Dhikr, Dhikra, Tadhkira.

Qur’an is ذكر Dhikr. Qur’an is الذِّكْرَىٰ Dhikra. Qur’an is تذكرة Tadhkira as well.

Prophet Muhammad sal-lal-laahu-alaihi-wa-sallam, the one who presented the Qur’an to the world, is مذكّر Mudhakkir. One of the purposes of the Qur’an is to make people يتذكرون ‘Yatadhak’karoon’.

So, at the outset, what is the meaning of Dhikr, Dhikra and Tadhkira?

Tafseer of the Last Tenth of the Qur’an with crucial matters

Tafseer al ‘Ushr al Akheer min al Qur’an al Kareem is a very popular Tafseer book. 

This is a summarized book that contains the most important matters that a Muslim needs in his life: from Qur’an, hadeeth, tafseer, fiqh rulings, beliefs, virtues, etc. This book is in 2 parts:

The first part includes simple translation and brief explanation to the Last Tenth of the Qur’an (that is, the three last parts – Ajza – of the Qur’an) from Zubdat At-Tafseer by Shaykh Muhammad Al-Ashqar.

The second part contains rulings concerning the Muslim, which includes: 

Manifestation of Mercy in Surah al Mulk, Part 2

1. Blessed be Allah Who has kept everything under His absolute control.  The universe is functioning perfectly and smoothly only because  it is controlled by the One and Only Almighty Lord.

The dominion belongs to Him alone! The sovereignty belongs to Him alone!  The privilege to create is His and the privilege to legislate for His creation is also exclusively His!

The problem in the world today is that man has snatched the right of Allah and taken upon himself saying  ‘Sovereignty belongs to people’!  How can we the people be sovereign? It is the folly of the hegemonic man that he considers himself to be the sovereign lord!! 

The Luminosity of Mercy in Surah al Mulk

Dear brothers/sisters, Assalamu Alaikum.

The Surah al Mulk is a short and sweet Chapter which is often read by Muslims throughout the world. Let us try to learn some great things from this Surah about the virtue of which, the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (Sal-lal-laahu-alaihi-wa-sallam) said:

“A surah from the Qur’an containing thirty verses will intercede for a man so that he will be forgiven. It is the surah Tabaarak Al-lathi bi yadihi’l-mulk”. 

Approaching the Qur’an

‘How to approach the Qur’an’ is an informative book.

This rejoicing, this competition has no parallel!

Dunya ke liye Tohfah-e-Rahmaan hai Qur’aan

Tibyaan hai, Furqaan hai, Burhaan hai Qur’aan

“Qur’an is ArRahmaan’s Gift to the World.

The Explanation, the Distinguisher and the Proof, the Qur’an is! 

Do Not Despair of Allah’s Mercy!

Islam is all about positive thinking and action. Despair and pessimism have no place in Islam.

I would like to present two beautiful verses that inculcate positive thinking, kindling hope and killing despair. The love and affection the Creator has towards His noble creation is distinctly visible in these verses. 

When the Giver and Forgiver is READY…..

Assalamu Alaikum. Dear brothers and sisters, What a motivation from the Lord of the Worlds!

As Ramadhaan is round the corner, we need to gear up to seek more and more forgiveness from Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala. 

Exploring ‘Rahmah” in Surah al Kahf, Part 2

Dear brothers and sisters, Assalamu Alaikum.

There is so much to learn from Surah al Kahf.

In Part 1 our focus was on the word Rahmah as such being used in Surah al Kahf.

Let us now try to explore some more aspects of Rahmah, Inshaa’Allah…

Abandoning the Qur’an

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Imam ibn al Qayyim al Jawziyya has listed out five types of abandonment of the Qur’an. We need to know them so that we can always be careful and cautious about them. 

Istighfaar: Gateway to Blessings Unlimited!

Assalamu Alaikum. Bismillah….

Today I would like to discuss on the Significance of Istighfaar and its benefits. This we need to understand because many Muslims know only one side of the benefits of Istighfaar – the forgiveness of one’s sins – and (in most cases) we Muslims do not know the other blessings that come from Istighfaar.

Meaning of ‘istighfaar’:

The word ‘istighfaar’ comes from the Arabic root ghafara which means ‘to forgive’. ‘Istaghfara’ means ‘to seek forgiveness’. Istighfaar is ‘the Islamic way of seeking forgiveness from Allah, Who is one’s Creator, Nourisher and Cherisher. 

Why am I reading the Qur’an?

Dear sisters and brothers, Assalamu Alaikum.

Come Ramadhaan and you find the Mus’haf in the hands of countless Muslims worldwide. It is pertinent here to ask oneself:  ‘Why am I reading the Qur’an?’

Ustaadh Khurram Murad mentions Eight Points for approaching the Qur’an with the purity of intention. Please pause at the end of each point and ask yourself: ‘Why am I reading the Qur’an?’

The Book that Shaped the World

“This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah” (Al-Baqarah, 2:2)

Has anybody ever come across a book that contains a preface where its author mentions its infallibility from any single error? Has anyone ever heard of any author who talks with such confidence and authority? This is the Qur’an; it was revealed to one human being named Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and its Author is Allah, the Lord and Sustainer of the Universe.

This is the Book – in it is Guidance

The first five verses of the second chapter (Sura al Baqarah) in the Qur’an read as follows:

“In the name of Allah, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful

1. Alif. Lam. Mim.

2. This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah;

3. Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them;

4. And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee, and sent before thy time, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter.

5. They are on (true) guidance, from their Lord, and it is these who will prosper.”

The Names and Characteristics of the Qur’aan

To assist you in knowing the true worth of the Qur’an, you should know that Allah has named the Qur’an with many names and amongst them are:

• Al-Qur’an (the Recital),

• Al-Furqaan (the Criterion between Truth and falsehood),

• at-Tanzeel (the Revelation),

• Al-Kitaab (the Book).

Qur’an: Matchless Perfection

The authenticity of any scripture is considered from two significant aspects; the first is its authenticity with regard to its divine origin, and the other is its preservation in its original form.

Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the word of Almighty Allah revealed to His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and that it has retained its purity throughout history. Therefore, today, after centuries of turmoil, it remains the only divine book that has been protected from any form of corruption.

Qur’an: The Eternal Truth

The Prophet Moses, born in Egypt in the 15th century B.C., was chosen by God to be His messenger. In those days, Egypt was under the dynastic rule of the Pharaohs, who were idolaters. The Prophet Moses encountered two of the kings of this dynasty: one was appointed to be his guardian by God, while the other was one with whom he came into confrontation during his missionary struggle.

The Most Widely Read Book in the World

The Qur’an is the Book of Allah (God) that was revealed in Arabic to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) over a period of twenty-three years. He dictated it to his followers as he received it from the Angel Jibril (Gabriel), and they wrote it down on whatever materials were available. The Prophet and many of his followers memorized it as it was revealed.

The Qur’an consists of 114 surahs (sometimes called chapters) of various lengths, from 3 to 286 verses. The verses were revealed a few at a time and not in their present order but were placed in their position by the Prophet in accordance to instructions from the Angel Jibril.

Pen, Ink and Revelation: An inspiring story of Zayd ibn Thabit رضي الله عنه

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

The month of Muharram in the second year of Hijrah found the city of Madinah full of activity, as the young community of believers was preparing to defend itself. It so happened that the Quraysh of Makkah were convinced that they had to put an end to the Prophet, upon him be peace, and his mission. And so the Makkans dispatched a large and a well-equipped army toward Badr, just southwest of Madinah, to accomplish this task.

Meanwhile, the Prophet spoke before the believers prior to their march toward Badr. But while he was speaking, there was a disturbance in the file of those listening. A youth barely in his teens was elbowing his way through the ranks to reach the Messenger of Allah. Confident and alert, the boy held a sword as long as he was tall, perhaps longer.