Religion & Belief (Alor Pothay) > Ramadan and Fasting

A few Verses each day

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ymislam:
Dear Readers,

Do you ever ask yourselves questions like:

* Who am I?
* What am I doing on earth?
* Does my life have any purpose?
* What will happen after I die?
* etc.

Ramadhan is the month of reflection for the Muslim. Our Book for reflection was revealed in this month. The first word, "Iqra", meaning 'Read', 'Gather Knowledge', 'Read & Reflect' was revealed during this month. The complete book, the Qur'an answers any questions that we may have of our Creator, Allah.

To get us started on reading and reflecting, I will InshaAllah post one brief article each day of Ramadhan. If you are interested, pls read. You can also post any question that you like.

The articles collectively form a tafsir of the Qur'an. Each Verse is explained using other verses from the Qur'an. Self-tafsir is avoided as much as possible.

May Allah guide each of us.

-Yousuf

ymislam:
1. Sura Fatiha or the Opening Chapter - (Day 1)

If we count the number of times Allah has asked us to recite Sura Fatiha in Fard Namaz and compare this with the number of hours that we are normally awake what would we find? Mathematically, we will find that Allah has asked us to read Sura Fatiha approximately once for each hour that we are awake! Why is this? Is Allah telling us something? Is He warning us about something?

In the following Verse, Allah separates the seven verses of Sura Fatiha and gives them equal importance alongside the whole Qur’an!!
“And We have bestowed upon thee the Seven Oft-Repeated (verses) and the Grand Qur'an.” [15.87]

What could be the reason? Could the seven Verses be an abstract or a summary of the Qur’an? Could they be a gateway to understanding and interpreting the Qur’an? Could they be explaining how and why we should be reading the understanding the Qur’an?

Let us examine each verse and use other verses from the Qur’an to shed light on the significance of each Verse under study.

1.1   â€œIn the name of Allah, Most Gracious{1}, Most Merciful{2}”
This is the first of the seven verses of Sura Fatiha. This Verse introduces Allah as a Being who is condescendingly indulgent on the one hand and most merciful on the other. What does “In the name of” mean? “In the name of ” is given as a phrase in the Encarta Dictionary as “By the authority of ”. Paraphrasing, the first Verse may be written, “By the authority of Allah, the condescendingly indulgent and most merciful”. The verse therefore affirms that whatever follows in the sura and in the rest of the Qur’an is recorded given the authority of Allah. Elsewhere in the Qur’an, Allah confirms that the Prophet has not invented any verse:
“(This is) a Message sent down from the Lord of the Worlds. And if the apostle were to invent any sayings in Our name We should certainly seize him by his right hand and We should certainly then cut off the artery of his heart:” [69.43-46]

A person who understands the meaning of this Verse is immediately in a bind. If the person really believes that he/she has been created then the Allah’s Words are addressed directly to him/her. This therefore is a communication sent by the Creator!

Yet, however:
“…These are the Signs (or Verses) of the Book: that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord is the Truth; but most men believe not.”  
[18.1]

Allah ties in-depth study of the Qur’an with proof of belief in the following Verse:
“Those to whom We have given the Book study it as it should be studied: they are the ones that believe therein: Those who reject faith therein – the loss is their own.” [2.121]

Allah tells us that if we do not study the Revealed Words, it means that we do not believe! Let’s imagine that one of our Muslim friends has received a letter written in the German language. As he does not understand the German language, he simply pronounces the words in the Roman alphabet and puts the letter, after kissing it, away on top of a cupboard. If you observed this, what would you say to him?

1.2 “All praise belongs to Allah, the Cherisher{3} and Sustainer{4} of the Worlds”
Why all praise? The difference between the Creator and the created can be likened{5} to the difference between an ‘anime cartoon writer’ and the cartoon world that he/she has created. Whom does all credit for creating the cartoon world and all that ensues belong to? Sole credit for creating, caring, giving free-will with options and sustaining every moment in our lives belongs to Allah.

Which “Worlds” is Allah talking about? Looking through the Qur’an we find another verse that defines two worlds:
“Praise be to Allah to Whom belong all things in the heavens and on earth: to Him be Praise in the Hereafter:..” [34.1]

Right at the outset, Allah is telling us that He has created two worlds – the current world with everything in it and the Hereafter! When we praise Allah, it is simply acknowledging this truth – giving due credit where credit belongs. He is the Lord, Cherisher and Sustainer of both the current world and the next world in the Hereafter. Regardless of whether or not we acknowledge the truth, i.e. whether or not we give credit where it is due:
“…verily Allah is He (that is) free of all wants worthy of all praise.” [31.26]

Hypothetically imagine if engineers were able to design the planet earth and all that is in it. How many engineers would we need and how many years would it take? Allah gives us an indication of the extent of His Own Handiwork:
“And if all the trees on earth were pens and the oceans (were ink) with seven (additional) oceans behind it to add to its (supply) yet would not the Words of Allah be exhausted (in writing)…” [31.27]

Is there any being other than the Creator that we can credit anything to? By praising Allah, the individual essentially places himself/herself in context as part of creation confirming the truth; Allah does not ‘need’ praise.

Notes:
{1} Gracious: condescendingly indulgent and generous to perceived inferiors.
{2} Merciful: one showing extreme mercy. He forgives again and again during the learning period on earth [38.66].
{3} Cherisher: The Encarta Dictionary gives three meanings for cherisher: one who loves and cares for somebody, one who gives high value and one who constantly retains in mind.
{4} Sustainer: One that supports and upholds (Encarta Dictionary, 2005)
{5} Likened: Now, if the writer were able to give intelligence and free will to the cartoon characters, what kind of interaction would be necessary between the writer and the cartoon characters? Given free will or free choices, the writer would essentially have to consult the choices made by the characters as he/she would have to arrange the script to reflect the choices taken. On whom would the ultimate outcome of any event depend? Who would be writing the script giving success? If a cartoon character were then successful in any thing, whom would the credit belong to? What, then, is the only thing that a cartoon character could be held accountable or responsible for?

kulsum:
Dear Sir,
May Allah do a lot of Rahmat on you for your good work.

I am happy to read this.

Umme Kulsum

shibli:
"Each Verse is explained using other verses from the Qur'an." yes, this is what all of us should know that each verse of the Qur'an should be explained using the other verses.

Let's read the glorious Qur'an understanding the meanings.

regards

ymislam:
Sura Fatiha contd: (Day 2)

1.3   â€œMost Gracious{1}, Most Merciful{2}”
How is Allah Most Gracious and Most Merciful? Any ideas?

Let us examine one aspect of our life – food. And look at just one food item – milk. How many types of milk products are there? What is the relationship between these products and the human body? Is this relationship similar to the relationship between a car and petrol/diesel or Combined Natural Gas?

To provide nutrition, if Allah had instead created a Combined Natural Food (CNF) pump where we could fill up our daily requirement against a meter, would it have done the same job or performed the same function?

Instead, Allah has given us so much variety and a tongue to enjoy our food! This is an example of how much Allah loves and cares for us! Allah gives us examples in the Qur’an:
“We have honored the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favors above a great part of Our Creation.” [17.70]

Consider the fact that we thank anyone for the smallest of favours. We normally classify this as being good manners! What should be our personal attitude to the One who has given us our beings, made us unique, made us intelligent and given us faculties and opportunities and choices for the fulfillment of our lives?
“It is We who have placed you with authority on earth and provided you therein with means for the fulfillment of your life: small are the thanks that ye give!”[7.10]

On the other hand, how do we ourselves react to ungrateful people, i.e. people who are not grateful for favors given? Do we ourselves use any of the 17 opportunities (during our Fard Namaz) to thank Allah for what He has given us each hour of each day?

What would you say to a cartoon character that became self-righteous and arrogant instead of being humble and grateful? This leads us into the next verse of Sura Fatiha. Allah tells us that He is the

1.4   â€œOwner of the Day of Judgment”
Why do we need a Day of Judgment? What judgment will Allah deliver? Allah tells us:
“And on that Day that the Unbelievers will be placed before the Fire (it will be said to them): "You received your good things in the life of the world and you took your pleasure{3} out of them: but today shall ye be recompensed with a Penalty of humiliation: for that you were arrogant{4} on earth without just cause and that you (ever) transgressed."”[46.20]

An arrogant{5} person not only places himself/herself above others, he/she actually places himself/herself equal to or above the Creator. The Creator has given all, whatever the person has, e.g. existence, wealth, health, property, status, knowledge, abilities, beauty, physique, wisdom, skills, children, success, etc. Therefore, being arrogant implies:
•   Crediting own self for blessings that the Creator has given;
•   Denying credit to the One who deserves credit;
•   Being ungrateful for the blessings that the Creator has given;
•   That the person has not used his/her intelligence to work out who has originated what.

At a point between this world and the next, Allah alone will judge and decide:
“Yea to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth; so that He rewards those who do evil according to their deeds and He rewards those who do good with what is best.” [53.31]

The test is individual – we will be accountable for our deeds alone as we stand before our Creator who has Created our individual environments as a test bed:
“Nor strain your{6} eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to parties of them the splendor of the life of this world through which We test them: but the provision of thy Lord is better and more enduring.” [20.131]

What we should be doing is saying with full conviction…

1.5   â€œThee (alone) do we worship and thy aid do we seek”
We actually instinctively know Who it is that helps us out of trouble, however:
   â€œWhen trouble touches men they cry (directly) to their Lord turning back to Him in repentance{7}: but when He gives them a taste of Mercy as from Himself behold some of them pay part-worship{8} to other gods besides their Lord. (As if) to show their ingratitude for the favors{9} We have bestowed on them! Then enjoy (your brief day); but soon will you know (your folly).” [30.33 – 34]

Therefore, from human beings, the Creator wants:
•   a correct understanding of blessings and success granted by Allah.
•   to acknowledge Allah’s contribution to one’s life by giving Him the priority that He deserves
•   ask Him directly for help and success in all activities.
•   to be grateful and thank Him regularly.

Notes:
{1} Gracious: kind and polite, full of tact, full of kindness and politeness, condescendingly indulgent and generous to perceived inferiors.
{2} Merciful: one who shows mercy.
{3} Pleasure: deriving pleasure without acknowledging the truth by being grateful to the One who gave everything.
{4} Arrogant: the synonyms of arrogance are given as pride, haughtiness, egotism, conceit, etc. The antonym is given as humility in the Encarta Dictionary.
{5} Arrogance: The Encarta Dictionary defines ‘arrogance’ as ‘contemptuous pride: a strong feeling of proud self-importance that is expressed by treating other people with contempt or disregard’.
{6} Your: the old English word ‘thine’ used by Abdullah Yusuf Ali has been replaced by ‘your’ by the researcher.

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