The Quran and Me

Enjoin Good
[And they are] those who, if We give them authority in the land, establish prayer and give zakāh and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. And to Allāh belongs the outcome of [all] matters. [Al Hajj:41]
We have read similar verses in the Qur’an before but in todays class we spoke about specific ways in which we can enjoin good amongst people. We think this means telling everyone that everything they are doing is wrong and detestable. However, the best way to enjoin good is to give good advice. When someone comes to us with a problem we usually tell them to be patient but we should always give them some advice that links them back to Allah (Swt) or the Qur’an.

 Cleaning Up
And [mention, O Muúammad], when We designated for Abraham the site of the House, [saying], “Do not associate anything with Me and purify My House for those who perform ‹awāf and those who stand [in prayer] and those who bow and prostrate. [Al Hajj:26]
In this verse we are taught the etiquettes of looking after a place in where Allah (swt) name is mentioned. We as Muslims have the responsibility to look after the masjids and make sure that they are clean and ready for use. Many times we are the ones who leave the bathrooms dirty or if we see some garbage on the floor we are the last to pick it up. Also places like religious institutes should remain clean so they are able to run in order. We should leave the bathrooms in a good state, recycle, pick up garbage and make an effort to clean up after ourselves.

Creation In Womb
O People, if you should be in doubt about the Resurrection, then [consider that] indeed, We created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a clinging clot, and then from a lump of flesh, formed and unformed – that We may show you. And We settle in the wombs whom We will for a specified term, then We bring you out as a child, and then [We develop you] that you may reach your [time of] maturity. And among you is he who is taken in [early] death, and among you is he who is returned to the most decrepit [old] age so that he knows, after [once having] knowledge, nothing. And you see the earth barren, but when We send down upon it rain, it quivers and swells and grows [something] of every beautiful kind. [Al Hajj:5]

Hidden Blessing

So We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity. And We gave him [back] his family and the like thereof with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers [of Allāh]. [Al Anbiya:84]
When I heard that Ayoub (as) was very rich and had a lot of children and was living lavishly and then had everything taken away and also got a physical skin disease I began to think of the trial he went through. It is not that Allah (Swt) did not love him, in fact he was the prophet sent to the people. When he called upon Allah swt he was given everything back in double. I learnt that sometimes we are put in a trial and upon being patient we can get back more than was lost. These situations are like hidden blessings and it all depends on the way that you react in every situation.

Haste

And [mention] the man of the fish, when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him. And he called out within the darknesses, “There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.” [Al Anbiya: 87]
This verse refers to Yunus (as) who left his people in anger and ended up in the stomach of a whale. He did not wait for the commandment of Allah (swt) and when he was in the stomach of the whale he realized his mistake. In his haste he had forgotten to continue obeying the commands of Allah (swt). There are many things to learn from this incident the first being that we should not be hasty and when we realize our mistake we should immediately turn to Allah (Swt).

No Communication

He said, “Rather, this — the largest of them — did it, so ask them, if they should [be able to] speak.” [Al Anbiya:63]
Ibrahim (as) broke the idols into pieces while the people of his town were gone and when they returned they asked him if he did it. He said to ask the biggest who he did not break. Upon this they thought and then came back and said:
Then they reversed themselves, [saying], “You have already known that these do not speak!”
He said, “Then do you worship instead of Allāh that which does not benefit you at all or harm you? [Al Anbiya:65-66]
For us there is a lesson to be learnt. How can we worship idols when we can see they can not even talk or express themselves?

Save Your Gods

They said, “Burn him and support your gods — if you are to act.”
Allāh said, “O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham.” [Al Anbiya:68-69]
When the people found out Ibrahim (as) had broken their idols they said to burn him. Everyone in class laughed at the illogical statement that was said which was to save your gods and burn him. It is amusing that these gods are being helped by the creation. If they are this powerless how can you then turn around and ask those same idols for anything and expect them to give it to you?

Big Bang

Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe? [Al Anbiya:30]
I am sure we have all heard about the big bang theory where the earth somehow came into existence by itself. However, 1400 years ago when no one knew anything about this we see that Allah (swt) mentioned in the Qur’an that He separated the heavens. The signs are clear now it is up to us whether we see them or not.

Orbit

And it is He who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all [heavenly bodies] in an orbit are swimming. [Al Anbiya:33]

Source of Blessing

And this [Qur’ān] is a blessed message which We have sent down. Then are you with it unacquainted? [Al Anbiya:50]
After class I thought about how the Qur’an is blessed and came up with the following reasons:
• Reciting it is a meaning of reward and blessing
• Reading Qur’an is a means of peace for your spiritual side
• The house where Qur’an is recited is blessed
• Understanding the Qur’an is a source of blessing
• Memorizing Qur’an is a source of reward and blessing
• Teaching Qur’an is a blessing
• Learning Qur’an is a blessing
The lesson for us t learn is that everything to do with the Qur’an is a blessing, so will we take this blessing or deprive ourselves?