Experience Grace. Or Face Humiliation!

Can there be any voyager sailing in two boats at one and the same time?

Imagine yourself keeping one leg in one boat and the other leg in another boat, and trying to sail. Think what will happen to you?

You will fall down, harm yourself, and consequently drown yourself!

Satan wants the true Muslims to do precisely this with regard to putting Islam into practice! 

Raising Righteous Generations….!

After ayah No. 178, the loving address Yaaa Ayyuhal Lazeena Aamanu next comes in Ayah No. 183 of Surah al Baqarah.

This ayah is about the obligatory Fasting (sawm) in the month of Ramadhaan.

Ramadhaan is about 50 days away from us.

If it is decreed that a person’s death should come before Ramadhaan, it will come but then we do carry the feeling and pray to Allah to keep us alive until Ramadhaan so that we can reap its blessings and benefits. How good it would be to die in the state of fasting, and die while in Sajdah. رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاءِ Do accept, our Lord, this prayer of mine. Aameen. And my Lord is the One Who Listens to Supplications. 

This is for the men of understanding!

We live in a paradoxically ridden world. Consider these two cases:

1. If you talk about Shariah, you are considered as a terrorist. You loot a country, you are not a terrorist!

You annihilate a whole nation, you are not a terrorist. You talk of Islam and Shariah Law, you are a terrorist!!

Shariah has become a dreaded word today. It is made-to-appear as a dreaded entity.

2. You can carry on attacks on a foreign soil and kill hundreds of civilians. It is okay for you! The world must not question.

If one Palestinian kills a Jew, you will launch rocket attacks on the civilians killing scores of Palestinians and the Muslim world must not question!  A whole illegal “nation” is sitting upon the land of Palestinians after killings thousands of Palestinians and Muslims must not talk about the killings. About invasion. About the expansion. About bulldozing of colonies!! 

If you worship Allah, do this!

The next in the series Yaaa Ayyuhal Lazeena Aamanu is Ayah No.172 of Surah al Baqarah.

In this ayah, Allah commands the Believers to eat of good things of what He has provided and give thanks unto Him.

People may think that this ayah is very simple as it contains a command about eating and being grateful to the Provider, the Nourisher.

But the fact is that this command is not that simple. It is a serious command which contains a severe warning. 

An Insight into Surah al Falaq and Surah an Naas

Note: Dear brothers/sisters in Islam, Assalamu Alaikum. Though every Friday I update this page, owing to the significance of the topic, I felt it is prudent to present glimpses from the Friday Khutbah delivered in UAE Masajid on 17th May 2013. Read on….Inshaa’Allah. 

The Holy Qur’an is a Book of Guidance and Mercy for all mankind. Its verses are a balm for the diseases of the heart, a clear evidence and enlightenment. Allah the most Exalted says, “And We send down of the Qur’an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.” (Surah al Israa: 82). 

Connect and stay connected!

The next ayah starting with the address Yaaa Ayyuhal Lazeena Aamanu is Ayah No. 153 of Surah al Baqarah.

In this ayah, Allah motivates His Believers to seek His assistance and help through Sabr and Salah. These are the two vital elements necessary for any Muslim to embark on the road to success. 

Do not emulate the Jews!!

Note: This is the second post on the series Yaaa Ayyuhal Lazeena Aamanu, alhamdulillah.

In the first post I discussed the last verse first. That is, the ayah of Surah At-Tahreem discussed in the first post  is the last verse in the Qur’an as far as the verses commencing with Yaaa Ayyuhal Lazeena Aamanu is concerned.

Today I would like to discuss on Ayah No. 104 of Surah al Baqarah which is the first ayah in the Qur’an to commence with the phrase, “Yaaa Ayyuhal Lazeena Aamanu”.

In this ayah, Allah addresses the Believers asking them NOT TO emulate the Jews in their play on certain Arabic words when speaking to the Prophet Sal-lal-laahu-alaihi-wa-sallam.

Allah, therefore, forbade His believing servants from imitating the behavior and deeds of the disbelievers either in tongue or deed.  

Tawbatun Nasuha: Sincere Repentance

An excellent list of the characteristic features of true Believers in Islam is mentioned in Surah at-Tawbah.

I would like to start the series on Yaaa Ayyuhal Lazeena Aamanu by drawing inspiration from this beautiful ayah.

Tawbah is the first and foremost ingredient necessary for all reformation. Sincere Repentance is the stepping stone to achieving ultimate success. 

Dear Believers…!

I am intending to start a daily post on يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ‘Yaaa Ayyuhal Lazeena Aamanuu’, Inshaa’Allah

There are nearly 90 verses in the Qur’an which directly address the Believing Muslims and if we try to understand each verse daily and also put into practice Inshaa’Allah it will be a source of Ajr and Barakah, Inshaa’Allah.

As a prelude I thought it is important to discuss on the phrase itself.

What is the meaning of يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ? 

Some facts about the month of Rajab

Alhamdulillah, as the sacred month of Rajab has commenced in this part of the world, I thought of posting some Rajab related matter in the form of questions and answers. 

The beauty in the longest verse of the Qur’an

 

Have you ever experienced going through the process of reading any judicial document or legal judgement? If yes, you must have noticed the legal language to be so confusing, right? At some point, you must have gone dizzy reading it!  The court and judiciary’s legal jargon make things worse!

The Qur’an is a miracle in human language. You read. You think. You get enlightened. You start loving your Creator!

Aayatud-Dayn is the longest verse in the Qur’an. 

This verse speaks of legal matters yet in a miraculously understandable language.  This one verse is sufficient proof for any inquisitive mind to submit to the glory of Qur’an being the true Word of Allah. 

The more you reflect, the closer you get!

There are many so-called “religious” books available in the world’s spiritual supermarkets.

How many of them tell its readers/followers to ponder and reflect over its teachings?

Do you know that there are some “wonderful” religious books – so wonderful that you don’t need a brain to understand!

Muslims must ever be thankful to Almighty Allah that the Qur’an doesn’t make its readers mentally-challenged!

The Qur’an is unique. It makes you think. Never lets you blink! 

An inspiring e-book for any aspiring haafidh

This e-book entitled ‘I wanna be a Haafidha Too’ is released by Misk Women’s Academy, Ottawa. Since the content is worth reading, I thought I can share this e-book with my readers.

This e-book can serve as an inspiring gift to anyone who wants to memorize the glorious Book of Allah  

A du’aa from the bottom of a Believer’s heart

Young man he was. Always of caring and helpful nature. Would get upset at the slightest sight of oppression.

One day he sees two men fighting. He sides with the oppressed. In a bid to stop fighting, he gives a blow to the oppressor. The person falls dead.

He was a very sensitive youth. He feels sorry for his unintentional killing.

The king who was greatest oppressor would not leave this youth. How dare someone kills a man of the ruler’s clan. He  orders that the ‘killer’ be arrested and brought in chains. 

“If you have no shame, do whatever you like”!

We human beings have come through different ages in history: Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age. Historians tell us that these ages are distinguished by the development of technology.

Today technology has reduced women to a mere tool in the hands of men!

It would be appropriate to call the contemporary age, the 21st century, as “the Obscene Age”!

This is an era where nudity is riding the crest of the society.

Today world has reached such a stage in obscenity that if you were to talk about moral aspects, man-of-the-obscene-age will look at you in a curious way as if doubting your very masculinity! 

Bestowing and withholding: The prerogative of Allah alone!

Among the prescribed Azkaar which we say everyday at the end of each obligatory Salah, this is a beautiful supplication (du’aa). It is concise and comprehensive.

Belief in Tawheed is eloquently expressed in a finest manner through this du’aa, which includes the Tahleel and Tahmeed. This du’aa also signifies a Believer’s Tawakkul in His Lord, Most Gracious.

Let us first read the hadeeth which describes this du’aa and then with the help of Qur’aanic verses try to understand some elements which will enhance our belief in Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aala, Inshaa’Allah. 

Be Merciful. Enact Capital Punishment!

Constitution and judicial system are important elements to govern the human society.

If there is apathy and callousness on the part of any governing authority, it will give an indication that that particular society has gone to dogs!

Girls are being raped. And the law is slack. The crime is heinous. And the punishment is casual!

Day in and day out, we see in India (and I am ashamed to tell this) women are being disgraced and dishonored.  The animal in man has not spared even a 5 year old girl child!

And our ‘leaders’ are found discussing, shouting, issuing press statements against the crime. 

Terrorism and Islam are poles apart!

There has been some really sad and bad things happening in the world in the past few weeks. The Earthquake first in Iran and then in China. The Boston bombing. And the recent report on the rape of a five-year old in the Indian capital. These happenings cause concern to every sane and sensitive person.

Character assassination of the global Muslim community is also a matter of deep concern.

As Muslims we do join with all civilized human beings in condemning the bombings wherever they happen: Be it Boston or Palestine. Whether perpetrated by individuals or state-sponsored terrorism! 

“There is no such thing as Uthmaanic Script”!

While discussing about the font or the print style of the Qur’an, Muslim individuals or websites normally refer to ‘Uthmaanic script. This is actually a misnomer.

The respected doyen of Arabic language, Dr V Abdur Rahim, says that “There is no such thing as Uthmaanic script. It is Uthmaanic Orthography, i.e., spelling system”.

So while translating Rasm Uthmaani, we need to translate as ‘Uthmaanic Orthography, and not as Uthmaanic script! For, there is a vast difference between the terms script and orthography. 

When the earth shakes…

We all know that a major earthquake rocked Iran yesterday. The tremors were felt as far as New Delhi and Pakistan. And also here in the UAE among other places.

For the first time in my life I felt the tremors. As if someone was wildly shaking my chair.  When I came home my wife said everything at our residence at the 11th floor was shaking!

The immediate thought everyone got was ‘Zalzalah, Zalzalah’!  It was so scary. Allaahu Akbar!

Zalzalah, Arabic word for earthquake, comes from the quadrilateral root Zay, laam, Zay, laam ز ل ز ل ZalZal.

Isn’t the sound z-a-l z-a-l itself sounding horrific? Uttering the word Zal-Zal sends shivers down the spine! 

Through Surah al Kahf and Throughout our life!

Reading Surah al Kahf every Friday is always rewarding, refreshing, rejuvenating, reinforcing.

Instilling, inspiring, involving, incorporating.

Every week the regular reader is reminded that everything in this world happens with the knowledge and permission of Allah. Without the Will of Allah, nothing happens!

Muslims are enjoined to say MaaShaaAllah and InShaaAllah in their day to day life. When making a plan, say Inshaa’Allah. If Allah wills, it will happen. Upon witnessing something pleasant or unpleasant, say MaaShaa’Allah. What Allah willed, has happened/What Allah wills, will happen! 

Page on Jumu’ah Khutbah

Today a new page dedicated to Friday Khutbahs is added in this blog, alhamdulillah.

You can find some good Jumu’ah speeches delivered in Masjid al Haram, Makkah, Masjid an Nabawi, Madinah and Masjid al Aqsa, Jerusalem.

You can also find the archive of the Jumu’ah Khutbahs delivered in UAE masajid.  

“The Court of Last Resort”

Press Council of India Chairman Markandey Katju on Sunday lashed out at media for “demonising” the entire Muslim community whenever bomb blasts occurred, and declared that he would not allow it to do such “devilish” things, reports India’s leading English daily The Hindu. Not only this, in an excellent article reproduced below, Mr. Katju has analysed the problem of Muslim youth languishing in Indian jails.

He has also announced about the start of an organisation called ‘The Court of Last Resort’.

As the initiative is for a noble purpose, all sections of Indian society must come forward to help and be a part of the solution, Inshaa’Allah. Especially, the Muslims of India, cutting across all organisational/political affiliations, must support this initiative.

We Muslims are enjoined to partake in social and societal work for a righteous cause. And with this intention, this article is reproduced here for the benefit of the readers of this blog:

The weak combo!

To be weak is to do nothing. It is an expression of one’s helplessness.

When judges are not presented with credible evidence, they call the case weak and dismiss it! When a person is not able to sit, the doctors say that the patient is weak.

The Qur’an gives vivid descriptions of some terribly weak cases. 

Haza Min Fadhli Rabbee

هذا من فضل ربّي is a very popular statement. Some of you must have seen this Qur’anic phrase beautifully printed as  wall hangers, photo frames, stickers etc. and sold in many Islamic bookshops. You may have seen it aesthetically fixed in some prominent place at a Muslim home. Or you have it hung at your home too!

Today let us try to understand what exactly this so popular Qur’anic phrase mean, Inshaa’Allah. 

Dubai Miracle Garden…Subhaanallah!

Love at first sight. Subhaanallah at first sight!

At the moment, this is the single most beautiful flower garden in the world! A miracle in the desert!!

Featuring over 45 million flowers in stunning designs and breathtaking shapes ­­— you’ve not seen anything like Dubai Miracle Garden.  It took 60 days, 400 people, 72,000 sqm of planted area to create this Miracle Garden.

We were stunned by the amazing beauty man can create through his creative prowess.

Presenting some reminders from the glorious Qur’an, and dazzling pictures, though I am not a shutterbug  

Qur’an for Android Devices

Qur’an Android is a free, open source Qur’an application for Android devices.

I am using this version on my mobile, and it is very clear and highly useful, Mashaa’Allah!

Qur’an Android provides the following features: