Reflections of November 29, 2006

Surah Al-Mulk

After the Tafsir of Surah Al Mulk, I felt so insignificant as compared to Allah (s.w.t.)'s Majesty and Might. The Blessed and Most Perfect, Whose Dominion encompasses everything, and is aware of my thoughts. The One Who Created me and will cause me to die, and raise me again for accountability. The One who is severe in Punishing, as well as Most Forgiving.

I looked out the window at the perfect sky, and kept thinking, "How dare I disobey my Creator, whose favors on me are endless. How dare I use my ears, my eyes, and my faculties that He has given me in His disobedience." I didn't realize that I was even repeating out loud by this time, "How dare I disobey my Creator."

Just think of the uncountable Ne'mahs (blessings) that Allah (s.w.t.) has given us - what does He want in return - to accept Him solely as our Rabb, and follow His commandments, which are for our own benefit in this world as well as in the Hereafter. Is that too much that He is asking for?

- Fakhri Hameed (Ottawa)

Birds United

Do they not observe the birds above them, spreading their wings and folding them in? None can uphold them except (Allah) Most Gracious: Truly (Allah) Most Gracious: Truly it is He that watches over all things. [Surah Mulk: 19]

Birds work in unison, without any argument! When humans work together, we work by arguing!

- Fatima Malik (Mississauga)

Listening (and using our intelligence)

Today I realized that two of our biggest problems are:

1) Not listening
2) Not using our intelligence

In Surah AlMulk, ayah 10 the inmates of Hell say, "If only we had been listening or using our intelligence, we would not be among the companions of the Blazing Fire."

The problem sometimes is that we would rather not hear or think about the truth. We hear things - the voice clashes with our ears - but we don't let it touch our heart. If things don't reach our heart how can we change our ways? We should try to not only 'hear', but also focus on what is being said, physically, emotionally, and really think about it. May Allah (s.w.t.) guide us to listen and use our intelligence in a way that will save us from being from the inmates of the Blazing Fire. Ameen

- Ayesha Baig (California)

After understanding Surah Al Mulk once again...

It's amazing how this complete Surah involves so much, the main purpose of our life is told, exactly for what reason are we sent to this temporary world? "لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا" Allah tells us and makes us realize through so many blessings: 'wake up and know who Your Rabb really is!'
After making us see and realize all the blessings, comes the powerful questioning!!! This truly awakens you from inside. How can you reject all these blessings? A Being Who has given us such clear signs... still why is it that we reject or then continuously keep forgetting to obey our Rabb? Within this questioning Allah tells us clearly the reality of man "Qaleelammaa tashkurun" ..."How little you are grateful".
No excuses can be given; it's as if Allah is closing all the doors of excuse! It is as if Allah has clearly opened our eyes to everything. Still how persistent can man get and Allah says "Bal lajju fi atuwiw wa nafoor."
So the actual lesson from this surah is: "Be focused, know your purpose in this temporary life. Look around you and value the blessings given to you , don't forget to do shukr" By reading this surah every night before sleeping is a perfect reminder!! All it takes is a few minutes...

- Talat Nazir (Manchester)

The Ancient Pen

Nūn. By the pen and what they inscribe. [Al-Qalam: 1]

It was amazing to know that Taqdeer (fate) was written 50,000 years before the creation of the heavens and the earth. Everything was planned way ahead. And the Qalam (pen) which wrote down everything was created even before. In fact it is the first creation of Allah (s.w.t.). There is an obvious reason for the Pen being the first creation. We should learn to respect and use it properly.

There is no doubt in the saying, 'The pen is mightier than a sword.'

- Salma Ghansar (Mississauga)