A heart that does not just beat...

Allah says in Surah Alhajj:

أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَتَكُونَ لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ يَعْقِلُونَ بِهَا أَوْ آذَانٌ يَسْمَعُونَ بِهَا فَإِنَّهَا لَا تَعْمَى الْأَبْصَارُ وَلَٰكِن تَعْمَى الْقُلُوبُ الَّتِي فِي الصُّدُورِ

"Have they not traveled in the land so that they should have hearts with which to understand, or ears with which to hear? For surely it is not the eyes that are blind, but blind are the hearts which are in the chests."

The word "heart" is used twice in this verse, yet in two different meanings. God first questions why people don't think with their heart. Thus, the heart is a tool to understand and gain wisdom. The next time it used, God states that hearts can be blinded. Just as eyes can be blinded from seeing, hearts can be blinded from feeling the truth. Thus, here, the heart is a tool to see and feel with. 

Don't be afraid to think with your heart. Use it for understanding and gaining spirituality. At the same time, use it to see clearly and feel God's presence in your life. Don't fill your heart with negativity to the point where you can no longer use it to see the goodness you have. 

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) described the heart as an organ that, when it's pure, your whole body is pure. Your heart is everything. It's your thought process, your wisdom, your character, your eyes. Purify it with the love of God and His creation, and the love to draw nearer to Him. 

When God describes the Day of Judgment in Surah Alshu'ara, He says it's a day in which no money, wealth, or children can benefit you. Only one thing can benefit you. And what is that? 

إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ

A pure, sound heart. A heart that thought of God and saw proof of His existence in all His creation and favors. Because our heart was not just created for beating alone, but for understanding, grasping and seeing the Truth. May we be of those who use our heart for the purpose God created it for, Ameen. 

There is always hope

God says in verse 28, chapter 42:

وَهُوَ الَّذِي يُنَزِّلُ الْغَيْثَ مِن بَعْدِ مَا قَنَطُوا وَيَنشُرُ رَحْمَتَهُ وَهُوَ الْوَلِيُّ الْحَمِيدُ

"He is the One Who sends down rain even after (people) have given up all hope for it, and He scatters His Mercy (in every direction). And He is the Supporter, Worthy of all Praise."

God says here that He sends rain even after people lost hope for it ever coming. God will give you what you're asking for, even after you're about to give up hope for it. Notice the word قنطوا (lost hope) in the verse. It doesn't say you will get the rain after you pray or after you simply ask for it. Rather, it says you will get it after you have begged for it, stayed up countless nights praying for it, worked for it by building a relationship with Him, to the point where you thought it was never coming. And then, lo and behold, God gives it to you. He could have given it to you after a simple request, but He wants you to get closer to Him. Imagine if we got everything we ever wanted after a single prayer. We wouldn't feel that deep connection with God as we do when we are begging Him day and night, praying, prostrating and glorifying. 

As the verse continues, God then says that after showering you with His rain, He will spread His mercy far and wide, meaning you will feel His favor upon you in every direction. You will physically feel His mercy enveloping you after you've attained what you had once lost all hope for. You are reminded to never lose hope in Him, and for that you are in complete awe. 

Now how does God conclude this verse? He says He is the one who is الولي الحميد, the Supporter and the One worthy of praise. When you rely on God, you know with full conviction that He WILL support you. So what an extremely appropriate way to end the verse. God is reminding you once again to trust Him as your protector, supporter and guardian. Put your complete trust in Him and have no fear of the end result. 

Here is a verse that gives hope to every person facing a tough situation, searching for a way out. God is your supporter. He doesn't want you to lose hope in Him. Instead, He wants you to draw closer to Him in order to taste the everlasting savory sweetness of faith, and complete reliance on Him. 

Musa and his arm

Prophet Moses in Surah Alqasas asks God for his brother Aaron's companionship in his journey as his speech was more eloquent:

وَأَخِي هَارُونُ هُوَ أَفْصَحُ مِنِّي لِسَانًا فَأَرْسِلْهُ مَعِيَ رِدْءًا يُصَدِّقُنِي إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَن يُكَذِّبُونِ

"And my brother Harun (Aaron) he is more eloquent in speech than me so send him with me as an aid to support me. Verily! I fear that they will disbelieve."

قال سَنَشُدُّ عَضُدَكَ بِأَخِيكَ  وَنَجْعَلُ لَكُمَا سُلْطَانًا فَلَا يَصِلُونَ إِلَيْكُمَا بِآيَاتِنَا أَنتُمَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَكُمَا الْغَالِبُونَ

God said: "We will strengthen your arm through your brother, and give you both power, so they shall not be able to harm you, with Our evidences you two as well as those who follow you will be the victors."

The reason Moses asked for Harun was to assist him in his speech, and God granted him his wish. Yet look closely at the verse. It says  سَنشُدُّ عَضُدَكَ بِأَخِيكَ, which literally means "we will strengthen your ARM through your brother". God didn't mention his speech being strengthened, but rather his arm. Interesting right? Why specifically his arm?

Think about what God ordered Moses to do while facing Pharoah and his people. In times of hardship, Moses was commanded by God to do several things:

In Surah Taha:

قَالَ أَلْقِهَا يَا مُوسَىٰ

God said: "Throw it(your stick) down, O Musa!"

فَأَلْقَاهَا فَإِذَا هِيَ حَيَّةٌ تَسْعَىٰ

He threw it down, and behold! It was a snake, moving quickly.

Then shortly in the same Surah:

وَاضْمُمْ يَدَكَ إِلَىٰ جَنَاحِكَ تَخْرُجْ بَيْضَاءَ مِنْ غَيْرِ سُوءٍ آيَةً أُخْرَىٰ

"And press your (right) hand to your (left) side, it will come forth white (and shining), without any flaws as another sign

In Surah Alshu'ara:

فَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ أَنِ اضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ الْبَحْرَ فَانفَلَقَ فَكَانَ كُلُّ فِرْقٍ كَالطَّوْدِ الْعَظِيمِ

Then We inspired Musa: "Strike the sea with your stick." And it parted, and each separate part (of that sea water) became like the huge, firm mass of a mountain.

What do all these commands have in common? They all required Moses to use his hand/arm to physically do something. Throw your stick at the magicians and it will become a snake. Put your hand in your side and bring it out and it will shine, as a miracle. Throw the stick at the sea and it will split, making a pathway for you to cross. 

Moses went through many situations with the Pharoah, yet the famous stories we know are ones that ask him to use his arm or hand to do something. Who knew using an arm to strike a sea can save an entire people?! God did. And He hinted that to Musa from the very beginning when He told him "we will strengthen your arm". Because after Musa's reliance on God, it was his arm that was his tool to defeat Pharoah and the oppressors, and bring victory to the believers.

It is these small details in the Quran that make delving into it worth every second. May God help us open up our eyes and hearts while reading His noble book. 

God's Love is immeasurable

Verse 35 in Al-Zumar:

لِيُكَفِّرَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ أَسْوَأَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا وَيَجْزِيَهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ الَّذِي كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

"Indeed, God will remove the worst of what they ever did from their record, and He will reward them according to the best of what they ever did (in this life)."

This verse is simply beautiful and full of love and hope. How many times have we made mistakes and felt hopeless? And at the same time, how many times have we tried doing good but still felt that it may not be enough? Read this verse and rest assured of God's mercy. The key words here are أسوأ(the worst) and أحسن(the best). 

In this verse, God doesn't just say He will remove the believers' sins. He says that He will remove the worse of the worst of their sins! Think of something bad you did in your past. Now think of something even worse. Now think of the absolute worst thing you've ever done. God is saying in this verse that that very sin will be forgiven. As if it's not even there. Vanished. Gone. And the verse doesn't stop there. 

Now think of something good you did. Now think of something better. Think about the best thing you've ever done. God says He will reward you according to THAT. As if all your "ok" good deeds are all equal to this awesome good deed you one time did. 

Do you see the scenario in this verse? Do you see what's happening because of God's immense love for His believers? Those who believed and did good in this life will come on the Day of Judgment with their record. They will have bad deeds, really bad deeds, good deeds, and really good deeds. God will remove the worst deeds from their record as if they were never even there, and He will reward them with their very best deeds as if all their good deeds are now superbly amazing. 

What's happening here is leaving me speechless. Now look at the first line of the very next verse, verse 36:

أَلَيْسَ اللَّهُ بِكَافٍ عَبْدَهُ 

God is asking at such an appropriate time: "Is not God enough for His servant?" 

Yes and yes, without a doubt, God is enough. After being blown away from His love in the previous verse, how can we now deny that He alone is all we need in this life and the next? Thank you God for being all we need and more. 

صاحب القرآن The Quran's friend

How many times have you heard of the term "صاحب القرآن" or "friend of the Quran"? I'm sure you've heard it many times throughout lectures, conferences, khutba's, stories of companions, ahadeeth and the likes. We are advised not to just read the Quran, but befriend the Quran and make it our best friend, the ultimate companion we turn to in all aspects of life. Sometimes, however, it can be hard to prioritize our meetings with it as we priorities our outings with close friends and family. I've been contemplating why that is and have come up with a theory. 

We are used to "give and take" relationships in this life. We rely on our friends for favors and they expect us to return the favor. We give and take with our friends, literally, as our friendship strengthens. They give us comfort when we are in need, and they expect to take that same comfort from us when they are in need. But how can we give and take with the Quran? We give it our time and energy, but sometimes we don't physically feel anything in return. Surely we get good deeds and blessings, but we cannot always physically feel it giving back to us. 

This is where we are forgetting something very essential. Think of the day we are all keenly preparing for, the day we fear, the day we pray goodness for: our death. Once we are 6 feet under ground, who will be there for us? Remember those friends we were close to in life, the friends we used to give and take with? We will hear their footsteps walking away from us. They can no longer "give" us after our death. In this moment of extreme aloneness, where we will long for a companion, is where the Quran can literally give back to you. This is where befriending the Quran in life will pay off. The Quran can intercede for its companion as mentioned in a hadeeth, and will serve as a light for that person in his/her grave. It will plead "Oh Allah this person stayed up reading me, held me tight in times of hardship, explored my words and recited me day and night, so for that let me comfort them in their grave and help them up to eternal bliss". It is in this moment that the Quran can serve as evidence for you in preparation for the most crucial day, the Day of Judgment. 

What more of an incentive can we ask for? The Quran will be there for us when we are in the most dire need of companionship. All we have to do is do our part in this life. Befriend it now so it will give back to you later when it matters most. Don't just read it but live with it. Think of the Quran as an ocean you can dive into and extract treasures that will shape your world today and lighten your path in the hereafter. Strengthen your relationship with it now and be positive that this friendship will be an everlasting one. 

Al-ankaboot/The spider

Surah 29 - Alankaboot- The Spider

This verse really struck me:

Verse 10:

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ فَإِذَا أُوذِيَ فِي اللَّهِ جَعَلَ فِتْنَةَ النَّاسِ كَعَذَابِ اللَّهِ 

"From the people are those who say we believe in God but then when they are afflicted for His sake they perceive God's test as a punishment from Him". 

This stands true today. Many times we perceive bad situations as a tragedy in a way where God is punishing us. But here God reminds us that hardships are actually tests for us to endure and learn from. 

The meaning of this verse goes in hand with the very 2nd verse:

أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ

Did people think that they will be left alone saying, "We believe", and that they will not be tested?

Just because you have faith doesn't mean that God will not give you hardship. We are here on earth to be tested, so surely while here more tests will come up. May God make us steadfast during trials and tribulations. Ameen. 

Gas money and prayer

Imagine getting to the gas station, putting the pump in your car's gas tank, only to realize that you forgot your wallet at home. Or imagine ordering your meal through a drive thru restaurant, and pulling up to the 2nd window where the person asks for $5, only to remember you don't have your money with you. How often does this happen? Rarely, if ever. Why is that? Because we are generally well prepared when it comes to aspects of our daily life. 

Now imagine the Day of Judgement, there you are standing before your Lord about to be accounted for your deeds. He first asks you about your prayers. Have you prayed them on time? Did you take the time to perfect prayers or were they rushed? This is the one situation where you definitely want to have your "wallet" with you. 

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "The first thing the servant of God will be accounted for on the day of judgement is his prayer. If it was perfected then he has succeeded. And if it was defected, then he has lost."

It continually blows my mind that we tend to belittle the first thing we will be asked about on the day that matters most. Why is it that our "money" is always ready for wordly matters yet the "money" that goes to our hereafter is kicked to the curb? 

Just as you hang on to your credit card once entering the gas station, don't forget to hang on to the one deed that will matter most. The last thing you want to happen is getting to that Day and realizing you have no money. Put your prayer first before anything. Don't rush, but focus. Don't speed up, take your time, and one day you will be forever thankful.