Quran Talks...
This blog aims to spread the authentic teachings of Islam and to promote the learning of the Holy Quran. Contributing are sisters studying under Dr. Farhat Hashmi at Al Huda Institute Canada, who will be sharing first hand accounts of their learning.

Bismillah

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Lesson 3: Al Baqara: A 6-7

Ayah 6-7


Tafseer:

6. Indeed, those who disbelieve – it is all the same for them whether you warn them or do not warn them – they will not believe.


These are the 2nd group of people from Surah Al Fatiha – those who earned Allah’s anger.


They are those who disbelieve in everything that Prophet (saw) brought. They don’t believe in Allah nor the Day of Judgment.

It is same for them whether you warn them or not warn them about the end, it will not make any difference to them. They won’t believe. Guidance is in hands of Allah.



7. Allāh has set a seal upon their hearts and upon their hearing, and over their vision is a veil. And for them is a great punishment.


Allah has set a seal upon their hearts; hence they are not able to get the guidance. Also has seal over their hearing, they can’t hear when Quran is being recited, also their eyes has a covering, they can’t see the signs hence they can’t reflect.

Consequently they’ll get a great punishment, in its intensity and its time.

This message is for the polytheists in Makkah, the Jews in Madina and after that everyone. Knowledge came to them yet they disbelieved.

Prophet (saw)’s character was a proof that he was a real prophet. Yet they were not able to recognize.

Heart is like a machine, if we stop using it. It will become rusty and stop working. The kaafir stop using their faculties.

Allah has sealed their hearts because of their actions. They do not want guidance themselves


[Surah Saff: 5] – “... And when they deviated, Allāh caused their hearts to deviate. And Allāh does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.”


This is the result of their actions, Allah has given these faculties (of hearing, seeing and reflecting) but as revenge due to His anger He has taken away these faculties from them.


[Jasiya: 23] - Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire, and Allāh has sent him astray due to knowledge and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after Allāh? Then will you not be reminded?


Accept this message to show gratitude that you recieved it.


Kinds of Kufr:

1) Major disbelieve – anyone who does this is taken out from the fold of Islam

· Kufr of rejection/ denial. Person disbelieves in Allah and then His messengers and books

· Kufr due to arrogance. Know this is the truth but he refuses.

· Kufr due to doubt and suspicion

· Kufr of turning away

· Kufr of hypocrisy


2) Minor disbelieve – doesn’t take one out of fold of Islam

· Kufr of ingratitude


[Hadith] - "Whoever has three things discovers the sweetness of Iman: that Allah and His Messenger are more beloved to him than all else, that he love another only for the sake of Allah Most High, and that he hate to return to kufr (disbelief) as he would hate to be thrown into fire." [Bukhari & Muslim]

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Lesson 2 – Surah Al Baqara: Ayah 1-5

Tafseer:


AL BAQARA - Surah # 2 – Introduction


· Prophet (saw) said : “Do not turn your houses into graveyards for Satan runs away from the house in which Surah Al-Baqara is recited” [Muslim]

· Prophet (saw) said: “Read Surah Al Baqara for indeed its reading is a blessing. Leaving it is a source of regret. And falsehood cannot overcome it/ sorcerers cannot tamper with it”

· These two Surahs (Al Baqarah and Ale-Imran) are called “Zahrawain”- The two lights on Day of Judgment and they will come as 2 clouds and shade the believers who recite them. They’ll come like in 2 lines of birds, or like umbrella.

· This is the longest surah of Qur’an, covers approx. 2.5 Juz, has 286 verses and it’s a Madini Surah. Revealed after the migration of Prophet (saw) to Madina

· The literal meaning of Al-Baqara is The Cow as there is a mention of a cow in the chapter. Although a part of it was revealed in Mecca, it is a Madina Surah as a major portion of it was revealed in Madina.

Ayah:


1. Alif, Lām, Meem.


Huroof Muqatta’at – disjointed letters. Written together but read separately.


· [Ibn Taimiyyah – a scholar, he said]: “Arabs are being reminded that Quran is composed in their same language – Arabic but the Quran is inimitable”. Nobody can change it not anything is similar to it. Quran is Miraculous.

· [Abu Bakr]: “Every book has a secret and Allah’s secret in this book is Huroof Muqatta’at - these letters”


None but Allah knows the true meaning of these letters. There have been many theories advanced but these are just theories. No one can say with certainty because Allah did not tell us.


[Hadith] - Reciting one letter of the Quran brings you 10 virtues. Alif-Laam-Mim is not one word but 3 letters.


2. This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allāh


This Qur’an is a book that has no doubts in it. It is an honored book; it is a great book with high status. Read this book with contentment it will give you peace at heart.


§ Its 1st original copy is in Lawh ul Mehfooz, in the 7th Heaven. It is a preserved tablet. It is at the top most place.

§ 2nd copy is with the angels [Abasa: 12-16].

§ 3rd copy is with us. Shouldn’t you feel honored? A copy that is with the angels is with you.


Raib – is a doubt that makes you restless. There is no doubt in it and there is no other book in the world which can make this claim. This book is the only authentic book in the world.

This is a claim that cannot be made by any author on the earth whether dead or alive.


Quran is guidance - هُدًى

It is a book that came to guide the Muttaqeen. They are those who save themselves from the sin fearing punishment of Allah. Allah gives knowledge to everyone but the one who adopts this guidance is the one who is Muttaqee i.e. one who has Taqwa (consciousness of Allah). People have hidaya irshad (knowledge) in front of them, but the hidaya tawfeeq (implementation of the knowledge) comes from a person with in himself if he desires it.



3. Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them


Qualities of Muttaqeen:

A) They believe in the unseen. They believe with their heart, say it with tongue and prove in their actions. Unseen = Things that we should believe in that are unseen ex. Resurrection after death.


B) They establish their Prayer - Salah. They pray according to Prophet (saw) - Sunnah, pray on time, with proper attire, with proper ablution – wudhu. Pray while giving each position its right and pray with tranquility. Praying five times regularly.


C) They spend from whatever they get from Allah. They spend the wealth they have in way of Allah. Spend whatever they possess whether its wealth or knowledge or anything.


Have a balanced life and spend in the balanced way giving right to all your relatives, family, needy, poor etc. Everything we have is from Allah SWT. We can show our gratitude by spending what Allah gave us in His way.


[Hadith] – Prophet (saw) said: “Sadaqa (Charity) does not reduce our wealth”



4. And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith].


More qualities of Muttaqeen:


D) They also believe in what was revealed upon prophet (saw). Believe in everything that was revealed to Prophet (saw) included both: 1) Qur’an 2) Hadith/ Sunnah


E) They also affirm that the previous books were revealed by Allah i.e. Torah, Injeel, Zaboor. Islam is the only religion that accepts all the previous books and messengers. They believe in Ibrahim (as)’s leaflets, Dawood (as)’s Psalms (The Zaboor), Injeel and Torah - the Book of the Jews, the Book of the Christians.


F) They are certain that the Day of Judgment is coming. Believe without doubt. To believe in Dunya (world/life) only will lead to destruction.



5. Those are upon [right] guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are the successful.


· it. They were on guidance in Dunya - had knowledge + implementation (guidance).

· This is the key to success. Success you get after putting some effort.

· Complete success = he who is removed from fire and admitted to jannah (no ultimate success in dunya)

· Person works hard in dunya, they are on guidance therefore their Dunya is successful and so is their Akhirah. One who has achieved Paradise – (Jannah) has got success.

· In dunya everything has limits, happiness/sorrow has limits. Hereafter is limitless. Jannah’s vastness is as vast as the heavens and earths. There is no end to happiness, there will be no change. There is no boredom in Jannah.




Recap Surah Baqara Ayah 1-5

· When Iman comes to you, it beautifies you from inside. It purifies you from inside. It is important to have and it is purely for your own sake.

· Ibadah: firstly establish prayer – it teaches you discipline, punctuality, patience, focus, humility, unity, organization, purification. Our Ibadah are not just rituals they also build our character

· Zakah: giving and sharing with others, purification

· Saum: fasting gives us patience because one is controlling his biggest desire that is hunger. It teaches discipline.

· Hajj: journey through difficulty, makes you discipline, makes you social, live in difficult circumstances

· All these ibadah helps you to live with others, share with others. Makes personality complete.

· Relation with others must be based on the principle of giving and not getting. First you should give and then take.

· These basic qualities make you Muttaqee.

· Muflihoon: only after putting an effort.