Reflection on Surah Alqamar, chapter 54

The chapter speaks of stories of the prophets, one after the other, from Muhammad (PBUH) to Noah to Hud to Saleh to Lot to Moses, and how their people belittled their message. Their people would clearly see the signs of truth yet still would not believe and submit to God's command. What's interesting is that though the whole chapter is about these stories, in between every prophet's story is one verse that is repetitive in this chapter. It is as if serving as a transition between each story. The one verse is:

وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ

"And indeed, We have made the Quran easy to understand and remember, yet is there any that will take heed?" 

This is so interesting to me because here is God showing us how clear His signs were to these people, and they still disbelieved. Now we must not fall into the same trap. We have our own signs of God's existence and of His true message. And one of the clearest signs is His book, the Quran. So how appropriate is it that for us who are reading these stories today, that He reminds us of "our sign", the Quran, in every transition?! Those people had their signs and now they are gone. But we are here alive and breathing. What are we doing with our "sign". Allah is asking me and you repetitively in this chapter between each story: What have you done with the Quran? Are you utilizing His words and His book to your advantage? Will the Quran be proof for you or against you on That Day? The question at the end of this verse hits deep every time. 

 فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ

"Is there anyone that will take heed?"

Oh Allah, make us from those who do take heed, and who do understand Your words, and ponder, and whose hearts are attached to our sign, Your Noble Book, the Quran. Ameen. 

Verse 21, Surah Al-Tur

وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَاتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّيَّتُهُم بِإِيمَانٍ أَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَمَا أَلَتْنَاهُم مِّنْ عَمَلِهِم مِّن شَيْءٍ كُلُّ امْرِئٍ بِمَا كَسَبَ رَهِينٌ

"And those who believe and whose offspring follow them in Faith, to them We shall join them with their offspring (in Paradise), and We shall not decrease the reward of their deeds in anything. Every person is a pledge for that which he has earned."

As parents trying to make the best out of our children, this verse gives us hope in light of our everyday struggles. Simply, one who strives to attain faith and raises his/her children in the same manner, God is promising you that He will join you together in the Hereafter. We raise our children in life today knowing that one day we will not be with them. Yet here is God promising us that if we raise them on His straight path, then surely we will be reunited, but this time, forever. 

The next statement is beautiful because God says that He will not decrease the reward of our actions in any way, shape, or form. Sometimes we belittle the things we have to do for our children. The many small duties we do for them add up, and can feel like a huge burden. Yet here is God telling us that every single thing we do for our offspring counts. Everything. Feeding, cleaning, changing, teaching, and helping our children all do not go unnoticed. God sees our struggles and is telling us that absolutely nothing goes unnoticed. Every single action, no matter how insignificant, will be rewarded. 

We teach our children to pray today. Tomorrow they will teach their children and God-willing the cycle will continue. Our offspring will be our pledge for us on the Day of Judgement.

The next time you see yourself stressed with the many duties of a mother, remember that, in His eyes, everything counts and He will reward you for that and more. Keep doing and He will keep rewarding. 

Feeling the Love

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ الرَّحْمَٰنُ وُدًّا

"Surely those who believe and do good deeds, God will bestow love between them" 

-Chapter Maryam (Mary), verse 96

Sometimes we run into people who we have never met before, but for some reason, we are drawn to them and feel like we have known them forever. Whether it be in a study circle, conference, religious workshop or the likes, something makes us love them for who they are. This is no coincidence; rather this is divine decree from Allah(swt) that He surely will put love between those who do righteous deeds. So the next time this happens to you, remember this verse. Although you never knew each other before, know that Allah is the one who united your hearts together on His path, and for that you can feel the love. 

<3

Succeeding as a Mother in the Quran

A young woman once told me, "I just want my children to be from the sajideen (those who regularly prostrate to God and surrender their affairs to Him)". It was such a simple yet profound statement that had a lingering effect on me till today.

 

Too often we make our children the central focus of our lives, to the point where everything we do is for them and them alone. We live in a world today where mothers are overly occupied with trying to indulge their children and keep them happy, to the point where we sometimes fall into the trap of living for them, forgetting that they are gifts from God and a means for us to get closer to Him. Our children are not with us to simply bring us joy and laughter, and we are not here for them to only bring them joy and laughter. Although we should aim to instill happiness in our children’s hearts, as the Prophet (PBUH) taught us, our ultimate goal in raising our kids should be solely for our Creator, so that they could be among His pious servants and of those who return to their Maker with a sound heart.

 

 

إِنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَاللَّهُ عِندَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ

Your wealth and your children are indeed a trial; Yet with God there is a 

great reward

 

فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَاسْمَعُوا وَأَطِيعُوا وَأَنفِقُوا خَيْرًا لِّأَنفُسِكُمْ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

So keep your duty to God and fear Him as much as you can; listen and obey; and spend in charity, that is better for yourselves. And whosoever is saved from his own desire and greed, then they are the successful ones

{Quran 64: 15-16}

 

Read these two verses in Surah Altaghabun. God is affirming to us in this chapter and in many other chapters of the Quran that, in fact, our children are a test for us. They are not here to simply bring us pleasure. Have we given them the tools they need to be of the Sajideen? If we truly want our kids to know God and go back to Him for their problems once we are no longer here, then what are we doing for them now that will make that a reality?

 

 

The second verse is key to our life as parents. God says to fear Him and keep our duty to Him as much as we can. The words ما استطعتم (as much as you can) are essential to mothers who are struggling and trying to make the best out of their children, day after day, night after night. Mothers are overwhelmed with duties for their children and more than that, worry about whether they have done the right thing for the right reason. Here is God assuring you, telling you not to worry, do what you can. Remember God, the One who granted you your children, yet how often? As much as you possibly can. Only God knows the extent of the load we are carrying, and perhaps this is why He added those two words that add so much meaning and concern in this verse. 

After God has shown you His concern, He now gives you a solution to how to raise your children while living for Him and not your children alone. He says, "Listen, Obey, and Give". Take a moment out of your day and listen to God's words. On your way picking up your children from school, listen to the Quran, listen to beneficial lectures that remind you of God and his words. Obey his commandments. Don't divert from the straight path, even in the smallest way. Raise your children according to God's rules, not yours. And finally, give. Give your time, money, energy, and attention. A mother in her nature is giving, yet the ways she can give are endless. God is telling you to keep giving, and teach your children to give as well. Be selfless. For he who gives and overcomes the love of himself will be of those who are successful (وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ).

 

When you raise your kids for God as if it's your duty toward Him, then that is when you will be successful. God ends the verse so beautifully as He gives us the tools on how to succeed as parents and as servants to Him. May we be of those who listen to His words and implement them, and may He make us all successful parents. 

 

Changes in nature

While driving slowly on the hwy in the middle of a severe thunderstorm, I was reminded of the last day, the Day of Judgement. It was a scary moment driving through the rough weather, even though I wasn't alone and just 5 minutes from my destination. God's sudden drastic changes in weather give us a snapshot of what is yet to come. Yet on the Day of Judgement, we are alone and we will not know how much longer we have to reach our destination. In fact, we won't know what our destination is. Just as the clear sunny day changed in an instant today, God has the power to change our hearts in a split-second. This brings me to a supplication my sister once advised me to always remember: 

يا مقلب القلوب ثبت قلبي على دينك

Oh turner of hearts, make my heart hold firm to Your way of life. 

Thank you God for the signs you give us in nature that remind us Who is in control of our affairs. We submit our matters to You and to You alone. 

Divorce in the Quran

While reviewing the Chapter of Divorce in the Quran (Surah Altalaaq), it really got to me. 

It is no coincidence that these verses appear in this chapter:

 وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا

"And whosoever fears God and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty)."

وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا

"And He will provide him from (sources) he could never imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in God, then He will suffice him. Verily, God will accomplish his purpose. Indeed God has set a measure for all things."

 وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ يُسْرًا

"And whoever fears God and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matters easy"

 سَيَجْعَلُ اللَّهُ بَعْدَ عُسْرٍ يُسْرًا

"Surely God will grant ease after hardship"

اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ وَمِنَ الْأَرْضِ مِثْلَهُنَّ يَتَنَزَّلُ الْأَمْرُ بَيْنَهُنَّ لِتَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عِلْمًا

"It is God Who has created seven heavens and of the earth the like thereof. His Command descends between them (heavens and earth), that you may know that God has power over all things, and that He surrounds (comprehends) all things in (His) Knowledge."

How on-point are these verses for someone going through such a rough time. How great is our Lord. Subhanallah Glory be to Him.