Reflections of November 9, 2006
Surah Al-Hadeed

"One Day shalt thou see the believing men and the believing women- how their Light runs forward before them and by their right hands: (their greeting will be): "Good News for you this Day! Gardens beneath which flow rivers! to dwell therein for aye! This is indeed the highest Achievement!" [Al-Hadeed: 12]

Light on the Day of Judgment
People on the Day of Judgment will be in several different states. Some will be surrounded by darkness and some will be full of light. The light of the Believers will be running, flowing ahead of them, and on their right. Every time I thought of the Nur they would have, I just imagined a glow. This wont be a glow, their Nur will run ahead of them, it will spread, it will illuminate all around them. Whereas on the other hand, the Hypocrites wont have light. These people, Hypocrites, are Muslims yet very unfortunate because they weren’t steadfast on their Islam. They said things and didn’t do them. They didn’t put enough in for Islam; they didn’t strive, so they reached the bad end.
After realizing this, the choice is mine. Do I proclaim my Islam and become one submissive to Allah?
Or do I chose the way of the Hypocrites, lag behind, and reach the bad end?
-Ayesha Ahmed (Texas)

"On the day when the hypocritical men and the hypocritical women will say to those who believe: Wait for us, that we may have light from your light; it shall be said: Turn back and seek a light. Then separation would be brought about between them, with a wall having a door in it; (as for) the inside of it, there shall be mercy in it, and (as for) the outside of it, before it there shall be punishment." [Al-Hadeed: 13]

In regards to light on the Day of Judgment, I think it is ironic how the hypocrites will get light in the beginning and then their light will be taken away. They will be dealt with the same way they behaved in this world. As they thought they could deceive Allah, Allah will deceive them. They will try to borrow light from the believers and will be turned away (S. Al-Hadeed V.13). It will truly be the Day of Recompense. May Allah (SWT) save us from having any of the traits of the hypocrites and grant us light in this world and in the Hereafter. Ameen.
-Ayesha Baig (California)

"Has not the Time arrived for the Believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and of the Truth which has been revealed (to them), and that they should not become like those to whom was given Revelation aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors." [Al-Hadeed: 16]

I love the hidden message that we get from the choice of words of this ayah.
Allah is talking about the 'People of the book' who have disobeyed Allah a lot and have been cursed many a times... but while addressing to them Allah says 'most of them cross limit', He didn’t say 'ALL' but said 'MOST'... this teaches us that, if some/most people of any religion/community/group portray a bad example, we shouldn’t generalize that Name or Characteristic to all.. Every individual is different and should be given a chance before judging him/her.
We also get a hope that there are exceptions in every case... the worst situation too could give us something very worthy... so don't lose hope (for people and problems)
-Salma Ghansar (Mississauga)

"And those who believe in Allah and His messengers- they are the Sincere (lovers of Truth), and the witnesses (who testify), in the eyes of their Lord: They shall have their Reward and their Light. But those who reject Allah and deny Our Signs,- they are the Companions of Hell-Fire." [Al-Hadeed: 19]

The Truthful
After reading verse 19, I thought that the world would be so peaceful if we were all part of the Siddiqoon. What we need is good character and what we need to practice is the Sunnah. All of us can be better of by doing such, InshaAllah.
-Fatima Malik (Mississauga)

A Beautiful Loan
Qarze hasana is what we give purely in the way of Allah (s.w.t) and especially to uplift His deen.
Although we have heard the incident of Hazrat Abu Bakr (r.a) giving all his belongings in the way of Allah (s.w.t) when needed in battle of Tabook and many other times too. Yet the reminders motivate us to give more. The acts of sahaba of giving qarze hasana are really inspiring.May Allah (s.w.t) accept our good deeds. Ameen
-Ayesha Asad (Etobicoke)