“And We have indeed sent Messengers before you to their people, and they came to them with clear evidences. Then We took retribution from those who committed crimes, and it was incumbent upon Us to support the believers.” [30: 47]
The earth shakes with the crimes of humanity, and time and time again it bears the burdens of people oppressing one another. Like a plate of food, tyrants swarm around and invade lands; pillaging resources, killing innocent people, ruining lives, and destabilising regions that were otherwise peaceful. But nothing escapes the watchful gaze of Allah ‘azza wa jall. He has decreed victory for His slaves and support for them in ways that we know and ways that we know not. He has promised aid to those whose strength of faith keeps them firm in the face of repression and tyranny, who keep toiling through their days, striving, and wishing for nothing but His pleasure through their patience. Their homes have been demolished, their blood made to run on the ground, funeral prayers held one after another, children overcoming levels of fear and loss that not even an adult can bear, the heartbreak as mothers are tested to the limits and beyond, and men, our men driven to insanity through torture and imprisonment. There’s not much that this earth hasn’t seen and history not witnessed. But people who suffer to such extents surely have Divine right to be supported by Allah, the Muntaqim. From Burma to Syria, Egypt to Yemen, Iraq to Somalia, Afghanistan to Libya, and like that back and forth it continues.
O Allah, restore peace and stability to the devastated lands and mend the broken lives of the Muslims worldwide. Strengthen them, unite them, and bring out Your leaders from amongst them who raise your word and bring harmony. Let us hear good news and let the winds of peace blow through them once again. Allahumma ameen.
“Verily, those who say: “Our Lord is Allah,” and thereafter stand firm, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” [46: 13]
Subhan’Allah, this verse is *so* apt for our current time and era. Istiqamah (remaining steadfast) is something that people struggle and grapple with in their lives. Some win, some continue in the battle, and some unfortunately will lose the fight. Sufyan (ra) once came to the Prophet (s) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islam which I can ask of no one but you.” Imagine. The Prophet (s) could’ve told him about the intricate details of Islam, or the articles of faith, but at this particular moment, he decided to give him a lifelong lesson and advice. He (pbuh) said, ‘Say: “I believe in Allah” — and then be steadfast.‘” [Muslim]
Tell yourself to be upright. Inform your soul of its Creator. Remind yourself of where you’re going because steadfastness is everything. Islam is simple in many ways, but remaining upon simplicity is something people struggle with for some reason. So we go this way, and we go that way. We overburden ourselves, and then fall very short. We study but don’t implement. We know, but make excuses. We’re too harsh and then go off the rails ourselves. It’s a complete mess subhan’Allah – and much of it comes down to this: We lack steadfastness, particularly upon the simplicity and basics of Islam.
If ever you begin to experience doubts or weakness in faith, do everything that is in your power to escape that weakness and strive like you’ve never strove before until Allah saves you. The righteous before us always used to say رب سلم سلم – ‘My Lord, grant me salvation. My Lord, grant me salvation.’ Sufyan was described as being like one who was upon a sinking ship because of how much he used to say this statement. Brothers and sisters, your Iman is your most prized possession. Every day, we are tested. And every day, Allah sends us signs. The heart and soul gather the blackness of evil thoughts, deeds, and intentions until they reach a state where they become an enemy to us, then it becomes a battle which only a few will triumph, إلا من رحم الله…
One of my favourite supplications is: اللهم لا تجعل المصيبة في ديننا ولا تجعل الدنيا أكبر همنا – ‘O Allah do not cause calamities to befall our Deen and do not make this world to be our greatest concern.’ Imagine if our greatest concern was the health of our Iman, and bond with our Maker? Your life would flourish in so many ways.
I find it very interesting that the verse above ends with ‘on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.’ This is actually a statement given to the believer at the time of death and in the Hereafter. Yet here, Allah links it to steadfastness in this world. In other words, remain steadfast upon belief, and all shall be easy through life, death, and resurrection insha’Allah. As the next verse goes: “Such shall be the dwellers of Paradise, abiding eternally, as a reward *for what they used to do*.” [46: 14] – And there lies many an answer.
O Allah, save us from the trials of this world and beyond. Keep us steadfast upon your Deen and upon righteousness until we meet You, ameen.
“So wait patiently for the Decision of your Lord, for verily, you are under Our Eyes, and glorify the Praises of your Lord when you arise.” [52: 48]
Wait patiently for whatever it is you’re waiting for. Sit patiently, sleep patiently, live patiently. You are the under the Eyes of Allah `azza wa jall, and His Watchful Gaze. And you haven’t been forgotten. So show Him your patience, and show Him how you’re waiting. When you rise up in the morning, rise with His Remembrance. When you go through your day, walk with forbearance. When you retire to bed, retire like one on a mission – you sleep only to rise and walk another day. Let Him see from you goodness, and let Him hear from you words of tasbih (glorification), for you are under His Eyes. And what you’re waiting for is only in His outstretched Hand, ready to reach you upon a Command.
“And Our Command is but a single act – like the twinkling of an eye.” [54: 50]
“And those who were settled in al-Madinah and adopted the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given *but give them preference over themselves*, even though they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul – it is those who will be the successful.” [59: 9]
Selflessness. The ability to give despite yourself. Subhanallah, if there was ever a verse that was so deeply reflective of that, it’s this one. As human beings, we are always in need – that’s undisputed. But if we continued to stare at our needs before giving, then really who would give at all? We would all withhold right? And in many cases, this is happening across the globe as individualism and capitalism spread and deplete the earth of collective societal good. Its pushing us against our nature of giving. It’s not just wealth I’m talking about, but everything from time, care and concern, purity of heart towards others, goodwill etc. These are characteristics Allah has created within us, but our environment seeks to rob us of it and instead plant within us stinginess and miserliness. He who is saved, is he who is successful.
Have you ever considered… There is something deeply beautiful and moving about kindness; when we see an act of good done by a person to another. All those social experiments and case studies that we see on YouTube and TV often leaves us teary eyed – because we witness the beauty of a human helping another creation. And it moves us so much because our soul instantly recognises it; it’s part of our makeup. To give despite your need is from lofty character and generosity, hence Allah calls such people ‘successful‘… Because charity never diminished anyone’s wealth and certainly it never dampened anyone’s spirit – in fact it’s scientifically proven that giving and spending goodwill on others only brings joy and long term happiness. Something that you can never attain by withholding from others and keeping yourself away.
The last 2 Juz in the Qur’an contain chapters mainly revealed in Makkah, hence the themes that run through them are powerful themes pertaining to solid Tawhid, imagery of Paradise and Hell, the Hereafter and its events, criterion between people and so on.
These themes conclude the Qur’an and they have a right to conclude it because this is the truthful end of each of us… a home in one of the two dwellings – Jannah or otherwise :'(
After beautifully describing Paradise, its cups of delicious drinks, its springs, its silk clothing, lofty adorned couches, shades, and fruits of every kind, after all this suspense that creates longing in the heart, Allah says;
“…For this, let those who compete, compete.” [83: 26]
The struggle is lifelong dear brothers and sisters, it doesn’t end with the end of the Juz, nor with the end of Ramadan. Some of us are feeling inadequate as the month ends, we feel we didn’t do enough. But that’s a good sign because it means we are still within the momentum that this month created – to continue to do well after Ramadan. To end upon arrogance is much worse than to end upon sadness over a shortcoming.
And as it says several times in these last 2 Juz, “Indeed, this is a reminder, so whoever will, let him take a Path to His Lord.” – Follow the way back to Allah through His reminders. Live rich and humbly, aware and attentive, patient and grateful. Live like the believer that Allah wishes you to be.
O Allah, we thank you for the blessings of this month, for its opportunities and gifts. Accept from us everything we’ve put forward, forgive us for the shortcomings, and let us live to see another Ramadan with all its hidden stores of goodness. Ameen ya Rabb.