Convey, Even An Ayah (Verse)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

When you read or hear a verse (ayah) of the Qur'an, you should think and ponder as to why Allah reminded you of this ayah today. You are not reading a newspaper that you get the news and you are done with it.

كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ ﴿٢٩

[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded. (29)

[Qur'an Sad 38:29]

The verse you recite is not about the Quraysh of Makkah, it is not about the hypocrites of Madinah, it's not about Fir'aun/Bani Israil, it is not about the non-believers, it's not about the battles...it is about you. How are you going to react to the ayah? What are you going to do? It is talking to you. The Qur'an is talking to you live. Take every verse as if it is directed to you at that moment. So you interact with the One who revealed it.

In order to do that, you must have complete focus when you recite the Qur'an (especially in prayers)--with your eyes (don't look at anything else), ears (don't listen to anything else), body (don't fidget), brain (don't think about anything else), heart (don't be attached to anything else).

Have hope when you read the verses of mercy of Allah, have fear of Allah when you read the verses of punishment, and so on.

Each verse demands something from us. To fulfill it, start by asking Allah. If you are reading the verse that talks about good treatment of parents (e.g. in Al-Isra' 17:23-34), for example, evaluate yourself...have you been good to your parents? When was the last time you ask your parents how they were doing? When was the last time you talk to your parents in a humble voice? Even if you think you are nice to your parents, you can be nicer. Plan to call them after you finish reciting the Qur'an and if they are living with you (or you are living with them), plan to get them a glass of milk or give them a big hug or do something to show your gratitude towards them, and ask Allah to enable you to be good to them and to have mercy on them.

Make a plan for next day or next week to recite more Qur'an and learn Qur'an. Remember if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. If you don't plan to read/learn Qur'an, you plan not to read/learn Qur'an.

Spread the message. You don't need to have a high level of knowledge to convey the message of Islam.

`Abdullah ibn `Amr ibn Al-`As (may Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

Convey from me even an Ayah of the Quran; relate traditions from Banu Israel, and there is no restriction on that; but he who deliberately forges a lie against me let him have his abode in Hell.

[Bukhari]

But it is essential that the caller have knowledge of that to which he is calling people. Calling out of ignorance or calling based on emotion is not permissible.

There are many areas in the Qur'an we can act upon immediately -- such as relationship with Allah, dhikr, following the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, preparing for the death and the Hereafter, worship, good treatment to parents, maintain ties, da'wah, commanding good and forbidding evil. When it comes to rulings of fiqh issues, you should consult a scholar before you implement it or mention it to others.

May Allah guide us on the straight path and grant us tawfiq to the highest station. Ameen.

Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam.