Recitation of suarh al-Mu'minun, ayat 103 to ayat 111, by Shaykh Muhammad Luhaidan:
THIS SURAH POINTS OUT THAT MAN"S life in this world is short, and that he must always seek the truth and fight temptation and misleading beliefs. It reminds the reader of death and how he might react to it:: Until, when death cometh unto one of them, he saith: My Lord! Send me back, (99) That I may do right in that which I have left behind! But nay! It is but a word that he speaketh; and behind them is a barrier until the day when they are raised. (100) This scene, where people, having died, ask to be returned to the world a second time to mend their ways appears in the Qur'an about ten times. This show very clearly that as death approaches, the wrong-doers own-up to their misdeeds and beg to be given another chance to live a clean life. In the surah we are given two scenes; one at the moment of death and one at the moment of judgement. On the latter occasion, wrong-doers will be reproached with the question: (It will be said): Were not My revelations recited unto you, and then ye used to deny them? (105) They will say: Our Lord! Our evil fortune conquered us, and we were erring folk. (106) Our Lord! Oh, bring us forth from hence! If we return (to evil) then indeed we shall be wrong-doers. (107) These repeated appeals might help clarify matters for those who believe that man's fate's in the hereafter is predetermined and that his pleading will have no influence on it. Islam has been grossly missundertood on this point. To answer these cynics, the surah rounds off with a passage asserting that God Almighty is fair towards all men. HE has equally blessed all human beings with the gift of life and given them senses and perception and intellectual faculties to distinguish between god and bad, right and wrong. The surah ask: "Deemed ye then that We had created you for naught, and that ye would not be returned unto Us? (115) Now Allah be Exalted, the True King! There is no God save Him, the Lord of the Throne of Grace " (116). God has made promises and sent warnings; HE has given some people good health and inflicted others with ailments; He made life a mixture of happiness and suffering: all this in order to enrich the human experience and make people recognize the reality and value of God. People can choose either to be vigilant and prepare for their encounter with God, and invest for life in the hereafter, or they can choose to reject God and dismiss any accountability to Him. God will judge both with fairness and justice; but when it is too late, excuses will avail no one. The surah tell us that ias the time for accountability draws near, the skeptics will be flustered and will lose all sense of time: He will say: How long tarried ye in the earth, counting by years? (112) They will say: We tarried but a day or part of a day. Ask of those who keep count! (113) He will say: Ye tarried but a little if ye only knew. (114) The surah concludes by stressing, yet again, the value and role of enlightened faith, pointing out that authentic religious belief is not built on mythology, folklore, and superstition. True religion respect rational thought and accords the human mind its rightful place in understanding the world and shaping it. Without their power of thought and free will, humans would not be accountable for their actions. He who crieth unto any other god along with Allah hath no proof thereof. His reckoning is only with his Lord. Lo! disbelievers will not be successful. (117) And (O Muhammad) say: My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for Thou art Best of all who show mercy. (118) " A Thematic Commentary On The Qur'an " Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali [ 1917 - 1996 ] 'Life After Death'....
to comprehend this discussion you have to leave this dimension and go on 'supra-worldly dimension', the belief in the al-ghaiba, if you are forever stuck in only worldly dimension then welcome to the world of chrostopher hitchens ,stephan hawkings and richard dawkins: 'what i cant see, cannot measure and comprehend....is not there. the delusion and arrogance of the secualrist, 'modern man'
Let us return to the realities of planet earth [ where Islam is under-seige from all corners: Christendom, Jewish and the Godless ],and listen to a Hitchens-Tony Blair debate, [ Is Religion a Force for Good In the World]
..and Tony Blair vs Christopher Hitchens....
PS : Hitchens just died last year from metastatic oesophageal cancer, remaining 'officially' to his last breath,"Godless". I wonder aloud how his 'soul' is doing now, not that I care too much about him when he was alive. Hitchens, Dawkins , Sam Harris, just to name a few, belong to the arrogance and insanity of time immemorial : 'When I die, I will be dust and that would be the end of time". How sad! To each of us, our choice.......
THE SURAH THEN RETURNS TO EXHORT and educate man and appeal to his human intellect. It reminds people of God's infinite favors to them: the creation of human beings, the provision of natural resources for them, the night and the day, the sun and the moon, and so on. HE has also endowed man with hearing, sight, and feeling and understanding. The surah then address the skeptics with the following three hard-hitting questions: Say: Unto Whom (belongeth) the earth and whosoever is therein, if ye have knowledge? (84) They will say: Unto Allah. Say: Will ye not then remember? (85) Say: Who is Lord of the seven heavens, and Lord of the Tremendous Throne? (86) They will say: Unto Allah (all that belongeth). Say: Will ye not then keep duty (unto Him)? (87) Say: In Whose hand is the dominion over all things and He protecteth, while against Him there is no protection, if ye have knowledge? (88) They will say: Unto Allah (all that belongeth). Say: How then are ye bewitched? (89) These questions were not being addressed to the idol-worshipers alone who knew that their gods had neither created the world nor controlled it, but also to some people of the Book who had tampered with the tenets and doctrines of their faith and therefore distorted the concept of true tawhid. The Qur'an sets out the solid foundations of pure tawhid which establish God as the sole Creator of, and Sovereign over the whole universe and everything within it. We read: Allah hath not chosen any son, nor is there any God along with Him; else would each God have assuredly championed that which he created, and some of them would assuredly have overcome others. Glorified be Allah above all that they allege. (91) Knower of the Invisible and the Visible! and Exalted be He over all that they ascribe as partners (unto Him)! (92) Tawhid is based on rational insight and sound reflection, whereas all contrary beliefs are based on pure fantasy, conjecture, and idle speculation. " A Thematic Commentary On The Qur'an " Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali [ 1917 - 1996 ] Mufti Ismail Menk's reflection on 'Tawhid' ,
Recitation with direct translation, Shaykh Mishari Rashid al-Afasy,
09:15 Prophet Noah did 'daawah' for 950 years...only a handful followed him[ 80 Muslims ].
Hardship and tribulation are a necessary means of purification and refinement for human society. Prophet Muhammad was reported to have said: " Nothing befalls a Muslim, whether anxiety, or depression, hardship, or illness, even if a thorn pricks his skin, but could be taken into consideration by God in forgiving his sins." Power and wealth are liable to drive men to arrogance and oppression of those less fortunate than them. This is exactly what happened to the Prophet's people during the early part of his commission; so much so that he was heard asking God: " Help me against them as you helped Joseph: send them seven lean years. " In some cases, the curse or punishment is prolonged, or recurs, because the people have not heeded the call: "Though We had mercy on them and relieved them of the harm afflicting them, they still would wander blindly on in their contumacy "(75). The Arabs of Makkah resisted Islam for almost twenty years. Their opposition to it drained their resources and brought about their disintegration as a power in the region. It affected all aspects if their society and caused them to suffer politically, socially, and economically. This surah, which was revealed in Makkah,continues to threaten the Arabs with the aims of dissuading them from perpetrating hostility towards Muhammad and his followers. It says: Already have We grasped them with punishment, but they humble not themselves unto their Lord, nor do they pray, (76)Until, when We open for them the gate of extreme punishment, behold! they are aghast thereat [ in utter despair ] (77) . " A Thematic Commentary On The Qur'an " Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali [ 1917 - 1996 ] Benefit of Trials and Tribulations :[ A Book by Shaykh Aizzudin Abdul Aziz ibni Abdus-Salam , circa hijrah 660 ] Discussed by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
...zikr, fikr, him' [ positive forbearance ] 43:20 Sir..you don't even know your co-ordinates in this universe, how can you know where God is ! 44:15 you are deluded ....
THOSE LOCALIZED MISSIONS were completed with the revelation of God's universal and final message to Muhammad. The Book he received, the Qur'an, was addressed to the inhabitants of the Arabian peninsula, as it was revealed in their language, but its message was universal and intended for the whole of mankind. The Arabs had initially refused to accept Islam and rejected Muhammad despite their knowledge of his integrity and honesty. The surah refers to this by saying: Have they not pondered the Word, or hath that come unto them which came not unto their fathers of old? (68) Or know they not their messenger, and so reject him? (69) Or say they: There is a madness in him? Nay, but he bringeth them the Truth; and most of them are haters of the Truth. (70) However, the price of their arrogance was high. Those who opposed Islam suffered a humiliating defeat at Badr in 624 AC, and their leaders were humbled forever. The surah says: "Till when We grasp their luxurious ones with the punishment, behold! they supplicate. "(64) The non-believing Arabs used all means at their disposal to try suppress Islam and undermine its veracity, growth, and influence, yet they failed to do so. The surah tells us: "Or say they: There is a madness in him? Nay, but he bringeth them the Truth; and most of them are haters of the Truth. (70) And if the Truth had followed their desires, verily the heavens and the earth and whosoever is therein had been corrupted. Nay, We have brought them their Reminder, but from their Reminder they now turn away."(71) " A Thematic Commentary On The Qur'an " Shaykh Muhammad al_Ghazali Islam: A Universal Message.... by Yusuf Estes
THE SURAH THEN TAKES us back in history, citing communities who had rejected their prophets and rebelled against God, turning their backs on His guidance. it mentioned the people of Noah and those of Hud, and then say: Then after them We brought forth other generations. (42) No nation can outstrip its term, nor yet postpone it. (43) Then We sent our messengers one after another. Whenever its messenger came unto a nation they denied him; so We caused them to follow one another (to disaster) and We made them bywords[ we destroyed them, we made them tales of history ]. A far removal for folk who believe not! (44) All the communities which the surah mentions lived in what is known today as the Middle east. Noah lived in northern Iraq, Abraham came from iraq and travelled through the Hijaz in the western Arabia, Egypt, and Palestine. Moses was born and raised in the Nile valley, whence he tried to escape with his people, the Israelites, and then died in the Sinai desert. Jesus was born in Palestine and visited Egypt. Salih and Shu'aib lived in northern Arabia, and Hud in the Yemen. We may conclude from this that people in this part of the world have always been more aware, or have had a richer experience, of heavenly revealed messages than people in other parts of the world. Therefore, those of them who rejected these messages or opposed them stand heavier divine punishment. God's messengers were wise, reasonable and considerate leaders and teachers, never over-burdening their followers or coercing them to believe. God has directed His prophets thus: "O ye messengers! Eat of the good things, and do right. Lo! I am Aware of what ye do. (51) And lo! this your religion is one religion and I am your Lord, so keep your duty unto Me "(52). A few verses later we read: "And we task not any soul beyond its scope, and with Us is a Record which speaketh the truth, and they will not be wronged. "(62) " A Thematic Commentary On The Qur'an " Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali Reflection and commentary by Imam Zia, Session 5, ayat 42 - ayat 56
THERE IS A STRONG AND DEFINITE RELATIONSHIP between actions and results. A good act will yield a favorable outcome, whilst an evil act, no matter how slick or suave it may look today, will lead to a lamentable end. Most people are preoccupied with the here-and-now, with quick and spectacular results, and are completely oblivious of the future. This surah is dedicated to drawing our attention to the life hereafter. It reassures the believers with the promise of a happy and rewarding future, and warns cynics and skeptics that, for them, the worst is yet to come. The surah opens on a promising note: "Successful indeed are the believers (1) Who are humble in their prayers, (2) And who shun vain conversation, (3) And who are payers of the poor-due; "(4) 'Umar ibn al-Khattab reported that when Prophet Muhammad received a Qur'anic revelation, his Companions could hear buzzing sounds around him. One day Muhammad went into this state for a while and when he came round he read the first ten verses of al-Mu'minun. 'Umar went on to say that Prophet had told them that whoever heeded those verses would enter paradise. Then, he said: 'God, please increase our share of goodness and do not reduce it; be generous to us and do not humiliate us; give to us and do not deprive us; favor us and do not favor others more than You favor us; and give us contentment and be pleased with us.' The opening verses cover an important and wide range of religious and moral principles and instructions. The same ideas are reiterated, with minor alterations, half-way through the surah. Lo! those who go in awe for fear of their Lord. (57) And those who believe in the revelations of their Lord, (58) And those who ascribe not partners unto their Lord, (59)And those who give that which they give with hearts afraid because they are about to return unto their Lord, (60) They race for the good things, and they shall win them in the race. (61) The two passages are clearly complementary and combine to give a fuller description of the character of the believers. A description of the unbelievers is given towards the end of the surah, highlighting some of the features. The usrah also relates examples of the end that awaits the wrong-doers. The reward, or punishment, promised by Allah is given after a certain period of time spent here on earth, after people's faith and sincerity have been tested andtried and their deeds noted for judgement hereafter. This interim period is described in vivid and graphic detail in the surah: "Verily We created man from a product of wet earth; (12) Then placed him as a drop (of seed) in a safe lodging; "(13) The question that immediately springs to mind is : How did all this happen? Other questions also arise: How did the clay turn into a living body? How did the genes form and become encapsulated in the sperm? By what system or logic or law do these genes recognized their course and function, turning a helpless lump of flesh into a full-grown adult, with amazing talents and capabilities? The whole universe attests, in the loudest possible way, to the power of God. Yet, many people continue to dismiss truth and disbelief in Him. The surah goes on : "Then lo! after that ye surely die. (15) Then lo! on the Day of Resurrection ye are raised (again). "(16) " A Thematic Commentary On The Qur'an " Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali Reflection and commentary by Imam Zia, Session 1 ayat 1 to ayat 11
Session 2 ayat 12 - ayat 17,
session 3 ayat 18 - ayat25,
23:09 Prophet Noah did daawah for 950 years and only 80 people became Muslim! 26:06 Iman is about belief in the 'unseen' Session 4 ayat 26 - ayat 41 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2zYl-WGbKo
Shaykh Muhammad al- Ninowy, biodata : Born and raised in Syria, Shaykh Muhammad al-Ninowy is the direct descendant of the family of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). His studies and teachings have come directly from father to father all the way down to Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)’s teachings to his daughter Fatima Azzahra (RA). He currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., as an Imam and Khateeb at Masjid Al-Madina where he delivers the Friday Sermons and gives a weekly majlis in Hadith and Tawheed.
Zikrullah.... by Shaykh Dr Muhammad bin Yahya al-Hussainy al- Ninowy,
1:15 ...zikrullah kasira 7:10 ...you forget about Allah, Allah makes you forget about youselve.
Post Script: ......how many minutes a day are you in a state of zikrullah? ......why not hours? ......why cant it be 10 hours? ......and why not it be all your waking hours? ......your jobs and your friends in the way?? ......and why cant all your human interactions and your jobs be part of your zikrullah ? ...... and why not? and if you cannot now change your jobs, nor you friends,why not change your attitude to your jobs and your friends?
...and be in zikrullah all your waking hours! ...it is DOWABLE.. for the first few days you might get a 'big headache' mind you after that if you missed doing it, life, becomes a headache. it is addictive, like an opiate. try it for size.......................... some words of wisdom on attachment-detachment equilibrium: Detachment is not that you should own nothing, but that nothing should own you [ Saidina Ali radiyallahu'an ]
