Religion & Belief (Alor Pothay) > Ramadan and Fasting

A few Verses each day

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ymislam:
Sura Fatiha (contd): - (Day 3)

Being weak and susceptible to temptation [4.26 – 4.28], we ask Allah to…

1.6   â€œShow us the straight way”
A minimum of 17 times each and every day we plead to the Creator to show or to guide us to the straight or proper way – the way that would meet His Approval. How can the Creator guide the person who asks?
   â€œPraise be to Allah Who has sent to His Servant{1} the Book and has allowed therein no crookedness: (He has made it) straight (and clear)…” [18.1 – 2]

It is the Grand Qur’an or the Book accompanying Sura Fatiha that contains the Guidance that we seek and that we need. Together with Sura Fatiha we are therefore asked to recite a part of the Qur’an. The straight way is given in the Qur’an. The Words of the Qur’an should therefore be seriously studied to find the way that would please Allah. A translation is available in every current language of the world. Allah tells us that:
“Verily We have made this (Qur'an) easy in thy tongue in order that they (you) may give heed.” [44.58]

Any ideas on why we need to ask Allah to show us the straight way so many times?

With the passage of time, could the failings of the people who received Revelation earlier afflict us as well? Would it then be instructional to find out what the previous peoples did wrong? If we are interested, both good and bad examples from the past would help us practically compare our day-to-day lives today. If we are not interested in learning and adopting Revelation, Allah clearly tells us:
   â€œ"And if you reject (the Message) so did generations before you: and the duty of the apostle is only to preach publicly (and clearly)."” [29.18]

In the next Verse, we therefore ask Allah to show us practical examples from the lives of those who previously received Revelation – ways that pleased Allah and ways that displeased Allah.

1.7 “The way of those on whom Thou has bestowed Thy Grace, those whose portion is not wrath and who go not astray.”
To help us understand, we ask Allah to show us three ways of those who received Revelation before us:
•   on whom You (Allah) bestowed thy Grace

And guide us away from the way of those
•   with whom You (Allah) are angry and
•   who have moved away from the straight path

How can we benefit from the ways followed by those who were given Revelation before? Would it be pertinent for believers to ask themselves why indeed has Allah enjoined these verses{2} a minimum of 17 times each day? Allah asks:
“Has not the time arrived for the Believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and of (examining) the truth which has been Revealed (to them) and that they should not become like those to whom was given Revelation aforetime but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard{3}? For many among them are rebellious transgressors.” [57.16]

To examine the truth we need to thoroughly analyse each Verse [39.18] Revealed by Allah and compare with our lives today [2.186]. Each verse Revealed is a Sign [32.26] from our Creator, Allah. If we simply recite the Verses like a parrot and do not to study or understand what Guidance Allah has sent, Allah asks for a story to be told, perchance we may understand:
   â€œRelate to them the story of the man to whom We sent Our Signs{4} but he passed them by: so Satan followed him up and he went astray. If it had been Our Will We should have elevated him with Our Signs; but he inclined to the earth and followed his own vain desires.  His similitude is that of a dog: if you attack him he lolls out his tongue or if you leave him alone he (still) lolls out his tongue. That is the similitude of those who reject Our Signs; so relate the story; perchance they may reflect. Evil as an example are people who reject Our Signs and wrong their own souls.” [7.175 – 7.177]

Two such Verses that talk about people of previous Revelations with whom Allah is displeased or who have gone astray are given as examples below. It is left to the reader to decide why Allah is relating these verses to us or why indeed we are asked to recite such verses so many times a day. Can parallels be drawn with our day-to-day attitudes?
   â€œAnd they say: “None shall enter paradise unless he be a Jew or Christian”. That is their vain desire. Say, “Produce your proof, if what you say is true.” [2.111]

“The Jews say, “The Christians have naught (to stand) upon”; and the Christians say, “The Jews have naught (to stand) upon.” Yet they (profess to) study the (same) Book. Like unto their word is what those say, who know not{5}; but Allah will judge between them in their quarrel on the Day of Judgment.” [2.113]

Summary of Sura Fatiha: Allah has given Sura Fatiha equal weight as the rest of the Qur’an. He has asked us to recite this sura at least 17 times each day – once for every waking hour. This spells the importance that we should give to this Sura! Allah tells us at the outset that He has created two worlds – the current Universe and the Hereafter and that He is overly indulgent to mankind. On the Day of Judgment He will separate those who acknowledge this truth by being humble, grateful and work righteous deeds from those who are arrogant, ungrateful and work evil. We therefore plead that it is He alone that we worship, and He alone that we ask for help! As we are weak and given to temptation, we ask Him to show us the straight way by giving practical examples of those who received Revelation in earlier times. We need to seriously study the Words of the Qur’an, as a proof of our belief, to find out whether we are following the wrong paths of those who received previous Revelations and make sure that we follow the path that would please Allah. With such repeated Guidance at hand what excuses would we put forward on the Day of Judgment?
-------------------------------
{Notes}:
{1} Servant: Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), through whom these Verses were Revealed.
{2} Verses: Sura Fatiha accompanied with Verses from the Grand Qur’an.
{3} Hard: the Words of the Qur’an have no effect on a ‘hard heart’. We hear and recite the Words, but do not listen and obey – we hear the Verses but do not want or care to know the meaning of the words or even why the Words are addressed to us. Read Verses 8.21 – 8.22.

shibli:
About the Obvious Existence of Allah

From the moment man opens his eyes to this world a great order surrounds him. He needs oxygen to survive. It is interesting that the atmosphere of the planet on which he lives provides more than just the adequate amount of oxygen he needs. This way, he breathes without difficulty. For the existence of life on this planet, the existence of a source of heat is essential. In response to this need, the sun is located just at the right distance to emit just the exact amount of heat and energy man needs. Man needs nourishment to survive. Every corner of the world abounds in astonishingly diversified provisions. Likewise, man needs water. Surprisingly, three-fourths of the planet is covered with water. Man needs shelter, and in this world, there is land on which it is suitable to build and all sorts of materials to make shelters.

These are only a few among billions of details making life possible on earth. In brief, man lives on a planet perfectly designed for his survival. This is certainly a planet "created for human beings".

A person's interpretation of the world rests on "acquired methods of thought." That is, he thinks in the way he has been taught, or, less kindly, the way in which he is indoctrinated. Under this misguidance, he often dismisses all the aforementioned as "trivial realities." However, if he does not side-step the matter, and start questioning the conditions making our existence possible, he will surely step out of the boundaries of habitual thinking and start to think:

How does the atmosphere serve as a protective ceiling for the earth?
How does each one of the billions of cells in the human body know and perform its individual tasks?
How does this extraordinary ecological balance exist on earth?
A person seeking answers to these questions surely proceeds on the right path. He does not remain insensitive to things happening around him, and doesn't plead ignorance about the extraordinary nature of the world. A person who asks questions, who reflects on and gives answers to these questions will realise that on every inch of the planet, a plan and an order reigns:
How did the flawless order in the whole universe come into being?
Who provided the delicate balances in the world?
How did living beings, incredibly diversified in nature, emerge?
Keeping oneself occupied with relentless research to answer these questions results in a clear awareness that everything in the universe, its order, each living being and structure is a component of a plan, a product of design. Every detail, the excellent structure of an insect's wing, the system enabling a tree to carry tons of water to its topmost branches, the order of planets, and the ratio of gases in the atmosphere, are all unique examples of perfection.

In every detail of the infinitely varied world, man finds his Creator. Allah, the owner of everything in the whole universe, introduces Himself to man through the flawless design of His creation. Everything surrounding us, the birds in flight, our beating hearts, the birth of a child or the existence of the sun in the sky, manifest the power of Allah and His creation. And what man must do is to understand this fact.

These purposes owe their existence to the fact that everything has been created. An intelligent person notices that plan, design and wisdom exist in every detail of the infinitely varied world. This draws him to recognition of the Creator.

So you never plead ignorance that all living beings, living or non-living, show the existence and greatness of Allah. Look at things around you and strive to show appreciation in the best manner for the eternal greatness of Allah.

The existence of Allah is OBVIOUS. Ignoring it would only be the beginning of the greatest damage we could ever do to ourselves. That is simply because Allah is in no need of anything. He is the One Who shows His greatness in all things and in all ways. Allah is the owner of everything, from the heavens to the earth. We learn the attributes of Allah from the Qur'an:

Allah! There is no God but Him, the Living, the Self-Sustaining. He is not subject to drowsiness or sleep. Everything in the heavens and the earth belongs to Him. Who can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them but they cannot grasp any of His knowledge save what He wills. His Footstool encompasses the heavens and the earth and their preservation does not tire Him. He is the Most High, the Magnificent. (Surat al-Baqarah: 255)

shibli:
Dear Yusuf Sir

"By (the Token of) Time (through the ages),
Verily human beings are in loss,
Except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance or patience."
Al-'Asr

Imaam Shafi (may Allah be pleased with him) said, this verse is enough for a human being to go to Jannah. Four things are there:

1. Having faith (Imaan)
2. Doing righteous deeds
3. Calling n advising people to truth (to the way of Allah)
4. Calling and advising each other to patience n perseverance.

Under normal circumstances, nobody will enter Jannah without fulfilling the following criteria. If Almighty Allah forgives someone, that's a different thing. "Doing Daw'ah is compulsory in Islam." It's a FARZ like acquiring knowledge.  

I think we, muslims, should give topmost priority on Daw'ah. People of different religions and sects have misconceptions towards Islam. Most importantly, International Media is maligning Islam. Everyday more than 1 book is being written against Islam. After 11 September, it has reached an epidemic level. It is the duty on every Muslim to remove the misconception of Islam. We should do Jihad to propagate Islam. We think Jihad means holy war. No, it's not. It means to strive and struggle. A student striving to pass the exam is doing Jihad, a doctor striving to save a patient is doing Jihad. The best Jihad, according to our prophet(pbuh), is to control one's evils, to check NAAFS.

Last but not the least, we Muslims should strive to establish a peaceful society where there will be the laws of the Qur'an.

Rgds  

ymislam:
Shibli,

Thank you for your thoughts. How do we define 'Iman'? Is it simply saying by our lips that I believe in the Creator?

-Yousuf

ymislam:
The first three articles completed the Seven Verses of Sura Fatiha. Since we recite this Sura a minimum of 17 times each day, if we go through the tafsir, it may help us understand why Allah has given so much importance to Sura Fatiha.

Today's installment continues with Sura Baquarah. Here is the first article.

Sura Baquarah
2.1 “A.L.M”
If we look through the Qur’an to find a clue as to what these initials{1} may represent; as examples we find:
“Ha-Meem. By the Book that makes things clear. We have made it{2} a Qur’an in Arabic; that you may be able to understand; and verily it is in the Mother of the Book with Us, high, full of wisdom.” [43.1 – 43.4]

“…this is a Glorious Qur’an, (inscribed{3}) in the Tablet Preserved” [85.21 – 85.22]

From a study of the Verses above it is evident that there is a Book with Allah (in a tablet preserved) from where the present Verses{4} have been Revealed. All 29 Chapters in the Qur’an that start with similar initials immediately or subsequently talk about the “Book” in one form or another. Given this fact, the initials could be references{5} to places in the Book with Allah{6} from where the Verses have been extracted. Allah best knows the format of the initials. It is sufficient, however, to say that these initials are Signs from Allah that lend authenticity and authority to the Verses written down in printed form for human beings.

After giving the source from where Revelation has been given, Allah proceeds to categorize the types and natures of people to whom Revelation is addressed.

Verses 2.2 to 2.5 define those who are grateful and humble, i.e. who believe.

2.2 “This is (from) the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah”
The Revealed Verses contain Guidance for those who acknowledge the Creator’s total supremacy and hold over everything and thereby fear Him. Why would the One who has created everything and every moment of our lives need to Reveal Verses?
“And Allah doth advance in Guidance those who seek Guidance;…” [19.76]
 
As we have been given free-will, we are free to feel that we are self-made and do not need guidance. However, if we want to be grateful for being given existence and want to thank or please Him, we need to study the Verses Revealed:
“And it certainly is a Guide and a Mercy to those who believe.” [27.77]

If a beautiful painting could understand the fact of its own creation, how should it look upon its artist? If the artist gave a ‘manual’, what should the painting do? The ones that seek Guidance are:

2.3 “Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer and spend out of what We have provided{7} for them”
The environmental systems that support human beings and the situations that we face in our day-to-day lives cannot be automatic or self-created. There has to be a huge driving force that is creating and sustaining everything in our day-to-day lives!
“Do ye not see that Allah has subjected to your (use) all things in the heavens and on earth and has made His bounties flow to you in exceeding measure (both) seen and unseen?...” [31.20]

Although we cannot see the Creator, we should easily be able to work out that any functional system cannot be automatic. Can a functional device such as a ‘car’ create itself or come into being randomly? The petrol, diesel, gas or power it needs has to be created as well. This book is Guidance for those who wish to demonstrate their gratefulness to the unseen Creator by regularly saying their prayers and spend from whatever resources Allah has given them. Spend for what purpose?
“…spend out of (the gifts) We have bestowed for their sustenance secretly and openly; to{8} turn off evil with good...” [13.22]

Allah continues the definition of a believer:

2.4 “And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee and sent before thy time{9} and (in their hearts) have the assurance{10} of the Hereafter”
If one does not believe that the Creator sends and has sent Revelation, Allah asks:
“No just estimate of Allah do they make when they say: "Nothing doth Allah send down to man (by way of revelation)": Say (or ask): "Who then sent down the Book which Moses brought?...” [6.91]

Allah explains who He is, and who is it that does not believe:
“Your Allah is One Allah: as to those who believe not in the Hereafter their hearts refuse to know as{11} they are arrogant.” [16.22]

Can anyone other than our Creator to send ‘Revelation’? The Verses are addressed to those who are apprehensive of the Day when they will have to stand in front of their Creator and stand trial for their deeds. Who are those who do not fear accountability?
“Such as fear not the meeting with Us (for Judgment) say (or think): "Why are not the angels sent down to us or (why) do we not see our Lord?" Indeed they have an arrogant conceit of themselves and mighty is the insolence of their impiety!” [25.21]

Allah confirms that it is those that meet the criteria of Verses 2.2 to 2.4 are the ones who are on the straight path and will fulfill the purpose for which they have been created:

2.5 “They are on (true) guidance from their Lord and it is these who will prosper.”
Having given us free will, Allah has provided Guidance to His Purpose of the sojourn on earth:
“He Who created Death and Life that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might Oft-Forgiving.” [67.2]

Allah questions:
“Did ye then think that We had created you in jest{12} and that ye would not be brought back to Us (for account)?” [23.115]

“We created not the heavens the earth and all between them but for just{13} ends. And the Hour (of Judgment) is surely coming (when this will be manifest)...”
[15.85]

The Creator has given man free will. Having made everything and given man opportunities for the fulfillment of their individual life [7.10] should the Creator tolerate arrogance? Can free will be meaningful without responsibility and accountability?


------------------------
{Notes}:
{1} Initials: to mark a document with initials, especially in order to show approval or give authorization. (Encarta Dictionary)
{2} It: what We, i.e. what Allah has sent down.
{3} Inscribed: the idea being that what you are reading is inscribed in the Glorious Qur’an preserved in a ‘tablet’ with Allah.
{4} Verses: constituting the Qur’an given in Arabic so that the people around the Prophet could understand in their local language at the time of Revelation.
{5} References: source referred to – Allah best knows the format of the source and the reference.
{6} Book with Allah: the Book could be defining the purpose of Creation and the opportunities that would be given to test mankind. See for example, Verse 5.48.
{7} Provided: all abilities and resources provided by Allah.
{8} To: To complete the sense of the sentence the researcher has used “to” to link the ideas in the Verse. Consult Verses 61.11, 28.77 in support of this point-of-view.
{9} Before thy time: previous original Revelations sent to Prophets from the Creator, e.g. to Abraham, Moses and Jesus.
{10} Assurance: confidence that there is a purpose to Allah’s creation.
{11} As: The researcher has used the conjunction “as” to complete the meaning of the Verse. Read Verse 25.21 in support of this,
{12} Jest: The Encarta Dictionary gives synonyms of jest as joke, prank, hoax, etc.
{13} Just: to establish truth and justice. Synonyms of ‘just’ given in the Encarta Dictionary: correct, moral, ethical, good, appropriate, proper, right, fitting, etc. See Verse 45.22.

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