Bismillah

I feel that something which hindered my journey to Allah ﷻ
was my perception of Him.
Not really about ḥusn al-ẓann (having good thoughts of Allah),
but something deeper—
I started to link human behavior to Allah ﷻ.
And that was far more damaging than I ever realized.

When I slipped, I no longer felt the gentle breeze of return—
I felt the suffocating fear of fleeing.

When I stood before Him,
my heart trembled—
not in awe, but in dread—
as if His power was something to crush me, not embrace me.

When I heard that my rizq was in His hands,
I grew anxious,
as though His decree meant I would be abandoned to poverty.

But then—what of it?
Even if I denied Him,
He would still be my Lord,
the Lord of the heavens, the Lord of the earth,
the Lord of everything in between.

And with that came a realization like dawn breaking after a storm:
He has always been so kind to me.
So gentle.
So forbearing.
Never turning away, even when I drowned in heedlessness.

When I forgot Him,
He placed a weight in my chest—
a pull, a pain, a quiet ache—
just enough to bring me back.

When I was lost in myself,
He still clothed me, fed me, sustained me,
long before I ever knew how to ask.

If He never stopped then—why would He stop now?

And He shows this in the way He pairs His majestic Names:

'And your Lord is certainly the Almighty, Most Merciful.' (Qur’an 26:9)

Who else holds such might,
enough to erase entire civilizations with a single word—'Be'—
yet takes upon Himself mercy?

'He has taken upon Himself to be Merciful.' (6:12)

He forgives the sinner if he returns just once.
He opens Paradise to whoever clings to tawḥīd until death.

When He says, 'Your provision is upon Me,'
it's not to burden me with worry.
It's meant to sooth me—
because it was never mine to carry.

When He says, 'Stand before Me, worship Me, pray to Me,'
it is not to belittle me.
It is to raise me.
To cleanse me.
To forgive me.
To shower me with mercy.
To open the gates of Paradise before me.

And when, by His grace, I taste the sweetness of His nearness,
my soul whispers to myself:

'. . . what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Most Generous?' (Qur’an 82:6)

So I ask Allah ﷻ:
Keep us close.
Give us faith that does not waver.
Hearts that never doubt.
Belief strong enough to surrender with joy—
because we trust Him,
because we hope in Him,
because even in hardship, His mercy surrounds us.

And I ask Allah ﷻ to give relief to our brothers and sisters—
those humiliated, killed, despised—
only because their hearts carried the truth.

Āmīn.

This is an exellent reminder, May Allah blessed you for sharing this brother

Allah SWT said,
كَتَبَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ ٱلرَّحْمَةَ 

which means:
Your Lord has taken upon Himself to be Merciful.

The clock had barely struck 3:00 a.m. when the wind roared against my window—loud, relentless, as if the night itself wanted me awake. The glass rattled, shadows shifted, and my heart stirred with unease.
Half-asleep and hesitant, I whispered into the phone, 'Lasa… I’m scared. Maybe someone’s outside the window.'

My husband’s voice, calm and steady, wrapped around me like a blanket. 'It’s nothing, love. Don’t be afraid.' His words soothed me, yet almost immediately, the heavens opened, and rain began to fall—pouring, cleansing, alive.

And in that moment, clarity dawned.
It wasn’t the wind.
It wasn’t my fear.
It was Allah.

Through the storm, He was waking me—inviting me to rise for Tahajjud. A mercy disguised in thunder and rain.
So, I rose. And though miles separated us, I called to my husband once more—not in fear this time, but in faith: 'Let’s pray Tahajjud together.'


That night, my prayer was not for wealth or worldly success. My deepest gratitude was simply this: Allah Himself chose to wake us, to pull us from sleep, to let us bow before Him while the rain fell like a curtain of mercy.
In the stillness of that hour, with the storm outside and peace within, I whispered:


'My Lord, my life and my death are in Your Hands. Grant us success in this world, and in the Hereafter.'

And I knew, with absolute certainty—
Allah is with us. Always.

Allāhumma bārik… 🌿

What a beautiful invitation. Your reminder draws me straight to Sūrah al-Anbiyā’, where Allāh ﷻ honors Zakariyyā (ʿalayhi as-salām) and his noble wife:

'Indeed, they used to hasten toward every good deed and supplicate to Us in hope and fear, and they were humbly submissive to Us.' (21:90)

May Allāh ﷻ make you both of those who encourage one another in goodness, racing toward Him with hearts that beat between hope and fear.
May your longing for Him be the thread that binds your souls.
May He forgive you both, envelop you in His mercy, and cause His light to shine upon you in this world and in the Hereafter.

Ameen

✨ Join This Week's MAS Ramadan Quiz Trivia Reflection Activity! ✨

Reflecting on the Quran not only helps us connect more deeply with Allah's words, our reflections can also deeply resonate with others, aiding their connection to the Quran and their relationship with Allah SWT. Let's make this Ramadan not just a time of fasting, but also of meaningful reflection and connection with the Quran.

Let's dive deep into reflection with our Verses of the Week: 6:54 & 6:12 (attached)

📝 Share your reflections and add #MASRQT to your post.

🌟 We can't wait to see your reflections! 🌟

❤️Don't forget to sign-up for the live RQT sessions that begin today, insha'Allah!
rq.muslimamericansociety.org 

Reflecting on the Quran during Ramadan is indeed a beautiful practice that strengthens our connection with Allah SWT.

Could you please provide more details about the timing of the quiz? I'm eager to participate but want to make sure I don't miss it. JazakAllah khair! #MASRQT

Muslim American Society

Two times in this chapter OUR Lord reminded us that He has taken upon Himself to be Merciful. 
I never noticed this before. 
Why would Allah swt tell us this twice, in the same surah ? 

This surah covers so much , but to me what stood out was the internal struggle of man. Our internal struggles include 

Our Iman in Allah , finding Him and then never losing Him. 
Our reaction in hardships,  understanding them and never letting them overtake us 
Our reaction after commiting sins, repenting from them and never letting them make us lose hope. 
 
If we keep reminding ourselves just like how OUR Lord keeps reminding us of His mercy, we won't fall into despair and loss. 

Bi ithnillah. 

Ya Rab!  guide us everyday, do not leave us even for the duration of the blink of an eye. 

#MASRamadan2020
#Night7

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

'He has taken it upon Himself to be Merciful.' (Qur’an 6:12)

Just because the lights seem to go out,
doesn’t mean the dawn will not break.
It doesn’t mean His mercy will not shine through the darkness.

Day by day, as life appears to crumble,
as the trials multiply and the heart grows heavy,
the whisper comes: Where is the mercy of Allah?
Ya Allah… Your help is near.

But then—Alhamdulillāh—we remember something timeless:
Allah ﷻ wants from us, in every situation,
either ṣabr (patience) or shukr (gratitude).

When blessings pour, will we be like Qārūn (28:78), and boast,
'I earned this myself,'
or will we lower our heads and say,
'Alhamdulillāh… it is from my Lord.'

And when calamity strikes,
will we cry, 'Why has God abandoned me?'
or will we whisper through the tears:
'Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him we return.' (2:156)

The Prophet ﷺ said:

'If Allah wills good for someone, He afflicts him with trials.'
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5645)

And in a another hadith, He ﷺ says;

'فَمَا يَبْرَحُ الْبلاَءُ بِالْعَبْدِ حَتَّى يَتْرُكَهُ يَمْشِي عَلَى الأَرْضِ مَا عَلَيْهِ خَطِيئَةٌ '
'The servant shall continue to be tried until he is left walking upon the earth without any sins.'
(Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2398)

This is the mercy that often hides itself—
not absent, but planted like a seed in places only He knows.

If Abraha had never marched to destroy the Kaʿbah,
Bilāl’s parents would never have journeyed to Makkah.
And if they had never settled there after Abraha’s defeat,
Bilāl رضي الله عنه—the voice of the first adhān—was born in Makkah decades before the Prophet’s mission (reports often place his birth around 580 CE). Some later reports mention that his mother, Ḥamāmah, was captured around the Year of the Elephant, which—by Allah’s plan—led to his family being in Makkah.

Even in the plot to destroy the House of Allah,
His mercy was weaving threads of future victory.
A mercy-seed, not watered by rain,
but by tawakkul—absolute trust in the Lord of the Worlds.

Who knows—perhaps even in the horrors of Gaza today,
some of His mercy-seeds have already begun to sprout.
Perhaps, behind the veil, the soil of hearts is being prepared
for a harvest only Allah can see.

So let us strive so that we may be among those
whom Allah chooses as vessels of His mercy on earth—
those who carry it, spread it, and reflect it.

Duʿā’

Ya Allah,
You are the Most Merciful.
Just because we cannot see Your mercy in the storm,
never let us believe it will not come—
or that it has not already begun its journey toward us.

Oh Allah,
in every affair of ours—deen, dunya, and ākhirah—
we are in need of You.
Make our shelter Your mercy.
Do not leave us to ourselves,
even for the blink of an eye.

Oh Allah,
for our oppressed brothers and sisters across the earth—
who are targeted simply for holding high Your name—
be their Protector, their Light, their Comfort.
We know You have not forgotten them.
Write for us a share in aiding them,
with our wealth, our voices, our duʿā,
and our striving in Your cause.

Ameen.

#LightForGaza

Ameen. JazakAllah khyr for this wonderful reflection 

Verse 6:12 and Verse 6:54

قُل لِّمَن مَّا فِی ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ ٰ⁠تِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ قُل لِّلَّهِۚ كَتَبَ عَلَىٰ نَفۡسِهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَةَۚ لَیَجۡمَعَنَّكُمۡ إِلَىٰ یَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِیَـٰمَةِ لَا رَیۡبَ فِیهِۚ ٱلَّذِینَ خَسِرُوۤا۟ أَنفُسَهُمۡ فَهُمۡ لَا یُؤۡمِنُونَ
Al-Anʿām, Ayah 12

وَإِذَا جَاۤءَكَ ٱلَّذِینَ یُؤۡمِنُونَ بِـَٔایَـٰتِنَا فَقُلۡ سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَیۡكُمۡۖ كَتَبَ رَبُّكُمۡ عَلَىٰ نَفۡسِهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَةَ أَنَّهُۥ مَنۡ عَمِلَ مِنكُمۡ سُوۤءَۢا بجهالة ثُمَّ تَابَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦ وَأَصۡلَحَ فَأَنَّهُۥ غَفُورࣱ رحيم 
Al-Anʿām, Ayah 54

The Quran’s timeless message, a mercy and guidance to all mankind, is full of reminders of Allah’s mercy. In Surat Al-An’ām we find two examples in verses 12 and 54. I had not noticed how similar the 2 verses are before seeing them side by side. Subhanallah. 
Allah wants to remind us, time and again, of His mercy. 
One can get overwhelmed by the tests and challenges of this life, but these two verses are a beacon of light, a reminder to never despair, to never give up. Allah is offering us endless mercy. Verse 12 also mentions the Day of Judgement. To me, that’s a great motivator to strive, to work hard, to continuously repent, and  to continuously seek Allah’s mercy. 
I cannot help but think of verse 53 of Surat Al-Zumar. In all three verses, Allah reminds us of His endless mercy, His benevolence upon His creation. 
﴿۞ قُلۡ یَـٰعِبَادِیَ ٱلَّذِینَ أَسۡرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰۤ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ یَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِیعًاۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِیمُ﴾ 

I searched for the word رحمة and found that it appears at least 116 times in the Quran. I plan to go through these verses to deepen my understanding of the concept of Allah’s رحمة

#MASRQT

Your reference to Surah Az-Zumar (39:53) further reinforces the theme of Allah's boundless mercy and forgiveness, encouraging believers to never despair and to always turn back to Him in repentance. The word 'رحمة' appearing multiple times in the Quran reflects the central theme of Allah's mercy throughout His revelations, inviting believers to deepen their understanding and appreciation of this divine attribute.

May your journey through the verses highlighting Allah's mercy deepen your connection with Him, strengthen your faith, and inspire you to seek His forgiveness and guidance continuously. Your reflection serves as a reminder of the unending mercy and compassion of Allah, guiding us on the path of righteousness and forgiveness.

Jazak Allah Khair for sharing your profound insights and reflections on the concept of Allah's mercy as portrayed in the Quranic verses.

Ketika Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala sudah menetapkan bagi dirinya sifat Rohmah, maka jangan lupa untuk memperbanyak meminta Rahmat padanya. 

Ditegakkannya hari kiamat beserta perhitungan amal adalah bentuk rahmat Allah yang maha luas atas semua makhlukNya. 

Kerugian itu bermacam-macam, ada kerugian harta, waktu dan yang terbesar adalah kerugian jiwa. Dengan seorang tidak beriman maka dia sudah kehilangan semuanya. Kecelakaan untuknya selama-lamanya.

Introduction to the Sections
1-5: Allah created the heaven and earth but the non-believers call others equal to Allah:
* 1-3 Praise to the Almighty and Omniscient creator
* 4-5 The willful disbelief of the Makkan infidels.

6 - 11: Allah’s punishment came upon those who denied the truth: 
* 7-9 If Allah had sent a written Book and an angel with it the unbelievers still would not have believed
* 10-11 Previous nations were punished for their disbelief.

12- 73: Rebuking of Idolators and their conditions on the day of judgement :
* 12 - 18: The Prophet (SAW) has been commanded to never be a polytheist.
* 19 - 20: Those who deny the Hereafter they are the real losers. 
* 21 - 32: Prejudice has made the people worship deities other than Allah
* 33 - 35: Consolation of the Prophet 
* 36 - 41 Those who listen will accept the Truth and use common sense to learn from the signs of nature. Even Idolaters will call upon God in their distress 
* 42 - 45 Prosperity in this world is not a reward but a respite
* 46-70 The decree of Allah, his majesty, power and might. Allah is the Final judge, the knower of the unseen and He will decide the destiny of the individuals or nations
* 71-73: Believers are commanded to establish Salah and to fear Allah alone

74-90: Prophet Ibrahim's arguments against Shirk
* 74 - 79 Ibrahim (AS) learned faith through the study of nature.
* 80 - 82 Arguments of Ibrahim(AS) with his people about Allah
* 83 - 90 The Prophets who succeeded Ibrahim (AS) including Musa, Isa and Muhammad, gave the message of Tawhid and Radical Skepticism of the people (87)

91 - 100 Allah's signs in the creation.
* 91-93 Allah is the One Who revealed the Taurat and Al-Quran. The fate of those who forge Scriptures is stated.
* 94 Idolaters deserted by their gods on the day of judgment
* 95 - 100 Examples from Allah's creation are clearly spelled out for the understanding of mankind

101 - 107: Allah has no partner, no son: How could Allah have a son without a spouse? Allah’s favour in sending the Quran.

108-115: Arrogance of the non-believers and their opposition to the Prophets.
* 108 - 110 Do not insult the deities to whom the Mushrikin offer their worship and that Guidance depend on the attitude of individuals
* 111-117 All Rasools of Allah had opposition from Shaitan and his followers & Radical skepticism (following the majority might mislead you from true guidance). The Scriptures are from Allah revealed in truth and None can alter the Qur’an. 

118-121 Law of permitted and forbidden meats:
* Allah's gifts for humanity and people's self-imposed prohibitions.
* Eat only that meat on which Allah's name has been pronounced

122-135 Guidance & Misguidance
* 122 - 124 Allah gives light (guidance) to whom he wills out of mercy. When good and bad are treated alike, criminals are appointed as their ringleaders
* 125 - 127 The blessedness of the faithful: Whomever Allah wants to guide, He opens up his chest to Islam
* 128 - 129 Jinns, and human beings who are misled by them, will all be cast into Hell
* 130 - 135: On the Day of Judgement kafirs (unbelievers) will confess that they were indeed kafirs. Rewards and punishments shall be according to actions

136 - 140 Mushrikin give their deities preference over Allah and Mushrikin falsely attribute their self-imposed prohibitions to Allah

141-147: The law concerning forbidden meats rehearsed 
* 141 - 142 Give Zakah of agriculture on the harvest day
* 143 - 144 Falsely attributed prohibition of livestock are clarified
* 145 - 147 Correct prohibitions of livestock are spelled out and Explanation of why live stock was prohibited on the Jews

148 - 150 Mushrikin' excuse for being Mushrikin
151-152 The 10 Islamic commandments. In Islam forbidden things are based on fundamental moral principles 
153 - 160 Those who divide the religion into sects are not Muslims
161 - 165 Affirmation of the nature of life in this world as a trial, a continuous test, from beginning to end. 
* Islam is the true religion (Insistance upon the Straight path)
* Universal principles of Islam: Our prayer, sacrifice, life, death, everything must be for Allah. The idolaters exhorted to believe in God

Basic Themes: 
1. Unity of Allah is the reality in this universe.
2. Polytheism has no foundation.
3. Prophet Ibrahim -peace be upon him- preached Tawhid.  Other Prophets also gave the same message.
4. Allah's judgment will come and the truth will prevail.
5. Allah gives right the guidance about food and other matters of life.
6. The will of Allah (He guide those that seek guidance and mislead those that seek misguidance)

6: Surah al-An'am (Livestock)

* 6th Surah according to the arrangement of the Qur'an; 55th according to the order of revelation.  
* Verses: 165 verses .
* It was revealed in Makkah about 1 or 2 years before the Hijrah. 
* High emphasis on Tawhid (Creed).  It contains basic principles of Tawhid.  It gives beautiful description of Allah's creative power.  It criticizes Shirk and its manifestations.

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