty of the angels to take out the souls from the bodies, they might take it out with force or with ease by Allah’s will.

79:10-13 Disbelievers argue how will we come back to life when we are turned into rotten bones. They must know that Qiyamah will happen only by one loud shout (صور) and everyone will be gathered.

79:19 When one gets hidayah, he fears Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ and gains taqwa.

79:26 If we fear Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ, then we must take a lesson from Fir’oun. Ask Allah to make us humble as arrogant people cannot enter Jannah.

79:34 طامة means a calamity that will not end. Qayamah is طامة

79:35 The severity of Qayamah will be such that everyone will remember his every single deed, even the ones that are long forgotten.

79:40-41 Jannah will be for those who, out of fear of Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ, has controlled his Nafs. We must understand the desires of our Nafs. Even when our conscience says this deed is wrong, Nafs has all the excuses to make us believe whatever wrong we are doing is just right.

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Surah Abasa
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80:4 Imaan is more important than the wealth, Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ has preferred Ibn Umm-e- Maktoom over the wealthy kuffar.

80:19 Man must realize what is his reality? From which fluid he came into being?

80:22 Our freedom is for a very limited period. We are wasting this blessing in indulging in disobedience. In the Aakhirah, we won’t be able to do anything to escape from the punishment.

80:33-36 When the صور is blown, everyone will run away from their loved ones and will worry only about themselves.

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Surah Takweer
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81:8 In the days of ignorance, people used to bury their newborn daughters alive, nowadays the modern way of this sin is aborting an unborn child after discovering the gender.

81:10 That Day, the book of deeds will be published.

81:11 The curtain of the sky will be raised that Day.

81:14 On the Day of Judgement, everyone will get know what deeds he has brought in front of Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ.

81:29 We must obey Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ and not make him angry so that we do not lose the chance of good deeds.

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Surah Infitar
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82:5 On the Day of Judgement, a person will be shown each and every single deed he has done on the earth.

82:7 Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ has made man in such beautiful proportion and balance, but are we thanking our Rabb enough?

82:17-19 That Day will be the day of recompense.

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Surah Mutaffifeen
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83:1-3 The wrongdoers are not honest in their dealing with people, they get the goods in full but when they have to give something, they always give less.

83:6 Everyone has to stand and answer in front of Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ. So we must carefully check ourselves in every matter of life.

83:10 Denial of the Day of Judgement will become the reason for severe punishment.

83:14 The people who have always done wrong deeds, their hearts become dark, devoid of the noor of Imaan.

83:34-36 The people who mock the believers in this world, will be mocked on that Day.

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Surah Inshiqaq
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84:4 That Day, the earth will eject out every single thing buried in it nothing will be left hidden inside it.

84:7-8 The one whose book of deeds is given in their right hands, they will have an easy judgment.

84:10-12 But the ones who get their book of the deeds from behind, he will wish to die.

84:13 That ignorant man was busy with the people he loves and forgot the reason for his creation.

84:19 Everyone of us is getting closer to the Aakhirah stage by stage.

84:25 Whoever does the deeds that please Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ will have an immense reward.

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Surah Burooj
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85:4-8 In the old days, people were thrown in trenches of fire just because they were muslims… Nowadays fire is thrown from above them for the same reason  May Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ protect us all.

85:14 When you love Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ and out of this love, you control yourself from sins then Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ loves you back, and His love is such that it spreads till the earth and everyone including angels and humans love you for the sake of Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ. SubhanAllah!!

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Surah Tariq
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86:5 Think about your body. Do you even know the names of all the organs, bones, enzymes, hormones present in it? Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ has made human with such detail.

86:9-10 That Day you will be asked about even all the secrets and the deeds done in secret.

86:17 Today the ignorants are trying to harm the Deen and the believers. Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ knows everything, He has given these people some time, they will surely be asked about it.

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Surah A’ala
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87:1 This is the direct message to do Tasbih of Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ

87:8 Quran and Deen makes one’s life easy.

87:9 If you want to advise someone, make sure it is beneficial.

87:14-15 Everyone does mistakes, but the one who leaves sins, does Dhikr, and pray Salah, he will be successful in the Aakhirah. Dhikr and Salah purify one’s heart from sins.

87:17 Aakhirah is permanent. It is forever. How much disobedience can people do in this world? How will it benefit them? One day angels will come and take their souls away and they will not be able to do anything after that.

(To be continued…)

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Please share your reflections and points from this Juz too, in the comments.

English Compilation: Sr. Mariam Anwer ( Quest for Paradise)

Juz 29

Juz 30 part 2

Juz 29 – Points to Ponder (English)

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Surah Mulk

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67:2 We are being tested to determine who does more good in this world. We must pay attention as to how we pray Salah? How we give alms to the poor? How do we react to a difficult situation in our life? How do we treat our parents, siblings, other relatives, and friends? Because if our intention is not good then we cannot benefit from our good deeds.
* Allah has complete power on punishing the wrongdoers in this world but He, out of His immense mercy for mankind, gives them time so they can repent and come back to the straight path.

67:3 All of Allah ‘s سبحانه و تعالىٰ creations are perfect. Look around you, there is beauty in everything! SubhanAllah!

67:8 The Hellfire will be in extreme rage as the disobedient people are thrown into it. May Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ protect us all.

67:10 It is very important to listen and ponder on the ayahs of the Quran.

67:12 No one has seen Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ, yet we still stay away from sins out of His fear. For such people, there is a great reward in the Aakhirah. Whoever fears Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ, will never go to Hell.

67:16 In this ayah, the disbelievers are mentioned that they feel secure but in reality, Allah can cause the earth to swallow them or make it sway.

67:17 Or He can send a storm of stones then which house or which car can stay safe from such torment?

67:21 If Allah doesn’t provide the rizq then from where can we get it? The rain brings the rizq only when Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ wills. It is Allah’s decision to send a beneficial rain or rain that turns into a flood.

67:22 We are humans and have the ability to reason and think like no other living being on this earth. Then this behavior of ignorance doesn’t suit us.

67:23 The One who has brought us to this earth has the power of taking us back as well.

67:30 If the whole water of this earth sinks in then where can we bring the water back from? It is Allah’s mercy that He has provided all these basic necessities and much more for us.

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Surah Qalam
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68:1 Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ created the Qalam first & everything is written down with it. We must believe in the Qadr. He has made everything and He knows about everything. Just as the mother knows about her child then how can we question whether Allah knows everything about us or not.

68:3 There is an uninterrupted reward for our beloved Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, as he had the best اخلاق. The one who has good manners can gain all the blessings of both this world and the Akhirah. Whereas a man devoid of manners is a pain not only for the society but for his loved ones too. When a person leaves this world either his good behavior is remembered or the problems he created for others are remembered. Let’s strive to leave good memories for the people around us.

68:10-16, On one hand, there is the height of اخلاق in the form of our beloved Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and on the other hand a person devoid of manners.

68:17-27 Whoever stops the Khair to spread, he himself is deprived of that benefit. Whatever blessings we have, we must share them with others.

68:28 It is important to make tasbih, remembrance if Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ, a part of our daily routine.

68:42 Those people who have never prostrated to Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ in this world, will not be able to perform Sajdah on the Last Day as well. We must be grateful that Allah has bestowed us with the blessing of emaan and we can prostrate to Him in this world too.

68:51 Allah has protected Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم from tye evil eyes of the kuffar otherwise they might have harmed the Prophet.

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Surah Haqqah
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69:7 The storm that destroyed Aad continued for seven nights and eight days. Imagine the power of Allah!

69:18 On that Day, no secret will remain secret.

69:419 Those people who worry about their book of deeds will strive to get the reward. Their record will be handed to them in their right hands and they will show it to everyone with joy.

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Surah Ma’arij
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70:3 Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ is the Lord of heights.

70:5 If someone is unjust to you then be patient and make dua to Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ.

70:11-13 That day, humans will get so selfish that he will even exchange his spouse, children, and those people who have done a favor to him, in his place of Hellfire.

*Allah has asked us to obey very light commands but in the Aakhirah even the wealth of the whole world will not help to escape from Hellfire.

70:23 man is described with blameworthy characteristics except for He whom Allah protects, helps and guides to good, making its means easy for him — and these are those people who perform Salah.

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Surah Nuh
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71:4 He will extend your life span and protect you from the torment that He would have made befall you if you did not stay away from His prohibitions.

71:14 A developing baby changes from one form into another in the mother’s womb. Only Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ has the power to turn it into a perfect human being.

71:21 if you repent to Allah, seek His forgiveness, and obey Him, He will increase your provisions for you and provide you with water from the blessings of the sky. He will cause the blessings of the earth and crops to grow for you. He will increase your livestock animals for you and give you more wealth and children. This means that He will give you more wealth, more children, and gardens with various types of fruits.

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Surah Jinn
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72:13 Hazrat Nuh عليه السلام spent 950 years to convey the message of Truth to mankind, but they didn’t accept it. Here the Jinn heard the Quran once and accepted the Truth. Which category are we in?

72:16 When a person chooses the right path then he becomes consistent in it.

72:17 Whoever turns away from Dikhr will face the consequences.

72:28 Whatever Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ has bestowed upon you, He has its record and everything will be asked about.So we must not take these blessings for granted.

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Surah Muzzammil
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73:1 Whoever works for Deen, his sleep and rest are affected. Devotion prevents him to relax and he strives hard to spread the message.

73:2 Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم has been given the obligation of praying at night.

73:4 We must recite the Quran slowly so as to understand it better and even if we do not know Arabic we can feel the power of the Quran by reciting it slowly.

73:5 Quran is a heavy word. Our Prophet used to shiver and sweat was visible on his forehead whenever he got the revelation.
*Today we have Quran in the most beautiful covers in our homes. Are we really giving Quran its due right?
*When we realize the greatness of the Quran then only our problems will seem small.

73:6 The prayer of the night is very effective in helping us control our Nafs. It is meant to gain closeness to Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ.

73:20 Beautiful ayah. Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ has asked to read as much Quran as you can. It is a blessing for us as Allah knows we have duties towards our families to fulfill too. Now that we have such a big concession, we must take advantage of it.
* This ayah has mentioned the deeds that we are sending forward. We are taking the deeds out from the bank of this dunya and transferring it to the bank of Akhirah. There, all our deeds are kept safe and we will find exactly what we have sent forward.

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Surah Mudathir
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74:4 A muballigh must have a good appearance.

74:7 Whoever is patient for Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ, he will have a great reward in the Hereafter.

74:31 No one has knowledge about Allah. No one knows about the soldiers and army of Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ

74:43We must not leave Salah intentionally, whoever does so, he has no association with Imaan.

74:44 We must feed the poor

74:45 it is a trend nowadays to discuss the scholars and comment on their ability although we ourselves have very little knowledge. We must avoid it.

74:46 Day of Judgement is a fact, we must believe in it.

74:54 Quran is a lesson for all.

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Surah Qiyamah
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75:4 On the Last Day we will be resurrected completely, even our fingerprints will be the same.

75:36 Man thinks that he is not accountable for his deeds but this is not true. Everyone has to answer.

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Surah Dahr/Insaan
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76:2 The senses of hearing and seeing are not without a purpose. We must acknowledge and accept Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ as our Creator.

76:8 -9 Those people who feed the poor and the captives out of love of Allah سبحانه و تعالىٰ, they only want its reward from Allah and no one else.

76:10 Whoever makes others happy and comfortable in this world will have happiness in the Aakhirah. A beautiful reward where they will be adorned and will get everything they wish for.

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Surah Mursalat
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This is the Surah that our beloved Prophet recited in his last Salah (maghrib)

77:6-10 Qiyamah will be such that all the stars will appear dim in front of it.

77:20 Man is created from a disdained liquid.

77:32 The fire of Hell will throw flames as high as the castle

77:43 We must act upon the teachings we have learned otherwise how will we get the reward.

77:50 Quran is the final message. If people won’t listen to its teachings then how else will they get guidance?

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Please share your reflections and points from this Juz too, in the comments.

English Compilation: Sr. Mariam Anwer ( Quest for Paradise)

Juz 28

Juz 30 part 1

Click here for the points of the previous Juz: Summary of the Quran; Juz wise

Juz 28 – Points to Ponder (English)

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Surah Al Mujadila

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[58:1] Seek the solutions to your problems from Allah. Turn to Him whenever something worries you, confuses you, talk to Him and directs all complain to Him. People depend on humans for their issues while the real believer rushes to Allah for answers, relief, and a way of out of problems. He (subhanahu wa ta’ala), without doubt, listens and responds to every call and every complaint.

[58:5] Never oppose the commands of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ because if you do so you will be disgraced in this world and the Hereafter.

[58:7] Do you realize that even when a conversation is private between people, Allah is the Witness with His knowledge of them and their secrets. How many times do you sit together whispering to each other, ridiculing others, gossiping, etc so others can’t hear and you forget Allah is watching and listening? Fear Allah!

[58:9] You should not converse privately with someone when a third person is there. Also, be careful with speaking in another language while there are people around who cannot understand and might assume it’s about them.

[58:11] When you are sitting in a gathering or in the congregation for prayer and someone wants a place to sit near you then make space; Allah will make space for you. And if you are the person seeking a place to sit then sit wherever you find a place. These are the rulings of Allah and whoever takes care of them Allah raises him in levels.

[58:18] You might be able to get out of situations by lying in this world, but whenever you are tempted to do so, know that on the Day of Judgement lies will not help you to escape from anything.

[58:19] [58:22] Believe in Allah and in His Messenger with all your heart, follow them and be from the party of Allah. Stay protected from Shaytan, his whispers and his traps and people who call you to evil even if they are from your own family or friend circle. Stay away from being from the party of Shaytan.

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Surah Al Hashr
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[59:1] When Allah blesses one with Deen and Dunya both and he prefers dunya over deen and gets engrossed in its temptations Allah takes away both favors from him and leaves him on his own.

[59:7] Which role does the sunnah play in your life? When the Prophet ﷺ instructed something, do you actually do it? And when he forbid something, are you actually refraining from it? Ask Allah from the bottom of your heart to make you someone who follows the sunnah!

Abdullah Ibn Masood narrates that,

Rasoolullah ﷺ said, Allah curses those ladies who practice tattooing and those who get themselves tattooed, and those ladies who get their hair removed from their eyebrows and faces except beard or mustache, and those who make artificial spaces between their teeth for beautification, whereby they change Allah’s creation.”
His saying reached a lady from Banu Asad who came to him and said, “I have come to know that you have cursed such-and-such ladies?”

He replied “Why should I not curse those whom Rasoolullah has cursed and who are (cursed) in Allah’s book.” the lady said, I have read the whole Quran but I didn’t find in it what you said.”
He said,” Verily if you have read it (i.e. the Quran) you must have found it. Didn’t you read? “And whatsoever the Messenger gives you take it and whatsoever he forbids, abstain (from it).” (59:7)

She replied,” Yes I did.”

He said, “Verily Allah’s Messenger forbade such things”. She said, “But I see your wife doing these things? He said, “Go and watch her”. She went and watched her but could not see anything in support of her statement. On that he said, “If my wife was as you thought, I would not keep her in my company”(i.e. I would divorce her).

(Sahih Bukhari, Vol.6, hadith No.408)

[Read more on the topic of removing eyebrows here ]

Allah’s Messenger (sallAllahu ályhi wasallam) said,

“All my followers will enter Paradise except those who refuse.” They said, O Allah’s Messenger! Who will refuse?”
He said, “Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses (to enter it).” (Sahih Al Bukhari)

[59:9] Sometimes someone hears of a person in need and gives that person more than he has himself. Ask Allah to make you someone who is protected from the stinginess of your own soul!

Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, “A man came to the Prophet and said,

`O Allah’s Messenger! Poverty has stuck me.’ The Prophet sent a messenger to his wives (to bring something for that man to eat) but they said that they had nothing. Then Allah’s Messenger said, ‘Who will invite this person or entertain him as a guest tonight; may Allah grant His mercy to him who does so.’ An Ansari man said, `I, O Allah’s Messenger!’ So he took him to his wife and said to her, `Entertain the guest of Allah’s Messenger generously.’ She said, `By Allah ! We have nothing except the meal for my children.’ He said, `Let your children sleep if they ask for supper. Then turn off the lamp and we go to bed tonight while hungry.’ She did what he asked her to do. In the morning the Ansari went to Allah’s Messenger who said, “Allah wondered (favorably) at the action of so-and-so and his wife.” Then Allah revealed,

وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ
“and they give them preference over themselves even though they were in need of that.”

(Al-Bukhari recorded this Hadith in another part of his Sahih. Muslim, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa’i collected this Hadith) In another narration for this Hadith, the Companion’s name was mentioned, it was Abu Talhah Al-Ansari, may Allah be pleased with him. [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

[59:10] Make dua that Allah removes any resentment towards any Muslim from your heart.

رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلإِخْوَنِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالإَيمَـنِ وَلاَ تَجْعَلْ فِى قُلُوبِنَا غِلاًّ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in faith, and put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed full of kindness, Most Merciful.”

[59:11] Whenever you say to someone you will help them, stick to your word. It’s a sign of nifaaq (hypocrisy) to promise people to help if they ever would be in a certain situation and then don’t bother.

[59:21] Deeply reflect on this: if the Quran had been sent down upon a mountain it would have come apart out of fear of Allah. Is your heart harder than a rock? Yaa Allah – make our hearts soft for the Quran and make our souls realize we need the Quran to find the happiness we long for!

[59:24] When you make dua, use an Attribute of Allah which relates to the content of your supplication to call on Him.
Eg. ‘Yaa Mu’min, strengthen our Emaan!’ Or, ‘Yaa ‘Aleem, make us benefit from our knowledge’, ‘Ya Razzaq bless me with a good job and a righteous spouse!’

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Surah Al Mumtahina
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[60:1] Never take an enemy of Allah as a friend or close associate.

[60:4-7] Sometimes it gets painful to bear the enmity of our loved ones, just because they don’t want us to leave the former lifestyle,. But no matter how difficult it might be, stay firm in Allah’s obedience and trust Allah that He will do the best for you; certainly, it is not difficult for Allah to change the hearts!

Memorize and recite often. Du’a of Prophet Ibrahim (‘alayhissalam)

رَّبَّنَا عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ أَنَبْنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ – رَبَّنَا لاَ تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
“Our Lord! In You we put our trust, and to You we turn in repentance, and to You is the final Return. Our Lord! Make us not a trial for the disbelievers, and forgive us, Our Lord! Verily, You, only You, are the Almighty, the All-Wise.”

[60: 10] Purify your intentions! We as believers are quick to assume that we are doing everything for Allah, but we seriously need to examine our real intentions because our deeds will be weighed according to our inner sincerity. Even a great act like migrating from one place to another will not be accepted unless it is truly for the sake of Allah. That is why; when some women from Makkah migrated to Madinah to join the believers, it was essential to assess what was their real motivation…It shows that Islam has no place for empty slogans and false assumptions.

[60: 13] Avoid all things which might distract you from the path of Allah. Initially, the diversion seems to be trivial, but if one is not careful he ends up being far from where he had intended to reach. The biggest motivation is our environment so make sure not to make any friends who do not believe in the Akhirah. Holy Prophet (s.a.w) said: “A man is on the religion of his friend”…

So be careful and choose the right company, which will help you to stay focused on success!

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Surah As Saff
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[61:2] Keep your word. Keep your promise. Act on the advice you give to others first. Allah Himself asks: O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? Ask Allah to forgive you for all those promises you have broken and all the things you said you would do but never did.

[61:5] Do not turn a blind eye or deaf hear to every reminder that comes to you. Strive hard to seek Allah’s guidance from all the resources you have. Remember that Allah doesn’t guide a person who doesn’t want to be guided. Tell him that you are in need of Him and His guidance, show Him your desperation, and He will show you His path.

[61: 10- 13] What would you say if I tell you I know of a trade, a business transaction that could NEVER fail, that could earn you everything you wish, and save you from whatever you dislike, and I guarantee you they are gonna be NO LOSS! Wouldn’t you be interested?
Now, If Allah, the Master of the entire Creation, would offer you, a mere human being, a transaction wouldn’t you rush to it? Allah offers you the forgiveness of all your sins and pleasure forever and what do you need to do? Believe in Him and the Prophet ﷺ and strive in His path, do whatever you can to help the Deen, serve Allah, and this Ummah with your money, time, and skills, and you will be among the successful in both Worlds!

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Surah Al Jumu’ah
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[62:4] If you give a valuable gift to someone and he throws it to one side, not caring for its worth; what would you call such a person except that he is crazy…similarly if we don’t value the magnificent treasure of Quran and Hadith, then we are equally senseless in Allah’s eyes. This Quran is not only a gift but also a responsibility upon us about which we will be questioned by Allah. So strive to learn, study, understand, memorize, and implement on it.

[62:6-7] If we ignore the real purpose of the Quran then just being the bearers of this great book will not make us great in Allah’s eyes. Why don’t we feel the need to act upon the Quran? Is it because we are so sure of our salvation? Remember that the Jews too had this false pride that they were the favorites of Allah and the Paradise had been reserved only for them, don’t be like them. Learn and study the Quran!

[62:9] When the adhan is called for the Jumuah prayer, you shouldn’t do any buying or selling! Any sort of business after the adhan of Jumu’ah prayer is Haram! Jumu’ah prayer is Fardh on all Muslim men.
This ayah is a great reminder of the importance of the Friday prayer, and it also gives the formula for balance in our deen and duniya…(the religious and worldly affairs) This again, is a question on which there is a lot of confusion, as to what is more important; deen or duniya? Allah is teaching us the correct balance that the priority for an action is to be decided according to the time. It means that when it is time for the Prayer then you stop all other activity and get to the masjid.

[62: 10] When you go to the masjid, leave your business behind but when you go back to your businesses, don’t leave Allah behind, rather remember Him even more. Do not forget the purpose of your existence, which is to remember him at all times!

[62: 11] Look around yourself and observe the dissatisfaction written on the faces of people. They might have all the luxuries of this world but they are unfulfilled. Why? The reason is that they have forgotten Allah and His obedience. Our hearts cannot find peace without it. So remember Allah greatly.

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Surah Al Munafiqoon
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[63: 2] Beware! Whatever good or bad behavior that you display becomes a cause for others to form an opinion about Islam and its followers. You, as a muslim, are representing Islam, and the way you are living your life, and dealing with others, might either draw people closer or avert them from Islam, so live your life according to Allah’s Will.

[63:7] Allah is the possessor of all the treasures of the universe so turn to Him and ask Him for whatever you wish.
It says in the lengthy hadeeth of Abu Dharr al-Maqdisi that Allaah says:

“O My slaves, all of you are astray except those whom I guide, so ask Me for guidance, and I will guide you. O My slaves, all of you are hungry except those whom I feed, so ask me for food and I will feed you. O My slaves, all of you are naked except those whom I clothe, so ask Me for clothing and I will clothe you. … O My slaves, if the first of you and the last of you, your humans and your jinn, were to stand on a single plain and ask of Me and I were to give each one what he asked for, that would not cause any loss to Me greater than what is lost when a needle is dipped into the sea.” (Narrated by Muslim, 2577).

[63:8] Do not be sad, do not be grieved when people insult you for sticking to the right path, for holding on to the rulings of the Qur’an or when people blame your Deen for lagging behind in accumulating material things. Their insults will not decrease your worth in the least bit. All honor belongs to Allah. So turn to Him, complain to Him, and ask Him for strength and sabr.

[63:9] Our wealth and children are two blessings which are major tests of our lives. We cannot live without these because they are our primary needs but the problem begins when we make our needs into our goals. Thus, make sure that your money or children do not avert you from remembering Allah, and following His rulings instead, raise your children in a way pleasing to Allah and to serve Him and His Deen and use your wealth for His sake.

[63: 11] Every day every hour and every minute and second is bringing us closer to our end. As soon as our eyes close from this world, we are going to step into the world of reality. Then we will realize that the things which we were running after had no value. But then the realization will not benefit us. So make use of your free time before you get busy; Make use of your health before you get sick; And make use of your life before you die…

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Surah At Taghabun
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[64:3] You think you are not beautiful? You are not skinny or white enough? Well, Allah, the One Who created you, says that you are beautiful. YES, you read that right! YOU are beautiful! Allah has created you flawless, in a perfect form and shape, so whatever defects you have been complaining about, let go off these evil thoughts, and Praise the One Who designed you so perfectly. Read: https://questforparadise.wordpress.com/…/created-without-a…/

[64:11] Remember whatever trial or test you might go through in your life, it’s by Allah’s permission and Will. So Whenever a trial hits you, do not cry, curse, or complain. Instead ask Allah to help you straight away, seek His Help through prayer and patience and He will put something in your heart that will guide you through the calamity. He will give you tranquility or strength you didn’t know you could have. He indeed KNOWS what you are going through so just talk to Him and ask Him for help and strength.

[64: 14] Don’t ask your spouse or any other relative to disobey Allah for some trivial worldly gain. Just because Allah has given you authority over your family member doesn’t mean that you can ask him or her to do whatever you want. Remember that before he or she is your spouse, or son or daughter, that person is the slave of Allah, and there is no obedience in the creation with the disobedience of the Creator!

[64: 17] Remember that whatever you spend in charity, then Allah will replace it and multiply it for you, He will erase your mistakes and on Him will be the reward of whatever you give away in charity.
There was a scholar called Ḥayāt ibn Sharīḥ whose annual income was a mere 60 dinars, he used to distribute ALL his to the needy. Narrations say Ḥayāt would return home and randomly find another 60 dinars under his pillow. Like Allāh was compensating him secretly for his charitable donations. His cousin, seemingly baffled by Ḥayāt’s kirāmah, tested this to see if it would work for him.
It didn’t. And when his cousin complained to him, Ḥayāt replied:

أنا أعطيت ربي بيقين وأنت أعطيته بتجربة
“I give for Allāh’s sake with yaqīn (certainty) while you give to test Him.”

SubhanAllah!

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Surah At-Talaq
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[65:1] Read the explanation of this beautiful surah and understand the rulings of Talaq – Divorce. It’s not like how the media shows you. Even though it’s an act despised by Allah, if conditions push you to take this step, following Allah’s commands about it will make you gain rewards Insha Allah.

[65: 3] Know that if you truly fear Him, choose Him over your inclinations, ego, and desires, and remember Him, then you will find Him by your side, and He will make a way out for you from every difficulty. And He will bless you from ways you never imagined! If you put your trust in HIM ALONE, then He is surely going to be sufficient for you!

[65:3] [65:4] [65:5] Fear Allah and He will:

• make a way out for you from every difficulty
• make ease for you in your matter
• remove for you your misdeeds and make great for you his reward.

[65: 10] O people of intellect, if you think you are so intelligent then you should fear Allah. Use your intellect to be aware of Allah’s power and understand the reminder that He has sent to you.

[65: 11] Allah wants you to come out of the darkness of ignorance and darkness of depression and sadness; and enter into the light of the Quran which lights up your heart and lights up your life. And this reward is not just in the world but the power of faith and goodness will take you to the eternal gardens of delight… how beautiful is the promise of Allah!!

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Surah At Tahreem
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[66:1] Some people say I will not eat this or that, it’s haram for me. Never make something haram for yourself, which Allah has made halal. You can dislike something or not want it, but don’t say it’s forbidden for you!

[66:1] Be kind and gentle to your spouses. Read the Tafsir/background of these verses and read how the Prophet ﷺ stopped drinking his favorite type of honey just because his wives disliked it. Would anyone of us stop eating chocolate if our spouses say they dislike the smell of it?  🙂
Also, you will notice how keen our dear prophet was to keep himself clean and nice when he was with his wives. Read the awesome Tafseer, reflect, and learn!

[66:6] It’s a command to all the believers….repeat “to all the believers” from Allah to protect themself and their families from the Fire. Allah didn’t address the disbelievers but the believers meaning I as a believer is in danger of ending up in Hell-Fire so

Allah says: Protect yourself first, by following the commands of Allah and by following the sunnah of His Messenger ﷺ give the right example and care about your family’s guidance. Care about their Akhirah no matter what’s going on between you and them. Stay connected to them even if they try to disconnect from you. Take this instruction of Allah seriously O Believers!

[66:8] Ask Allah to enable you to do a tawbah nasoohah – sincere repentance from all your sins. Sincere repentance has 3 conditions:

• Stop doing that sin
• Turn to Allah and seek forgiveness persistently
• Feel remorse over it every time you remember that sin

Race to sincere repentance O believers! One sincere repentance may mean Paradise and Allah promises those who do it that He will not disgrace them on the Day of Qiyamah by publicizing his sins in front of everyone and bless you with light to cross the Siraat (Slippery Bridge). Memorize and Recite often:

رَبَّنَآ أَتْمِمْ لَنَا نُورَنَا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَآ إِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
“Our Lord! Keep perfect our light for us and grant us forgiveness. Verily, You are Able to do all things.

When the companions asked about siraat – the bridge, he ﷺ said:

‘It is a slippery (bridge) on which there are clamps and (hooks like) thorns which are wide at one side and narrow at the other and have bent ends… Some of the believers will cross the bridge as quickly as the wink of an eye, some others as quick as lightning, a strong wind, or fast horses or she-camels. So some will be safe without any harm; some will be safe after receiving some scratches, and some will fall down into Hellfire. The last person will cross by being dragged (over the bridge).” [Bukhaari]

Your good deeds will bring you light on the Day of Judgement which you will need to cross the siraat (bridge) to Paradise safely as it will be pitch black. So increase in good deeds and Allah will increase your light!
This light will only be according to the light of Imaan that you had in your heart in the Dunya. If your Imaan was strong, so will be this light….strong and bright and illuminating. And if your Imaan was weak, this light will be weak too, dim and faltering and feeble.

Ibn Kathir reported in his Tafseer:
“They will pass over the Siraat according to their deeds. Some of them will have a light as large as a mountain, some as a date tree, some as big as a man in the standing position. The least among them has light as big as his index finger, it is lit at times and extinguished at other times.” (Ibn Abi Hatim and Ibn Jarir).

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim says:
“For one person, it (the light) will be like the sun, for another like the moon, the stars, or a lamp. For yet another, this light will be only at the tips of his toes; it will shine, then go out [then shine, then go out]. For just as his light had been in this world, so he shall be given when crossing the Bridge. In fact, it is the same light that had appeared to him before. However, just as the hypocrite has no real light in this world, or has only an outward light but none within, so shall he be given [on that Day] an outward light which will vanish in the darkness and be lost.”

If you lived a life of righteousness and Taqwa, a life according to Islaam, submitting to Allaah and repenting to Him, obeying His commandments, hoping for His Mercy yet fearing His Wrath, taking care not to disobey Him to the best of your ability, then good news for you, O Muslim. Allaah will illuminate your path over the Siraat just like He illuminated your heart in this Dunya with guidance and righteousness.

[66:10] Know that you will be compensated for what you did in this Dunya. Your righteous husband or any righteous member of your family won’t be able to do anything for you on the Day of Qiyamah if you lead a life of disobedience to Allah.

[66:11] Whenever you are suffering in your own household, think of the wife of Firawn, when she asked for a house in Jannah near Allah and supplicate with her supplication.
Ibn Jabir recorded, “The wife of fir’awn was tortured under the sun and when fir’awn would finish the torture session, the angels would shade her with their wings. She was shown her house in Jannah. She smiled and so Firawn used to say, “Look how crazy she is!!”

[At Tabari 23:500]
And then she made this dua, “My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise.”
In this duniya, when we are searching for a house, we make sure that we have good neighbors around. But when Asiyah alaihy assalam said: “build for me ◆near You◆“, she made sure she had the Best of all the best of neighbors :’)

Subhan Allah!

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Please share your reflections and points from this Juz too, in the comments.

English Compilation: Sr. Mariam Anwer ( Quest for Paradise)

Juz 27

Juz 28

Juz 27 – Points to Ponder (English)

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Surah Adh-Dhariat

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[51:15] Are you of the Muttaqeen and Muhsineen? Allah says that Jannah and its springs will be inherited by Muhsineen – doers of good:
• Who used to sleep for only a part of the night then arise from their beds to stand in prayer, (tahajjud) to supplicate to their Lord in fear and hope.
• Who used to be busy in seeking repentance and istighfar at the early hours before Fajr.
• Who used to be regular in spending from what Allah has provided them, gave zakah and sadaqah.

[51:20-21] Look around and look into yourself. Hasn’t Allah just perfected everything that He’s created? Imagine your life without your fingers…imagine your nose in place of your lips…how would iit have been? SubhanAllah! Reflect over your ears which help you to listen to the minutest of sounds, Allah has made them deaf to the loud sounds of all functions happening inside your body! Allahu Akbar! Allah says: “And He is Allah; there is no deity except Him. To Him is [due to all] praise in the first [life] and the Hereafter. And His is the [final] decision, and to Him, you will be returned.”(Surah al Qasas)

[51:22] One year, when al-Asma’i (who was a scholar and first Muslim scientist to study animals in detail) was on his way to perform hajj, a bedouin carrying a large sword and a long spear confronted him. It was quite obvious that he was a highway robber. He came near al-Asma’i and instead of fleeing or attempting to escape, al-Asma’i drew nearer to him. He extended greetings of peace to the robber. The latter responded and then asked, “Where are you from?”
“I am a poor man on a journey,” was al-Asma’i’s reply.
“Do you have anything with you?” asked the robber.
“Yes, I have with me the Quran,” answered al-Asma’i.
“And what is the Quran?” asked the robber.
“It is the speech of Allah ‘Azza wa Jall,” said al-Asma’i.
“And does Allah have speech?”
“Yes,” replied al-Asma’i.
“Then let me hear some of His speech,” said the robber.
Al-Asma’i recited the following verse:

وَفِي السَّمَاءِ رِزْقُكُمْ وَمَا تُوعَدُونَ
“And in the heaven is your provision and whatever you are promised.” [Adh-Dhaariyaat 51:22]

When the robber heard these words, his eyes began flowing with tears and he threw down his sword and spear, and said, “Perish the highway robber, who seeks sustenance on the Earth, when it is really in the heavens!”

Al-Asma’i was very much pleased to see the quick transformation of the robber. On the following year, when al-Asma’i went to perform Hajj again, he saw the former robber- whose face now had the signs of faith written on it- clinging to the curtain of the Kaa’ba. It was late in the night and he was saying, “O my Lord, the eyes are sleeping and every loved one is with his beloved. The gates of all kings are now closed, but Your gate is open to those who ask of You. Would that I knew whether You accepted this night of worship from me…”

[51:50] How often do we flee from our problems to Facebook, the internet, food, or going out. Try to flee more to Allah, pray two rakahs, and ask Him for solutions as He will give you a true way out, while all other things are only temporary and leave you even more empty! The moments spent in praying to Him in distress are in fact some of the most blissful moments that you will ever experience..and this will be only when you understand the surahs you recite and recite them as if you are having a conversation with Allah – Most High! A person is closest to Allah in the position of sujood so make full use of this. And experience the delight, peace & satisfaction! In short…as my teachers say: “experience the sweetness of eeman!” Insha Allah!

[51:55] Make it a habit to daily listen to Islamic lectures or reminders, at least one, as they benefit your emaan and be someone who reminds others about Allah.

[51:56] You see as Muslims, Allah tells us the great purpose of why we are here! This ayah in the Quran sums it all up.
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” Worshipping Allah is actually living our lives according to the way prescribed by HIM. We actually worship Allah when we eat, when we sleep, when we clean our houses, look after our families! 🙂
It doesn’t matter who we are, what we are, where we are – We will always have to fulfill this great purpose of our creation! Our roles in our lives will continuously be changing but we ARE and always WILL BE Muslims…Practically speaking we are and always will be the servants of Allah, the representatives of the Messenger of Allah, and the inheritors of the Qur’an!

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Surah At-Tur
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[52: 16] Do not get so engrossed in this world and its luxuries, that you begin to doubt that there is an end to it all. If you do so, then know that Allah will cast you away from his Mercy, and Hell will be your destination in the Next World!

[52: 25] Hasten to good deeds, and strive for Jannah. Imagine the people of Janah inquiring of each other and approaching each other reminiscing the life of the world and how they used to be scared to displease Allah – and now look where they are; in the gardens of Paradise. That’s the reward for those who care about doing deeds which Allah loves!

[52: 48] Wait patiently for whatever it is you’re waiting for. Sit patiently, sleep patiently, live patiently. You are the under the Eyes of Allah `azza wa jall, and His Watchful Gaze. And you haven’t been forgotten. So show Him your patience, and show Him how you’re waiting. When you rise up in the morning, rise with His Remembrance. When you go through your day, walk with forbearance. When you retire to bed, retire like one on a mission – you sleep only to rise and walk another day. Let Him see from your goodness, and let Him hear from you words of tasbih (glorification), for you are under His Eyes. And what you’re waiting for is only in His outstretched Hand, ready to reach you upon a Command. “And Our Command is but a single act – like the twinkling of an eye.” [54: 50] (Reflection By Fajr Blog)

[52: 49] Remember and worship Allah by reciting the Qur’an and praying at night. And be consistent on your two rak’ah sunnah prayer of Fajr.
`A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “The Prophet was never more regular and particular in offering any voluntary prayer than the two (Sunnah) Rak`ahs of the Fajr prayer.”
In another narration collected by Muslim, ﴿the Prophet said,” Two (Sunnah) Rak`ahs before Fajr are better than this life and all that in it.”

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Surah An Najm
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[53: 24- 25] You will not get everything that you wish for in this life. All matters belong to Allah and He is the King and Owner of this world and the Hereafter, Whatever He wills, occurs and whatever He does not will, never occurs. So strive for what you wish for, make dua, and then leave the matter in Allah’s Hands, He will bless you with what is best for you.

[53: 32] If you just avoid major sins and immoral actions, and commit sometimes only minor sins then Allah will forgive you and cover your sins from exposure. Ask as much as you can in these remaining two nights of Ramadan this beautiful dua.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ كَرِيمٌ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّا

[53: 39] You will get what you strive for. Don’t be surprised that when you don’t do anything for the sake of Allah, you feel tired, weak, and stressed. And those who do work hard to please Allah, their tiredness and worries will be replaced with strength and eternal tranquility!

[53: 48] It’s not your employer or your company that gives you your wealth or your salary, they are just the sources, It is, in reality, Allah Who gives you wealth and this wealth then remains with you. You are able to use it to your benefit, all of this out of the completeness of His favor, do you thank Him?

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Surah Al Qamar
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[54: 3] Do not follow your desires and inclinations. The reason why most people don’t accept the truth is that their lives revolve around their own desires and their false self-image makes it almost impossible for them to admit that they were chasing the wrong ideals. Don’t be like them, submit to Allah’s will rather!

[54: 17] Allah told us He has made the Quran easy for us to remember. Tell your nafs (ego) this whenever shaytan tells you learning to read the Quran is too difficult or that you will never memorize the Quran, or that the Quran is too complicated to understand. Keep telling yourself: the Quran is easy to remember!

[54:33] The actions of the people of Lut (‘alayhissalam) were forbidden by Allah, declared a major sin. Allah sends His curse and punishment on people who do this. Homosexuality is haraam! And we know from the verses of the Qur’an that those who support it (wife of Prophet Lut) will be with those who will be punished for doing this haraam act! Beware!

[54: 49- 50] Everything in this universe has been created with a specific purpose and a perfect measure, whether it’s the universe with all the countless stars and galaxies, or the plants and animals with their amazing structures and movements. It doesn’t take Allah any time to implement His decisions. It was no big deal for Him to create all the worlds and likewise, its destruction will also happen within the blink of an eye.

[54: 52- 53] Focus on your deeds, because your actions in this life will be like a ticket to your next destination. And remember that you will not be able to make any false claims over there; as each and every thought, word and deed are being recorded.

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Surah Ar Rahman
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[55: 1-2] The fact that Allah decided to give us the Qur’an is an act of unimaginable mercy of His. The Qur’an is an act of mercy from Allah. Allah didn’t say He gave us Quran rather He TAUGHT the Qur’an. In other words, He did not just tell us to figure it out for ourselves. We should know how to act and live by the Qur’an. Learn it, memorize it, because it’s not me or your teacher who will help, ALLAH Himself will teach you if you make a sincere commitment!

[55: 13] Whenever you find yourself complaining about your daily life, your children, your food, your clothes, or your spouse, ask yourself: which of the favors of your Lord would you deny? Even if you try counting His favors and blessings you won’t be able to number them, so just thank and praise Him all the time, and He will increase His blessings upon you!

[55: 26- 27] Imagine the moment that everything will perish and will be destroyed and only Allah will remain and let His greatness motivate you to work for Him and follow Him overworking for and following others!

[55: 46] If you do not indulge nor prefer this worldly life, and you know that the Hereafter is better and more lasting, you fulfill what Allah has ordered you and stay away from His prohibitions, then Allah promises you two gardens from Him on the Day of Resurrection.

[55: 78] Submit to Allah’s will completely, obey Him in all matters of your life, because He is Worthy of being honored and always obeyed, revered, and thus worshipped, appreciated and never unappreciated, and remembered and never forgotten.
A’ishah said, “When the Messenger of Allah would (say the) Salam (completing prayer), he would only sit as long as it takes him to say,

«اللْهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلَامُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ، تَبَارَكْتَ يَاذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَام»
(O Allah! You are As-Salam, and peace comes from You. Blessed be You Ya Dhal-Jalal wal-Ikram.).”

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Surah Al Waqi’ah
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[56: 1- 5] Just imagine any earthquake on just one point of earth and the devastation of people’s homes and lives. So what will it be like when the whole earth will be shaken? Isn’t this enough to put an end to our arrogance? If these gigantic mountains can be crumbled up into dust then what are we in comparison?

[56:10] Ask Allah to be of the saabiqoon (those first and foremost in the race to good deeds) and don’t let others outrun you in good deeds. E.g when you are praying in congregation, try to be the one with the best concentration and the one who supplicates the most!

The skins shiver and the eyes become moist when we think about the real race for which we should be competing!! Actually, THIS is what life is all about…racing and competing with each other to gain the most of Allah’s mercy, love, and pleasure. It is the supreme race to success and happiness in the Hereafter…the life after death…the eternal and everlasting life that we as Muslims and believers are heading to. It’s not the latest dress in fashion or that branded watch that we race to buy that matters to Allah …it is actually His way of life-Islam, that we follow that makes all the difference. This life is NOT at all about disobeying Allah to please the people around you, just to fit in with them! It is about acting over the commands of Allah, humbly submitting to Him by heart, body, and soul and being an example of a true ideal Muslim for others to follow!
Read more about the Race: https://questforparadise.wordpress.com/…/the-quest-to-be-o…/

[56: 45- 46] Being wealthy is not a crime in itself, but don’t forget the reality of this world and the hereafter, when you are living a luxurious life. Your blessing, wealth included, is a test from Allah, spend it for His sake, thank Him for it, only then it will be a true blessing!

[56: 74] If Allah wanted he could deprive us all of these blessings but He continues to provide for us even when we don’t obey Him. Still, we are so full of self-praise and hardly think that the only being worthy of glorification is Allah. Keep your tongue with the phrases of glorification, ‘Subhana Rabbi al A’ala’ ‘Subhana Rabbi al Azeem’. This expresses our acknowledgment that only our great lord is the most perfect and pure of all flaws.

Imam Bakr al-Muzani once saw a laborer carrying goods with him while constantly uttering #Alhamdulilah and #Astaghfirullah. Al-Muzani waited for the laborer to rest from his load before he spoke to him. Al-Muzani asked him, “Do you not know anything other than this (Alhamdulilah and Astaghfirullah)?
The laborer responded, “Indeed I know much else and I do read the Book of Allah, except that a slave of Allah is constantly shifting between a state of blessing (from Allah) and sin. This being the condition of man, I praise and thank Allah for the blessings He has given me and seeks His forgiveness for my sins.”
Imam al-Muzani said, “Certainly this laborer has a deeper understanding of the religion than Bakr (himself).”
(Gems and Jewels p. 37)

[56: 86- 94] When your soul will be taken by the angels, leaving behind the helpless doctors with all their life-saving systems, the relatives crying out their hearts, it doesn’t matter now whether you were rich or poor; influential or unknown, popular or unpopular, the only thing which matters is your worth in Allah’s eyes; according to which you will be placed in either Paradise or in Hell. So, strive to be among the former group!

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Surah Al Hadeed
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[57:1-6] Take up a course of studying the Asma ul Husna wa Sifaat. It’s important to know Allah by His names and attributes to worship Him in a better way.

[57:11] Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, “When his Ayah,

[مَّن ذَا الَّذِى يُقْرِضُ اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا فَيُضَاعِفَهُ لَهُ]
(Who is he that will lend Allah handsome loan: then (Allah) will increase it manifold to his credit (in repaying),) was revealed, Abu Ad-Dahdah Al-Ansari said, `O Allah’s Messenger! Does Allah ask us for a loan‘ The Prophet said,
«نَعَمْ، يَاأَبَا الدَّحْدَاح»
(Yes, O Abu Ad-Dahdah.) He said, `Give me your hand, O Allah’s Messenger,’ and the Prophet placed his hand in his hand. Abu Ad-Dahdah said, `Verily, I have given my garden as a loan to my Lord.’

He had a garden that contained six hundred date trees; his wife and children were living in that garden too. Abu Ad-Dahdah went to his wife and called her, `Umm Ad-Dahdah!’ She said, `Here I am.’ He said, `Leave the garden because I have given it as a loan to my Lord, the Exalted and Most Honored.’ She said, `That is a successful trade, O Abu Ad-Dahdah!’ She then transferred her goods and children.

The Messenger of Allah said,

«كَمْ مِنْ عَذْقٍ رَدَاحٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ لِأَبِي الدَّحْدَاح»
(How plentiful are the sweet date clusters that Abu Ad-Dahdah has in Paradise!)”

In another narration, the Prophet said,

«رُبَّ نَخْلَةٍ مُدَلَّاةٍ، عُرُوقُهَا دُرٌّ وَيَاقُوتٌ، لِأَبِي الدَّحْدَاحِ فِي الْجَنَّة»
How many a date tree that has lowered down its clusters, which are full of pearls and gems in Paradise for Abu Ad-Dahdah! [Tafsir ibn kathir]

May Allah guide us & help us to be of those who strive hard to gain His Pleasure in this world & the Hereafter!

[57:12] Your good deeds will bring you light on the Day of Judgement which you will need to cross the siraat (bridge) to Paradise safely as it will be pitch black. So increase in good deeds and Allah will increase your light!
This light will only be according to the light of Imaan that you had in your heart in the Dunya.
If your Imaan was strong, so will be this light….strong and bright and illuminating. And if your Imaan was weak, this light will be weak too, dim and faltering and feeble.

Ibn Kathir reported in his Tafseer:

“They will pass over the Siraat according to their deeds. Some of them will have a light as large as a mountain, some as a date tree, some as big as a man in the standing position. The least among them has a light as big as his index finger, it is lit at times and extinguished at other times.” (Ibn Abi Hatim and Ibn Jarir).

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim says:

“For one person, it (the light) will be like the sun, for another like the moon, the stars, or a lamp. For yet another, this light will be only at the tips of his toes; it will shine, then go out [then shine, then go out]. For just as his light had been in this world, so he shall be given when crossing the Bridge. In fact, it is the same light that had appeared to him before. However, just as the hypocrite has no real light in this world, or has only an outward light but none within, so shall he be given [on that Day] an outward light which will vanish in the darkness and be lost.”

If you lived a life of righteousness and Taqwa, a life according to Islaam, submitting to Allaah and repenting to Him, obeying His commandments, hoping for His Mercy yet fearing His Wrath, taking care not to disobey Him to the best of your ability, then good news for you, O Muslim. Allaah will illuminate your path over the Siraat just like He illuminated your heart in this Dunya with guidance and righteousness.

[57:16] Did your heart become hard? Do you feel unaffected by the Quran? You can’t concentrate in salah? Beg Allah to give you khushoo’!
Get your heart to break in front of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala this Ramadan. There’s no sweeter feeling than a sincere heart that cries out to Allah. Don’t let Ramadan go without having cried even once in front of your Lord Insha’Allah.

[57:18] Allah knows best what your charity means to you.

[57:20] Know the reality of this life and beware of getting deluded.

[57:21] The skins shiver and the eyes become moist when we think about the real race for which we should be competing!! Actually, THIS is what life is all about…racing and competing with each other to gain the most of Allah’s mercy, love, and pleasure. It is the supreme race to success and happiness in the Hereafter…the life after death…the eternal and everlasting life that we as Muslims and believers are heading to. It’s not the latest dress in fashion or that branded watch that we race to buy that matters to Allah …it is actually His way of life-Islam, that we follow that makes all the difference. This life is NOT at all about disobeying Allah to please the people around you, just to fit in with them! It is about acting over the commands of Allah, humbly submitting to Him by heart, body, and soul and being an example of a true ideal Muslim for others to follow!

Read more about the Race: https://questforparadise.wordpress.com/…/racing-to-good-de…/

[57:22] Every single thing that happens to you has already been written and decided by Allah. So be at ease, be patient, and keep doing good deeds. Do not fear anybody except Allah because no one has the power to afflict harm on him without it being decreed by Allaah. The Prophet ﷺ clarified this point to Ibn Abbaas may Allaah be pleased with him saying:

“…If the whole nation were to gather together to benefit you they would only benefit you with that which Allaah had already written for you and if the whole nation were to gather to harm you they could only harm you with that which Allaah had already written to harm you. The pen has been lifted and the ink has dried (a phrase meaning: everything has been decreed or settled)”. [At-Tirmithi]

*[57:28] If you fear Allah, and believe in His Messenger, Allah will grant you a light [knowledge] to differentiate between right and wrong, and He will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you.

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Please share your reflections and points from this Juz too, in the comments.

English Compilation: Sr. Mariam Anwer ( Quest for Paradise)

Juz 26

Juz 28

Juz 26 – Points to Ponder (English)

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Surah Al Ahqaf

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[46: 4] The dominion and control only belong to Allah, Why do you then worship statues which you carve with your own hands? The false gods who can neither benefit you nor have created a single thing in the entire universe. How could they have created anything anyway when they are not even masters over their own creation.

[46: 13- 14] If you want to stay far away from sadness and fear then have a firm belief in Allah do good deeds and stay firm in it. Do what you can and be persistent in it…it makes the relationship between you and Allah very strong. A man once asked the prophet what should I do. He (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Believe and stay firm on it.” The man asked, “What else?” He (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said, “Control your tongue”. So, take care of your emaan and akhlaq.

[46: 15] Your mother went into the throes of death to give birth to you. Do you realize that? Do you know the pains she went through in your upbringing? Are you grateful to her? Reflect.

*Righteous children know the importance of the rights of their parents and always pray for them while disobedient ones don’t treat them well.

Pray for your parents with this dua:
رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ إِنِّي تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَإِنِّي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
“My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work the righteousness of which You will approve and make righteousness for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims.”

With regards to a common social problem that is widespread in the current time and era, is the grudge between wife and her in-laws. Although the wife is not obliged to serve her inlaws, nor anybody can force her to do stuff for them, yet she must realize that her husband has to honor his parents, and she should help him in that. She should not be the cause of a split between him and them.
A woman who keeps her husband happy gets Jannah as the reward. The husband’s happiness is also in the happiness and well being of his parents. This is something that will raise your status in the eyes of your husband and his family in this world and will raise you in status in the Hereafter too, in sha Allah. To understand this and be supportive!

Know that Allah repays you with the same treatment from your children. A person gets the result of disobedience to parents in this life from Allah (similar behavior from one’s own kids), along with severe punishment in the hereafter. So be cautious of it! Let your spouse take care of the rights of his/her parents JUST like you take care of your own parents. This advice is both for husbands and wives. Don’t let the curse of either of the parents fall upon yourself and your family. Make sure that you build up the house and not break it. You must do everything possible to keep everyone happy.

[46: 20] Umar bin Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, gave up many of the joys of food and drink and refrained from them while saying, “I am afraid of being like those whom Allah has reproached and condemned by saying,

﴿أَذْهَبْتُمْ طَيِّبَـتِكُمْ فِى حَيَـتِكُمُ الدُّنْيَا وَاسْتَمْتَعْتُمْ بِهَا﴾
(You received your good things in the life of the world, and you took your pleasure therein).”

Strive and work for the Hereafter, spend your money for the sake of Allah, do something consistently for His sake, so this world would not become your biggest concern!

[46: 24] Clouds don’t always bring good news. Rasool (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) used to be scared when he saw clouds coming towards them or a fierce wind blowing. Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) said to him, “People rejoice when they see clouds approaching, why does your face show unpleasantness?” He said (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam , “It’s because a nation called Aad was destroyed because of fierce wind.”

Memorize and recite this duaa from hadeeth when the wind blows:

اللّهُمَّ إِنَّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَها، وَخَيْرَ ما فيها، وَخَيْرَ ما اُرْسِلَتْ بِه، وَأَعوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّها، وَشَرِّ ما فيها، وَشَرِّ ما اُرْسِلَتْ بِه
Allaahumma ‘innee ‘as’aluka khayrahaa, wa khayra maa feehaa, wa khayra maa ‘ursilat bihi wa a’oothu bika min sharrihaa, wa sharri maa feehaa, wa sharri maa ‘ursilat bihi

O Allah, I ask You for the good of it, for the good of what it contains, and for the good of what is sent with it. I seek refuge in You from the evil of it, from the evil of what it contains, and from the evil that is sent with it. (Muslim 2/616, Al-Bukhari 4/76)

[46: 21- 26] The people of ‘Aad (nation of Prophet Hud) were great people, highly prosperous, civilized, and highly intellectual, but since they ignored the guidance from Allah, their intelligence only led them to destruction. Your knowledge and intelligence alone could not benefit you unless it is accompanied by the guidance of Allah. Seek proper knowledge, and implement on it, and ask Allah to guide you to His path, that will be a source to a prosperous life in both Worlds.

[46: 29- 32] Jinn is also a creation of Allah and they have very little intelligence as compared to human beings but they came to the right conclusion because of listening attentively to Allah’s revelation. One day as the Prophet (sallallahualaihi wasallam) was reciting the Quran in the prayer, there happened to pass by a group of Jinn, who listened carefully and believed in it, and then returned to their tribe as preachers of the faith. Read the ayah and see how they are warning others. They understood that Allah is to be obeyed above all others and if they don’t listen to the teachings of Allah’s Prophet then they are going to be in terrible loss. If Jinn pays heed to the verses of Allah, what is stopping you from reciting and reflecting on His ayahs? Think about it!

[46: 35] The day for recompense is coming nearer day by day. This life seems endless now but on that day we will feel as if we had not spent even one complete day on earth. When I think of the ultimate meeting with our Lord and seeing the Jannat and Jahannum with my own eyes, I wonder is it too much difficult to let go of our false pride, our egos, and enter the true faith of Tauheed? Is it too much of a bargain to let go of our desires for such a short time for the sake of the rewards of that life which will never end? Prepare for that never-ending life now, wake up before you could NEVER wake up!

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Surah Muhammad
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[47: 1] If anyone rejects the true faith and does not accept Islam as the only true religion, and even stops other people from accepting and following the way of Allah, then all his deeds will be wasted.

[47: 2] True faith is not just taking Allah’s name but you will have to believe and support all that was being revealed on the Prophet (s.a.w) too. Remember that Quran and Sunnah/ Ahadith complement each.
Our faith and our deeds are acceptable only when one supports the other. Just saying I believe in Allah is not enough until I prove by my actions. Similarly just doing some acts of charity which suit my temperament without having faith in Allah, will have no value on the Day of Recompense.
Thus, our faith cannot be complete unless we have three important ingredients…..

• Faith in Allah
• Goodness of action
• Belief in the Prophet (sallallahualaihi wasallam) and all that was revealed to Him i.e. The Quran and the Hadith.

[47: 4] This ayat and other such commands from Allah show that even when the believers were facing such enemies who had tortured them so ruthlessly and then drove them out of their hometown, they could not for one moment forget that their life is for Allah and they have to follow His instructions at all times. Their wars were defensive and were not to avenge their own anger but to uphold Allah’s religion.

[47:6] Mujahid said: “The people of Paradise will be guided to their houses and dwellings and whatever sections Allah has ordained for them in it. They will not make mistakes in this, nor will they ask anyone for directions to their dwellings — as if they had dwelt in it from the time they were first created.”

[47: 7] Allah assures you that if you strive for Allah’s religion, Allah will help you, and will grant you victory!

[47: 12] This life will end anyway. We cannot save it permanently. So who can be more fortunate than the one who uses it for Allah? We have been given this entire universe full of luxuries and attractions but if we make these our destination, and forget that these were merely a necessity of our journey through this world, then what is the difference between us and animals? Even if we have learned to satisfy our desires in a much more sophisticated way, yet we are still doing basically the same thing.

[47: 13] If Allah had destroyed the previous nations because of their denial of their Messengers, what then would those (people of Makkah) expect that Allah would do to them in the worldly life and the Hereafter And if the torment were to be lifted off some of them in this life by the blessing of the presence of the Messenger, the Prophet of Mercy, the torment will be stored for them in their next life.

[47: 14] A person who is upon clear vision and certainty concerning Allah’s commands and His religion, because of the guidance and knowledge that Allah has revealed in His Book, can never be like those for whom their evil deeds are beautified for them, while they follow their own lusts. Strive to be among the former group!

[47: 15] Notice that the same Ayat, which began with such a captivating description of the rivers of paradise, ends with a horrid alternative of intestines being cut into pieces by the scalding water. It is such a clear warning that Allah, who is so Beneficent and Compassionate, is entirely capable of giving the most painful torment to all those who chose to deny Him and His commands. May Allah forgive us all..Ameen.

[47: 17] It might seem difficult or even impossible to you, to change your lifestyle according to the Quran; but once you take the first step of acceptance, and submit your desires and fears in front of Allah, then Allah will help and guide you to greater heights of righteousness. He will make you firm on it, and inspire you to His righteous guidance.

[47: 19] Let’s memorize duaa for the forgiveness of sins from the sunnah:

«اللْهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَفْتُ، وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي، أَنْتَ إِلهِي لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا أَنْت»
“O Allah, forgive for me what I have previously done, what I may commit in future, what I have committed secretly, what I have committed openly, what I have done excessively, and all sins that You know better than me. You are my God. There is no (true) God except You.”

[47: 22- 23] Allah has commanded the people to establish righteousness on earth, as well as to join the ties of kinship by treating the relatives well in speech, actions, and spending wealth in charity. Allah’s Messenger said:
“No sin deserves that Allah hastens its punishment in the worldly life, in addition to what He reserves in the Hereafter for those who commit it, more than injustice and severance of the ties of kinship.”

[47: 24] Reflecting upon the Quran is one of the reasons behind its revelation; it is the way to comprehend its rulings and find out its objectives and meanings. Do you ponder over the ayahs of the Quran or, as Allah says, are there locks upon your heart?

[47: 27- 28] In this world a person can say a hundred things against Islam, against Quran or Hadith, and still, Allah doesn’t stop providing for them. He still lets them complete their appointed time on this earth. But what will happen when this time is over? They will be in terrible loss eventually! Does this mean that Allah is wronging them? No; Allah doesn’t do anything without a reason, It’s the consequence of their evil actions.

[47: 31] Be patient in face of trials and difficulties, know that Allah is testing your patience, your level of faith and you need to prove to Him that even in trials and tests, you are His patient and grateful slave.

[47: 32] Allah informs about those who disbelieve, obstruct others from the path of Allah, oppose the Messenger and contend with him, and revert from the faith after guidance has become clear to them. He indicates that those people can never harm Allah in the least, and rather they only harm themselves and become losers on the Day of Resurrection. He will nullify their deeds. Allah will not reward them even the weight of a mosquito (i.e., the smallest thing) for any good that they did before their apostasy, but would instead totally invalidate and destroy it. Their apostasy wipes away their good deeds entirely, just as the good deeds would normally wipe away the evil deeds.

[47: 33] Quran is a mirror and if we see carefully we can see our true images. So you and I must look and see, if I am one of those people who are fascinated and follow the trends which Allah dislikes, and are suffocated with dislike when they have to follow something that Allah likes? So it’s obvious that faith has to be followed, and is not just an utterance of words.

[47: 36] It’s the illusion of this world which traps our senses in such a way that we cannot think beyond it. Thus, Allah expresses the worthlessness and insignificance of this world that it is only amusement and diversion.

[47: 38] What is it that can help us to strengthen our faith? Spending our money, our time, our efforts for the way of Allah is something that holds our heart and if done consistently and sincerely, Allah makes the small seed of faith in our heart grow into a strong tree. But if we want to hold on to our money, and our routine lives, then it is going to put us into an endless loss. So, spend for His sake and let go of the love for this Dunya.
Remember that if you turn away from obeying Him and adhering to His Laws, then He has the power to replace you with other people and they will be people who will listen to Him and obey His commands.

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Surah Al Fath
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[48: 2] The Prophet said,

“Last night, a Surah was revealed to me that is dearer to me than this life and all that it contains: ‘Verily, We have given you a manifest victory. That Allah may forgive you your sins of the past and the future.'”              (Al-Bukhari, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa’i)

This Ayah is about the treaty at Al-Hudaybiyyah, which resulted in great goodness, including people embracing Islam in large crowds and having the chance to meet each other openly. During that time, the believers preached to the idolators and thus beneficial knowledge and faith spread all around.

[48: 3] When you obey Allah and His commands, then Allah will elevate your status and give you victory above your enemies. An authentic Hadith states, “No servant pardons but Allah grants him honor, and none humbles himself for Allah except that Allah the exalted and sublime raises him (in rank).”

[48: 4] When you accept the call of Allah and obey Allah and His messenger, then your heart feels content with acceptance and is at peace. And Allah thus increases your faith.

[48: 5] If you believe in Allah, and His messenger, do righteous deeds and repent from your past mistakes then Allah will not punish you for your errors and mistakes. Rather, He will forgive, absolve, and pardon you and cover the errors, grant you His Mercy!

[48: 6] Don’t you ever dare question wisdom in Allah’s decision, or have evil thoughts about Him, or else Allah’s curse will be descended upon you and you will be cast away from His Mercy!

[48: 8- 9] Honour and respect Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), and his teachings. This is the reason He was sent to us a warner and a giver of glad tidings!

[48: 10] Whoever obeys and honors Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) actually honors Allah.

[48: 11] Don’t be like those who are so preoccupied with their wealth, children, or otherworldly affairs that they fail to do even the bare minimum for Allah that is expected of them.

[48: 13] Whoever does not purify his actions outwardly and inwardly for Allah’s sake, then Allah the Exalted will punish him in the Blazing Fire, even if he pretends to show people that he follows the faith, contradicting his true creed.

[48: 14] Repent, return, and submit to Allah with humiliation, and he will forgive all of your sins. Never lose hope in the mercy of Allah, His mercy is beyond measure!

[48: 15] Allah characterizes the bedouins who lagged behind the Messenger of Allah during the `Umrah of Hudaybiyyah, saying that when the Prophet and his Companions later went on to conquer Khaybar, the bedouins asked them to take them along. They were hoping to collect war booty, having been absent when it was time to fight the enemy and enduring with patience therein. Allah the Exalted ordered His Messenger to refuse to give them permission to accompany him, being a punishment that is similar to their error. Allah has promised those who were present at Al-Hudaybiyyah to earn Khaybar’s war spoils alone, not shared in that with the bedouins who lagged behind.

[48: 17] The reasons that allow one to be excused from joining the Jihad, are blindness and being lame, and various illnesses that strike one and are remedied in a few days. When one is ill, he is allowed to remain behind and will have a valid excuse to do so, until his illness ends.
Whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, Allah will admit him to Gardens beneath which rivers flow; and whosoever turns back, from joining the Jihad and busies himself in his livelihood, He will punish him with a painful torment, in this life with humiliation and in the Hereafter with the Fire.

[48: 18] Allah declares that He is pleased with the believers who gave the pledge to the Messenger of Allah under the tree. He knew truthfulness, trustworthiness, obedience, and adherence in their hearts, so He sent down for them calmness and tranquility.

[48: 20] No harm that prophet’s enemies had planned against him, both fighting and warfare, touched him. Allah also restrained the hands of men, whom the Prophet left behind close to his families and children, from harming them.
Allah the Exalted and Most Honored shall help and protect the believers against all enemies, even though the believers are few in number. By doing so, the believers will come to know that Allah is truly the Knower of the consequences of all matters and that the best decisions are those which He prefers for His believing servants, even though these decisions might look unfavorable outwardly.

[48: 23] Whenever faith and disbelief meet at any distinguishing juncture, Allah gives victory to faith over disbelief, raises high truth, and destroys falsehood.

[48: 24] Allah the Exalted reminds His faithful servants of His favor when He restrained the hands of the idolators, and thereby, no harm touched the Muslims from the idolators. Allah restrained the hands of the believers and they did not fight the idolaters near Al-Masjid Al-Haram. Rather, Allah saved both parties from battle and brought forth a peace treaty that produced good results for the believers, in addition to, earning them the good end in this life and the Hereafter.

[48: 27] In a dream, the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) himself entering Makkah and performing Tawaf around the House. He told his Companions about this dream when he was still in Al-Madinah. When they went to Makkah in the year of Al-Hudaybiyyah, none of them doubted that the Prophet’s vision would come true that year. When the treaty of peace was conducted and they had to return to Al-Madinah that year, being allowed to return to Makkah the next year, some of the Companions disliked what happened. `Umar bin Al-Khattab asked about this, saying, “Haven’t you told us that we will go to the House and perform Tawaf around it” The Prophet said, “Yes. Have I told you that you will go to it this year” `Umar said, “No.” The Prophet said, “Then you will go to it and perform Tawaf around it.”

[48: 29] The believers are active in performing righteous deeds and in praying, which is the best action there is, all the while being sincere to Allah the Exalted and Most Honored in the prayer, awaiting His generous reward alone. Allah’s best reward is Paradise that contains His bounties and favors, abundant provisions, as well as, earning His good pleasure that is greater than the former reward.
Uthman bin `Affan said, “Everyone who hides a secret, then Allah the Exalted will either show on his face what he’s done or by the words that accidentally slip from his mouth.”
Allah says the companions gave the Messenger aid, support, and victory, just as the shoot hardens the plant.
Allah’s promise is true and shall come to pass and will never be broken or changed. Surely, all those who follow the guidance of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all, will be similar to them.

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Surah Al Hujurat
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[49:1] Whenever you get to know about a ruling of Deen, let your own suggestions and logic take a back seat and rush to put the ruling in practice. Be like those who say “We hear and we obey”.

[49:2]If you are in a gathering where someone starts narrating the hadeeth of the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) then sit quietly and listen attentively just like you listen to the Quran with respect and attention.

[49:2] Everyone claims to love prophet Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) but very few know the etiquettes of loving him. Learn these etiquettes and put them to practice.

[49:6] Remember to investigate whenever you receive news. Never spread it without investigating and knowing for sure.

[49:9] Whenever you see two Muslims fighting, strive to create peace between them with justice. Allah loves those who are just…whether they carry out justice at court or at home.

[49:10] All believers are brothers in eeman. They protect each others’ lives and properties and never harm one another.

[49:11] Never ever ridicule or make fun of other believers – men and women. Do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Taunting others due to their family status, physical appearance, or financial status is haraam! This is an instruction from your Lord – Most High. He calls this behavior “wretched and hateful” …won’t you take heed? Stop and repent lest you be included in the zalimeen.

[49:12] Stay away from negative assumptions, spying, and backbiting. Allah equates backbiting to eating the flesh of one’s dead brother. Beware and stay away from these haram acts.
Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allâh be upon him) once asked: “Do you know who is bankrupt.”
The companions replied: “The bankrupt person is one who has no silver coin and no provision.”
He (peace and blessing of Allâh be upon him) said: “In fact, the bankrupt person from among my people is the one who comes to the Day of Resurrection with prayers, fasts, and charity to his credit, but he had…
• spoken ill of someone [backbit or ridiculed],
• slandered someone else,
• misappropriated someone’s money,
• shed someone’s blood, and
• assaulted someone else.
Thereupon his good deeds will be given over to this one and to that one. If his good deeds run out before his account is complete, then some of their evil deeds will be taken and cast upon him. Then he will be cast into the Fire.” [Sahîh Muslim (2581)]

[49:12] The only trait that makes one believer better than another is the level of his taqwa – fear of Allah in his heart.
Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:

“Verily Allah does not look to your bodies nor to your faces but He looks to your hearts,” and he pointed towards the heart with his fingers. (Saheeh Muslim 6220)

[49:17] Do not consider your Islam a favor to Allah. Rather, Allah has conferred favor upon you that He has guided you to the faith, to Islam so be grateful with all your hearts and show it through your actions!

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Surah Qaaf
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[50:9] Value the rainwater. It is blessed and mercy from Ar Rahman! It is narrated by Imaam Muslim in his authentic compilation from the hadith of Anas,

He said: It rained upon us as we were with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) unveiled his garment (from a part of his body) until the rain fell on him. We said: Messenger of Allah, why did you do this? He said: Because of it (the rainfall) has just come from the Exalted Lord.

And Haakim in his book Al-Mustadrak narrates this hadith with the following words: “When the rain came down from the heavens He (The Prophet May peace be upon him) used to remove his garment from his back until the rain fell on it (his back).”
The scholars have taken proof from this hadith that it is Sunnah (recommended) to expose your body and clothing to the falling rain. Out of happiness that Allah is sending down his blessing and moreover rejoicing that it’s falling down on us.
And the meaning of the phrase: “Because it (the rainfall) has just come from the Exalted Lord” is mentioned in the explanation of Sahih Muslim of Imaam Nawawiy by saying: That the rainfall is a mercy which Allah has just created, therefore use it as a blessing.
Read a touching piece on rainfall: http://wp.me/p16ulC-v0

[50:16-18] Allah didn’t just create you and leave you to do whatever you wish. Each word, each response, each action is being written down. So be conscious of everything you say and do and do not let the negative thinking cloud your head.

[50:19] Do we feel certain that we would live to be 80? Do we feel secure and safe from the death which can pounce on us any given moment? Have we prepared for this ‘destroyer of worldly pleasures’? What if today is our last day…what if we die today…would we like to meet our Lord as we are…loaded with sins??

Remember when the teacher used to come to take our exam papers and we used to plead, “mam…one minute more, please!! Please…!”
That is how it is going to be…..EVEN WORSE!
Ibn Umar said: Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu alyhi wasallam) took me by my shoulder and said: “Be in this life as if you were a stranger or a traveler on a path and If you reach the evening then do not expect to reach the morning, and if you reach the morning then do not expect to reach the evening. Take from your health before your sickness, and from your life before your death.” [Reported by al-Bukhârî]

[50:30] Strive to do good deeds to protect yourself from Hell-Fire. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“Save yourself from hellfire by giving even half a date-fruit in charity.” – (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 498)

When Allah will put the disbelievers and criminals in Hell on the Day of Judgement Allah will say to Hell, “Have you been filled?” and it will say, “Are there some more,”

[50:31-35] May Allah protects us from the torment of Hell and make us of those who enter Jannah and receive all that we ever wished for. But for that we have to pile up good deeds…good deeds are done with sincerity, we need to fear Allah when alone and keep repenting for our sins and call out to Him in hope and fear. Few more days remain of the blessed month. It’s now or never! Turn to Allah and be of the blessed ones!

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Please share your reflections and points from this Juz too, in the comments.

English Compilation: Sr. Mariam Anwer ( Quest for Paradise)

Juz 25

Juz 27

Juz 25 – Points to Ponder (English)

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Surah Al Fussilat

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[41:3-4] Strive to learn and study the Qur’an and its sciences. Why is it that we have time and money to study every other science in the world except the studies of the Qur’an? Allah has made the Qur’an very easy to read and understand for Arabs and non-Arabs alike but most of us don’t bother to even try to learn.

[41:7] Give zakah and purify your wealth because if you don’t there’s destruction for you in both worlds.

[41:10-12] Look at the skies, moon, and stars above and reflect on the power of the One who created them. Submit to His commands like the rest of the creation does.

[41:17] Use the blessing of your sight to recognize the signs of your Lord, accept and submit to His commands or your end would be like that of the people of Aad. They preferred blindness over guidance so a humiliating punishment struck them for what they did.

[41:20-21] Do you know that your eyes, ears, and skins will be a witness for you or against you? They will be speaking on the Day of Qiyamah about all that you used to do. Stop, Repent, and turn to Allah.

[41:26] Don’t discourage people from studying the Qur’an like the kuffar. Sad how the disbelievers used to stop Muslims from listening to the Qur’an 1400+ years ago…and now Muslims have taken up the same role!

[41:30-32 ] Believe in Allah and stay firm on His obedience. Because if you do so, angels will accompany you and protect you during your worldly life, and during your death, they will be with you saying: “Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised. We [angels] were your allies in worldly life and [are so] in the Hereafter. And you will have therein whatever your souls desire, and you will have therein whatever you request [or wish] – As accommodation from a [Lord who is] Forgiving and Merciful.”

[41:33] Be grateful that Allah chose you to be of the Muslims, proclaim it to the people and call them to Islam by your good manners and speech.

[41:34-36] Treat people with kindness even if they are harsh and rude to you as this will remove enmity and bring affection in relationships. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: Do not be a people without a will of your own, saying: if the people treated well, we will treat them well; and if they do wrong, we will do wrong, but accustom yourselves to do good if people do good, and not do wrong if they do evil.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

Of course, this will require loads of patience and killing of your ego and ignoring the whispers of shaytan but it will be worth it. The people will love you and their Creator will love and reward you!

[41:50-51] Be of those who are patient and thank Allah at times of ease as well as at times of difficulty. Allah sends difficulties to show you that it is He who is in control of your affairs and by submitting to Him will you receive His mercy and Help.

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Surah Ash Shoora
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[42: 3] Complete peace and harmony in this world cannot be attained unless and until each and every one of us knows and implements the way of life that has been chosen by the Creator Himself for the whole mankind. This way of life is Islam, which means peace. It was for this purpose that since the beginning of time Allah sent down His chosen Messengers, one after the other, and sent to them His revelations, according to which they called people to the way of their Creator and Master, the one and only Allah.

[42: 4] Due to our ever-increasing involvement with the world and its affairs, we fail to realize the true worth of Allah. So He repeatedly reminds us that He is the owner of everything that exists in the heavens and the earth. The Owner, King, Ruler, not of one company or one country or one world but the entire universe!! Who can be bigger or more important than Him but do we feel His greatness in our hearts?

[42: 8] Some of us ask, “Is Allah so cruel that He will throw people in hell?” “Isn’t he merciful and kind?” “So if He wanted to save us why did he not make us all into perfect Muslims?” Allah knew we would ask such questions so He has already answered that He made us all different, and He guides whomsoever He wills to the truth and He sends astray whomsoever He wills, and He has complete wisdom and perfect proof.

[42: 11] Look at the universe; is there anyone besides Allah who could have this power of creativity?

[42: 12] Why should we not commit ourselves to Allah? Are we afraid that we would lose out on our worldly interests? Allah assures us: Don’t be afraid…..you can never lose in Allah’s friendship because He has the keys of the heavens and the earth. What other support, what another friend can give you, that can measure up to Allah’s bounties?

[42: 13] All the Prophets had come to this world with the same message of Tauheed. The spirit of our religion is to submit ourselves to the will of one Allah. not just in Ramadan, not just in Ka’ba, not just in hard times, but at all times, It has to be internalized.
Know that difference of opinion is a natural thing and Allah had not meant us to be identically programmed robots. That is why he created so much variety. But He wants us to be united in spite of our differences, united in the worship of one Allah. So the only thing, on which we should never compromise, is the way of life chosen by Allah, the religion of Islam.

[42: 15] As a Muslim, your first responsibility is to call people to the Quran. We need to understand it ourselves and we need to convey it to others. This is where all of us can get first-hand knowledge about Allah and the religion of Islam. The next thing is that we should stand firm against all other influences, that we are not going to bow down to any other force except Allah. And then the bottom line is that whether anyone believes or not, their Lord and our Lord is Allah, so don’t indulge in any purposeless debates with those who don’t want to believe.

[42: 19] Look at the Allah’s kindness towards His creation, He provides for every last one of them and does not forget anyone. When it comes to His provision, the righteous and the sinner are alike.

[42: 20] Subhan’Allah, the Mercy of Allah is unfathomable, Allah tells us that if you choose the rewards of the hereafter Allah will increase it, meaning that your life in this world will also become peaceful and wholesome. But if your focus is primarily on this world then you will lose out on Akhirah. It’s as simple as that. So choose what you wish!

[42: 22] On the Day of Judgment we will all wish we had obeyed Allah and not our desires. Paradise is the place in which all our dreams will come true and all our wishes will be granted. It is foolish to expect this world to become a paradise. Be smart, and strive for the Hereafter!

[42: 25] If you sincerely turn to Him in repentance and come back to Him, then by His kindness and generosity He will accept your repentance forgives, overlooks, and conceals your sins. The Prophet said, “Allah rejoices more over the repentance of His servant than one of you feels when he finds his lost camel in a place where he had feared that he would die of thirst.” Don’t lose hope in His mercy, and seek His forgiveness in this month of forgiveness.

[42: 27] If all of us had been wealthy enough to live in palaces, then who would be willing to build those palaces? So Allah knows just how much we should be given and at what time. Of course, Allah doesn’t stop us from wanting things or fulfilling our needs, it’s just that we should not expect everything to be according to what we desire. Have trust in Allah that He knows better than us, what is best for us to have.

[42: 28] Often you must have experienced that just when you were getting totally hopeless about something, Allah blessed you with happiness. So the most important lesson is not to lose hope. Everything happens by the will of Allah, and there is His wisdom in everything He gives you or withholds from you, so trusts Him completely!

[42: 32- 34] Nothing in this entire universe happens except by His will. Even the biggest inventions of Man cannot work without the help of Allah. Think of the huge ships floating on the surface of the mighty oceans, they reach their destinations only if Allah wills.

[42: 36] Remember that these worldly things are just the need of this life and they cannot give you the everlasting peace and security that you desire. The most satisfying rewards are with Allah for those who believed in Him and had tawakkul in Him. Tawakkal is to hand over all your worries, anxieties, plans, desires to Allah and believe that He will take care of you. When you have tawakkal, you focus is on how best you can work to please Allah, you plan, you struggle, you pray to Allah, you put in your best but then you leave the results to Him. This is Tawakkal.

[42: 37] Allah describes us as the qualities of those whose reward is with Him. Here’s the checklist:
• Do you trust Him completely, hand over all your affairs to Him?
• Do you avoid major sins (shirk; witchcraft; killing a soul whom Allah has forbidden us to kill, except in cases dictated by Islamic law; consuming orphans’ wealth; consuming riba; fleeing from the battlefield; and slandering chaste, innocent women), shameful deeds, and suppress your anger even when you are angry?
• Do you obey Him in all matters, and give priority to your Salah over otherworldly matters?
• Do you make decisions on important matters with mutual consultation?
• Do you give away your money in charity?
• Do you restore your rights from aggressors?
These are the people whose rewards are with Allah, and He will grant them the Best of His rewards. May Allah make us from them!

[42: 40] Hasan Al Basri said about this ayah, “When the Day of judgment comes all of the nations will be on their knees in front of Allah, then Allah will say, ‘Don’t stand up unless I owe you some ajr (reward/ compensation)’, and no one will stand up except those who used to forgive and pardon”.
Don’t you want to be one of those people who will stand up when everyone else is on their knees? Remember, what you want on the Day of Judgment is that no one would be punished on your behalf, so forgive and pardon every single person, deceased or alive, that might have wronged you. Even if they didn’t seek your forgiveness, forgive them, not because they deserve but because you want Allah’s Mercy and reward.

[42: 43] After everything has been so clearly explained in the Quran, if someone persists in denying its truth then Allah will not guide that person. Surely whom Allah leaves to go astray, cannot hope to find any other support.

[42: 47] What are you waiting for? Allah is calling you to Himself… Do you not hear? Prepare for the Hereafter NOW, because once He issues the command, it will come to pass within the blinking of an eye, and no one will be able to avert it or prevent it.

[42: 48] Always remember, your responsibility as a caller to Islam, is just to remind people, you can not change their hearts, if they don’t mend their ways, don’t depress yourself, keep reminding them, if Allah intends good for them He will guide them!

[42: 49- 50] Whatever He will happen, and whatever He does not will do not happen. He gives to whomsoever He wills and withholds from whomsoever he wills, and He creates whatever He wills. Sons, daughters, both are His blessings, and He in His wisdom blesses you with what is better for you (or he knows if being childless is better for you). Never doubt his decision, and trust Him completely in all your affairs.

[42: 52- 53] It’s Allah’s extreme mercy that He guided us to this Book. It’s His blessing that He brought us out of the darkness of ignorance into the light of His guidance and we should just be concerned with the responsibility attached to it. Now that we have known the Quran, we have to absorb its spirit into our character by acting upon it in all aspects of our lives, and secondly, we have been entrusted with the assignment of spreading its message to the whole world, as far as our resources allow us, according to whatever talents and capabilities Allah has given us. May Allah guide us all towards this light, Ameen.

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Surah Az Zukhruf
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[43:7] Don’t be embarrassed or sad when people make fun of you for holding on to the Quran and calling people to Allah. Every person or prophet who called to Allah was ridiculed and insulted but Allah granted them honor and success.

[43:13] Don’t forget to remember Allah every time you board your vehicle to go from one place to another.

Recite the dua from hadeeth:
Allaahu ‘Akbar, Allaahu ‘Akbar, Allaahu ‘Akbar, Subhaanal-lathee sakhkhara lanaa haathaa wa maa kunnaa lahu muqrineen. Wa ‘innaa ‘ilaa Rabbinaa lamunqaliboon. Allaahumma ‘innaa nas’aluka fee safarinaa haathal-birrawattaqwaa, waminal-‘amalimaa tardhaa, Allaahumma hawwin ‘alaynaa safaranaa haathaa watwi ‘annaa bu’dahu, Allaahumma ‘Antas-saahibu fis-safari, walkhaleefatu fil-‘ahli, Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika min wa’thaa’is-safari, wa ka’aabanl-mandhari, wa soo’il-munqalabi fil-maaliwal’ahli.

Allah is the Most Great. Allah is the Most Great. Allah is the Most Great. Glory is to Him Who has provided this for us though we could never have had it by our efforts. Surely, unto our Lord we are returning. O Allah, we ask You on this our journey for goodness and piety, and for works that are pleasing to You . O Allah , lighten this journey for us and make its distance easy for us . O Allah, You are our Companion on the road and the One in Whose care we leave our family . O Allah , I seek refuge in You from this journey’s hardships, and from the wicked sights in store and from finding our family and property in misfortune upon returning.

[43:15] All favors and blessings come down to us from Allah but we thank His servants instead of thanking Him and please them instead of pleasing Him.

[43:32] Allah has apportioned rizq/livelihood among the people according to His wisdom in the life of this world and has raised some of them above others in degrees [of rank] that they may make use of one another for service. None of us are allowed to complain and whine or be arrogant about it.

[43:36] Beware! Don’t even think of forgetting to remember Allah as if you do so, shaytan will become your intimate companion and that means you will be engulfed by sins, sadness, depression, and anxiety.

*If you are of the ones not being able to fast or pray during these blessed nights then get busy in dhikr and istighfar so that you stay protected from shaytan.

[43:67] The basis of friendship should be eeman and taqwa. The benefit of such friendship is that you will get a shade under the shade of the arsh of Allah on the Day of qiyamah.

[43:70] Strive for permanent delight and luxury in Jannah. The wealth and properties of this world is nothing as compared to that in Jannah!

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Surah Ad-Dukhan
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[44: 1- 5] We are on the last ten nights of the Ramadan, in it, there is a night that is better than 1000 months (83 years). Now if you are thinking to yourself what should I do that night to get the reward of the entire life span, then Allah has answered your question, It is the night wherein Allah sent down the Qur’ân to the lowest heavens. What else could you do other than reciting this Book? Pray voluntary prayers with Long-standing, and recite His ayahs, recite Quran with deep reflection and contemplation, and remember it’s the Night of Decree, every matter of your life will be decided, so make lots and lots of duaas!

[44: 10- 11] A smoke will come on the Day of Resurrection. It will take away the hearing and sight of the hypocrites, but for the believers, it will be like having a cold. May Allah protect us!

[44: 13] What other admonition do you need to mend your ways, when you have the perfect Book, and the life of the practical example of this Book with you? Both sources of guidance are accessible to you. You will have no excuse to present to Allah on the Day of Judgment.
[44: 19] Do not be arrogant on earth like Pharoah and his people. Be humble, and believe in Allah’s ayahs and live your life according to His will.

[44: 23- 27] Learn a lesson from the end of Pharoah and his people. They had a life which they were enjoying, where they could eat whatever they wanted and wear what they liked, with wealth and glory and power in the land. Then all of that was taken away in a single morning, they departed from this world and went to Hell, what a terrible abode!

[44: 29] ] Ibn Abbas said about this ayah,

فَمَا بَكَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّمَآءُ وَالاٌّرْضُ وَمَا كَانُواْ مُنظَرِينَ
There is no one who does not have a gate in the heavens through which his provision comes down and his good deeds ascend. When the believer dies, that gate is closed; it misses him and weeps for him, and the place of prayer on earth where he used to pray and remember Allah also weeps for him. But the people of Fir`awn left no trace of righteousness on the earth and they had no good deeds that ascended to Allah, so the heavens and the earth did not weep for them.

[44: 38: 42] This world is not created without any purpose, rather there is a Day of Resurrection when Allah will judge between all creatures, and He will punish the disbelievers and reward the believers. Nothing will be of any avail that Day except the mercy of Allah towards His creation. Ask Allah to pour His Rahamh upon you in this world and cover us with it in the Next.

[44: 43- 50] Ask Allah to protect you from the Hell Fire and ask Him to not include you from the ones whose food will be Zaqqum – A tree from the depths of hell having the most bitter taste.

[44: 51- 56] Ask Allah to admit you into His paradise by His mercy, where you will be safe from death and the fear of leaving it, and from every kind of worry, grief, terror and exhaustion, and from the Shaytan and his wiles, and from all other troubles and disasters.
Make Paradise & Hell pray for you!!!
Anas ibn Malik narrated the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“ Whoever asks Allah for Jannah three times, Paradise says, “ Oh Allah enter him into Jannah. Whoever seeks protection with Allah from Hell three times, Jahanim says, “ Oh Allah protect him from the Fire.” Collected by At-Tirmithi (2572) and others. Shaykh Al-Albani (May Allah have mercy on him) graded this hadeeth as being Saheeh.

[44: 57] Being saved from punishment on the Day of Judgement is a real success so strive for this success, race, and compete in doing good deeds.

[44: 58] Allah has made the Quran easy. You just need to show Him your desperation to learn His Book, prove to Him that there is a thirst in your heart that will not be quenched except by learning His words, and He promises that He will make it easy for you!!

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Surah Al Jathiya
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[45: 1- 5] Contemplate on Allah’s favors and gifts, as well as His great power. He created the heavens and the earth and the various types and categories of creatures in them. The night and day alternate, each follows the other in succession, never ceasing to come, as decreed. One brings darkness and one brings to light. Allah the Exalted also sends down the rain from the clouds when it is most needed. He is calling the rain, `provision’ because it is the resource that produces various provisions. These are all signs and blessings of Allah, so be grateful to Him!

[45: 6] Quran is a Word of Allah, a Book that is a complete guide for your life. And if you do not believe or abide by it, what speech after Allah and His Ayat will you then believe? Open it up, and let it be your guide!

[45: 7] When do we tend to lie? To save ourselves from punishments or culpability, to accuse others of our faults, or to make people laugh, or sometimes to reinforce a lie that was said before. For whatever reason it may be, Islam does not accede to lying and deceiving and there is no such thing as *white lies* in our Deen.
If there is one thing you could promise yourself and Allah in Ramadan, let it be this, make a commitment of not lying to or deceiving anybody regardless of the consequences. “Speak the truth even if it kills you”, make it a motto of your life and live by it Insha Allah!

[45: 8- 9] When you are reminded of Allah’s commandments, and the verses of Allah are recited to you, listen to it attentively, and comply with what is being recited to you. Don’t behave arrogantly and pretend as if you didn’t get what was said to you, mend your ways before the punishment of Allah seizes you!

[45: 10] Remember, nothing, NOTHING could save you from the punishment of Allah, neither your children nor your wealth, nor anything else, except Allah Himself. Seek refuge from his punishment and from Hell consistently on these blessed nights, ask him to not let this month pass by without Him freeing you from the fire of Hell!

[45: 11] Quran is the guidance, but for those who seek guidance. Open this Book with the intention of living your life according to His will, seek His help, and He will guide you to His path!

[45: 12- 13] Those who reflect upon His signs are the ones who are truly thankful to Him. Strive to be among those, look around yourself, acknowledge His blessings, and show Him gratitude, He will surely increase His blessings upon you!

[45: 14] We are in the month of forgiveness, the month of Ramadan. This is the special month in which Allah has invited us to beseech His forgiveness for all of our wrong actions and that we will be forgiven. How awesome is that? We have a whole month to cleanse out our past year of slips and mistakes.He really is Merciful. If Allah forgives His creations for their every mistake, how can we not forgive our own brother or sister for a mistake against us? Are we comparing, or placing, ourselves on the same level as Him? “God Gives and Forgives, Man Gets and Forgets.” It’s true, isn’t it? We forget who we really are sometimes, or think we’re something we are not.
Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (peace be upon him) says “‘They should pardon and turn away. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is forgiving, merciful.’ (24:22) If you do not pardon another mortal like yourself, how can you hope for the pardon of the Compelling King?”
Think about it, and before the month ends, forgive every single person, alive or deceased, that might have wronged you, so Allah might forgive you for your sins and shortcomings before the month ends!

[45: 15] You will all return to Allah on the Day of Resurrection when you and your actions will be displayed before Him. Then, He will recompense you for your deeds, good for good and evil for evil, so hasten to good deeds before the Hour arrives.

[45: 18- 20] Do not follow those who don’t have proper knowledge about religion. Quran and Sunnah are a complete guide for a believer. As long as you stick to those, you are on the straight path. So hold on to them tightly because these ignorant people won’t be able to benefit you on the Day Of Judgement.

[45: 23] Don’t be persistent on your evil actions even after knowing that you are earning Allah’s displeasure. The one who does that, Allah will seal his hearing and heart and put a cover on his sight so he does not hear what benefits him, understands not what would lead him to the guidance, and sees not the evidence with which he can be enlightened.

[45: 24] The prophet (s.a.w) said,

“Allah the Exalted says, “The Son of `Adam annoys Me when he curses Ad-Dahr (time), while I am Ad-Dahr. In My Hand are all matters; I cause the alternation of his days and nights.”

Do not curse the hour or the day on which a certain bad thing happened. This is a sin because it is cursing and improper speech, and because this is cursing something which does not deserve to be cursed. What has the hour or the day done wrong? Nothing apart from the fact that the events happened then, but they have only created things that have no control over anything and cannot be held to blame. If a person inveighs against time, this reflects on the Creator of time. Be above speaking in such a foolish and improper manner.

[45: 28] On the Day of Judgment, everybody will come forth kneeling, fearful of the tremendous calamity and events. It was said that this will occur when Hellfire will be brought forth, for it will exhale once, and everyone will fall to their knees, and on the day everyone will be proclaiming “Myself, myself, myself! Today, I will not ask You (O Allah) but about myself.” Nobody will have the power to help you on that Day. See Allah’s protection from the horrors of that Day!

[45: 29 ] إِنَّا كُنَّا نَسْتَنسِخُ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
Ibn `Abbas said about this ayah,

“The angels record the deeds of the servants and then ascend to heaven with them. There, they meet the angels entrusted with the Records of deeds sent down from Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz on each Night of Al-Qadr, containing what Allah has written will occur from the servants, long before He created them. They will compare their records and find out that not a single letter was added or deleted.”

Seek Layla Tul Qadr in these blessed nights, raise your Du’aa – Remember it’s the night of decree and angels are precisely writing down whatever is gonna happen in your life for the next coming year, be specific in your Du’aas and ask for each and everything you need – Jannat al firdous, Job, Career, Spouse, Children, Home, whatever. Don’t play small in your Du’aas as you’re asking the KING OF ALL KINGS

[45: 34] Don’t be like those who get so deeply engrossed in the world and its affairs that they end up forgetting Allah. Allah will forget such people on the day when nobody will be able to help anybody except Him! Remember Allah and He will remember you, forget Allah in this world and He will forget you in the Akhira, it’s as simple as that!

[45: 36- 37] Allah is the Almighty, Worthy of all praise; everything and everyone is subservient and in complete need of and dependent upon Him. Are you among those who thank Him consistently?

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Please share your reflections and points from this Juz too, in the comments.

English Compilation: Sr. Mariam Anwer ( Quest for Paradise)

Juz 24

Juz 26

Juz 24 – Points to Ponder (English)

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Surah Az Zumar

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*[39:2] Take Note O Believers! Purify your intentions before you do all those precious good deeds in this blessed month. Ikhlas (Sincerity of Intention) is that you do not request anyone to witness your action except Allah and that you do not seek anyone to reward you (for it) except Him.
Salamah bin Dinar said,

“Hide your good deeds (from the people) just like you hide your evil deeds”. (Abu Nu’aym, Bayhaqi)

And in a narration in Al-Bayhaqi,

“Hide your good deed like you hide your evil deed, and do not be delighted at your own action, for you do not know whether you are happy or wretched (in the Hereafter).”

May Allah grant us Ikhlas and accept from us! Aameen!

*[39:3] You don’t need any mediator or intercessor to get closer to Allah or make duaa to Him. Thinking the shaikhs and peers are mediators between you and Allah has no basis in Islam.

*[39:9] Are you of the ones who wake up to stand in Tahajjud in the darkness of the night in hope of Allah’s mercy? Allah says that the status of the one who busies himself in sujood and qiyam in prayer during the dark hours of the night hoping for the Mercy of Allah is way different and higher than the one who doesn’t or the one who does it only when calamity strikes him.

[39:15-16] Protect yourself and your families from sinning and disobeying Allah or else you will suffer a big loss in the Hereafter.

*[39:17] Protect yourself from worshiping Shaytan by following his ways and your evil desires and hold on tightly to the Qur’an by acting on its teachings as it is only then that you will rightly be guided.

*[39:23] Ponder and reflect on its beautiful ayaat and let the Qur’an soften your heart and make you weep!

Abdullaah ibn ‘Urwa ibn Zubayr said to his grandmother; Asmaa bint Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anha) that:
What was the condition of the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllahu ‘alyhi wasallam) when the Qur’an was recited to them?’
She said “They were just like how Allaah described them: Their eyes shedding tears, and their skins shivering.”

(Source: Zuhd wa Raqaaiq of Ibnul Mubaarak)

Allaah Ta’ala says,

“Allâh has sent down the best statement, a Book (this Qur’ân), its parts resembling each other in goodness and truth, oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (when they recite it or hear it). Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allâh. That is the guidance of Allâh. He Guides therewith whom He pleases and whomever Allâh sends astray, for him there is no guide.” [Az-Zumar: 23]

*If you’re standing in prayer in these last few days of Ramadan doing your best to ‘feel’ closer to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala yet somehow feeling distanced; if you’re wondering why those around you are all crying like babies whilst you’re completely emotionless; if you wish you could be of those with soft hearts and tearful eyes in Ramadan, but it doesn’t seem to happen, and you fail to reach that level in your spiritual worship –
then it’s time to have a serious one-to-one conversation with your heart.
Ask your heart:
why is it so cold? Why do the Words of its Creator have no effect or impact on it at all? Is it that arrogant that it doesn’t need its Lord?!
Why is it so hard? Why are no emotions expressed for either fear or joy of being with its Creator? Why is it a hypocrite? It’ll cry watching a movie when it knows it’s not real but will not cry when it hears the truth about its ultimate destination?
Keep digging deeper until you find the answer. Get your heart to break in front of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala this Ramadan. There’s no sweeter feeling than a sincere heart that cries out to Allah.
Don’t let Ramadan go without having cried even once in front of your Lord Insha’Allah. (courtesy Productive Muslim)

*[39:32-34] Beware of having bad thoughts of Allah or inventing lies about Him as it is the biggest wrongdoing and the one who does this is the biggest wrongdoer. Stick to the Truth, proclaim the Truth and be of the righteous. Allah has saved great rewards for people like you!

*[39:36] أَلَيْسَ اللَّـهُ بِكَافٍ عَبْدَهُ ؟
Sometimes, we want someone to deeply understand our wounds, our fears, and the pain we carry with us. Sometimes we want others to stop judging, stop talking, and stop assuming they know us. Sometimes, we want someone to just listen, just love, and show us how to hold on or simply let go. But most of the time, we’ll be waiting. Waiting for any of that to take place. Then we realize with time that it is ONLY Allah who is there for us, Only Allah who understands and accepts us, listens to us, calms our fears, and it is ONLY Allah Who is there for us whenever and wherever we need Him. And it is only then that we realize that ALLAH truly is enough for us!

*[39:37] Do you know that sleep is minor death? Allah calls his soul to himself when you sleep, then returns it back if He will wake you up.

*[39:49] Always be grateful to Allah for all your blessings. Never think that what you achieved, success and blessings are due to your own struggles or knowledge. Praise and thanks first should belong to Allah alone!

*[39:53] Are you someone who is drowning in sins, who wants to stop and repent but thinks there’s no hope of forgiveness?
Stop right there and read what Allah says:

“Say, “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.”

SubhanAllah…a verse full of hope! There is no sin that is bigger than the Mercy of Allah…thinking that you will never be forgiven is belittling the Mercy of Allah. Just stop, repent, and turn to Allah in good deeds and Allah will forgive you all your sins and have mercy on you!

*[39:54] Know that if you don’t stop sinning, don’t submit and change your attitude towards sins then tomorrow (the Day of Qiyamah) you will be full of regret and remorse!

*[39:63] The keys of everything in the heavens and the earth lie with Allah so worship only Him, pray only to Him, and beg Him for relief. No one can withhold what He wills to give and no one can give you what He withholds from you. So trust Him completely, and seek His assistance in all matters.

*[39:65] Stay away from Shirk and all that leads you to it. Shirk eats up good deeds and is an unforgivable sin.

*[39:66-67] Try your best to study the Qur’an, know Allah, increase in worship and thanks to Him, Learn and recite all duas and adhkar that the prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) taught. Let’s not be of the ones to whom Allah says:

وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّـهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ وَالْأَرْضُ
“They have not appraised Allah with true appraisal..”

*[39:68-70] Race to good deeds and do them with sincerity according to the sunnah as the Day of Judgement is drawing near and then you will be fully compensated for what you do in the life of this world.

*[39:71- ] Based on their ideologies and interests, there will be two groups on the Day of Qiyamah. One will be pulled towards Hell fire because they rejected their messenger and one will be pulled to Paradise because of the good deeds that they used to do. Angels will welcome them with salams and they will be honored and praised for how they used to spend their lives in Dunya. Fear Allah and turn to Him in what remains of this blessed month. Beg Him for forgiveness, guidance to good deeds, and a place in Paradise.
Make Paradise & Hell pray for you!!!

Anas ibn Malik narrated the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu ‘alyhi wasallam) said:

“ Whoever asks Allah for Jannah three times, Paradise says, “ Oh Allah enter him into Jannah. Whoever seeks protection with Allah from Hell three times, Jahanim says, “ Oh Allah protect him from the Fire.”
Collected by At-Tirmithi (2572) and others. Shaykh Al-Albani (May Allah have mercy on him) graded this hadeeth as being Saheeh in Saheeh At-Tirmithi.

May He accept from all of us! Aameen

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Surah Al Ghafir
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*[40:3] Seek forgiveness from Allah by calling out to Him with His Beautiful Attributes:

غَافِرِ الذَّنبِ وَقَابِلِ التَّوْبِ – The forgiver of sin, acceptor of repentance.

*[40:7-8] Isn’t it amazing how angels pray for Allah’s believing servants? Allah says that: “Those [angels] who carry the Throne and those around it exalt [Allah] with praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask forgiveness for those who have believed, [saying], “Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire. Our Lord, and admit them to gardens of perpetual residence which You have promised them and whoever was righteous among their fathers, their spouses, and their offspring. Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. And protect them from the evil consequences [of their deeds]. And he whom You protect from evil consequences that Day – You will have given him mercy. And that is the great attainment.”

*[40:16-18] Strive to do good deeds so that you are among the successful saved ones on the Day when hearts will be in the throats, filled with fear, horror, and distress. For the wrongdoers, there will be no devoted friend and no intercessor on that Day.

*[40:19] Allah Knows everything. Whether it is the deceiving look in the eyes or the fraud in the hearts. So be shy from Allah.
Allah tells us about His complete knowledge which encompasses all things, great and small, major and minor so that people will take note that He knows about them and they will have the proper sense of shyness before Allah. They will pay attention to the fact that He can see them, for He knows the fraud of the eyes, even if the eyes look innocent, and He knows what the hearts conceal.

Ad-Dahhak said: خَآئِنَةَ الاٌّعْيُنِ (the fraud of the eyes,) “A wink and a man saying that he has seen something when he has not seen it or saying that he has not seen it when he did see it.” Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Allah knows when the eye looks at something, whether it wants to commit an act of betrayal or not.”

*[40:28] Practice what the Quran teaches without fearing what the people will say. There was a believing man from the people of Firawn who accepted the message of Musa (a.s) secretly and started calling people towards the Truth. He like the man mentioned in Surah Yaseen didn’t care about the dangers he would face and just called people to Allah and warned them about the punishment of Allah and the torment of the Akhirah.

*[40:29] Work for a good life in the Hereafter as it is permanent and don’t get too attached to this worldly life as it is temporary. This is the way of righteousness taught by all the prophets and righteous ones.

*[40:44] Worried? Scared? Don’t know what to do?
Just turn to Allah…make du’aa, take the necessary actions, trust Him, and leave your affairs to Him. Indeed He knows what is best for you and will guide your steps.
وَأُفَوِّضُ أَمْرِي إِلَى اللَّـهِ

*[40:46] The punishment of the grave is real. Allah says in this ayah that Fir’awn and his people are exposed to the Fire morning and evening in their graves. And the Day, the Hour appears [it will be said], “Make the people of Pharaoh enter the severest punishment.”

Sincerely seek protection from the punishment of the grave. Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam) used to recite this du’aa after the final Tashahhud before salam in every prayer:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْمَأْثَمِ وَالْمَغْرَمِ

Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika min ‘athaabil-qabri, wa ‘a’oothu bika min fitnatil-maseehid-dajjaali, wa ‘a’oothu bika min fitnatil-mahyaa walmamaati. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika minal-ma’thami walmaghrami.

O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, and I seek refuge in You from the trial of the False Messiah, and I seek refuge in You from the trials of life and death. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from sin and from debt.
(Al-Bukhari 1/202, Muslim 1/412)

*[40:59] وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ۚ
And your Lord says, “Call upon Me; I will respond to you.

Allah-the Creator of the worlds says make duaa and I will respond? SubhanAllah Do you need anyone else to act as a mediator now? Stop right there…and call, beg, ask HIM for all you want in dunya and Akhirah! If He says He will respond He surely will.

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Your Lord, may He be blessed and exalted, is Kind and Most Generous, and He is too kind to let His slave, if he raises his hands to Him, bring them back empty.”

Abu Dawood (1488) – Classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 1320.

He (sallAllahu ‘alyhi wasallam) also said: “There is no Muslim who calls upon Allaah with words in which there is no sin or severing of family ties but Allaah will give him one of three things:
✔either He will answer his prayer soon, or
✔He will store it up for him in the Hereafter, or
✔He will remove something bad from him that is equivalent to what he is asking for.”
They said, “Then we should make a great amount of du’aa’.” He said, “Allaah is greater.”
(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3573; classed as saheeh by al-Tirmidhi and others)

*[40:65] He is the Ever-Living; there is no deity except Him, so call upon Him, [being] sincere to Him in religion. [All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

When Iblees didn’t prostrate to Adam, then he asked Allah to give him life till the last Day – Allah gave it to him.
Why did Allah answer his dua when he had just disobeyed Him?
Because Iblees only asked Allah the Great! He said: “O my Lord give me life until the Last Day.”
Such is the power of Ikhlas. Make your dua only to ALLAH & it doesn’t matter how sinful you are – Allah will answer it!! :’)

*[40:64] Allah has perfected your forms and provided you with good things. That is Allah, your Lord; then blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds.
Don’t be sad or complain about that long nose or those thin lips!
Allah made all faces according to His will and He made everyone beautiful. Don’t find flaws in yourself nor in the faces and bodies of others and neither be too arrogant. Be grateful to Allah for everything.

We will add a summary of Surah Fussilat in Juz 25 inshAllah.

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Please share your reflections and points from this Juz too, in the comments.

English Compilation: Sr. Mariam Anwer ( Quest for Paradise)

Juz 23

Juz 25

Ramadan Resources Free Download

You can download by clicking here on the links below

Ramadhan Workbook Updated for 2020 By An-Nasihah Publications

Ramadan & Fasting PPT

Ramadhan Colouring Activities

Ramadhan Tracker

Fasting Wordsearch

Actions that break the Fast-Worksheet

Breaking the Fast-Worksheet

All Ramadhan Resources

Have a blessed Ramadan to all of you!

Ramadan in Pandemic 2020

We’re about to witness a Ramadan none of us have ever experienced before but how about we make this the BEST Ramadan ever? There are many of us who always dreamed to spend a Ramadan with less hustle and bustle. It seems like Allah SWT has given us a chance. This year we’re going to be home more, spending more time with our families, more time to reflect, to worship, to pray more nafl, to send more salwats, to read more Quran!

It sounds amazing but we shouldn’t forget that it may be busier than usual as every member of the family is at home. If you have a family of little children who are not going to school and fast, then definitely you are looking for a plan to organize your routine and keeping it less challenging. And if you are working from home and want to keep your workload less stressful then you would be thinking to organize your schedule as per Ramadan. Starting this process as early as possible will give you ample time to plan, prepare and practice, so you can have the most awesome Ramadan ever. Let’s look at what can be different in this Ramadan than the usual school and work and no issues of spending time in commute or traffic.

1. Our homes are educational centers and our workplaces (not for all but for many).
2. There is no community gathering for congregational prayers and daily Tarawih
3. Everything is switching online.
4. Everyone at home is going to have a different schedule.

Keeping these notes in mind, we should prioritize our Ibadah and try to remain productive in Ramadan by doing the following as much possible.

1. Prayers and congregation at home

We can try to have congregations at home, and our brothers/husband/sons can lead the prayers which will be as rewarding as one would be going to the masjid inshaAllah. We may try to schedule our routine around the prayers and assigning one corner of the house or a  place always ready for prayers. If our sisters have no one who can lead them in prayers, they should continue as they usually do at home.

2. Suhoor and Iftar

Many of us especially women at home usually experience an extra workload during Ramadan and lose their spirituality because of so much cooking and preparing extra dishes. The Ramadan becomes extra hectic for them. In this pandemic, let’s keep things more simple and it will help us inshaAllah not only to control our budget but to have more time for worship and helping children or elderly around. Remember that whatever you do with a sincere intention will be considered as Ibadah.

3. Afternoon Nap

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would take a nap at midday so that this break would give him the strength to pray Qiyaam al-Layl (voluntary prayers at night). He would say:

“Take a nap at midday, for the Shaytaan does not take a nap at midday.”

(Narrated by at-Tabaraani in al-Awsat, 28; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in as-Saheehah, 1647)

Many of us will not need to worry to wake up again after suhoor for work or to drop kids to school this Ramadan. It can save a lot of time which we usually spend normally at traffic or on other preparations. Similarly, we can try to use our time after suhoor and fajr to include Ishraq, recitation of the Quran and remain awake for some time and to work/study as well and take nap in the afternoon. With this, we can not only implement sunnah but also lower our stress of work and study for the remaining part of the day. The key is consistency, don’t go from 0-10 right away. Add pressure bit by bit.

4. Create reminders and a simple time-table:

Many of us are having online learning or working from home. If we create a simple time-table by looking at our calendars, it can give us an insight on priorities and to-do lists without affecting peace. Since its the month of the Quran, and every muslim likes to study and recite Quran more than usual. It is important that our goals for Ramadan are clearly defined and how much time we have daily for Ibaadah, the next step is to combine this by allocating specific times daily for chasing each goal. Eg: If one wants to read 20 pages of Tafsir daily and that will take an hour, and one should have an hour a day free every evening before Tarawih, then allocate that time to be one’s Tafsir time. Likewise, devote specific times of each day things for each important act of worship. Also, remain flexible if that allocated task does not complete due to some other priorities on certain days. Just don’t skip it, try to achieve as much possible. For a general time-table, you can check this link.

5. Tarawih prayers at home

Another concern and sadness among Ummah is the temporary closure of masajids. And we are all missing them. But we know that Allah SWT has the bigger picture and He knows about our love towards it. So instead of missing Tarawih, we can do it at home. The good news is we can recite the Quran by holding it during nafl prayer. And reading from the computer whilst praying, comes under the same rulings as reading from the Mushaf whilst praying. This is a well-known topic about which there is a difference of opinion among the scholars. Undoubtedly it is better that people should only be led in prayer by one who has memorized the book of Allah and can recite from memory, but something is better than nothing and skipping Qiyam-ul-layl.

6. I`tikaf
The scholars are unanimous that i`tikaf is only to be done in the mosques; this holds alike for men and women. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques” (Surat al-Baqarah 187).

The Prophet, ﷺ, his wives, and other companions only did i`tikaf in the masjid. Most scholars allow i`tikaf in any masjid; Imam Abu Hanifah adds the condition that the masjid should be one where the daily prayers are held (Bad’i` al-sana’i`, the chapter on i`tikaf).
When, in troubled times, it was not safe for women to do i`tikaf in the mosques, they were allowed to do i`tikaf in the musalla (place designated for prayer) in their homes.in the Hanafi madhab. In our present situation, when the lockdown has been extended and is likely to continue throughout the month of Ramadan, people will not be able to do i`tikaf in the mosques. I`tikaf is an emphasized sunnah like praying in the congregation for the fard/obligatory prayers. Since, the present conditions necessitate that congregational prayers cannot be done in the mosques, including even the jummah prayer, the same applies to i`tikaf. For the duration of the compelling circumstances, i.e., until the necessity passes, the emphasized sunnah of i`tikaf cannot be observed.

However, if some people want to make use of the Hanafi doctrine, which allows women to do i`tikaf at home, that is an option for them. If anyone, man or woman, designates a room in their house for the prayer and does i`tikaf in it, this can be permissible during the present emergency. Of course, they must ensure that they observe all the conditions of i`tikaf, i.e., as they are normally observed in a mosque. People should only consider this option if their i`tikaf does not cause any harm or burden to other members of the household. (Excerpt is taken from Al-Islam Institute)

7. Eid prayer

Eid prayers have the same conditions as the jumu`ah prayer. Since the jummah is not held at home according to the most preferred opinion, similarly the `id will not be prayed at home during lock-down. Jumu`ah has its replacement and that is the zuhr prayer. The eid prayer has no replacement; so, people should not do any prayer on the `id day before zuhr. Rather, they should continue to utter takbir, and do other forms of dhikr, to mark the completion of Ramadan and express their thanks for it(Excerpt is taken from Al-Islam Institute).

But does it mean there will be no celebration? We can prepare a good meal and dress our best outfits and share gifts with our children. We are blessed that we can talk and see our loved ones via phone and video calls. Remember, Eid is not just to put on new clothes: Eid is for those whose obedience of Allah increases day after day and whose sins are forgiven by Allah SWT. Eid is a means of gratitude to them, and the one who strives in Ramadan and after to have the pleasure and mercy of his Lord.

Conclusion

As the hadith says when Ramadan comes, the devils are chained and the burden is lightened, which makes much easier to lift the same weight, and it even increases our maximum capacity. Thus this provides opportunities to earn unlimited blessings, limitless forgiveness and reigning one’s own ego. The more intense a person becomes in seeking these goals, the more beneficial the month becomes. Humans have the capacity to change themselves and earn the blessings of Allah through their efforts and good deeds and they would always be supported by the Divine in this endeavor. Allah SWT has mentioned:

وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ 

And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good. (Surah Al-An’kabut 29:69)

 

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Resources:

Time Management Tips for Ramadan

Reading from the Mus-haf in Taraweeh prayer

The pandemic and Ramadan

Understanding the hadith: Heaven open, hell closes and devils chained

 

Juz 23 – Points to Ponder (English)

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Surah Yaseen

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[36: 1-4] The only thing that we need to pursue in this world is the straight path that will lead us to the fulfillment of our desires, in the hereafter. But only praying for guidance is not enough; we need to have a role model to follow in whom we can trust. Therefore Allah sent Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) as a perfect example for us to follow until the end of time. The Quran is the guide book and the life and personality of the Prophet (s.a.w) is the practical application of this guidance.

[36: 5] The Quran was not meant just to be placed on high shelves, rather it should have been given the highest place on our priority list. Holding it above the bride and bridegroom was never taught to us; it is our self created innovation for which we should seek forgiveness of Allah. But its spiritual protection should certainly be held above us as a refuge from shaitan and as a guide for our entire lifetime.

[36: 7-10] Allah says that most people won’t accept the truth no matter what signs are sent down for them…but why? Hasn’t Allah provided them with the resources to acquire knowledge and guidance? The fact is that the truth is obvious as the bright sun but they have their eyes closed to it. Don’t think that the power you have in this world is going to remain with you forever. Work for Hereafter or else the glamour of this worldly life is like a wall in front of them which will make you totally forgetful of the Akhirah.

[37: 11] Instill the fear of Allah inside of yourself. Its the fear of being watched by Allah all the time that pushes the believer to cleanse and purify himself from all evils. A believer who fears Ar Rahman when he is alone is the one who will take heed of the reminders and messages. Allah has prepared forgiveness for him and a great reward.

[36:12] Know that all your deeds are being written and Allah knows everything. The register is being made ready. On the Day Of Qiyamah, you will see what you sent forth of good deeds and you will know what you left behind i.e.,
1-good deeds that keep continuing even after you die (of sadqa jariya).
2-Or the good deeds that you could have done but did not actually do. So you will full of regret and sadness because of it.

[37: 17] Your responsibility is only to advise the one who is involved in anything evil, guidance is in the hands of Allah, if there is any goodness inside of a person, Allah will guide him to the truth. Your job is to just remind, remind and leave the rest to Allah.

[36:20] Read the ayaat. Allah tells us about a man who accepted eeman even when the whole community was against him. Allah loves this act so when the people killed him Allah took him as a martyr straight to Jannah.
When Allah loves someone He gives him eeman…and understanding of deen. And then he gets sweetness of eeman…which makes him deal with the toughest of situations with ease.

[37: 22] Since Allah had created you and has all the power then why should you worship anything else? Accept the helplessness before Allah!

[36:26] This man also has worried for his people…It is the quality of his eeman that he wants to let his people know the result of his belief so that they may do the same as he did; believe and follow the Messengers and reach Jannah.
What is our attitude when we see someone heading towards self destruction? We think well he deserves punishment and Oh thank God, I am such a pious person, Alhamdulillah.. Do we feel any pain of his disbelief? If not, then what kind of faith is this?

[37: 32] Not only disbelievers, Muslims have become so detached from the Quran that their faith in the hereafter has also become blurred. Contemplate on the signs which He has placed for us in this world so that we might realize that it is not difficult for Allah to give life to the dead.

[37: 36] Everything in this world is created in pairs, whether its the man, trees or any other creation. Nothing exists alone, except Allah, the Almighty who has no partners.

[37: 38- 39] It’s from the beauty of Allah creation and prove to His oneness that Sun and Moon are following their appointed course, had there been more than One God, the world wouldn’t have been so organized.

[37: 43] In the middle of that endless expanse of water who can save you from drowning except Allah. Don’t be ungrateful to Allah’s great blessings and acknowledge the greatness of your Creator.

[37: 33- 44] When you see and think about the amazing beauty of Allah’s creation, then it should make you feel aware of Allah’s love and mercy. The heart should become soft and be filled up with awe and admiration for this Supreme Creator who made such fabulous things for you.

[37: 46] Arrogance eventually leads to disbelief in the Hereafter. Beware of it!

[37: 47] Spend your money om charity. Don’t be like those who say Allah is Caretaker of poor and He could feed them, He is rather testing you with your wealth and them with their poverty, so be grateful and spend for His sake.

[37: 48] The fact is that the day of Judgement will come on its appointed time whether we believe in it or not, whether we fear it and prepare accordingly or prefer to close our eyes to it.

[37: 51- talks about second blowing of suur (trumpet).
Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah said, “How can I feel at ease when the Angel of the Trumpet, (Israfil) has put his lips to the Trumpet and is waiting for the order to blow it”. He (the Prophet) perceived as if this had shocked his Companions, so he told them to seek comfort through reciting: ‘Hasbunallah wa ni’mal-Wakeel [Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)]“.

[37: 55- 58] The hardships you might face in this world in order to remain true to Allah, are nothing when you view it from the perspective of the Hereafter. What are a few years of sacrifice as compared to the eternal bliss of Paradise? Be patient so you could be in eternal bliss in the Hereafter!

[37: 65] Today it might seem impossible that our hands and feet could be speaking against us. But if you think about it, if Allah could teach our tongues to speak, then how can He not put the same capability in our limbs? After all, He is the one who created us, but the sad truth is that we have forgotten the Creator.

[37: 81] We really need to focus our hearts and minds on the presence and power of Allah who is the Creator, Owner and the Provider of all things. Nothing is difficult for Him to accomplish. If we are living here in spite of disobeying Him, it’s just Allah’s Mercy and Compassion that He has given us a life span, and a chance for us to turn to Him in repentance.

[37: 82] It was so easy for Allah to make this universe and it is equally easy for Him to destroy it all in the blink of an eye or even sooner than that. So hasten to good deeds so you that you would be save from the terrors of that Day!

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Surah As Saffaat
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*[37:1] Pray in congregation in the Masjid, brothers. Straighten your rows during prayer as it is the characteristic of the angels. Prophet Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) used to straighten his companions’ rows in prayer himself!

*[37:22] Know who your friends are, whom do you love and like to be with. As on the Day of Judgement, a man will be gathered with the ones he loved and liked to be with.

*[37:40-49] Strive for the love of Allah. The special and sincere servants of Allah will be rewarded with Jannah full of gifts and blessings.

*[37:51] Know that you will have someone in your family or in your group of associates who will discourage you when you race to obey the commands of Allah. Never let him stop you. Stay strong and continue in good deeds.

*[37:57-61] Being saved from punishment on the Day of Judgement is real success so strive for this success, race and compete in doing good deeds.

*[37:62] Ask Allah to protect you from the Hell Fire and ask Him to not include you from the ones whose food will be Zaqqum – A tree from the depths of hell having the most bitter taste.

*[37:99] The one who loves to be with Allah has eeman and loves Allah wishes to be alone – to gain knowledge do dhikr. All this can’t be possible with people around.

*[37:100] When Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) turned away from his people because of their persistent disbelief. Then when he was alone he prayed for a child…and Allah blessed him. But it was not like his prayer was responded to immediately. Ibrahim (a.s) prayed and prayed and years later he got blessed with a son. Allah wants you to keep calling and begging Him so that you are always in a state of worship and draw close to him through it.

*[37:101] He blessed him with a *haleeem* son…who is patient never arrogant and disobedient or complaining unlike usual children

*[37:102] Prophet Ibrahim’s tests didn’t end when he was blessed with a son. Allah sent him a dream ordering him to sacrifice his son…the son who was born after years n years of dua..so Ibrahim (a.s) called him and asked him about it. Ismail (a.s) being a true-believing servant of Allah too submits to the command of Allah. Both passed the clear test and were included among Allah’s blessed muhsin servants.
So Allah shows us that Allah will surely “give” the one who sacrifices for Allah’s sake.
Happily-ever-after is only in Jannah whereas this world is all about tests, trials and our response to them.

*[37:139-148] About Prophet Yunus (as), Allah mentions how he ran away from the people that he was sent to. He ran away and boarded a ship in flight, only to be swallowed by a whale. Then remarkably, Allah `azza wa jall draws our attention to one particular trait of his which became the cause of his salvation: he was somebody who did a lot of tasbeeh and dhikr (remembrance of God). Sometimes in life, you can get so caught up with things and feel so surrounded or feel hopeless, and you search for every solution, but you don’t realise that perhaps, your salvation lies within some words of remembrance. If you are in the heart (or ‘belly’) of turmoil and trouble, take time to do tasbeeh, take time to make istighfar (forgiveness), take time to remember Allah, and take time to be grateful because wallahi these are known causes for salvation. These words you utter are armies of Allah, and they are keys from Allah, which can open every locked door.
Aim to become a ‘musabbih’ in the Sight of Allah; written down by the Angels as someone whose words are golden because they are filled with tasbeeh, istighfar, and shukr (gratitude) etc. As the pious before us used to say: you will then become known by the people of the heavens and hidden amongst the people of the earth; and that’s a great rank indeed.
Hadith: “Glad-tidings for he whose scrolls are found filled with istighfar (seeking forgiveness).” [Ibn Majah, al-Nasa’i]
May Allah help us to remember Him much and may our tongues be moistened with words of remembrance; words of great heights in the Hereafter, ameen. (Fajr Blog)

*In these special days and nights, Recite the du’a of Yunus often:
لَّا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

The Prophet (SallAllahu Alyhi wasallam) said: “The prayer of Dhu’l-Noon when he was in the belly of the fish:

‘Laa ilaaha illa Anta, subhaanaka inni kuntu min al-zaalimeen (There is no god but You, glory to You, verily I was one of the wrongdoers).’

A Muslim never calls upon his Lord with these words concerning any matter, but his prayer is answered.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3505; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 1644)

*[37:74-149] Prophets Nuh, Ibrahim, Ishaq, Ismail, Musa, Haroon, Ilyas, Lut, Yunus -alayhimussalam- were special, chosen and believing servants of Allah so Allah honored them and preserved their remembrance till the end of time. Surah al-Saffat is similar in some ways to Surah al-Anbiya’ (and also al-Shu’ara) in the sense that they both go through the chronicles of the Prophets. However, where al-Anbiya’ spoke of their trials, al-Saffat speaks more of their strength in calling to the Way of Allah and their piety.

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Surah Saad
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*[38:9] We find ourselves in the most blessed of seasons. Ask Allah frequently for everything you need even if it’s as tiny as a shoelace for your shoe. Ask Allah, He is Al Wahhab – the Bestower. All treasures and depositories of Mercy and blessings belong to Him alone.

* Allah Ta’ala specifically mentions Prophets Dawood, Sulaiman and Ayyub (‘alayhimussalam) in this surah as Awwaab as they were the ones who always used to turn to Allah in shukr and duaa.

*[38:17] When you feel sad, anxious or worried, read the stories of the prophets. It will give you peace, comfort and lots of lessons.

*[38:21-24] Your prayers don’t get answered? Sad and depressed? Then know that Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala does not answer our prayers because He wants to see us on the prayer mat more often. Had He answered them right away, would we lower ourselves in sujood? Shed a tear? Turn to Him? Talk to Him?
Imagine a person whose company you enjoy the most. When they come you don’t want them to leave. You abandon what you are doing and are attentive to them. You rejoice when they talk and you want to hear them continue talking just to be with them. The longer this meeting lasts, the more delighted you feel.
Same goes with Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala, our du’as and those heartfelt talks that we make with Him in secret He loves us hence He wants to see us and hear from us more often.
There is always a blessing in disguise. What worldly blessing could be more valuable than being in the Company of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala?
Look at your du’as and trials from a different perspective and be humbled in gratitude that Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala chose YOU to be with Him. Not many people are granted this Honorable Company.

38:24-Allah tests you to: to teach you, warn you and make you come closer to Him through dua, istighfar and prayer. It’s from the sunnah of the prophets to fall into sajda for shukr and istighfar. Follow them.

*[38:26] Desires/nafs leads a person away from the path of Allah and make him forget the akhirah and start sinning and then eventually fall into hell.

*[38:29] Why has the Quran been revealed? So that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.

*[38:32] Do the work that leads you towards the remembrance of Allah and His worship. Prophet Sulaiman’s power and wealth motivated him to increase in shukr and dhikr of Allah.

*[38:41-47] Learn the art of being patient and thankful to Allah by Prophet Ayyub (alayhissalam). When he was tested with sickness for 18 years, he lost his wealth and also his family but he was patient and always kept praising Allah so Allah compensated him with everything better than what he lost.

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Please share your reflections and points from this Juz too, in the comments.

English Compilation: Sr. Mariam Anwer ( Quest for Paradise)

Juz 21 – Part 1

Juz 21 – Part

Juz 22

Concept of Tawheed in the light of Surah Yaseen

Juz 22 – Points to Ponder (English)

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Surah Al Ahzab 31 to 60

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*[33: 32] What is the first thing about a personality that needs to be put right? Your way of talking. Women should be very careful because the way they talk has a far-reaching effect on the listener. So the tone they reserve for their loved ones should not be used randomly for every other man.

*[33: 33] The home for a woman should be a place she loves because she knows that her honor and dignity are preserved within its boundary. Obviously, Allah is not holding her back from going out for education, or from work, But not purposelessly, and observing proper dress and modesty.

*[33: 34] The greater responsibility of women at home is to educate themselves as well as their families with the Book of Allah and the Wisdom in the Sayings of the Prophet.

*[33:35] If you have doubt about Allah’s love and mercy for you as woman, then know that He has created both man and woman with equal opportunities to excel and to seek a closer relationship with their Creator. Try to nurture the habits of the obedient slaves of Allah.
• Believe in Him
• Be obedient to His commandments
• Have patience in face of trials
• Avoid arrogance and practice humility
• Give charity as much as you can
• Fast for His sake
• And guard your modesty.

Allah promises forgiveness and a great reward for people that have these characteristics. May Allah make us from them.

*[33: 36] You cannot truly worship Allah until we have complete trust in His love and mercy for us. Allah wants us to succeed that is why He has taught us a beautiful way to increase our faith in Him, and that is through His constant remembrance and glorification.

*[33: 37] Although divorce is not something recommended in Islam, yet if somebody is divorced, do not ostracize him/ her from the society, thinking that something is wrong with that person, and the divorce is a consequence of that, there is a bigger picture that you can’t see!

*[33: 37] Do not consider the adopted children of yours as your real children, they are not, even if you call them your son or daughter your entire life. Let go of the wrong social practices that make life complicated. Let go of the fear of people and what they say. Allah has the right to be feared. Have Taqwa of Allah and try your best to please Him alone!

*[33: 40] Prophet Muhammad is the seal of all prophets. prophecy has been completed and concluded on him, and it will not exist anymore until the Day of Judgment.

*[33: 45- 46] The prophet was sent by Allah with a certain mission; as a warner to wretched ones, and a giver of glad tidings to the believer, as a Dae’e in the path of Allah( the one who calls to Allah) and an illuminating lamp. As a legacy of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) try and instill these characteristics in your attitude, so you could be with him in Jannah by the mercy of Allah.

*[33: 49- 50] Every single marriage of Prophet that was commenced with the Mothers of the believers was except by Allah’s will, and there was His wisdom behind each every marriage. Never question that why muslim men are supposed to marry 4 women, while Prophet was an exception. Be among those who say “We hear and we obey”.

*{33: 53] Do not go to other people’s houses until you are given permission to enter. And if you are invited for meal, do not show up hours before the fixed time, and when you are done with the meal, LEAVE, don’t sit for there long hours, sitting, chatting and gossiping. Its uncomfortable and annoying for the host.

*[33: 56] Allah and the angels send blessing upon Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). What bigger reason would you want to send salam on him? (May Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him)
On this last Friday of Ramadan (probably) send peace and blessings upon him as much as you can, and Allah will cover you with His forgiveness and Rahmah.
The Prophet said; “Whoever sends one Salah upon me, Allah will send ten upon him.) At-Tirmidhi said: “This is a Sahih Hasan Hadith.

*[33: 58] Don’t be depressed if anyone intends or tries to harm you, know that he has done a great sin, and Allah will deal with him. You are supposed to just trust Him, and be His obedient slave.

*[33: 59] The covering for a Woman, is like protecting a precious jewel. Allah knows His creation and He knows what is best for us. Ask Allah truly and sincerely to give you proper understanding of what hijaab is and above all to help you apply this in your daily wear!
Hijaab is not just a headcover nor it’s a tight-fitting long dress – study the conditions of the hijaab. And also, know who are your mahram and non-mahram – how many say ‘o it’s ok, he’s just my cousin, I don’t have to cover for him!’ In this ayah you’ll find exactly for who you don’t have to cover- which means to all the rest you should! Know more about Hijab: https://questforparadise.wordpress.com/…/precious-hidden-p…/

*[33: 70] Speak in a straightforward manner, with no crookedness or distortion. Allah promises that if you do that He will reward you by making your deeds righteous, i.e., enabling you to do righteous deeds, and He will forgive you and your past sins. With regard to whatever sins you may commit in the future, He will inspire you to repent from them.

*[33: 73- 73] This religion, His Book is a trust Allah has given to YOU. Give it, it’s rights, fulfill your responsibilities towards it and you will be rewarded with the Best of rewards!

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Surah Sabaa
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*[34: 1] All praise belongs to Alone alone in this world and in the Hereafter, He is the Giver and Bestower who has given you innumerable blessings. Even if you try, you can not number His gifts and blessings. The question arises, do you thank Him for the blessings that you enjoy?

*[34: 2-3] Whatever actions you do, it’s been recorded. Know that nothing escapes His observation. He knows every rain-drop that goes into the earth, and every seed that comes out, likewise, He knows every single deed of yours as well, even if it’s of the size of a mustard seed, He is well aware of it!

*[34: 6] Knowledge is a crucial part of seeking guidance, it generates actions that are based on the commandments of Allah and the instructions of the Prophet. Hence, every Muslim must instill in his mind a desire to seek knowledge.

*[34: 9] If Allah wants He could punish us right away for our sins, yet He delays His punishment so that we could repent and turn back to Him. Seek forgiveness from your sins before Allah’s punishment seizes you!

*[34: 9] In looking at the creation of the heavens and the earth, there is a sign for every servant who is intelligent and wise and who turns towards Allah. Do you reflect on the signs of Allah? Does it make you more grateful?

*[34: 10- 12] Allah had blessed His servant and Messenger Dawud (David) and his son Sulaiman, peace be upon them, and He gave them of His great bounty, giving Dawood (alayhis salam) both prophethood and kingship, and huge numbers of troops. And He blessed him with a beautiful voice to praise and glorify Him. And for his son, He subjugated the wind to him, so that it would carry his carpet one way for a month, then back again the next month, and the Jinn were subjugated to work for him. Both of these prophets acknowledged Allah’s blessings and were grateful to Him. This the kind of gratitude Allah expects from us and all of His creation.

*[34: 13] Thanks may be expressed by actions as much as by words and intentions. Abu `Abdur-Rahman Al-Hubuli said, “Prayer is thanks, fasting is thanks, every good deed that you do for the sake of Allah is thanks, and the best of thanks is praise.” Make sure you don’t just thank Allah verbally by repeating words of Shukr, prove Him that you are thankful by your deeds and actions, do something extra in gratitude for His sake.

*[34: 15- 17] When you are grateful to Allah, He increases His blessings, but if you are not, then He does delay His punishment for sometime, but then it eventually seizes, taking away all the blessings that you were given.
Saba’ refers to the kings and people of the Yemen. they lived a life of enviable luxury in their land with plentiful provision, crops and fruits. Allah sent them messengers telling them to eat of His provision and give thanks to Him by worshipping Him alone, and they followed that for as long as Allah willed, then they turned away from that which they had been commanded to do. So they were punished with a flood which scattered them throughout the lands around Saba’ in all directions,

*[34: 19] In the punishment which these people suffered, the way in which their blessings and good health were turned into vengeance for their disbelief and sins, is a lesson and an indication for you if you are steadfast in the face of adversity and grateful for blessings.

*[34: 20] “…And You will not find most of them as thankful ones” [7: 17] This is what Shaytaan said to Allah, and this assumption of his was confirmed by ungrateful attitude of man. Most of us live life constantly victimizing ourselves. Make sure you are not like those who expect more and give little thanks for what they have. Prove shaytaan wrong by being a grateful person to Allah.

*[34: 22] Nobody has the power to benefit or harm you except Allah. Seek help from alone, expect from Him alone, fear Him alone and you will be at peace!

*[34: 25] On the day of Judgment, no person will be questioned or punished for the crime or sin of another person. You will be asked only about the evil actions that you committed, so rather than interfering in other people’s affairs and being curious about what they are up to, correct and work on yourself.

*[34: 26] Allah is the Al- Fattah, “The Opener” i.e. He who decides and lays upon all matters in truth and justice and who opens the way to victory, success, relief, knowledge, understanding. Call upon Allah by this beautiful name of His, asking Him to unlock the locked doors of your life.

*[34: 31- 33] Don’t be the blind followers of those in power or authority around you. On the Day of Judgment they will disassociate themselves from you and refute every point that you will bring up. Be careful, and hold on to Quran and Sunnah for your guidance!

*[34: 35] Do not think that just because Allah has made you wealthy, or has blessed you in worldly sense, you will not be punished for your action or that He loves you. Know that wealth and poverty, both are tests from Him, to see if you are grateful to Him, or if you turn away in ingratitude!

*[34: 36] Allah is Ar- Razzaq, the One who gives you the Rizq, He extends it for whomever He wills and withholds it for whomever He wills, expect from Him only, trust Him completely and He will provide for you from ways you never imagined!

*[34: 37] Your abundance of wealth or children isn’t a sign of Allah’s love at all. They could be source to His love only when they are accompanied with true faith and righteous actions.

*[34: 39] Whatever you spend from your money in the ways that He has commanded you and permitted you, He will compensate you for it in this world by giving you something else instead, and in the Hereafter by giving you reward.

*[34: 47] When you do something for the sake of Allah, then do not look for people’s appreciation. Do not wait or even expect a single word of ‘Thank You’ from them. If you did it for the sake of Allah, He will reward you in full in this world and the Next. Seek appreciation only from Allah.

*[34: 50] Truly, Allah is All-Hearer, Ever Near, He hears all the words of His servants, and He is always near to respond to them when they call on Him.

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Surah Al Fatir
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*[35: 1] Allah has made the angels messenger having wings; among them are some who have two wings, some have three and some who have four. Some have more than that, as stated in the Hadith mentioning that the Messenger of Allah saw Jibrail, peace be upon him, on the night of the Isra with six hundred wings. Between each pair of wings was a distance like that between the east and the west.

*[35: 2] Whatever is happening in your life, is a part of His perfect plan. What He wills, happens, and what He does not will, does not happen. The keys of all doors lie with Allah so pray only to Him beg Him for relief. No one can withhold what He wills to give and no one can give you what He withholds from you. So trust Him completely, and seek His assistance in all matters.

*[35: 5] This life is as nothing in comparison to the great good that Allah has promised to His close friends and the followers of His Messengers, so do not let these transient attractions distract you from that which is lasting.

*[35: 6] Shaytan and his allies are out to get you…striving in whispering to you so you may sin and fall into hell. Beware of him…seek refuge in Allah. We ask Allah, the Almighty to make us enemies of Shaytan and to make us followers of the Book of Allah and of the way of His Messenger.

*[35: 8] Don’t be like those who do evil deeds and believe that they are doing something good, a person who is like that has been misguided by Allah.
And when you come across someone who belongs that group, remember to praise Allah, the Most High, because he hasn’t tested you with that evil. Remember that no one is safe from misguidance. So constantly ask Allah to keep you on the straight path.
Let’s memorize this dua’a and ask Allah to make us steadfast in Deen.

يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِى عَلَى دِينِكَ
Yaa Muqallibal Quloob Thabbit Qalbee ‘alaa Deenik.
“Oh turner of the hearts (Allah, the Most High), keep our hearts firm on your religion”
[Authenticated by al-Albanee in al-Jaam’i as-Sagheer 1323/7988]

*[35: 10] If you desire honor, power, and glory in this world and the Next, then be obedient towards Allah. This will help you reach your goal, for Allah is the Sovereign of this world and the Hereafter, and to Him belong all honor, power and glory. You do good deeds for the sake of Allah and Allah will grant u honor even if people honor you or not or if they insult you don’t fall in self-pity, don’t cry, don’t care, because ALLAH knows who you are … expect izzah/honor just from him. Do good for Him and expect honor from Him alone.

*[35: 11] Don’t be afraid of death because it will come when it’s written…just ask Allah for a good end.

*[35: 12] Give thanks to your Lord who subjugated this mighty creation –the sea — to you, so that you can travel through it as you wish and go wherever you want, and nothing stops you؛ His power has subjugated for you whatever is in the heavens and on earth, and all of this is by His grace and mercy.

*[35: 15] Allah has no need of anyone or anything else, but all of creation is in need of Him and is in a position of humility before Him.

*[35: 19- 22] Do you things these antonyms are equal, or can even be compared? The blind and the seeing are not equal, there is a difference and a huge gap between them. Darkness and light are not equal, neither are shade and the sun’s heat. By the same token, the living and the dead are not equal. This is the parable Allah makes of the believers who accept the truth, and those who don’t, as dead.

*[35: 27] Did you ever realize that Allah makes different kinds of things from one thing, which is the water that He sends down from the heaven. From water, He brings forth fruits of various colors, yellow, red, green, white and other colors, as we can see in the immense variety of their colors, tastes and scents. Have you ever thanked Him for this blessing?

*[35: 28] Seek correct knowledge to have fear of Allah in your heart. Only those who have knowledge truly fear Him as He should be feared, because the more they know about the Almighty, the more they will fear Him.

*[35: 29- 30] If you recite and believe in Allah’s Book, and do the deeds prescribed in it such as establishing regular prayer at the prescribed times, night and day, spending (in charity) out of that which Allah has provided for you secretly and openly, then He will give you a reward for what you have done, and multiply it by adding more, such as has never occurred to you.

*[35: 32] Rasūlullāh (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said, “The foremost one will enter Paradise without going through any reckoning, the middle coursed one will go through an easy reckoning and then enter Paradise, and the wrongful one will be held, until he thinks he is doomed…and at that point, he will be overtaken by the mercy of Allāh and will enter Paradise” [Musnad Ahmed]
ʿAbdullāh b. ʿAbbās explained: the foremost is the sincere [mukhliṣ]; the middle coursed one is the one who does actions with show [riyā’]; and the wrongful one is the one who is ungrateful towards the bounties of Allāh (by engaging in wrongful actions), without however denying those bounties.

Race and compete with each other to be from the foremost, hasten to do good deeds during these blessed nights and ask Allah to make you from Sabiqoon!

*[35: 34- 35] Whatever anxieties and worries you have in this word, know that they will be lifted from you in Jannah. With the first step in Jannah, you will forget every difficulty you went through in this life. And you will praise Allah, the One Who will give you that position and status out of His grace and blessing and mercy, for our good deeds can not be equivalent to that.

One of our righteous predecessors, Ibrahim al-Taymi said:

“The one who is not afflicted with sadness and grief should fear being from the people of the Fire because (Allah says in the Qur’an that) the people of Paradise will say:

•►“Praise be to Allah Who removed from us sadness…” [Surah al-Fatir, 45:34] “

*[35: 36- 37] Those who didn’t accept the truth in Dunya, when they see the punishment of Allah in the Hereafter, they will ask to go back to the worldly life so that they can do something different to the first deeds they did. But Allah, may He be glorified, knows that if He sent them back to this world, they would go back to what they had been forbidden to do, and He knows that they are lying, so He will not respond to their plea.

*[35: 41] Allah grasps the heavens and the earth otherwise they would shift from where they are. no one can make them stay and preserve them except Him. He is Ever Most Forbearing and Oft-Forgiving because He sees His servants disbelieving in Him and disobeying Him, yet He is patient and gives them time, He waits and does not hasten the punishment, and He conceals the faults of others and forgives them.

*[35: 45] If Allah wills to punish us for our sins, He would destroy all the people on the earth and all that they own of the crops, livestock, but He is delaying His punishment until the Day of Judgment, so that if you have any goodness inside of you, you could turn back to Him and repent. May Allah forgive us for our short-comings and sins!

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Please share your reflections and points from this Juz too, in the comments.

English Compilation: Sr. Mariam Anwer ( Quest for Paradise)

Juz 20 – Part 1

Juz 20 – Part 2

Juz 21 – Part 1

Juz 21 – Points to Ponder Part1 (English)

Surah Al-Ankaboot  Ayah  46 – 69
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*[29: 46] Never argue, or fall into dispute with regards to Islam. Your responsibility is just to advise or correct the person who is involved in something wrong. When your conversation turns into an argument, then your intentions take a shift from advising for the sake of Allah to winning the argument and insulting the opposite party.

*[29: 49] Make a commitment to memorize some surahs of the Quran, other than those short ones that you had memorized in your childhood. The people of the Quran are the people of Allah and His specialties. Strive to be among them!
It was narrated that Anas bin Malik said: “The Messenger of Allah said: ‘Allah has His own people among mankind.’ They said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, who are they?’ He said: ‘The people of the Qur’an, the people of Allah and those who are closest/special to Him.” (Sunan Ibn e Majah, Book of Sunnah, Hadith no 214, Classified as Sahih By Allama Albani)

*[29: 51] Quran is sufficient as a guide for you. Open it up and it will provide you the spiritual and intellectual nourishment that you crave.

*[29: 54- 55] Always seek protection from the Hellfire. Cry and beg Allah to save you from it.

*[29: 57- 58] Wherever you are, death with catch up with you, so always obey Allah and be where Allah commands you to be, for this is better for you. Death is inevitable and there is no escape from it, and then you will return to Allah, and whoever was obedient to Him will have the best reward.

*[29: 59] Be patient when a calamity strikes you, and trust Allah completely with regards to your provision and rizq. These are the characteristics of those who will be admitted into the Jannah of the Most Merciful because of their patience and trust.
*[29: 60] The One who gives rizq to animals and birds, will provide for you too. They just strive for it and He provides. So seek His help, and He will provide you as well. And don’t be depressed or frustrated if you don’t get what you want, know that it’s His decision for you. Be grateful and patient and trust Him.

*[29: 64] -RasoolAllah ﷺ once said while digging the trench-

اللهم لا عيش إلا عيش الآخره
“Oh Allah! There is no real comfort but the comfort of Hereafter “

Real comfort and rest are in the Akhirah. We are just travelers in this world. Our real home is in the hereafter. So work hard to get the best home in the Akhirah. Hasten to do lots of good deeds with sincerity, only for His sake, so that He would admit you in His paradise. The people of Paradise will be so relaxed that they won’t even need to sleep. (Sleep is minor death so no sleep in Jannah) May Allah make us from them, Ameen!

*[29: 65- 66] Don’t be like the one who worships Allah, and cry to Him, only when he is going through some difficult times, and forgets Him as soon as Allah alleviates from them that difficulty. Be patient and grateful to Him when times are bad as well as when they are good, and show your gratitude through your actions, words and limbs!

*[29: 67] Allah has blessed people of Makkah by granting them access to His sanctuary which He has made (open) to (all) men. The dwellers in it and the Muslim visitors in the country are equal there, and whoever enters it is safe, because he is in a place of great security.

*[29: 68- 69] Allah always helps the righteous person and is pleased with him, the one who struggles hard to please Him and does jihad against his desires and inclinations and protects himself from things that He has made forbidden. And the one who strives to spread the deen of Allah with all the resources he has been given; his body, strength, intelligence, knowledge, time and wealth.
Allah is with the muhsineen, those who excel in good deeds, the one who is suffering, yet he doesn’t complain about his trials to people, rather grateful to Allah and still strives to please Him. Those are the successful ones!

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Surah Ar-Rum

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*[30: 2- 4] Ibn Abbas commented on this ayah; “The idolators wanted the Persians to prevail over the Romans, because they were idol worshippers, and the Muslims wanted the Romans to prevail over the Persians, because they were People of the Book.”
This ayah was revealed when Persians were prevailing over the Romans, but Allah assured the believers that soon they will overcome, and then believers will rejoice.

*[30: 5] Don’t give up or become depressed when you face failure or defeat. It’s not the end of the world. The help of Allah is with the sincere believer, try harder and victory will be yours if He wills.

*[30: 6] Allah’s Promises are true. Believe in Allah’s promises…and trust Him for His help and support in every matter of your life. Do your best and leave the rest to Allah. Hope the best from Him. Allah says I am as my servant expects me to be. So expect the best from Him regarding matters of Dunya and matters of Akhirah. Expect Jannah from Him and do all the good deeds that will lead you to it.

*[30: 8] Think and ponder how Allah created various things in the upper and lower realms and in the space between, realize that this was not created in jest or in vain, but in truth, and that it will continue until an appointed time, the Day of Resurrection.

*[30: 12- 16] The believer will be in eternal bliss, Jannah, in the Hereafter, while those who had doubts concerning Allah, will have to face the punishment for their actions.

*[30: 17- 18] Glorify and praise Allah at all times; morning, afternoon, evening, and at night. Remember Him when worried and when happy…seek His help while you praise and glorify Him.

The Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam-said:

There are two words which are gentle on the tongue, heavy on the scales, and beloved to ar-Rahmaan: –

سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ
‘Glory be to Allah and His is the praise, (and) Allah, the Greatest is free from imperfection)’.

Make a habit of repeating these phrases while doing your ordinary tasks, like cooking, driving, working, or surfing the internet and make the scales of your good deeds heavy!

*[30: 21] There would have been revulsion if the spouses had been from a different kind. Out of Allah’s perfect mercy He made their spouses from their own kind, and created love and kindness between them. Have you memorized the dua’a for the righteous spouse?

رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَاماً
“Our Lord! Bestow on us from our spouse and our offspring the comfort of our eyes and make us leaders of those who have taqwa” (Al Furqan, 74)

*[30: 22] The reason Allah created diversity in languages, and complexions are so we could recognize each other, not so the white would look down upon black, or an Arab would be arrogant to a non-Arab. Don’t fall into the sin of racism, know that closest amongst you to Allah is the one who fears Him the most! Work for that one characteristic.

*[30: 20- 25] Every day, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala sends us some of His Signs. He shows us different things; in His Verses, in the universe, in ourselves, in our spouses, your different languages and the colors of your skins, in the rain, in day and night, in incidents that occur in our lives. The test and signs will keep coming again and again until you learn the lesson you’re supposed to learn. There is no such thing as coincidences in this world; but they are all signs, and signs lead the way to greater meanings and purpose. Know your purpose and turn to your Lord!

*[30: 28] None of you would like to have his servant as a partner in his wealth. You do not fear that your servant will have a share in your wealth, because he has no such right; similarly, Allah has no partner. The point is, that since any one of you would abhor such a thing. How can you attribute rivals to Allah from among His creation?

*[30: 29] Don’t be like the one who is slave to his own desires and inclinations, whatever he admires and sees as good in his own desires, becomes his religion and his way. Our guide is Quran and Sunnah, hold on to them tightly so you won’t go astray!

*[30: 33] Don’t be like those who when he is in dire straits, calls upon Allah alone with no partner or associate, then when times of ease come they associate others with Allah and worship others alongside Him.

*[30: 36] Neither be like the one who when he is given blessings, he is proud, rejoices over himself and boasts to others, but when difficulties befall him, He despairs of ever having anything good again.

*[30: 37] if you are financially unstable, and you are working hard yet your situation doesn’t seem to get any better, DO NOT LOSE HOPE OR GET DEPRESSED! Know that it’s Allah, who in his wisdom, extends or withholds rizq to whomever He wants. Trust Him completely, and He will provide you from the ways you can’t even imagine!

*[30: 38] Give sadqa just to seek Allah’s face…u will be rewarded for that. Spend on your relatives. Especially for the one who has a bad attitude toward you…if you are kind to him Allah will reward you for that even if the recipient continues to be rude.

*[30: 39] Whatever riba we give (or take) in order to increase (yarbu) our wealth, then we need to know that it will never increase (yarbu) with Allah. In fact, it will only decrease our standing with Him. However, were we to purify our wealth by paying out zakat (which means ‘purity’ and not ‘increase’), then even though this might seem like it’s decreasing our wealth in the short term, it will actually result in the manifold increase in the end, subhan’Allah. Ask the pious man how his wealth grew and he will tell you it was because it was purified every year.

Let’s use Ramadan to not only purify our hearts & tongues also to purify our wealth. Disengage from interest altogether. Pay your zakat. Promise yourself that you will never deal with interest again so long as your alive; root it out of your lifestyle and your choices. Seek out alternatives, and don’t settle for interest-based systems. Allah will increase you in multifold, and purify your wealth – and with that comes barakah (blessing) whereas interest doesn’t bring anything but constrictions in the home, difficulties in life, and darkness in the heart. (Reflection from Fajr Blog)

*[30: 41] If you disobey Allah, then you are corrupting the land because the good condition of heavens and the earth depends upon the obedience to Allah.

*[30: 43] Hasten to obedience to Allah and to hasten to do good deeds. Before the Day of Resurrection arrives, for when Allah wants it to happen, no one will be able to avert it.

*[30: 46] Be grateful for the favor Allah does for us all by sending winds to us, as harbingers of His mercy, meaning that they will be followed by rain, which will come down and revive people and land.

*[30: 47] Nothing escapes the watchful gaze of Allah ‘azza wa jall. He has decreed victory for His slaves and support for them in ways that we know and ways that we know not. He has promised aid to those whose strength of faith keeps them firm in the face of repression and tyranny, who keep toiling through their days, striving, and wishing for nothing but His pleasure through their patience.
During these blessed nights, don’t forget to pray for your muslim brothers and sisters all around the world that are being oppressed. Remember the people of Burma, Afghanistan, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Somalia in your duas. O Allah restore peace and stability to the devastated lands and mend the broken lives of the Muslims worldwide, Ameen.

*[30: 52] Just as you are not able to make the dead hear in their graves, or to make your words reach the deaf who cannot hear and who still turn away from you, so too you cannot guide the blind to the truth and bring them back from their misguidance. That is a matter which rests with Allah, for by His power He can make the dead hear the voices of the living if He wills. He guides whom He wills and sends astray whom He wills, and no one but He has the power to do this.

*[30: 53] Be a humble slave of Allah, the one who responds and obey, and submit himself to the Will of Allah.

*[30: 54] Don’t walk on earth arrogantly, being proud of your strength and power. Know your place, know that you were created and you will soon become weak again, and the power and strength you have today, is by the Mercy of Allah, so thank Him for it rather than boasting about it to others.

*[30: 58] The Quran is the perfect, clear speech. It has every kind of example. But those who are arrogant, won’t accept the truth no matter what is shown to them. Be humble, and Allah will unlock the treasure of His Book for you.

*[30: 60] Remain steadfast in the mission of spreading this Deen and serving Allah. Be patient when you face hurdles or obstacles, and don’t give up! Do not turn away from it, remember that Allah is with you, and His promise His true!

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Please share your reflections and points from this Juz too, in the comments.

English Compilation: Sr. Mariam Anwer ( Quest for Paradise)

Juz 20 – Part 1

Juz 20 – Part 2

Juz 21 – Part 2

Juz 20 – Points to Ponder Part2 (English)

Surah Al-Qasas – Ayah 3 – 88
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*[28: 3] Musa (alayhis salam) is the most frequently discussed prophet in the entire Quran. Why? Because there are so many lessons that could be drawn and learned from his life if you truly believe in this Book and the power of Allah.

*[28: 4-5] Wealth and power are tests and blessings from Allah, don’t turn your blessing into a punishment by becoming arrogant because of it, or by being condescending towards poor and oppressed.

*[28: 7-13] Our Rabb is Kareem and Lateef to His servants who sacrifice everything for His sake. When you try your best to please Him He will fulfill all your needs and wishes.. Like He brought Musa (alayhis salam) back to his mother so he could be a source of comfort for her since she did something that no mother would ever have the courage to do, but she trusted Allah and threw her newborn baby into the river on Allah’s command.
Allah’s Promises are true. Have a strong belief in that. Hope the best from Him. Allah says I am as my servant expects me to be. So expect the best from Him regarding matters of Dunya and matters of Akhirah. Expect Jannah from Him and do all the good deeds that will lead you to it.

*[28: 15] Shaytan is your worst enemy, he will make tireless efforts to make you slip, therefore beware of him, and seek Allah’s refuge from him persistently.

*[28: 16] if Shaytan misleads you, then don’t be shy away in front of Allah in accepting your sin, even if shaytan incited you to sin, it’s YOU who responded to his call, so turn to Allah right away in the repentance and seek His forgiveness sincerely. Let’s memorize this dua’a from Musa (alayhis salam),

رَبِّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي
‘My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, so forgive me.’

*[28: 21- 22] When you fear that people might wrong you or they will blame you for something you actually didn’t do, then say this dua’a like Musa (alayhis salam)

رَبِّ نَجِّنِى مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّـلِمِينَ
“My Lord! Save me from the people who are wrongdoers!”

Then trust Allah, and move away from them, hoping Him that He will guide you to the sound way

عَسَى رَبِّى أَن يَهْدِيَنِى سَوَآءَ السَّبِيلِ –
“It may be that my Lord guides me to the right way.”

*[28: 23] Women are allowed to leave their homes to work when needed. But with proper dress and haya.

*[28:23] When Allah gives you the opportunity to help someone in his difficult time, or grant you the ability to do a good deed, take a moment and pray to Allah for something that you so desperately want. That dua’a is most likely to be accepted since just a moment ago you pleased Allah by helping His creation in need. Let’s memorize another beautiful dua’a from Musa (alayhis salam)’

رَبِّ إِنِّى لِمَآ أَنزَلْتَ إِلَىَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ
“My Lord! Truly, I am in need of whatever good that You bestow on me!”

Allah helped Musa and answered his dua immediately because he helped the women without any return from them and asked return from Allah. Abû Hurayrah relates that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever removes one of the hardships of a believing soul, Allah will remove from him one of the distresses on the Hereafter. Whoever solves someone else’s problem, Allah will make things easy for him in this world and the Hereafter… Allah is ever assisting His servant as long as that servant is helping his brother.” [Sahîh Muslim (4867)] This hadîth shows us that the greatest form of devotion, the best way to please Allah, is to provide service to humanity.

[28: 23- 25] There are certain instructions that are supposed to be followed when dealing with the opposite gender. Make sure that you just talk about the stuff that is necessary, do not engage in small conversations. Do not try to be sweet or nice to them, it will open the doors of evil in ways that you can’t even imagine. Like when Musa (alayhis salam) helped the two girls, he didn’t ask them how they are doing or stuff like that, he watered their animals, and walked away. Be reserved, and take care of your modesty.

[28: 26] Look for righteousness, fear of Allah, and trustworthiness when considering a person for marriage. Musa (alayhis salam) was bankrupt when he got married, but his in-laws chose him on the basis of his sincerity and trustworthiness.

[28: 27] If you know a guy who is righteous, and fears Allah, and you think he is compatible for your daughter, then it is OKAY to go ahead and talk to him or his parents about the proposal. Allah lifts the taboo that exists today in many cultures that it’s insulting and humiliating for a father of a girl to go and speak to the guy’s family.

[28: 31] When you fear Allah, and follow His instructions, then He covers you with His Mercy and keep you under His special Care and Protection.

[28: 34] Communication skill is an important factor while giving Dawah. Your words should come out of your mouth and pierce through the heart of the listener. You should speak in a way, that is polite and kind, and at the same time grabs people’s attention, but it’s only Allah who can give power to your words, and guide others through you!

[28: 35] A family is a blessing. Support and help your family members when they are going through any difficulty. Sometimes you are good at something that your brother or sister is not so good at, and they need your help regarding that talent or skill of yours, don’t be selfish at this point, help them out. The family members are supposed to strengthen each other.

[28: 39] Be cautious of pride and arrogance! The arrogant person eventually ends up thinking that he won’t even return to His Lord or answerable to Him.

[28: 41] Do not follow the people (public speakers, dae’es, scholors) blindly. If a person has attained fame in the world, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are on right path or good examples to follow. Make sure that they have authentic knowledge (Quran and Sunnah), practice what they preach, and they are not slaves to their own desires (or innovations), otherwise they will drag you to Hell with themselves.

*[28: 46] Out of His Mercy, Allah mentioned the stories of previous prophets and nations in Quran. The reason is so we could pay heed to it, and learn lessons from them.

*[28: 53] Whatever ruling or commandment of Allah you come across, never question His ruling, regardless of whether or not you see wisdom in, say to yourself “I believe in it, and indeed it’s truth, from my Lord!”

*[28: 55] Whenever people try to gossip or backbite in front of you, turn away from them even if they get offended, remember that you will be in your grave alone, and you will be resurrected alone. Say “Peace!” and walk away smiling. They will eventually give up!

*[28: 56] You can only advise people, guidance is in Allah’s Hands. He gives it to those, who He knows deserve it. You cannot guide whom you love, rather just remind and advise them, keep asking Allah to open their hearts, and never ever give up on them.

*[28: 57] Allah has made Makkah a safe sanctuary and protected it since the day it was built, and it has all kinds of fruits from the surrounding regions. This is a special favour from Allah.

*[28: 60] This world is insignificant and worthless in comparison to the joys of Hereafter and its contemptible adornments are nothing in comparison to the great and lasting delights which Allah prepared for His righteous servants in the Hereafter. The one receiving joys of Jannah can never be compared to the one who looks for happiness in this world! Work for Hereafter, that is where your eternal home lies!

*[28: 67] If you have repented from your sins, you don’t go back to them, and work righteously, hasten to do good deeds, then Allah will forgive your previous sins, and you will be among the successful on the day of Judgment.

*[28: 68] Allah is the only One Who has the power to create and make decisions, whatever He wills, for what He Wills, happens; and what He does not Will, does not happen. All things, good and bad alike, are in His Hands and will return to Him. And there is no one who can dispute with Him in that or reverse His judgement.

*[28: 71- 73] It is from His Mercy and blessing that He granted us night and day without us even asking for it, so that we may rest at night and earn livelihood during the day. Do you thank Allah for these blessings?

*[28:76] Always thank Allah and praise Him for the favors He bestows u with like a degree, a good job, a high position…it is never due to your own hard work only. It’s due to Allah’s mercy on you.

*[28: 78] When Allah bless you with knowledge, or any other blessing for that matter, then acknowledge that it’s a gift from Allah and you did nothing to get it, rather He blessed you out of His Mercy, otherwise Allah will not only take away the blessing but will make it a source of humiliation for you!

*[28: 79- 80] Do not be tempted and fooled by the wealth, status and positions of others. These are just the temporary enjoyments. Seek the home of Hereafter, which is way better, and will last forever.

*[28: 81- 82] Be humble and down to earth always striving for the Akhirah.. Never be arrogant and materialistic. The destruction of Qarun is a lesson for people who run after worldly riches and are arrogant about it. Money is something that Allah gives to whom He wills, and if you are grateful with what Allah has given you, and use it in His obedience, then He will admit you into His Paradise.

*[28: 83] Do not be arrogant or cause corruption on earth, because the home of Hereafter is reserved only for those who do not exalt themselves above the creatures of Allah, or oppresses them arrogantly. Know that the deprived ones in Dunya will be compensated with the best in the Akhirah.

*[28: 84] The reward of Allah is better than the good deeds of His servant — how can it not be, when Allah has multiplied it many times over.

*[28: 85] You – as an Individual Servant of Allah and We, as an
ummah, have a responsibility to strive to spread the word of Allah, to follow the legacy of our beloved prophet, and make the beauty of the Quran known to the world. For this purpose, we need to put together all the resources we have, learn this Book, and then reach out to the people who are unaware of it, because on the Day of Judgment we will be asked that what we did with this Book!
We find ourselves in the best season of nights and days to begin working on this aim. Make strong du’a that Allah He guides and helps you in this amazing life-changing mission!

*[28: 88] Allah is Eternal, Ever Lasting, Ever Living, Self-Sustaining, Who, although His creation dies, He will never die,
“Whatsoever is on it will perish. And the Face of your Lord full of majesty and honor will remain forever.” (55:26-27).

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Surah Al-Ankaboot 1 to 45
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*[29:2] This dunya is an examination hall. All people including men women rich, poor all will be tested according to their level of eeman. The higher the eeman the harder the test…bigger the reward if sabr is practiced.

*[29:6-7] Strive in doing good deeds but know that whatever good you do it is for the benefit of your ownself and that Allah is not in need of anything. Whoever does righteous deeds Allah will remove from him his misdeeds and will reward him with the best.

*[29:8] Allah orders you to be kind and obedient to your parents but if they push you towards the disobedince of Allah then there is no obedience to them in that.

*[29:12] What are the things and who are the people you love? Keep a check on yourself.

*[29:20-22] Travel, observe and reflect on the creation of Allah and His Power. If He has created this beautiful world and its creatures the first time He can repeat it again on the Lat Day. If you disobey Him and create problems on His land you will not be able to harm Him in any way. Instead you will be the one in trouble and you won’t hve any protector or any helper besides Him.

*[29:23] Never despair of the mercy of Allah. It’s a trait of the disbelievers and their destination is Hell.

*[29:33] The actions of the people of Lut (‘alayhissalam) were forbidden by Allah, declared a major sin. Allah sends His curse and punishment on people who do this. Homosexuality is haraam! And we know from the verses of the Qur’an that those who support it (wife of Prophet Lut) will be with those who will be punished for doing this haraam act! Beware!

*[29:41] Calling and seeking help from others besides Allah is baseless like the web of a spider. The spider takes it as a home and the weakest of all homes is the home of a spider.

*[29:43] Aql and ilm both are needed to understand the examples from the Qur’an. The whole universe is proof of the Oneness of Allah and the Truth that He sent but only the ones with Knowledge understand and accept.

*[29:45] Keep up with your prayers and perform them on time. Praying five times a day with humility and devotion will help you stay away from immorality and wrongdoing.
Through salah a servant gets to know Allah…his relationship with Allah improves and hence all that reflects in the rest of his life. Since he submits to Allah in salah he submits to His rules outside of salah. This remembrance of Allah helps him stay away from everything prohibited by Allah. The one who prays just to seek Allah’s pleasure then his sins fall off like the leaves of a tree.

*Rememberance of Allah is surely a great matter.
It was said to the Prophet ﷺ: So and so prays the whole of the night, yet when he reaches the morning he steals! He ﷺ said: “What you say (i.e. about his prayer) should prevent him from that” or he said: “His prayer will prevent him (from that).”

(Ahmed – graded Saheeh Al Albani)

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Please share your reflections and points from this Juz too, in the comments.

English Compilation: Sr. Mariam Anwer ( Quest for Paradise)

Juz 19 – Part 1

Juz 19 – Part 2

Juz 20 – Part 1

Juz 20 – Points to Ponder Part1 (English)

Surah An Naml – Ayah 56 – 82
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*[27: 59] Thank Allah every single day for His innumerable blessings upon you and for His exalted Attributes and most beautiful Names. He increases His blessings upon those who thank Him.

*[27: 60] Allah usually compares rainwater with Quran.
Besides the fact that the Quran came down from the sky, it also brings dead hearts back to life, like water brings life to the dead earth. Similarly, as to how water is completely pure, the Quran is pure and purifies everything else. We are completely incapable of creating water ourselves yet benefit from what it produces in the earth, the same way the Quran is not and cannot be the work of a human being but we can extract benefit from the guidance it offers. (Ustadh Nouman)

*[27: 60- 64] Have you ever thought how would you survive if Allah takes away just one of His blessings from you? He is the One who sends down rain for you, who has kept mountains in its place and made the earth a stable place. Take a moment today and thank Him for everything!

*[27: 62] In times of difficulty, turn to Him alone, seek His help when a calamity strikes. He is the only One who responds to His servants when they call out to Him in desperate need, and He is the only One Who can relieve you when you are stricken by harm.
In these blessed nights, pour your heart out to Allah in sujood. Ask every single thing that your heart desires and wishes for, He is Al-Mujeeb, He will respond to all of your dua’as!

*[27: 64]
أءله مع الله (Is there any god other than Allah)
Allah is the Creator and Provider, Cherisher and Caretaker, the King of all kings, the Omnipotent, the Just, the Only One, Who has neither wife nor a son, the One Who creates from nothing, and returns His creations again to the earth to become like soil, dirt once again. He is the One Who provided you with natural intelligence, mental faculties, sense, energy, strength and so forth to care for yourself and for others. If Allah stopped His virtuous care for only a few moments, our entire life or world would collapse, vanish, come to an end, or be destructed. Think about it and thank Him consistently for His uncountable blessings and favors.

*[27: 70] As a Dae’e, when people oppose you or say things behind your back, be patient! Don’t kill yourself with worrying for them because Allah will help and support you, and cause this religion to prevail over those who oppose and stubbornly resist it in the east and in the west.

*[27: 72] Don’t think that the Hour is too far, no, it’s indeed near; the knowledge of when it will arrive is to Allah alone, but He informs us that it’s near. Prepare for it today, because “tomorrow” never comes!

*[27: 73] Don’t be like those upon whom Allah abundantly bestows His blessings, even though they wrong themselves, yet despite that they do not thank Him for those blessings and don’t submit to Him.

*[27: 74- 75] Allah knows what is hidden in your heart just as He knows what is easily visible. Nothing escapes from His observation, whatever secrets you keep in your hearts, He is fully aware of them all. Let’s memorize this duaá from Sunnah and ask Him to forgive our hidden and apparent sins.

اللَّهُمَّ اعْفِرْلِى ذَنْبِئ كُلَّهُ، و جِلَّهُ، وَ أوَّلَهُ وَ آخِرَهُ عَلا نِيَتَهُ وَ سِرَّهُ
Allahumma-ghfir li dhanbi kullahu, diqqahu wa jillahu, wa awwalahu wa akhirahu, wa ‘ala niyatahu wa sirrahu
(O Allah! Forgive me all my sins, great and small, the first and the last, those that are apparent and those that are hidden)

*[27: 77] If you believe in the Book of Allah, then it will serve as a Mercy and guidance for you. Make Quran your companion, and it slowly, but surely it will unlock its treasures to you!

*[27: 80- 81] If you do not pay heed to the message of Allah, if you are not willing to accept the truth and comply by it, then you are no better than a person who is deaf, dumb and blind! Open your heart and mind, and submit yourself completely to the will of Allah.

*[27: 82] When mankind has become corrupt and neglected the commands of Allah and changed the true religion. Then Allah will cause a beast to emerge from the earth. It was said that it will be brought from Makkah, or from somewhere else, as we shall discuss in detail below if Allah wills. The beast will speak to people about matters.
Prophet ﷺ said while describing signs of Hour; “Hasten to do good deeds before six things appear: the rising of the sun from the west; the smoke; the Dajjal; the beast; the (death) of one of your favorite, or general affliction.” (Muslim).

*[27: 92] Recite the Word of Allah to people, spread it, so if somebody has any amount of goodness in his heart, would receive guidance for himself.

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Please share your reflections and points from this Juz too, in the comments.

English Compilation: Sr. Mariam Anwer ( Quest for Paradise)

Juz 19 – Part 1

Juz 19 – Part 2

Juz 20 – Part 2

“Difficulty Causes Ease” and the case of the Coronavirus

One of the five major maxims of Fiqh is “المشقة تجلب التيسير” which is usually translated as “Difficulty causes ease”. I prefer to translate it as “Extreme difficulty causes relaxation of the law” as that is more clear and precise. This maxim means that the laws of Islam are flexible enough to cater for difficult situations. The maxim is extracted from several rulings found in the Quran and Sunnah.

These include the permission to make Tayammum when water is not available or useable, the permission to consume Haram when there is a risk of life, and the permissibility to shorten and combine prayers when traveling. All of these rulings share one common theme; they are all examples of the law beings relaxed because of difficulty. This maxim is agreed upon by all four madhhabs, although they may differ in how to implement it.

Types of difficulty that cause the law to change

The scholars of Fiqh list seven types of difficulty (المشقة) that can cause the law to change. These causes are coercion, sickness, travel, forgetfulness, ignorance, lack of legal competence, and public affliction. There are examples of each of these in the Shariah. An example of coercion is that it is permissible to say words of Kufr to save one’s life. The examples of sickness are plenty which includes the allowance of Tayammum when using water is harmful and the permissibility to delay fasting when ill in Ramadan. Likewise, the examples of travel are clear i.e. delaying fasting or shortening prayers while traveling.

Ignorance and forgetfulness are a bit different. This simply means that Allah forgives anything that is done out of forgetfulness or genuine ignorance. Similarly, we should go easy on people who are genuinely ignorant or made a mistake. Lack of legal competence falls into the same category. For example, children are not responsible to obey the laws of the Shariah until they hit puberty, so we should go easy on them and be gentle with their mistakes.

It is the final type of difficulty, public/common affliction that concerns us here. The Shariah allows for the relaxation of several laws when the health, lives, wealth or general well-being of the community is at risk. There are two examples of this from the reign of Umar bin al-Khattab. During the plague that afflicted al-Shaam, the Muslims isolated themselves in the mountains to prevent it from spreading. Then when a drought hit Arabia, Umar suspended the law of amputating the hands of thieves due to mass starvation. In both cases, the well-being of the community was given preference over individual laws of the Shariah.

The types of Ease

As the scholars divided difficulty into seven categories, they did the same for the types of changes that can occur to the laws. The first type of change is that the laws can be omitted, like when Umar suspended the amputation of the hands of thieves. A change could also mean a decrease is what is expected like the reduction of the number of Rakah to pray when traveling. Or it could refer to delaying an act of worship or doing it earlier than usually allowed, like combining Dhuhr with Asr in one time when traveling.

Laws can also be replaced or substituted with others, like replacing Wudhu with Tayammum when water is not available, or replacing fasting in Ramadan with Fidya for the chronically ill. Laws can also be changed to accommodate the hardship like praying Salah al-Khawf during times of civil unrest or war. Finally, the haram can become permissible at times of necessity, depending on the level of prohibition and the level of necessity. Each of these seven types of changes can be found in the Shariah and in practice throughout our history.

The Coronavirus and the application of this maxim

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads across the globe, we are entering perhaps for the first time in decades, a situation of public affliction on a global scale. This means that scholars around the world need to consider what kind of Taysir (Relaxation) can be done to the laws of Islam in order to stop the spread of this virus and to save the lives of the believers.

It is my opinion that the following changes take place in the law during this time of crisis. Note that these changes apply only to countries that are afflicted, and the changes will be rolled back when the crisis is over.

The changes are:
1. The suspension of congregational prayer until it is over, with the exception of small congregations in the home.
2. The obligation to pray Jum’ah falls away, and it becomes permissible to pray Dhuhr at home.
3. Masjids and other places of mass gatherings should be closed if possible. If not possible, then measures should be taken to prevent the spread of the virus in our places of gathering.
4. Weddings should be delayed, a small nikah will suffice to avoid large gatherings.
5. If someone passes away from the virus, then Ghusl may not be possible, Janazahs may be limited to ten people, the family will not get to attend the funeral and people will not be allowed to visit the family.
6. Taraweh should be prayed at home with one’s family. Likewise, Iftar should take place at home with the family.
7. If necessary, Eid prayer should be canceled completely.
8. Avoid leaving the home except for necessities. The best usage of our time now is to be at home worshipping Allah and asking for His Divine Assistance.

None of these changes should be a source of happiness for the believer. It should hurt our hearts that we are unable to pray in congregation, attend Islamic gatherings, or enjoy the atmosphere of the Masjid. This is a test from Allah, and these changes to the law are for the protection of human life, which is one of the fundamental goals of the Shariah.

Remember; to stay home is Fiqh and to feel bad about it is Imaan.

May Allah protect us all and help us through this difficult trial.

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Written by Shaykh Ismail Kamdar, the original link to the article is  https://www.islamicselfhelp.com/2020/03/19/difficulty-causes-ease-and-the-case-of-the-coronavirus/

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Modern Traps of Satan and how to avoid them?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

[ Author: Saleha Waqar, Student of International Online Islamic University]

We have all heard stories about bad people who do their best to defraud others and rob them of their life’s savings. Someone may have experienced thieves breaking into the home and robbing one’s possessions. But there is a thief who wants to rob us of the most valuable possession of all—our eternal life and our future as this thief works through deceptive practices, from selfish vanity to immodesty to dangerous beliefs, pursuing to turn people away from the truth and from the way of life that will bring true contentment. It is well established in the Quran that Satan is our worst enemy who never misses an opportunity to attack and ambush the human.

To tackle the enemy one must understand him. Consider this popular saying by Sun Tzu:

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

As Muslims, we need to be aware of Satan’s schemes. In this essay, the discussion will be on three of his most serious modern deceptions and solutions to avoid those traps.

DECEPTION 1: Claiming Quran Prehistoric  & Hadith Skepticism

Muslims are firmly a part of the modern world and continue to struggle with the challenges of modernity such as questioning the applicability of the Quran and denial of hadith. This is the disease of post-enlightenment intellectual thought that emphasizes reason and science. Many muslims are trying to reinterpret the sacred scripture in ways that make it more plausible in the context of scientific rationalism. This begs the question: how this is a deception of Satan? Satan works by inducing Shubhaat (doubts) and by inciting Shawaat (desires) in people as mentioned by Allah SWT.

The doubts in Islamic divine sources can lead one astray. When one denies the authority and authenticity of divine scripture by suggesting that scripture should change with time, one gets involved in rejecting the attributes of Allah as if He doesn’t know what will happen in later times. This leads to eventual denial of the divine wisdom and unlimited knowledge and power of Allah SWT.

Western academics also attack hadith as part of aggression against Islam. They claim that we don’t really see hadith being compiled until at least 100 – 150 years after the death of Prophet ﷺ. The hadith skepticism is not only taken up by non-muslims but some muslims have also fallen victim to this work.

The recording and writing of the Prophetic Hadith started during the time of the Messenger ﷺ. In this reference, it is worth mentioning that Abu Hurayrah R.A bears testimony for Abdullah Ibn Amr that most of the hadith are from him as he used to write them in the time of the Messenger ﷺ. The orientalist tried to cast doubt about hadith knowing that the Quran is only explained how Allah intends it to be, by way of the hadith of the Messenger of Allah. A large portion of the Prophet’s hadith was preserved by memorization. From the tradition of oral transmission to the careful handling of manuscripts, to meticulous dictation sessions, unparalleled memory skills, the exceptional precision of Islamic civilization, analytical expertise vis-à-vis the hadith literature establishes confidence in its authorship within the hearts of its readers. Unjustified skepticism of such a robust system can lead a person to doubt all transmitted knowledge. Allah has preserved the hadith and the Sunnah of His Prophet because in that is the preservation of the meaning of the Quran.

Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian. (Surah Al-Hijr:9)

We sent [them] with clear proofs and written ordinances. And We revealed to you the message that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought. (Surah An-Nahl: 44)

Similarly, some people claim that the Quran is critical but hadith is not. There are several basic issues, which many are overlooking. The Quran is transmitted to us through the companions of the Prophet ﷺ. The same body of Sahabah also transmitted hadith. If one says that hadith is not trusted by Sahabah then by extension it means it can’t be trusted with the Quran. Furthermore, the context of Quranic verses comes from the Seerah (like the background of the revelation of particular verse) and if one tries to understand the Quran without knowing the context, then it leads to greater confusion.

Solution:

One is required to study the Quran and Hadith sciences before blindly following the claims of others. Because it is not possible for a muslim to understand the Quran how Allah SWT intends it to be understood, except by way of the hadith of the Messenger ﷺ. Secondly, a person should research and seek knowledge impartially, not biased for a particular madhhab (school of thought), religion, or the likes of that. Sincerity and open-mindedness are two important elements here but moreover, it requires to study the overall context and message of the Quran, background behind the revelation of Quranic verses, the teachings and life of the Prophet ﷺ, the familiarity of the earliest muslim generations, as well as the syntactical, grammatical, and etymological nuances of the Arabic language.

Deception #2: Advent of Technology and Envy

Rage and jealousy are weapons of Satan. With inescapable access to social media, we face a lot more envy triggering material than we ever did before since everyone presents their best selves on services like Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat.

Solution:

Social technologies are definitely not a completely negative force in our lives. They do us much good like allowing us to build relationships with important individuals that we would never have connected with otherwise. But, we need to understand the emotional landscape of our digital homes in order to avoid sharing every single moment of our lives publicly. We learn from the Quran and Sunnah that jealousy and evil eye are real so with calculated use and wise decisions, the world can be built with more humility, gratitude and less enviousness.

Deception #3: Evils of Consumerism

Satan tempts us with our impulse and wants us to obsess about things that gave birth to the idea of consumerism. Satan wants humans to be fanatical by creating this throw-away society. Wanting things is not bad but as it is mentioned in the Quran, he whispers in our chest and manipulates emotions, attractions, and desires. The biggest problem with consumerism is the fact that people do not realize that there is a problem. Satan uses this ignorance and twists our needs to overwhelm us with them. However, this should come as no surprise, since consumerism implies exactly that – using as much as we can, rather than only as much as we need. This causes a domino effect of problems on society. Over-consuming leads to further worldwide cultural, social, mass environmental destruction problems such as pollutant emissions, deforestation, and waste disposal. It is becoming a problem across the globe, and oceans are slowly but surely becoming a giant waste-dumping pit.

Solution:

It is clear that a reduction in consumerism requires a change in current lifestyles. Consumerism, of course, is a problem for humanity, not just Muslims. It is a cultural behavior and symbolizes certain attitudes. In fact, if one really looks at them carefully, most religions teach moderation and a quiet, simple, pious life. Consumerism is the opposite. It is complicated, wasteful and ostentatious. The danger is that people rationalize this catering to desires in terms of “progress” or “modernization,” but this is only an illusion of satan. In Islamic ethics, there is the concept of zuhd means living simply with the real necessities of life, which is the opposite of consumerism, and can be a valuable concept for examining consumerism, as well as an important key to formulate an Islamic response to it. But having such a useful concept is only half the struggle, putting such concepts into practice is another half of the story. The consumer society offers innumerable luxuries for those who can afford them; once one is fully addicted to that lifestyle, it is very hard to let it go. In Islam, we have a strong tradition of social solidarity with our fellow beings while consumerism is making us selfish and greedy, which are condemned in Islam. Prophet ﷺ predicted that this (greed) would be the cause of our destruction just as it destroyed the nations before us. And that is the ultimate goal of Satan to destroy humanity by distracting it in pursuit of worthless.

Conclusion:

The battle against Satan can only be won if we are aware of his traps because the exposure of evil is a warning against falling into it. Satan will confess to his sins and mischief on the Day of Judgement. He will declare before all of the creation that truth lies with Allah and that he (Satan) is a liar.

It should be realized that the message of all prophets is crystal clear which they successfully used to defy, the illnesses of society and to effectively cure them as per common methodology.

However, Satan came and introduced ambiguities into the clear message, mixed poison with the cures, and veiled the straight path by creating countless deviant paths around it. Down through the ages Satan continued to play with people’s minds until they involved in absurdities, sins, and innovations.

One should seek refuge from the deceptions of Satan by applying the means of protection prescribed in the Quran and Sunnah of Prophet ﷺ. Hence, a believer should always confess his sins, regret his mistakes; criticize his nafs and rebuke it; repent often and should not be hopeless of Allah’s Mercy.

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RESOURCES:

“Chapters on Virtues” In Jami` At-Tirmidhi, Volume 1, Book 46, Hadith 3841 – Sunnah.com – Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم). Accessed May 24, 2019. https://sunnah.com/urn/637260.

Zaman, Muntasir. “Can We Trust Hadith Literature? Understanding the Processes of Transmission and Preservation.” Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. October 30, 2018. Accessed May 23, 2019. https://yaqeeninstitute.org/muntasir-zaman/can-we-trust-hadith-literature-understanding-the-process-of-transmission-and-preservation/#ftnt53.

“Al-Qur’an Al-Kareem – القرآن الكريم.” Accessed May 21, 2019. https://quran.com/.

“Islam, Consumerism and the Environmental Crisis.” Crescent International. Accessed May 24, 2019. https://crescent.icit-digital.org/articles/islam-consumerism-and-the-environmental-crisis.

“Jizyah and Mawaada’ah” In Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith 3158. Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم). Accessed May 22, 2019. https://sunnah.com/bukhari/58.

“Major Causes of Environmental Destruction.” Greentumble. March 15, 2018. Accessed May 24, 2019. https://greentumble.com/major-causes-of-environmental-destruction/.

Q&A, Islam. “What Is Zuhd (asceticism)?” Islam Question & Answer. October 10, 2008. Accessed May 27, 2019. https://islamqa.info/en/answers/105352/what-is-zuhd-asceticism.

“Rejecting Hadiths: The Fitnah of the Quranists.” The Thinking Muslim. August 28, 2018. Accessed May 23, 2019. https://thethinkingmuslim.com/2013/08/28/rejecting-hadiths/.

“Chapter 36: The Effect of an Evil Eye Is a Fact” In Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith 5740. Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم). Accessed May 22, 2019. https://sunnah.com/bukhari/76.

“The Art of War Quotes by Sun Tzu.” Goodreads. Accessed May 27, 2019. https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3200649.

“The Enlightenment.” Khan Academy. Accessed May 24, 2019. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/colonial-america/colonial-north-america/a/the-enlightenment.

بيوثن, ميكائيل “Refuting Those Who Reject Hadith.” Academia.edu. Accessed May 25, 2019. https://www.academia.edu/11793981/Refuting_those_who_reject_Hadith.

What will people think?

You’ve been invited to a family wedding and you instinctively reach for the gorgeous blue abaya hanging in your cupboard. Just as you’re about to put it on, the voice in your head says, “I’ve worn this before. I can’t wear it again. I mean what will people think!” You’re heading out to meet your friends for coffee, and your dad decides to drop you in his old, beat-up car. You tell him to drop you a couple of blocks away from the coffee shop. “I don’t want to be seen arriving in this old thing. I mean what will people think!”Sounds familiar? The fact is, we spend most of our lives trying to please other people. We worry about what “people will think”. We worry about our image in front of others. We worry about our status and standing in society. We do things for the sake of people. We work for the sake of people. We sacrifice for the sake of people. We vie for their approval. Yet we are still not happy…And that’s because we are seeking happiness in the wrong place! Real pleasure lies with the Pleasure and Approval of Allah.

وَعَجِلْتُ إِلَيْكَ رَبِّ لِتَرْضَىٰ “And I hastened to You, my Lord, that You be pleased.” (Surah Taha: 84)

Hastening to Allah’s pleasure is the best thing we can do in this one life we are given. When we hasten to seek Allah’s pleasure in our work, it shows our eagerness to be near Him and to attain His approval, because it is His approval that ultimately matters. And when Allah is pleased with us, what does it matter if people aren’t? Think about this for a moment. I mean, it is Allah after all, who has created us and the people around us right? So, hasten to attain the pleasure of Allah. Hasten to perform Salah and all kinds of good deeds. Hasten to those avenues that will lead to Jannah. Hasten to His Approval – as that is what truly matters! Written by THEORGANIZEDMUSLIMAH.COM

Laylatul-Qadr Action Plan

The companion Anas ibn Malik reported:

“Ramadan approached, so the Messenger of God said: ‘This month has come to you, and in it there is a night that is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of it is deprived of all goodness, and no one is deprived of its goodness except one who is truly deprived”.

(Sunan Ibn Majah, 1644)

As Laylatul–Qadr is certainly the most blessed night of the year, a person who misses it has certainly missed a tremendous amount of good. Many scholars mentioned that what’s to be avoided beyond sin is wasting time on that precious night, unn

ecessary socializing with people, arguing, shopping, etc. One should keep in mind that the night technically starts at Maghrib (sunset), and be heedful of how time is spent from that point onwards. If a believing person is keen to obey his Lord and increase the good deeds in his record, he should strive to spend this night in worship and obedience. If this is facilitated for him, all of his previous sins will be forgiven. It can occur in any last ten nights of Ramadan specially odd nights.

To keep our kids engage with us in these blessful nights, we have designed a sample action plan. Please feel free to download and share with others.

Laylatul-Qadr_Action Plan

LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF HUNAIN

The tremendous victory of Islam over the Quraish and the huge conversions to Islam at the conquest of Makkah amazed the disbelievers and lead many tribes to Islam. Others like the Hawazin and the Thaqif that was a dominant tribe from the lush fortified city of Taif were not contented, however. These pagan tribes watched in horror that the ending of idolatry was drawing near. The Hawazin were the old enemies of the Quraish. They regarded themselves as their rivals in power and prestige. The submission of the Quraish to the rising power of Islam had made them undisputed champions of paganism. Now they began to harbor hopes of bringing the Muslims to their knees and to build their fame upon the declining prestige of the Quraish. So they schemed with other pagan leaders and decided to battle against muslims under the command of Malik bin `Awf, in the month of Shawwal, 8th A.H. Although muslims suffered a temporary defeat at the beginning of battle of Hunain but eventually it ended in a decisive victory for the Muslims.

The neighboring tribes of Thaqif brought their families and property along, in addition to their army. Safwan Ibn Umayyah though still was a non-muslim, borrowed weapon to Prophetﷺ. The large army of muslims marched to the valley of Hunain. As muslims marched, several people felt proud of their large numbers as an army.

One of the soldiers remarked, “How can we possibly be destroyed when we are 12,000”? (Rahman, “Rally”, p. 264). As the Messenger came to know about this boasting, he warned them of the disliking of Allah over this behavior.

Enjoying a head start, the enemy purposely selected Hunain, a valley between Makkah and At-Ta’if that had a steep incline and several narrow points along the pass. Ibn Awf planned well and instructed archers to climb to elevated points. The battle started when hidden forces of Hawazin descended on the valley on the entrance of unaware muslims. Arrows hailed upon, and the swords struck them. Muslims were not prepared for this sudden attack. It made them retreat in haste, (Quran 9:25).

Prophetﷺ was angry on this flee of muslims; he appealed them to come back. He remained firm with complete composure. There remained only a few companions with him.  Then he asked his uncle Al-`Abbas, whose voice was rather loud, to call the fleeing companions to retreat. When a sufficient number of companions had gathered, combat between the two parties started afresh. Prophetﷺ threw some dust at the enemy that miraculously obscured their vision for a time. The enemy was finally defeated. Allah had helped the Prophetﷺ with the hosts of heaven to bring the Hawazin to their knees (Quran 9:25-26). He had given orders to the troops, before the battle started, not to lift their hands against defenseless people. A woman was, however, killed in the battle, on which Prophetﷺ expressed regret, as it was brought to his notice.

Allah forgave the rest of Hawazin when they embraced Islam and went to the Prophetﷺ before he arrived at Makkah in the area of Ji`ranah. This occurred twenty days after the battle of Hunain. He gave them the choice between taking their families who were prisoners, or the war spoils they lost, and they chose the former. The Prophetﷺ released many prisoners but divided the war spoils between the victors, and new muslims. He gave each of them 100 camels, and the same to Malik bin `Awf whom he appointed the chief of his people as he was before. Ibn `Awf praised him ﷺ for his generosity and extraordinary courage.

CONCLUSION

1. It is important that one should do homework before starting any new task and gain the correct information, as it’s essential for success.
2. Muslims became complacent due to their reliance on numbers that was one of a set back of this battle. Though, it was natural to have that confidence after the conquest of Makkah. But there is a difference between being complacent and not taking right measures to protect one’s gains that established over the years.
3. Temporary defeat strengthened the faith of muslims which had the lesson that both victory and defeat come from Allah. Whether one is a new muslim or old, he should not rely on means only, instead, one must put Allah above every other secondary consideration.
4. The core lesson of Hunain is, undoubtedly, to never overlook the real most important reason for victory: Allah. A victory does not come from numerical strength. Similarly, victory should not make a man conceited and defeat should not make a man hopeless.
5.  The resilience and determination of the leader has a deep influence on the followers to lead them to victory. It can change the face of battles by strengthening the hearts of weaker followers. The statement of the Prophetﷺ that he was a true prophet showed his firmness and self-confidence.
6. Prophetﷺ condemned the killing of a slave woman and reminded Khalid bin Walid not to kill any defenseless person. This is the mark of difference what Islam teaches and gives the superior code of conduct even in warfare.
7. Muslims can acquire weapons from non-muslims to protect their interests. However, leadership should remain in the hands of muslims.
8. There are certain patterns of all battles. In many cases, it was the intervention of Allah SWT that took out muslims from the crisis. Because it is Allah’s promise to protect His messenger and believers, though some companions killed during the combats Allah protected many so that message is continued to spread.
9. Behind the distribution of booty in favor of the new converts had the wisdom to keep them in the fold of Islam, as many of them were leaders and wealthy people. They were new to the faith and this was the first spoil of war that came into their hands. Their faith was not as strong as the earlier companions of the Prophetﷺ. Prophetﷺ was possibly unable to win them without any material reward. Wealth is many times the single and only factor that can remove the enmity of an enemy. He gave them wealth initially and would later work on their hearts and convert them to people strong in faith. It proved true as these same men became strong muslims and were instrumental in taking Islam to the rest of the world.
10.  When the Prophetﷺ heard about the rumors related to Ansaars, he immediately dispelled them by addressing the issue. He did not allow enemies to further build on a misconception and sow the seeds of hatred. His sequence of questions and his choice of words provide an incredible model of leadership. He not only convinced them of his honesty and kindness but also further strengthened his relationship with them.
11.  The response of the Ansaars to the Prophet’s speech was a vivid statement of their confidence and love for him. They knew that it was because of Allah and His Prophetﷺ that saved them from a life of disgrace and difficulty. It brought them honor and they would always give their lives, wealth, and children in the service of Islam. (“The Biography of Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam”)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Al-Qur’an al-Kareem – At-Tawbah. (n.d.). Retrieved December 20, 2018, from https://quran.com/9/25-26

Rahman, Adam. (2016). Rally. In The Greatest Man of All Time: A Mercy to The World (pp. 262-275). Awake iRevival.

The Biography of Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. (n.d.). Retrieved December 20, 2018, from http://www.matwork.co.za/Seerah Lesson 26.htm

Volunteer. (n.d.). Quran Tafsir Ibn Kathir – The Battle of Hunayn. Retrieved December 18, 2018, from http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2569

People of the Cave – A Trial of Faith

This Quranic story is about a few young men who moved out of their homes because of their belief in Allah in the age where paganism was enforced. They ended up in a cave where they slumbered for many years by the will of Allah. However, when they rose from the slumber, they thought they had slept for a day or two. Then, one of them was sent to the town to buy some provision. But the people of the town were amazed at his appearance and the old coins he had. This anecdote shows us how Allah protects the righteous who believe in Him no matter how hard their situation is.

The story of Prophet Nuh (A.S)

The Quran and the hadith of Prophet ﷺ taught us that Prophet Nuh A.S was a beacon of hope among the descendants of Adam in an era where sin and lawlessness had overtaken the people. Mankind had been one community believing in the Oneness of God, but confusion and deviation had crept in.

This video is a summary of all the main events that happened during his preaching and where it led the believers and disbelievers in the end.

How to Strive as a Busy Homemaker?

Are you overwhelmed when it is about homemaking? Here are 5 easy tips, they are quick and to the point. You will insha’Allah find this video beneficial,  

Don’t forget to share your tips with us.

Hard Talk: Was Muhammad ﷺ a Pedophile?

To understand the purpose of marriage of Prophet ﷺ, it is must to understand his life events and his biography. This post ll inshAllah enlighten what is criticize most in his ﷺ life. Read open-mindedly!

Existence of God and Concept of Tawheed in the Light of Surah Yaseen

In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Terms like Religion, Faith, God, and personal gods are not new to anyone. It seems that there is some element shared to all human experiences that reason us to look for something supreme on which to shape our lives, to ask the question Does God exist? And to assert, at least in some way, that He does.

Considering that so many societies have individually come to religious belief requires explanation. Is it mere coincidence? Is religious belief a natural psychological defense mechanism against the difficulties that life unpredictably throws at us? Or is it that this common instinct to look beyond the physical world hints us towards some truth?

Philosophers, theologians and those who do not believe in religion devise primary discussion on rational arguments, logic, and reasoning. But human reasoning itself has limits. It is incapable of comprehending all knowledge or to understand all the realities of life. From a philosophical perspective, a notable argument is provided that the claim of the existence of God is more conceivable by the fact of well-known religious belief. Peter Kreeft explained it as a natural instinct or innate desire to search for the transcendent that hints at the existence of God. Besides that, how could the existence of God be proven? Some draw on history, others on science, personal experience, philosophy and on divine sources.

Some major arguments for the existence of God, stem from looking at the signs. The biggest sign is our universe. The cosmological argument emphasizes that the organization and precise cosmic planning points towards a purposeful design that is working on the right set of laws to permit the presence of life and allows it to flourish. If the universe did not contain a life-sensitive arrangement of stars, planets and other physical phenomena, there would be no life at all. The argument goes that it is impossible for the universe to have created itself in a flawless arrangement or to have been created by nothing; consequently, there must have been a Creator who triggered the universe with the initial force and energy. This force and energy is the work of God the Exalted, the Creator that set the universe in motion. This argument was used by Imam Abu-Hanifa to confound the atheists who questioned him. Ibn Abu Al-‘Izz reported that some speculative theologians who intended to discuss the God’s Lordship approached Abu-Hanifa. He said, “Before we discuss this question, tell me what you think about a boat in the Euphrates which goes to shore, loads itself with food and other things, then returns, anchors and unloads all by itself, without anyone sailing or directing it?” They said, “This is impossible.” Abu-Hanifa said: If it is impossible with a boat, then how is it possible for the world, in its entire enormity, to move by itself?

On the other hand, the teleological argument holds that the deep and harmonious relationship between each creation also points to the fact that this can only be the work of a Creator and lord of everything through which creation obtains life-promoting benefits. The Quran refers to celestial objects, the alteration of night and day, vegetation, means of transportation and much more. God created all these with a divine accuracy, like sun and moon they are moving in their defined orbits. Until 16^th century AD, the geocentric theory remained unchallenged until Copernicus asserted that Earth is the one that moves around the sun. In 1609, German astronomer Johannes Kepler published the Astronomia Nova in which he concluded that not only do the planets move in orbits around the Sun but they also revolve on their axes. This perfection in design stresses the need for a Maker that controls and directs everything including the universe. God, the Almighty Creator calls our attention to contemplate on the innumerable signs in nature that demonstrate His power and design. Thus, from the sun and the moon in the heavens to the creatures on the earth, to the inmost parts of the human being, from the life to the death – all of these direct to the power and deliberate plan of the Creator. If He brought the physical universe into being then, of course, He uses physical processes. It is human nature (fitrah) to understand these signs as evidence of the Creator’s purpose, though understanding often leads to belief.

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mentioned that everyone is born upon their natural instinct (Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2658 b). So if signs of God are clearly indicating towards Creator and humans are born with this acceptance, then why many people disbelieve in God’s existence? The answer is that life is created as a test involving different temptations, desires and the pursuit of materialistic things. Once it is shaken by fear, danger or hardship, belief re-emerges. For instance, Pharaoh was an arrogant oppressor, who said, “I am your lord, most high,” but when he was about to drown, he said, “I believe in the One in whom the Children of Israel believe.”

Belief in the existence of God urges the need for moral values in the form of commands on what should be done and what should be avoided. These commands can only be given from the ultimate authority, which transcends the authority of creation. The disbelief not only blinds the intellect but also destroy one’s moral sense. When Wabisa ibn Ma’bad Al-Asadi asked it to the Prophet ﷺ about righteousness and sin, Prophet ﷺ said: “Consult your heart. Righteousness is that about which the soul feels tranquil and the heart feels tranquil, and sin is what creates restlessness in the soul and moves to and fro in the chest, even though people give you their opinion (in your favor) and continue to do so.” (Sharh Arba’een an Nawawi, Hadith: 27. It is classified as Hassan. Transmitted from the Sunan Ad-Darimi 2533 and by Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal).

The noteworthy point is the Almighty God emphasizes ‘Faith’ and ‘righteous good deeds’ together. If ‘moral standards’ were adequate, then belief in God is pointless in the first place as atheists can also very well claim that they ‘abide by moral values’.

With the above discussion, it is settled that the creation and subtle arrangement of the universe depicts the fact of a designer and a creator. It follows that any idea of the plurality of God, or more than one Ultimate power in the universe is conflicting to what we see as a harmony in nature. Assuming the different possibilities can prove this. There can be two possibilities for the presence of more than one God. Either they are equal in power or one is inferior to other.

If they all have the same power and authority then it raises the question of why is another god(s) are needed if they are agreeing on everything. Some may argue that these gods could compromise, but when one talks about conciliation, it follows that one god would have to give a little here and then the other god would do the same at another instance. This means that will of one of the gods and that of the others cannot be absolute. This is a contradiction because God is one who is supreme, has definitive and uncompromising authority.

For the second assumption, the notion of weakness with regards to deity is inappropriate which again logically contradicts with the definition of the supremacy of a God that is free from every weakness, error, and defect or from any associate and partner in His work. To direct the message of God and shun false deities, prophets and messengers are sent by Him to every nation. They invited people towards His worship alone and to obey Him in what He has ordained.

Conclusion

Thus, it infers that the knowledge of the Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, the Creator, is arrived through His messengers, revelation which is phenomenal and clear proof of perfect wisdom. Knowledge of God means that we affirm His oneness, uniqueness, perfection and sole authority. Likewise, He created signs in His creation so one must use his eyes, mind, and heart to enrich his understanding. It demands an act of faith but not, as it is commonly mistaken, a blind faith. True pursuers of knowledge test their ideas and faith persistently in the light of true sources with an open mind and heart.

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Bibliography

Badawi, Dr. Jamal. “How Does Islam Look at Polytheism?” Dawah Skills. March 17, 2016. Accessed June 24, 2018. http://www.dawahskills.com/featured-posts/islam-look-polytheism/.

“Book of Signs.” The Islamic Bulletin, May 2017, 26-29.

Elias, Abu Amina. “Islamic Evidences for the Existence of the Creator.” Faith in Allah March 21, 2018. Accessed June 25, 2018. https://abuaminaelias.com/what-are-the-islamic-evidences-for-the-existence-of-the-creator/.

Holt, Tim. “Existence of God.” Existence-of-God.com. Accessed June 23, 2018. http://www.existence-of-god.com/existence-of-god.html.

Maududi, Sayyid Abdul Ala. “36. Surah Yasin.” Englishtafsir.com Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi – Tafhim Al-Qur’an – The Meaning of the Qur’an. Accessed June 20, 2018. http://www.englishtafsir.com/Quran/36/.

“Quran Tafsir Ibn Kathir.” Quran Tafsir Ibn Kathir. Accessed June 20, 2018. http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3103.

Imam An-Nawawi. Sharh Arba’een an Nawawî COMMENTARY OF FORTY HADITHS OF AN NAWAWI. Translated by Dr. Jamal Badawi. Accessed June 25, 2018. http://ahadith.co.uk/downloads/Commentary_of_Forty_Hadiths_of_An-Nawawi.pdf.

“Surah Ya-Sin [36].” The Noble Quran. Accessed June 25, 2018. https://quran.com/36.

“The Argument From Desire.” Sexual Symbolism by Peter Kreeft. Accessed June 24, 2018. http://www.peterkreeft.com/topics/desire.htm.

“Chapter 2: The Meaning Of Every Child Is Born In A State Of Fitrah And The Ruling On The Dead Children Of The Disbelievers And Of The Muslims.” In Sahih Muslim. Accessed June 24, 2018. https://sunnah.com/muslim/46.

Tzortzis, Hamza Andreas. The Divine Reality: God, Islam and the Mirage of Atheism. San Clemente: FB Publishing, 2016.

TO FAST OR NOT TO FAST

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… 🙂 Alhamdulillah. The beautiful month of Ramadan has arrived. Alhamdulillah that Allah allowed us to reach this beloved month again this year…Ramadan, the blessed month in which Muslims all over the planet fast from sunrise to sunset. A month in which we all will abstain from drinking and eating, as well as many other temptations and desires all day long, all month long. For some parts of the world, this means 8-9 hours, in other parts 16 hours and for places like Iceland, an astounding 21 hours! Hard to imagine not eating and drinking for 21 hours, right? But this very virtuous act of worship is mandatory on all of us Muslims and we enter this month wholeheartedly with great enthusiasm. We fast for Him, and Him only. And while it can be difficult, fasting allows us to empty our stomachs, while we feed and nourish our souls.

“Fasting is the first principle of medicine; fast and see the strength of the spirit reveal itself.” – Rumi

Aside from being a special commandment from Allah, we can reap numerous spiritual benefits of fasting. Discipline, humility, appreciation, gratefulness, compassion to name a few. Most importantly, self-restraint.

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may observe self-restraint (al-Taqwa).”

[Quran Al-Baqarah:183]

And while it’s quite clear and obvious how beneficial fasting is for us spiritually, only recently has modern medicine caught up to realize how beneficial fasting is for us medically.

“Fasting is the greatest remedy, the physician within.”– Philippus Paracelsus

There are some physicians who name fasting as being; “the medicine for the 21st century.” Dr. Otto Buchinger; Germany’s great fasting therapist after more than 100,000 fasting cures says: “Fasting is, without doubt, the most effective biological method of treatment.. it is the operation without surgery… it is a cure involving exudation, redirection, loosening up and purified relaxation. He goes on to say that: therapeutically; fasting cures many of our modern illnesses, including the following: allergies, cardiovascular disease, chronic diseases of the digestive system, degenerative and painfully inflammatory illnesses of the joints, myriad disturbances in one’s eating behavior, glaucoma, initial malfunction of the kidneys, tension and migraine headaches, as well as skin diseases. Preventively, it’s designed to cleanse and to regenerate, rejuvenate and restore a person’s sense of well-being, in body, mind, and soul.

Michael Rosenbaum, M.D., Director of the California-based Orthomolecular Health Medicine Medical Society, notes on the significance of fasting as a detoxification program: “The hidden cause of many chronic pains, diseases, and illnesses may be invisible toxins, chemicals, heavy metals and parasites that invade our bodies…Chances are slim that your doctor will tell you that toxins may be the root cause of your health problems. He or she may not even know how these toxins are affecting your body. As your cells go, so goes your health. If your cells have been invaded by toxins and dangerous chemicals, your resistance to disease is diminished. Clean and nourish your cells, and you’re on the road to better health.”

Studies are ongoing and more and more evident with benefits of fasting is being established. Here I would like to point out some of these amazing benefits. But first, let’s start out by mentioning what exactly is happening when our bodies go into fasting mode.

What is going on inside?

Physiologically the body enters the fasting state 8 hours after the last meal has been fully digested and absorbed. In normal conditions, the body glucose that results from the digestion of the carbohydrates we eat is stored in mainly the liver and muscles. Glucose, (a.k.a blood sugar) is the body’s main source of energy. When we fast, that source of energy has been taken away, and so our body looks to the liver and muscles for its source of glucose for energy. While the body is converting this stored glucose ( a.k.a glycogen) to use for energy, the body’s metabolic rate (BMR) becomes more efficient to conserve energy. Blood pressure and heart rate decrease as well. When this stored glucose runs out, the body then starts using fats for energy. By using fats the muscle protein is preserved and protected from breaking down. In cases of a prolonged fast of many days or weeks, the body starts to break down and use protein for energy. This is when the body enters “starvation.” But because we break our fast every day and have the pre-dawn mean, we are very unlikely to reach a state of starvation in Ramadan.

So as you can see a lot is going on in the body as we deprive it of food. It’s actually quite amazing if you think about the system that Allah has placed inside of us. It automatically does what it needs to do without us even uttering a word to it. Ok, I’m going off on a tangent here. So now we know how the body reacts and compensates for the lack of food.

Now for the benefits:

1. First off we know that glucose (blood sugar along with Insulin levels) is reduced. If you think about it, fasting is then ideal for mild, moderate stable non-insulin dependent Diabetics (Type 2 Diabetes).

2. Studies have shown that when we fast our body releases a surge of Growth Hormone which then speeds up our metabolism and can burn off fat. Beneficial for both Diabetics and those with heart disease.

3. When the body starts to use fats for energy, this results in weight loss, another benefit for those suffering from being overweight or obesity. This too helps those with heart disease.

4. A lot of the processed food that we normally eat contain a lot of additives which transformed into toxins which are then stored in fat. As the body uses up fat, toxins too are dissolved and removed from the body, therefore leading to a cleansing or “detox” effect.

5. More studies and evidence show that fasting reduces inflammatory diseases and allergies. Illnesses such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis, and even Ulcerative colitis.

6. Fasting can help overcome addictions and promotes a healthier diet. Helps you drop bad habits like smoking.

7. Research in neuroscience suggests that when fat is being used by the body for energy, it is converted to ketones bodies which are then used by the neurons (brain cells) for energy. Ketones promote positive changes in the structure of synapses important for learning, memory, and overall brain health.

8. According to Neuroscientist Mark Mattson when the brain is challenged by physical exertion, cognitive tasks, or caloric restriction, the body produces a protein called BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which not only strengthens neural connections and increases the production of new neurons but can also have an anti-depressive effect. His research suggests that fasting every can boost BDNF by anywhere from 50 to 400 percent.

9. The shock of fasting leads the brain to create new brain cells, neurons are forced to grow and the brain becomes more resistant to protein plaques that are seen in cases of Alzheimer’s, or the damage created by Parkinson’s.

10. Mattson also claims that cutting your energy intake by fasting several days a week might help your brain ward off neurodegenerative diseases. The shock of fasting leads the brain to create new brain cells, neurons are forced to grow and the brain becomes more resistant to protein plaques that are seen in cases of Alzheimer’s, or the damage created by Parkinson’s. While at the same time improving memory and mood.

11. Fasting reduces the amount of the hormone Cortisol (a.k.a. stress hormone), produced by the adrenal gland, which means that stress levels are greatly reduced both during and after Ramadan.

12. A team of cardiologists in the UAE found that people fasting in Ramadan show a positive effect on their lipid profile, which means there is a reduction of Cholesterol in the blood. Low cholesterol increases cardiovascular health, greatly reducing the risk of suffering from heart disease, a heart attack, or a stroke. If you follow a healthy diet after Ramadan, this newly lowered cholesterol level should be easy to maintain.

13. Fasting causes your metabolism to become more efficient, meaning the amount of nutrients you absorb from food improves. Various studies on a hormone called Adiponectin, (a.k.a. fat cell hormone) have been done on people who are fasting in Ramadan. Adiponectin secretion is increased during fasting state. It improves fat oxidation and improves glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity One study shows that the level of Adiponectin dropped in those who were fasting, which also correlates with drop in weight in those same people. Another study shows that Adiponectin levels were increased along with weight loss. Various factors might contribute to varying levels of Adiponectin in the studies, but the common findings seem to be; better glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity along with weight loss.

14. When you fast, just like when you sleep, the body is focused on the removal of toxins and the regeneration of damaged tissue.

15. One study found that fasting can actually cause a reduction in white blood cells. This means that fasting kills off old and damaged immune cells, and when the body rebounds it uses stem cells to create brand new, completely healthy cells. “During each cycle of fasting, this depletion of white blood cells induces changes that trigger stem cell-based regeneration of new immune system cells. When you starve, the system tries to save energy, and one of the things it can do to save energy is to recycle a lot of the immune cells that are not needed, especially those that may be damaged. What we started noticing in both our human work and animal work is that the white blood cell count goes down with prolonged fasting. Then when you re-feed, the blood cells come back. The research shows that cycles of prolonged fasting protect against immune system damage and induce immune system regeneration. They concluded that fasting shifts stem cells from a dormant state to a state of self-renewal.

16. Prolonged fasting also lowered levels of IGF-1, a growth-factor hormone that has been linked to aging, tumor progression and cancer risk.

17. Another study placed children who suffer from epileptic seizures on calorie restriction or were told to fast. The result was fewer epileptic seizures. It is believed that fasting helps start protective measures that help counteract the overexcited signals that epileptic brains often exhibit. Normal brains, when overfed, can experience another kind of uncontrolled excitation, impairing the brain’s function.

18. Fasting effectively treats cancer in human cells: A study from the scientific Journal of Aging found that cancer patients who included fasting into their therapy perceived fewer side effects from chemotherapy. All tests conducted so far show that fasting improves survival, slow tumor growth and limit the spread of tumors. The National Institute on Aging has also studied one type of breast cancer in detail to further understand the effects of fasting on cancer. As a result of fasting, the cancer cells tried to make new proteins and took other steps to keep growing and dividing. As a result of these steps, which in turn led to a number of other steps, damaging free radical molecules were created which broke down the cancer cells own DNA and caused their destruction! It’s cellular suicide, the cancer cell is trying to replace all of the stuff missing in the bloodstream that it needs to survive after a period of fasting, but can’t. In turn, it tries to create them and this leads to its own destruction!

19. One researcher stated: Fasting marvelously decomposes and burns all the cells and tissue that are aged, damaged, diseased, weakened or dead, a process called in medicine autolyze or self-digest or detoxification. When by fasting you stop the input of nutrition for a while, then a flurry of cleansing starts up, the rugs are lifted and the dirty dishes are brought out of the cabinet where they were stashed.

There you have it! So many benefits and so many studies are still ongoing. The more we research the more we are realizing the amazing benefits fasting has on our bodies. Rightly so, this day in age, when so many foods we eat on a regular basis contain so many questionable ingredients including additives, preservatives, and pesticides. Fasting provides our systems with a much-needed rest and cleanse. If you think about it, we are constantly filling our bodies with food. As soon as we feel a little pang of hunger, we throw food down our stomachs to relieve that hunger. This leaves no time for our systems to focus on other important matters in the body. If we deprive our bodies of food for certain periods at a time, like we do in Ramadan or can do throughout the year, this will give our bodies a chance to go into “spring cleaning” mode, where it can now focus on removing toxins and damaged cells that have been hiding in our bodies.

Take home message here is that even though we know fasting is hard on us physically, it is quite amazing for our bodies medically. Fasting can come with headaches, fatigue and a growling stomach. But it also comes with a growing list of wonderful benefits. Benefits that we are only now discovering. So take fasting as a blessing from Allah (SWT), which truly, truly is!

*By the way, I didn’t even touch the studies and research that is being conducted regarding the 5/2 intermittent fasting method. This method means you eat regularly on 5 days and fast on 2 days out of the week. Sound familiar? This is almost exactly the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from 1400 years ago and modern medicine is only now realizing that this method is quite beneficial for us. Maybe I’ll save this topic for another day 🙂

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Sources:

1. NHS – Fasting and your health

2.StatPearls Knowledge Base – Fasting

3. Fasting – A Body/Mind/Spirit Healing

4. Ramadan Health guide

5. Are There Any Proven Benefits to Fasting?

6. The Scientific Benefits Of Fasting

7. The spiritual and health benefits of Ramadan fasting

8. 7 SURPRISING HEALTH BENEFITS OF RAMADAN

9. FASCINATING EVIDENCE SHOWS WHY WATER FASTING COULD BE ONE OF THE HEALTHIEST THINGS YOU CAN DO

10. SCIENTISTS EXPLAIN HOW FASTING FIGHTS CANCER, TRIGGERS STEM CELL REGENERATION & CHANGES YOUR BRAIN (IN A GOOD WAY)

11. Effects of Ramadan fasting on glucose homeostasis and adiponectin levels in healthy adult males

10 Tips to Child-Proof your Taraweeh this Ramadan

Ramadan is a time when family and friends gather at the masjid to feast on delicious meals and stand shoulder to shoulder in nighttime prayers filled with blessings and rewards.  It’s a pleasurable time at the masjid that both parents and children look forward to.  But suppose you are the mother of a rambunctious child, what might normally be an enjoyable time to connect with friends and get closer to Allah  can become an experience filled with frustration.  Here are 10 tips to encourage your child to stay on his best behavior in the masjid, so you can have a more pleasant and rewarding Taraweeh prayer during Ramadan insha’Allah.

Tip 1

Select a masjid that caters to children.  Many masjids offer childcare services for worshippers, making it easy for parents to enjoy meals and give their undivided attention during long standing periods of Taraweeh prayer.  Of course, not all masjids have this luxury.  Even so, some are certainly more kid-friendly than others.  Look for a masjid that you and your child both feel comfortable in.

Tip 2

Encourage your child to fast during Ramadan.  The pious predecessors of the Prophet  encouraged their children to fast.  There are differences in opinion as to what age children should be encouraged to fast.  Nevertheless, you can still make gentle attempts at getting your child to give up eating by distracting him with toys, as did our pious predecessors.  You can even offer a special reward if he fasts all or most of the day. Use affectionate persuasion but don’t force fasting upon him.  How can fasting help control your child during visits to the masjid?  Think about it . . . how do you feel after fasting all day and then finally sitting down to savor a scrumptious meal?  Your blood sugar plummets and you’re ready to doze off to sleep.  Your children are no different.  Having your child fall asleep during Taraweeh prayer can be the relief you need to focus on your prayers and avoid having to correct him to be quiet or sit still.

Tip 3

Endear your child to stand for the Taraweeh prayer along with you.  It’s not uncommon for children as young as eight-years-old to stand for the entire Taraweeh prayer! However, don’t force it upon your child.  All children are different.  Offer him a special treat if he stands throughout much of the prayer with you.  You’ll find him trying his best to stay on his feet, fighting the urge to rock back and forth and nod off.

Tip 4

Talk to your child prior to leaving home.  Explain to him that you understand how difficult it can be sitting still for such a long period of time.  Explain specifically what type of behavior you expect from him, within reason.  Tell him that you want him to sit down while you’re praying.  Let him know if he wishes to talk, he should use a hushed tone.  If he sits quietly throughout most of the prayer, you’ll give him a gift from your “Ramadan Gift Bag” on the way home.  Your gift doesn’t have to be expensive.  It could even be a special dessert such as an ice cream cone or donut on the way home from the masjid, or even a special sweet treat you cook up at home.

Tip 5

Carry along a “Taraweeh Activity Bag” with an assortment of toys such as coloring books and crayons, pencil and paper, puzzles, sticker books, hand held toys  and whatever other entertaining toys (without images) you think will keep your child’s hands busy and mind occupied while you’re praying.  Why not visit the local dollar store and have your child pick out toys he might enjoy playing with.  After you get home, stuff everything into a back pack for your child to carry with him to the masjid.

Tip 6

Bring a bag of snacks. What better way to keep your child’s mouth closed and hands busy than with baggies filled with savory snacks.   Treats with mini pieces such as bags of nuts, popcorn or fruit snacks are ideal.  They make it practical for your child to share with his friends and they don’t leave crumbs behind.  Be sure to remind him to pick up any bags or wrappers he may have used.

Tip 7

Take an outside break.  Sometimes, being inside for an extensive period of time can be too much for your child. When your child gets cranky and disruptive to others, give him a break.  Allow him (and yourself) to take a breather outside and take in some fresh night air. After calming down your child and gathering your resolve, return inside and continue your prayer.

Tip 8

Remember that you are training your child.  Don’t expect a perfect soldier.  He will falter at times with your instructions. That can be expected.  Your child is not an adult.  And besides, even adults have limitations on their attention spans.  Your child is just that—a child.

Tip 9

Lower your expectations of attaining a perfect Taraweeh prayer.  Times are not the same as when you had no children.  Your child will inevitably take time away from your devotion.  And that’s okay.  You are now in charge of a child you have been given as a trust. Your responsibility is to teach him his purpose in life—to worship his Lord.  Through your patience, guidance and example, he will learn an important facet of Ramadan—standing earnestly at night and enduring the fortitude of praying to His Lord.

Tip 10

For some children, the structured environment of a masjid for such an extended period of time is just too demanding.  In such situations, it’s reassuring to know that for sisters, praying in the home gains more rewards than praying in the masjid–talk about convenience.  So, you can still receive bountiful rewards from your Lord right in your home while praying Taraweeh and at the same time, allow your child to experience the many blessing of this holy month of Ramadan.

What tips do you use to manage children during Taraweeh prayers? Please share with us in the comments section below. 🙂

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Originally posted on IOU Blog by Grandma Jeddah

Ramadan Like Never Before – Have a Solid Plan

Verse By Verse Qur'an Study Circle

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

We are going to set five major goals for Ramadan.

A goal without a plan is just a wish.

Here are some examples for you to create your own Ramadan plan

Now, for example (you live in the West), you are at work and it is prayer time, where are you going to pray? Conference room, outside or can you go to the masjid? Make arrangements right now. 

You can also plan on which Surah you are going to recite in which prayer. 

Setting Our Ramadan Goals

GOAL NUMBER ONE – Fasting at the Best Level

Levels of Fasting 

LEVEL ONE (Ordinary level/Bare minimum) – Not drinking or eating and refraining from fulfilling sexual desires

LEVEL TWO (Special level/Better than previous level) – Controlling one’s gaze, tongue, hands, feet, hearing, and other parts of the body from committing sinful…

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How to stay positive during hardships?

Beating the tough time with the courage and patience is an actual bravery. People who do not despair in the hard times and remain focused have remarkable qualities. Indeed when tough challenges hit, it either define you or destroy you. But good thing is hardships does help us to value the ease.

Today, I like to share few incidents from the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to highlight how he acted during distressful circumstances. So that it help you to stay positive and keep your spirits high insha’Allah.

Be with me!

Abu Talib’s Death

It was the 10th year of Prophethood. Things in Makkah were returning to normal after the long social economical boycott of Banu Hashim. Historians report that the Quresh instated a stifling boycott on muslims for approximately three years in Makkah. Only when this confinement ended, muslims took a sigh of relief.

Prophet’s uncle and his caretaker Abu Talib suffered heavily through this trial and got ill. He was 70 years old. The hardships of the siege had weakened his health. The Makkans took it as an opportunity to speak about Muhammad ﷺ. In his last moments, some notables from Quresh like Abu Jahl and Abdullah bin Abi Umayyah visited him. They were well aware of the bond between the Prophet ﷺ and his uncle. They were hoping that the Prophet would listen to his uncle’s dying wishes but no settlement occurred among them. The leaders were reluctant to accept Islam and Prophet ﷺ was clear in his beliefs. The Prophet ﷺ tried that they embrace Islam and persuaded Abu Talib till his last breath.

“My uncle, just make a profession that there is no true god but Allah, and I will bear testimony before Allâh (of your being a believer)”. (Al-Mubarakpuri, 2003)

Sorrowfully, he insisted on his ancestors’ faith and eventually died in the state of disbelief. One can only imagine the grief of Prophet ﷺ not only for his loss, but also on Abu Talib’s denial of the truth. Out of the deep emotions, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ remarked:

“By Allah, I will persistently beg pardon for you till I am forbidden to do so (by Allah)”. (Al-Mubarakpuri, 2003)

It was then that this verse was revealed in Quran (9:113):

“It is not (proper) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask Allah’s forgiveness for the Mushrikeen (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) even though they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the Fire (because they died in a state of disbelief).”

And it was said to the Prophet ﷺ:

“ Verily! You [O Muhammad ﷺ] guide not whom you like.” (Quran, 28:56)

Nevertheless, Abu Talib was the tower of defense against the arrogant Quresh. He did not let Quresh “isolate” Prophet ﷺ.  Everyone knew his death meant the loss of political protection for his nephew and for Muslims. It was a 40-year long selfless relationship, the love and care he showed to Prophet ﷺ and Muslims is admirable.

Shortly after, Abu Lahab became the chief of Abu Talib’s tribe whose hatred and enmity towards believers was not hidden from anyone. Initially he abided by the wishes of the clan in protecting Muhammadﷺ, but quickly reverted to his former enmity. With this development, the persecution, insult and disrespect of the messenger by people of the city reached to a higher level. There were many disgraceful, unprovoked acts that Prophet ﷺ patiently endured in this difficult time. Regardless, he continued his mission and kept calling people to the oneness of Allah.

Khadija’s R.A Death

Just two months after the death of his uncle, another calamity struck the Prophet. His beloved companion, loving wife, and mother of his children, Khadijah R.A passed away. Sadly, this time Prophet ﷺ lost the central pillar of his household, the love of his life. His internal strength was stricken with this trial. For 25 years, they shared companionship of each other. She was 65 years old at the time of her death and Prophet ﷺ was 50. These were the gloomy, grim days for the family of the Messenger. Khadija bint Khuwaylid was the first lady to believe in his dawah and stood bravely by him in all-critical situations. His spiritual companion with a pure heart, mind and soul who always comforted his agony was gone. She was his best person, who used to alleviate his sufferings and always raise his morale. May Allah SWT be pleased with her; and may He reward her best recompense. Ameen

Conclusion

Allah SWT exemplifies Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for the whole mankind. So as a result, the important part is to learn from his life and character.

• His trials and difficulties were not small, but even at that time, he did not forget to trust Allah SWT. As Allah the Almighty revealed these verses:

“And rely upon the Ever-Living who does not die, and exalt [Allah] with His praise. And sufficient is He to be, with the sins of His servants, Acquainted”   (Quran, 25:58)

 

• Optimism is the key to handle odd situations. Prophet’s life is a proof that he was a fountain of optimism. No matter, how grief struck him, how heart-broken Prophet ﷺ was from the behavior of enemies, he did not discontinue his mission.
• Prophet ﷺ endured the loss of his beloved ones with utmost patience. As he knew Allah SWT says in the Quran:

“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient”. (Quran, 2:155)

• Because of these and similar incidents, no one could assert that Islam succeeded with the help of a particular person, but rather it was due to Allah’s help and protection as He is the best Disposer of all affairs.

Thus, as believers, we should remain patient and submissive in all conditions with the decree and commandments of Allah SWT, no matter how difficult things are, no matter who comes in and goes away from our lives, we should always remember and affirm with our tongue and heart by saying,

“… Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.” (Quran, 2:156)

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References

Al-Mubarakpuri, Saifur Rahman (2003). “The Year of Grief ” The Sealed Nectar [Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum]. Lahore: Darussalam

Al-Qur’an al-Kareem. (n.d.). Retrieved June 29, 2017, from https://quran.com/

Fathima, A. (2014, October 18). Asfia’s Blog! Retrieved July 02, 2017, from http://asfiasblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-year-of-sorrow-of-prophet-muhammad.html

Rahman, Adam. (n.d.). The Greatest Man of All Time: A Mercy to The World (Limited ed.). Awake iRevival.

Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. (n.d.). Retrieved June 29,2017, from https://sunnah.com/

Year of Sorrow. (2017, June 19). Retrieved June 29, 2017, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_of_Sorrow

AISHA BINT ABI BAKR – THE MOTHERS OF BELIEVERS

In the Name of Allah, the All-Compassionate, All- Merciful

‘Aisha radiullahu-anha, a respected name of a noble woman who was an intelligent, brave and knowledgeable scholar of Islam. A personality who requires almost no introduction. She is renowned as a “ Mother of Mo’mineen ”, the beloved wife of the last messenger Muhammad ﷺ and the daughter of the first caliph of Islam Abu Bakr Siddique (R.A).

Abu Bakr (R.A) was the first Person in men who accepted Islam and remained side by side to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ during the early times of tribulations and hardships; when Islam was going through its Introductory stages in Makkah.

She was Sister of a courageous lady of Islam Asma (R.A) who kept the secret of Prophet’s ﷺ migration to Madina with Abu Bakr (R.A) and was amongst those who accepted Islam first.

‘Aisha (R.A) was Daughter of Righteous Mother Umm-e-Rumman (R.A) who was praised by Prophet ﷺ. At the time of her death, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked Allah (S.W.T) at her grave to forgive her by saying,

” O Allah, you know well what Umm-e-Rumman suffered for the sake of you and your Messenger”

Life before marriage:

‘Aisha (R.A) was born in Makkah in around 613 or 614 CE. She had lots of significant qualities and special blessings of Allah in regards to the progress of the religion Islam. She was chosen by Allah (S.W.T) as a leader for Muslim ummah to convey correct and authentic knowledge. Since Islam was a newly grown flower that needed fresh water to keep it blossoming. It was possible due to the sacrifices and efforts of devoted people who would benefit others with their knowledge and wisdom.

‘Aisha was educated in early childhood by her father.  She was raised in a muslim family being born a Muslim. As the daughter of Abu Bakr (RA), she had the same strength and characteristics of leadership as her father. It was her unique virtue in early times of Makkah when people were accepting Islam. It was rare to have a complete Muslim family during that age of Islam. ‘Aisha (R.A) was among those who acknowledged Islam by birth. She grew up at a time when teachings of Islam were fresh and new which is a major factor of her becoming a great scholar of Islam. ‘Aisha (R.A) Narrates about herself:

‘Aisha (R.A) Narrates about herself:

“I never saw my parents practicing anything other than Islam”

‘Aisha (R.A) as a Wife:

Another blessing of Allah (S.W.T) on her was being the youngest and the only virgin wife of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The marriage of ‘Aisha to Prophet is nothing less than the best love story ever written. An important thing to clarify here is that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not marry Aisha (R.A) when she was an immature little girl. Her parents offered their daughter in marriage to Prophet, as was customary in their culture at the time. However, the Prophet ﷺ, did not accept this and they waited for a few of years, and then again offered their daughter to him in marriage.

From the hadeeth narrated by Aisha herself, it appears she was at the age of 6 when her mother came to her while she was playing outside. Her mother took her into their home where her father, who was a lifelong best friend of Prophet ﷺ , was sitting with him, and the offer of marriage was being discussed. She then tells us she went back outside. This was at the age of six.

Cleary she was offered to him in marriage, but obviously, it was not accepted until some years later, when she again narrates a similar incident and at that time she was married to the Prophet ﷺ. She tells us they had consummated the marriage when she was old enough and ready (and she tells us she was very pleased about the whole entire thing). It shows that the girl must be old enough to have children and to be able to determine what her will is.

The early years of their marriage began quite innocently. Although ‘Aisha was a young bride, she carried on with the many joys of childhood and fortunate for her, as she had a husband gentle and kind enough to understand this. When she first came to live in the Prophet’s household as a young girl, a strong and lasting friendship grew up between her and Sawdah (R.A), and Sawdah took care of her along with the rest of the household.

Rather than throwing all the responsibilities of a wife on her at once, the Prophet made the marriage and its duties a gradual process for Aisha and ensured that she made a smooth transition into her new life. ‘A’isha was also content to manage his household.

He ﷺ taught her wisdom, manners, etiquette, public dealings, economic and domestic laws and ways of living in very light and natural ways. She also owned the honor of being the most beloved wife after Khadija (R.A). Once he ﷺ was asked by a companion “Who do you love the most in the world?” He responded by saying “ ‘Aisha”. She was regarded as superior over other women after Maryam (A.S), Asia (A.S) and Khadija (R.A). He ﷺ also said on a certain occasion,

“The excellence of ‘Aisha over other women is like the excellence of Tharid (a type of food) over other types of food”. 

This great love was limitless. It transcended material feelings to things that are higher and more sublime: the soul, the heart, and the mind. The emotional example of this love reflects the picture of the distinctness in the Prophetic household and in the heart. It then preserved this uniqueness in order to present it as a lively and wonderful model for us.

Brilliant Student & Great Scholar:

A crucial dimension to their equation was the student-teacher relationship they shared. ‘Aisha’s enthusiastic and inquisitive nature made her one of the foremost students of the Prophet ﷺ.

She was devoted to learning Islam keenly from its beginnings. Her intelligence and curiosity for knowledge played an important role for her being a great Muslim woman scholar. Her marriage to our Prophet ﷺ led to further moral and intellectual growth, maturity and depth. She received so much Islamic knowledge through the words and actions of the Prophet, that she transmitted faithfully throughout the years of her life to the believers. For instance, once she asked the Prophet ﷺ about neighbor’s rights. She said,

“O Allah’s Apostle! I have two neighbors and would like to know to which of them should I give presents”.

He ﷺ replied,

“ To the one whose door is nearer to yours”.

We can see how much she had the desire to learn. Aisha bint Abu Bakr was the voice of authority for many of the hadith known today and she was responsible for the transmission of thousands of sayings after the Prophet’sﷺ death.  She is known to have narrated 2,210 Hadith. Those are a treasure for the guidance of Muslim Ummah. She served Muslims for 44 years after the Prophet’s ﷺ death. Islamic scholars acknowledge her remarkable efforts for Islam. Imam Zuhri, a leading jurist says:

“ ‘Aisha (R.A) was the most learned person among the people, senior and learned companions used to consult her.”

Her being a major part of some of the milestone events, left a huge impact on her personality by enhancing  wisdom and light of truth in her.

Dear reader, here we can see how much Islam encourages us to seek knowledge and to value education regardless of gender. We should offer girls and women the opportunity to learn the religion as well as what will benefit them among the worldly sciences.

Another point to be noted, that the prominence of ‘Aisha in the most reliable of hadith and her playing a role in the important political developments of her time are clear attestations to the fact that Islam does not seek to lock women behind closed doors. Those who have been confined today, are women who have been imprisoned in the name of religion and confined by the cages of prejudice.

Aisha (R.A) and Prophet ﷺ – A Romantic Couple:

It is important to keep the romance alive once the relationship is officialized through nikah/marriage, because without this effort, the marriage will go stale. There will be no emotional fulfillment in your life after marriage without romance. And before nikah, romance will lead to haram only. It is more of your responsibility and your spouse’s right, that s/he enjoy romantic gestures from your end. To elaborate it, we can see how romantic this couple was!

Messenger of Allah ﷺ like to eat and drink from his wife – Aisha’s  (R.A), they used to share plate and cup without feeling uncomfortable. Prophet ﷺ also would eat meat that was bitten by ‘Aisha. (Sahih Muslim, 300)

From ‘Aisha RA, she said,

“I used to drink from the same glass even when on menstruation, and the Prophet pbuh take the glass and put his mouth in same spot where I put my mouth, and then he drank.”

(Sahih Muslim 300)

Prophet ﷺ once raced her and she won. This was an example of the fact that it is okay and in fact your responsibility and right to have fun with your spouse and arouse romance. On some later day, the Holy Couple happened to again cross that path and they raced again and this time, the Prophet ﷺ won, and he cheekily said to his wife “Tit for Tat.

She used to hide behind Prophet’s back to protect herself from her father Abu Bakr (R.A), if he got angry on her some innocent mistake due to her being very young.  She was obedient towards her Husband and was understanding to please him. It was the blessing of this beautiful relationship where love for each other was abundant. ‘Aisha (R.A) was an example of a pious wife. She was very cautious about having anyone to enter her house in the absence of Prophet ﷺ. It was her simplicity and comfortable presence that keep him relaxed in her company.

Photogenic Memory:

‘Aisha’s early life in Madinah also had its more serious and anxious times. Once her father and two companions who were  staying with him fell ill with a dangerous fever which was common in Madinah at certain seasons. One morning ‘Aisha went to visit him and was dismayed to find the three men lying completely weak and exhausted. She asked her father how he was  and he answered her in verse but she did not understand what he was saying. The two others also answered her with lines  of poetry which seemed to her to be nothing but unintelligible babbling. She was deeply troubled and went home to the  Prophet saying:

” They are raving, out of their minds, through the heat of the fever.”

The Prophet asked what they had said and was somewhat reassured when she repeated almost word for word the lines they had uttered and which made sense although she did not fully understand them then. This was a demonstration of the great retentive power of her memory which as the years went by were to preserve so many of the priceless sayings of the Prophet.

Surviving Hardships:

There was something quite distinct about ‘Aisha (R.A) which drew the Prophet ﷺ so close to her. Her quality of being content regardless of circumstances helped her overcome many challenges she faced as the Prophet’s wife.

There was a time in the Prophet’s home when they had no fire or food for cooking and they simply lived off of dates and water. Yet ‘Aisha went through this hardship and showed the mark of a true companion — one who can offer unrelenting support even under the most trying circumstances. ‘Aisha endured poverty and hunger with the Prophetﷺ.

Once the Prophetﷺ stayed away from his wives for a month because they had distressed him by asking him that which he did not have. This was after the Khaybar expedition when an increase of riches whetted the appetite for presents. Returning from his self-imposed retreat, he went first to Aisha’s apartment. She was delighted to see him but he said he had received revelation which required him to put two options before her.”Do not make a hasty decision,” he said, “and consult your parents first.” He then recited the ayahs of Surah Al-Ahzab:

O Prophet, say to your wives: ‘If you desire the life of this world and its adornments, then come, and I will make you content, and I will release you with a fair release. But if you desire Allah and His Messenger and the abode of the next world, then truly Allah has prepared an immense reward for those of you who do good.’ (Qur’an  33:28-29)

Her reply was:

“Is there any need to consult my parents?” . “Indeed I desire Allah and His Messenger and the abode of the next world.”“Indeed I desire Allah and His Messenger and the abode of the Hereafter,”

And her response was followed by all the other wives. It was during the course of their marriage that, amongst others, the battles of Badr, and Uhud, and Al-Khandaq (the Ditch) were fought. These were the three major battles against the Quraish, that shifted the balance of power out of the hands of the disbelievers and into the hands of the Muslims. Although she was still very young, Aisha participated in them all, bringing water for the Muslims warriors, and helping to look after the wounded. She witnessed life, and she witnessed death – both in the way of Allah and in the way of the disbelievers – and she understood both. Indeed one of the meanings of her name, Aisha, is

It was during the course of their marriage that, amongst others, the battles of Badr, and Uhud, and Al-Khandaq (the Ditch) were fought. These were the three major battles against the Quraish, that shifted the balance of power out of the hands of the disbelievers and into the hands of the Muslims. Although she was still very young, Aisha participated in them all, bringing water for the Muslims warriors, and helping to look after the wounded. She witnessed life, and she witnessed death – both in the way of Allah and in the way of the disbelievers – and she understood both. Indeed one of the meanings of her name, Aisha, is ‘life’.

Her Generosity and Simple Lifestyle:

Once, when the Muslims were favored with great wealth, she has given a gift of one hundred thousand Dirhams. She was fasting when she received the money, and distributed it to the poor and needy, even though she had no provisions in her house. Shortly after that, her maidservant said to her, “Couldn’t you have brought a dirham’s worth of meat with which to break your fast?” “If I had thought of it,” she replied, “I would have done so!”

She developed the nickname the Mother of Fragrance, for every time a beggar knocked on her door, she would touch the money with perfume before giving it to him. When asked why, she explained that the charity would reach Allah before it reached the beggar’s hands, and she wanted the charity to be given to Allah in a fragrant condition.

In another report, a needy person knocked on the door. She only had one grape, and gave it to him. When asked what the value of a single grape was as a charity, she quoted the following ayahs of Surah Az-Zalzalah from the Qur’an:

“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”(Qur’an 99:7 – 99:8)

She rationalised – how many atoms are there in a grape?

How many of us are of such a status, where our vigilance, thinking and even the smallest action is completely for the pleasing of Allah, and reflected by the Qur’an and teaching of the Prophet ﷺ.

True Example of Companionship:

Now we call attention to something very interesting about the subject of a friendly relationship between husband and wife. Once a group of Jews entered upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and they said,

“ As-Saum Alaik (death be upon you) ” Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “ Wa Alaik (and upon you)” So ‘Aisha (R.A) said,“Rather (upon you be death and curse)” So the Prophetﷺ said, “ ‘Aisha! Indeed Allah (S.W.T) loves gentleness in every matter”. ‘Aisha (R.A) said, “ Did you not hear what they said? ” In response, he said to her,“And I replied! Upon you”.

(Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2701)

This incident shows‘Aisha was a truly dynamic woman, complete with the qualities of virtue, intelligence and even possessiveness over her husband . She noticed, how Jews said against him, so instantly defended him out of her love. This hadith does depict that a person should be humble to correct one’s faults yet having the confidence to inquire about any doubts regarding matters to remove any confusion.

During the last days, it was noticed that Prophet’s ﷺ desire was to stay with ‘Aisha (R.A). All wives agreed for him to stay with ‘Aisha (R.A). Heﷺ chewed a Siwak that was softened by ‘Aisha’s saliva before leaving this world. In his last moments of life, his head was on ‘Aisha (R.A) lap. She remained with Prophetﷺ for nine years until his death. At the time of the Holy Prophet’s death, she was only eighteen years old.

You could really say about their story – “..and they all lived happily ever after – in Paradise.”
This represents the very best of marriages between a man and a woman in human history.

In the current era, the concept of having relationships with opposite sex is common before marriage and such relationships are defined as love or romance. ‘Aisha (R.A) gave a beautiful account of marriage to the Prophet ﷺ. She mentioned the detailed descriptions of events and happenings before and during their marriage.

And very important – she demonstrated here continued commitment to the memory of her husband ﷺ , and her firm belief about being reunited with him in the Paradise.

These glimpses of this blessed couple’s life leave a beautiful impression of Islam presenting a very charming and serene family life. Islam encourages a strong relationship between spouses where both partners understand each other’s need and desires.

We need to ponder over the lives of our role models to improve our living standards.

‘Aisha (R.A) as a Mother of Momineen

Allah (S.W.T) honored her to be beneficial for Muslim ummah in many ways. The ummah was benefited through her by having relief of Tayammum. Once, she lost her necklace during a Journey when the whole crew had to wait till they would find her necklace at a place where water was unavailable to perform ablution. Allah (S.W.T) revealed divine ayahs in Surah Al-Maida of Tayammum on this incident, while after this necklace was found underneath a Camel. Usaid bin Hudair said

“O the family of Abu Bakr! This is not the first blessing of yours.”

‘Aisha (R.A) stands superior to other women in regards to her special honor of having ayahs about her in the Quran.

‘Aisha (R.A) was vindicated by Allah (S.W.T) against a slander that was spread by the hypocrites during a campaign when she accompanied the Prophet ﷺ in a caravan. Her Piety was expressed in Quran giving a strong message for Muslim ummah to defend their brotherhood keeping strong ties and trust on each other. This bears testament to Aisha’s (R.A) trust in Allah as well as her humility. In fact, twenty verses of Surah An-Nur in the Quran  were revealed about this incident is indicative of its importance and is also a reminder to us of the high status of ‘Aisha (R.A).

This great lady, the mother of Muslims fulfilled her responsibility  and conveyed a big portion of knowledge throughout her Life. ‘Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) died in Madina at her home on 17 Ramadan, 58 AH at the age of 64.  She was buried in Jannat-al-Baqi. Muslim Ummah will continue to quench the thirst of knowledge from the knowledge conveyed by her following the recommendation of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ saying:

“Learn a portion of your religion from this Humayra (red colored lady).”

Look at the ultimate wisdom of Allah. Abu Bakr sacrificed his entire life in the path of Allah, and Allah granted him a beautiful gift which was to let his daughter be the most beloved wife of Rasulullah SAW after Khadija, and decorate his daughter Aisha with the charm, intelligence, and integrity.

She carried the in-depth legacy and knowledge of Rasulullah’s ﷺ memory. One cannot open Islamic books about the Qur’an, the biography of Muhammad ﷺ or jurisprudence, without finding Aisha’s name referenced in there. What a great honor for such a woman.

‘Aisha, Umm-Al-Mu’minin, even though she never had a single child, yet she is the Mother of Believers.

May Almighty Allah make the women of today act upon the life of  ‘Aisha (Radhiyallahu–Anha) Ameen.

Note: For ease of reading, we have not inserted “May Allah be pleased with her (R.A)” each time Aisha’s R.A name or the name of each Companion is mentioned, but please take it that the salutations apply to all of them, may Allah be pleased with them all.

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Compiled by Bint Abdul Waheed

Bibliography

• Sayyidah Aisha Radi Allahu anha Retrieved July 16, 2016, from http://www.bibme.org/apa/website-citation
• The Slander against Ayesha (RA) (Mother of the Believers) and her Vindication by Allah. (2012). Retrieved July 16, 2016, from http://www.iqrasense.com/islamic-history/the-slander-against-ayesha-ra-mother-of-the-believers-and-her-vindication-by-allah.html
• Tayammum dry ablution. (n.d.). Retrieved July 16, 2016, from http://www.islamweb.net/en/article/135448/tayammum-dry-ablution
• The lost Necklace – Al Quran Classes. (2011). Retrieved July 16, 2016, from https://www.alquranclasses.com/lost-necklace/
• Mernissi, Fatema (1988). Le Harem Politique [The Veil And The Male Elite: A Feminist Interpretation Of Women’s Rights In Islam] (in French). Translated by Mary Jo Lakeland. Perseus Books Publishing. ISBN 9780201632217
• Aisha. (n.d.). Retrieved July 16, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aisha
• Aisha Bint Abi Bakr – http://idealmuslimah.com/personalities/sahaabiyaat.html
• Ibn Kathir: Wives of the Prophet Muhammad SAW
• Great Women of Islam – Mahmood Ahmad Ghadanfar
• Women Around the Messenger – Muhammad Ali Qutub
• Aisha Bint Abu Bakr – http://hadithoftheday.com

THE MOTHERS OF THE BELIEVERS – UM’MAHATUL MOMINEEN

In the Name of Allah, the All-Compassionate, All-Merciful

All Praises be to Allah. We testify that none has the right to be worshiped but Allah alone. He has no partner. His is the dominion and the praise. It is He who gives life and death and He has power over all things. Exalted and far is He above what they ascribe to Him.

We equally testify that our leader and model, Muhammad ﷺ, is Allah’s Servant and Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, his family, the Companions, and their successors, and all those who rightly follow them till the Day of Judgment.

Muslim women always played a vital role in serving Allah SWT and their community. We have many examples and here insha’Allah we will discuss wives of Prophet SAW, mothers of believers. Each of these women played their role in the best possible way that has helped Islam to strengthen its roots. They are outstanding models for humanity; both for males and females.

One of the setbacks of our modern age is that we have neglected the role of women in society and turned them into “pieces of decoration” or objectified. We need to reawaken Ummah again with the astonishing character of women companions of Islam. The Qur’an and Prophet ﷺ made revolutionary changes in the status of women and his wives were in many ways exemplars of these changes. The prophet’s (ﷺ) wives distinguished themselves in many areas like charity, kindness, and knowledge. They were held to a higher standard and were informed that their rewards and punishments were greater than other women in society. The Qur’an honors them as the “Mothers of the Believers”. Their marriages to the Prophet ﷺ were voluntary and they could initiate and ask for a divorce if they so desired.

As the Prophet’s dealings with his wives were based on love, affection, respect, and dignity, others in the society were expected to follow his exemplary behavior. Men and women were declared equal in the eyes of Allah.

The Prophet ﷺ did not marry any virgin other than A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), and all his other wives had been previously married, this will refute the notion spread by many hostile sources, that the basic motive behind the Prophet’s marriages was physical desire and enjoyment of women because if that was his intention he would have chosen only those who were virgins and beautiful, etc.

Such slanders against the Prophet of Mercy ﷺ by kaafirs and others of their ilk are indicative of their inability to find fault with the law and religion that he brought from Allah, so they try to find ways to criticize Islam about issues that are not related to sharee’ah.

We will InshAllah study their lives, as they are true and righteous role models for us. The messenger of Allah married the following women, May Allah be pleased with them:

1. Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid
2. Sawdah bint Zam’ah ibn Qays
3. ‘Aa’ishah bint Abi Bakr al-Siddeeq
4. Hafsah bint ‘Umar (Part 1– Part 2)
5. Zaynab bint Khuzaymah
6. Umm Salamah Hind bint Abi Umayyah
7. Juwayriyah bint al-Harith
8. Zaynab bint Jahsh
9. Umm Habeebah bint Abi Sufyaan
10. Maymoonah bint al-Harith
11. Safiyyah bint Huyayy ibn Akhtab

Juz 30 – Points to Ponder (Part 4)

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Surah Az-Zalzalah

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Surah Az-Zalzalah (The Earthquake) is the 99th surah of the Quran, and it consists of 8 verses.

Period of Revelation and Theme

The period of revelation of Surah Az-Zalzalah is disputed among scholars. Some, like Ibn Masud, Ata, Jabir, and Mujahid, argue it is a Makki Surah, while others like Qatadah and Muqatil believe it is Madani. A tradition from Abu Sa’id Khudri is cited as evidence of its Madani origin, but this is inconclusive. The style and theme of the Surah suggest a Makki origin, focusing on fundamental Islamic principles and beliefs presented concisely and effectively during the early stages of Makkah.

Surah Az-Zalzalah succinctly addresses profound theological points regarding the Day of Judgment, accountability, and the refutation of intercession by others. Here is a brief summary of each verse:

• Verses 99:1-2 “When the earth is shaken with its [final] earthquake, And the earth discharges its burdens,” vividly describes the moment of the final earthquake, indicating the profound upheaval signaling the end of the world.
• Verse 99:3 portrays the astonishment of humans on the Day of Judgment as they witness the earth’s convulsion, signaling the end of the world. Despite repeated reminders throughout generations, humans will be stunned, forgetting about the impending resurrection.
• Verse 99:4 emphasizes that on that Day, the earth will speak and reveal all deeds, using the word “hadatha” to describe the shock of hearing one’s actions as if for the first time, akin to a shocking event. The choice of the word “akhbaar” in verse 4 indicates that the earth will inform about deeds that individuals may have forgotten or were unaware of, causing a profound shock when confronted with their actions.
• Verse 99:5 highlights that the earth’s articulation of deeds is inspired and permitted by Allah, using the term “wahy” to signify a subtle hint or secret instruction, emphasizing Allah’s control over the earth’s actions.
• Verse 99:6 illustrates the separation of people into distinct groups on that Day, where individuals will be shown their deeds (‘amaal), conscious actions that will be presented as a record of their life choices.
• Verse 99:7-8: “So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it,” directly addressing the comprehensive nature of divine judgment. Every small deed, whether good or bad, is recorded and presented on the Day of Judgment, emphasizing the meticulous nature of divine record-keeping.

Another important point to note is individual accountability. Although not explicitly mentioned in the text of this Surah, the emphasis on individual accountability implied in verses 7-8 refutes the notion that others can intercede with Allah (SWT) on behalf of the sinful. The direct consequence of one’s actions highlighted here underlines the Quran’s broader theme that no intercessor can alter one’s divine judgment without Allah’s permission, a concept elaborated upon in other parts of the Quran such as Surah Al-Baqarah (2:255), Surah An-Naba (78:38).

Surah Az-Zalzalah, through its concise yet powerful message, underscores the Islamic view of the Day of Judgment, highlighting the overwhelming nature of this Day, where humans will face the consequences of their deeds, confronted with a detailed account of their actions as the earth speaks under Allah’s guidance and permission.

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Surah Al-Aadiyaat

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Surah Al ‘Aadiyaat (The Charging Steeds) is the 100th chapter of the Quran, consisting of 11 verses. “Charging steeds” refer to horses, galloping forward aggressively, often used in battle scenarios. Another word for them could be “warhorses” or simply “battle horses.” These are horses trained and used specifically for military purposes, known for their speed, strength, and readiness to charge into battle.

Background: Surah Al-Aadiyat’s exact place of revelation is debated, with some saying Mecca and others Medina. It mentions oaths and likely relates to events around the Battle of “that-us-salasil” during the eighth year after Hijra.

One prominent event associated with the Surah’s revelation is the Battle of “That-us-Salasil” in the eighth year after Hijra. It is believed that this Surah was revealed after this war, wherein many pagans were captured and bound in chains, leading to the battle’s name.

Significance and Themes: Surah Al-Adiyat is a powerful reminder of the human condition and our relationship with our Lord. It starts with a series of oaths, invoking the imagery of charging steeds, signifying the importance of holy war and the devotion of pilgrims.

The summary of Surah is as follows:

Verse 100:1 – Allah swears by charging steeds that pant, symbolizing their speed and aggressiveness in battle. The imagery is vivid, like a movie trailer for an action scene, capturing the attention of the ancient Arabs who admired such qualities in horses.

Verse 100:2 – The horses strike sparks with their hooves, intensifying the scene and adding to the imagery of a fast-paced battle.

Verse 100:3 – These horses make dawn raids, ambushing the enemy with fierce intent, likened to wolves going after their prey. The attackers show no fear and attack boldly, deep into enemy lines.

Verse 100:4 – The horses raise a cloud of dust as they gallop swiftly, engulfing the battlefield and creating a chaotic yet intense atmosphere.

Verse 100:5 – They plunge into the midst of the enemy, penetrating deeply and fearlessly, disregarding conventional military strategies.

Verse 100:6 – After describing the intense battle scene, Allah highlights human ingratitude towards Him, contrasting it with the loyalty of the horses to their masters.

Verse 100:7 – Allah points out the excessive love of wealth among humans, emphasizing their relentless pursuit of material gain.

Verse 100:9 – The contents of graves will burst forth on the Day of Judgment, including both perpetrators of crimes for wealth and their victims, revealing hidden truths.

Verse 100:10 – The secrets hidden in hearts will be exposed, revealing the true motives and intentions of individuals, adding to the accountability on the Day of Judgment.

Verse 100:11 – Allah stresses His complete awareness of everything on that day, highlighting His omniscience and the ultimate accountability before Him.

This surah connects with the previous Surah Az-Zalzalah by emphasizing accountability and the consequences of our actions, tying into the themes of judgment and resurrection.

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Surah Al-Qariyah
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Surah Al-Qariyah(The Calamity) 101 chapter (surah) of the Quran, consists of 11 verses and another Makkan surah which describes a great calamity and the Day of Resurrection. The word “Qari’ah” refers to a striking disaster or affliction. The surah starts by questioning the listener about the nature of this calamity, emphasizing its severity and the profound impact it will have on humanity.

• Verse 101:1-5: The surah vividly portrays the scenes of the Day of Resurrection, where people will be in a state of confusion and disarray, likened to scattered moths and the mountains flying about like carded wool. This imagery conveys the chaos and upheaval that will accompany the Resurrection.
• Verse 101:6-11: It then discusses the two groups of people based on their deeds. Those whose good deeds outweigh their bad deeds will lead a blissful life, while those whose bad deeds outweigh the good deeds will face a deep pit of Hellfire. The surah emphasizes the importance of deeds and accountability in the divine court, where every action, no matter how small, will be weighed and judged.

Overall, Surah Al-Qari’ah serves as a powerful reminder of the Day of Judgment, urging people to reflect on their actions and strive for righteousness to attain success in the Hereafter.

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Surah At-Takathur
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Here’s a brief summary of Surah At-Takathur along with critical points of reflection:

Surah At-Takathur, also known as “The Rivalry for More” or “The Piling Up,” is a chapter from the Holy Quran that warns against the perils of worldly obsession and emphasizes accountability in the Hereafter. The Surah takes its name from the word “at-takathur” mentioned in the first verse, which signifies the competitive desire for material wealth and possessions.

Key points of reflection from Surah At-Takathur include:

1. Worldly Obsession (Verse 1-2): The Surah highlights how the pursuit of worldly gains and material possessions consumes people’s lives, leading them to forget their spiritual and moral responsibilities.

The Grave Reference to the grave serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the ultimate destination of every soul, emphasizing the transitory nature of worldly pursuits.

2. Heedlessness (Verse 3): It warns against the state of heedlessness that arises when individuals become obsessed with acquiring more, causing them to neglect higher values and priorities.

3. Call to Awareness(Verse 4-5): The Surah repeatedly emphasizes that people will eventually realize the consequences of their actions, whether in this world or the Hereafter, urging them to become aware of the true purpose of life.

5. Accountability(Verse 8): It underscores the accountability of individuals on the Day of Judgment, where they will be questioned about how they utilized their blessings and whether they recognized God’s grace and expressed gratitude.

Reflecting on Surah At-Takathur encourages introspection about one’s priorities, the balance between worldly pursuits and spiritual growth, and the recognition of blessings as a means of trial and accountability in the Hereafter.

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Surah Al-Asr
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Surah Al-Asr, the 103rd chapter of the Quran, is a concise yet profound guide to success and a warning against ruin. It begins with an oath by Allah, emphasizing the fleeting nature of time and urging reflection on life’s transient essence. The Surah highlights the concept of loss (khusr) due to neglecting faith and righteous actions, leading to spiritual bankruptcy and strife. Read More

The Surah outlines four key traits for success: unwavering belief, righteous deeds, promoting truth and justice, and exercising patience in adversity. It emphasizes collective action within the community to strengthen faith and discourage wrongdoing.

Surah Al-Asr’s relevance extends to challenging times, providing strength and resilience to believers facing adversity. Its timeless message underscores the essence of faith, good deeds, truth, and patience as pathways to success in both worldly and spiritual realms.

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Surah Al-Humazah

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Surah Al-Humazah (Chapter 104 of the Quran) includes 8 verses and Al-Humazah means “The Slanderer”. The core message of this Makkan Surah revolves around exposing the vile qualities of those who engage in slander and backbiting, either through their words or actions.

Sure, let’s delve into the meanings and lessons from each verse:

• Verse 104:1 warns against those who engage in mocking, scorning, and spreading malicious gossip. It highlights the severity of their actions and the consequences they will face.
• Verse 104:2 Criticize materialistic obsession, where wealth is accumulated through unjust means and constantly counted and hoarded. It emphasizes the futility and moral bankruptcy of such pursuits.
• Verse 104:3 exposes the delusion of individuals who believe that their wealth and material possessions will grant them eternal life or protect them from accountability.
• Verse 104:4, here Quran rejects the notion of wealth granting immunity and warns that those consumed by greed will face a severe reckoning, symbolized by being thrown into the Hellfire.
• Verse 104:5 challenges listeners to contemplate the unimaginable severity and torment of Hell, reserved for those who indulge in sinful behavior and arrogance.
• Verse 104:6, Here Quran emphasizes that Hellfire is a punishment kindled and fueled by Allah, underscoring the divine justice and severity of the consequences for wrongdoing.
• Verse 104:7 describes the intense and focused nature of the punishment, directed at the hearts of those who were heedless of their moral responsibilities.
• Verse 104:8 concludes the Surah by affirming that the punishment of Hellfire will encompass and envelop those who deserve it, highlighting the inescapable nature of divine justice.

Overall, Surah Al-Humazah serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of arrogance, greed, malicious gossip, and unethical accumulation of wealth. It underscores the transient nature of worldly possessions and the importance of humility, ethical conduct, and mindfulness of Allah’s judgment.

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Surah Al-FIL

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Period of Revelation and Background:
Surah Al-Fil, also known as “The Elephant,” is the 105th chapter of the Quran. It was revealed in Makkah and is detail account of a significant event in the history of Arabia, occurred in the Year of Elephant. This year marks the incident when Abraha, the Abyssinian ruler, marched upon Makkah with the intention of destroying the Kaaba. However, his plans were stopped by divine intervention in the form of birds carrying stones and preventing the invading army.

Short Summary:

1. “Have you not considered, [O Muhammad], how your Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant?” (105: 1)
This verse introduces the theme of the Surah, referring to the historical event of Abraha’s army and their elephants marching towards Makkah.

2.“Did He not make their plan into misguidance?” (105: 2)
Allah turned the plan of the people of the elephant into misguidance and failure, showcasing His power and protection of the sacred sanctuary of the Kaaba.

3. “And He sent against them birds in flocks,” (105: 3)
Allah sent birds in large numbers, possibly swallows or similar birds, carrying stones in their beaks and claws.

4. “Striking them with stones of hard clay,” (105: 4)
These birds pelted Abraha’s army with stones made of baked clay, decimating their ranks and thwarting their invasion.

5. “And made them like eaten straw.” (105: 5)
The stones hurled by the birds reduced the invaders to chaff or eaten straw, utterly defeated and humiliated.

Reflection:
Surah Al-Fil serves as a powerful reminder of Allah’s protection and sovereignty. It recounts a historical event where a mighty army with elephants was defeated by divine intervention, highlighting the insignificance of human power in the face of Allah’s will. The Surah underscores the sanctity of the Kaaba and the miraculous ways in which Allah safeguards His sacred places. It also carries a message of hope and trust in Allah’s ultimate control over all affairs, reassuring believers that He can turn the tide of events and protect His servants from harm.

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Surah Al-Quraysh

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Period of Revelation and Background:

Surah Al-Quraysh is the 106th chapter of the Quran and was revealed in Makkah. It addresses the Quraysh tribe, the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) tribe, and emphasizes the blessings and favors of Allah upon them, particularly in providing safety and sustenance during their trade journeys and the pilgrimage season.

Short Summary:

1. “For the accustomed security of the Quraysh,” (106: 1)
This verse acknowledges the established peace and security enjoyed by the Quraysh tribe, particularly in their trade routes and during the pilgrimage seasons.

2. “Their accustomed security [in] the caravan of winter and summer,” (106: 2)
Allah reminds the Quraysh of the safety and protection they experience during both the winter and summer trade caravans, highlighting His blessings upon them. Read More about their routes and trade.

3. “Let them worship the Lord of this House,” (106: 3)
In gratitude for these blessings, the Quraysh are urged to worship the Lord of the Kaaba, recognizing that all blessings and safety originate from Allah.

4. “Who has fed them, [saving them] from hunger and made them safe, [saving them] from fear.” (106: 4-5)
These verses emphasize Allah’s provision of sustenance, protection from hunger, and security from fear to the Quraysh, highlighting His continuous care and favor upon them.

Reflection:
Surah Al-Quraysh carries a profound message of gratitude, acknowledging Allah’s blessings and protection upon the Quraysh tribe. It serves as a reminder that all sustenance, safety, and security are ultimately from Allah, and therefore, He alone deserves worship and gratitude. The Surah also teaches the importance of recognizing and appreciating blessings, leading to a deeper sense of faith and devotion. It invites believers to reflect on their own blessings and to turn to Allah in gratitude and worship, recognizing His continuous care and mercy in their lives.

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Please share your reflections and points from this Juz too, in the comments.

Notes from TafseerStudy, Al-Quran Academy

Juz 29

Juz 30 part 1

Juz 30 Part 2

Juz 30 Part 3