—————–
Surah Yaseen
—————-
[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!
—————————————–
Surah As Saffaat
—————————————–
*[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 الظَّالِمِينَThe 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.
—————————————–
Surah Saad
—————————————–
*[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.
*******************************
Please share your reflections and points from this Juz too, in the comments.
English Compilation: Sr. Mariam Anwer ( Quest for Paradise)
Alhuda, The Quran Club 