In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Some verses of the Qur'an are so 'literal' and it is so obvious. We can see the moon, we can see the sun, but we choose to be oblivious to what Allah has created. We do not ponder in amazement at the beauty and all that Allah has subdued for us in the world. We do not become amazed when our children are born and see how Allah fashions, creates from a sperm drop and indeed like a plant how we grow in stages.

When we step outside our homes, outside our cities and explore Allah's earth, why do we feel such exhilaration and peace? We start to realise the bigger picture, that we are tiny specks in Allah's universe and kingdom. We are subjective in nature, looking at small things we are mesmerised by the latest phone or gadget. Yet, we do not look objectively at the world and our purpose from a bird's eye view. We are too busy, too preoccupied by a great deal of meaninglessness. 

If your heart feels heavy, go outside and look at Allah's Creation and realise everything has been created for a purpose and contains His wisdom.  Be in awe of Allah, the Creator, the only God.

Taking walks, travelling are all wonderful ways of 'self care' because we learn and it places things into perspective.

We need to remind ourselves constantly, until we leave our spiritual confinement. Confinement(s) of what is meaningless and insignificant, so that our hearts can see more than even our eyes.

Before, we return back into the ground may we focus upon the larger and bigger picture: our purpose. Leaving what will not benefit us and redirecting ourselves with what will benefit us. May Allah only return us back to Him when He is pleased with us ameen.

#creation #Majesty #purpose #ItsAboutTime

Omodara. Mashaallah.  Our Lord manifests His Greatness in all things. Subhannallah! The sky! Recently I watched a tiny golden leaf falling slowly to the ground in a twirl, spinning fashion.  In those few seconds I remembered the ayyat of falling leaves and then just before it touched the ground,  it flew up and away. A tiny golden butterfly.  It was an amazing feeling.  Subhannallah. 

Surah Nuh...What a beautiful narration! Allah swt chose to dedicate an entire chapter to honour the humble, sincere efforts of Nuh (as). 

Nuh (as) tried to guide his nation to the message of Allah swt in a variety of approaches over the span of more than 900 years. Subhan Allah! 

- He admonished them with well wishing and love by calling their attention to the Signs of Allah swt in nature all around us and also within ourselves. 
- He warned them of the news of the punishment of the Hereafter secretly and publicly.
- He motivated them by detailing the rewards / delights of Jannah.
- He tried to awaken them from their heedlessness by bringing their attention to the temporary nature of life on Earth. 

And when he felt defeated and tired he did not complain to anyone or bad mouth people neither to themselves nor to anyone else instead he turned and called out for Help of Allah swt. His devotion and patience in delivering the message of Allah swt is exemplary.  

I volunteer as a mentor / coach / teacher for youth and I find this to be a huge task / responsibility when I have to deliver any teachings of the Quran to anyone. 
Shaitaan often whispers while I volunteer, are the kids even listening, Are they even going to remember this, will this benefit them. Is this even helping me in any way. Many such thoughts cause my heart to feel constricted, but this surah has provided rest to my heart. 

I remind myself of the exemplary, sincere, determined struggle of Prophet Nuh (as) and I gain solace in knowing that Allah swt only asks us to struggle and deliver the message and Guidance ultimately will come from Him Alone. So, I turn to Allah swt while purifying my intention and I ask for His guidance, and enforcements and to bless me with Nuh (as) sincere determination to make my task easier for me and acceptable to Him Ameen

If we didn't know anything about astrophysics and we looked up at the night sky, we might assume the moon is glowing from within, just like the other small stars that glow at night. It would be hard to believe that it is reflecting light - particularly while it is surrounded by darkness.

Sometimes human beings, when surrounded by the darkness of misguidance, will assume the same about themselves. That every good thing, or every good quality they have is from within their own selves.

Ayahs 6-7 of surah Al-Alaq tell us, 'Most certainly, one exceeds all bounds once they think they are self-sufficient.' 

Thinking we are self-sufficient is as foolish as the moon thinking that it glows with it's own light. But popular culture really pushes this idea that we are self-sufficient.

Aknowledging that we belong to God and will return to Him goes against this popular notion. It's interesting that both of these ayahs are soon followed by humbling reminders that we return to the earth and return to Him. 

Someone who believes they are fully self-sufficient has a hard time acknowledging that they belong to God, and not to themselves. They want to believe that they are fully independant and that the highest level of goodness is simply being 'true' to their own selves. (A great reflection by Mahaezz on this topic: https://quranreflect.com/posts/1431  )

May Allah protect us from ever thinking that we are self-sufficient and may He allow us to always be grateful for the blessings that He has given us.

JUZ 29
RAMADHAN WILL LEAVE US BUT MAY WE NEVER  LEAVE RAMADHAN
Let those who worship Ramadhan know that Ramadhan will leave  
But  for those who worship Allah, they know that Allah is The Ever-Living.

JUZ 29 closes Ramadhan with the call for da'wah.
Juz 29 gives a checklist on how to spread The Quran as 'Hudan linnaas'; a Guide for all humanity.

Al Mulk : is reiterating our responsibility to spread the Quran far and wide, even with one ayah.
Al Qalam ayat 14 : tells us that da'wah with the best actions emanating from the best akhlak is way better than a thousand words.
Al Haqqah ayat 44-47 : deals with the integrity of person doing da'wah (da’ie) and the content of the da'wah
Nuh : inspiring the high standard for patience in da'wah
Al Jin : puts the stress on sound knowledge and good listening skills to have maximum input for da'wah
Al Muzzammil : stresses on the night worship when the Quran hits the heart of the da'ie before he goes out to touch others’ hearts 
Al Muddaththir : talks of character building for the da'ie to be out of his comfort zone and to avoid bad character
Al Qiyamah : pushes for the commitment to learn from teachers and to source  expert transmission of knowledge (talaqqi) from a mentor
Al Insan : tells us of the ultimate motivation for the da'ie is his eventual meeting with Allah SWT in the paradise of Zanjabila where Allah SWT will appreciate him for his services
Al-Mursalat Ayat 4-5 : likens the da'ie to  raindrops that fall slowly and gently rejuvenating the dead earth

Barakallaahu fikum.

#JUZ29 #Ramadhan

Thank you Ustaz Syaari for your sharing of knowledge.  