Quran Club - Reflections

App: www.quranclub.org Website: www.otpok.com --- وَعَلَى ٱلثَّلَـٰثَةِ ٱلَّذِينَ خُلِّفُوا۟ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا ضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ أَنفُسُهُمْ وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَن لَّا مَلْجَأَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّآ إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَتُوبُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ١١٨

And (likewise for) the three who lagged behind until, when the earth—vast as it is—closed in on them and their own (inner) selves closed in on them and they thought that there was no refuge from Allah except in Him, He then granted them repentance, so that they may repent. Indeed, Allah is the Granter and Accepter of repentance, the Bestower of mercy. [9:118] --- In this verse, Allah ﷻ gives us a confirmation of His acceptance of the repentance of the 3 companions of the Prophet ﷺ who absconded from the army. In doing so, He gives us a blueprint to follow on how our repentance can also be accepted too. Here is part 2 covering the second 5 points we derive from this verse and story. If you haven’t already, read part 1 to get full context of the verse: 6 – Flee to Allah ﷻ Allah ﷻ states وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَن لَّا مَلْجَأَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّآ إِلَيْهِ They knew there was no refuge from Allah except in Him. True repentance brings a realisation that the only escape from Allah ﷻ is to Allah ﷻ. It is such a profound description of the process; a recognition that you have overstepped His boundaries and warrant punishment, and a turning to Him in recognition that His mercy outweighs His wrath. This balance of hope and fear of Allah ﷻ is the foundation that underpins all of faith. 7 – No Compulsion Once the Prophet ﷺ had returned, those who absconded came before him with their excuses. One by one the Prophet ﷺ accepted their excuses and dismissed them. He did not scold nor punish them, but took their word at face value and prayed to Allah ﷻ for their forgiveness. Allah ﷻ told him the truth of their hearts, and taught him how to interact with them. You see, these people outwardly proclaimed to be Muslim, and here was the Messenger of God ﷺ who had more right than anyone to punish or excommunicate them from the faith. Yet, if he judged by their inward, we could never follow the same example. Instead, he taught us to live and let live, accept people’s choice and judge only by what is presented. So long as no public crime is committed, it is not our business to enforce it.

8 – Make it up Just like how sins harm us, good deeds benefit us. The battle of Tabuk was gruelling. Aside from the psychological hurdles of battling a far bigger and better equipped Roman army, the battle was set at a time of intense heat, in a far away land when all the fruit was just ripening back home. As a result, the companions who returned with the Prophet ﷺ came back different, purified in the cauldron of tribulation to become the great people they became. Allah ﷻ states in the verse before: لَّقَد تَّابَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ وَٱلْمُهَـٰجِرِينَ وَٱلْأَنصَارِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُ فِى سَاعَةِ ٱلْعُسْرَةِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا كَادَ يَزِيغُ قُلُوبُ فَرِيقٍۢ مِّنْهُمْ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِهِمْ رَءُوفٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ ١١٧ Allah has certainly turned in mercy to the Prophet as well as the Emigrants and the Helpers who stood by him in the time of hardship, after the hearts of a group of them had almost faltered. He then accepted their repentance. Surely He is Ever Gracious and Most Merciful to them. For these 3 companions, as part of their forgiveness, they had to undergo a process similar to the one they missed. It is necessary for their development, and wasn’t something they could forego. When we miss our prayers, break our fasts, skip our zakah or fail in other obligations we have, we are not off the hook. Allah ﷻ knows how important these are in nurturing our spiritual selves, and we must compensate for having missed them by making them up to the best of our ability.

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub App: www.quranclub.org Website: www.otpok.com --- وَعَلَى ٱلثَّلَـٰثَةِ ٱلَّذِينَ خُلِّفُوا۟ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا ضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ أَنفُسُهُمْ وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَن لَّا مَلْجَأَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّآ إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَتُوبُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ١١٨ And (likewise for) the three who lagged behind until, when the earth—vast as it is—closed in on them and their own (inner) selves closed in on them and they thought that there was no refuge from Allah except in Him, He then granted them repentance, so that they may repent. Indeed, Allah is the Granter and Accepter of repentance, the Bestower of mercy. [9:118] How do you know if your repentance has been accepted? Ultimately, only Allah ﷻ knows, but the Quran hints at some of the signs on how the process work. One example is that of the three companions of the Prophet ﷺ mentioned is surah Tawbah who absconded from the battle of Tabuk; Hilal ibn Umayyah, Murarah ibn Rabi’ah and Ka’b ibn Malik. For context; the Roman empire had assembled an army of 200,000 men to march on Madinah to eliminate the Muslims whom they viewed as a threat. In response, the Prophet ﷺ gathered an army greater than ever before, reported to be up to 30,000 men, yet their numbers, weaponry and experience still paled in comparison to their enemy. The Prophet ﷺ left the believers amongst the companions no excuse; everyone was expected to go with them, as every man was needed. But, in the words of Ka’b, the prospect of battle against such a large army, in severe heat, with a long journey ahead in the desert, led some to find excuses not to go. Moreover, the season which the battle fell in was in the word of Ka’b; “when the fruits had ripened and the shade looked pleasant”, making a journey out not just less appealing, but also an economic sacrifice too. To leave the ripened fruit unpicked is to lose a year of produce and potential income. Finally, with the Muslim army larger than any before, it was possible to sneak away unnoticed from the army, lost in the huge numbers of soldiers. What makes this story fascinating is that Allah's ﷻ forgiveness is explicitly confirmed within the Quran, providing a verified model for our own repentance. The narrative, narrated by Ka’b himself, offers valuable insights into his mindset throughout the incident, and provides specific details from which we can learn. Here are 10 key points from the verse and hadith on the nature of repentance and what we can learn from it 1 – The word order When Allah ﷻ describes the repentance, notice the order in which He describes His forgiveness; ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَتُوبُوٓا۟ ۚ “Then He forgave them so that they might repent.” Allah’s ﷻ forgiveness proceeds the act of repentance! Why? A sign that Allah ﷻ has forgiven you is the fact that you are asking, as His pardon precedes your request! How wonderful it is to know that simply asking for forgiveness is a sign that you have been forgiven! 2 – The harms of sin Sins bring about physical and psychological consequences. For the companions in this story, imagine the guilt they must have felt before Allah ﷻ and His Messenger ﷺ for what they did. Imagine the stigma from people knowing they were absent in their time of need. Before Allah ﷻ declares His repentance, He highlights the physical constriction and mental anguish felt as a result of the sin. Specifically, Allah ﷻ uses the word (حَتَّىٰٓ) “until”; a word used to describe the consequence of one thing from another, but carries an ambiguity on precisely when and how much will come. This is why Allah ﷻ prohibits us from sins; to help us avoid their negative effects and bring us back to Allah ﷻ in search of a remedy. Even with repentance, work may still be needed to rid ourselves of the harms caused by the sin we did.

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فَأَتْبَعَهُمْ فِرْعَوْنُ بِجُنُودِهِۦ فَغَشِيَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْيَمِّ مَا غَشِيَهُمْ ٧٨

Then Pharaoh pursued them with his soldiers—but how overwhelming were the waters that submerged them!

[20:78]

When telling the story of Ashura, our attention is often drawn to the main characters within the narrative, be it Prophet Musa (as) and Pharaoh, or Imam Hussein (ra) and Yazid. But little is ever said about what the NPCs in the story - the Non-Playable Characters. Across various mediums, whether it's a film, a story, or a game, NPCs serve as the underlying foundation upon which the narrative unfolds. Think of the enemies encountered on the way to confronting the ultimate boss in a game, or the soldiers in the background of a great battle in a movie; they play an essential role in crafting the narrative landscape, but individually fade into obscurity within the overarching plot of the story.

Much like this analogy, the NPCs of this story play a critical role within the narrative. What is Pharoah without his armies and minions who propped him up and worked to fulfil his orders? How would the story differ if Musa (as) did not have to lead the Children of Israel? How would Yazid have committed the heinous murder of the Prophet’s grandson without the soldiers obeying his command?

In the verse above, Allah ﷻ does not state Pharoah (و) “and” his soldiers. He uses the letter (ب), here translated to mean “with” his soldiers. Qurtubi explains how in Arabic, this transforms the word “soldiers” into a حال, a word which signifies the state or manner in which Pharoah pursued Prophet Musa (as), akin to the phrase “a man pursued him with his knife”. His army was not simply a companion on the journey; they were the tool which enabled Pharoah to pursue Prophet Musa and his people.

The story of Ashura is as much about these NPCs as it is about the main heroes and villains in the story. Their role enables the story to unfold, giving power and purpose to the characters and narrative. However, there is a subtle difference between the role they play for the heroes and villains. The villains in the story are wholly dependent on these NPCs for their very existence; their authority and position hinge on the support they receive from those who elevate them. On the contrary, figures like Prophet Musa (as) and Imam Hussein (ra) possess inherent greatness. Their significance is not derived from the NPCs; rather, the NPCs themselves find honour in their admiration and allegiance to these exceptional individuals. This dynamic emphasizes that it is the people who are uplifted through their connection with these heroes, not the other way around. This theme is found across the Qur’anic narrative; Allah ﷻ is not in need of us, but our obedience to Him is what ennobles us.

The story of Ashura is a reminder of the role we must play in our own story we see unfolding. Many assume they must play the main characters within a story, but our greater responsibility is to ensure we are simply part of the right side of the narrative. The collective is far more influential than any individual in a story, and each of us bares a responsibility in shaping the narrative of that group.

Shipwrecked (42:19) #QuranReflections by Sh. Abu Eesa Niamatullah Video: Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub App: www.quranclub.org Website: www.otpok.com --- ٱللَّهُ لَطِيفُۢ بِعِبَادِهِۦ يَرۡزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡقَوِيُّ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ "Allah is most kind towards His servants; He provides for whoever He wills, He is the Powerful, the Almighty." I recall that one of the great Imams in our history - Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi - was reflecting on this verse when he wrote his brother some profound advice. He said, rahimahullah: "Know that someone who is all alone clinging to a plank of wood in the middle of the ocean, is no less in need of Allah ﷻ and His kindness than one who is comfortably at home with his family and wealth. Once this reality settles in your heart, become dependent upon Allah ﷻ like the one who is drowning and knows that nothing and no-one can save him except Allah ﷻ." May Allah ﷻ remove all arrogance from our hearts, and allow us to truly depend on and submit to Him alone.

#FridayReminders 58: A Spider's Web (29:41)

#QuranReflections by Talha Ghannam

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مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْلِيَآءَ كَمَثَلِ ٱلْعَنكَبُوتِ ٱتَّخَذَتْ بَيْتًۭا ۖ وَإِنَّ أَوْهَنَ ٱلْبُيُوتِ لَبَيْتُ ٱلْعَنكَبُوتِ ۖ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ ٤١

The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of a spider spinning a shelter. And the flimsiest of all shelters is certainly that of a spider, if only they knew.

[29:41]

The parable is a fascinating one. Like the spiders web it describes, there are has many facets to explore to the analogy, giving interesting insights to the nature of disbelief. Here are just some of the comparisons for you to ponder:

1) The Illusion of Strength

Pound for pound, a spider's web is stronger than steel. In their world, a disbeliever believes they have constructed an indestructible sanctuary shielded from any imminent danger. They take pride in possessing the epitome of technological advancement, often deluded or corrupted by its power, leading them to believe they are independent of God. Yet, the truth remains that a web remains susceptible to numerous lurking threats despite its strength. A single swipe of a hand can shatter it entirely! Similarly, those who doubt their complete reliance on Allah ﷻ for protection find themselves as secure as a spider in its web. They may possess the most formidable structures created by humans, clinging to a false sense of security within their homes, beliefs and system s, but this only deludes them to the delicate balance they live in, failing to recognize that death or impending calamity looms just moments away.

2) Fragile Complexity

A web symbolizes intricate complexity, often associated with elaborate conspiracies or structures that are resilient and imperceptible to the unaware. Overcoming this web of technology and strength may seem insurmountable to its prey. The overwhelming influence of disbelief in the modern era, encompassing various aspects of life, can make us feel helpless amidst its intricacies. How do we begin to approach the complex worlds of Artificial Intelligence, geo-politics, finance and other such fields which feel so out of reach? However, we must remember that this intricate web is as fragile as a spider's web. Its power is illusory and can be easily destroyed. Don't let the complexities of the world overwhelm you, as its significance is no greater than that of a mere spider's web.

3) Deception

A web, in its essence, lacks substance; its modus operandi is to stretch across a path, utilizing the allure of what lies behind it to ensnare those who pass through. It cunningly captures its prey by presenting an image of paradise, knowing that it has nothing to offer itself. The trapped prey wriggle and strain, hoping to reach their desired destination, unaware that unless they break free from the web, they not only fail to reach their goal but also fall prey to the captor that traps them. This is precisely why, as believers, we are instructed to maintain Taqwa – a state of God consciousness – in this worldly realm. In Arabic, Taqwa is used to describe a person carefully navigating through a thorn garden, ensuring their garments do not catch on the thorns. As we traverse this world, our Taqwa towards Allah ﷻ keeps us vigilant, enabling us to recognize the webs that lie in our path towards God.

#FridayReminders 56: Tricky Translations (37:93)

#QuranReflections by Talha Ghannam

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فَرَاغَ عَلَيْهِمْ ضَرْبًۢا بِٱلْيَمِينِ ٩٣

Then he swiftly turned on them, striking ˹them˺ with his right hand.

[37:93]

We often hear scholars describe the inability of translating the Quran perfectly. In a recent OnePath Network podcast featuring Dr. Mustafa Khattab, renowned translator of the acclaimed "Clear Quran," he discussed various reasons contributing to this challenge. One of the key difficulties is encapsulating the rich array of meanings found in Arabic into a single word in English. Dr. Khattab provided an illustrative example using the verse mentioned above, specifically focusing on the word (بِٱلْيَمِينِ), translated here as "with his right hand." However, during the podcast, he explained that this phrase actually encompasses multiple meanings, but he could only carry one of them forward in his translation.

I was inspired to research the word, seeing what meanings I could uncover from the Tafsir literature. I came across an enlightening passage from Al-Shawkani's tafsir, which sheds light on the various interpretations offered by commentators for this particular word. Here are 7 meanings I found within the literature:

1) The right hand

Al-Wahidi said, 'Commentators state it means striking them with his right hand.' This is the strongest opinion according to Al-Shawkani.

2) A symbol for strength

As-Suddi said, '[Al-Yameen means] with strength and power, for the right hand is the stronger of the two hands.' Al-Farra' and Tha’lab state, 'Striking with strength, as the right hand signifies strength.'

Qurtubi adds in his tafsir: The emphasis on striking with the right hand is because it is stronger, and striking with it is more severe, as mentioned by Ad-Dahhak and Ar-Rabi' ibn Anas.

3) An oath

[In Arabic, the word Yameen is used to refer to making an oath]. Ad-Dahhak and Ar-Rabi' ibn Anas said, 'What is meant by the Yameen here is the oath that he swore by when he said

وَتَٱللَّهِ لأَكِيدَنَّ أَصْنَـٰمَكُمْ

{By Allah, I will surely plot against your idols.}'

[Quran 21:57]

Here, Prophet Ibrahim is fulfilling his oath by smashing idols as he stated.

4) Justice

It is said that what is meant by the right hand here is justice, as understood in another verse:

{And if He had spoken any word against Us, We would have seized him by the Yameen.}

وَلَوْ تَقَوَّلَ عَلَيْنَا بَعْضَ ٱلأَقَاوِيلِ * لأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُ بِٱلْيَمِينِ

[Quran 69:44-45]

Here, the word Yameen is a metaphor for justice, just as the left is often a metaphor for injustice.

In Qurtubi’s Tafsir, he discusses much of the same meanings, adding a few nuances and other variations:

5) Obedience to God

You will find within the Quran sins are associated with the left, and obedience on the right. Allah ﷻ states in the Quran

إِنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَأْتُونَنَا عَنِ ٱلْيَمِينِ

'{Indeed, you used to come to Us from the Yameen.}'

[Quran 37:28],

In this context, Yameen means to come to Allah ﷻ from the side of obedience. Prophet Ibrahim’s act was done in obedience to the will of God.

6) Pledge of Allegiance

Qurtubi states: Don't you see that we pledged allegiance to Allah ﷻ with our right hand on the Day of the Covenant? [Here, this is referring to the pledge all souls took before Allah ﷻ upon the creation of Adam]. Any pledge is taken with the right hand. That is why the book will be given to the person with their right hand in the hereafter because they fulfilled their pledge, while the one who breaks the pledge and flees from Allah ﷻ will receive it with their left hand as that is the symbol of injustice. So, His saying, {بِٱلْيَمِينِ} in this verse refers to that pledge on that day.

May Allah ﷻ make us from those who truly understand and live the Quran.

Another wonderful reflection on the subtlety within the Arabic language that is simply not transferred over in the translation. It's these sort of subtleties that show you just how perfect the Quran is, the need to understand Arabic, and the need to ponder deeply on the meanings within it. Thank you @CambridgeCentralMosque for organising such a wonderful talk on the Quran! Full talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCNzi9VkS8M

Another wonderful reflection on the subtlety within the Arabic language that is simply not transferred over in the translation. It's these sort of subtleties that show you just how perfect the Quran is, the need to understand Arabic, and the need to ponder deeply on the meanings within it. Thank you @CambridgeCentralMosque for organising such a wonderful talk on the Quran! Full talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCNzi9VkS8M

#FridayReminders 51: A Good Argument (15:33) #QuranReflections by Talha Ghannam Video: https://youtu.be/09EmBq0ID3g Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub App: www.quranclub.org Website: www.otpok.com --- قَالَ لَمْ أَكُن لِّأَسْجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خَلَقْتَهُۥ مِن صَلْصَـٰلٍۢ مِّنْ حَمَإٍۢ مَّسْنُونٍۢ ٣٣ He replied, “It is not for me to prostrate to a human You created from sounding clay moulded from black mud.” (15:33) Reading this statement, it is difficult to disagree; we should not prostrate to a created being! But having a good argument or even making a true statement doesn’t make you right. These half truths and snappy sound bites are dangerous, presenting a falsehood in a manner that makes them seem correct; something Shaytan is a master of. The ability to put forward a strong case to defend the indefensible is his speciality, and this verse is case in point. What Iblis fails to acknowledge is that the command to prostrate came from the Creator he is claiming to venerate, so disobeying Him in obedience to Him is self-contradictory! We live in an age of memes and reels, where the average tweet is only 28 characters, and TikTok video only 32 seconds. When people’s attention span is so short, soundbites prevail over nuanced arguments. Truth is reduced to the one with the sharpest wit, boldest claim or provocative image. Yet, a good argument does not make your right. Our Prophet ﷺ warned us of making a strong case for a falsehood, explaining: عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ ‏ "‏ إِنَّكُمْ تَخْتَصِمُونَ إِلَىَّ، وَلَعَلَّ بَعْضَكُمْ أَلْحَنُ بِحُجَّتِهِ مِنْ بَعْضٍ، فَمَنْ قَضَيْتُ لَهُ بِحَقِّ أَخِيهِ شَيْئًا بِقَوْلِهِ، فَإِنَّمَا أَقْطَعُ لَهُ قِطْعَةً مِنَ النَّارِ فَلاَ يَأْخُذْهَا ‏"‏‏.‏ "You people present your cases to me. Some of you may be more eloquent and persuasive in presenting their argument than others. So if I give someone's right to another (wrongly) because of the latter's presentation of their case, I am really giving them a piece of hellfire; so they should not take it." [Bukhari] The Prophet ﷺ was sent as our teacher. He could have received revelation to judge between people, yet Allah ﷻ willed that he judge as any human would to expose us to the inherent flaws within ourselves and the justice system, and command us to be God fearing when putting forward our case. He knew people could lose a case when they are innocent, and win a case when they are liable, and he put the ownness on them to fear their Lord. In another narration, he appeals to the judges: عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ‏ "‏ إِذَا تَقَاضَى إِلَيْكَ رَجُلاَنِ فَلاَ تَقْضِ لِلأَوَّلِ حَتَّى تَسْمَعَ كَلاَمَ الآخَرِ فَسَوْفَ تَدْرِي كَيْفَ تَقْضِي ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ عَلِيٌّ فَمَا زِلْتُ قَاضِيًا بَعْدُ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ ‏.‏ “When two men come to you seeking judgement, do not judge for the first until you have heard the statement of the other.” [Tirmidhi] How often do we take the time to study the different viewpoints before reaching a decision? Are we in check of our own ego to recognise our own biases? When the case of our friend, social circle, the rich or the powerful are put before us, are we sure we won’t lean towards them by virtue of who they are, not what they’ve done? A good argument does not make the truth. A good person does not make them right. Strong evidence does not prove a case. We must take the time to understand an issue fully and deliberate before making a judgement, and where we have not done so, we should not speak. The Prophet ﷺ taught: وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر، فليقل خيرًا، أو ليصمت‏"‏ He who believes in Allah and the Last Day must either speak good or remain silent. [Muslim]

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غُلِبَتِ ٱلرُّومُ ٢

(2) The Romans have been defeated

فِىٓ أَدْنَى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَهُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ غَلَبِهِمْ سَيَغْلِبُونَ ٣

(3) in a nearby land. Yet following their defeat, they will triumph

فِى بِضْعِ سِنِينَ ۗ لِلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْرُ مِن قَبْلُ وَمِنۢ بَعْدُ ۚ وَيَوْمَئِذٍۢ يَفْرَحُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٤

(4) within three to nine years. The ˹whole˺ matter rests with Allah before and after ˹victory˺. And on that day the believers will rejoice

بِنَصْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ يَنصُرُ مَن يَشَآءُ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ٥

(5) at the victory willed by Allah. He gives victory to whoever He wills. For He is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱللَّهُ وَعْدَهُۥ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ٦

(6) ˹This is˺ the promise of Allah. ˹And˺ Allah never fails in His promise. But most people do not know.

[30:2-6]

By Zakariya Ellahi, 14 years old

Surah Al-Rum (The Romans) was revealed in 615 CE, a time of great power imbalance in the Middle East. Sassanid emperor Khosrow II had launched an invasion into the Eastern Roman Empire to avenge the ousting of his ally Maurice. By this time, Damascus and Antioch had already fallen and Roman emperor Heraclius failed to defend Jerusalem. This was a symbolic defeat for the Christians as the Church of The Holy Sepulchre was raised, and the True Cross and other relics were brought to Khosrow’s palace in Ctesiphon, the Persian Capital.

This verse highlights the Roman defeat but declares that they would return victorious in a few years. When this verse was revealed in Makkah, this claim was not only dismissed but laughed at by the disbelievers. They saw this as a sign that polytheism, represented by the Persians, would defeat monotheism, represented by the Romans. The loss of Jerusalem was considered a sign of divine anger and Heraclius was having trouble raising a new army. The Sassanids besieged Chalcedon which is a city a few kilometres from Constantinople, modern day Istanbul and capital of the Roman Empire. However, the Romans allied with the Western Turkic Khaganate to deal a decisive blow to Sassanid armies defending the Gate of The Taurus Mountains following it up by managing to raid Ganzaka, dispersing the garrison and burning a famous fire temple as revenge for Jerusalem.

This prophecy illustrates the absolute power of Allah ﷻ. It shows however dire your situation is, He can always solve it for you. Miraculously, the verses even specifies precisely the time in which this victory would be achieved. Verse 4 states the believers will rejoice the day of this victory. This prophecy foretelling the Roman victory fell on the same day as the Battle of Badr, a day of great rejoice for the believers, just as described! The defeat of the idol worshippers on the same day in Persia and Arabia could not be a coincidence; it is clear evidence of the divine nature of the Quran, showing how the disbelievers don’t see the truth even when it is right in front of them.

Finally, verse 6 is telling us how Allah ﷻ never breaks His promises, but most of us don’t know. All of Allah’s ﷻ promises are fulfilled, so we should not worry if Allah ﷻ will fulfil His promise to help us as believers. Instead, our worry should be to do what is best for Allah ﷻ, and whether what we desire will truly benefit us. People often break their promises because of either an inability to fulfil them or a lack of intent to keep them in the first place. Neither of these apply to Allah ﷻ. He is the Almighty and there is nothing He can’t do, and when He wishes for something, He says “Be” and it is. Allah’s ﷻ power is immeasurable to the human mind. There is no benefit nor reason for Him to break His promise to us, and to think that He would is a sin.

#FridayReminders 49: Grammar Hazards (35:28)

#QuranReflections by Talha Ghannam

Video: https://youtu.be/gyo_1JLwhzw

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub

App: www.quranclub.org

Website: www.otpok.com

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Don’t make this mistake when you’re reading Qur’an! Allah ﷻ says in surah Fatir:

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَٱلدَّوَآبِّ وَٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ كَذَٰلِكَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ٱلْعُلَمَـٰٓؤُا۟ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ ٢٨

Just as people, living beings, and cattle are of various colours as well. Of all of Allah’s servants, only the knowledgeable ˹of His might˺ are ˹truly˺ in awe of Him. Allah is indeed Almighty, All-Forgiving.

[35:28]

If you change the vowel at the end of the word Allaha (ٱللَّهَ) to Allahu (ٱللَّهُ), you would be speaking blasphemy without knowing it. Why?

In Arabic, the vowel at the end of a word indicates its relationship within the sentence it sits in. In this verse, the fatha (ـَ) on the word Allah (ٱللَّهَ) tells us it is the grammatical object in the sentence, i.e. the one being feared. The dammah (ـُ) on the word scholars (ٱلْعُلَمَـٰٓؤُا) tells us it is the grammatical subject, i.e. the ones in fear. Together, this gives the meaning; “The scholars fear Allah ﷻ”. If you switch these vowels around to (ٱللَّهُ) and (ٱلْعُلَمَـٰٓؤَا), their roles within the sentence also swap, changing the sentence to ”Allah ﷻ fears the scholars”!!

Switching the vowels changes the meaning from Scholars fearing Allah ﷻ, to Allah fearing Scholars – Astaghfirallah! Every detail in the Quran matters, even if small.

One additional subtlety; Arabic grammar is agnostic to the order you write the words in so long as it maintains the grammatical states we discussed, i.e. the vowels at the end of the word. This means you can say:

يَخْشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ٱلْعُلَمَـٰٓؤُا

Or

يَخْشَى ٱلْعُلَمَـٰٓؤُا مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ٱللَّهَ

Both sentences still mean: “The scholars from His slaves are the ones who fear Allah”, even though we switched the words around

Placing the name Allah ﷻ first is more befitting to the meaning being conveyed, as no slave goes before His Master. However, in terms of meaning, the order of the words has no impact grammatically on what is being conveyed.

Finally, Ibn Ashur explains a further subtlety; the word إنما and the delay of the word “scholars” within the sentence limits the application of the verb to them only. i.e. only the scholars fear Allah ﷻ. In fact, the word علماء translates more broadly to “Knowers”; i.e. you can only truly be in awe of Allah ﷻ if you know Him. This is why knowledge plays such an important role within our faith.

All these subtleties within the Arabic is lost within the translation. A single change in vowel can have a dramatic impact on the meaning. This ‘grammar hazard’ is just one of the details we need to be aware of when reading the Quran.

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(Note: the orthography of words and structure of sentences have been kept the same for teaching purposes to limit confusion in the explanation. Words such as ٱلْعُلَمَـٰٓؤُا have a specific spelling within the Quran and have not been changed when the vowel was changed to ٱلْعُلَمَـٰٓؤَا. More on this in a future podcast)

#FridayReminders 48: The 27th Night (97:1-5)

#QuranReflections by Talha Ghannam

Video: https://youtu.be/OCp_TfOts3M

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub

App: www.quranclub.org

Website: www.otpok.com

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إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ ١

Indeed, ˹it is˺ We ˹Who˺ sent this ˹Quran˺ down on the Night of Glory.

وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ ٢

And what will make you realize what the Night of Glory is?

لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌۭ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍۢ ٣

The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months.

تَنَزَّلُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍۢ ٤

That night the angels and the ˹holy˺ spirit descend, by the permission of their Lord, for every ˹decreed˺ matter.

سَلَـٰمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ ٱلْفَجْرِ ٥

It is all peace until the break of dawn.

[97:1-5]

No one knows for certain when Laylat Al-Qadr (the night of glory) falls. The Prophet ﷺ had once come to inform us about its precise timing. Obadah bin As-Samit narrates:

عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ، قَالَ خَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِيُخْبِرَنَا بِلَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ، فَتَلاَحَى رَجُلاَنِ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ، فَقَالَ ‏ “‏ خَرَجْتُ لأُخْبِرَكُمْ بِلَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ، فَتَلاَحَى فُلاَنٌ وَفُلاَنٌ، فَرُفِعَتْ، وَعَسَى أَنْ يَكُونَ خَيْرًا لَكُمْ، فَالْتَمِسُوهَا فِي التَّاسِعَةِ وَالسَّابِعَةِ وَالْخَامِسَةِ ‏”‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) came out to inform us about the Night of Qadr but two Muslims were quarrelling with each other [about it]. So, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “I came out to inform you about the Night of Qadr but such-and-such persons were quarrelling, so the news about it had been taken away; yet that might be for your own good, so search for it on the 29th, 27th and 25th (of Ramadan).

[Bukhari]

Since then, scholars have discussed at length their thoughts on when Laylat Al-Qadr could be with no consensus ever being reached – perhaps in recognition of the initial reason it was withheld! However, a great number of scholars were motivated to say that the 27th night is the most likely of the nights, citing numerous hadith and arguments to support their claim.

But before going into the discussion, here’s some practical advice; this blessed night has many merits, some of which include:

1. Forgiveness of all your past sins

2. A Guarantee of Paradise

3. Emancipation from Hellfire

4. Answering of all Duas

5. Multiplication of deeds by at least 1,000 months

Allah ﷻ hid this night within the last 10 of Ramadan to see His servants rise each night worshipping Him. Why? Perhaps its because He knows we rarely get up any other night of the year, and He wishes to invite us to meet Him when He closest to us in the depths of the night. As the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Our Lord Almighty descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of every night, saying: Who is calling upon Me that I may answer him? Who is asking from Me that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness that I may forgive him?”

Perhaps He knows the value of rising up at night in worship, and Him hiding it within these days is to give you enough time to realise its benefits as well. Perhaps the other nights are a dress rehearsal for the one that really counts, so you are spiritually ready for the moment? Perhaps He just wishes to seek your company, so He is giving you a reason to lengthen your stay. Those seeking Laylat Al-Qadar, will find it on one of those nights. Your Lord is a generous Lord. But those seeking Allah ﷻ will find Him every night, all year round. Whether Laylat Al-Qadar is the 27th night or not is besides the point; our true goal is to seek Allah ﷻ.

To make the most of this night, I’ve put together 10 hacks taken from the Quran and Sunnah to help you supercharge your worship and make the most of these nights. Download it from our website, or get in touch and we can send it to you. Now back to the discussion:

#FridayReminders 47: The Birds (67:19)

#QuranReflections by Jubril Aloa

Video: https://youtu.be/acnLh617kJU

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub

App: www.quranclub.org

Website: www.otpok.com

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Another wonderful reflection on the subtlety within the Arabic language that is simply not transferred over in the translation. It's these sort of subtleties that show you just how perfect the Quran is, the need to understand Arabic, and the need to ponder deeply on the meanings within it.

Thank you Cambridge Central Mosque for organising such a wonderful talk on the Quran! Full talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCNzi9VkS8M

#FridayReminders 46: Relentless Optimism (3:139)

#QuranReflections by Talha Ghannam

Video: https://youtu.be/kjkAjdIiJOo

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub

App: www.quranclub.org

Website: www.otpok.com

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وَلَا تَهِنُوا۟ وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا۟ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلْأَعْلَوْنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ١٣٩

Do not lose heart or despair- for you will have the upper hand, if you are ˹true˺ believers.

[3:139]

When news arrived of an unprecedented Confederate army had gathered to destroy the Muslims, larger than any ever seen before in Arabia, the companions immediately began digging a trench to protect the exposed front of Madinah. With little time on their side, the smallest setback could prove fatal for the believers as the marching army would arrive in a matter of days. In that moment, as unfortunate as it was symbolic, they were blocked by a boulder so large even the strongest of them could not break it. These great companions, full of faith and understanding, knew immediately who to turn to; the Prophet ﷺ.

As our Beloved ﷺ was handed the axe, he struck it once and a tremendous spark emerged, filling the horizon. With great joy, he exclaimed, "Allahu Akbar! The keys of Syria are granted to me. I swear by Allah, I can see its palaces at this very moment." He struck the axe again, and another spark lit up the sky. "Allahu Akbar! Persia is granted to me. I swear by Allah, I can now see the white palace of Madain." On the third strike, a tremendous spark emerged once again, causing the rock to crumble. The Prophet ﷺ exclaimed, "Allahu Akbar! I have been given the keys of Yemen. I swear by Allah, I can see the gates of Sana'a from where I stand."

In their darkest moment, the Prophet ﷺ shared nothing but hope with the believers. In the face of annihilation, met with an insurmountable obstacle, He shared a prophecy of incredible victories in the future with such certainty, it made the impending calamity seem nothing more than a minor setback. To have such tremendous optimism, conviction even, in the face of such dire odds is a hallmark of the Prophetic call, and is something that our community desperately needs to rediscover. While there are countless similar incidents to recall, three are particularly noteworthy:

• After a group of disbelievers in Makkah violently attacked, strangled, and beat the Prophet ﷺ while he was praying, he turned to his companions and said "Rejoice, for Allah ﷻ will make His religion prevail, complete His Word, and support His Prophet. Verily, those (perpetrators) whom you see today will be slain by Allah through your hands soon.”

• During his migration from Makkah, the Prophet ﷺ was relentlessly pursued by disbelievers seeking to kill him, if not for hatred then for the heavy bounty on his head. Suraqah, a skilled bounty hunter, successfully tracked him down within the desert, but each time he approached, his horse sank into the sand and he stood at the mercy of the Prophet ﷺ. After vowing to end his pursuit, his horse was released and he free to return to his home. However, the allure of money was too great, rescinding his word and attempting his capture repeatedly, each time meeting the same outcome! On the third attempt, the Prophet ﷺ came to him and promised him a bounty far greater; the bracelets of the emperor of Persia! He agreed, and did not pursue him again.

• Before the battle of Badr, the Muslims were hopelessly outnumbered and under resourced. They faced an army 3 times larger than their own, and hadn’t come out prepared for such a war. In the face of such dire odds, the Prophet ﷺ walked around the battle field marking out the precise spots where each of their leaders would fall. Each of them fell in the precise spot he had marked.

#FridayReminders 44: This is my Lord (6:78)

#QuranReflections by Sh Jubril Alao

Video: https://youtu.be/n1-IuOSHGfs

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub

App: www.quranclub.org

Website: www.otpok.com

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A beautiful extract from a talk by Sh Jubril Alao at the Cambridge Central Mosque exploring a commonly asked question about Prophet Ibrahim (as) and the his statements around the stars, moon and sun. 

Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/zCNzi9VkS8M

#FridayReminders 41: A Subtle Stretch (99:7-8)

#QuranReflections by Talha Ghannam

• Video: https://youtu.be/1xTnL2wm6fM
• Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub
• App: www.quranclub.org
• Website: www.otpok.com

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فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًۭا يَرَهُۥ ٧

So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it.

وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍۢ شَرًّۭا يَرَهُۥ ٨

And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.

(99:7-8)

There is a subtle difference between these two verses which doesn’t translate in the English. When describing an atoms weight of good, the words (ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًۭا) have no ghunnah (i.e. stretch) between them, requiring the reader to continue without elongating the word. In the following verse, Allah ﷻ repeats a similar phrase but this time describing an atoms weight of sin: (ذَرَّةٍۢ شَرًّۭا). This time, a ghunnah is found between the two words, requiring a reciter to stretch the end of the first word for 2 moments before continuing with the rest of the verse.

Why is this difference there? There is a wonderful hadith of the Prophet ﷺ which perhaps enlightens us on some of the wisdoms:

#FridayReminders 37: From Rageful Refutation to Courteous Conversation? (29:6)

#QuranReflections by Hisham Abu Yusuf

Video: https://youtu.be/HD84fV5lZCI

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub

App: www.quranclub.org

Website: www.otpok.com

وَمَن جَـٰهَدَ فَإِنَّمَا يُجَـٰهِدُ لِنَفْسِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٦

And whoever strives ˹in Allah’s cause˺, only does so for their own good. Surely Allah is not in need of ˹any of˺ His creation.

(29:6)

The examples of scholars having decorum and etiquette in their disagreements are too many to relate. But one example came up today while I was doing some reading around this verse in Surah Al-Ankabut.

After Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, may Allah have mercy on him, spends a significant number of pages responding to some Mu'tazilite theological arguments - something he spends a lot of time doing in his exegesis - he then says something quite profound about this whole back-and-forth he's engaging in. He said:

"My brother, know that both of us [i.e. me and my opponents] are all attempting to glorify Allah ﷻ and describe Him in a way that is free of imperfections… if you think about that carefully, you'll realise that we all want to describe Allah ﷻ in a manner that rids Him of any imperfection, magnifies Him, and elevates His status. It happens to be that some of us got it right, and others just got it wrong.."

[Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut, v6]

We can all take a lesson from this statement in how we engage, rectify and correct ideas from other Muslims, while avoiding character assassination and public beef-ing. We can all acknowledge that our opponent or interlocutor has a good intention, even if they got it wrong. And that we're both trying to get to the same place, even if we chose different paths. And then maybe, just maybe, we'll stop treating them like a villain and the cycle of rageful refutations can look a bit more like courteous conversations.

#FridayReminders 34: Gentle Counsel (20:44)

#QuranReflections by Talha Ghannam

Video: https://youtu.be/GRUd9GKDy68
Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub
App: www.quranclub.org
Website: www.otpok.com
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فَقُولَا لَهُۥ قَوۡلٗا لَّيِّنٗا لَّعَلَّهُۥ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوۡ يَخۡشَىٰ
Speak to him gently, so perhaps he may be mindful ˹of Me˺ or fearful ˹of My punishment˺.”
(20:44)

When ordered to confront Pharoah, Allah ﷻ commands Prophet Musa and his brother Prophet Harun; "Speak to him gently". Here was one of the biggest despots and murderers of all time, and Allah ﷻ commanded gentleness. 

So much is written about this verse and its importance in how we speak to other folks, particularly our enemies. In the age of Twitter, people write provocative and often insulting tweets about others just to get more followers. We no longer consider the other person and the impact it has on them, but instead we write with only ourselves, our popularity, and our ego in mind. Little do we realise we are drinking a poisoned chalice; if we gain the popularity we seek, we will be victim to the same toxic culture we helped propagate when no one knew who we were. 

When speaking with or advising others, our foremost concern should be their welfare and receptiveness to the message. Anything you say should be measured by how it will be received by them. Speaking harshly or even directly often closes people off from listening to you before you have even said a word. How many uncles “advising” in a masjid really had the impact they had hoped for when they spoke to you? Instead, the principle we should hold onto is; 

1)    How will that person receive your message? 
2)    Can I justify before God what I am saying?

They are the intended person you are seeking to benefit, so consider how they will receive it, not how you will look saying it. Nowadays, people feel the need to speak out on every issue for fear of how others will view them; an egocentric motivation underpinning your counsel could not be more contradictory. Look how gentle Allah ﷻ is with someone who said, "I am God", then enslaved, tortured and killed an entire demographic of people. Nothing anyone could do is worse than this, yet God commanded we treat them gently. We do not ignore their wrongs nor brush them under the carpet, but we figure out the best way in which to advise them in order for it to have the highest potential of change. 

So how do we deal with aggressors? How do we redress wrongs without violating the sacred boundaries? I once heard a preacher proclaim “لا غيبة لفاسق – There is no backbiting to a fasiq – an open sinner”, using it as a licence to speak freely and insult the leaders he deemed oppressors. It never sat well with me; how can insults be religiously sanctioned? As I studied further, I realised this statement was intended when bringing someone to justice, seeking counsel or warning someone who may have dealings with them, permitting you to speak of someone’s ills when you are seeking remediation. If you know someone is about to fall into the same trap as you, you should warn them before they are burnt as you were. It is not a free licence to talk about anyone you deem an open sinner, and certainly is not permission to tweet endless memes about them.

It’s worth mentioning the modern celebrity culture that exists today and the gossip, banter and mockery that surrounds them. Whether it be a footballer or influencer, journalist or politician, their fame does not give people licence to insult or degrade them, regardless of how much they get paid or how successful they are. Many celebrities have spoken of how difficult it is to cope with the barrage of slurs and comments that come their way through social media, having a major impact on their mental health and wellbeing. Imagin

Your Humble Beginnings

يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُخَفِّفَ عَنكُمْ ۚ وَخُلِقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ ضَعِيفًۭا ٢٨

And it is Allah’s Will to lighten your burdens, for humankind was created weak. (4:28)

My dear beloved son

I remember once sitting with your namesake – your grandfather – watching a nature documentary; a camera captured the moment a horse went into labour alone in a stable. There were no midwifes or doctors; the horse just lay on its side and birthed its young foal, alone. Once the baby emerged, within minutes it was up on its feet around its mother, walking! It did not need anyone to clothe it, carry it, clean it or feed it; it immediately had the strength to rise and find its own way to its mother to drink from its milk. At that moment, your grandfather turned to me and said:

وَخُلِقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ ضَعِيفًۭا ٢٨

for humankind was created weak. (4:28)

The comparison could not be more stark to the creation of you and I. From the moment the midwives handed you to me, I was told to support your head as your neck was too weak to keep it upright. Your warmth was preserved by the care of your mother as she held you close and wrapped you in your new clothes. Your feeds required us to bring the food to you, with your only ability being the reflexes Allah ﷻ blessed you with to suckle and swallow. Once the milk passed through you, you depended on others to clean you up before the sting of your own defecation became too uncomfortable. And you are not unique in this; every human being, rich or poor, black or white, country or creed, is exactly the same way. Throughout Allah’s ﷻ creation, you will not find a creature more helpless than human beings.

This process does not end here. In modern societies, our children are not independent of us until at least the age of 18 where they begin to leave the nest. From our food and shelter, to our education and entertainment, we are completely dependent on our families if we are to survive, let alone thrive. For that, we need healthy environments to educate our minds and nurture our souls as any abuse or neglect can cause a lifetime of psychological trauma. Without our mother and father – or someone to fill their place – we simply would not exist. Even Tarzan needed apes to raise him!

Selfless Nurture

وَوَصَّيْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ إِحْسَـٰنًا ۖ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُۥ كُرْهًا وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهًا ۖ وَحَمْلُهُۥ وَفِصَـٰلُهُۥ ثَلَـٰثُونَ شَهْرًا ۚ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ وَبَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً قَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِىٓ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَىَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَـٰلِحًا تَرْضَىٰهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِى فِى ذُرِّيَّتِىٓ ۖ إِنِّى تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَإِنِّى مِنَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ

We have commanded people to honour their parents. Their mothers bore them in hardship and delivered them in hardship. Their ˹period of˺ bearing and weaning is thirty months. In time, when the child reaches their prime at the age of forty, they pray, “My Lord! Inspire me to ˹always˺ be thankful for Your favours which You blessed me and my parents with, and to do good deeds that please You. And instil righteousness in my offspring. I truly repent to You, and I truly submit ˹to Your Will˺.”

(46:15)

My dear beloved son

Imagine there was a way to have a child without going through any of the pains; no months of pregnancy for your mother, no pains of labour to endure, no sleepless nights to wake through, no anxiety about your well-being, no worry about finances to raise you. Imagine Allah ﷻ had decreed that the way we have children was a painless process as easy as ordering a gift from Amazon, arriving as an independent, fully grown adult for whom you are genetically connected with and share a lifelong bond with.

If you asked any mother or father, you will not find many who would trade this for the role of raising a new-born baby, regardless of how difficult and exhausting it may be. This is not for any sadism or love of pain. No parent enjoys the sacrifices that they have to make. They simply endure them lovingly with the understanding that it’s the required investment to nurture something far greater in return; Love.

You see, raising a child is almost entirely a selfless act, requiring almost continuous sacrifice on behalf of the parents in order to raise and nurture the child. Whether it be time, money, sleep or ambition, every parent must sacrifice something in order to give to their children. The result? Love; an unquantifiable, intangible human experience universal to us all brought about in a moments smile from a new born child after endless sacrifice for their sake. It is not that the parents enjoy the pain; they endure it knowing it is the currency through which they obtain the reward it nurtures

#FridayReminders 19: Prophetic Perseverance

Quran Reflections by Talha Ghannam

• Video: https://youtu.be/k9V-WZbNe1Q
• Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub
• App: www.quranclub.org
• Website: www.otpok.com

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لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

There certainly has come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. He is concerned by your suffering, anxious for your well-being, and gracious and merciful to the believers.

(9:128)

Perseverance is tough, particularly in serving those who reject you.

Working in the community can be exhausting and, at times, thankless. It can feel like a tunnel with no end, and it’s easy to become disillusioned. Many become exhausted from all the work, lonely from the lack of help, and burnt out from emotional toll it brings. When I once came close to this point, a dear friend reminded me of something that still rings in my ears: This is the Prophetic way. Allah ﷻ describes in the Quran:

لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

There certainly has come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. He is concerned by your suffering, anxious for your well-being, and gracious and merciful to the believers.

(9:128)

In his tafsir, Imam Tabari describes something the translation of this verse doesn't quite capture: The Prophet's ﷺ concern included those who rejected Him.

To those who ignored Him, mocked Him and even beat Him, He not only persevered, but He felt genuine concern for their well-being.

Ibn Mas’ud (ra) described the Messenger of Allah ﷺ like the Prophets were before Him; scourged by their people, made to bleed by their afflictions; they would wipe the blood from their face calling upon Allah ﷻ: "O Allah! Forgive my people, because they certainly do not know".

After being stoned out of Ta’if, bloodied head to toe, Allah ﷻ sent angel Gabriel to ask Him if He wished to crush the people who had rejected him between the mountains they lived in. Our Prophet’s ﷺ reply: “Perhaps their descendants will become believers.”

This post is not calling for us to be passive against oppression; it is inviting us to take the higher ground and persist in reaching out even to those who reject us. The inevitable consequence of this work is rejection, and it is our test to continue despite it. Guidance comes from Allah ﷻ; our job is simply to call to Him. 

The beauty of the work of the Quran Club is that it operates on a level above demand, it’s a need. Reading, reflecting and connecting with the Quran is something Allah ﷻ wishes all of us to do, even if we do not know or want it. Our job is to be creative and patient in making that reality appealing to you all. This same truth goes for anyone working to learn, teach or spread the words of God

#FridayReminders 17: Read

Quran Reflections by Talha Ghannam

Video: https://youtu.be/kLmxk7MZ-Is

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub

App: www.quranclub.org

Website: www.otpok.com

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ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ١

Read, in the Name of your Lord Who created—

96:2

خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ ٢

created humans from a clinging clot.

96:3

ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ ٣

Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous,

(96:1-3)

“Read”

The first words revealed in the Quran; words which would form the foundation of a community for 1400 years to come.

Commentators for centuries have noted the importance of this word as laying the foundation of this faith in the pursuit of knowledge. Without reading, no one can learn.

#FridayReminders 16: The Pharaoh Within

Quran Reflections by Talha Ghannam

• Video: https://youtu.be/haTjyKu8WdQ
• Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub
• App: www.quranclub.org
• Website: www.otpok.com

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قَالَ ءَامَنتُمۡ لَهُۥ قَبۡلَ أَنۡ ءَاذَنَ لَكُمۡۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَكَبِيرُكُمُ ٱلَّذِي عَلَّمَكُمُ ٱلسِّحۡرَ فَلَسَوۡفَ تَعۡلَمُونَۚ لَأُقَطِّعَنَّ أَيۡدِيَكُمۡ وَأَرۡجُلَكُم مِّنۡ خِلَٰفٖ وَلَأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

[Pharaoh] said, "You believed Moses before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic, but you are going to know. I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you all."

(26:49)

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The other day, I was watching the news. A reporter had caught the politician in a lie; after stating in an interview they would not be enacting a policy, a video surfaced where the politician said the exact opposite. In the face of embarrassment, rather than acknowledging the mistake, the spin doctors got to work instead… 

“You haven’t presented the whole story…”

“What I actually meant was…”

“Have you not seen our success in…”

It’s easy for us to watch and laugh at how ludicrous any defence could be put forward in the face of such clear evidence. How could anything explain a video which categorically stated the opposite to what was said? Surely it’s black and white?

Sadly, such behaviour isn’t new. When confronted with the truth of Prophet Musa’s (as) message, Pharaoh challenged him. He called upon the greatest magicians across the land to disprove Prophet Musa’s claim, promising immense reward and power to anyone who did. On the appointed day, the magicians came and presented their trickery before an enormous crowd; each of them threw their sticks which sprung to life, slithering as though they were real! The illusion perturbed both the audience and Prophet Musa (as) – such was the power of their deception. Reassured by His Lord, Prophet Musa (as) threw his staff. Unlike their illusions, his magic was a true miracle, transforming to a real snake by the will of God. Before everyone’s eyes, Prophet Musa’s snake ate each of the “snakes” of the other magicians.

At this point, an uneducated person may still make excuses. Yes Prophet Musa’s snake at those of the magicians, but didn’t the magicians still make their snakes come to life? Wasn’t that still magic? You can imagine how the spin doctors were already writing the script. However, what happened next could never have been foreseen; the magicians conceded defeat and bowed in unison in submission to Allah ﷻ. Every single one of them not only admitted their magic was on illusion, they submitted in belief to the existence of one God; Allah ﷻ. The very people brought to refute Prophet Musa’s message wrong had proven him right. The game was up. Checkmate!

…Except… it wasn’t? 

Pharaoh doubled down in his denial. “Musa is your grandmaster! He taught you magic! This was a ploy to trick me!” In the face of undeniable truth, when the evidence stared him in the face, when his own arguments turned against him, Pharoah would always find an excuse. 

Whether its our politicians today or the Pharaoh of Musa, it’s easy for us to wonder how could anyone be so stubborn in the face of such truth. But leaders are often the reflection of their people, and it’s important to ask how many of us have this same pharaoh within? How often have we argued with our spouse or sibling over something we knew we were mi

#QuranReflections by Talha Ghannam

• Video: https://youtu.be/TTg9EjBgvCY
• Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub
• App: www.quranclub.org
• Website: www.otpok.com

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وَٱلْعَصْرِ ١

By the ˹passage of˺ time!

إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسْرٍ ٢

Surely humanity is in ˹grave˺ loss,

إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ ٣

except those who have faith, do good, and urge each other to the truth, and urge each other to perseverance.

(103:1-3)

It’s the summer holidays. Every moment we have is a moment too precious to waste, and death can come at any time. As parents, it’s tough enough entertaining our kids for 6 weeks alongside work, let alone having to worry about the time they spend. Religion feels like another burden to bear! 

But the truth is, it doesn’t have to. There are really simple yet effective ‘hacks’ you can do this summer to make yours and their time super productive. Here are 10 Hacks to help you parent like a pro this a summer!

Don’t do things alone; bring other families in too! You will be amazed how motivating it can be for youth to see friends joining in the same activity with some healthy competition involved. At the end of the summer, arrange an awards ceremony at the park to celebrate what each person achieved. Not only will they have more enthusiasm to do it, but they can build lifelong friendships with fellow good Muslims; the single greatest thing you can do for your children.

Narrated Abu Hurayrah:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: A man follows the religion of his friend; so each one of you should consider whom he makes his friend.

(Abu Dawud)

Think back to your youth; what makes something stick? If you want your children to love a good deed, attach it to something they love. Positive associations are critical in the development of your children, building rituals that will last a lifetime. Even the most secular of Muslims will look back fondly at the days of Eid because of the positive associations connected to it. So if you’re going on a holiday this summer, recite the dua for travel. Visiting another country? Find a local masjid to pray in. Attending a religious circle? Have an ice-cream after. We've got a list of ideas that you can do. 

The Quran club has built it’s own challenge feature on the app which you can download today. It helps you reward your children for every page of Quran they read. Imagine the habit and positive associations that will create in them. 

If you want your kids to benefit in the summer, give them structure. Create a playlist of lectures you would like them to listen to or books they can read. Set some simple questions for them to listen out for in the talk and answer you later on to ensure they are actively listening. It doesn’t have to be all religious; science projects, programming courses or creative writing tasks are incredibly beneficial (and Islamic) too! Remember actions are by intentions. We’ve made a list of some beneficial series for you and your kids to listen to and benefit from. Do share ones you would recommend too!

Why make practicing faith difficult? One of the most important hacks to help you practice your faith better is to simply make it more convenient! Place a bowl with tasbeehs (Masbha) on the coffee table to reach for when in the living room; that way you are much more likely to reuse them. Writ

#Friday Reminders 13: Summer Holiday Hacks

Quran Reflections by Talha Ghannam

• Video: https://youtu.be/wXWqnHV1Ppg
• Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub
• App: www.quranclub.org
• Website: www.otpok.com

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وَٱلْعَصْرِ ١

By the ˹passage of˺ time!

إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسْرٍ ٢

Surely humanity is in ˹grave˺ loss,

إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ ٣

except those who have faith, do good, and urge each other to the truth, and urge each other to perseverance.

(103:1-3)

 Every human being is at loss… except…

It’s the summer holidays, a time all kids rejoice and parents begrudge! After a long, tough year at school, every kid relishes that much earned break to kick back, relax and enjoy the sun. In their minds, summer consists of a concoction of games, gym, smartphones, TV and friends - with snacks, sleep and maybe a vacation scattered in between. 

Yet, the words of this verse ring in your ears. Every moment we have is a moment too precious to waste, and death can come at any time. Just this week, the community mourned the loss of Shaykh Muhammad Al-Shareef at the young age of 47, a reminder that death can come to anyone at any time. We need to make the most of all that we have before it’s too late.

As parents, it’s tough enough entertaining them for 6 weeks alongside work, let alone having to worry about the time they spend. Religion feels like another burden to bear! 

But the truth is, it doesn’t have to. There are really simple yet effective ‘hacks’ you can do this summer to make yours and their time super productive, balancing between fun and benefit in this precious holiday. Here are 10 Hacks to help you parent like a pro to make this a summer they won’t forget!

#1 -    Make the most of game time!

We know our kids will play PlayStation. Why not make that time more productive by putting on a lecture series or audio book in the background? The science shows it can be a powerful way to teach a lot of content as the game occupies the child brain which usually distracts them, allowing them to listen and absorb for longer period of time without fidgeting. Even if they do not pick up 100%, 30% learnt is still 30% gained. This hack came from Shaykh Muhammad Al-Shareef may Allah ﷻ bless his soul

#2 -    TV Time = Dhikr time!

If you can’t beat them… make them better!? It is near impossible to eliminate TV entirely from our lives. Instead, why not give each person a dhikr counter or tasbeeh to use whilst watching tv? As the revel in catching all the Pokemon, they can complete 1000 subhanallahs along the way. Witness a blessing from your favourite YouTuber? Say Masha’allah! Seeing something haram on Netflix? Your dhikr reminds you to lower your gaze, say Astaghfirallah and fast forward. It’s a wonderful way to instil God consciousness whilst doing something mindless

#3 -    Find new ways to learn

Getting your kids to read a book can be a struggle, so why not ask them to watch a TV series instead? We’ve all seen the impact that the film ‘The Message’ had on our collective consciousness around the Prophetic story ﷺ when we were young, so imagine introducing the next generation to similar things? Just like we rewatch Home Alone every Christmas holidays, make it an annual tradition of watch MBC’s Omar series for example with your children, reminding them of the beautiful story of the great

#FridayReminders 11: Pure Success

by Talha Ghannam

Video: https://youtu.be/R8JKhn7MrSI

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub

App: www.quranclub.org

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قَدۡ أَفۡلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ

“Successful are those who purify themselves” (87:14)

Imagine a society where success was defined by morality, where a person’s wealth, colour and lineage were irrelevant compared to their piety.

Imagine if, when transacting with you’re fellow human beings, you each sought to out-do one another in kindness, love and virtue, rather than money, beauty and status.

Imagine the impact we would have on this earth if each of us purified the impact we had on it, careful not to damage the delicate ecosystem we live in ahead of any cost or profit considerations

Imagine a society where people were told to be the best version of themselves, aspiring to rid themselves of their vices, rather than pacifying or accepting them – or even “succeeding” through them.

Even if you were to limit success to this material world, the respect people have for you is not in your money, power or beauty, but the purity they find within them.

You see, the value of what we do is not intrinsic to it. Not every pound was created equal. Money is no good when stolen. Relationships do not blossom when toxic. Power does not transform when oppressive. Value in what we do lies in the manner in which we do it, even if the results are not what we expect. 

Allah ﷻ emphatically states success lies in our purification. It precedes dhikr and prayer in the following verse as it is a prerequisite for them. It implies you will get dirty, whether it be natural, accidental, or intended – and the best of us are those who scrub up – physically and spiritually.

Indeed, successful are only those who purify themselves – so let us shift our focus as a community from what we do, to how we do it.

وَأَذِّن فِى ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًا وَعَلَىٰ كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ

Call ˹all˺ people to the pilgrimage. They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel from every distant path

(22:27)

As He stood upon the newly built house in the vastness of the desert, he began calling the emptiness to the House of God.

To an observer, His actions seem worthless. What good will his call do amidst the immensity of the desert? How will it reach the millions of people around the world to bring them to the House of God? Shouldn’t he have built it where people already were, rather than expecting them to come to the house of God? Who would traverse the difficult terrain of Arabia to come to His house?

For Prophet Ibrahim (as), the command of God was absolute and His promise certain. His job was to make the call; it was God’s promise to bring the people. Ibn Kathîr (ra) narrates that Ibraham (as) inquisitively said to Allah ﷻ, “But my voice cannot reach all peoples.” Allah ﷻ responded, “You make the call, and We will deliver the invitation to all.”

Today, millions of people around the world travel each day to visit Mecca to fulfil the pilgrimage; a worship first established that day by our Prophet Ibrahim (as) and continued every day since. What was once a barren desert is now a global metropolis, bringing people together from across the world.

It’s easy to see now the promise of God come true, but for Prophet Ibrahim (as), he knew and witnessed the truth of this command the moment it came to him all those years ago in the barren deserts of Arabia.

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Video: https://youtu.be/9_Xu1L5KCvE

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclub

App: www.quranclub.org

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فَأَوۡجَسَ فِي نَفۡسِهِۦ خِيفَةٗ مُّوسَىٰ

So Moses concealed fear within himself. (20:67)

It’s easy to understand why anyone would be scared. A massive display of snakes appeared to move before him, a great display of magic by the country’s finest. 

But Prophet Musa (as) wasn’t anybody. He had spoken to Allah ﷻ directly and had witnessed a true and even greater miracle before this. So what we he fearful of? 

Ibn Kathir explains: “He was fearful that people would be deceived by this magic before he could display his miracle (i.e. the one Allah ﷻ gave him)” 

You see, Musa (as) knew his people, and he knew the power great crowds can have. Scholars estimated anywhere between 15,000 – 70,000 magicians each with their own “snakes”. When the illusion is that great, people have a tendency to follow the crowd. Whilst he was sure his miracle would surpass their trick, he could not have known if the people would see it the same way. After all, he did not know what was yet to happen. 

قُلۡنَا لَا تَخَفۡ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰ

We reassured ˹him˺, “Do not fear! It is certainly you who will prevail.

وَأَلۡقِ مَا فِي يَمِينِكَ تَلۡقَفۡ مَا صَنَعُوٓاْۖ إِنَّمَا صَنَعُواْ كَيۡدُ سَٰحِرٖۖ وَلَا يُفۡلِحُ ٱلسَّاحِرُ حَيۡثُ أَتَىٰ

Cast what is in your right hand, and it will swallow up what they have made, for what they have made is no more than a magic trick. And magicians can never succeed wherever they go.” (20:68)

Allah ﷻ reassured him, calling upon him to throw his staff. This time, an even greater miracle came to play, one he could never have foreseen. His staff not only transformed to a snake as it had on the mountain, but it ate the “snakes” of each of the other magicians; a clear victory before all the crowds! Then, perhaps an even greater miracle occurred; every one of the magicians fell in prostration before Allah ﷻ from what they had witnessed, baring testimony to the truth of Prophet Musa’s (as) claim. 

In Prophet Musa, we learn a powerful lesson; if we are certain of Allah ﷻ, that certainty will transfer to those around us. If we are prepared with the truth, Allah ﷻ will help will help with the rest.