Hope in Times of Crisis

In Surah Al-Qasas, Allah reveals the arrogance, torture, and horror inflicted by Pharaoh upon the Bani Israil, including the slaughter of innocent babies while sparing the women. This depiction of Pharaoh as a baby killer evokes a sense of despair and grief, making the prospect of the oppressed becoming leaders seem far-fetched.

However, amidst this backdrop, the Quran unveils Allah's plan: 'But it was Our Will to favour those who were oppressed in the land, making them models ˹of faith˺ as well as successors; (5) and to establish them in the land; and through them show Pharaoh, Hamân, and their soldiers ˹the fulfilment of˺ what they feared..' As the story unfolds, we witness Allah's plans in action, with His divine hand of providence overshadowing all other schemes. We catch a glimpse of Allah's wisdom at work when Musa (AS) is separated from his mother as a vulnerable baby, yet he is promised to be returned to her, and indeed, he is. This small victory serves as a prelude to the greater victory to come, symbolising Allah's ability to restore the displaced, disenfranchised, and oppressed to their rightful positions of freedom and power.

In the same Surah, Allah assures the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) of a similar promise (28:85)- just as he was driven out of Makkah, Allah will return him to it. 'Most certainly, the One Who has ordained the Quran for you will ˹ultimately˺ bring you back home ˹to Mecca'.  It is crucial to remember that, despite the atrocities and savagery unfolding around us, we must not lose sight of the bigger picture and the ultimate victory that Allah will grant to the believers. His divine wisdom unfolds each day, leading us towards a manifest victory that will be clear before our eyes.

During times of crisis, it is this hope and trust in Allah's plan that sustains us. Let us hold onto the assurance that no matter how dire the situation may seem, Allah's wisdom and ultimate victory will prevail. May we find solace and strength in this truth.

JazakAllah for citing this important verse in this context. Indeed the future belongs to those who are mindful of God.(11:49)

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh!  

 InshaAllah we will continue our Live Interactive Reflection Workshops -Reflection Retreats at 2:30pm (GMT) / 17 January 2026.   

These workshops are designed to help you in reflecting on the Quran more effectively inshAllah. The sessions touch on;   

1- The Five Lenses for reflecting on the Quran as developed by our resident scholar Dr. Sohaib Saeed which you can find here http://www.quranreflect.com/5lenses  

2- The Way to The Quran by Ustadh Khurram Murad (RA)  

3- Tadubbur Tips developed by Sr. Ilham  

4- Following a brief discussion of the above by our Quran Reflect Moderators (Br. Basit and Sr. Ilham and myself) we will then apply the principles learnt to a case study verse(s) in the Quran.  

5- Before our forthcoming workshop we invite you to study the following Surah/ Verses in advance: [Surah Al-Qasas, (28), Verses 1-20]   

Please join us and see details below.  

 📅 Session Date: Saturday, 17 January 2026  

⏰ Time:  
2:30 PM GMT (UK)  
9:30 AM EST (New York)  
7:30 PM PKT (Pakistan)  
10:30 PM MYT (Malaysia)  
5:30 PM AST (Saudi Arabia)   

👉 Join and interact live: www.quranreflect.com/zoom

#reflectionRetreat ​ ​

I feel sorry for the people who don't have the conviction that good will prevail over evil in both this world and the next.

I don't say that sarcastically or with any condescension. I genuinely feel bad.

Faith builds conviction. Grow your faith, and your conviction will skyrocket.

Sometimes despite it all, you laugh for a brief moment... All this work, all this money spent, all this brute force, all this destruction... and they will lose anyway. 

The meek shall inherit the Kingdom of God.

Qur'an, Chapter 28:

4. Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and divided its people into factions. He persecuted a group of them, slaughtering their sons while sparing their daughters. He was truly a corrupter.
5. But We desired to favor those who were oppressed in the land, and to make them leaders, and to make them the inheritors.
6. And to establish them in the land and to show Pharaoh, Hamaan, and their troops the very thing they feared.

We actually have no idea what is happening to these evil people at the end. I sometimes think the people who look very strong, confident and happy might be sleeping in their beds in luxury with less comfort than even people in war in Ghazzah. Truly I believe in this. Allah knows the best. 

Musa's Life design..

This is a series of videos that I am sharing this Ramadan to reflect on how Allah designed the life of prophet Musa (AS), as in the Ayah:
واصطنعتك لنفسي  
Where the word 'صناعة' refers to development, creation, manufacturing, and nurturing...

For episode (1) - see video in the comment section: The back story: The plan of the Pharaoh vs. The plan of Allah ..

The most impactful lives are designed in the middle of all the challenges and calamities. We cannot expect to hit 'pause' on such trials and tribulations until we 'figure things out'.
Many times it is these challenges that bring up the best in us...
In the beginning of Surat Al Qasas, Allah gives us the blueprint for oppression that the Pharaoh used to dominate over Bani Israel. 
And then shares his wish and his plan for the oppressed! 

Very powerful introduction for a very powerful story...
Feel free to follow this series for more.

#muslimlifedesign  
#LifeDesign  
#StoryofprophetMusa   
#QuranicLifeDesign  

The surah begins with three letters, of which the meaning is not understood. Just as in surat baqara, it is followed by a reference to the Quran as a book of certainty/guidance. Lesson 1: We humans know not while Allah knows. What we need to know is present in Allah's words.

Musa (AS) is the Prophet mentioned most often in the Quran. His story parallels the Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) in many ways from having to watch his people be tortured (in Meccan times) to dealing with the challenges of a migration and building a new community, to dealing with the reality of hypocrisy in the community. Musa would serve as a prophetic diary for our prophet (SAW) to read about and draw inspiration and lessons from. 

Already these verses offer insight into two dimensions, physical and metaphysical: physically, the descriptions of the torture of the sons and women of Bani Israel is described. Metaphysically, Allah describes His plan to free those oppressed and destroy their oppressors. Indeed, Allah is the best of planners. It also highlights the mental burden of oppression, that oppressors will always live in an anxiety that one day, rebellion will lead to their being overthrown. It reminds me of Khalid Ibn Walid's statement 'may the eyes of cowards never sleep'. It also reminds me of Umar (RA) not needing guards because of his justice with the people.

Points from tafseer:
'natloo' or recite in verse 3 refers to Jibreel AS's relating these verses to Muhammad SAW
Verse 5: to be made leaders in faith and inheritors (although of what is not mentioned). This is in line with other verses that describe Bani Israel as being the initial chosen people. Yet, they would lose that status after constant disgracing of their messenger and Allah SWT
Verse 6: The exact identity of Haman isn't known, though some israelite and biblical references are used. Some scholar mention Haman may just be a title rather than a name. 'The fulfillment of what they feared' may refer to either the prophecy of Musa destroying Firawn's reign OR to Firawn's fear of losing power over a subservient group.

#MASRamadan2020

Personal Reflection on Surah Al-Qasas

You know… some Surahs, they whisper to your heart.
But Surah Al-Qasas… it feels like life itself is speaking.
Messy. Unexpected. But never out of Allah’s hands.

I didn’t expect it to hit this deep.But maybe that’s what Qur’an does it finds you in your life’s mess and reminds you… Hey… this chaos? It’s not random.

You look at Musa (AS), and honestly, it feels like watching someone just… fall from one test into another.
Born in danger.
Separated from his mother.
Raised by the enemy who wanted him dead.
Then forced to run away, all alone.

And I sat there thinking:
How many times has my life felt like that, too?

When you think you’ve finally reached peace, but something crumbles beneath your feet.
When you have to walk away from everything you know, because staying would destroy you.
When you’re standing in a desert of uncertainty thinking, 'Ya Allah… where now?'

And then…
This one ayah stops you in your tracks:

'And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses. Not for them was the choice.'

SubhanAllah.

How many times have I tried to write my own story,
getting frustrated when things didn’t go my way 
forgetting that it’s not my pen to hold in the first place.

Musa (AS) didn’t know the plan when he fled.
He didn’t know Midian would be a place of healing.
He didn’t know that a burning bush in the desert would change everything.

But Allah knew !!
Allah always knew.

And that’s what this Surah taught me:
Even when life looks like it’s falling apart, Allah is quietly piecing it together.

There’s another moment that broke me.

When Musa (AS) reaches Midian, exhausted and alone,
he helps two strangers ….no reward, no expectations.
And then what does he do?
He turns to Allah and says:

'My Lord, I am in desperate need of whatever good You would send down to me.'

No fancy dua.
No long speech.
Just honest, raw, human need.

And honestly?
I’ve prayed like that, too.
Those nights where words fail and all you can say is,
'Ya Allah… I’m tired. Please. Just help.'

And then?
Relief didn’t come as a miracle crashing down from the sky.
It came as kindness. As a home. As belonging.

It reminded me…
Sometimes Allah answers your prayers gently, quietly 
through people, through places, through peace you didn’t see coming.

But the Surah doesn’t just comfort you.
It also confronts you.

Because then you meet Pharaoh.
The man who thought he was untouchable.
Powerful. Eternal.
But he drowned.
All that arrogance, gone in a single wave.And I had to ask myself…How much Pharaoh is hiding in me?
How many times have I clung to control,
wanted to be in charge,or chased this world like it would last forever?

Then Allah says something that hit me hard:

'The home of the Hereafter, We assign it to those who do not desire exaltedness on the earth or corruption. And the best outcome is for the righteous.'

It’s like Allah is asking:
Are you still trying to be important in a world that’s fading?
Are you still building castles in sand?

And deep down… I knew.
I have a long way to go.

But maybe, like Musa (AS), it’s not about being perfect.
It’s about being real.
Running to Allah tired, scared, broken, but sincere.

So what did this Surah leave me with?

→ Life’s detours are divine directions.
→ Humility opens doors that power never will.
→ My job isn’t to control the story …it’s to trust the Author.
→ And maybe the hardest part?
I have to kill the Pharaoh in my own heart before death does it for me.

That truth hurts.
But I’m learning to sit with it.
Because maybe the cracks in my heart…
are exactly where Allah’s light can finally enter 🤲🏻

#quranicreflection #personal reflection #surah

JazakAllahu Khairan  Very comforting and to the point. It also summarizes the cycle of life, in between tests and tribulation there are moments of peace and stability. Great lessons in the lives of the Prophets Musa and our own beloved Muhammad PBUH. 


Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh!  

InshaAllah we will continue our Live Interactive Reflection Workshops -Reflection Retreats at 2:30pm (GMT) / 3 January 2026. 

These workshops are designed to help you in reflecting on the Quran more effectively inshAllah. The sessions touch on;  

1- The Five Lenses for reflecting on the Quran as developed by our resident scholar Dr. Sohaib Saeed which you can find here http://www.quranreflect.com/5lenses  
2- The Way to The Quran by Ustadh Khurram Murad (RA)  
3- Tadubbur Tips developed by Sr. Ilham  
4- Following a brief discussion of the above by our Quran Reflect Moderators (Br. Basit and Sr. Ilham and myself) we will then apply the principles learnt to a case study verse(s) in the Quran.  
5- Before our forthcoming workshop we invite you to study the following Surah/ Verses in advance: [Surah Al-Qasas,  (28), Verses 1-15]   

Please join us and see details below.  

📅 Session Date: Saturday, 3 January 2026  
⏰ Time: 
2:30 PM GMT (UK) 
9:30 AM EST (New York) 
7:30 PM PKT (Pakistan) 
10:30 PM MYT (Malaysia) 
5:30 PM AST (Saudi Arabia)   

👉 Join and interact live: www.quranreflect.com/zoom
#reflectionRetreat ​ ​ ​#alqasas ​ ​ ​

While speaking about the names of surahs, the connections between a surah's name and its theme, and how frequently the story of Moosaa is mentioned throughout the Qur'an, al-Suyooti mentioned:

[قال بعضهم : كاد القرآن أن يكون كله لموسى وكان أولى سورة أن تسمى به سورة طه أو سورة القصص أو الأعراف ; لبسط قصته في الثلاثة ما لم يبسط في غيرها]

Some have said: Nearly the entire Qur'an is about Moosaa, and the surah that would be most entitled to be named after him is surah Taha, or surah al-Qasas, or surah al-A'raaf, for his story is drawn out in greater detail in these three surahs than it is in any other surahs.

[al-Itqan 1/204]

成为月捐者