Tag: lessonsfromquran

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Attaining Success

Posted on by Zahra

What is success? Everyone has a different definition of success – having your own house, having this degree, some title, having lots of followers on social media. But what is the real standard of success? Allah says: 

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.

[Ali ‘Imran: 185]

Some on the Day of Judgement will be taken to Jahannam to be purified of their sins before they enter Jannah. In the above ayah, Allah tells us that true success is to not even go to the Fire, a direct flight to Jannah! Success isn’t what people chase after in Dunya. The Dunya is only a tool that we must use to earn the Akhirah. The deception of life is that we think we live forever. And when we become heedless, that’s when we fall prey. We begin to think that the Dunya is everything & we get busy chasing after it, forgetting the Akhirah. When we understand reality, we are able to cope with all the ups & downs of this life.

Stay alert, keep reminding yourself & strive for the real home of the Akhirah. That’s your goal. Keep your eyes on the prize and live with purpose.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “What is the parable of this worldly life, in comparison to the Hereafter, but one of you dipping his finger in the sea? Let him see what he brings forth.”

[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2858]

May Allah make us of those who enter Jannah bi ghairi hisab, Aameen! 

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An Attitude of Gratitude!

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“And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'”

(Surah Ibrahim : 7 )

The English translation doesn’t do justice to the Arabic of this ayah. Allah ﷻ actually uses emphasis 4 times here! This is to remove any doubt about the promise being made.

Someone gives you a gift. Wouldn’t you appreciate it, talk about it and want to return their favour? Every single thing that we have is from Allah ﷻ, whether it’s tangible (like our families, homes, food, transport, etc.) or intangible (knowledge, talent, freedom). How much gratitude does He deserve?

Allah ﷻ is teaching us a simple formula for success here: gratitude leads to increase of blessings. It also preserves the blessing. So whatever blessing you want an increase in, start by being grateful for what you already have. For example, if you want an increase in wealth, be grateful for all that you already have by thanking Allah and spending on others too.

Gratitude isn’t just in words and it’s not one-off, that we thank Allah and that’s it. It’s an attitude. It’s to feel thankful to Allah in the heart, to mention in words, and to express our gratitude with our actions – using the blessing to gain His Pleasure.

Often we become focused on the negatives in our life and complain. We must remember that if gratitude leads to preservation and increase, the opposite of this is also true. Ingratitude may lead to the blessing being taking away! (Bring to mind the story of the man with the two gardens in Surah Kahf)

Remember that there is always good in Allah’s plan for us, even when we can’t see it. Be positive and grateful despite the hardship, and you will definitely see Allah making things easy for you and giving you increase.

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ  said, “When a slave is ill, Allah sends two angels to him and says to them, ‘Go and look what my slave says to his visitors’. If he praises Allah and lauds Allah when they come to him, they take that up to Allah, who knows best. Thereupon, Allah He says, ‘If I make my slave die, I will make him enter Paradise. If I heal him, I will replace his flesh with better flesh and his blood with better blood and I will efface his evil actions.'” [Muwatta, Ayn 5, (2; 940)]

Have an attitude of gratitude 💕

Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash

Posted in Surah Kahf

“So he followed a way” (Al – Kahf : 85)

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فَأَتۡبَعَ سَبَبًا

So he followed a way”

(Al – Kahf : 85)

When you recite Surah Kahf you will notice these words repeated. This ayah comes in context of the fourth story in Surah Kahf ; the story of Dhul Qarnain.

The word Sababa means something through which something else is acquired. So it gives the meaning of ’cause’, ‘reason’, ‘access’, ‘means’, ‘ways’. This includes all tangible (g, a rope, ladder, transport) and intangible means (eg; friendships. knowledge, skill) It can also mean a ‘path’ which is a means to reach a destination.

Allah tells us in the previous ayah that He gave Dhul Qarnain all the means he needed to achieve his goals : “and We gave him to everything a way (Sababa)”

So this ayah (al Kahf : 85) can mean two things.

  1. Dhul Qarnain followed the ‘path’ to reach his destination (East and West).
  2. Dhul Qarnain TOOK USE of the means he was provided. He was given dominion, power, knowledge, strength, a great army, equipment, connections, and much more. These means didn’t consume him. He didn’t get lost in them. He put the means to use and he achieved his goals. This was his intelligence.

See, many are given Asbaab but don’t use it properly. Some asbaab have been give to all. We all have the same 24 hours but some people are more productive than others. you have to USE the asbaab if you want to achieve anything in life.

Why is it that we don’t benefit from the asbaab? One of the main reasons could be, failing to see the asbaab. The asbaab are blessings that we have been given. If we are constantly looking at what we don’t have, how will we be able to recognize and be grateful for what we have?

The Sahaba radiya Allahu anhum achieved so much in their lives. What was the reason for this? It was their simplicity. We have complicated our lives by gathering things. This leads to clutter not just around us, but also in our minds. We are confused as to how to use the asbaab.

This ayah also teaches us that the believer USES the resources. There is no piety in shunning the means. Benefit from what you have been blessed with and make your legacy.

Everything you have is a tool you can use. Allah wants you to achieve your goals. If you use the Asbaab to seek His Pleasure, remember that He is Ash-Shakoor, the Most Appreciative One. He will multiply and preserve your effort. This surah is proof of this! Look at how Allah preserved the sacrifice of the youth, the advice of the poor friend to his rich companion, the journey of Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, and the efforts of Dhul Qarnayn. Allah revealed it to us in His Book and kept it as a lesson for us until the end of time Subhaanallah!

So reflect on the means Allah has given you. Are you using them all? How can you better use them?

Just two words in the Quran but with a wealth of meaning, Subhaanallah :).

Posted in Surah Yusuf

Surah Yusuf – Introduction and Context

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Each chapter of the Quran, each letter even, is special and miraculous. Surah Yusuf is unique compared to the other surahs for two reasons.

  • The only time the story of Yusuf عليه السلام (Prophet Joseph peace be upon him) is mentioned in the Quran is in this surah. The stories of the other prophets are scattered in various surahs but Prophet Yusuf’s story is only here.
  • This is the only surah which discusses one entire story from beginning to end.

When you read Surah Yusuf, you will see that the narrative is very straight forward and simple. Allah ﷻ tells us stories of the past in the Quran to teach us. Surah Yusuf is full of proofs of Allah’s wisdom and ability. Just from the surface you will be able to derive many lessons. Imagine how much benefit can be gained from a deeper reflection!

لَّقَدْ كَانَ فِي يُوسُفَ وَإِخْوَتِهِ آيَاتٌ لِّلسَّائِلِينَ
“Certainly were there in Yusuf (Joseph) and his brothers signs for those who ask.”

( Yusuf : 7 )

So let’s journey through this Surah. Let’s try to understand the story of Yusuf عليه السلام and extract lessons for our own lives.

Let’s learn, implement and share for the pleasure of Allah subahaana wa ta’la, in shaa Allah!

Background of Surah

This surah was revealed before Hijrah after the Year of Grief (Aamul Huzn). In that year, three things happened one after the other which were painful for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and there was no time in his life where the Prophet ﷺ was more demoralized than this period.

( 1 ) The death of his dear wife, Khadeejah رضي الله عنه. Whenever anything happened and even when the wahy came down and he was scared, he went to her to be calmed down. She was his source of comfort and support.

( 2 ) The death of his uncle and guardian, Abu Talib, who supported him outside the house. The Quraysh couldn’t harm the Prophet ﷺ much as long as Abu Talib was alive. After Abu Talib’s death, the opposition and persecution of the pagans reached its peak.

( 3 ) The difficult and painful incident of Taif happened.

Aisha رضي الله عنه said, “Oh Messenger of Allah ﷺ, was there any day that was more difficult for you to bear than the Day of Uhud?” He ﷺ said, “Yes. “The most difficult day for me was the day when I was rejected by the chieftains of Ta’if.” (Bukhari)

So you can see how difficult the time was for our beloved Prophet ﷺ. In this critical time in his life – he needed comfort. Surah Yusuf was meant to uplift his spirits and to console and strengthen him at a time of such trials. We see the importance of Surah Yusuf.

This is hope for us when we are feeling down and suffering from any problems of society. This is the surah that we can turn to for some solace and comfort.

Another direct cause of revelation: it is said that the Quraysh wanted to try to outwit the Prophet ﷺ and show that he was not truly a prophet. They went to the Jews of Medina and asked for something they could ask the Prophetﷺ through which they could “test” his Prophethood. The Jews said, “Ask him about the story of Yusuf and his brothers. Nobody knows this.” There would be no other way for the Prophetﷺ to know this story except through Divine Revelation.

And Allah ﷻ answered their question by revealing Surah Yusuf.