Our social:

Post from category:

Sayyiduna Abu Baqr Siddeeq (Radi Allahu Anhu) The First Caliph Of Islam

Early Life
Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu’s) real name was Abdullah, and he was given the title of “As Siddique” or “Testifier to the Truth.” His father, ‘Uthman, was known as Abu Quhafah and his mother, Salma, was known as Ummul Khair. He was two and a half years younger than Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).He was the first among the Sahaba to accept Islam. He accompanied Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) during the Hijrah to Madinatul Munawwarah. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) was a merchant. He freed many slaves, including Sayyiduna Bilal (radi Allahu anhu) and Sayyiduna Umayyah bin Qahaf (radi Allahu anhu). He participated in all the battles in which Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) had to fight the Kuffar.

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) loved his faith more than anything else. At the Battle of Badr, his son, Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman (radi Allahu anhu), was fighting on the side of the Kuffar. After accepting Islam, Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman (radi Allahu anhu) said to his father, “O Father, at Badr, you were twice under my sword, but my love for you held my hand back.” To this, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) replied, “Son, if I had you only once under my sword, you would have been no more.” He was so uncompromising in his faith.

At the time of the Battle of Tabuk, he donated all his wealth to the war effort, and when Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) asked him, “What have you left for your family,?” he replied, “Allah and His Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).”

As Caliph
After his election as the Caliph, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) addressed the Muslims with these words: “O People! I have been chosen by you as your leader, although I am no better than any of you. If I do any wrong, set me right. Listen, truth is honesty and untruth is dishonesty. The weak among you are the powerful in my eyes, as long as I do not give them their dues. The powerful among you are weak in my eyes, as long as I do not take away from them what is due to others.

“Listen carefully, if people give up striving for the Cause of Almighty Allah, He will send down disgrace upon them. If people become evil-doers, Almighty Allah will send down calamities upon them.

“Obey me as long as I obey Allah and His Rasul (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). If I disobey Allah and His Rasul (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), you are free to disobey me.”

Such was the first Caliph of Islam. Indeed, the world would be a better place to live in, if we had leaders like Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu).Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) now sent Sayyiduna Usamah (radi Allahu anhu) on the expedition to Syria to fight the Romans, even though he had to attend to all the internal problems of the Islamic State.

The news that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) had passed away, made some new Muslims think that the Islamic State would crumble and they refused to pay the Zakaah. These new Muslims could not yet get used to their faith and its requirements until then. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) declared, “By Allah! Even if a single thread is due from a man, he must give it. If he refuses, I will declare war against him.”

Rengades And Imposters
Some others became imposters and renegades. Tulaiha, Musailimah, Maalik bin Nuwairah, Aswad Ansi, and a woman named Sajah claimed that they were prophets and caused a great deal of confusion. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) was quick to take action against these imposters.

Sayyiduna Khalid bin Walid (radi Allahu anhu) was sent to deal with Tulaiha who fled to Syria and later became a Muslim. Maalik bin Nuwarah was killed. Sayyiduna Ikramah (radi Allahu anhu) and Sayyiduna Surahbil (radi Allahu anhu) were sent to take action against Musailimah, but they were defeated. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) sent Sayyiduna Khalid bin Walid (radi Allahu anhu) to tackle the notorious Musailamah who married Sajah. In the fight that followed, Sayyiduna Wahshi (radi Allahu anhu) killed Musailamah. Musailamah and Aswad Ansi also claimed to be prophets while Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was alive. Aswad was killed by the Muslims of Yemen.

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu’s) swift and bold steps saved the Islamic State from the serious danger of chaos and confusion. He could now attend to other urgent problems.

Era of Conquests
During his Khilaafat, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) had to take action against the Iranian Empire. The Emperor of Iran, Khusrou Parvez, was killed by his son, Shirooya, and the whole empire fell into chaos and disorder. Hurmuz, the Persian governor of Iraq, was very hostile to the Arabs and he was also cruel to the Muslims living in that area.

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) sent Sayyiduna Muthamia (radi Allahu anhu) to take action against the Iranians in Iraq. His forces were not enough and Sayyiduna Khalid bin Walid (radi Allahu anhu) was then sent with reinforcements. The Muslim army captured vast areas of the Iranian Empire in several battles.

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) then turned his attention to the Romans who were causing trouble in the North-West frontier. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) sent 4 separate armies under Sayyiduna Ubaidah bin Jarrah, Sayyiduna Amr Ibnul As, Sayyiduna Yazid bin Abu Sufyaan and Sayyiduna Surahbil bin Hasnal (radi Allahu anhumul ajma’in) to deal with the Roman power.

The four armies joined into one unit to face the Romans more effectively. The Romans had amassed 150 000 soldiers, but the total Muslim army was only 24 000. Reinforcements were requested. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) asked Sayyiduna Khalid bin Walid (radi Allahu anhu) to take charge of the Iraqi front and Sayyiduna Muthanna (radi Allahu anhu) to rush to the Syrian front to help fight the huge Roman army. The armies met in Yarmuk after Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) passed away. In this battle, the Romans were totally defeated.

Passes Away
Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) fell ill at this time and passed away on the 21st of Jamadi-ul-Aakhir 13 A.H. (22 August 634). His rule lasted 2 years and 3 months. He was 63 years old.

One of the many contributions of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) was the collection and compilation of the Holy Quran.

Personal Life
He lived a very simple, pious, and upright life. He was a true servant of Almighty Allah and a meticulous follower of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). He wore ordinary clothes and his meals were very simple. He attended house-hold work and would go out at night and seek the poor and destitute. Humility and modesty were the keynotes of his character. He felt embarrassed when people showered praises on him or showed him immense respect. He often fasted during the day and spent the whole night in Salaah and meditation. He was a great orator and a master of genealogy (one who can trace a person’s family line). In his personal life, he was a Saint. He used all his powers to promote the interest of Islam and the good of people.

Are Women Intellectually And Spiritually Inferior?

Many verses of the Qur’an and practices of the early Muslims bear witness to the fact that woman is, at least, as vital to life as a man is, and that she is not inferior to man in any way. Islam never belittles women or underestimates her role in society. Allah has made this clear in the Glorious Qur’an, by stating shining examples of some women for the believers — male and female — to emulate. In this context, the Glorious Qur’an discusses the issue in detail in Surah At-Tahrim 66 Verses 11-12.

Thus, we’d like to make it clear that no Hadith depicts a woman as inferior; not at all. As it is a fact that man has been given a form and nature by Allah which is distinct from that of woman, it is also a fact that the form and nature of man and woman is complementary.

This indicates that the distinction in form and nature must not be equated with an intellectual pre-eminence on the part of man.

Based on this, we’d like to stress that the issue of having a woman’s testimony corroborated by another woman does not imply a sign of gender superiority. One will get this point clear by bearing in mind that shyness is a specific feature of woman as compared to a man. In this case, she needs another woman to stand by her side and corroborate the evidence.

There is nothing wrong with having a witness’s testimony corroborated by another witness if the statement of the former falls short of being admissible as conclusive evidence. So the main issue here is how to make justice run its course.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) explained that women’s mental deficiency is reflected in their weak memory, the fact that makes Shariah stipulate that a woman’s testimony must be corroborated by another woman. Thus, this injunction does not imply woman’s inferiority to man; rather it has more to do with justice than with gender.

As for the shortcoming in religion, this stems from the fact that when menstruating or having post-partum bleeding, women neither pray nor fast, and they do not have to make up for their prayers. As we know, women have no hand in the obstacles that disrupt their religious performances. This is something divine, which reflects Almighty Allah’s overflowing mercy to them, for it will be extremely hard for a woman to be tasked with religious obligation while she is having menstruation or post-partum bleeding. That’s why she is exempted from fasting or praying, as a sign of mercy on her. Also, they do not make up their prayers. This is because if they were ordered to make up their prayers, it would be extremely hard for them, given that prayers are performed five times a day. Menses may last for a number of days, up to seven or eight or more. Post-partum bleeding lasts for forty days. It’d be definitely hard for women to be obliged to make up the prayers missed while responding to the demands of nature.

So, in the light of the above-mentioned facts, the Hadith does not have any indication of disparagement of women or considering them as inferior, especially when we know that some women excel men in many matters. Yes, no one can deny the fact that a woman may perform many good deeds and exceed many men in virtue, morality, etc. Islamic history abounds with examples of great women who have made a great contribution to the progress of mankind.

This is very clear to anyone who is well-informed about the status of women during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the early generations.

In addition, the Hadith in question does not disqualify women from being narrators of Ahadith, and there is nothing that prevents a woman from being one of Allah’s pious servants if she is steadfast in her religion even with her being excused from fasting or praying during menstruation or post-partum bleeding.

21 F’s For A Happy Marriage

1. Faith:
The most basic and essential attribute of a Muslim marriage is the common faith that binds the couple.
Since Islam is a way of life and not just a religion confined to weekly worship it becomes an integral part of a Muslim’s life. The frame of reference shared by the couple eases communication and sharing of values which is not possible in an interfaith marriage. It is highly recommended that faith plays an important role in developing a loving relationship.

For example, as the Prophet Muhammad (SAW- peace, and blessings be upon him) said, that even if a husband places a morsel of food in his wife’s mouth, he gets a reward for this act and Allah increases the bond of love between them. So when we love each other for the sake of Allah WE ACTUALLY INCREASE OUR FAITH.

2. Forgiving:
When the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) asked his Companions ‘do you wish that Allah should forgive you’ they said, of course, O Prophet of Allah. He responded, ‘then forgive each other’.

One of the main components of a happy marriage is that the spouses are able to forgive, that they do not hold grudges or act judgmental towards each other. It is expected that when we live with someone, situations may arise when we end up saying or doing things that hurt our spouses. The challenge is not to dwell on it or lay blame but to move past it. This can only happen if we are not too proud to ask for forgiveness and we are not stingy to forgive.
If we expect Allah to forgive us then we must learn to forgive.

3. Forget:
When we constantly remind our spouses of all the times they let us down or hurt us we have not truly forgiven. Things that happened in the past must be left there and not be used as fresh ammunition in new situations. Couples who use this technique usually fall in a rut and become victims of their own pettiness, unable to break free.

4. Forbearance:
Sabr (patience) is the most useful tool to have in managing a healthy lifestyle. Being patient and forbearing puts us in a proactive frame of mind it brings us closer to Allah through Tawakul (trust) and reliance. We develop an inner mechanism that empowers us to handle life’s difficult moments. As Allah states in Surah (chapter)al-Asr:
“Surely by the time humans are at loss, except those who believe and do righteous deeds and counsel each other to the truth and counsel each other to Sabr (patience)’ (Quran, chapter 103).

5. Flexible:
Many couples unnecessarily make themselves miserable because they are unwilling to bend a little.
We should not expect our spouses to be our extensions. They are their own selves with personalities, likes, and dislikes. We must respect their right to be themselves as long as it does not compromise their Deen (religion). Being inflexible and not accommodating for individual differences leads to a very stressful and tense home atmosphere.

6. Friendship:
This aspect of marriage has three components.
The first is to develop a friendship with our spouses. The relationship based on friendship is more able to withstand outside pressures.

We honor, trust, respect, accept, and care for our friends, in spite of our differences. These are the aspects of friendship we should bring to our marriages.

Unfortunately, the only aspect that people think of bringing to their marriage which is highly inappropriate is the buddy scenario. Shariah (Islamic law) has placed the husband in a leadership role within a family. This requires a certain decorum, which cannot be maintained if the spouses consider each other as pals.

This should not be taken to mean that husband is a dictator but a shepherd who is responsible for and to his flock. This is a position of grave responsibility and places an enormous burden on the husband. Furthermore, the children need to see their parents as friends but not as pals as this encourages disrespect.

7. Friendly:
The second aspect of friendship is to have friendly relations with in-laws. When couples compete as to whose parents are more important it becomes a constant source of grief. Much valuable time is wasted trying to convince, one another of whose parents are most desirable. It is better if we accept, that our spouses will not overnight fall in love with our parents just because we want them to. As long as they maintain friendly relations that are cordial and based on mutual respect we should not force the issue.

8. Friends:
The third aspect of friendship is our circle of friends. If there is friction being caused by a certain friendship it must not be pursued at the expense of the marriage. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) advised us to choose God-fearing people as friends since we tend to follow their way. Friends should be a source of joy and not mischief.

9. Fun:
Couples that do not laugh together have to work on sharing some fun times. The Prophet (SAW) was known to play with his wives. A simple walk in the park can add much spark to the relationship. Taking up a sport together is another way of sharing a laugh.

10. Faithful:
It is commanded by Allah that we be faithful to our spouses. Adultery is a capital crime in Islam that is punishable by death. However, there are various forms of unfaithful behavior prevalent among some Muslims.

The most common form is maintaining friendships with the opposite sex over the boundaries set by Islam, and the misgivings of the spouse. The latest trend of Internet relationships is also contrary to Islamic Adab (etiquette) and is causing serious problems between couples. Once a sense of betrayal sets in, repairing that relationship is difficult. Another form of not being faithful is when couples betray confidences (trusts/promises). This is a trust issue and one when compromised eats away at the heart of a marriage.

11. Fair:
Usually when we are angry or displeased the tendency is to not play fair. We try to convince ourselves that since we have been wronged it is okay to be unjust in our behavior and our statements. Allah states in the Quran do not be unjust under any circumstances, even if they be your enemy, and here we are talking about our life partners and the parent of our children. To use words such as “never” and “always” when describing the behavior of the partner is unfair and puts the other on the defensive.

10. Finance:
One of the most common points of contention in marriages is money. Experts tell us that 80 percent of marital conflicts are about money.

It is therefore highly recommended that the couple put serious time and effort into developing a financial management plan that is mutually agreeable and is reviewed every six months or so. Preparing a budget together is also a helpful and wise way of handling household finances. It should be remembered that the wife’s money in Islam is hers to do with as she pleases and therefore should not be considered family income unless she chooses to contribute it to the family

11. Family:
Parenting can be a stressful experience if the parents are not well informed. This in turn can put extra pressure on the marriage.

Sometimes couples are naive about the changes that come in the lifestyle. This can cause in some cases depression and in some resentment and misunderstandings. One golden rule that must always be the guide is; that family comes first.

Whenever there is evidence that the family is not happy or not our first priority it is time to assemble at the kitchen table and discuss with open hearts and minds.

12. Feelings:
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) stated that Allah forgives all sins if we repent but not those we have committed against others i.e. hurt their feelings unless the person we have hurt forgives first.

Couples are sometimes very careless when it comes to their spouse’s feelings, they take them for granted and assume that the other knows what they mean. It is surprising that people are more sensitive and courteous to strangers than they are to their loved ones. One must be ever vigilant and careful that they do not hurt the feelings of their spouses and if they invariably do, they should apologize as soon as possible. Since one does not know when someone they love will leave this world, is it not better to make amends when we have the time?

13. Freedom:
Marriage in Islam is a partnership and not bondage or slavery. To consider the wife one’s property is alien to the Islamic concept of the husband and wife role. The team spirit is enhanced and not curtailed when members of the team are free to be themselves. Freedom in the common western since is to be free to do as one pleases or to be selfish. On the contrary, to allow freedom to one’s spouse is to be considerate of their needs and to recognize their limitations.

14. Flirtation:
A sure way to keep romance in marriage is to flirt (only) with your spouse. Many successful marriages have maintained a youthful demeanor in their marriages by adopting special names for each other and secret communication styles.

15. Frank:
Misunderstandings happen when couples are not honest with each other. A marital relationship is where the partners must feel safe to speak their mind with due consideration to the other’s feeling, without compromising their own views. When the communication is not frank it hinders the development of closeness and deep understanding of each other’s inner self.

16. Facilitator:
When choosing our life partner, we must, as the Prophet (SAW) advised, look for a pious Muslim. The reason is that their first and foremost goal is the pleasure of Allah. This commitment to Allah makes them an excellent facilitator (someone who makes things easy) for enhancing their partner’s spiritual development. In essence, the couple facilitates their family’s commitment to Allah and His Deen.

17. Flattering:
Paying compliments and indulging in honest flattery is a very inexpensive way to win your spouse’s heart. Everyone likes to be appreciated and noticed. So being stingy about compliments is actually depriving oneself of being appreciated in return.

18. Fulfilling:
To be all one can be to one’s spouse is a very fulfilling and rewarding experience. To be in love means to give one’s all. The heart does not put conditions or make stipulations. It gives without expecting anything in return, but such selfless giving is always rewarded tenfold.

19. Fallible:
It often happens that our expectations sometimes are so high that we lose focus on the fact that we are fallible (not perfect/make mistakes) beings. When couples start to nitpick and demand the impossible they must remind themselves that only Allah is perfect.

20. Fondness:
So many times couples fail to work on developing a fondness for each other by [failing] to see their spouses as people through the eyes of their respective friends. Spending quality time alone doing and sharing activities are ways in which one can develop fondness.

21. Future:
Smart couples plan for their future together. They work on their financial and retirement plans, make wills, and discuss these plans with their children. This provides peace of mind and secures the relationship.

Muhammad Ayub

10 Ways Of Protection From Shaytan

1. Seeking refuge with Allah from Shaytan. Allah the Highest said, “And if there comes to you from Satan an evil suggestion, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.” [41:36]

2. Recitation of the two surahs al-Falaq and an-Nas, as they have wondrous effect in seeking refuge with Allah from his evil, weakening Shaytan and protection from him. This is why the Messenger, Sallallahu `Alayhi wa Sallam, said: “No person seeks refuge with anything like the Mu`awwidhatayn (surahs al-Falaq and an-Nas)”. [an-Nasaa?i, 5337]

3. Recitation of Ayat al-Kursi (2:255).

4. Recitation of surah al-Baqarah. The Messenger, Sallallahu `Alayhi wa Sallam, said, “The house in which al-Baqarah is recited is not approached by Shaytan.” [Muslim]

5. The final part of al-Baqarah. The Messenger, Sallallahu `Alayhi wa Sallam, said, “Whoever recites the two last verses of al-Baqarah at night they will suffice him.” [Muslim]

6. Recitation of the beginning of surah Mu’min (Ghafir), until His saying, ‘wa ilayhi-l-maseer’ (to Him is the destination). (i.e. ‘Ha. Meem. The revelation of the Book is from Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Knowing, the forgiver of sin, acceptor of repentance, severe in punishment, owner of abundance. There is no deity except Him; to Him is the destination.’ [40:1-2])

7. Saying “la ilaha ill Allah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu wa huwa `ala kulli shay’in qadir” (there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, He has no partner, He is the Dominion and Praise, and He is able to do all things) a hundred times.

8. The most beneficial form of protection from Shaytan: an abundance of remembrance of Allah, the Exalted.

9. Ablution and prayer and they are from among the greatest means of protection, especially at the time of emergence of anger and desire.

10. Abstinence from excess speech, food, and mixing with people.

How Moses Was Saved

We revealed to the mother of Moses: ‘Breast-feed him, and then when you have cause to fear for him, cast him in the river, and have no fear and do not grieve. We shall restore him to you, and shall make him one of Our messengers.’

Pharaoh’s household picked him up; and so (in time) he would become an enemy to them and a source of grief. Pharaoh, Haman, and their hosts were sinners indeed.

Pharaoh’s wife said: ‘A joy to the eye he will be for me and for you. Do not kill him. He may well be of use to us, or we may adopt him as our son.’ They had no inkling (of what was to happen).

By the morning an aching void came over the heart of Moses’ mother, and she would indeed have disclosed his identity had We not strengthened her heart so that she could continue to have faith. (The Story, Al-Qasas: 28: 7-10)

Having set the scene where the events of the story unfold, and given us the purpose for which it is told, the surah proceeds to relate the events beginning at the birth of Moses. The story begins and we are told how God’s hand works directly, not through anyone. Moses was born under the sort of difficult circumstances the surah has described: A newborn baby in great danger. We almost see the knife taken out to cut his throat. His mother is so worried, fearing that the news of his birth might reach the despotic authorities. She is well aware that she would not be able to protect or hide him. How could she prevent him crying and betraying his presence? She knows herself to be helpless and powerless.

At this point God’s hand intervenes, making direct contact with the worried mother, and inspiring her with what to do: “We revealed to the mother of Moses: ‘Breast-feed him, and then when you have cause to fear for him, cast him in the river, and have no fear and do not grieve.'” (Verse 7) What inspiration is this? You, caring mother! Suckle your child, and if you fear for him when he is under your care, with your breast in his mouth and your full attention focused on him, then cast him in the river. But when you do that “have no fear and do not grieve.” He will be in the river under the care of the One who provides all security and dispels all fear. He will be looked after by the hand that makes the fire cool and relaxing and makes the sea a place of shelter and repose. No Pharaoh dares to come near anyone this hand protects.

“We shall restore him to you.” (Verse 7) You need not fear for his life or worry about his being taken away from you. “And shall make him one of Our messengers.” (Verse 7) This is a promise for the future, and God’s promise is certain to come true.

This is the first scene that shows a worried mother, receiving a clear, reassuring revelation that promises a bright future. The revelation removes all fear and worry from her heart, and gives her peace and reassurance. The surah does not mention how she reacted or how she carried out the instructions given to her. The curtains fall here to bring us the next scene as they are raised again.

“Pharaoh’s household picked him up.” (Verse 8) Is this the security promised her? Does it augur the fulfillment of the happy news she has been given? How, when she feared for her son none other than Pharaoh and his household? Nothing could have worried her more than her child falling in their hands. Here we see the challenge thrown openly, in full view of all. It is a challenge to Pharaoh, Haman, and their hosts. They were chasing every newborn in Moses’ community because of their fear for their positions. They had their spies everywhere so that no newly born boy could escape their watchful eyes. Now God’s hand puts into their hand such a child with no effort on their part. It is indeed the child who will bring their total downfall. He is now under their care and he is helpless, unable to fend for himself. Indeed, he cannot cry for help, should he be in danger. This very child is brought into Pharaoh’s palace, with no need to send his spies to bring news of newborn babies among the Israelites.

The purpose of bringing the child to them is also clearly stated: “So (in time) he would become an enemy to them and a source of grief.” (Verse 8) He will certainly be an open foe, challenging them, and will bring them grief and sorrow. “Pharaoh, Haman and their hosts were sinners indeed.” (Verse 8)

But how will this come about when the child is so helpless? The surah tells us straightaway: “Pharaoh’s wife said: ‘A joy to the eye he will be for me and for you. Do not kill him. He may well be of use to us, or we may adopt him as our son.’ They had no inkling (of what was to happen).” (Verse 9) God’s hand does not only bring the child into Pharaoh’s fortified palace in an open challenge but takes him right into his wife’s heart, thus providing him with protection through love. It thus gives him a thin, transparent cover of love overflowing from a woman’s heart. Thus, he needs no weapons, authority or money for his protection. Such love defies Pharaoh and his despotism and fear for his kingdom. Pharaoh is too small and humble in God’s measure: The child needs no more than this thin cover to enjoy complete protection from him.

“A joy to the eye he will be for me and for you.” (Verse 9) This is how she describes the child brought to them so as to become their enemy and bring them all, except for the woman herself, much grief. “Do not kill him,” when he will bring about Pharaoh’s end. “He may well be of use to us, or we may adopt him as our son,” when it will be through him that their fate will be sealed. “They had no inkling (of what was to happen).” (Verse 9) What an irony!

Thus ends the second scene and the curtains fall temporarily here.
But what about his mother who must be justifiably apprehensive? “By the morning an aching void came over the heart of Moses’ mother, and she would indeed have disclosed his identity had We not strengthened her heart so that she could continue to have faith.” (Verse 10) She did as she was told and threw her child in the river. But where is he now? Where has the river taken him? She might have indeed asked herself how could she do what no other mother had ever done? How could she hope that he would have security in the midst of all this danger?

The surah depicts a telling picture of the poor mother’s heart. It is “a void”, unable to think or act. “She would indeed have disclosed his identity,” betraying her own secret. We can imagine her driven to cry out that she had lost her child, or even saying that she threw the child in the river in response to some strange voice telling her to do that. “Had We not strengthened her heart,” giving her added strength to deal with her very difficult situation. “So that she could continue to have faith.” (Verse 10) She needed to have faith in God’s promise, to be patient in the adversity she was facing and to continue to follow His guidance.