Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Quran Reflection -- Life Is A Series Of Tests

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

Allah Most High says in Surah An'Am,

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَـٰٓئِفَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَكُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَـٰتٍ لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِى مَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌۢ ﴿١٦٥﴾

And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful. (165) [Quran, An'Am 6:165]

Everyone of us has something that someone else is not given. Some have more wealth than others, some have more powers than others, some have more fame than others, some have more knowledge than others, some have better health than others, some have more talents or strengths than others, etc. Through this everyone of us are being tested. These tests are equal but the mechanisms of the test are different. Some are being tested with poverty, some with richness, some with fame, some by being healthy, some by being sick, etc. The exam is given to all. The potential to pass the test is the same but what we have to answer is not the same. Even the richest or the poorest person on earth need to go to somebody to do other things for them. Everyone is linked together.

We ask Allah to allow us to pass our exams with flying colors. We ask Allah to shower His mercy upon all of us, to forgive and pardon all our shortcomings, and to exalt our ranks and that He resurrects us with the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Aameen.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam

Monday, May 4, 2020

Quran Reflection -- Verses of Inheritance in Surah An-Nisaa'

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

The Quran is meant to cater to all situations. In Surah An-Nisaa' the laws of domestic affairs are laid down (family law, marriage, mahr, divorce, inheritance, gatherings, taking care of orphans, rights of people). The main theme of the Surah is to strengthen the ties within the family and extended family (society) and to make sure the bonds are strong.

How will you decide how much to leave your parents and how much to leave your children when you die. You love and care for all of them. Are you even capable of making the right decision in this regard--who should get more and who should get less? The verses of inheritance (Verses 11, 12, 176) is so precise and so beautiful that we don't have to worry about it. Just follow. Allah Most Knowing, Most Wise says,

ءَابَآؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَآؤُكُمْ لَا تَدْرُونَ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ لَكُمْ نَفْعًا ۚ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
﴿١١﴾

Your parents or your children - you know not which of them are nearest to you in benefit. [These shares are] an obligation [imposed] by Allah. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise. [Quran, An-Nisaa' 4:11]

We are told explicitly to not challenge Allah's wisdom -- what Allah has sent down or what the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has said. Allah All Knowing says,

وَلَا تَتَمَنَّوْا۟ مَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۚ لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا ٱكْتَسَبُوا۟ ۖ وَلِلنِّسَآءِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا ٱكْتَسَبْنَ ۚ وَسْـَٔلُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مِن فَضْلِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمًا ﴿٣٢﴾

And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed others. For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is a share of what they have earned. And ask Allah of his bounty. Indeed Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing. [Quran, An-Nisaa' 4:32]

In the times of the sahabah when the verses of mirath were revealed, the sahabah asked the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam why the female's share is half of male's share of inheritance because before Islam women share nothing of the inheritance and in fact the women were inherited in cases when their husbands died. In modern times, the women asked why they only get half. The verses are still the same but the culture has changed.

True iman is to be brave enough to challenge our culture before challenging the Quran.

May Allah help us strengthen our ties of kinship. May Allah bring peace to the Ummah. Aameen.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam

Quran Reflection -- Sincerity For Knowledge

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

Real knowledge will help unlock the Quran. The first condition for knowledge is sincerity (ikhlas) for the Truth. One of the ways to get true knowledge of the Quran is to read it holistically. The unclear verses should be read in light of the clear verses. When we open the Book of Allah, we ask ourselves what does Allah wants us to understand from this Book.

Allah categorizes the verses of Quran in two categories 1) unambiguous, precise (muhkamaat) 2) ambiguous, unspecific (mutashabihaat). There are people who read their own interpretations into the Quran by ignoring the precise verses. This is because they have diseases in their hearts so they twist the verses to suit their own meanings. Allah says He knows the verses and people of firm knowledge also know.

Allah Most High says in Surah AleImran,

هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِنْهُ ءَايَـٰتٌ مُّحْكَمَـٰتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَـٰبِهَـٰتٌ ۖ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَـٰبَهَ مِنْهُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ ٱلْفِتْنَةِ وَٱبْتِغَآءَ تَأْوِيلِهِۦ ۗ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ۗ وَٱلرَّ‌ٰسِخُونَ فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ﴿٧

It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muhammad], the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise - they are the foundation of the Book - and others unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allah. But those firm in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord." And no one will be reminded except those of understanding. [Quran, 2:7]

May Allah make us of people of understanding and firm in Faith.

رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْوَهَّابُ ﴿٨﴾ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ ٱلنَّاسِ لِيَوْمٍ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ ﴿٩

Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower. Our Lord, surely You will gather the people for a Day about which there is no doubt. Indeed, Allah does not fail in His promise. [Quran, AleImran 2:809]

Aameen

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam

Saturday, May 2, 2020

Quran Reflection -- Tawfiq (Success) and Shukr (Gratitude)

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

Tawfiq is success or the ability to attain what truly benefits you in this life and the next. Tawfiq is precious and rare as it is not mentioned in the Quran except once. As mentioned in the Quran, Prophet Shu'aib (alayhissalaam) said,

إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا ٱلْإِصْلَـٰحَ مَا ٱسْتَطَعْتُ ۚ وَمَا تَوْفِيقِىٓ إِلَّا بِٱللَّـهِ ۚ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ ﴿٨٨

I only intend reform as much as I am able. And my success is not but through Allah. In Him alone I have placed my trust and to Him alone I turn in humbleness. [Quran, Hud 11:88]

The best of guidance is when Allah grants you tawfiq. When Allah gives you tawfiq, your affairs are gathered together and you are able to achieve your goals. However, it is extremely important that you take the first step and put in your best effort.

If Allah wants to give you success, He will move others to help you. So be grateful to them.

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مَنْ لَمْ يَشْكُرِ النَّاسَ لَمْ يَشْكُرِ اللَّهَ ‏"‏

Abu Sa'eed narrated that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said :

"Whoever is not grateful to the people, he is not grateful to Allah."

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌ ﴿٧

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.' " [Quran, Ibrahim 14:7]

May Allah grant us success to the highest station. Aameen.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam

Friday, May 1, 2020

Macamana Untuk Istiqamah Membaca Al Quran -- Ingat Tiga Perkara

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Kita semua tahu menafaat membaca al Quran tapi bagi ramai orang untuk membacanya sangat susah dan untuk istiqamah membacanya lagi susah.

Tak ada excuse untuk tak membaca al Quran dengan istiqamah terutama yang ada ijazah sanad al Quran atau penuntut ilmu.

Percayalah membaca al Quran itu punca segala disiplin, kebahagian dan kejayaan besar. Jadikan dia task harian kita. Jangan kita sibuk dengan perkara lain walaupun exam, travel, covid atau kerja sampai tak bolih baca satu juz Quran tiap hari. Allah bagi kita 24 jam satu hari....mesti ada 1 jam yang kita bolih spare untuk baca Quran. Lagipun 1 jam yang kita guna untuk baca Quran sebenarnya tak hilang malah menambah membolihkan kita buat benda lain dan quality hidup kita bertambah naik. Orang yang dekat dengan Quran faham dan sedang menikmatinya.

Penting kita ingat tiga perkara ini. Kalau kita baca Quran kita sentiasa di ingati. Quran adalah reminder.

1. Mengenali Allah...punca taqwa. Kalau tak kenal Allah mcmana nak takut Allah.

Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam yg paling takut pada Allah sebab dia yang paling kenal Allah. Dia kekasih Allah.

وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّـهَ مَعَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿١٩٤﴾

dan bertaqwalah kamu kepada Allah serta ketahuilah, Sesungguhnya Allah beserta orang-orang yang bertaqwa. (194) al baqarah

Kalau Allah bersama kita apa lagi yg perlu kita takutkan?

2. Tahu apa yang kita nak buat. Plan. Prioritize. Fikir dan tanya diri dulu sebelum buat sesuatu ... menafaat atau mudharat/tak ada faedah
Menafaat -- buat
Mudharat/tak menafaat -- jgn buat
Jadi kita tak menyesal nnti.

3. Sedar yang setelah kita mati kita akan di bangkitkan semula dan akan di soal. Kalau kita selalu sedar hal ini, kita tak akan buat sesuka hati semasa hidup ... buang masa, malas, tidur bnyk, buat dosa. Tapi kita akan sentiasa bergegas untuk buat perkara yang Allah suka, yang mendatangkan kasih sayang dan rahmah Allah.

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّـهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًا فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ﴿٦٢﴾

Sesungguhnya orang-orang yang beriman, dan orang-orang Yahudi dan orang-orang Nasora (Nasrani), dan orang-orang Saabien sesiapa di antara mereka itu beriman kepada Allah dan (beriman kepada) hari akhirat serta beramal soleh, maka bagi mereka pahala balasannya di sisi Tuhan mereka, dan tidak ada kebimbangan (dari berlakunya kejadian yang tidak baik) kepada mereka, dan mereka pula tidak akan berdukacita. (62)
Al baqarah

أَلَآ إِنَّ أَوْلِيَآءَ ٱللَّـهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ﴿٦٢﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ يَتَّقُونَ ﴿٦٣﴾لَهُمُ ٱلْبُشْرَىٰ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِكَلِمَـٰتِ ٱللَّـهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ﴿٦٤﴾

Ketahuilah! Sesungguhnya wali-wali Allah, tidak ada kebimbangan (dari sesuatu yang tidak baik) terhadap mereka, dan mereka pula tidak akan berdukacita. (62) (Wali-wali Allah itu ialah) orang-orang yang beriman serta mereka pula sentiasa bertaqwa. (63) Untuk mereka sahajalah kebahagiaan yang mengembirakan di dunia dan di akhirat; tidak ada (sebarang perubahan pada janji-janji Allah yang demikian itulah kejayaan yang besar. (64) Yunus

Semoga Allah permudahkn kita istiqamah membaca al Quran dan memahaminya. Semoga Allah terima dan berkati amalan kita dan masukan kita di kalangan muttaqeen dan soliheen. Aameen.

الله اعلم

اللهم صلي على سيدنا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه وسلّم

وبالله التوقيق