A Humble Prayer

And [mention, O Muúammad], when Abraham said, “My Lord, make this city [Makkah] secure and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols. [Ibrahim:35]
In this surah we can see that there is such a big emphasis on the oneness of Allah (swt) and being true slaves. In this verse we are given the example of someone who truly was a slave of Allah (swt). Ibrahim (as), although being a prophet, makes dua to Allah to save himself from the trial of worshipping idols. We, as ordinary people, do not even feel the need to do this and here we have a prophet asking Allah (swt). It is amazing that we think ourselves too big but the true humility of Ibrahim (as) is shown.

Mention Blessings

Praise to Allāh, who has granted to me in old age Ishmael and Isaac. Indeed, my Lord is the Hearer of supplication. [Ibrahim:39]
From this verse I learnt a very big lesson. We were previously in other classes talking about how to make dua to Allah (swt). Many times I was uncertain of how to call upon Him but today all those questions were answered. Ibrahim (as) calls upon Allah (swt) by mentioning the blessings that He has given to him. Ibrahim (as) always is grateful and this really taught me that when we call on Allah (swt) we should do it by mentioning what he has blessed us with.

Prayer For Parents

Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established.” [Ibrahim:41]
This verse is very precious to me as it contains a personal gem of mine. Sometimes we are trying so hard to obey our parents but we find ourselves falling short. Many times we want to do something for our parents but we just can never repay them as we want to. For this reason this beautiful dua has been taught to us. Making dua for our parents, whether dead or alive, is the biggest thing that we can do for them and so we should make it a habit that we supplicate for them.

He’s So Blessed

And never think that Allāh is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror].
Racing ahead, their heads raised up, their glance does not come back to them, and their hearts are void. [Ibrahim: 42-43]
How many times is it that we see someone who is very wealthy or is doing well in the duniya and we think that they must be so beloved to Allah (swt)? The most famous quote you can hear “He’s so blessed.” True success is not measured by our wealth or possessions. This life does not count for anything in the next apart from our deeds. On that day the wrongdoers will be in horror. I imagine the frozen picture of someone who is in shock and fear from what they have just seen or upon hearing bad news. I pray that Allah (swt) saves me and all the believers from this state on that day. Ameen.

Unknown Earth

[It will be] on the Day the earth will be replaced by another earth, and the heavens [as well], and all creatures will come out before Allāh, the One, the Prevailing. [Ibrahim:48]
It is very scary for me to imagine that on the last day this earth will be completely changed. We learnt that the stars and the moon will lose their light and the mountains will be pulled out of the earth and crumbled. The earth will be completely flattened and will be a shiny white or silver colour. It is the epitome of destruction and what have we done to prepare ourselves for that day? If it was about to come right now in what state would we take our last breath? Analyze yourself!

Clothes of Tar

And you will see the criminals that Day bound together in shackles,
Their garments of liquid pitch and their faces covered by the Fire. [Ibrahim: 49-50]
When we read this verse we were shown pictures of criminals shackled together when they are imprisoned. However, the shackles on that day will be completely different to the ones we see now. These criminals will be wearing clothes made of boiling tar. It is hard enough when we touch something like toast that has just come out of the toaster but imagine wearing molten liquid as your garments. It is not very flattering and to go with the outfit will be faces covered by fire. It is so hard to breathe when there is a lot of steam and this will be actual fire. We are so immune to the punishment that is to come and we are heedless to it. On that day none of the criminals will be spared.

Purpose Of Qur’an

This [Qur’ān] is notification for the people that they may be warned thereby and that they may know that He is but one God and that those of understanding will be reminded. [Ibrahim:52]
The surah had such a beautiful end it truly shook my heart. In this last verse we are told three things. The Qur’an is to notify the people and warn them of what is to come. The main message that the Qur’an holds is that Allah (swt) is one god. If nothing else is to be told about Islam or Allah (swt) each and every person should at least know that there is one god which is Allah (swt). The third thing we are told is that it is a reminder for those that already know. We tend to have that thinking that once we know something we are some kinds of masters and so we don’t need to know anything else but here Allah (swt) clearly says to remind those that already know.