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Al-Nasr (Victory)

This surah was revealed towards the latter days of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)’s life and was understood by the more adroit of his Companions as a portent for his impending departure from this world. It says:

When God’s succor comes, and victory is complete, and you [Muhammad (peace be upon him)] see people coming to God’s faith in their multitudes, give glory to your Lord and seek His forgiveness. (1–3)

Muhammad (peace be upon him) was being urged to devote more time to praising God and pleading for His

Lessons We Can Learn from Surah Luqman

Besides the Prophets, in the Quran, Allah Almighty also reckons the existence and presence of wise people in the Quran who, although they were not Prophets,but Allah Almighty blessed them with wisdom and respect. One of such people mentioned in the Quran is Hakim Luqman.

Hakim Luqman is renowned as one of the wisest men among Muslims. He has had the honor of being mentioned in the Quran for His wisdom and the lessons he gave to his son. Although the origin and his stature as a person are not clearly known, however, all the Muslim scholars agree on the fact that he was one of the wisest people to have lived on earth.

In the Quran, Allah Almighty says about Hakim Luqman in the following way:
“And indeed We bestowed upon Luqman Al-Hakim (wisdom and religious understanding, etc.) saying: “Give thanks to Allah,” and whoever gives thanks, he gives thanks for (the good of) his own self. And whoever is unthankful, then verily, Allah is All-Rich (free of all wants), Worthy of all praise.” (31:12)

From this ayah, it is clear that Allah Almighty provided wisdom and guidance to Luqman, for which he was always grateful to Allah Almighty and was one of His servants. The advice which he gave to his son, which can be regarded as lessons, is given below.

Worship Allah Only:
In the Quran, Allah Almighty says: “And (remember) when Lukman said to his son when he was advising him: “O my son! Join not in worship others with Allah. Verily! Joining others in worship with Allah is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed.” (31:13)

The first advice that Luqman gave to his son was to worship Allah Almighty only and not take anyone else equal in worship with him. It is the basis of the Islamic belief, and everyone who has a little bit of wisdom would realize the fact that there is only one God and that is Allah, and there is none who is equal to Him. Thus, Muslims must take the lesson from it that reckoning Allah as the only Lord is a sign of wisdom, and those who don’t do so are wrong indeed.

Respect The Parents:
In the Quran, Allah Almighty says: “And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years– give thanks to Me and to your parents, – unto Me is the final destination.”(31:14)

The second lesson to be learned from Surah Luqman is being respectful to parents. Allah Almighty clearly mentions that one needs to be thankful to both the parents and Allah Almighty; therefore, what parents do is not their duty, rather they deserve special thanks from the children.

However, in the second ayah of the sequence, Allah Almighty clearly mentions that if both the parents try to prevent a person from worshiping Allah or make him or her worship someone else, then in that case a person is not to oblige to parents and leave all their compulsion and enforcement wisely with kind words and continue following the path of Allah Almighty. Therefore, in no case should a person be rude to the parents. One should obey them, but when it comes to worshiping Allah, there should be no compromise made, but still with kindness and politeness.

Deeds Get Rewarded:
Further in the Surah, Luqman says to his son: “O my son! If it is (anything) equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it is in a rock, or in the heavens, or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Verily, Allah is Subtle (in bringing out that grain), Well-Aware (of its place).” (31:16)

This ayah gives the lesson that deeds always get rewarded. Regardless of whether it is a small deed done in public or a small deed done in isolation, it will get rewarded, and Allah Almighty will definitely do justice for whatever actions a person has committed on the day of judgment.

Offer Prayers and Do Good:
The next ayah of Surah Luqman talks about offering prayer, in which Hakim Luqman said: “O my son! Aqim-is-Salat (offer prayer perfectly), enjoin (people) for Almaruf, and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar, and bear with patience whatever befalls you. Verily! These are some important commandments ordered by Allah with no exemption.” (31:17)

From this ayah, it is clear that a person should offer prayers regularly, do good, forbid evil, and be patient in whatever Allah Almighty sends on a person. If these four elements are analyzed, these are the true essence of Islam, and the objective of it is to make a person stick to the path of righteousness, abhor evil, and always remain patient in adversity, which shows how strong a faith a person has in Allah Almighty.

Conclusion:
In a nutshell, the recitation of Surah Luqman with translation gives lessons that every Muslim must try to incorporate in his or her life in order to ensure that the life spent is on the path of righteousness and one remains spiritually pure and wise.

Death And Hereafter In Islam

“Every soul shall taste death. Qur’an 29:57

Death is Near
“Wheresoever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you are in fortresses built up strong and high!” Qur’an 4:78
Death is the reality from which none can escape. It draws nearer every day; every hour; every minute. According to the CIA’s The World Factbook, almost two people die each second. That’s a staggering 57.9 million people each year! Every single being will reach this inescapable fate, regardless of their age, health, background, social status, or piety. Where are the past kings, the billionaires, and the powerful? Where are the once beautiful, the famous, and the intellectual elite?

The Reality of Death
Death is not a disaster, but simply a passing from this world to the next. It should make us reflect and ponder about the purpose of life, and what will become of us after death.

Allah (God) has informed us in the Qur’an that He has created us with the purpose of worshipping Him alone and that He made this life a test to see who will fulfil that purpose: “And I did not create the Jinn and mankind except to worship Me. Qur’an 51:56

God has also informed us of the purpose behind the creation of death and life: “Allah is He who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed.” Qur’an 67:2

One does not prepare for death by pre-paying funeral services or selecting a coffin in advance. It is about fulfilling one’s purpose in life – to worship Allah alone, to live according to His commandments, and perform good deeds. The concept of worship in Islam is all-encompassing and is not merely restricted to praying. In fact, any action that is pleasing to Allah is considered an act of worship, and a person will be rewarded for it.

Thee Alone We Worship

[Quran – 1:5] “Thee alone we worship and to Thee alone we pray for help.”

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said:
[Bukhari, Book #2, Hadith #50] “Do you know what is meant by believing in Allah alone?” They replied, “Allah and His Apostle know better.” Thereupon, the Prophet said, “It means:
1. To testify that none has the right to be worshiped but Allah, and that Muhammad is Allah’s Apostle.
2. To offer prayers perfectly
3. To pay the Zakat (obligatory charity)
4. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.
5. And to pay Al-Khumus (one-fifth of the booty to be given in Allah’s Cause).
Then he forbade them four things, namely, Hantam, Dubba,’ Naqir Ann Muzaffat or Muqaiyar; (These were the names of pots in which Alcoholic drinks were prepared) (The Prophet mentioned the container of wine, and he meant the wine itself). The Prophet further said (to them): “Memorize them (these instructions) and convey them to the people whom you have left behind.”

[Muslim, Book #001, Hadith #0023] “I direct you to affirm belief in Allah alone, and then asked them: Do you know what belief in Allah really implies? They said: Allah and His Messenger know best. The Prophet said: It implies testimony to the fact that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, establishment of prayer, payment of Zakat, fast of Ramadan, that you pay one-fifth of the booty (fallen to your lot) and I forbid you to use gourd, wine jar, or a receptacle for wine. Shu’ba sometimes narrated the word naqir (wooden pot) and sometimes narrated it as muqayyar. The Holy Prophet also said: Keep it in your mind and inform those who have been left behind.”

All Deeds Are Based On Intention

A Muslim believes in the great importance of intention and its importance for the reminder of his deeds, both in this world and the Hereafter. This is so because all deeds are based on intention. Due to it, the deed is strengthened or weakened. Depending on the intention, the deed is either valid or void. The belief of the Muslim, concerning the necessity of intention for every deed and the obligation to make the intention proper, is based first of all on Allah’s words: “And they were commanded not but that they should worship Allah and worship none but Him alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him).” [Noble Quran 98:5]

Allah has also said: “Say (O Muhammad): ‘Verily, I am commanded to worship Allah (alone) by obeying Him and doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake only.” [Noble Quran 39:11]

This belief is also based on Allah’s Messenger’s words: “Verily, all actions are but driven by intention, and for everyone is what he intended.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) also said: “Certainly, Allah does not look at your shapes or wealth. But He only looks at your heart and deeds.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Looking at the hearts is looking at the intentions, for it is the intention driving and motivating force behind the deed. Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) also said: “He who seriously considered doing a good deed but did not do it, will have one good deed recorded for him.” [Muslim]

Just seriously considering a good deed is a good deed itself by which one earns a reward. This is due to the virtuousness of having a proper intention. Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) also said: “There are four types of people: one is a man whom Allah has given knowledge and wealth. He acts with respect to his wealth based on his knowledge. Another person says that if Allah had given him similar to what He gave the first man, he would have acted in the same fashion. The reward for both of them will be the same. A third person is one, to whom Allah gives wealth, but He does not give knowledge. Therefore, he spends money according to his desire. Another man says that if Allah had given him, what He had given that person, he would have acted in the same manner. These two will have the same burden upon them.” [Ibn Majah with a good chain]

The one who has a pious intention is rewarded for a good deed and the one who has an evil intention will bear its burden just like the one who did an impious deed. All of that is due to intention alone.

Non-Combatant receive a reward like that of a Combatant
At the Battle of Tabuk, Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There are people concerning whom you do not travel any distance, nor do you spend anything, nor do you pass any valley, but they are with you in that matter.” The people said, “How is that?” He said, “They have been restrained due to some excuse, but they are with us because of good intention.” [Bukhari and Abu Dawud]

Good intention is what makes the non-combatant equal in reward to the combatant. It is what makes the non-Mujahid receive a reward like that of a Mujahid.

Murderer and murdered will be in Hell
Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) also said: “If two Muslims meet each other with their swords, then both the killer and the killed will be in the Hell-fire.” Someone said, “O Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), that is the case of the killer, but why should that be the case for the killed?” He answered, “Because he wanted to kill his companion.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

The impious intention and evil desire have made both fighters equal in deserving the Hell-fire. If the killed did not have that evil intention, he would have been from the inhabitants of Paradise.

The intention is the soul of the deed and its value
Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) states: “The one who marries based on a dower that he has no intention of paying is, in fact, a fornicator. And one, who takes a loan that he has no intention of repaying, is, in fact, a thief.” [Ahmad]

Therefore, an evil intention can transform a permissible deed into a forbidden one. It can also change a deed that is free from any harm into a harmful deed.

All of the above emphasize what a Muslim believes concerning the seriousness of intention and its extreme importance. Therefore, he bases all of his deeds upon a pious intention. He also strives his best not to perform any deed without any intention or with an impure intention. The intention is the soul of the deed and its value. The deed is sound if the intention is sound, and the deed is wicked if the intention is wicked. The one who performs the deeds without intention is done for show.

Intention is the driving force in the heart towards a deed that is in accord with a sound goal
Furthermore, a Muslim believes that intention is an essential component of deeds and a condition for the validity of the deed. He also knows that the intention is not simply the statement of the tongue, “O Allah, I intend such and such….” Nor is it simply a thought in the mind. Instead, it is the driving force in the heart towards a deed that is in accord with a sound goal of bringing about the benefit or repelling harm, presently or in the future. It is also the will that directs a person a deed for the sake of Allah and fulfill His Commands.

A Muslim, therefore, also believes that a permissible act may become an act of obedience, worthy of reward and recompense. At the same time, an act of obedience, if it is void of a pious intention, becomes an act of disobedience worthy of punishment and burden. He also does not believe that an act of disobedience can be changed into an act of obedience simply due to a good intention.

For example, the one who backbites a person just to make another person feel better has disobeyed Allah and has sinned. His “good intention” will not benefit him at all in consideration with Allah, the one who builds a mosque, with money from prohibited sources, will not be rewarded. A deed is not transformed by a pious intention into an act of obedience unless it was something permissible in the Shari’ah in the first place. As for a forbidden act, it never becomes an act of obedience under any circumstances whatsoever.

The Prophet said, “He who lets the people hear of his good deeds intentionally, to win their praise, Allah will let the people know his real intention (on the Day of Resurrection), and he who does good things in public to show off and win the praise of the people, Allah will disclose his real intention (and humiliate him). [Bukhari]

Righteous Deeds Essential For Entry To Paradise

[ALLAH’S Quran – 4:122] “As for those who have faith and do righteous deeds, We shall soon admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow to live therein forever. This is the promise of Allah, true indeed, and who can be truer in his words than Allah?

The Prophet (peace be upon him) has said :
[Bukhari, Book #23, Hadith #480] “Narrated Abu Huraira: A Bedouin came to the Prophet and said, “Tell me of such a deed as will make me enter paradise, if I do it.” The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “Worship Allah, and worship none along with Him, offer the (five) prescribed compulsory prayers perfectly, pay the compulsory zakat, and fast the month of Ramadan.” The Bedouin said, “By Him, in Whose Hands my life is, I will not do more than this.” When he (the Bedouin) left, the Prophet said, “Whoever likes to see a man of paradise, then he may look at this man.”

[Muslim, Book #001, Hadith #0014] “It is reported on the authority of Abu Huraira that a bedouin came to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and said: Messenger of Allah, direct me to a deed by which I may be entitled to enter paradise. Upon this he (the Holy Prophet) remarked: You worship Allah and never associate anything with Him, establish the obligatory prayer, and pay the zakat which is incumbent upon you, and observe the fast of Ramadan. He (the bedouin) said: By Him in Whose hand is my life, I will never add anything to it, nor will I diminish anything from it. When he (the bedouin) turned his back, the Prophet (may peace be upon him) said: He who is pleased to see a man from the dwellers of paradise should catch a glimpse of him.”

Prostrate Yourselves Unto Allah

[ALLAH’S Quran – 41:37] “Among His signs are the day and the night, the sun and the moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or the moon, but prostrate to Allah, Who created them all, if you truly worship Him alone”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) has said:
[Bukhari, Book #2, Hadith #50] “Do you know what is meant by believing in Allah alone?” They replied, “Allah and His Apostle know better.” Thereupon the Prophet said, It means:
1. To testify that none has the right to be worshiped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah’s Apostle.
2. To offer prayers perfectly
3. To pay the Zakat (obligatory charity)
4. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.
5. And to pay Al-Khumus (one-fifth of the booty to be given in Allah’s Cause).

Then he forbade them four things, namely, Hantam, Dubba,’ Naqir Ann Muzaffat or Muqaiyar; (These were the names of pots in which Alcoholic drinks were prepared) (The Prophet mentioned the container of wine, and he meant the wine itself). The Prophet further said (to them): “Memorize them (these instructions) and convey them to the people whom you have left behind.”

Islamic Call

The propagation of Islam was the mission of all the prophets and messengers of Allah. There was never a prophet who was not a preacher and teacher. They all preached the same message: ‘Worship Allah, you have no other god but Him.’ They all called to their people, saying: ‘I do not seek any reward from you for this work.’
There are five premises to the Islamic call, it has five approaches, and its results are also five.

The five premises
First: sincerity and truthfulness with Allah, and to seek His favor. Allah says: ‘And, they were not enjoined aught but that they should worship God, sincere in their faith to Him alone.’ (98:5)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) foretold that the first with whom the fire of hell will be lit are three; among them a scholar who acquired knowledge so that people would say he is learned.

Second: to practice what one preaches. It is a scandal and disgrace that a person’s actions contradict his words. Allah derides such people in His Quran: ‘Do you bid other people to be pious, the while you forget your own selves – and yet you recite the divine writ? Will you not, then, use your reason?’ (Qur’an 2:44)

Third: gentleness in presenting the message. Allah advised Musa and Haroon (peace be upon them both) to adopt this measure with Pharaoh, the greatest tyrant of his time: ‘But speak unto him in a mild manner, so that he might bethink himself or [at least] be filled with apprehension.’ (Qur’an 20:44)

And to Prophet Muhammad, He also cautioned: ‘And it was by God’s grace that thou [O Prophet] didst deal gently with thy followers; for if thou hadst been harsh and hard of heart, they would indeed have broken away from thee’ (Qur’an 3:159).

Hence, it was on this basis the Prophet, declared: ‘Make matters easy and do not make them difficult. Give glad tidings and do not drive people away.’

Fourth: adopt a gradual approach to propagation. Do as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did in his mission by beginning with the most important matters; then follow them up in order of priority. This was clearly demonstrated in the advice he gave to Muadh (may Allah be pleased with him) before he sent him to Yemen. “You will come upon a People of the Book (Jews and Christians), the first thing you should invite them to is to bear witness that there is no God except Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah. If they respond positively to this, then inform them that Allah had ordained for them five prayers each day and night.”

Fifth: address every person with what is suited for them and their needs. There is a special approach to the people of the cities and another approach to the villagers. Similarly, there is a special approach to the Bedouin. The intellectual has his position and the ignorant has his position. So, too, there is a style for the argumentative and an entirely different one for the submissive. ‘And whoever is granted wisdom has indeed been granted wealth abundant.’

The five means of propagation
First: the individual method; that is, to invite the person individually if the matter pertains to him specifically.
Second: public or mass propagation, such as in lectures or exhortations that benefit the generality of people.
Third: private lessons to students each in his specialty. This is the task of the scholars who specialize in their disciplines.
Fourth: propagation through writing, correspondence, and authorship with guidance and benefit for those who are called.
Fifth: propagation using modern means of communication to advance the cause of truth or any means within your own individual capacity.

Compiled From:
“Thirty Lessons For Those Who Fast” – A’id Abdullah al-Qarnee

Verily, I Am Allah There Is No God But I…

[Quran – 20:14] “Verily! I am Allah! La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so worship Me, and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) for My Remembrance”

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said: [Muslim, Book#001, Hadith #0047] “It is narrated on the authority of Mu’adh b. Jabal that he observed: I was riding behind the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) on an ass known as ‘Ufair. He (Mu’adh) observed: He (the Holy Prophet) said: Mu’adh, do you know what right has Allah over His bondsmen and what right have His bondsmen over Him? Mu’adh added: I replied: Allah and his Messenger know best. Upon this, the Holy Prophet remarked: The right of Allah over His bondsmen is that they should worship Allah and should not associate anything with Him, and the right of His bondsmen over Allah, Glorious and Sublime, is that He does not punish him who associates not anything with Him. He (Mu’adh) added: I said to the Messenger of Allah: Should I then give the tidings to the people? He (the Holy Prophet) said: Do not tell them this good news, for they would trust in it alone.”

[Bukhari, Book #72, Hadith #850] “Narrated Mu’adh bin Jabal While I was riding behind the Prophet and between me and him and between me and him there was only the back of the saddle, he said, “O Mu’adh!” I replied, “Labbaik, O Allah’s Apostle, and Sa’daik!” he said, “Do you know what is Allah’s right upon his slave?” I said, “Allah and His Apostle know best” He said, “Allah’s right upon his slaves is that they should worship Him alone and not worship anything else besides Him.” Then he proceeded for a while and then said, “O Muadh bin Jabal!” I replied, “Labbaik, O Allah’s Apostle: Sa’daik!’ He said, “Do you know what is the right of the slaves upon Allah if they do that?” I replied, “Allah and His Apostle know best.” He said, “The right of the slaves upon Allah is that He will not punish them (if they do that).”

[Sunan Abu Dawud, Book #9, Hadith #1577] “Narrated Abdullah ibn Mu’awiyah al-Ghadiri: Abu Dawud said: I read in a document possessed by Abdullah ibn Salim at Hims: Abdullah ibn Mu’awiyah al-Ghadiri reported the Prophet (peace be upon him) as saying: He who performs three things will have the taste of the faith. (They are:) One who worships Allah alone and one believes that there is no god but Allah; and one who pays the zakat on his property agreeably every year. One should not give an aged animal, nor one suffering from itch or ailing, and one most condemned, but one should give animals of medium quality, for Allah did not demand from you the best of your animals, nor did He command you to give the animals of worst quality.”

Worship And Fear Allah Alone

[Allah’s Quran – 16:51] “Do not Worship two gods, He is One and only, and therefore, fear Me and keep in awe of Me alone.”

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said:
[Bukhari, Book #2, Hadith#47] “Narrated Abu Huraira: One day while the Prophet was sitting in the company of some people,
(The angel) Gabriel came and asked, “What is faith?”
Allah’s Apostle replied, ‘Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, (the) meeting with Him, His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection.”
Then he further asked, “What is Islam?”
Allah’s Apostle replied, “To worship Allah alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly to pay the compulsory charity (Zakat), and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan.”
Then he further asked, “What is Ihsan (perfection)?”
Allah’s Apostle replied, “To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is looking at you.”
Then he further asked, “When will the Hour be established?”
Allah’s Apostle replied, “The answerer has no better knowledge than the questioner. But I will inform you about its portents.
1. When a slave (lady) gives birth to her master.
2. When the shepherds of black camels start boasting and competing with others in the construction of higher buildings. And the Hour is one of five things which nobody knows except Allah. The Prophet then recited: “Verily, with Allah (alone), is the knowledge of the Hour–.” (31. 34)

Then that man (Gabriel) left and the Prophet asked his companions to call him back, but they could not see him. Then the Prophet said, “That was Gabriel who came to teach the people their religion.” Abu ‘Abdullah said: He (the Prophet) considered all that as a part of faith.”

[Muslim, Book #9, Hadith #1577] “[It is narrated on the authority of (‘Abdullah) son of ‘Umar, that the Holy Prophet (may peace of Allah be upon him) said: (The superstructure of) al-Islam is raised on five (pillars), i. e. Allah (alone) should be worshipped, and (all other gods) beside Him should be (categorically) denied. Establishment of prayer, the payment of Zakat, Pilgrimage to the House, and the fast of Ramadan (are the other obligatory acts besides the belief in the oneness of Allah and denial of all other gods).”

[Abudawud, Book #9, Hadith #1577] “Narrated Abdullah ibn Mu’awiyah al-Ghadiri: AbuDawud said: I read in a document possessed by Abdullah ibn Salim at Hims: Abdullah ibn Mu’awiyah al-Ghadiri reported the Prophet (peace be upon him) as saying: He who performs three things will have the taste of the faith. (They are:) One who worships Allah alone and one believes that there is no god but Allah; and one who pays the zakat on his property agreeably every year. One should not give an aged animal, nor one suffering from itch or ailing, and one most condemned, but one should give animals of medium quality, for Allah did not demand from you the best of your animals, nor did He command you to give the animals of worst quality.”