The Virtue of Conveying the Message: A Tafsir of Surah Al-Ahzab, Verse 39

Praise for Those Who Convey the Message: Understanding the Importance of Da'wah

PRAISE FOR THOSE WHO CONVEY THE MESSAGE.

ALLĀH says:

الَّذِينَ يُبَلِّغُونَ رِسَالَاتِ اللَّهِ  

˹ALLĀH praises˺ those who convey the messages of ALLĀH,

meaning, to HIS creation, and fulfill that with which they have been entrusted.

  

وَيَخْشَوْنَهُ  

and fear HIM,

means, they fear HIM and they do not fear any besides HIM, so no threats on the part of anyone can prevent them from conveying the Message of ALLĀH.

  

وَلَا يَخْشَوْنَ أَحَدًا إِلاَّ اللَّهَ  

and do not fear anyone but ALLĀH.

  

وَكَفَى بِاللَّهِ حَسِيبًا  

And sufficient is ALLĀH as Accountant.

means, sufficient is ALLĀH as a Helper and Supporter.

The leader of all people in this regard and in all regards is Muhammad the Messenger of ALLĀH (ﷺ), for he undertook to convey the Message to the people of the east and of the west, to all kinds of the sons of Adam, so ALLĀH caused his word, his religion and his law to prevail over all other religions and laws. The Prophets before him were sent only to their own peoples, but he was sent to all of mankind, Arabs and non-Arabs alike.

قُلْ يَأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا 

Say:"O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of ALLĀH." (7:158) 

Then his Ummah inherited the task of conveying from him, and the greatest of those who undertook this task after him were his Companions, may ALLĀH be pleased with them, who conveyed from him as he had commanded them, describing all his words, deeds and circumstances, night and day, when he was settled and when he was traveling, in private and in public, may ALLĀH be pleased with them. Thereafter each generation inherited from their predecessors until our own time, so those who are guided, follow their example and their way. We ask ALLĀH, the Most Generous Bestower, to make us among their heirs.

{Tafsir Ibn Kathīr}

#ibnkathir #Ahzab (33:39)

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The Consequences of Concealing Truth: Lessons from Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 159-163

The Curse of Concealment and the Mercy of Repentance: Understanding Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 159-163

Indeed, those who conceal what WE sent down of clear proofs and guidance after WE made it clear for the people in the Scripture - those are cursed by ALLĀH and cursed by those who curse.

Except for those who repent and correct themselves and make evident ˹what they concealed˺. Those - I will accept their repentance, for I am the Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.

Indeed, those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers - upon them will be the curse of ALLĀH and of the angels and the people, combined.

They will abide therein (under the curse in Hell), their punishment will neither be lightened, nor will they be reprieved.

And your ILĀH (GOD) is One ILĀH (GOD - ALLĀH), there is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except HIM, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

{Al-Baqarah || Verse 159-163}

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Unlocking the Blessings of Surah Al-A'raf: 9 Key Takeaways for a Deeper Faith

Beneficial Points from Surah Al-A'raf, Verse 55-57: A Guide to Spiritual Growth

BENEFICIAL POINTS FROM SURAH AL-A'ARĀF, VERSE 55-57

1⃣. Making du'a is an essential duty for every believer.

2⃣. Du'a should be made privately, silently, and humbly, as these factors help in getting the du'a accepted.

3⃣. It is impermissible to transgress in du'a by invoking others alongside ALLĀH or asking for forbidden or unreasonable things.

4⃣ Du'a and worship should be done with fear of rejection and hope of acceptance. No one should feel entitled to a response nor lose hope of acceptance.

5⃣. The means to attaining ALLĀH'S Mercy is to be a good-doer by complying with HIS commands, avoiding HIS prohibitions and treating HIS creatures right.

6⃣. The death of the land as indicated by the verse tells us that different things experience different types of death.

7⃣. From ALLAH'S Mercy, HE sends rain that nourishes the land, producing food and fruits for humans and animals.

8⃣. ALLĀH affirms the belief in resurrection and life after death for accountability and recompense.

9⃣. Just as rain revives dead lands, making them green and full of flowers, ALLĀH will resurrect the dead with the sound of the trumpet.

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The Command of Hijab: Understanding the Quranic Verse and its Significance

The Importance of Hijab in Islam: A Quranic Perspective

THE COMMAND OF HIJAB

ALLĀH says:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لاَِّزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُوْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَبِيبِهِنَّ

O Prophet! Tell your wives, daughters, and believing women to draw their jalābīb over their bodies.

This verse is the one that is known as the verse of hijab, in which ALLĀH instructs HIS Prophet (ﷺ) to instruct women in general to observe hijab, starting with his wives and daughters, because the instruction is more emphatic in their case than that of other women, and because the one who instructs others to do something should start with his family before anyone else, as in the verse in which ALLĀH says:

یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قُوۤا۟ أَنفُسَكُمۡ وَأَهۡلِیكُمۡ نَارࣰا وَقُودُهَا ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلۡحِجَارَةُ

O you who believe, guard yourselves and your families against a fire whose fuel is men and stones... {At-Taḥrīm: Verse 6}

يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَبِيبِهِنَّ

to draw their jalābīb over their bodies ˹when they go out˺

The jilbāb (singular of jalābīb) is an outer garment that is worn over the head cover, upper garment and so on; women should cover their faces and chests.

Then ALLĀH mentions the wisdom behind that:

ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَ يُوْذَيْنَ

this will make it more likely that they will be recognised ˹as chaste women˺ and will not be harassed.

This indicates that they could be harassed if they did not observe hijab, because if they did not observe hijab, it may be thought that they were not chaste, so men in whose hearts is a disease could harass them. Moreover, people might look down on them and assume that they were slave women, and anyone with evil intent might think little of them. Hijab deters those who have evil intentions towards them.

{Tafsi‌r As-Sa'di}

#sadi #ahzab (33:59)

Ummul Mu'minīn, Ā'ishah (may ALLĀH be pleased with her) narrated:

"May ALLĀH bestow HIS Mercy on the early emigrant women. When ALLĀH revealed: "... and to draw their veils all over their Juyubihinna (i.e., their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)..." {An-Nūr: Verse 31} they tore their Murat (woolen dresses or waist-binding clothes or aprons etc.) and covered their heads and faces with those torn Muruts."

{Al-Bukhārī #4758}

"Asma, daughter of Abū Bakr, entered upon the Messenger of ALLĀH (ﷺ) wearing thin clothes. The Messenger of ALLĀH (ﷺ) turned his attention from her. He (ﷺ) said: "O Asma', when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to his face and hands.

{Abū Dawūd #4104}

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The Hour Denied: The Consequences for Rejecting Resurrection and the Reward for the Pious | Al-Furqan 11-16

The Denial of the Hour and Its Consequences: Hellfire vs. Eternal Paradise | Al-Furqan 11-16

But they have denied the Hour (the Day of Resurrection), and WE have prepared for those who deny the Hour a blazing Fire.

When it (i.e., the Hellfire) sees them from a distant place, they will hear its fury and roaring.

And when they are thrown into a narrow place therein bound in chains, then and there they will cry out ˹wishing˺ for death.

˹They will be told,˺ “Do not cry this Day ˹wishing˺ for death but cry for many deaths!”

Say: Is that ˹torment˺ better or the Paradise of Eternity which is promised to the the pious? It will be theirs as a reward and as a final destination.

For them there will be all that they desire, and they will abide ˹there forever˺. It is a promise binding upon your Lord that must be fulfilled.

{Al-Furqān || Verse 11-16}

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The Story of Musa عليه السلام on Ashūrā: Trusting in Divine Guidance

Lessons from Musa عليه السلام on Ashūrā: Faith and Trust in Allah

On the day of 'Ashūrā

Musa عليه السلام arrived at the sea

There was no escape

The sea was in front of him.

And Firawn was behind him...

And the children of Israel said to him: "Indeed, we are overtaken", 

but he answered them with the answer of one who trusts in his Lord:

 "No, indeed, with me is my Lord. He will guide me."

"O Allah, grant us certainty in you like the certainty of Musa Alayhi Salam, belief in your promise like the belief of Musa, and trust in You like the trust of Musa."

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The Heartwarming Tradition of 'Hanging Coffees': Spreading Kindness One Cup at a Time

The Inspiring Story of 'Hanging Coffees' and How You Can Make a Difference"

There is a little coffee shop, where two people arrive and approached the counter.

“Five coffees please. Two for us and three hanging.”

They paid, they took their two coffees and left.

I asked the waiter. "What’s this about hanging coffees?"

“Wait and you'll see."

Some more people came in.

Two girls asked for a coffee each, they paid & left.

The following order was for seven coffees and it was made by three women - ‘three for them and four hanging coffees.’

I was left wondering...what is the meaning of the hanging coffees, they leave.

Then, a man dressed in worn clothes, who looks like he might be homeless, arrives at the counter and asks sincerely...

“Do you have a coffee hanging?"

“Yes we do, sir.”

They serve him a coffee.... I got my answer.

People pay in advance for a coffee that will be served to whoever can't afford a hot drink.

This tradition started in Naples.

Amazingly, it has spread throughout the world’s cities and towns.

It’s also possible to order not only "hanging coffees" but also a sandwich or a full low cost meal.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could all start doing this in the cities and towns where we live?

Small kindnesses like this can impact so many lives, in ways we could never imagine.

Maybe we should all try it. 😊❤️

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The Significance of 'Āshūrā: A Day of Fasting and Reflection

 The Virtue of Fasting on 'Āshūrā: A Prophetic Tradition

THE FAST OF 'ĀSHŪRĀ

ALLĀH has given us a calendar with periods of time to increase our worship, reflect and renew our faith. Amidst our fast-paced lives, we need these times as a re-energizer, and a reminder to gain or carry on with momentum to strive for the Hereafter. Ramadān has passed, so have the 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah, as well as the two Eids; now we have 'Āshūrā, which is the 10th day of Muharram.

Ibn ‘Abbās (may ALLĀH be pleased with them) said: The Prophet (ﷺ) came to Madīnah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Āshūrā. He said, “What is this?” They said, “This is a good day, this is the day when ALLĀH saved the Children of Israel from their enemy and Mūsā (peace be upon him) fasted on this day.” He said, “We are closer to Mūsā than you.” So he fasted on this day and told the people to fast.” {Al-Bukhārī #1865}

So, the Prophet (ﷺ) fasted on the Day of 'Āshūrā and he ordered the people fast be performed on it. When he was asked about the virtue of fasting on it, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Fasting the day of ‘Ashoora I hope ALLĀH will expiate thereby for the year that came before it.” {Muslim #1162}

However, after that, he (ﷺ) commanded that the Muslims should be different from the Jews by fasting the tenth and the day before it, which is the ninth or the day after it, which is the eleventh.

Ibn 'Abbās (may ALLĀH be pleased with them) quoted the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, “If I live next year, I shall also fast on the 9th day.” {Musnad Aḥmad #1971}

Imam Ahmad (may ALLĀH have mercy on him) said: "Whoever wants to fast 'Āshūrā should fast on the ninth and the tenth, unless there is some uncertainty about the months, in which case he should fast for three days. Ibn Sireen said that." {Al-Mughni, 4/441}

Ibn Hajar (may ALLĀH have mercy on him)said: “The fast of Āshūrā has three levels: the lowest is to fast one day, the next is to fast the ninth day along with it, and the next is to fast the ninth, tenth, and eleventh days. ALLĀH knows best.” {Fath al-Bari, 1896}

May ALLĀH make it easy for us to fulfill this Prophetic tradition.

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