11/10/2023
[10/11, 7:18 AM] MR. ABDUL-KARIM BOSCO: THE DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum Arba'a. 26th day of RabeeulAwwal, 1445AH (Wednesday, 11th October, 2023). *_LETS STRIVE TO BE MUSLIMS FULL TIME_*. Bismillaah.
As Muslims, its important to ensure we live our life positively. If your behaviour or character is negative, you have the power and the choice to do what it takes to alter it. The greatest power we have as human beings is the power of choice. Almighty ALLAH says in Quran [76:3] “HE has shown us the way to be either grateful or ungrateful.” This is simply about choice, either to be thankful and turn towards the way of ALLAH or being ungrateful and turning towards your own heart desires.
If your character is flawed, you can change it. You can change your worldly character to Godly character by :
• Changing your words and thought patterns;
• Making the word of ALLAH your final authority in life;
• Doing what is right at all times;
• Doing away with friends who have worldly character;
• Walking in love and offering others the advantage at all times;
• Being willing to pay the price, and having the patience for your worldly character to die, and Godly character to grow. You also seek guidance and forgiveness from ALLAH almighty regularly.
*_May ALLAH almighty help us change our negative behaviours into positive ways and protect us from any satanic influences_*. Aameen.
[10/11, 5:42 PM] SUMANI ABDUL-RASHID: Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.
We are starting our recitation today, *26th Rabi'ul Awwal 1445 in sha Allah with Juz’ 26: Al Ahqaf 1 - Az Zariyat 30 (46:1 - 51:30)* May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) Make it easy for us & Accept it as an act of ibada as we ponder over the verses, Ameen.
In Juz 26
The themes discussed in the chapters of this Juz are varied by reflecting that some of the chapters were revealed during the Prophet’s time in Makkah and the rest during his time in Madinah. The Makkan chapters (al-Ahqaf, Qaaf and al-Dhariyat (Scatterers) address those who deny the truth and confirm the resurrection and the Day of Judgment. They encourage the Prophet to persist in his call reassuring that he is upon the truth. In contrast the Madinan chapters (Muhammad, al-Fath (Victory) and al-Hujurat (Rooms) cover societal and legal issues – war, the organisation of the Muslim community and the mutual respect and trust between the new Muslim community. An important historical event, the treaty of Hudaibiyyah ratified by the Prophet and establishing a period of peace between the Muslims and the Quraysh is indirectly referenced in al-Fath and the Prophet is assured the treaty was indeed a great breakthrough.
What can we learn from this Juz?
•The perfection and precision of creation is proof that the Creator alone must be worshipped;
•That we must be soft and gracious to our parents and not rebuke them;
•Allah’s punishment could well come in the guise of blessings;
•About Paradise and its delights but also of Hell and its punishment;
•Allah is pleased with those who took the pledge of allegiance under the tree so be careful of hating those Allah is pleased with!
•People are better than others only in their Taqwa (God Consciousness) so beware of racism and partisanship;
•Every good the believer has a grace conferred unto him by Allah;
•That the angels record every word we say are you cautious of what you utter?
[10/11, 5:42 PM] SUMANI ABDUL-RASHID: *Brief Tafseer*
*Juz’ 26*
*Surah Al-Ahqawf*
Ayah 2:
It is Allah who has revealed this Book (Quran). It has come to prevail - not to be prevailed, judged - not to be judged over, guide - and not be guided over.
We must believe it and reflect upon it - part of showing respect to Allah is by paying regard to His Book. For those who fail to benefit from it, this will be a source of degradation for them. Allah sent the book to bring us out of darkness, because the Quran is a light. Guidance can only be obtained from the Quran through reflection upon it.
Ayah 3:
Allah mentioned the creation of the sky and earth, after He mentioned the Quran. The One who revealed the book, created all creation. Our understanding of the world can never be correct and complete, unless we learn what the Creator tells us about the origin of the universe, and its ultimate end.
Ayah 4:
There is not a thing except that Allah is its Creator. Then He only deserves worship.
Ayah 9:
Only Allah knows where a person will end up after he dies. No one else.
We should have good expectations and hope that we or someone we know will have a good end - but we cannot say for sure or judge. We should never pass judgement - good or bad. Only Allah has authority; we do not know, nor do we have the right to judge.
Ayah 12:
Islam is not only for the elite or the academics; Islam is for Allah’s people. Islam is for everyone.
Ayah 15:
The greatest right among the creation, and your greatest duty, is towards your parents - even if your religion is different.
-We are obligated to be good to our parents, no matter what. And the right of the mother is three times greater than that of the father because what the mother does for the child, is that which a father cannot do (namely 3: painful pregnancy, excruciating labour, and exhausting nursing).
-A mother nearly dies when giving birth to a child. Being good to, and taking care of the mother, is even better and more of a priority than going for jihad.
-You can never justify ignoring your parents. You can disagree with your parents, but you must still be respectful and good to them.
-Not in any case can you ever EVER be unfair or bad to them. You are responsible for your actions, not for your feelings. So no matter how much you disagree with them, you must still be good to them. You will be rewarded for that.
-Make dua, give sadaqa, and pray a lot for your deceased parents.
-What you do for your parents is never, EVER enough. Never be content with what you’ve done - they always deserve more.
-They are responsible for what they do and you are responsible for what you do. So don’t dwell on their mistakes; they are human and prone to imperfection.
-You have benefitted a great deal through your parents. They raised you, gave you food and drink, and you got to enjoy their wealth. Any blessing we received through our parents should be appreciated and we should be grateful for it. Even their mistakes teach us many lessons, that we don’t repeat them when we become parents.
-No matter how much you strive to be good to your parents, you may slip sometimes. Turn to Allah and seek His help and His forgiveness. So say the dua in this Ayah.
-We must also spend out of our money on our parents. This is a way of earning reward from Allah.
Ayah 17:
Allah has cursed the person who insults his parents. You don’t have the right to be disrespectful even if they are wrong.
Ayah 20:
A person should be very grateful and careful when enjoying good things in the world. Thank Allah and pray, that it doesn’t end up a means of deprivation for you in the Hereafter.
Ayah 29:
Whatever we learn from the Quran is for us to internalise and pass on. It’s not just for us. Prophets were sent among humans but warners were sent among the jinn too.
Ayah 35:
Destruction is only for those who disobey Allah.
*Surah Muhammad*
Ayah 6:
There are so many details and descriptions of paradise given in the Quran and the Sunnah, and Allah will also make Heaven very familiar to the people who are to enter it. They will feel familiar, at home, and will feel like they belong there.
Ayah 7:
Help the religion of Allah financially, learn it, and teach it. This way Allah will give you stability too.
Ayah 14:
We must inhibit, control, and sacrifice our pleasures/desires for the sake of Allah, if they escape the bounds of allowance in Islam.
Ayah 16:
Knowledge comes before action.
Ayah 17-19:
We need to understand the words of the Quran! We should make more knowledge of the Quran a goal of our life. Action is not possible without knowledge. Working with ignorance may lead to huge errors that will bring them regret on the Day of Judgement.
Ayah 20-21:
Don’t waste your effort and intention with negative words.
Ayah 22:
When a person turns away from Allah and cause corruption, they sever ties of relationships.
We must be good to our blood relations; we must spend on them and be there for them. If people sever ties of kinship, Allah turns away from them and they suffer in both worlds.
We can be angry, but we must at least be on speaking terms and our hearts should be clean.
Ayah 24:
Unlock your heart, let the Quran enter, and let it heal you. Accept the teachings of the Quran and follow it; this is what will improve your condition and unlock your full potential. Don’t deprive yourself. You have a treasure within, let it emerge through the Quran.
Ayah 29-30:
We can try to pretend, but we cannot fool Allah.
Ayah 37:
Allah has commanded us of what is realistic, easy, and practical. So do it! Allah is considerate!
Ayah 38:
Giving one’s wealth in the way of Allah is a noble deed - the one who doesn’t do this is actually stingy. Think about how much we spend on ourselves and compare that with how much charity we do. Be extra generous, and sign up for recurring donations for religious and humanitarian causes, so that you always have your share in everything.
Don’t deprive yourself of the reward.
*Surah Al-Fat’h*
Ayah 1-2:
When you avoid conflict for the sake of Allah and humble yourself, Allah will definitely honour you and not fail you, and He will give you success. Good opportunities come our way through hardships so don’t resent the hardships in life; consider them as a victory.
Ayah 5:
Real success is of the Hereafter.
Ayah 9:
We should obey the Prophet PBUH (his teachings and sunnah) and respect him, especially when we talk about him. Send peace and blessings upon Him. Mention his name properly and with respect.
Ayah 11:
When we hold ourselves back from the opportunities provided to us, we are actually depriving ourselves. When you have a genuine excuse, Allah knows that.
Ayah 25:
We don’t fully understand all that happens behind the scenes; we only look at the aspect apparent to us. Allah is protecting us from so many different ways. Accept and trust Allah’s decree, as His decision is always the best.
Ayah 26:
Those who have bias in them, are prevented from even thinking rationally, and their efforts are worthless. Those who have God-consciousness in them, Allah blesses them with tranquility.
Ayah 29:
You can tell by the faces of the companions of the Prophet PBUH, that they have spent the night worshipping Allah. This was described in the Torah.
And their description in the Gospel is like a plant that is firm, that spreads goodness within and around it, and whoever sees it gets delighted. Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward.
*Surah Al-Hujurawt*
Ayah 1:
Don’t give preference to what you think will contradict over the teachings of the Prophet PBUH and the Quran. Don’t think you know better than the Lord of the Worlds.
Ayah 2:
We are supposed to show utmost respect to the Prophet PBUH and obey him. Respect his memory, his teachings, his masjid, his mention in gatherings - everywhere the Prophet PBUH went and everywhere he is mentioned, we must show respect. We must show respect to anything linked to him.
Ayah 4-5:
This Surah teaches us manners. How we shouldn’t bother people who we want to learn from, and be respectful of their comfort. And the people are told of how to treat the Prophet PBUH, in regards to acquiring knowledge, taking care of respect.
Ayah 6:
Only take action after firm knowledge, not on impulse. Do not pass on and believe everything you hear. Investigate before taking action. There is severe punishment for spreading lies.
Ayah 9-10:
When Muslims fight one another, don’t just be a bystander; intervene and try to resolve their matter. Believers are supposed to be brothers. We should show respect to one another, and watch out for one another. Religious bonds remain permanent in the Hereafter; we are all connected by faith regardless of any physical differences between us.
Ayah 11:
Never, EVER make fun of anyone. Do not laugh at anyone or tease them no matter what - this is very reprehensible. It is a major sin to attack the honour of a believer. Nicknames should be respectful, and if someone does not like something you call them, stop hurting them and teasing them.
The life, wealth, and honour of a believer is sacred.
Ayah 12:
Beware of suspicion. Negative assumptions can become sins! Do not search for, nor talk about the faults of people. If you see someone’s faults and you’re not in a position to correct them, ignore that and mind your own business.
We take the matter of backbiting very lightly and we don’t take it as a sin. Backbiting is discussing the faults of people, and if they found out you talked about it, they wouldn’t like it. Commenting over people unnecessarily, is like cannibalism - eating your own dead brother! It’s disgusting! We must stop doing that! It is forbidden.
Backbiting can be done as a message, verbal, or a gesture, or an eye movement. So be careful. When someone’s back is in front of you, defend that believer. Don’t let people do it in front of you because then you will be involved.
Be careful, because when you misrepresent someone, it is even WORSE. It is SLANDER. This is despicable! It is forbidden (HARAM).
Ayah 17:
Islam is not a favour from you upon Allah; He doesn’t need you. It is a favour of Allah upon you, to give you a chance to make it to Heaven. You need HIM.
*Surah Qaaf*
The Prophet PBUH would recite this Surah in big gatherings. He would recite it in Friday Khutbah very frequently, in Fajr, and in Eid Salah.
Ayah 9:
When it rains, allow the rain to fall on you because it is blessed water. But not for too long and change before you get sick.
Ayah 15:
Why would it be difficult for Allah to recreate creation for resurrection, when He’s the One who did it in the first place?
Ayah 16:
Allah is very aware of the thoughts in your head. No one knows us as well as He does.
Ayah 17-18:
Allah doesn’t need angels to tell Him what we are doing. The only reason Angels are appointed, is because records are made against us.
Ayah 19:
We must make dua against the difficulties and pangs of death - they are very painful!
Ayah 27:
Don’t blame satan and then settle with that. You chose your words and behaviours; take responsibility so you can seek forgiveness and right the wrong.
Ayah 32:
We need to develop the habit of turning back to Allah, with worship and seeking forgiveness. We should pray Duha (the prayer between Fajr and Dhuhr) - it is the elite believers who pray this prayer.
Ayah 37:
We should be attentive when we are listening to the Quran; only then we will be able to derive benefit.
Ayah 39-40:
The way you deal with hardships in life is by glorifying Allah - it strengthens your heart.
Ayah 45:
Whoever fears the punishment of Allah is reminded and reformed and transformed by the Quran.
*Surah Az-Zaariyaat*
Ayah 12:
Focus on your preparation of the Hereafter - don’t get lost in trying to identify WHEN it’s going to be.
Ayah 15-16:
The believer happily takes and obeys Allah’s commands in this life. And in the Hereafter, he will happily take the rewards of Allah!
Let us be pleased and content with what Allah has commanded, and what He has decreed for us.
Ayah 17:
In the time when you would rather sleep, spend time worshipping Allah. In general, we are supposed to sleep AND pray in the night. But in the last ten nights of Ramadan, tighten your belt and sacrifice as much sleep as you can, and worship and glorify Allah every second that you get.
Ayah 18:
Allah invites people in the last part of the night to seek forgiveness from Him. Seek forgiveness especially at this time.
Ayah 28: Trust Allah’s decree, His decisions, and His knowledge. And rely upon Him.
