20 July 2014 Musa become Messenger and Lailatul Qadr

20 July 2014

Musa become Messenger and Lailatul Qadr

Salaam all
Below is a summary of last week’s Study Circle. MashaAllah, a very energised atmosphere and lots of good discussion.
We talked about Musa* becoming a Messenger and asking Allah to make Harun* his helper and a Prophet. Then we talked about getting the most from the last 10 days / nights of Ramadhan.
Some very moving feedback from the children about Gaza and other things.
InshaAllah, see you next week for the last Circle this Ramadhan at the usual time of 5pm.
Stay well and please keep me in your du’as.
Jzk.
Naveed


Musa becomes a Prophet and Messenger

Allah's Conversation With Musa*

When Musa* went up to the fire on the mountain he was looking for light/warmth and guidance to Egypt but he encountered a miracle. He was addressed by Allah from a bush.
"Moses, I am Allah, the Lord of all the worlds." [TMQ 28:30]
"Moses! I am your Lord. Take off your sandals. You are in the holy valley of Tuwa. I have chosen you, so listen well to what is revealed. I am Allah. There is no god but Me, so worship Me and establish prayer to remember Me." [TMQ 20:11-14]
Allah established 3 things first:

• Importance of Tawhid (Belief in Allah)
• Importance of Praying to remember Allah
• The Hour is close (Judgement Day)

Then a conversation between Musa* and Allah happened where Allah taught Musa* many lessons and where Musa* acknowledged his own shortcomings and asked for help from Allah in many ways. Allah knows what Musa* is holding but wants to show him…Musa* did not argue with Allah and was happy to chat.
"What is that in your right hand, Moses?" He said, "It is my staff. I lean on it and beat down leaves for my sheep with it and have other uses for it." [TMQ 20:17-18]
Throw down your staff." Then when he saw it slithering like a snake he turned and fled and did not turn back again... [TMQ 27:10]
Musa* saw his familiar staff turned into a snake, he was seized with fear.
…"Have no fear, Moses. In My Presence the Messengers have no fear." [TMQ 27:10]
He said, "Take hold of it and have no fear. We will return it to its original form." [TMQ 20:21]
Put your hand inside your shirt front. It will emerge pure white yet quite unharmed… [TMQ 28:32]
…And hug your arms to your sides to still your fear. These are two proofs from your Lord for Pharaoh and his ruling circle. They are a deviant people. [TMQ28:32]

Prophet Musa* Asks Allah for Help – Prophet Harun* and other matters

Allah instructed Musa that his chosen mission (which he has to accept) is to Speak to Pharaoh! The one who Musa* was trying his best to avoid by sneaking into Egypt he must now confront. Prophet Musa* told Allah frankly that he was hesitant and asked for His guidance on the following matters:

• his inability to express himself fluently, fearing not being able to address Pharaoh properly
• the need for courage and assistance from Allah to make this task easy
• he might be killed by an Egyptian seeking vengeance
• making his brother Harun* (Aaron) his helper so they can glorify Allah more
• the need to be part of a group (Jammah) so we are not chased by the wolves

He said, "O Lord, expand my breast for me and make my task easy for me. Loosen the knot in my tongue so that they will understand my words. Assign me a helper from my family." [TMQ 20:25-29]
"My brother Harun. Strengthen my back by him and let him share in my task, so that we can glorify You much and remember You much."[TMQ 20:30-34]
He (Allah] said, "We will reinforce you with your brother and by Our Signs will give you both authority, so that they will not be able to lay a hand on you. You and those who follow you will be the victors." [TMQ 28:35]
He said, "My Lord, I killed one of them and I am afraid they will kill me; and my brother Aaron is more eloquent than me so send him with me to support me and back me up. I am afraid they will call me a liar." [TMQ 28:33-34]
(Moses said,) "For You are watching us." He (Allah) said, "Your request has been granted, Moses." [TMQ 20:35-36]


Main Topic - Night of Power: Lailatul-Qadr

This is an extract from the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir on Surah al-Qadr [97].
* "Verily, We have sent it down in the Night of Al-Qadr.
* And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr is
* The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months.
* Therein descend the angels and the Ruh by their Lord's permission with every matter.
* There is peace until the appearance of dawn."

The Virtues of the Night of Al-Qadr (the Decree)

Allah  informs that He sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Al-Qadr, and it is a blessed night about which Allah  says: "We sent it down on a blessed night." [TMQ 44:3]
This is the Night of Al-Qadr and it occurs during the month of Ramadan. This is as Allah  says: "The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an." [TMQ 2:185]
Ibn `Abbas and others have said, "Allah sent the Qur'an down all at one time from the Preserved Tablet (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz) to the House of Might (Baytul-`Izzah), which is in the heaven of this world. Then it came down in parts to the Messenger of Allah based upon the incidents that occurred over a period of twenty-three years."
Imam Ahmad recorded from Abu Hurayrah: "When Ramadan would come, the Messenger of Allah would say: ‘Verily, the month of Ramadan has come to you all. It is a blessed month, which Allah has obligated you all to fast. During it the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are shackled. In it there is a night that is better than one thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good, then he has truly been deprived.'"
"Whoever stands (in prayer) during the Night of Al-Qadr with faith and expecting reward (from Allah), he will be forgiven for his previous sins."
The Descent of the Angels and the Decree for Every Good during the Night of Al-Qadr
Allah says: "Therein descend the angels and the Ruh by their Lord's permission with every matter."
This means the angels descend in abundance during the Night of Al-Qadr due to its abundant blessings. The angels descend with the descending of blessings and mercy, just as they descend when the Qur'an is recited, they surround the circles of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and they lower their wings with true respect for the student of knowledge.
In reference to Ar-Ruh, it is said that here it means the angel Jibril. Therefore, the wording of the Ayah is a method of adding the name of the distinct object (in this case Jibril) separate from the general group (in this case the angels).
The angels giving the greetings of peace during the Night of Al-Qadr to the people in the Masjids until the coming of Fajr (dawn)."

Specifying the Night of Decree and its Signs
This is supported by what Imam Ahmad recorded from `Ubadah bin As-Samit that the Messenger of Allah* said: "The Night of Al-Qadr occurs during the last ten (nights). Whoever stands for them (in prayer) seeking their reward, then indeed Allah will forgive his previous sins and his latter sins. It is an odd night: the ninth, or the seventh, or the fifth, or the third or the last night (of Ramadan)."
It has been reported that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri said, "The Messenger of Allah* performed I`tikaf during the first ten nights of Ramadan and we performed I`tikaf with him. Then Jibril came to him and said, ‘That which you are seeking is in front of you.' So the Prophet* performed I`tikaf during the middle ten days of Ramadan and we also performed I`tikaf with him. Then Jibril came to him and said; ‘That which you are seeking is ahead of you.' So the Prophet* stood up and gave a sermon on the morning of the twentieth of Ramadan and he said: "Whoever performed I`tikaf with me, let him come back (for I`tikaf again), for verily I saw the Night of Al-Qadr, and I was caused to forget it, and indeed it is during the last ten (nights). It is during an odd night and I saw myself as if I were prostrating in mud and water." The roof of the Masjid was made of dried palm-tree leaves and we did not see anything (i.e., clouds) in the sky. But then a patch of wind-driven clouds came and it rained. So the Prophet* lead us in prayer until we saw the traces of mud and water on the forehead of the Messenger of Allah*, which confirmed his dream."
There are numerous hadith about which exact day it is but no consensus – some scholars saying that it may actually rotate year on year through the last odd nights in Ramadhan.
Allah concealed that night from His Servants out of mercy so that they would increase their acts of worship and gain the great reward by performing Qiyam during these blessed nights, thinking that each night is Laylat-ul-Qadr.

Supplication during the Night of Decree
It is recommended to supplicate often during all times, especially during the month of Ramadan, in the last ten nights, and during the odd nights of it even more so. Imam Ahmad recorded from `A'ishah, that she said, "O Messenger of Allah! If I find the Night of Al-Qadr what should I say?" He replied: "Say: ‘O Allah! Verily, You are the Oft-Pardoning, You love to pardon, so pardon me.'" [ Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee ]

The Maths
Lailatul-Qadr (better than) = 1000 months  x 29.5 Islamic days = 29,500
In Islamic years = 29,500 / (12 x 29.5) = 83 and 4 months
If you worship Allah on this night every year for 60 years after attaining your puberty, then you would have 5000 years to your credit (60,000 months).Qur
It is likened to as if you had lived for over 5,000 years, and achieved the rewards of a person who had lived that long and much more.

Getting the most from the last ten days of Ramadhan
1. Read the Qur'an:
Not just reciting, and listening to but also contemplating upon the verses of Qur’an. Many sahabae preferred to understand the verses and what’s behind the revelation to get closer to the Qur’an.
2. Increase in Nawafil Prayers:
"Fall prostrate and draw near to Allah!" [TMQ Al-Alaq 96:19]
The Prophet* said: "The closest that a person is to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so say a great deal of du'a then." He* is commanding us to make a lot of du'a while in sujud. We need to do more. For he* said to: "...make lots of du'a." Remember, the Prophet* loved us and he knew that we have a lot of needs from Allah. This is why he taught us the way to get those needs fulfilled. Therefore, if you have needs, then you cannot leave sujud. Any sajdah without khushu' and without du'a is a big khasara . When the Prophet* instructed us to do a lot of sujud, it means to perform a lot of salah . "With each sajdah for Allah, He will raise you a level with it. And cancel a sin with it." So, the more you increase in your sujud, the closer you are to being a winner.
Examples for increasing nawafil salah:
- Salat Dhuha: 2, 4, 6 or 8 rak'at, prayed after the sun has risen and before the time for Dhuhr.
- 4 rak'at before and 4 after Dhuhr
- 4 rak'at before ‘Asr
- Tahhiyatul masjid: Greet the masjid with two rak'at
- Salat at-Tawbah: Make wudhu' and offer two sincere rak'at of repentance.
- Praying Taraweeh in Jamaah at the masjid
- Qiyam al-Layl: Pray at least 2 rak'at
- Performing Tahajjud in the last third of the night
3. Makes lots of Dhikr:
Do a lot of dhikr. The Prophet* commanded us to oft recite Tasbeeh ("Subhan-Allah"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillah") and Takbeer ("Allahu Akbar") during this time.
4. Seeking Forgiveness (Istighfar):
"But as for him who repented, believed and did righteous deeds, then he will be among those who are successful." [28:67]
The Prophet* is reported to have said that when a person seeks forgiveness for all believers, Allah will write for him a hasanat for every one of those believers.
5. Charity:
Spending for the sake of Allah! Spend from what you love and Allah will love you.
6. Preserve the Ties of Kinship:
Preserve the ties of kinship for: "No one who severs the ties of kinship will enter Paradise." [Muslim]
7. Making a personal Sacrifice
Sacrificing something close to us for the sake of Allah.
“And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers” [51:55]
8. Performing Itikaf
Observe `Itikaf during the last ten days and exerting efforts in worship. Being secluded from people and engaging oneself in obeying Allah, mentioning Him, forgetting anything that might distract him, and focusing on pleasing Allah by worship.
9. Making du’a
Think of all that you need to ask Allah for and ask Him now. If you haven’t before, this is the time to connect with Him and feel closer to Him. And when you do during these last ten nights and days of this Ramadan, you would want to do this again and again – even after the month is over.
And finally, when you are in a state of prayers and worship, please open your heart for others as well and please do remember your brothers and sisters in your prayers. Remember what the Prophet said:
Please keep the Ummah in your du'aas, may Allah unite us in strength to be victorious. Please keep the oppressed in your du'aas, those who have become a victim to tyranny and war, may Allah break the shackles of tyranny and spread peace and tranquility over all the lands, which have been occupied and invaded.
“The supplication that gets the quickest answer is the one made by one Muslim for another in his absence.”
May Allah Subhana wa ta'ala look over all of you, surround you in His immense Rahma and envelope you in His protection always. May He increase you all in health, wealth and Imaan and grant you the best of the duniya wa fil akhirah - ameen.
May we all make the most of the last ten nights and days of Ramadan.

Useful website:
Qur'an Explorer: http://www.quranexplorer.com/

A big thanks to all those that regularly attend the Circles.
Thanks you for your patience in reading and sharing these summaries.
Jzk
Naveed

14 October 2012


Summary:
Selected Comments on these verses:
 
Many of these verses were revealed before, during and immediately after the Battle of Tabuk and deal with incidents surrounding the battle
Many verses highlight the importance of Jihad through wealth and physical fighting, and who should fight. As these were the latest verses revealed on this topic they abrogate many previous verses about fighting
Many verses expose the character of the Munafiqeen (Hypocrites)
Many verses ask Muslims to put their trust in Allah
Many verses address the Jews and Christians
The Surah does not start with ‘Bismillah’
Specific references are made to:

• Mushrikeen (polytheists / idol worshippers) not being allowed to visit the Kaaba
• Allah Testing the people regularly (like shaking a tree in Autumn)
• Not praying over Abdullah ibn Ubai or other Munafiqs (Hypocrites) upon death
• The incidence of Masjid ad-Dirar being exposed
• The repentance of the 3 who procrastinated and didn't go to the fight
• The specific excuses and mischief some mushriks used
• We shouldn’t mock the Prophet or Islam
• Keeping the treaties with people in good faith
• Allah's help during the Battle of Hunain
• Allah's protection of the Prophet* (in the cave) and our duty to him
• Incidents where the Jews and Christians changed their laws (through their priests / rabbis) and so pretended to be 'God'
• Staying in the company of good people

We finished off by reminding people that if we want to talk to Allah we should pray and make du'a, and if we want Allah to talk to us we should read the Qur'an

Seerah of Muhammed*
*: May the peace blessings and Mercy of Allah be upon him
TMQ: Translation to the nearest meaning of the Qur’an

Battle of Tabuk (5) ~ Surah at-Taubah (Chapter 9: vv 1 - 129)

Here is a disavowal (proclaimed) by Allah and His Messenger against the Mushriks (polytheists) with whom you have a treaty. (1)
So, move in the land freely for four months, and be aware that you can never frustrate Allah, and that Allah is going to disgrace the disbelievers. (2)
And here is an announcement, from Allah and His Messenger, to the people on the day of the greater Hajj, that Allah is free from (any commitment to) the Mushriks, and so is His Messenger. Now, if you repent, it is good for you. And if you turn away, then be aware that you can never frustrate Allah. And give those who disbelieve the ‘good’ news of a painful punishment. (3)
Except those of the Mushriks with whom you have a treaty, and they were not deficient (in fulfilling the treaty) with you, and did not back up any one against you. So fulfill the treaty with them up to their term. Surely, Allah loves the God-fearing. (4)
So, when the sacred months expire, kill the Mushriks wherever you find them, and catch them and besiege them and sit in ambush for them everywhere. Then, if they repent and establish Salah and pay Zakah, leave their way. Surely, Allah is most Forgiving, Very-Merciful. (5)
And if any one of the Mushriks seeks your protection, give him protection until he listens to the Word of Allah, then let him reach his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know. (6)
How can the Mushriks have a treaty with Allah and His Messenger? Except those with whom you made a treaty near Al-Masjid-ul-Haram . Then, as long as they remain straight with you, you too remain straight with them. Surely, Allah loves the God-fearing. (7)
How (can they have a treaty) while if they overcome you, they will not observe any bond or treaty with you. They want to please you with (words of) their mouths, but their hearts refuse. Most of them are sinners. (8)
They have taken a paltry price for the verses of Allah, so they have prevented (people) from His path. Indeed, evil is what they have been doing. (9)
They do not observe any bond or treaty with a believer; and they are the transgressors. (10)
Then, if they repent and establish Salah and pay Zakah, they are your brothers in faith. We elaborate the verses for a people who understand. (11)
And if they break their oaths after they have made a covenant, and speak evil of your Faith, then fight the leaders of infidelity, since their oaths are nothing, so that they may desist, (12)
Would you not fight a people who broke their oaths and conspired to expel the Messenger, and it was they who started (fighting) against you for the first time? Do you fear them? But Allah has greater right that you fear Him, if you are believers. (13)
Fight them, so that Allah should punish them at your hands and disgrace them, and help you win against them and bring relief to bosoms of the believing people, (14)
And remove the rage of their hearts. And Allah relents to whomsoever He wills. Allah is (All-) Knowing, (All-) Wise. (15)
Do you think that you will be left alone (without being tested), while Allah has not yet seen those of you who struggle in Jihad and never take anyone as their confidant other than Allah and His Messenger and the believers? Allah is fully aware of what you do. (16)
It is not for the Mushriks to build up the mosques of Allah while they are witnesses of their own infidelity. Those are the ones whose deeds have gone to waste; and in the Fire they shall remain forever. (17)
In fact, the mosques of Allah are built-up only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and those who establish Salah and pay Zakah and who fear none but Allah. So, it is hoped that they are to be among those on the right path. (18)
Have you taken the serving of water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of Al-Masjid-ul-Haram as equal to (the acts) of one who believes in Allah and in the Last Day, and carries out Jihad in the way of Allah? They are not equal in the sight of Allah. Allah does not lead the wrongdoing people to the right path. (19)
Those who believed and emigrated and carried out Jihad in the way of Allah with their wealth and lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah, and it is they who are the successful. (20)
Their Lord gives them the happy news of Mercy from Him, and of (His) Pleasure, and of Gardens having an everlasting bliss for them, (21)
Where they shall dwell forever. Surely, it is Allah with whom lies a great reward. (22)
O you who believe, do not take your fathers and your brothers as your friends, if they prefer infidelity to Faith. Those of you who have friendship with them are the wrongdoers. (23)
Say, “If your fathers and your sons and your brothers and your spouses and your clan and the wealth you have earned and the trade you apprehend will recede and the homes you like are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger and Jihad in His way, then, wait until Allah comes with His command. Allah does not lead the sinning people to the right path.” (24)
Allah has surely blessed you with His help on many battlefields, and on the day of Hunain, when you were proud of your great number, then it did not help you at all, and the earth was straitened for you despite all its vastness, then you turned back on your heels. (25)
Then Allah sent down His tranquillity upon His Messenger and upon the believers, and sent down troops that you did not see, and punished those who disbelieved. That is the recompense of the disbelievers. (26)
Yet Allah relents, after that, to whomsoever He wills. Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful. (27)
O you who believe, the Mushriks are impure indeed, so let them not approach Al-Masjid-ul-Haram after this year. And if you apprehend poverty, then, Allah shall, if He wills, make you self-sufficient with His grace. Surely, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (28)
Fight those People of the Book who do not believe in Allah, nor in the Last Day, 8 and do not take as unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have declared as unlawful, and do not profess the Faith of Truth; (fight them) until they pay jizyah with their own hands while they are subdued. (29)
The Jews say, “ ‘Uzair (Ezra) is the Son of Allah” and the Christians say, “Masih (the Christ) is the Son of Allah.” That is their oral statement. They imitate the saying of the earlier disbelievers. May Allah ruin them, how far they are turned back from the truth! (30)
They have taken their rabbis and their monks as gods beside Allah, and also (they have taken) Masih the son of Maryam (as god). And they were not commanded but to worship only One God. There is no god but He. Pure is He from what they associate with Him. (31)
They wish to blow out the Light of Allah with their mouths, and Allah rejects everything short of making His light perfect, no matter how the disbelievers may hate it. (32)
He is the One who has sent down His Messenger with guidance and the Faith of Truth, so that He makes it prevail over every faith, no matter how the Mushriks may hate it. (33)
O you who believe, many of the rabbis and the monks do eat up the wealth of the people by false means and prevent (them) from the way of Allah. As for those who accumulate gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah, give them the ‘good’ news of a painful punishment, (34)
On the day it (the wealth) will be heated up in the fire of Jahannam, then their foreheads and their sides and their backs shall be branded with it: “This is what you had accumulated for yourselves. So, taste what you have been accumulating.” (35)
Surely, the number of months according to Allah is twelve (as written) in the Book of Allah on the day He created the heavens and the Earth, of which there are Four Sacred Months. That is the right faith. So, do not wrong yourself therein. And fight the Mushriks all together, as they fight you all together, and be sure that Allah is with the God-fearing. (36)
Nasi’ (i.e. postponement of months) is nothing but a further excess in infidelity, whereby the disbelievers are misguided. They allow it one year and disallow it another year, so that they may conform (only) to the number of what Allah has sanctified, and allow what Allah has disallowed. The evil of their deeds has been beautified for them (by Satan). And Allah does not lead the disbelieving people to the right path. (37)
O you who believe, what is wrong with you that when it is said to you, “Come out in the way of Allah,” you turn heavy (and cling) to the ground. Have you become happy with the worldly life instead of the Hereafter? So, (remember that) the enjoyment of the worldly life is but trivial in (comparison with) the Hereafter. (38)
If you do not march forth (in the way of Allah), He will chastise you with a painful punishment and will replace you with another nation, and you can do Him no harm at all. Allah is powerful to do anything. (39)
If you do not help him, (it makes no difference to the Prophet, because Allah has already helped him when the disbelievers expelled him, and he was the second of the two, when they were in the cave, and he was saying to his companion, “Do not grieve. Allah is surely with us.” So, Allah caused His tranquillity to descend on him, and supported him with troops that you did not see, and rendered the word of the disbelievers humiliated. And the word of Allah is the uppermost. Allah is Mighty, Wise. (40)
March forth (in the way of Allah), no matter whether you are light or heavy, and carry out Jihad (struggle) in the way of Allah with your wealth and lives. That is good for you, if you were to realize. (41)
Had it been a gain at hand or an average journey, they would have certainly followed you, but the distance seemed too far to them. They will swear by Allah: “We would have certainly set out with you, if we were able to.” They are putting themselves to ruin. Allah knows that they are liars. (42)
O Prophet, Allah has forgiven you; why did you permit them (to stay in Medina) before the truthful ones could become distinct to you, and you could be sure of the liars. (43)
Those who believe in Allah and in the Last Day do not ask you to excuse them from Jihad with their wealth and lives. Allah is aware of the God-fearing. (44)
Only those people ask you to be excused who do not believe in Allah and in the Last Day and whose hearts are in doubt; so they are wavering in their doubt. (45)
Had they wished to set out, they would have made some preparation for it, but Allah disliked their going forth, so He made them lag behind, and it was said to them, “Stay back with those who are staying back.” (46)
And had they set out with you, they would have added nothing for you but trouble, and would have run around in your midst seeking mischief against you. Still, among you there are those who spy for them. Allah is aware of the wrongdoers. (47)
They sought mischief even earlier and tried to upset matters for you, until the Truth arrived and the will of Allah prevailed, though they disliked it. (48)
And among them there is one who says, “Allow me (to stay behind) and do not expose me to an ordeal.” Look! They have already fallen into an ordeal, and certainly Jahannam (the Hell) has the disbelievers encircled. (49)
If some good comes to you, it annoys them, and if hardship befalls you, they say, “We had already taken care of our problem”, and they go their way delighted. (50)
Say, “Nothing can ever reach us except what Allah has destined for us. He is our Master. And in Allah alone the believers must place their trust.” (51)
Say, “What you are expecting for us is nothing but one of the two good things (martyrdom or victory). And we are expecting for you that Allah sends to you a punishment from Himself or at our hands. So, wait. Of course, we are waiting with you.” (52)
Say, “Spend, willingly or unwillingly, it will never be accepted from you. You have been a sinning people.” (53)
Nothing has prevented their spending from being accepted from them but that they have disbelieved in Allah and in His Messenger, and they do not come to the Salah but lazily, and do not spend but without volition. (54)
So, their wealth and their children should not attract you. In fact, Allah intends to punish them with these in this lowly life and that their souls should depart while they are disbelievers. (55)
They swear by Allah that they are from among you, whereas they are not from among you, but they are a people in fear. (56)
If they find a place of refuge or caves or any place to enter, they will turn towards it running (as) unbridled (horses). (57)
And among them there are those who find fault with you in (the distribution of) Sadaqat (alms). So, if they are given something out of it, they are quite happy, and if they are given nothing from it, they at once get annoyed. (58)
Would that they were content with what Allah and His Messenger had given to them, and were to say, “Allah is sufficient for us; Allah and His Messenger will give us (more) out of His grace (when they so will). Indeed, we crave for (the pleasure of) Allah alone.” (59)
The Sadaqat (prescribed alms) are (meant) only to be given to the poor, the needy, to those employed to collect them, to those whose hearts are to be won, in the cause of the slaves and those encumbered with debt, in the way of Allah and to a wayfarer. This is an obligation prescribed by Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, Wise. (60)
And among them (the hypocrites) there are those who hurt the Prophet and say, “He is just an ear” (that is, he hears and believes everything). Say, “He gives ear to that which is good for you; he believes in Allah and trusts the believers and is a mercy for those of you who (pretend to) believe.” And those who hurt the Messenger of Allah, for them there is a painful punishment. (61)
O believers, they swear by Allah before you, so that they may please you, whereas Allah, as well as His Messenger, has greater right that they should please Him, if they are (true) believers. (62)
Have they not come to know that whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger, definite for him is the fire of Jahannam (Hell) wherein he will remain forever. That is the extreme disgrace. (63)
The hypocrites are afraid that a Surah (a chapter of the Holy Qur’an) may be sent down about them, which tells them what lies in their hearts. Say, “Go on mocking. Allah is surely to bring out what you are afraid of.” (64)
And if you ask them, they will say, “We were just chatting and having fun.” Say, “Is it of Allah and His verses and His Messenger that you were making fun?” (65)
Make no excuses. You became disbelievers (by mocking at Allah and His Messenger) after you had professed Faith. If We forgive some of you (who repent and believe), We shall punish others (who carry on their hypocrisy), because they were guilty. (66)
The hypocrites, males and females, are all alike. They bid vice and forbid virtue and withhold their hands (from spending in Allah’s way). They forgot Allah, so He forgot them. Surely, the hypocrites are the sinners. (67)
Allah has promised the fire of Jahannam to the hypocrites, men and women, and to the disbelievers who shall live there forever. It is adequate for them. Allah has put His curse on them, and for them there is a lasting punishment. (68)
You are like those who were before you. They were stronger than you in power, and richer in wealth and children. So, they enjoyed their share (from the pleasures of this world), then you enjoyed your share as those before you enjoyed their share, and you indulged (in evils) as they indulged. They are the ones whose deeds have gone to waste in this world and in the Hereafter, and they are the losers. (69)
Has there not reached them the news of those before them, the people of Nuh and ‘Ad and Thamud and the people of Ibrahim and the people of Madyan, and (the news) of the towns overturned? Their messengers came to them with clear signs; so, Allah was not such as would wrong them, but they have been doing wrong to their own selves. (70)
The believers, male and female, are friends to each other. They bid virtue and forbid vice and establish Salah and pay Zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those are the ones whom Allah will bless with mercy. Surely, Allah is Powerful, Wise. (71)
Allah has promised to the believers, male and female, gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they shall live forever, and good homes in gardens of eternity. And Allah’s pleasure is above all. That is the supreme success. (72)
O Prophet, carry out Jihad (struggle) against the disbelievers and hypocrites, and be strict with them. And their abode is Jahannam (Hell), and it is an evil terminus. (73)
They swear by Allah that they said nothing, while indeed, they had said the word of infidelity and had disbelieved after having accepted Islam, and had intended what they could not achieve. And they have reacted for nothing but that Allah and His Messenger have enriched them with His grace. So, if they repent, it will be good for them, and if they turn away, Allah will chastise them with a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter, and for them there is neither a friend on the Earth, nor a helper. (74)
And among them there are those who made a pledge with Allah: “If He gives us (wealth) out of His grace, then, surely we shall give alms and shall be among the righteous.” (75)
But when He gave them (wealth) out of His grace, they became stingy about it, and went back turning their faces away. (76)
So Allah, in turn, put hypocrisy in their hearts till the day they shall meet Him, because they broke their promise with Allah, and because they have been telling lies. (77)
Do they not know that Allah knows what they conceal and what they whisper, and that Allah is well aware of all the Unseen? (78)
Among the hypocrites, there are those who taunt the believers who voluntarily give alms and have nothing but their hard earnings; still they mock at such people. Allah mocks at them, and for them there is a painful punishment. (79)
It is all equal whether you ask pardon for them or do not ask pardon for them. Even if you ask pardon for them seventy times, Allah will never pardon them. That is because they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger. Allah does not lead the sinning people to the right path. (80)
Those who were left behind were happy with their sitting back to the displeasure of the Messenger of Allah, and they disliked carrying out Jihad in the way of Allah with their wealth and lives, and they said, “Do not march in this hot weather.” Say, “The fire of Jahannam is much more intense in heat,” only if they could understand. (81)
So, let them laugh a little, and weep a lot, this being a reward of what they used to earn. (82)
Then, if Allah brings you back to a group of them and they seek your permission to march, say to them, “You shall never march with me ever after, and shall never fight an enemy in my company. You were happy with sitting back the first time; now, sit with those remaining behind” (83)
And never offer a prayer on any one of them who dies, and do not stand by his grave. They disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and died while they were sinners. (84)
Their wealth and children should not attract you. Allah only wills to punish them with these in this world and that their souls depart while they are disbelievers. (85)
When a Surah is revealed (saying), “Believe in Allah and carry out Jihad in the company of His Messenger” the capable ones from them seek your permission and say, “Let us remain with those sitting back.” (86)
They are happy to be with women who sit back, and their hearts are sealed; so they do not understand. (87)
But the Messenger and the believers in his company have carried out Jihad with their wealth and lives, and for them there are the good things, and they are the successful. (88)
Allah has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow where they will live forever. That is the supreme achievement. (89)
And the excuse-makers from the Bedouins came, so that they might be allowed (to stay behind), while those who were false to Allah and His Messengers (just) stayed behind (without seeking permission). A painful punishment is about to fall upon those of them who disbelieve. (90)
There is no blame on the weak, or on the sick, or on those who have nothing to spend, if they are sincere to Allah and His Messenger. There is no way against those who are good in deeds. Allah is most Forgiving, Very Merciful. (91)
Nor (is there any blame) on those who, when they came to you so that you might provide them with a carrier (that they could ride for Jihad ) and you said (to them), “I find no carrier to give to you”, went back with their eyes flowing with tears in grief, because they had nothing to spend. (92)
Blame lies, in fact, on those who ask you permission despite being rich. They are happy being with women who sit back. Allah has sealed their hearts; so they do not know. (93)
They will make excuses to you when you return to them. Say, “Do not make excuses. We shall never believe you. Allah has told us the facts about you. Allah will see what you do, and His Messenger as well. Then you shall be returned to the Knower of the Seen and the Unseen, and He will tell you what you have been doing.” (94)
They will swear by Allah before you when you will go back to them, so that you may ignore their misdeeds. So, just ignore them. They are filth, and their abode is Jahannam, a recompense for what they used to do. (95)
They swear before you, so that you may be pleased with them. So, even if you are pleased with them, Allah will not be pleased with the sinning people. (96)
The Bedouins are often more strict in disbelief and hypocrisy, and are most likely to be ignorant of the limits of what Allah has sent down to His Messenger. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (97)
And among the Bedouins there are those who take what they spend as a fine, and they look forward to the cycles of time to turn against you. Upon those is the evil cycle. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. (98)
And among the Bedouins there are others who believe in Allah and in the Last Day and take what they spend as a source of nearness to Allah and of prayers from the Messenger. It is indeed a source of nearness for them. Allah will admit them to His mercy. Surely, Allah is Most Forgiving, Very Merciful. (99)
As for the first and foremost of the Emigrants (Muhajirin) and the Supporters (Ansar) and those who followed them in goodness, Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Allah, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will live for ever. That is the supreme achievement. (100)
And among those Bedouins who are around you there are hypocrites, and among the people of Medina as well. They are adamant on hypocrisy. You do not know them. We know them. We will chastise them twice, then they shall be driven to a terrible punishment (in the Hereafter). (101)
And there are others who admitted their sins while they had mixed a good deed with an evil one. It is likely that Allah will relent towards them. Surely, Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful. (102)
Take sadaqah (obligatory alms) out of their wealth through which you may cleanse and purify them, and pray for them. Indeed, your prayer is a source of peace for them. And Allah is (All-) Hearing, (All-) Knowing. (103)
Have they not come to know that Allah is He who accepts repentance from His slaves and accepts Sadaqat, and that Allah is Most-Relenting, Very-Merciful? (104)
Say, “Do (what you do); Allah will see your deed, as will the Messenger and the believers. And you shall be returned to the Knower of the Seen and the Unseen, then He will tell you what you have been doing.” (105)
And there are others whose matter is deferred till the command of Allah (comes): either He would punish them or relent towards them. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (106)
And (there are) those who have built a mosque to cause harm (to Islam) and to promote infidelity and to create dissention among the believers and to provide a station for one who has been at war with Allah and His Messenger even before. They will certainly swear (and say), “We intended to do nothing but good.” Allah testifies that they are liars. (107)
Do not ever stand there (in prayer). In fact, the mosque that was founded on Taqwa (piety) from the very first day has greater right that you stand in it. In it there are people who like to observe purity; and Allah loves those observing purity. (108)
Then tell me, which one is better, whether the one who has founded his building on fear of Allah and on search of His pleasure, or the one who has founded his building on the edge of an abyss that is about to collapse, then it did collapse with him into the fire of Jahannam ? Allah does not give guidance to the unjust people. (109)
The building they had built shall always remain a source of unrest in their hearts, unless their hearts are cut into pieces. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (110)
Surely, Allah has bought their lives and their wealth from the believers, in exchange of (a promise) that Paradise shall be theirs. They fight in the way of Allah, and kill and are killed, on which there is a true promise (as made) in the Torah and the Injil and the Qur’an. And who can be more faithful to his covenant than Allah? So, rejoice in the deal you have made, and that is the great achievement. (111)
They are those who repent, those who worship, those who praise (Allah), those who journey (in Allah’s way), those who bow in Ruku‘, those who prostrate in sajdah, those who bid the Fair and forbid the Unfair and those who preserve the limits prescribed by Allah. And give the good news to the believers. (112)
It is not (permissible) for the Prophet and the believers to seek forgiveness for the Mushriks, even if they are kinsmen, after it became clear to them that they are the people of hell. (113)
As for the prayer of Ibrahim for the forgiveness of his father, it was only due to a promise he had made to him. Later, when it became clear to him that he was an enemy of Allah, he withdrew himself from him. Indeed, Ibrahim was very tender-hearted, very forbearing. (114)
Allah is not such as He makes a people go astray after He has given them guidance, unless He explains to them what they should avoid. Indeed, Allah is fully aware of every thing. (115)
Surely, to Allah alone belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He gives life and brings death. And, other than Allah, you have neither a supporter, nor a helper. (116)
Surely, Allah has relented towards the Prophet and the Emigrants (Muhajirin) and the Supporters (the Ansar) who followed him in the hour of hardship after the hearts of a group of them were about to turn crooked, then He relented towards them. Surely, to them He is Very-Kind, Very-Merciful. (117)
And (He relented) towards the three whose matter was deferred until when the earth was straitened for them despite all its vastness, and even their own souls were straitened for them, and they realized that there is no refuge from Allah, except in Him, then He turned towards them, so that they may repent. Surely, Allah is the Most-Relenting, the Very Merciful. (118)
O you who believe, fear Allah, and be in the company of the truthful. (119)
It was not (permissible) for the people of Medina and for those around them of the Bedouins to stay behind abandoning the Messenger of Allah, nor to prefer their own lives to his life. That is because whatever thirst or fatigue or hunger strikes them in the way of Allah, and whenever they step into a place which infuriates the infidels, and whenever they make a gain from an enemy, a virtuous deed is thereby credited to their account. Surely, Allah does not nullify the reward of the virtuous. (120)
Whatever they spend, be it less or more, and whenever they cross a valley, is all written down for them, so that Allah may give them the best reward for what they used to do. (121)
It is not (necessary) for all the believers to go forth. So, why should it not be that a group from every section of them goes forth, so that they may acquire perfect understanding of the Faith, and so that they may warn their people when they return to them, so that they may take due care (of the rules of Shari‘ah). (122)
O you who believe, fight those disbelievers who are near you, and let them find severity in you. Know well that Allah is with the God-fearing. (123)
When a Surah is sent down, some of them (the hypocrites) say, “Whose faith from among you has been increased by this?” So far as the believers are concerned, it has certainly increased their faith, and they are quite happy. (124)
As for those who have malady in their hearts, it adds further impurity to their (initial) impurity, and they die infidels. (125)
Do they not see that they are put to trial every year once or twice; still they neither repent, nor do they take lesson? (126)
And when a Surah is sent down, they look at each other (as if saying): “Is there someone watching you?” Then they turn away. Allah has turned their hearts, because they are a people who do not understand. (127)
Surely, there has come to you, from your midst, a Messenger who feels it very hard on him if you face a hardship, who is very anxious for your welfare, and for the believers he is very kind, very merciful. (128)
So, if they turn away, say (O Messenger), “Enough for me is Allah. There is no god but He. In Him I have placed my trust, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne.” (129)

Selected Comments on these verses:
Many of these verses were revealed before, during and immediately after the Battle of Tabuk and deal with incidents surrounding the battle
Many verses highlight the importance of Jihad through wealth and physical fighting, and who should fight. As these were the latest verses revealed on this topic they abrogate many previous verses about fighting
Many verses expose the character of the Munafiqeen (Hypocrites)
Many verses ask Muslims to put their trust in Allah
Many verses address the Jews and Christians
The Surah does not start with ‘Bismillah’
Specific references are made to:

• Mushrikeen (polytheists / idol worshippers) not being allowed to visit the Kaaba
• Allah Testing the people regularly (like shaking a tree in Autumn)
• Not praying over Abdullah ibn Ubai or other Munafiqs (Hypocrites) upon death
• The incidence of Masjid ad-Dirar being exposed
• The repentance of the 3 who procrastinated and didn't go to the fight
• The specific excuses and mischief some mushriks used
• We shouldn’t mock the Prophet or Islam
• Keeping the treaties with people in good faith
• Allah's help during the Battle of Hunain
• Allah's protection of the Prophet* (in the cave) and our duty to him
• Incidents where the Jews and Christians changed their laws (through their priests / rabbis) and so pretended to be 'God'
• Staying in the company of good people

We finished off by reminding people that if we want to talk to Allah we should pray and make du'a, and if we want Allah to talk to us we should read the Qur'an


Children's Feedback: The Value of Food in Islam

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Homework:
Seerah ~ Read Surah at-Taubah again and reflect on this. Which is your favourite verse(s)?
Main topic (Qur'an) ~ Who could have possibly wrote (authored) the Qur'an at the time of the Prophet*?

26 August 2012

No Study Circle today as all the families were recovering from the Shahnam Charity Event hosted yesterday.

Here are the Pictures.

Well Done All !