TAG: Surah
What The Qur’an Teaches, No injustice For Anyone
In the name of God, the Lord of Grace, the Ever Merciful Pray to God, then, sincere in your faith in Him alone, however hateful this may be to the unbelievers. High above all orders (of being) is He, the Lord of the Throne. By His own will does He bestow revelation on whomever He wills of His servants, so as to warn of the Day when all shall meet Him; the Day when they shall come forth, with nothing about them concealed from God. With whom does sovereignty rest today? With God, the One who holds absolute sway over all that exists. This day each soul will be requited for what it has earned: no injustice will be done today. God is swift in reckoning. Warn them of the Day that is ever drawing near, when people’s hearts will chokingly come up to the throats. The wrongdoers will have neither intimate friend nor intercessor to be heeded. God is well aware of the stealthiest glance, and of everything the heart would conceal. God will judge in accordance with truth and justice, whereas those whom they invoke besides Him cannot judge at all. God alone hears all and sees all. (The Forgiving, Ghafir; 40: 14-20)
In connection with turning to God, the believers are instructed to pray to God alone and to be sincere in their faith, paying little heed to what the unbelievers feel or say: “Pray to God, then, sincere in your faith in Him alone, however hateful this may be to the unbelievers.” The unbelievers will never accept that the believers should hold on sincerely to their faith in God alone and their worship of none but Him. There is no way they will accept this, no matter how much the believers try to appease them. Therefore, the believers should stay their course, praying to God alone, completely sincere and devoted. They should pay no heed to whether the unbelievers are happy with them or not, because they will never be satisfied.
The surah adds at this point the following attributes of God: “High above all orders (of being) is He, the Lord of the Throne. By His own will does He bestow revelation on whomever He wills of His servants.” It is God alone who is exalted in His position, high above all orders of being, the Lord of the Throne who controls everything. It is He who gives His orders, which give life to hearts and souls, to those whom He chooses from among His servants. This expression refers to the revelation of the divine message, and it highlights here the fact that God’s revelations bring life to humanity. It further states that revelation is bestowed from on high to those chosen elite among God’s servants. All these facts are in harmony with God’s attributes mentioned earlier in the surah, stating that He is “the Exalted, the Supreme One.”
The main task undertaken by a servant of God chosen to receive such a message is to deliver a warning: “So as to warn of the Day when all shall meet Him.” That is the day when people will meet together, and they will also stand face to face with the deeds they did during their lives on earth, and they will meet other creatures such as the jinn, the angels and other types of God’s creation. All of them will meet their Lord at the time of reckoning. Hence the day is described as “the day of the meeting.” Furthermore, it is the day when they all stand without any cover to screen their reality. Hence, no one can put up a false image: “The Day when they shall come forth, with nothing about them concealed from God.” In fact, nothing about them is concealed from God at any time. However, at all times other than that day, they may imagine that they are covered or screened by something or another, or that what they do or say may remain secret. On that day, however, they will be truly exposed, unable to enjoy even an imaginary cover.
Therefore, on that day the arrogant and the mighty are made to face their humble reality. The whole universe stands in awe, and all creatures demonstrate their submission. Sovereignty belongs completely to God, the One who overpowers all. In fact this is true at all times. However, on that day, this fact becomes clear to all and sundry. Every tyrant of old and every conceited person will come to know and feel it. Then every sound dies down and every movement stops. A majestic voice asks a question and replies to it, as there is no one else to ask or reply: “With whom does sovereignty rest today?”… “With God, the One who holds absolute sway over all that exists.
“This day each soul will be requited for what it has earned: No injustice will be done today. God is swift in reckoning.”
An air of awe, heightened by silence spreads. All creatures listen and realize; everything is settled, the reckoning is over. This is in harmony with what the surah said at the outset about those who dispute God’s revelations: “Let it not deceive you that they seem to be able to do as they please on earth.”
This is the end of unjustified arrogance, tyranny and injustice, as well as of wealth and affluence. The surah instructs the Prophet (peace be upon him) to warn his people about this day. The instruction is given against a backdrop of an image of the Day of Resurrection when God sits alone for judgment. Up till now the surah has not addressed people directly; instead it used a reporting style.
The surah describes the Day of Judgment as ever drawing near, and we perceive it to be hastening toward us. Souls are in distress, pressing against people’s throats. They try to suppress their worries and fears, and the effort is difficult. Nevertheless, they can find no one to support or protect them. No one can put up a word of intercession that finds response from anyone. They stand in full view; nothing can conceal their reality. Even a stealthy glance and a heart’s secret is brought into the open: “God is well aware of the most stealthy glance, and of everything the heart would conceal.” An eye looking stealthily will try hard to conceal its stealthy gaze, but God is well aware of it. A secret may be hidden safely in one’s soul, but it is not hidden from God who knows it all. On that day, it is God only who passes judgment in fairness. Their alleged deities have nothing to do with such judgment: “God will judge in accordance with truth and justice, whereas those whom they invoke besides Him cannot judge at all.” His judgment is based on perfect knowledge and full awareness. He will not entertain any injustice for anyone, and He forgets nothing: “God alone hears all and sees all.”
– By Naushad Shamim Al-Haq
Virtues Of Reciting The Holy Quran, And It’s Surahs And Verses
From Al Hisnul Haseen
By Allama Muhammad ibn Muhammad Al Jazari Ash Shafeee
The Holy Quran should be recited daily. Here under is mentioned some Ahadeeth with regards the excellence of reciting the Holy Quran:
Recite the Holy Quran for It will come as an intercessor for its reciter on the Day of Judgement.
Allah Taala says: If anyone finds no time for My remembrance and for begging My favors due to remaining engaged in the recitation of the Quran, I shall give him more than what I give to all those who beg favors of Me. The superiority of the Word of Allah over all other words is like the superiority of Allah over the entire creation.
Learn the Quran and recite it, because the example of one who learns the Quran, reads it and recites it in Tahajjud is like an open bag full of musk whose fragrance permeates the entire place. And the person who has learnt the Quran but sleeps while the Quran is in the heart is like a bag full of musk but with its mouth closed.
Whoever recites one letter of the Book of Allah, for him and one blessing is equal to tenfold the like thereof in its reward. I do not say that Alif Laam Meem is one letter, but Alif is one letter, Laam is one letter and Meem is one letter.
Envy is not permitted except in respect of two persons one whom Allah blesses with the recitation of the Quran and he remains engaged in it day and night, and the other is one who given abundance of wealth by Allah and he spends it (in Allahs path) day and night.
It will be said to the reciter of the Quran (on the Day of Qiyaamah): Go on reciting the Quran and continue ascending the stages of Jannah; and recite it in the slow manner as you had been reciting it in the worldly life: your final abode will be where you reach at the time of the last aayah of your recitation.
One who recites the Quran and he is well versed in it (i.e. its recitation), he will be in the company of those angels who are scribes, noble and righteous; and one who falters in its recitation and has to exert himself, gets a double reward.
The Excellence Of Surah Fatihah
Some Ahadeeth pertaining to the excellence of Surah Faatihah:
Surah Faatihah is the greatest and most virtuous Surah of the Quran; it consists of the Saba mathaani (seven verses which are repeatedly recited) and it (Surah Fatihah) represent the Grand Quran.
I have been given the Faatihatul Kitaab (Opening Verses) from the treasures beneath the Throne.
Once while Jibreel (AS) was seated with Rasoolullah (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim), he suddenly heard from above, a sound of (something) cracking. He lifted his head and said: This is an angel descending to the earth and never (before this did he descend but this day. This angel greeted and said: Be pleased with two (sources of) noor which no other Nabi before you had been given: Fatihatul Kitab and the Khawateem (Closing Two Verses) of Surah Baqarah; you will not recite even one letter of these without being given a reward for it.
The Excellence Of Surah Baqarah
The Shaytaan runs away from the house wherein Surah Baqarah is recited.
Recite Surah Baqarah for its recitation is a source of blessings and its forsaking is a source of regret and only useless people are unable to recite it.
Everything has a hump and the hump of the Quran is Surah Baqarah.
One who recites Surah Baqarah at night, the Shaytaan will not visit his home for three nights; and anyone who recites it in the day, the Shaytaan will not visit his home for three days.
I have been given the Surah Baqarah from the Lawhim Mahfoozh (in particular).
Nazool E Quran Ka Shafaf Nizam
Surah Al-Maidah Kay Fazail
Surah Ikhlas Kay Fazail
Nothing Escapes God’s Knowledge
The unbelievers say: “What! After we have become dust, we and our forefathers, shall we be brought back (to life)” We have been promised this before, we and our forefathers! This is nothing but fables of the ancients.” Say: “Go all over the earth and see what happened in the end to the guilty.”
Do not grieve over them, nor be distressed by what they scheme. They ask: “When will this promise be fulfilled, if what you say be true?” Say: “It may well be that something of that which you so hastily demand has already drawn close to you.” Your Lord is indeed most bountiful to people, but most of them are ungrateful. And indeed your Lord knows all that their hearts conceal and all that they bring into the open. There is nothing that is hidden in the heavens or the earth but is recorded in a clear book. (The Ants; Al-Naml: 27: 67-75).
Resurrection and the life to come make up the most difficult point to accept by the unbelievers. They reject this argument completely, claiming that since their forefathers were similarly warned and nothing happened to bring them back to life, then all claims about the hereafter are baseless. In order to emphasize their rejection of this concept, they hasten the coming of the punishment unbelievers are threatened with.
In a short verse, the surah gives an impression of the forthcoming horror, imparting a touch of ridicule of their attitude: “Say: It may well be that something of that which you so hastily demand has already drawn close to you.” Thus the surah strikes fear in their hearts and makes them worry about the impending punishment. It could easily be close coming from behind, like someone riding behind another. Yet they cannot perceive it. Thus, they are hastening it when it is closely overtaking them. What a frightening surprise to fit their ridicule.
But who can tell? What God has kept for Himself will remain hidden behind a curtain that reveals nothing whatsoever. Something very serious, extremely terrible could be moments away. It is wise, then, to be warned and to be ready at all times to what may lie behind the thick curtains.
“Your Lord is indeed most bountiful to people, but most of them are ungrateful.” Perhaps one of the most important aspects of God’s bounty is that He allows people respite when they do wrong or fail to do what is required of them. He does not hasten His punishment, giving them chance after chance to reflect on their position, repent of their mistakes, and turn back to the right path. Nevertheless, most of them are ungrateful for the grace God bestows on them. Rather, they ridicule the whole idea and hasten their own punishment, or continue in their erring ways, refusing to reflect and take heed. “And indeed your Lord knows all that their hearts conceal and all that they bring into the open.” He gives them this respite although He is fully aware of the feelings they harbor in their hearts as also what they declare by word and deed. This means that the respite is given them in the full knowledge of their actions and feelings. But they will inevitably have to face the reckoning of all this.
This round concludes with a statement emphasizing God’s perfect knowledge that overlooks nothing anywhere in the universe: “There is nothing that is hidden in the heavens or the earth but is recorded in a clear book.” Let imagination travel anywhere in the universe, thinking of any hidden thing: A secret, object, piece of news or information, force or power; it is all recorded and included in God’s knowledge. Nothing is lost or overlooked. God’s knowledge is emphasized throughout the surah, and this reference to it here is just one of many.
Having emphasized the point on God’s perfect knowledge, the surah moves on to speak about the differences among the Children of Israel on fundamental issues. What the Qur’an states concerning these differences is part of God’s knowledge, and it provides the final, indisputable word on these issues. It is an example of how God judges between people in dispute. This is stated so that it provides some comfort to the Prophet so that he would leave them to God to judge between them as He pleases.
“This Qur’an explains to the Children of Israel most of that over which they disagree.”
The Christians have long been in dispute concerning Jesus Christ and Mary, his mother. Some said that the Christ was purely human, while others maintained that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are three different forms in which God reveals Himself to mankind. They allege that God is made of these three elements, making Jesus the Son. Thus, God the Father came down in the form of the Holy Spirit and took human form inside Mary and was born in the form of Jesus. Others still said that the Son is not eternal like the Father, but created in this world. As such, he is of a lower status than the Father and subject to Him. A different group denied that the Holy Spirit was one of the three elements. The Council of Nicaea held in 325 AD and the Council of Constantinople held in 381 decided that the Son and the Holy Spirit are equal to the Father in divinity. It further decided that the Son was born from the Father in eternity and that the Holy Spirit emanates from the Father. Likewise, the Council of Toledo, held in 589, also made the same decision concerning the Holy Spirit. The Eastern and Western Churches split over this point, and continued to differ. The Qur’an gives the final word to end all such disputes. It describes the Christ as God’s ‘Word that He gave to Mary and a soul from Him.’ (4: 171) He is certainly a human being, no more: ‘He was nothing but a servant of Ours whom We had graced and whom We had made an example for the Children of Israel.’ (43: 59)
Signs Are Everywhere
In the Name of God, the Lord of Grace, the Ever Merciful
Ha. Mim. This book is bestowed from on high by God, the Almighty, the Wise. Surely, in the heavens and the earth there are signs for those who believe. And in your own creation, and in the animals God scatters on earth there are signs for people of sure faith. And in the alternation of night and day, and in the means of subsistence God sends down from the skies, reviving with it the earth after it had been lifeless, and in the shifting of the winds there are signs for those who use their reason. (Kneeling Down; Al-Jathiyah: 45: 1-5)
The surah begins by mentioning the revelation of this book, the Qur’an, by God, the Almighty, the Wise after having introduced the two separate Arabic letters Ha, Mim, to point to this book’s source. In speaking about the separate letters introduced at the beginning of a number of surahs, we mentioned in the past that they highlight the fact that the Qur’an is composed of the letters forming the Arab’s own language, yet they cannot produce even a very small portion like it. This, then, constitutes permanent evidence that the Qur’an is bestowed from on high by God, the Almighty who can do whatever He wishes, the Wise who creates everything according to a certain measure and to serve a particular purpose. This is an apt comment that fits the ambience of the surah and its discussion of different types of people.
Before speaking about the unbelievers and their attitude toward the Qur’an, the surah refers to signs pointing to the Creator that are available everywhere in the world around them. Alone, these signs should have been enough to direct them to believe in God. Now, the surah turns their minds to such signs so that they may open their hearts to them and realize that it is God who has bestowed this book from on high and that it is He who has created this great universe: “Surely, in the heavens and the earth there are signs for those who believe.” The signs scattered everywhere in the heavens and the earth are not limited to any area or situation. Wherever we look around us we find signs. Is there anything in this wonderful universe that is not a sign pointing to its great Maker?
The Importance of Reciting Surah Ya-Sin
SURAH Ya-Sin, the 36th Surah of the Qur’an , is undoubtedly one of the most important Surahs. Often referred to as the heart of the Qur’an, it deals with important concepts and beliefs of Islam. It speaks of divine signs in the universe and nature, and the phenomena of death, resurrection, and final reckoning. Because of its vivid descriptions of these and other matters, its reading is highly recommended, even more than other Surahs of the Qur’an, at certain times and in certain circumstances.
As stated in a report by Abu Ya`la on the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said , “Whoever reads Ya-Sin at night (before retiring to bed) will be waking up while being forgiven of his or her sins.”
In another report by Imam Ahmad on the authority of Ma`qal Bin Yasar, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Read it (Ya-Sin) on those among you who are nearing death.”
In light of the above and similar reports, scholars have said that one of the salient characteristics of Surah Ya-Sin is that its reading helps ease hardships and difficulties; its recital by the bedside of those in the throes of death is hoped to be a source of descent of Allah’s mercy and blessings upon them, thus eventually aiding in the easy release of the soul from body.
Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “Great scholars and teachers used to say that reading Ya-Sin will help ease the difficulties that a dying person experiences.”
And finally, Al-Hafiz Al-Bazzar reports on the authority of Ibn Abbas that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “I wish that it (Ya-Sin) is fully retained in the heart of every member of my Ummah (community).”
In conclusion, Ya-Sin is undoubtedly one of the great Surahs of the Qur’an; its reading is considered to be highly beneficial and spiritually rewarding. It is important to memorize the entire Surah; it is also important to read it as often as one can, and more especially, while attending those who are nearing death.
May Allah, the most Exalted and Glorious, fill our hearts with the love of the Glorious Qur’an. May the Infinitely Merciful One make the Qur’an the spring of our hearts, a soothing balm and healer of all our spiritual ailments and worries, our guide and light in our earthly life, and a companion and source of comfort for us in our graves, and finally our escort to Paradise, the eternal realm of bliss that Allah has promised His righteous servants.
Allah’s Attribute Of Forgiveness
This is the first of seven surahs that all begin with the two separate letters, Ha. Mim. In one of these seven surahs three other separate letters, Ayn Sin Qaf, are added after the initial two. Some surahs start with these separate letters, thereby indicating that the Qur’an, which defies imitation, is composed of such letters which the Arabs used every day, orally and in writing, in their language.
This is followed by a statement of a fact that is frequently used in Makkan surahs given these seek to establish faith: the fact of revelation: “The revelation of this book is from God, the Almighty, the All-Knowing.” A number of God’s attributes are then stated. These are directly relevant to the subject matter of the surah and the issues it discusses: “the Almighty, the All-Knowing, who forgives sins, accepts repentance, is severe in retribution and limitless in bounty. There is no deity other than Him. To Him is the ultimate return.” (Verses 2-3) In fact all the issues the surah raises relate to these attributes of God, powerfully stated at the outset to give an impression that they are well and firmly established.
Limitless in His glory, God outlines to His servants these of His attributes that have a profound effect on their lives. Thus, He raises their hopes and fears, making them feel that they are within His grasp and can never elude what He wills. The attributes highlighted here are:
The Almighty: He is overpowering. No one can get the better of Him, while He has power over all things. When He decides something, nothing can stop this from occurring.
The All-Knowing: He conducts all affairs on the basis of perfect knowledge. Nothing is hidden from Him.
He forgives sins: He grants His forgiveness on the basis of His knowledge about those servants who deserve to be forgiven.
He accepts repentance: When sinners repent, He accepts their repentance and bestows His grace on them, opening the door for them to address Him directly.
He is severe in retribution: He punishes the arrogant who are hardened in sin, unwilling to show regret or seek forgiveness.
Limitless in bounty: He bestows His limitless grace, multiplies the reward for good deeds and gives without reckoning.
There is no deity other than Him: He alone is the Godhead who has no partners or equals.
To Him is the ultimate return: None can evade meeting Him or escape accountability.
These attributes provide a clear outline of the interrelation between Him and His servants. They should be clear in their feelings, thoughts and understanding of how to deal with Him. Then, they will have no ambiguity about what pleases Him or incurs His anger.
In the past, those who held beliefs based on legends were at a loss in knowing how to deal with their deities, because they had no clear idea of what pleased or angered them. They pictured them as impulsive, having no clear aim or purpose, demonstrating violent reactions and causing people much worry and confusion. They resorted to charms and sacrifices in their attempts to please such deities, but could only guess about whether they were satisfied or not. By contrast, Islam provides a very clear concept, establishing a relationship between people and their true Lord, outlining His attributes, defining His will, and instructing them on how to draw closer to Him, fear His punishment and pray for His mercy, always following a straight and clear path.
Having established the truth of God’s oneness and His divine attributes, the surah makes clear that this truth is accepted by all creatures. It is, in fact, firmly rooted in their nature and directly related to the nature of the universe. All creation is entirely convinced by the signs testifying to God’s oneness. Only the unbelievers dispute these signs and argue about God’s revelations. Thus they are a class apart, choosing to be at odds with the universe and all other creatures within it.
“None but the unbelievers dispute God’s revelations.”
Throughout the entire expanse of the universe, only the unbelievers stand apart, deviating from the true path. In relation to the whole universe, they are weaker and less significant than an ant in relation to planet earth. When they stand on their own disputing God’s revelations and denying His signs, the rest of the universe declares its acceptance of Him and recognizes His oneness, deriving its strength from Him. With their odd attitude, the unbelievers’ fate is sealed, no matter how powerful, affluent and mighty they may appear to be: “Let it not deceive you that they seem to be able to do as they please on earth.” They may be able to move about, gather wealth, enjoy their power and revel in easy living. However, they are ultimately doomed. The battle, if there could ever be a battle between them and the Creator of the universe, will lead to its inevitable end.
-by Adil Salahi