27
Mar 2023
One of the ayahs in Surat Az-Zumar is: ‘Every soul will be rewarded according to their actions.’ Nothing is wasted, everything is written and recorded. The surah also says: ‘The best reward is for those who work hard.’ Notice however, that in the hadith, the Prophet (peace be on him) said: …None of you will enter Jannah by your own actions.” The companions asked, “Not even you, O Rasulullah?” He replied, “Not even me unless Allah includes me in His forgiveness and mercy.”’ Why do good deeds?......
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12
May 2021
And Allah drove back the disbelievers in their rage, totally empty-handed. And Allah spared the believers from fighting. For Allah is All-Powerful, Almighty. (33:25) This ayah talks about the Battle of Al Ahzab, which is also known as the Battle of the Ditch and the Battle of Khandaq. Under attack by a powerful enemy The Quraysh mobilised different tribes, including the huge tribe of Ghatafan and the Jewish tribes. They intended to fight the Prophet (peace be on him) and wipe out every trace of Islam. The Prophet (peace be on him)......
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11
May 2021
Allah will reward the truthful and punish the hypocrites Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allah. Among them is he who has fulfilled his vow , and among them is he who awaits . And they did not alter by any alteration – (33:23) That Allah may reward the truthful for their truth and punish the hypocrites if He wills or accept their repentance. Indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful. (33:24) These two verses talk about truthfulness and fulfilling......
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09
May 2021
Your record will be presented to Allah so ensure you are happy with it One of the verses mentions how you will be presented to Allah Almighty on the Day of Judgement and you will not be able to hide anything. Your ins will be out. Your deeds, your records, your heart, you intentions – the good and the bad – will all be laid bare. Exposed. On that day you shall be exposed to view– no secret of yours shall remain hidden. (69:18) In dunya you can hide this from your......
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08
May 2021
Reflections on Surat al Sajdah The Prophet (peace be on him) used to recite Surat Al Sajdah every Jummuah at Fajr in the first rakah, and Surat al Insan. I witnessed our shuyukh following this sunnah. Perfection In this surah, Allah Almighty told us: Who has perfected everything He created. And He originated the creation of humankind from clay. (32:7) Perfection is an attribute of Allah, He perfected everything He made. We go through different stages and levels in our lives – good and bad, and then we die. Death Say, “The......
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07
May 2021
The limitless words of Allah Surat Luqman has a unique and beautiful verse in it: If all the trees on earth were pens and the ocean ˹were ink˺, refilled by seven other oceans, the Words of Allah would not be exhausted. Surely Allah is Almighty, All-Wise. (31:27) The reason behind this revelation was that the disbelievers were challenging the Quran and telling the Prophet (peace be on him) that the revelation would end and there would be nothing after that. Allah Almighty responded by saying imagine if all the trees were pens,......
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04
May 2021
So give your relative his right, as well as the needy and the traveller. That is best for those who desire the face of Allah, and it is they who will be the successful. (30:38) Success lies in being good to your family Here Allah Almighty is giving us a formula for success. Success comes from giving our relatives their rights. Our relatives (dhul qurba) are our immediate family and extended family. The rights might be financial obligations, or silatul Rahim, which means maintaining good relations with them. We cannot......
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02
May 2021
Strive In the last ayah of Surat Ankabout Allah Almighty mentions jihad: As for those who strive (Jahadu) in Our cause, We shall surely guide them to Our Ways. (29:69) As this is a Makki surah, and Muslims were not permitted to fight or retaliate against the attacks they endured from the Quraysh with aggression in Makkah, it is clear that this jihad is not referring to the battlefield but striving to spread the truth and to tolerate the hostility of the enemies of Islam and the tribes around Makkah. It is......
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02
May 2021
The story of Musa and Ibrahim (peace be on them) and their continual debates with their people recurs throughout the Quran. Though the Quran is not a book of stories, the stories (qasas) – stories are not there for the sake of entertainment but are an effective and memorable way of conveying the message. What did Allah highlight in the story of Ibrahim (peace be on him) in Surat al Ankabout? The simplicity of the message Ibrahim (peace be on him) called people to worship Allah Almighty and to be fearful......
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29
Apr 2021
It is the beauty of the words of Allah Almighty that we continue to find meanings, lessons and inspiration in His words and verses. They are always alive and talking to you. We need to reflect on these verses. In Surat al Qasas, we find lessons in the fruits of having trust in Allah. And We inspired the mother of Moses, saying: Suckle him and, when you fear for him, then cast him into the river and fear not nor grieve. We shall bring him back to you and shall make him......
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28
Apr 2021
In the debate between the Prophet (peace be on him) and the disbelievers, Allah Almighty provides him with the right questions and answers to pose, and these are really special. They challenge the status quo, their mindset and practices to show the truth as it really is. The debate Say: Praise be to Allah, and Peace on his servants whom He has chosen (for his Message). (Who) is better?- Allah or the false gods they associate (with Him)? (27:59) This is an open debate. Allah Almighty is saying ‘Let’s consider who is......
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26
Apr 2021
The kingdom of Suleman (peace be on him) We came across the story of Suleman (peace be on him) who was given special miracles. Suleman had the most magnificent kingdom of any prophet. Some prophets were given power and authority as kings, while others were in more humble positions. The servant king Muhammad (peace be on him) The Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) was offered the choice to be a king or a messenger servant by Allah, but he looked at Jibril for guidance and Jibril gestured that he choose the......
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20
Apr 2021
Surat An Nur is a surah full of etiquettes. Knocking before entering One of these etiquettes is to seek permission before entering someone’s house, which is known as istidhan. Before you enter anyone’s house, knock on their door, or call out ‘Asalamalaikum’ if there is no door, call the people of the house. O believers! Do not enter any house other than your own until you have asked for permission and greeted its occupants. This is best for you, so perhaps you will be mindful. If you find no one at home,......
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19
Apr 2021
When was Surat an Nur revealed? This is a famous surah. It was revealed in Madina and therefore has many rulings. There is no authentic narration on the virtue of this surah, but there is a weak narration by Muhajid, who was not a companion but a tabiy’i (next generation of successors of the companions) who said that men should learn Surah Maida and women should learn Surat an Nur. How to deal with rumours in the community From this surah and others, scholars have derived one of five the main aims......
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17
Aug 2020
Allah Almighty says; Whoever should desire the immediate life – We hasten for him from it what We will to whom We intend. Then We have made for him Hell, which he will burn, censured and banished. Al-Isra:18 If someone desires this life Allah will give him what he wants. But in the hereafter, he will be punished by hell. Then Allah said: But whoever desires the Hereafter and exerts the effort due to it while he is a believer – it is those whose effort is ever appreciated [by......
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