GemsFromTheQuran

“Allah keeps firm those who believe, with the firm word, in worldly life and in the Hereafter” (Surah Ibrahim, 14:27) يُثَبِّتُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱلْقَوْلِ ٱلثَّابِتِ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا Allah will make them steadfast in the life of this world, when they are faced with specious arguments and doubts, by guiding them to certainty, and when they are tempted by desires, by bestowing upon them strong resolve whereby they will give precedence to that which Allah loves over their own whims and desires. [Al-Sa’di] May Allah keep us strong upon His religion and the teachings of His prophet! GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq

What is the wisdom behind people quickly forgetting the Qur’an? Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen (May Allah have mercy on him) answered: “This is from the wisdom of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, that the Qur’an is forgotten quickly; because the reciter desires to take care of it and recites it many times, so he attains reward and this reward increases, and this is a test from Allah ‘azza wajal’… So I bequest my brothers; those Allah has gifted with the memorisation of the Qur’an that they increase in its recitation, since in that there is reward and recompense” [Majmu’ Fatawa Wa Rasaail Al-Sheikh 248/36] Next time you feel frustrated over how many times you need to repeat the same page when memorising the Qur’an, remember this is from the grace of your Lord, the Most-Giving, wanting more good for you by making you increase the amount of Qur’an you are reciting, just with that one page or one verse! GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq

“And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy to remember. So is there anyone who will be mindful?” (Surah al-Qamar, 54:32) وَلَقَدۡ يَسَّرۡنَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ لِلذِّكۡرِ فَهَلۡ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ۬ Imam as-Suyuti said: “Teaching the youth the Qur’an is the foundation from the foundations of Islam; with it, the youth are brought up upon their natural disposition, and their hearts are accustomed to the types of rulings before the desires can taint them”. Advice to every parent: take responsibility to the make the Qur’an a central part of your child’s life, starting from the time they are in their mother’s belly! GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq

“The life of this world is nothing but a game and a distraction; the Home in the Hereafter is best for those who are aware of God. Why will you not understand?” (Surah al-An’am, 6:32) وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا لَعِبٌۭ وَلَهْوٌۭ ۖ وَلَلدَّارُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةُ خَيْرٌۭ لِّلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ ۗ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ The advice of the Qur’an for those with intellect; don't be deluded by the life of the world and don’t be neglectful of the significance of the hereafter, which is far more important for the servant of Allah. [Qur’an Tadabbur Wa Amal] May Allah allow us to accumulate more good deeds and protect us from being amongst those who regret their neglect of the life to come! GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq

Here is an example maqsad / underlying message to the surah: The glorification of Allāh, highlighting His complete power & control in raising the honour of the believers and degrading the defiant disbelievers, with the underlying message to completely submit to Him - or face huge loss!

This sūrah states that everything in the universe abounds with the tasbīḥ of Allāh. This tasbīḥ is not just ritual praise and worship but is manifest with the complete submission to Allāh and His commands – the Muhājirūn and Anṣār are showcased as the primary examples of this submission and they are honoured in this life and the Hereafter. Banū al-Naḍīr and Munāfiqūn are presented as counter examples of those who were defiant, had an evil opinion of Allāh and refused to submit and they are humiliated in this world and the Hereafter. In the final verses, Allāh does not command people to repeat His beautiful names in ritual worship. He describes the greatness of the Qur’an and His greatness through a selection of His Names showing His dominance over everything so we are in awe of the Qur’ān and in awe of the essence of who Allāh is, so we submit to Him completely. The final verse describes the greatness of His actions in creating and fashioning all that exists so we once again understand why we must submit to Him.

Assalaamu alaykum dear brothers and sisters. As we concluded the Surah al-Hashr series just before Ramadan, we still had the maqsad / underlying message of the surah to discuss. Here is a summary of the surah that we have come across, from which we can derive a potential maqsad...

Eid mubarak! Taqabbal Allāhu minnā wa minkum sālihal-a’māl May Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) accept our efforts, Āmīn.

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Juz 29 & Juz 30 The final two ajzaa (pl. Juz) of the Qur’an contain 11 and 36 chapters respectively. These chapters are generally shorter than those in the previous ajzaa and were predominantly revealed during the Prophet’s time in Makkah. Juz 29 This was a time that Islam (for the pagan Arabs) was a strange message of submission to an unseen God – a threat to the city’s future and prosperity. It is therefore of little surprise that the chapters in this Juz focus on spirituality and aim to strengthen the belief of the oppressed community in Allah. They provide warnings of the Hellfire and the Day of Judgement and show how pride is one of the greatest sins. About the opening chapter, al-Mulk (Sovereignty), Allah’s Messenger said it will “intercede for its companion (i.e. the one who recites it) until he is forgiven.” What can we learn from Juz 29? • Some aspects of this great creation and warnings of the Hellfire for those who disbelieve; • Allah commends the Prophet for his lofty qualities; • The terrors of the Last Day and the giving of the records; • Some of the qualities of the righteous; • Worship coupled with patience allows a person to bear even the most difficult trials; • About the Last Day, the events that precede it and those that follow it. What have you prepared for it? • About the resurrection and recompense – Allah repeats ten times the refrain “Woe on that Day to the deniers,” so beware of ever denying the truth! Juz 30 The final Juz of the Qur’an is often referred to as Juz Amma’ after its very first word and contains the final 36 chapters of the Majestic Qur’an. As these chapters are short and the verses generally also brief, it is a popular Juz for one to begin their memorisation of the Qur’an. As with the previous Juz, most of these chapters were revealed during the Prophet’s Makkan period. As such, the verses are consoling to the Prophet and the believers with promises that the small community upon the truth will overcome the powers that be. The believers are advised to remain firm in what they believe, and in one of the Qur’an’s constant themes to patiently persevere in their trials and tribulations. The verses contain not only many warnings of the Hellfire but also beautiful descriptions of Paradise – “Countless springs will flow therein and there will be thrones raised high, and goblets ready, and cushions ranged, and carpets spread out ...” May Allah make us from its inhabitants. Amin. What can we learn from this Juz? • About the events of the Last Day; • Aspects of good and bad character; • Allah swears by various objects of creation - ponder these and also reflect on what the oaths were made for; • To reflect on life itself and the end of man and leading from that the need to work for more deeds and follow the truth; • The first ever revelation to our Prophet (peace be upon him), which begins with the command to read, and the best thing to read is the Qur’an; • The third from last chapter, al-Ikhlas (Sincerity) encompasses a third of the Qur’an – consider why this is the case by reading it and learning it; • To cling firmly to Allah and to abandon everything besides Him. Support our Gaza fundraising campaign: tinyurl.com/GFTQ-1445 Gems From The Quran Telegram: goo.gl/ZclAR9 Instagram: goo.gl/OaiQD7 Facebook: goo.gl/jJ90YS

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Juz 28 In the 28th Juz of the Qur’an, we are taken through a number of issues relevant to the Madinan community established by the Prophet – the fledgling community sought to break the shackles of paganism and jahiliyyah (state of ignorance) and instead sought guidance from the Qur’an and the Messenger. Many issues are addressed throughout the Juz. However, this Juz is perhaps most notable for the last three verses of al-Hashr (Banishment) which contains the mention of over fifteen Names or Attributes of Allah. What can we learn from this Juz? • Issues concerning wala’ and bara’ (allegiance and enmity); • To practise what one preaches; • The only trade which brings about real benefit is that which is carried out with Allah; • That we are advised not to cling to this world; • Allah’s omnipotence and all-encompassing knowledge; • We are encouraged to have taqwa (God Consciousness) and to spend in Allah’s path; • Wives are advised not to make life difficult for their husbands; • Husbands are advised to bring up our families in the best of ways and to save them from the Fire. Support our Gaza fundraising campaign: tinyurl.com/GFTQ-1445 Gems From The Quran Telegram: goo.gl/ZclAR9 Instagram: goo.gl/OaiQD7 Facebook: goo.gl/jJ90YS

Juz 27 There are seven chapters in this Juz including the melodic and beautiful chapter of al-Rahman (the All-Merciful). In that chapter Allah highlights many of Allah’s blessings in the world the foremost of which is the Majestic Qur’an. Allah also describes the end of the world and paints a magnificent picture of Paradise. The chapter is characterised by the refrain, “Which, then of your Lord’s blessings will you both deny?” which runs throughout its course, an allusion and rebuke to both mankind and the jinn. The other chapters in this Juz cover themes integral to the Makkan chapters such as reminders of the Day of Judgement and the resurrection – reflect and take heed. In the final chapter, al-Hadid (Iron) urges the believers to two great actions: to spend in the Way of Allah and to uphold justice. What can we learn from this Juz? • That the resurrection and recompense will indeed occur; • Allah takes an oath that our provision is in the Heavens and that is as true as the fact that you speak – do you then fear for yours? • Man and Jinn have been created to worship Allah. Do you? • That we must patiently persevere in worshipping Allah; • The fate of the previous nations and that the pagans are no better than them; • That the Qur’an is easy to take admonition from but the problem lies with people – is there anyone to take heed? • Allah’s countless blessings, the first blessing being the teaching of the Qur’an. Ask yourself how much you have learned? • Mankind will be divided into three groups, and they will be rewarded accordingly. Which group would you want to be in? • The hearts must soften to Allah’s remembrance and yield to it. Support our Gaza fundraising campaign: tinyurl.com/GFTQ-1445 Gems From The Quran Telegram: goo.gl/ZclAR9 Instagram: goo.gl/OaiQD7 Facebook: goo.gl/jJ90YS

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Juz 26 The themes discussed in the chapters of this Juz are varied reflecting the fact that some of the chapters were revealed during the Prophet’s time in Makkah and the rest during his time in Madinah. The Makkan chapters (al-Ahqaf, Qaaf and al-Dhariyat (Scatterers)) address those who deny the truth and confirm the resurrection and the Day of Judgment. They encourage the Prophet to persist in his call reassuring that he is upon the truth. In contrast the Madinan chapters (Muhammad, al-Fath (Victory) and al-Hujurat (Rooms)) cover societal and legal issues – war, the organisation of the Muslim community and the mutual respect and trust between the new Muslim community. An important historical event, the treaty of Hudaibiyyah ratified by the Prophet and establishing a period of peace between the Muslims and the Quraysh is indirectly referenced in al-Fath and the Prophet is assured the treaty was indeed a great breakthrough. What can we learn from this Juz? • The perfection and precision of creation is proof that the Creator alone must be worshipped; • That we must be soft and gracious to our parents and not rebuke them; • Allah’s punishment could well come in the guise of blessings; • About Paradise and its delights but also of Hell and its punishment; • Allah is pleased with those who took the pledge of allegiance under the tree so be careful of hating those Allah is pleased with! • People are better than others only in their Taqwa (God Consciousness) so beware of racism and partisanship; • Every good the believer has is a grace conferred unto him by Allah; • That the angels record every word we say – are you cautious of what you utter? Support our Gaza fundraising campaign: tinyurl.com/GFTQ-1445 Gems From The Quran Telegram: goo.gl/ZclAR9 Instagram: goo.gl/OaiQD7 Facebook: goo.gl/jJ90YS