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Always Say That Which Is Best

Al-Isra (The Ascension) Sura 17: Verse 53

Tell My servants (O Muhammad), to always say that which is best. Verily it is Satan who sows discord among men. Satan indeed is an open enemy to man.

In their discussions with the unbelievers and polytheists, in fact with all opponents of their faith, Muslims should refrain from losing their temper. Additionally, they should not resort to exaggerated and extremist statements. Even in the face of provocation from their opponents, Muslims should not utter even a word that is contrary to the truth; nor should they lose their temper at the vulgarities which are flung at them by their opponents, nor should they be provoked to the point of paying back their opponents in the latter’s own coins. Instead, they should keep their composure and say only that which is balanced and true, and is in keeping with the grace and dignity of the faith which they seek to uphold.

The Quran tells believers that whenever in the course of their discussion on contentious issues with unbelievers, they feel overly provoked and overwhelmed with rage, they should immediately realize that such reactions are instigated by Satan who is keen to hurt the cause of their faith. Satan will certainly try to prompt the believers to give up, as their opponents had done, all efforts of reform, and to become entangled in futile wrangling and strife. For it is Satan’s aim that all mankind remain perpetually enmeshed in such controversies.

Compiled From:
“Towards Understanding the Quran” – Abul Ala Mawdudi, Vol. 5, p. 51

Unbeliever’s Argument In Hell

What the Qur’an teachers :
Before the fire they are brought, morning and evening, and then on the Day when the Last Hour comes, it will be said: Cast Pharaoh’s people into the worst suffering. They will contend with one another in the fire: The weak will say to those who were arrogant, “We have been your followers, so can you relieve us of some share of the fire?” The arrogant will reply: “We are all in it together. For God has judged between His creatures.” Those in the fire will say to the keepers of hell: “Pray to your Lord that He lighten this suffering of ours, though it be for one day only.” They will ask: “Did your messengers not come to you with clear evidence of the truth?” They will say: “Yes, indeed.” (The keepers of hell) will say: “Pray, then!” But the prayers of the unbelievers will be all in vain.

(The Forgiving; 40: 46-50)

It describes the end suffered by Pharaoh and his people as a result of their arrogant rejection of Moses’ call on them to believe in God’s oneness. The way this verse is phrased suggests that they are brought before the fire during the time between their death and the Day of Judgment. This may be a reference to the torment suffered in the grave. The statement that follows reads: “and then on the Day when the Last Hour comes, it will be said: Cast Pharaoh’s people into the worst suffering.” This means that this suffering precedes the Day of Judgment. It is a terrible punishment involving exposure to the fire morning and evening, either to make them expect its burning and pain, which is a terrible suffering, or to experience it, which is even worse. Then, on the Day of Judgment, they will be cast into the worst suffering.

The verse that follows tells us of something that happens after resurrection. The unbelievers are shown arguing in hell: “The weak will say to those who were arrogant, ‘We have been your followers, so can you relieve us of some share of the fire?’” This means that the weak are together with the arrogant in the fire of hell. The weak have not been spared on account of their weakness, or their being driven like cattle, having no say or choice. God granted them a position of honor, which equipped them to exercise free choice and to be responsible for what they choose. They relinquished all this and followed their arrogant leaders instead. They did not object to anything the leaders said. In fact, it did not occur to them that they could object. They did not think about what their arrogant leaders said to them, or the errors they landed them in: “We have been your followers.” The fact of their relinquishing responsibility and what God granted them could never serve as extenuating circumstances in God’s sight. Therefore, they will be in hell, driven there by their leaders, just as they used to drive them like sheep in the life of this world. We see them asking their leaders: “Can you relieve us of some share of the fire?” This question is a reminder of what such leaders used to assert, pledging to protect their followers against evil and harm.

Such arrogant leaders, however, are soon fed up with their weak followers’ requests. Their answer betrays their boredom, but nonetheless they acknowledge what has happened: “We are all in it together. For God has judged between His creatures.”

“We are all in it together.” We are all weak, lacking all support and help. We are all alike. So why do you put such a question to us when you realize that the noble and the weaker elements are all the same? “God has judged between His creatures.” There can be no review or change to His judgment. The matter is settled. No creature can reduce or amend God’s judgment.

When all realize that no refuge can be sought from God’s punishment except with Him, they all humbly appeal to the guards of hell, in a way that makes them all equal: “Those in the fire will say to the keepers of hell: Pray to your Lord that He lighten this suffering of ours, though it be for one day only.”

They want the guards of hell to intercede on their behalf, hoping that their terrible ordeal can be lifted a little. They ask them to pray to God to reduce their punishment for one day, just to breathe and have a bit of rest. Even a day’s reduction is worth such appeals.

The guards of hell, however, do not respond to this humble and passionate appeal. They know their limits, and they are aware of God’s law and that the time is long passed. Therefore, they increase the suffering of the dwellers of hell by rebuking them and reminding them of the reasons for their suffering: “They will ask: ‘Did your messengers not come to you with clear evidence of the truth?’ They will say: ‘Yes, indeed.’”

The question and its answer suffice. There is no need for any more argument. The guards of hell leave them to their fate, allowing them to sink into despair. “(The keepers of hell) will say: Pray, then!” If any praying will change your situation even a bit, why do you not offer such prayers yourselves? The verse concludes with a comment on such prayers: “But the prayers of the unbelievers will be all in vain.” Such prayer is ignored, remains unanswered. Those who say it are forgotten, be they the leaders or their followers.

– By NAUSHAD SHAMIM AL-HAQ

You Don’t Get Any U-turns On The Way Up To Allah

When we pack our bags to go visit our friends, we remember to pack our clothes, shoes, and other little things.

Since we could know right from wrong, we have started packing our bags and will finish when our souls leave us.

Have you packed your prayer in your bag of provisions everyday? Have you packed your fasting? Have you packed your reading and memorizing the Qur’an?

Our bags are called life. We have to pack everyday because we don’t know when Allah will call us back, so we have to be ready for the journey.

And on the way up to Allah, you don’t get any U-turns so that you could go back and get the things you forgot to pack. So start packing if you already haven’t, and don’t forget, there’s no such thing as too many bags when we’re packing for our trip to Allah.

Benefits Of Reciting Quran

“When a man dies and his relatives are busy in funeral, there stands an extremely handsome man by his head. While the dead body is shrouded, that man gets in between the shroud and the chest of the deceased. When after the burial, the people return home, 2 angels, Munkar and Nakeer(names of two special Angels), come in the grave and try to separate this handsome man so that they may be able to interrogate the dead man in privacy about his faith. But the handsome man says, “He is my companion, he is my friend. I will not leave him alone in any case. If you are appointed for interrogation, do your job. I cannot leave him until I get him admitted into Paradise”.

Thereafter he turns to his dead companion and says, “I am the Qur’an, which you used to read, sometimes in a loud voice and sometimes in a low voice. Do not worry. After the interrogation of Munkar and Nakeer, you will have no grief.” When the interrogation is over, the handsome man arranges for him from Al-Mala’ul A’laa (the angels in Heaven) silk bedding filled with musk.

Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe Wa-aalihi wasallam) said:

“On the Day of Judgment, before Allah, no other intercessor will have a greater status than the Qur’an, neither a Prophet nor an angel.”

Our position in Paradise is determined by the amount of Qur’an we memorize in this life! ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) saying: “It will be said to the companion of the Qur’an: Read and elevate (through the levels of the Paradise) and beautify your voice as you used to do when you were in the dunya! For verily, your position in the Paradise will be at the last verse you recite!” [Aboo Daawood and At-Tirmithee, saheeh]

There are ten rewards for each letter you recite from the Qur’an. As an authentic hadith in At-Tirmithee proves: “Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that “Alif, Laam, Meem” is a letter, rather I am saying that “Alif” is a letter, “laam” is a letter and “meem” is a letter.” So increase your recitation of the Qur’an to gain these merits, and to gain the following merit as well.

The benefits of memorizing Quran are infinite…. Alhamdulilah!

The Prophet (May peach be upon him) said, “Whoever takes a path seeking knowledge by it, Allah will facilitate for him a path to Paradise because of it. And indeed the angels lower their wings for the student of knowledge, pleased because of what he is seeking (knowledge). And verily those who are in the heavens and the earth, even the fish in the water, seek forgiveness for the scholar .” (Ahmad )

Those Who Don’t Offer Salah

Salat is one of the five pillars of Islam, it is a most important constituent of the faith. It is prayer of a very high level.

The Holy Quran repeatedly enjoins the offering of salat and indeed declares it to be a fundamental trait of a believer. The benefits of salat are countless. The Holy Quran says:

“And enjoin Prayer on thy people, and be constant therein. We ask thee not for provision; it is We that provide for thee. And the end is for the righteous”.

Salat strengthens man’s spiritual faculties. It is the best way to form a relationship with one’s Creator. It purifies one’s spirit, and through it, constant remembrance of Allah delivers one of the self that incites to evil.

God created man to worship Him and salat is the most excellent kind of worship. The Holy Quran also says:

“Recite that which has been revealed to thee of the Book, and observe Prayer. Surely, Prayer restrains one from indecency and manifest evil, and remembrance of Allah indeed is the greatest virtue. And Allah knows
what you do.” (29:46)

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, relates that he heard the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be
on him, say: “Tell me if one of you had a stream running at his door and he should take a bath in it five times every day would any dirt be left upon him? He was answered: No dirt would be left on him. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) observed: This is the case of the five prayers. Allah wipes out all faults in
consequence of them.” (Bukhari)

As for the punishment of not observing the salat, all matters of reward and punishment rest solely with Allah.

Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, relates that he heard the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah
be upon him, say: “Giving up prayer is tantamount to disbelief and associating partners with Allah.” (Muslim)

Five Daily Prayers

Salat, the obligatory Muslim prayer, is said at appointed time fixed in relation to the sun’s position. The time of Fajr, the morning prayer begins at dawn and ends just before sunrise. The time of Zuhr, the midday prayer, begins after the sun has crossed the zenith point and has begun to decline. The Asr prayer is said when the sun has further advanced in decline, in the late afternoon. The time of the Maghrib prayer begins immediately after sunset. It lasts till dusk. The Isha prayer can be said after dusk has finally disappeared, giving way to darkness of the night.

Functions Of figures Of Speech In The Qur’an

THE Holy Qur’an abounds with figures of speech that are used for different rhetorical and communicative purposes. In this article, we shall study some of the major purposes:

• To create a sarcastic picture: The Qur’an usually uses some images to criticize those disbelievers who either refused to believe in Allah or fought and oppressed His prophets. The purpose of such images is to stress the importance of true faith, “The likeness of those who were entrusted with the (obligation of the) Taurat (Torah) (i.e. to obey its commandments and to practice its laws), but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is as the likeness of a donkey which carries huge burdens of books (but understands nothing from them). How bad is the example of people who deny the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs revelations) of Allah. And Allah guides not the people who are Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, disbelievers).” (Qur’an, 62:5). The negative tone of the verse helps to instill that picture in the reader’s and listener’s mind.

• To draw a picture of the Hereafter: One of the facts that the Qur’an frequently deals with is death and the Hereafter. The Qur’an focuses on showing how believers’ faith and piety are to be rewarded and how disbelievers become panicky for fear of eternal punishment. Such facts are conjured up through figures of speech, especially similes, which transfer the readers of the Qur’an from this world to the other world, “They will come forth – their eyes humbled – from (their) graves, (torpid) like locusts scattered abroad.” (Qur’an, 54:7)

• Exemplification: One of the functions of the figures of speech employed in the Qur’an is to cite examples that teach a lesson, clarify a ritual, draw a picture etc…. Such examples bridge the gap between the listener or reader of the Qur’an on the one hand and the intended meaning, on the other, “For Him (Allah, Alone) is the Word of Truth (i.e. none has the right to be worshiped but Allah). And those whom they (polytheists and disbelievers) invoke, answer them no more than one who stretches forth his hand (at the edge of a deep well) for water to reach his mouth, but it reaches him not; and the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but an error (i.e. of no use).” (Qur’an, 13:14)

• To simplify abstractions: An abstract concept is something that cannot be perceived by the senses. Understanding an abstraction requires simplification, explanation and exemplification. Many figures of speech in the Qur’an are used to bridge the gap between the abstract concept in question and the reader or listener, “As for those who disbelieve, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert. The thirsty one thinks it to be water, until he comes up to it, he finds it to be nothing; but he finds Allah with him, Who will pay him his due (Hell). And Allah is Swift in taking account.” (Qur’an, 24: 39)

• To express a psychological state: The Qur’an, due to being full of characters and stories, draws pictures of prophets, angels, believers, unbelievers … etc. Many verses in the Qur’an express the psychological state of some characters such as of Moses’ mother when she fears for her son lest he should die or be killed when parting from her, “And the heart of the mother of Musa (Moses) became empty [from every thought, except the thought of Musa (Moses)]. She was very near to disclose his (case, i.e. the child is her son), had We not strengthened her heart (with Faith), so that she might remain as one of the believers.” (Qur’an, 28:10)

• To give a picture of God (divine entity): Some images in the Qur’an, called anthropomorphic images, are used in the Qur’an to draw a picture of God’s benevolence, mercy, love etc. Such images bridge the gap between believers and their idea about God, “Verily, those who give Bai’ah (pledge) to you (O Muhammad peace be upon him) they are giving Bai’ah (pledge) to Allah. The Hand of Allah is over their hands. Then whosoever breaks his pledge, breaks it only to his own harm; and whosoever fulfills what he has covenanted with Allah, He will bestow on him a great reward.” (Qur’an, 48:10)

– By Dr. Khaled Tawfik