Friday Nasiha

Al Baqarah
Chapter 2: Verse 266

Would any of you desire that he should have a garden of palms and vines with rivers flowing beneath - a garden in which he has every type of fruit - while the old age overtakes him and his offspring are too young or weak to lookafter themselves- and that it (the garden) should then be struck by a fiery whirlwind and be utterly burnt down? Thus does Allah make His Signs clear to you that you may reflect.

Commentary:

Background:

This parable, along with the three parables that immediately precede, opens the eyes of readers to the reality of life, emphasizes the need to spending our wealth in beneficial causes, and warns us against the dangers of greedy attitude of consumer lifestyle.

Your American Dream and Preparation...

Suppose you had a beautiful garden, well-watered and fertile, with delightful views of streams, and a haven of rest for your mind and body; or take the example of a similar person with a successful business, providing him and his family with all the possible luxuries of life- the life of an 'ideal American Dream'.

Then suppose old age were creeping on such person, and his children were too young or weak to take care of their own affairs: how would he feel if a sudden whirlwind struck with lightning or fire, and burnt up all the crops or merchandise, blasting with it the hopes of his present and future?

Indeed, this person's chance is lost because he did not prepare for such a contingency. Throughout his life he was too lost in his financial gains, selfishly depriving the poor of its share, that he did not even anticipate such a calamity at an old age.

How is it, then....

This is a life of a materialist person, in a nutshell. We see many such examples among our family and community members. It make us think further: How is it, then, that we can contemplate stepping into the realm of the Hereafter and finding suddenly that we are empty-handed; that we have sown nothing permanent and productive in this World so that we can reap the fruit in the Hereafter?

In the Next Life there will be no opportunity to begin earning anew! Whatever we can do towards ensuring our well-being in the Hereafter, must be done now, when we are healthy, wealthy, and young. Charity and righteousness are the only sources of true happiness in both worlds. Otherwise, in the Hereafter, our situation would be as pitiable as that of the age-stricken person whose life's worth of labour is reduced to ashes, too late for him to a produce a new one!

[compiled from "The Holy Qur'an" by Abdullah Yusuf Ali and "Towards Understanding the Qur'an" by Abul Ala Mawdudi]

Undertaking the Journey

To remain determined and steadfast on our road to its discovery, and to derive the maximum benefit from our undertaking of studying the Quran, we must approach it with certain convictions.

First, our lives will remain meaningless and ruined unless they are guided by the Quran, the word of God.

Second, the Quran, being the eternal guidance given by the Ever-living God, is as relevant for us, today; as it was fourteen centuries ago, and will remain so forever.

Third, we almost have a right, in some sense and measure, to receive its blessings today as its first believers did; provided, of course, that we come to it and move in it in a manner that may entitle us to share its rich harvest.

Fourth, every Muslim has a duty to devote himself to reading, understanding, memorizing and implementing the Quran.

Fifth, one must abandon oneself totally, in thought and deed, to whatever the Quran has to offer. Any pride, arrogance, sense of self-sufficiency, reservation, or ingenuity that can mistakenly be read into it, is fatal to its understanding and would shut the door to its blessings.

Sixth, the path of the Quran is the path of self-surrender, of practising what it tells you, even if one learns only one Ayah. One Ayah learnt and acted upon is better than a thousand explained beautifully but which do not impart any beauty to the reader's life.

Obedience, after all, is the real key to understanding.

[Taken from "Quran: Your Gateway To A New World' by YM Publication]

Lailat al-Qadr

Amongst the nights of Ramadan, there is one special night of Power (Qadr) which is highlighted in Surah al-Qadr (Surah 97 in the Quran).

It has the significance of being better than a thousand months (Quran 97:3).

This was the night when Quran was revealed to mankind. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) recommended Muslims search for this night of Power (Qadr) in the odd nights of the last ten nights in Ramadan.

Muslims spend the night in Ibadah (worship), asking forgiveness of their sins and reciting the Quran.

[Taken from 'How-Tos of Fasting' by SoundVision.com]