Surah Ash Shura Recitation

Ash Shura V.36-53

Bestowing Children

To Allāh belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; He creates what he wills. He gives to whom He wills female [children], and He gives to whom He wills males.
Or He makes them [both] males and females, and He renders whom He wills barren. Indeed, He is Knowing and Competent. [Ash Shura:49-50]
Allah (swt) is the only one who can give children and the one who decides whether the child will be a male or female. However, unfortunately there are a lot of practices that people believe have religious ties that are actually going against this concept. Instead of striving so hard to do what is wrong why not do what is right and easy?

Women are tying stones in pieces of clothes which they will then tie on to the tree so that they’ll get children.

The broom with which the shrines are cleaned is used to hit women with the belief that they will be cured of being barren or of any other diseases.

Ash Shura V.20-35

Signs of Creation

And of his signs is the creation of the heavens and earth and what He has dispersed throughout them of creatures. And He, for gathering them when He wills, is competent. [Ash Shura:29]

Ash Shura V.1-19

Division

And they did not become divided until after knowledge had come to them – out of jealous animosity between themselves. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord [postponing the penalty] until a specified time, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed, those who were granted inheritance of the Scripture after them are, concerning it, in disquieting doubt. [Ash Shura:14]
Today there was a lot of discussion regarding dividing after gaining knowledge. It is true that once a person gets some of the religious knowledge he then feels that he has enough to make his own judgments. Everyone is pushing their own belief. We must make sure that although we are gaining the knowledge of the Qur’an it does not lead to the division of us and other Muslims.

Surah Fussilat Recitation

Fussilat V.37-54

Incorrect Thanks

And of His signs are the night and day and the sun and moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or to the moon, but prostate to Allāh, who created them, if it should be Him that you worship. [Fussilat:37]
I am struck by the way in which Allah (swt) negates polytheism. Picture this: you have asked your friend to water your plants while you are away for a week vacation. When you get back they are looking healthy and fresh. Instead of saying thank you to the friend of yours you begin to be thankful to the flowers and telling them how much you appreciate them. So why is it a different case when we do this to Allah (swt)?

The Sun

The Moon

Gratitude

Man is not weary of supplication for good [things], but if evil touches him, he is hopeless and despairing. [Fussilat:49]
Why be grateful? Below are the findings of a study done on people who are grateful for what they have:
The results of the study indicated that daily gratitude exercises resulted in higher reported levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, optimism and energy. Additionally, the gratitude group experienced less depression and stress, was more likely to help others, exercised more regularly and made more progress toward personal goals. According to the findings, people who feel grateful are also more likely to feel loved. McCollough and Emmons also noted that gratitude encouraged a positive cycle of reciprocal kindness among people since one act of gratitude encourages another.

Fussilat V.25-36

Angelic Friends

Indeed, those who have said, “Our Lord is Allāh” and then remained on a right course – the angels will descend upon them, [saying], “Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised.
We [angels] were your allies in worldly life and [are so] in the Hereafter. And you will have therein whatever your souls desire, and you will have therein whatever you request [or wish] [Fussilat:30-31]
I am forced back to the days when I was young and read so many books about how when you go to sleep angels come and surround your bed and protect you. I remember feeling so happy that I have friends who are angels that guard me in my sleep. Although now I know that this is not true I am reassured that if I do my part in this world then I will have the companionship of those dear to Allah (swt)- the angels. They not only symbolize the reward that these people will receive but it also shows the support and safety they will feel.

Fussilat V.1-24

Opposition
And they say, “Our hearts are within coverings from that to which you invite us, and in our ears is deafness, and between us and you is a partition, so work; indeed, we are working.” [Fussilat:5]
This is a reassurance to you, me and anyone who is trying to pass on the message of Islam. Some people will outwardly say that they do not want to hear anything we have to say and leave me to what I am doing.

A Quick Creation

Say, “Do you indeed disbelieve in He who created the earth in two days and attribute to Him equals? That is the Lord of the worlds.” [Fussilat:9]
I was wondering over the majesty of Allah (swt) because He was able to make something as amazing as the entire earth in two days. I was thinking if we had two days to make anything what is it that we would be able to make? We would also have a limit of the resources we have but for Allah (swt) He did not need any kinds of resources. The creation of the earth is itself a sign for us and yet how is it that we are turned away from these signs each day?