Meanings of the Qur'aan

*Repenting and Seeking forgiveness*

Allah has made the door to repentance extremely expansive. In the Qur'aan, he invites mankind (believers and non-believers) to repent and seek his forgiveness - promising that he will forgive them whatever sins they may have previously committed.

In Soorah al-Zumar, aayah 53, Allah commands his messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم ) to proclaim,

یَـٰعِبَادِیَ ٱلَّذِینَ أَسۡرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰۤ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ یَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِیعًاۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِیمُ
"Oh my slaves, those of you who have transgressed upon yourselves, never despair of the mercy of Allah. No doubt, Allah forgives all sins for verily he is continually forgiving and merciful".

Mankind will always fall into error and sin - that's the nature they have been created upon. Allah alludes to this when he says in Soorah al-Nisaa, aayah 28…

وَخُلِقَ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنُ ضَعِیفࣰا
"And man has been created weak"

The messenger of Allah elaborated in a hadeeth narrated from him by Anas bin Maalik:

كلُّ ابنِ آدمَ خَطاءٌ وخيرُ الخطائينَ التَّوابونَ
"Every son of Adam makes mistakes but the best of the ones who make mistakes are the repentant ones"

What we learn from these texts is that falling into sin is natural. However, the believers attitude is that we feel the guilt, turn to Allah as quick as possible, and seek his forgiveness. To fall into sin repetitively and depair of Allah's mercy is forbidden. No sin is above Allah's mercy.

The condition is that repentance is sincere. Allah says in Soorah al-Tahreem, aayah 8:

یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ تُوبُوۤا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ تَوۡبَةࣰ نَّصُوحًا
"Oh believers, repent to Allah through sincere repentance"

Therefore, sinning intentionally and planning repentance afterwards is not true sincere repentance - sincere repentance is when one comes to the realisation they have erred/are at fault and want to change their ways. Sincere repentance can be defined as having the following conditions: a) Realisation & regret of the sin, b) Leaving the sin and c) Firm resolve to not return to the sin.

If a person falls into the sin again or into different sins by mistake again, and this is a manifestation of our weakness, one repents again and again. Let the cycle continue, never lose hope in Allah's mercy.

Allah says in Soorah ash-Shoora, aayah 25:

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِی یَقۡبَلُ ٱلتَّوۡبَةَ عَنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ وَیَعۡفُوا۟ عَنِ ٱلسَّیِّـَٔاتِ وَیَعۡلَمُ مَا تَفۡعَلُونَ
"And he is the one who accepts the repentance from his slaves. And he pardons the mistakes while he knows whatever they do"

And Allah knows best

**Fasting**

Allah has made fasting highly encouraged in Islaam in general and obligatory in the month of Ramadhaan. Undoubtedly therefore, fasting must be vastly beneficial for the believer.

Allah says in the Qur'aan, in Soorah Al-Baqara aayah 183,
یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَیۡكُمُ ٱلصِّیَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِینَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ
"Oh you who has submitted, prescribed upon you is fasting, just as it was prescribed upon those before you, so you can acquire god consciousness".

The primary purpose of fasting, as mentioned here, is to acquire/develop تقوى 'Taqwa'. This is usually interpreted as 'God consciousness' or 'fear of Allah'.

When fasting, a believer restricts and controls their need for food & drink - something that is essential to the survival of a human being. By fasting, we enhance our ability to have self-control and regulate our desires. This quality is linked to success in life according to modern research.

We not only control our food & drink intake, but fasting in Islaam has more to it. The messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) stated:

مَن لم يَدَعْ قولَ الزُّورِ والعمَلَ به فليس للهِ حاجةٌ أن يدَعَ طعامَهُ وشرابَهُ
"Whoever doesn't refrain from ill speech and actions of that nature, then (know that) Allah is in no need of his leaving his food and drink".

Fasting is an act of worship that we are rewarded for, and through which we train ourselves to be submissive to Allah, seek forgiveness for shortcomings and better prepare for living life in a manner pleasing to Allah.

This helps prepare us to live according to the Shareeah, where we also restrict ourselves in some ways, all in obedience to Allah. Fasting therefore makes this task a lot easier as we develop our self control.

Scientifically, fasting has many health benefits such as helping blood pressure control and lowering bad cholesterol levels. It is also linked to improving brain health. Research is still being conducted on these benefits. However, the believer should understand that Allah, the most knowledgeable, knows exactly how fasting works and has prescribed this based on that infinite knowledge and wisdom.

And Allah knows best

**Never despair in the mercy of Allah**

Allah says in Soorah al-Zumar, aayah 53…

قُلۡ یَـٰعِبَادِیَ ٱلَّذِینَ أَسۡرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰۤ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ یَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِیعًاۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِیمُ
'Say (oh Muhammad) to my servants who have harmed themselves by crossing limits, never despair in the mercy of Allah. Indeed Allah forgives all sins. He surely is the extremely forgiving and the merciful'.

No matter how many sins you have committed, no matter how terrible your past is and no matter what limits you may have crossed, it is haraam that you despair in the mercy of Allah at any point.

In this aayah, given that Allah is addressing sinners, Allah still refers to them as 'my' servants, followed by an open invitation to make tawbah.

It is 'never' too late until it is (when death comes) to turn towards Allah. The mercy of Allah is there for everyone to embrace. No one can be sin-free, but the best are those who repent to Allah, just as the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم stated,

كلُّ بني آدمَ خطّاءٌ، وخيرُ الخطائينَ التوابونَ
'Every son of Adam sins, and the best of sinners are those who repent'.

Furthermore, in Soorah al-Nisaa, aayah 110, Allah says,

وَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ سُوءًا أَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ اللَّهَ يَجِدِ اللَّهَ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا
'And whoever commits sins or transgresses against himself but then seeks Allah's forgiveness, he will find Allah forgiving and merciful'.

And Allah knows best

*Isa (Jesus), peace be upon him, in Islaam / Christmas / Celebrations*

He is the prophet and messenger sent by Allah to his people. He was blessed with miracles to support him, such as healing the blind & l***r and blowing life into clay birds - all by the permission of Allah. He was given the ability to speak in the cradle, and was born to a virgin mother - Maryam (Mary), may Allah's peace and blessings be upon her.

The crux of Isa's message is summarised in Soorah aal-Imran, aayah 51, where Allah says he told his people,

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّی وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُۚ هَـٰذَا صِرَ ٰ⁠طࣱ مُّسۡتَقِیمࣱ
"Indeed Allah is my lord and your lord, this is the straight path (creed)"

Just like other prophets & messengers, there were those who acknowledged his message and believed in him, and there were those who didn't - among these, there were those whose belief in him was weak/crooked and therefore prone to manipulation. The erroneous claim that Isa was the son of God, instead of messenger, arose out of this ignorance as they sought worldly benefits.

Allah addresses this claim in Soorah Maryam, aayahs 88-93, among other places in the Qur'aan, when he says,

وَقَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ وَلَدࣰا ۝٨٨ لَّقَدۡ جِئۡتُمۡ شَیۡـًٔا إِدࣰّا ۝٨٩ تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ ٰ⁠تُ یَتَفَطَّرۡنَ مِنۡهُ وَتَنشَقُّ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ وَتَخِرُّ ٱلۡجِبَالُ هَدًّا ۝٩٠ أَن دَعَوۡا۟ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ وَلَدࣰا ۝٩١ وَمَا یَنۢبَغِی لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ أَن یَتَّخِذَ وَلَدًا ۝٩٢ إِن كُلُّ مَن فِی ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ ٰ⁠تِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَّاۤ ءَاتِی ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ عَبۡدࣰا
"And they claimed the most-merciful (Allah) has a son! How atrocious is what they came up with! It almost causes the heavens to rip apart, the earth to split and the mountains to crumble, that they claim for the most-merciful a son. It is not befitting for the most-merciful to take a son. There is nothing in the heavens and earth (existent) except that it is submissive to Allah (as creator & lord)".

In Soorah al-Maidah, aayahs 116-118, Allah informs us how Isa will himself condemn those who concocted such beliefs on the day of judgement.

وَإِذۡ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ یَـٰعِیسَى ٱبۡنَ مَرۡیَمَ ءَأَنتَ قُلۡتَ لِلنَّاسِ ٱتَّخِذُونِی وَأُمِّیَ إِلَـٰهَیۡنِ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِۖ قَالَ سُبۡحَـٰنَكَ مَا یَكُونُ لِیۤ أَنۡ أَقُولَ مَا لَیۡسَ لِی بِحَقٍّۚ إِن كُنتُ قُلۡتُهُۥ فَقَدۡ عَلِمۡتَهُ
"And when Allah will say, Oh Isa son of Maryam, did you say to you your people, 'Take me and my mother as Gods besides Allah? He will say, 'Glory to you (Allah), I have no right to say that which is falsehood, rather you know best about what I (actually) said (which was to worship Allah alone)".

So this is a summary of the creedal difference between Christians and Muslims, which is very significant. Taking Gods/deities besides Allah is the worst of sins as the Qur'aan informs us.

Christmas didn't exist in early Christianity, and therefore neither did the Tree or Santa - and all the other traditions associated with it - they all crept in at different dates. Biblical scholars affirm that the texts indicate Jesus was not even born in winter. The 25th December was chosen to coincide 'conveniently' with a mighty pagan festival to mark the winter solstice. 'Son of God & paganism' easily married together as concepts.

Christmas therefore, which is the celebration to commemorate the birth of Jesus (alleged son of God), is something Muslims do not 'celebrate' for reasons evident above and neither can we 'congratulate' others upon it due to its implications.

However, increasingly as it is, this time of year is more welcomed by many due to having another set of national holidays, time to spend with families and benefit from the sales - and that is what we (Muslims) look forward to.

And Allah knows best

**Children are a great blessing but also an immense responsibility**

Among the greatest blessings of this world is being bestowed with offspring. Allah granted children to his blessed prophets and messengers along with other righteous worshippers.

But one must also acknowledge that children are an important responsibility that parents need to realise. They could be your ticket to paradise but equally to Allah's wrath. Maybe this is why Allah reminds us of this responsibility as follows in the Qur'aan.

In Soorah Al-Anfaal, aayah 27 he says,
وَٱعۡلَمُوۤا۟ أَنَّمَاۤ أَمۡوَ ٰ⁠لُكُمۡ وَأَوۡلَـٰدُكُمۡ فِتۡنَةࣱ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥۤ أَجۡرٌ عَظِیمࣱ
"And be well aware that your wealth and children are only trials for you while with Allah is the greatest reward".

And then in Soorah Saba, aayah 37, he says,
وَمَاۤ أَمۡوَ ٰ⁠لُكُمۡ وَلَاۤ أَوۡلَـٰدُكُم بِٱلَّتِی تُقَرِّبُكُمۡ عِندَنَا زُلۡفَىٰۤ إِلَّا مَنۡ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحࣰا…
"And your wealth and your children are not by which you will get close to Allah, but it is only those who believe and work righteousness…"

And then in Soorah al-Munaafiqoon, aayah 9, he warns us,
یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تُلۡهِكُمۡ أَمۡوَ ٰ⁠لُكُمۡ وَلَاۤ أَوۡلَـٰدُكُمۡ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِۚ وَمَن یَفۡعَلۡ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ فَأُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرُونَ
"Oh you who believe do not allow your wealth and neither your children distract you from the remembrance of Allah, for whoever does that, then they will be among those in great loss"

It is our responsibility that we nurture Islaam within our children. We ought to be role models for them. We must inculcate within them manners befitting a Muslim. We should bring them up upon worshipping Allah through Salaah and giving charity, and educate them.

However, many times today we see that 'nurturing' seems to be understood to be buying them the latest brands & electronics and instilling within them the trait of showing off & acting superior to others, even though not explicitly. As the messenger of Allah said in an authentic hadeeth (paraphrased):

"You are all shepherds… and you will held to account regarding your flocks".

And Allah knows best

***Being bestowed with wealth and offspring are not signs of Allah's love for a person***

In Soorah Saba, aayah 35, Allah says about a people of the past,

وَقَالُوا۟ نَحۡنُ أَكۡثَرُ أَمۡوَ ٰ⁠لࣰا وَأَوۡلَـٰدࣰا وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمُعَذَّبِینَ
"And they would say (to their prophets), we have (been given) wealth and offspring and we won't be punished"

They took it as a sign that they were loved by Allah because he had given them these things. However, Allah continues in aayahs 36-37 saying,

قُلۡ إِنَّ رَبِّی یَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن یَشَاۤءُ وَیَقۡدِرُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا یَعۡلَمُونَ ۝٣٦ وَمَاۤ أَمۡوَ ٰ⁠لُكُمۡ وَلَاۤ أَوۡلَـٰدُكُم بِٱلَّتِی تُقَرِّبُكُمۡ عِندَنَا زُلۡفَىٰۤ إِلَّا مَنۡ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحࣰا فَأُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ لَهُمۡ جَزَاۤءُ ٱلضِّعۡفِ بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَهُمۡ فِی ٱلۡغُرُفَـٰتِ ءَامِنُونَ

"Tell them (Oh prophet) that my lord grants sustenance to whoever he wills and restricts it from whoever he wills, yet most people do not understand. Your wealth and offspring is not what brings you closer to Allah, but (nearness to Allah is for) those who believe and do righteous deeds, they are the ones who will have multiple rewards and will safely reside in lofty dwellings".

Some people today have similar notions regarding being blessed with wealth and offspring. This is not in itself the sign of Allah's love for that person(s). As mentioned in the above aayahs, Allah informs us that it is faith and righteous deeds that bring a person closer to Allah (and therefore beloved to him).

Whatever Allah grants a believer, is indeed a blessing if it is received in the right way. Children are a blessing, when a believer nurtures them upon the teachings of Islaam. Wealth is a blessing when the believer spends being conscious of what Allah is pleased with. The two become blessings in that they provide the believer, ways of earning Allah's pleasure.

On the other hand, a believer not being given wealth and/or offspring, can also be a blessing in that this makes a person worship Allah more and him/her being saved from many trials that would come with those things.

As Ibn Katheer aptly writes under the commentary of the above and subsequent aayahs,

وَلَهُ فِي ذَلِكَ مِنَ الْحِكْمَةِ مَا لَا يُدْرِكُهَا غَيْرُهُ
"And the wisdom and understanding behind all this (distributing sustenance) belongs to none other than Allah".

And Allah knows best

**Don't forget Allah after he brought you out of a tough time**

Be grateful during both bliss and adversity.

Blissful, happy and joyous times are a blessing from Allah. But, so are times of adversity, as nothing escapes the decree of Allah. We should remember Allah is the knower of all things and he does nothing except that there is wisdom behind it.

The believer should always be grateful and patient. It is not the sign of a believer that they only 'connect' with Allah during dejected times, as many do. Rather, a believer is grateful in good times (through worshipping Allah) and patient through adversity (again through worshipping Allah).

In Soorah Yunus, aayah 12, Allah states:
وَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ ٱلضُّرُّ دَعَانَا لِجَنۢبِهِۦۤ أَوۡ قَاعِدًا أَوۡ قَاۤىِٕمࣰا فَلَمَّا كَشَفۡنَا عَنۡهُ ضُرَّهُۥ مَرَّ كَأَن لَّمۡ یَدۡعُنَاۤ إِلَىٰ ضُرࣲّ مَّسَّهُۥۚ كَذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ زُیِّنَ لِلۡمُسۡرِفِینَ مَا كَانُوا۟ یَعۡمَلُونَ
"And when man is touched with adversity he calls upon me on his side, sitting and standing (all times). But when I grant them alleviation from their distresses, they continue to act like they never asked me to remove their distress. And like that, what they do is made pleasing to the transgressors".

Thus the believer should ask Allah to make them grateful and grant them patience while also endeavouring to worship Allah to their best at all times. Don't be among those who only remember and connect with Allah when in going through tough time(s).

May Allah make us among the patient and grateful ones. Ameen.

And Allah knows best

*The status of the Salaah (5 daily prayers)*

Among the acts of worship Allah has decreed upon believers, the highest (after Tawheed) is the establishing of the Salaah. It is what makes manifest a believers' faith and Islaam. Through it, we demonstrate our submission to the one true lord, the creator and master. It is what distinguishes the believer from a non-believer.

At the beginning of Soorah al-Mu'minoon, Allah describes 'believers' as,

ٱلَّذِینَ هُمۡ فِی صَلَاتِهِمۡ خَـٰشِعُونَ
"Those who in their Salaah are submissive"

Then later finishing off describing the believers he characterises them as,

وَٱلَّذِینَ هُمۡ عَلَىٰ صَلَوَ ٰ⁠تِهِمۡ یُحَافِظُون
"Those who are strictly upon the (establishing of) prayer".

Ibn Katheer said,
وَقَدِ افْتَتَحَ اللَّهُ ذِكْرَ هَذِهِ الصِّفَاتِ الْحَمِيدَةِ بِالصَّلَاةِ، وَاخْتَتَمَهَا بِالصَّلَاةِ، فَدَلَّ عَلَى أَفْضَلِيَّتِهَا…"
"Indeed Allah begins these characteristics (of believers) by way of mentioning Salaah, and then finishes them by mentioning Salaah (again). This points towards the (extreme) importance of it.."

In an authentic Hadeeth, the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said,

مَن ترك صلاةَ العصر، فقد حبط عملُه
"Whoever leaves the Asr prayer, then his deeds shall certainly be wasted".

This is a stern warning from the one who Allah sent to explain and make clear the commandments of his religion. It makes clear the status of the Salaah in the religion of Islaam.

And Allah knows best

**The du'@@ we make when reciting Soorah al-Faatiha**

We say,
ٱهۡدِنَا ٱلصِّرَ ٰ⁠طَ ٱلۡمُسۡتَقِیمَ
"Guide me onto the straight path"

In the preceding aayaat we praise Allah. Then here we implore Allah to guide us to the straight path. What path? This is explained in what we recite after this,

صِرَ ٰ⁠طَ ٱلَّذِینَ أَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَیۡهِمۡ غَیۡرِ ٱلۡمَغۡضُوبِ عَلَیۡهِمۡ وَلَا ٱلضَّاۤلِّینَ
"The path of those who you blessed not of those who incurred your anger nor the astray ones".

In reciting and asking this, we are asking Allah to keep us upon the path (ways) of the best believers. In Soorah Al-Nisaa, aayah 69, Allah says,

وَمَن یُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ فَأُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِینَ أَنۡعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَیۡهِم مِّنَ ٱلنَّبِیِّـۧنَ وَٱلصِّدِّیقِینَ وَٱلشُّهَدَاۤءِ وَٱلصَّـٰلِحِینَۚ وَحَسُنَ أُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ رَفِیقࣰا
"And whoever obeys Allah and his messenger then they are those who will be with the ones Allah blessed, from among the prophets, the truthful ones, the martyrs and the righteous. And how excellent is that company".

Combined with making du'a, the believer must believe with conviction of Allah accepting it and also make the physical and mental effort required to obtain guidance. This involves learning about the way of those mentioned through acquiring knowledge of the Qur'aan and the Sunnah.

And Allah knows best

*Making du'a*

The sign of a believer is that he/she invokes Allah alone for every need (i.e. makes du'a). Allah has promised to respond to every sincere caller.

In Soorah Ghaafir, aayah 60, he says,

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ٱدۡعُونِیۤ أَسۡتَجِبۡ لَكُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِینَ یَسۡتَكۡبِرُونَ عَنۡ عِبَادَتِی سَیَدۡخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِینَ
"And your lord says call upon me, I will respond to you. Surely those who are too proud to worship me will enter hell humiliated"

And this is what Allah informs his messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم to tell people when he says in Soorah al-Baqara, aayah 186,

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِی عَنِّی فَإِنِّی قَرِیبٌۖ أُجِیبُ دَعۡوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِۖ فَلۡیَسۡتَجِیبُوا۟ لِی وَلۡیُؤۡمِنُوا۟ بِی لَعَلَّهُمۡ یَرۡشُدُونَ
"And when my worshippers ask you about me, then indeed I am near. I respond to every callers' call so therefore they should invoke me and believe in me so they may be guided".

Du'a is a clear manifestation of one's faith in Allah, the creator and the sustainer. Through it we show our need for Allah, our hope in Allah and our submission to him. This can be derived from the fact that Allah encourages us to call upon him and then denounces those who don't 'worship' him, implying that to make du'a is to worship. The messenger of Allah even stated in an authentic Hadeeth,

الدُّعاءُ هو العبادةِ
"(To make) Du'a, is worship"

So let us make du'a to Allah often, especially at special times as narrated in the Sunnah (in Sujood, at the time of breaking the fast etc). But remember not to be impatient regarding the response. Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri narrates that the messenger of Allah said…

مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يَدْعُو بِدَعْوَةٍ لَيْسَ فِيهَا إِثْمٌ وَلَا قَطِيعَةُ رَحِمٍ إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ بِهَا إِحْدَى ثَلَاثٍ إِمَّا أَنْ تُعَجَّلَ لَهُ دَعْوَتُهُ وَإِمَّا أَنْ يَدَّخِرَهَا لَهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ وَإِمَّا أَنْ يَصْرِفَ عَنْهُ مِنْ السُّوءِ مِثْلَهَا
"No Muslim makes du'a to Allah but it is answered in one of 3 ways, as long as what is being asked is not sinful or invoking. Either Allah grants the person what is asked for or he delays (it's response) to the hereafter for him or (thirdly) he turns away an evil which would have otherwise befell him".

Abu Darda said: "Make du'a to Allah in days of happiness, and perhaps he will respond to you in your days of adversity" (Ahmad in al-Zuhd)

And Allah knows best

Primary message of all prophets and messengers عليهم السلام

The primary message of all prophets and messengers عليهم السلام was to remind mankind of their duty to 'worship'* Allah alone, and stay away from taking other things as objects of worship (whereby they glorified, respected, loved, feared them in a way only Allah is deserving of).

In Soorah al-A'raaf, aayah 59, Allah says,
لَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوۡمِهِۦ فَقَالَ یَـٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ غَیۡرُهُ
"I certainly sent Nooh to his nation so he proclaimed (to them) 'Oh my people, worship Allah alone for there isn't other (true) deity for you other than him…"

In aayah 65, he says,
وَإِلَىٰ عَادٍ أَخَاهُمۡ هُودࣰاۚ قَالَ یَـٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ غَیۡرُهُ
"And to Aad I and their brother Hood. He proclaimed (to them), 'Oh my people, worship Allah alone for there isn't any other (true) deity for you than him…"

In aayah 73, he says,
وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمۡ صَـٰلِحࣰاۚ قَالَ یَـٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ غَیۡرُهُ
"And to Thamud I sent their brother Saalih. He proclaimed (to them), 'Oh my people, worship Allah alone for there isn't any other (true) deity for you than him…"

And in Soorah al-Nahl, aayah 36, Allah says,

"And I sent a messenger to every nation, (with the message to) worship Allah alone and stay away from every other false deity…"

'*Worship' (عبادة) is not just when you pray to something for fulfilling needs, or to prostrate to it, but it is also when a person is extremely devoted to something or makes something their primary goal. Our devotion to Allah should be above everything else.

For example, when people totally submit to their desires, Allah says they have taken their desires as a deity (45:23). Another example is where the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم condemned those who 'worship' the dirham and dinar (i.e. those who make money/wealth their primary goal).

And Allah knows best

Purpose of life...

Allah informs us in Soorah al-Mulk, aayah 2,

ٱلَّذِی خَلَقَ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ وَٱلۡحَیَوٰةَ لِیَبۡلُوَكُمۡ أَیُّكُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلࣰ…
"He is the one who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds…"

And in Soorah al-Kahf, aayah 7, he says,

إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَا مَا عَلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ زِینَةࣰ لَّهَا لِنَبۡلُوَهُمۡ أَیُّهُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلࣰ
"Indeed I made everything on earth an adornment in order that I test which of you is best in deeds"

And in Soorah al-Zaariyaat, aayah 56, he says,

وَمَا خَلَقۡتُ ٱلۡجِنَّ وَٱلۡإِنسَ إِلَّا لِیَعۡبُدُونِ
"And I haven't created jinns and mankind except to worship me"

Worship of Allah is to do what pleases Allah and refrain from what displeases him. The clarification of what this entails is in the Qur'aan itself and the Sunnah of the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم, and not something which is left to our intellects.

Allah has made certain deeds obligatory (like 5 daily Salaah's) and others recommended (like praying voluntary prayers). Starting with the obligations and then moving onto recommended deeds, a Muslim fulfills their purpose of life. Allah promises the best of rewards (in jannah) for those that leave this world with the best of deeds.

Allah says in Soorah al-Kahf, aayah 30,

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ إِنَّا لَا نُضِیعُ أَجۡرَ مَنۡ أَحۡسَنَ عَمَلًا
"Indeed those who believe and do righteous deeds, (know that) I do not restrict the rewards of those who are best in deeds"

And Allah knows best

Allah promotes critical thinking through the Qur'aan

Allah invites mankind to ponder over themselves and their surroundings to create and strengthen conviction. There are signs of Allah's magnificence everywhere.

Regarding ourselves, Allah says in Surah al-Toor, aayahs 35-36…

أَمۡ خُلِقُوا۟ مِنۡ غَیۡرِ شَیۡءٍ أَمۡ هُمُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُونَ ۝٣٥ أَمۡ خَلَقُوا۟ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ ٰ⁠تِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَۚ
'Or are they (humans) created from nothing? Or have they created themselves? Did they create the heavens and earth?...'

Is it possible that we came from 'nothing'? Alternatively, could we have created ourselves? Clearly the answers are no to both, hence how Allah leads us to the only reality which is that we were 'created' by the 'creator'.

Of the signs we are surrounded by, Allah says in Surah aal-Imran, aayah 90…

إِنَّ فِی خَلۡقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ ٰ⁠تِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱخۡتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّیۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ لَـَٔایَـٰتࣲ لِّأُو۟لِی ٱلۡأَلۡبَـٰبِ
'Indeed in the creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation of day and night are clear signs for people of understanding'

The perfection on our earth and in the order among other celestial bodies is amongst the greatest signs of Allah's existence and power.

And Allah knows best

Purpose and aim of the Qur'aan

Regarding the Qur'aan, Allah says in Soorah al-Baqara, aayah 185, that he revealed it…
.. هُدࣰى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَیِّنَـٰتࣲ مِّنَ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَٱلۡفُرۡقَانِۚ…
"....as guidance for mankind and a clear proof of guidance and a criterion (for good and bad)"...

Furthermore, Allah says in Soorah Saad, aayah 29,

كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ إِلَیۡكَ مُبَـٰرَكࣱ لِّیَدَّبَّرُوۤا۟ ءَایَـٰتِهِۦ وَلِیَتَذَكَّرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلۡأَلۡبَـٰبِ
'A blessed book which I have sent to you (Muhammad) so that they (mankind) may ponder over its verses and so those with sound intellect may take heed'.

The Qur'an is a 'message' from Allah to mankind. A message is to be 'understood' and 'acknowledged' with necessary action to follow; it isn't to be merely 'read' only. How can one take heed of the message when one makes no attempts to understand it?

In Surah Muhammad, aayah 24, Allah criticises those from mankind who do not reflect over the Qur'an:

أَفَلَا یَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ أَمۡ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبٍ أَقۡفَالُهَاۤ
'Do they not reflect over the Qur'an or have they locks upon their hearts'

The Qur'an absolutely will have an effect on you, but only if you ponder over it, reflect on it and interact with it.

And Allah knows best

Praising Allah by using الحمد لله

Allah uses الحمد لله (Alhamdulillah) for himself to teach us how to praise him in the most perfect and complete way. We also know that he is الحميد (The praiseworthy). He says in the Qur'aan…

ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِینَ
"All praise belongs to Allah, lord of the worlds" (al-Faatiha, aayah 2)

ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِی خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ ٰ⁠تِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَجَعَلَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ وَٱلنُّورَۖ...
"All praise belongs to Allah the one who created the heavens and earth, and made darkness and light..." (Al-An'aam, aayah 1)

وَقُلِ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِی لَمۡ یَتَّخِذۡ وَلَدࣰا وَلَمۡ یَكُن لَّهُ…
"And say all praise belongs to Allah the one who did not take for himself a son nor does he have one…" (al-Israa, aayah 111)

And this is how his prophets and messengers praised him صلوات الله وسلامه عليهم …

وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَیۡنَا دَاوُۥدَ وَسُلَیۡمَـٰنَ عِلۡمࣰاۖ وَقَالَا ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِی فَضَّلَنَا عَلَىٰ كَثِیرࣲ مِّنۡ عِبَادِهِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ
"And surely we granted Daawood and Suleiman knowledge; and they both said All praise belongs to Allah the one who favoured us from all his believing worshippers" (Al-Naml, aayah 15)

In a Hadeeth narrated from Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه, the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: (summarised) "A man stated …

يَا رَبِّ، لَكَ الْحَمْدُ كما ينبغي لِجَلَالِ وَجْهِكَ وَعَظِيمِ سُلْطَانِك
"Oh lord, to you belongs the praise just as is neccessary of your lofty countenance and the greatness of your power"

… so the angels struggled to right the reward for this. They returned to Allah to enquire how they are to write the (monumental) reward for this down? So Allah informed them, write it as it is and when my worshipper meets me, I will reward it". (NOTE: This Hadeeth has weakness in its chain but due to it not being related to halal/haraam and it's meaning being true, it is allowed by the scholars to narrate it).

So do not neglect the power and reward of praising Allah with such words as taught in the Qur'aan and the Sunnah.

And Allah know best

Our du'a in Soorah al-Faatiha...

After praising Allah, exalted be he, in the first part of Soorah al-Faatiha we make du'a in the latter. We recite…
ٱهۡدِنَا ٱلصِّرَ ٰ⁠طَ ٱلۡمُسۡتَقِیمَ
"Guide us to the straight path"

The "straight path" is a particular path and way; it is the way of the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم , his companions رضي الله عنهم and all those who followed them in righteousness. One does not arrive upon this path without studying/learning/enquiring about it. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the Muslim to strive and seek the knowledge of Islaam as much as Allah has ordained for him/her.

In the ending of the Soorah, we complete our recitation with the words…
صِرَ ٰ⁠طَ ٱلَّذِینَ أَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَیۡهِمۡ غَیۡرِ ٱلۡمَغۡضُوبِ عَلَیۡهِمۡ وَلَا ٱلضَّاۤلِّینَ
"The path of those who you have blessed and not of those who incurred your anger nor of those who fell astray"

In the past, nations incurred the anger of Allah or fell astray mainly due to not holding onto what Allah revealed, leaving the path of their messengers and submitting to their desires. The best way to combat this is to continuously ask Allah for steadfastness and seek knowledge.

It is narrated that the messenger of Allah would often recite..
يا مُقلِّبَ القلوبِ ثبِّتْ قلبي على دينِك
"Oh turner of the hearts, keep my heart firm upon your religion"

And Allah knows best