GemsFromTheQuran

“Those who insult God and His Messenger will be rejected by God in this world and the next- He has prepared a humiliating torment for them.” (Surah al-Ahzab, 33:57) إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ لَعَنَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًۭا مُّهِينًۭا In this verse, Allah mentions the curse & rejection ‘in this world and the next’, as an indication to being very far from Allah (SWT), with no hope of becoming close. This is because the one who is far in the worldly life, will desperately hope for closeness to Him in the life to come – yet he will not have it and will be from amongst the losers. [al-Razi, Mafatih al-Ghayb] As long as one is still breathing, they have a chance to strive and should continue to hope for the mercy of Allah. As for those who have the nerve to seek to insult Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, be assured they have what they deserve in both his life and the next! GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq

Indeed the one who is sincere towards the Book of Allah takes care to understand it, in order to establish what Allah has commanded him with, and loves to do so. He then spreads what he understands to others, and persists in his studying the Book out of love for Allah (SWT). Such a person is shaped with amazing character and manners. [Muhammad Ibn Nasr al-Maruzi, Ta’zim Qadr al-Salah] To love the Quran is to act upon it; applying its teachings to one’s life, and considering it from the closest of companions. May Allah make us from His people; the people of the Qur’an. GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq

“God and His angels bless the Prophet- so, you who believe, bless him too and give him greetings of peace.” (Surah al-Ahzab, 33:56) إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا The sublime status of the Prophet ﷺ requires a befittingly sublime salutation upon him. [Ibn Ashur, al-Tahrir wal-Tanwir] Send salaam and salah upon the Prophet ﷺ throughout your day and make it a habit that you cannot live without! GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq

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

~Dhul-Hijjah Gems~ Allah says: جَعَلَ اللهَُ الكَعبَةَ البَيتَ الحَرامَ قِيامًا لِلنّاسِ "Allah has made the Ka'bah - the Sacred House - a means of support for people..." [Al-Ma’ida: 97] Ibn ‘Abbas (r) reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that every single day Allah sends down upon this House 120 parts of mercy, 60 for those making Tawaaf, 40 for those praying Salah and 20 for those simply staring at it! [Reported al-Bayhaqi, classed as Hasan by some scholars] SubhanAllah! GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq

It was narrated that by Uqba Ibn Aamir (RA) that the Prophet ﷺ said “If the Qur’ān were put in a skin and thrown into the fire it would not burn.” [Mishkat al-Masabih] Ishaaq ibn Ibrahim ibn Hani, said “I heard Ahmad Ibn Hanbal saying [about this narration] that its meaning is if the Qur’an was in the heart of man i.e., memorised, then it is hoped that the Hellfire will not touch him.” [Al-Asma Wa Al-Siffat, Lil Bayhaqi] If one tries to live by the Quran; read, recite and act upon its teachings, it will eventually become part of oneself, firmly embedded in one's mind and chest; further guiding and leading towards the path of paradise and protecting from the Hellfire. What is more worthy to fill our hearts with than the words of our Lord! GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq

~ Dhul-Hijjah Gems ~ Allah says: وَتَزَوَّدوا فَإِنَّ خَيرَ الزّادِ التَّقوىٰ وَاتَّقونِ يا أُولِي الأَلبابِ "...provide well for yourselves: the best provision is TAQWA - always have TAQWA of Me, you who have understanding." [Al-Baqarah: 197] 'To gain the benefits of Hajj and be affected by it, the person needs to approach it with the right frame of mind: *Taqwa* If he doesn't, he will find the whole thing very burdensome, devoid of spirituality, and a struggle. Worse than that is completing the whole act and returning with nothing to show. It is about having Taqwa of Allah - which means to be cautious and aware of Him and what He wants from you. If you approach the Hajj with this attitude of being mindful of Allah more than you are mindful of yourself, your feelings, your tiredness, your struggle, then you will start to benefit and you will find the strength to bear the rudeness and bad manners of people, the heat of the sun, the pollution and so on. Moreover, when you return home, you will inshā Allāh return like the day you were born and with a heart, mind, body and soul that is rejuvenated and connected to Allah like never before.' - Ustadh Asim Khan GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq Instagram: tinyurl.com/Insta-gftq

~Dhul-Hijjah Gems~ Allah said: وأتموا الحج والعمرة لله "And perform properly the Hajj and 'Umrah for Allah." [Al-Baqarah:196] Sufyan al-Thawri would say that this means departing on your journey only for the sake of completing the Hajj and 'Umrah for Allāh alone. You don't desire business (or shopping in our case) or any other need. True ITMAAM (properly performing) is to set off with this intention - not to develop it when you reach Makkah(!) Part of ITMAAM is also perfecting the Hajj rites and performing them correctly, fulfilling all the conditions required. - Ustadh Asim Khan GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq Instagram: tinyurl.com/Insta-gftq

“His Lord said to him, ‘Devote yourself to Me.’ Ibraham replied, ‘I devote myself to the Lord of the Universe’”. (Surah al-Baqarah 2:131) إِذْ قَالَ لَهُۥ رَبُّهُۥٓ أَسْلِمْ ۖ قَالَ أَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِين ‘Regarding His rulings (SWT); Be sincere and upright and adhere to His religion; be like your father Ibrahim, for it wasn’t that His Lord said to him “Submit” except that he immediately surrendered his will and obeyed’. [Hidayat al-Quran al-Karim] The close relationship Prophet Ibrahim ﷺ had with his Lord is evident in his complete devotion and trust in the Will of the Almighty. Strengthen your relationship with Allah, by wholeheartedly and immediately adhering to that which He has commanded. GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq

~ Dhul-Hijjah Gems~ Allah says: الحَجُّ أَشهُرٌ مَعلوماتٌ "The pilgrimage (Hajj) takes place during the months that are well-known." [Al-Baqarah: 197] 'Why say the Hajj can be performed in the well-known months? Why give the pilgrims such a big window to make their way to Hajj? Technically you can come to Makkah with the intention to make Hajj at the beginning of Dhul-Qa’da and chill there until the Hajj days - two months later…but why? Look at what Allah says elsewhere about the Hajj and you’ll find a gem: وَأَذِّن فِي النّاسِ بِالحَجِّ يَأتوكَ رِجالًا وَعَلىٰ كُلِّ ضامِرٍ يَأتينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَميقٍ "Proclaim the Pilgrimage to all people. They will come to you on foot and on every kind of swift mount, emerging from every deep mountain pass." [Al-Hajj: 27] Allah wants people to come from all over the world (يَأتينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَميقٍ) and in order to facilitate their journeys, especially before the advent of airplanes and motor-vehicles when the journey could take weeks or even months, Allah graced us with such a big window of just over 2 months as it facilitates ease to allow people to come from far and wide.' - Ustadh Asim Khan GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq Instagram: tinyurl.com/Insta-gftq

Have you prepared for the days of Dhul-Hijjah? Allaah swears an oath by them to indicate their importance and great benefit. Allaah says: "By the dawn; by the ten nights" [al-Fajr 89:1-2]. Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra) reported that the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these 10 days." The people asked, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah?" He said, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing." [Al-Bukhaari]. Some righteous deeds to do in these days: (1) Fasting the first nine days, especially the 9th day (Yawm al-'Arafah). [Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Al-Tirmidhi]; (2) Increase in the Remembrance of Allah. Recite a lot of Tasbeeh ("Subhan-Allaah"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah") and Takbeer ("Allaahu akbar") during this time. [Musnad Ahmad, 7/224]; (3) Perform supererogatory prayers. Pray 2 rak'ah of Salaat al-Duha (time of Duha prayer lasts from when the sun has risen to the height of a spear until just before the zenith). [Muslim]; (5) Make sincere repentance; (6) Increase reading the Qur'an; (7) Honour your parents; (8) Give sadaqah (charity); and increase in doing good deeds in general. GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq Instagram: tinyurl.com/Insta-gftq

“Successful indeed are the believers!” (Surah al-Mu’minun, 23:1) قَدْ أَفْلَحَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ From the beginning of this verse, the reader / listener is eagerly driven to learn the attributes of those who Allah has already mandated will be successful, by His mercy and generosity – because perhaps they may find they hold these characteristics (and thus be from amongst them)! [Rabi’ al-Qulub, Dr Yusuf al-Aluwi] Study the first 10 verses of this surah carefully and strive to possess the characteristics that Allah has guaranteed success for. The Qur’an for sure is better and more truthful than any ‘self-help’ book. GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq

“So Allāh will protect them from the evil of that Day and give them radiance and happiness” (Surah al-Ihsan, 76:11) فَوَقَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ شَرَّ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْيَوْمِ وَلَقَّىٰهُمْ نَضْرَةًۭ وَسُرُورًۭا Hasan al-Basri said: ‘When a man feels delight in his heart, this feeling and radiance spreads until it is evident on his face. And these together, between his heart and his radiant face - this, is happiness.’ [Tafsir Mujahid] So many of us are seeking happiness in this life, but neglect the true source of it! How can happiness be achieved? Allah informs us that it is amongst the rewards for sincere good deeds – so strive to do more! GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq

“Our Lord, and make us Muslims [in submission] to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation [in submission] to You. And show us our rites [of worship] and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.” (Surah al-Baqarah 2:128) رَبَّنَا وَٱجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَآ أُمَّةًۭ مُّسْلِمَةًۭ لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَآ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ‘The most worthy of people for your sympathy and compassion are your children: so gift them more of your protection and grant them a good share (in the life to come), by way of your duas, for this is the best of what you send forth for the Ummah.’ [Hidayat al-Quran al-Karim] Our children and youth are not just our children but also the future of what is the Muslim nation, the Ummah. May Allah give us the ability to invest in them, for this life and the life to come. GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq

Have you arranged your Udhiya / Qurbani yet?

“And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it. And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness” (Surah al-Shams, 91:7-8) وَنَفۡسٍ۬ وَمَا سَوَّٮٰهَا (٧) فَأَلۡهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقۡوَٮٰهَا (٨) On the authority of Ibn Abbas (RA), he said: When the Prophet ﷺ came across this verse (whilst reciting the Qur’an), he stopped and said: ‘Oh Allah grant my ‘Nafs’ (Soul) its righteousness, for you are its Guardian and Master, and the best of whom purifies it.’ [al-Mu’jam al-Kabir lil-Tabarani]. One can purify their soul by being obedient to Allah and through righteous deeds, and thus cleansing oneself from sin, and ultimately it is Allah who guides and purifies; the granter of all success. What a perfect supplication, for the swaying soul to remain on the path of God-consciousness, taught to us by the perfect and more pure of mankind! GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq

“O Prophet! Ask your wives, daughters, and believing women to draw their cloaks over their bodies. In this way it is more likely that they will be recognized ˹as virtuous˺ and not be harassed. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah al-Ahzab, 33:59) يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَٰجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَآءِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَـٰبِيبِهِنَّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا "Allah is merciful towards those who cover themselves." [al-Wahidi] It is said one of the ways of knowing if one truly loves Allah is by obedience to Him and doing that which pleases Him. Indeed, a sister covering herself in the appropriate way is often not easy, especially in the West; but it is done for the pleasure of Allah alone. And in return for one's obedience and dedication, one can expect the increased mercy of their Lord – an amazing opportunity! GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq

“Do you fear them!? Allah is more deserving of your fear, if you are true believers.” (Surah at-Tawbah, 9:13) أَتَخۡشَوۡنَهُمۡ‌ۚ فَٱللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخۡشَوۡهُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: “And whoever desires Allah, Allah suffices him and manages all his affairs and removes from him what he is not able to remove from himself, and safeguards him, like one safeguards (their) children, and preserves him from all plagues. And whoever knows Allah, devotes his life to Him and lives a good life for him, and venerates Him in everything. …and thus, the fear of the creation leaves him.” [Rawdatun Al-Muhibin] GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq

Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah is reported to have said: “I pondered over the most beneficial of supplications; then I considered it to be in Surah al-Fatihah in the verse: إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ “You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help” (Surah al-Fatihah, 1:5) [Madarij Al-Salikeen] If we were to truly understand and implement just this one verse, we would surely have the ultimate success, with the will and guidance of Allah! GemsFromTheQuran Facebook: tinyurl.com/FB-gftq Telegram: tinyurl.com/TG-gftq