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. 

Istiqama -keeping straight

A man named Sufyan bin Abdullah Athaqafi once asked the Prophet (PBUH) to tell him something so comprehensive about Islam that he would never have to ask anyone else for religious advice again. The Prophet replied 

قل آمنت بالله ثم استقم

"Say 'I believe in God', and then keep straight." 

When you think of the word استقامة (istiqama), you immediately think of مستقيم or straight. We ask God to keep us on the straight path everyday in the Opening Chapter of the Quran, (اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ Guide us the straight way) and in this narration, we hear that same root-word uttered by the Prophet when asked advice on following Islam comprehensively.

Why is this word so important? What does keeping straight mean to our faith and our Islam? Think of a road taking you to a destination. Follow that road straight, all the way, completely, without veering off the road, and you WILL get there. The road doesn't have to be straight literally, but when you are straight with it, meaning you follow it to the dot, without veering off, then you're safe. 

Now think of your life as a Muslim. How can you stay straight? Surely things will come your way that you never expected, making your path crooked and full of obstacles, but once you remind yourself of your destination, something will tell you to استقم (istaqim), stay straight, meaning deal with what you have keeping in mind that you need to stand firm and not veer off. Your focus is on God. He will get you where you need to be as long as you're straight with Him. Pray, supplicate, beg, ask, remember and be God-conscious in all your surroundings. 

One thing that is very interesting is that the prophet's saying to be straight and steadfast goes hand in hand with a verse in Surah Fussilat. This verse says. إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا,

"Those who said our lord is God, and then stood firm/straight"

The beginning of this verse is almost identical to the Prophet's saying. But there is a continuation. What is the reward of those who believe in God and stay firm?

 

تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ

"Angels descend down to them reassuring them not to be scared". Don't be scared for your future and what lies ahead down the road. Live in the present and rest assured. 

"And don't be sad". Don't be sad for what has passed. Rather:

"Receive the gladtiding of the Paradise that you were once promised."

What a beautiful verse full of hope and reassurance. And the next verse leaves you speechless. God then says:

نَحْنُ أَوْلِيَاؤُكُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِي أَنفُسُكُمْ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَدَّعُونَ

"We are your protectors in this life and in the Hereafter. In it, you will have all what your souls desire and all that you ask for!"

It is then no wonder that the Prophet himself was ordered to استقم in such a direct way in the Quran by God Himself:

فَاسْتَقِمْ كَمَا أُمِرْتَ وَمَن تَابَ مَعَكَ

Allah commands him in Surah Hud, along with those with him, to stand firm. استقامة, or staying straight and steadfast isn't something you struggle with alone. We all need to work on it together, just as the Prophet and his companions were ordered to by God. 

This word (استقامة) and other forms of its root are not found in the Quran numerous times for no reason. It is for us to be constantly reminded of our obligation to stay straight and steadfast. So the next time you are faced with a trial, a hurtful word, an argument, an accusation, or the like, remember to stand your ground and keep straight to what He wants of you. Think of the road that will take you to your destination. Don't veer off, but simply استقم and remember Him and what He has promised once you do exactly that. 

Humans are never satisfied

As an aunt of 5 energetic nephews and a recent mother, I have come to a realization that kids cannot be 100% satisfied. Ever. You take them to an amusement park and let them ride tons of rides, but then when it's time to leave, they throw a fit and declare this was there worst day ever. You throw them a birthday party yet they still nag about not getting all the gifts they wanted. You give two brothers identical toys of different colors, but the younger one screams and throws himself on the floor because he wants the red one. Contentment is not something common in children these days. And not only is this a problem with children, but even with adults as well. 

Thinking about this reminded me of the Hadith (saying of the Prophet) about the last person to enter Heaven on the day of judgment. The story is a dialogue between this person and God. This person sees a nice tree with a shade and he's tempted to sit under it. He asks God for permission and God first tells him to promise not to ask for anything else. The man agrees and promises not to ask for anything more. Soon a bigger tree is seen from far away and again this man is tempted to go to it. He asks God for permission to go and when God reminds him of the promise, the man says this time I promise it will be the last thing I ask for. God agrees on condition that he doesn't ask for anything else. This same scenario keeps repeating itself as the man sees bigger and better trees. By the end of the story, this man is so close to Paradise that he can hear the people of Heaven speaking to each other. He is tempted to go in, so he asks God to take him into Paradise. What does God tell him? He says "what would you do if I told you to enter Paradise and on top of that I'll give you the world and more". The man then replies and asks if God, Master of the Worlds, was mocking him. God says "I am not mocking you, yet I can do as I please". And then the man enters Paradise. 

This story is filled with lessons for us to learn from. Here is this man who, like children and us adults at times, was not satisfied. He kept asking for more and more, and was not pleased until the very end. Yet the way God reacts to his wants is so clever and merciful. God deals with him in a way that no mother would be able to deal with her demanding child. He doesn't put him down for asking for more, although he kept promising and breaking his promises. God treated him with utmost kindness and openness, for He is The Kind and Generous One. 

Besides the way we deal with children, this story also serves as a reminder to us all that God did not put us on earth in order to be satisfied. Our goal in life is not to simply be content. That's why Heaven was made. THAT is where ultimate satisfaction takes place. One thing that we need to start practicing is to constantly remind ourself of this fact. Kids will not be satisfied fully. Not now and not when they are our age taking our place as parents. We need to start teaching our children that contentment is not our goal in life. Rather, it is to be content with what we have and please our Lord, so we can be given true eternal satisfaction in the afterlife, just like the last person to enter Paradise. He kept wanting more even minutes before entering Paradise. 

May we be content with what we have and may God give us the wisdom to deal with demanding children in a kind, clever way. 

Mind blowing facts

Surah al baqara (the Cow) - Verse 74

ثُمَّ قَسَتْ قُلُوبُكُم مِّن بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ فَهِيَ كَالْحِجَارَةِ أَوْ أَشَدُّ قَسْوَةً وَإِنَّ مِنَ الْحِجَارَةِ لَمَا يَتَفَجَّرُ مِنْهُ الْأَنْهَارُ وَإِنَّ مِنْهَا لَمَا يَشَّقَّقُ فَيَخْرُجُ مِنْهُ الْمَاءُ وَإِنَّ مِنْهَا لَمَا يَهْبِطُ مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ وَمَا اللَّهُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

Then your hearts hardened like stone or even harder. Though indeed among stones are some from which rivers may flow, others which crack under pressure and let water flow, as well as others that fall down for fear of God, and God is not unaware of you're doing. 

Yahiya Emerick explains this verse beautifully when he says:

"The three types of stone mentioned here match perfectly with the three types of stones identified in geological terms, which are sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous. Sedimentary rock, of which sandstone or limestone are prime examples, is the most efficient type of materiel for deposits of water to collect in and move through like rivers. Metamorphic rocks, such as slate, were formed under intense pressure from the weight of the earth and thus took on the characteristic of being easily cracked under pressure. Thus, they are the main type of rock from which springs emerge from underground pressures. Igneous rock, such as granite or marble, which makes up the largest part of the rocks beneath the surface of the earth, is heaviest in nature. It can form underground in cooking pockets of magma or it can erupt in a shower of lava  before it falls or cascades down back to earth, eventually sinking back under the lighter materials around it due to its weight (as if it was afraid of God and wanted to hide). "

What a truly mind blowing fact! The Quran is filled with evidence of earth and our very existence. Only if we could delve into its rich meaning more often. 

Another good point Yahiya Emerick makes is that at the very beginning of this verse, God compares hearts to stone. Then He explains how water may at times gush out through stone. Thus, this implies that no matter how hard a heart may be, there is still chance for faith to pour out of it! What a beautiful analogy. 

May we be of those who dive into the deep meaningful ocean of the Quran, and obtain from its enumerous treasures. Ameen.