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Practice and Pursuit of Ihsan-Lecture9

Release Date: 09/02/2020

Loving and Living the Quran

Here is today's reflection from the Quran: In Sura Maida, the Quran whilst talking about whom to take as a Wali, says: Your Wali is only Allah, His Apsotle, and the faithful of those who keep up prayers and give alms while they bow. [Quran 5:55] As we commemorate the occasion of the martyrdom of Imam Ali (as), let us reflect on this verse to remind us of his position as various scholars from all schools of Islamic thought concur that this verse was revealed in response to an act of Imam Ali [as]. Before we begin reflecting on the verse, let us examine a key word in this verse which is Wali:...

Be lenient with those that trigger you [3:159]

Loving and Living the Quran

For the next couple of days, we will inshallah explore the following verse from Sura Ale Imran: So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]. (Quran 3:159) There is so much to discuss and learn from in this verse. Today, let us give a bit of background and discuss the segment: So by mercy from Allah,...

Consult them in the matter [3:159]

Loving and Living the Quran

Continuing with this verse from Sura Ale Imran: So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in [some of] the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]. (Quran 3:159) After appreciating the Prophet [saw] for being lenient with his companions who disobeyed him, the Holy Prophet [saw] is advised to consult his companions. Scholars explain that in...

Have tawakul in Allah [3: 159]

Loving and Living the Quran

Continuing with this verse from Sura Ale Imran: So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in [some of] the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]. (Quran 3:159) The final part of the verse advises the Holy Prophet [saw] that once you have decided on a matter, have tawwakul or trust in Allah and ends by saying that Allah loves those who rely...

Attend to what is better on Friday [62:9]

Loving and Living the Quran

Today’s reflection is verse 9 from Chapter 62, Sura Juma, when Allah [swt] addresses the believers and says: O you who believe! when the call is made for prayer on Friday, then hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trading; that is better for you, if you know. [62:9] 4 important points are made in this verse: 1. When the call for the Friday congregational prayers is made, rush to attend to it In other words, answer the call and join the congregation as soon as possible. 2. Leave trading and other worldly distractions at this time...

Do what good you can, as soon as you can[23:61]

Loving and Living the Quran

Today’s reflection is from Chapter 23, Sura Muminum where the Holy Quran says: "It is they who hasten to every good work and these who are foremost in them." [23:61] In this verse and a couple of verses preceding it, Allah [swt] points out a few qualities of the believers. One of their qualities that they “hasten to do good deeds”. This desire is borne out of a desire to please Allah [swt] and drives them to take quick action towards worthy causes and goals. The word the Quran uses is yusāri‘ūna which signifies “racing” towards good actions. It is interesting...

275 Harkat mein barket [53:39]

Loving and Living the Quran

In Verse 39 of Sura Najm, Allah says: And that man shall have nothing but what he strives for. (Holy Quran 53:39) For today’s verse, I could not find a better title than the Urdu phrase: Harkat mein barkat, meaning there is blessing in movement/striving. One of the principles of life, taught by experience and by Divinity, is that human beings get what they strive towards. It is important to note that what the Quran is telling us is that our outcome will be in accordance with our striving. The Arabic word sa’ā which is used literally means to walk fast, to run almost, to walk with effort....

A truth about life [90:4]

Loving and Living the Quran

Today’s reflection is from Sura Balad where Allah [swt] says: Certainly We have created man to be in distress. [90:4] In this verse, Allah [swt] uses the word kabad for distress. Scholars explain that the word kabad which originally means intensity, also signifies 'a disease in the liver of a person’ and is used for any trouble and misery. This verse spells out a truth about the human experience during this plane of existence: from the time the human embryo is conceived it will go through difficult stages with pain and toil until the time it is born, and even from then...

You have what it takes [2:286]

Loving and Living the Quran

Yesterday we reflected on a truth about this life from the Quran: that life is full of challenges. Today, let us look at a promise of Allah [swt] that gives us confidence that we have what it takes to succeed in these challenges and find our way through these distresses. At the end of Chapter 2, Sura Al-Baqara the Quran tells us: Allah does not task any soul [impose a duty on, place a burden on] beyond its capacity. [2:286] This brief selection from a longer verse suggests many important points of reflection: The word Quran uses for soul is “Nafs”, the struggling part of...

As We Say Goodbye . . .

Loving and Living the Quran

As We Wrap Up The Blessed Month Of Ramadan, We May Be Feeling A Mix Of Emotions: A Tinge Of Sadness At The Ending Of The Month Of Blessings, Mercy And Forgiveness, A Sense Of Relief That We Were Able To Fast And Pray [And That We Can Eat Again!] And Maybe Some Regret That We Did Not Or Could Not Do More During The Blessed Minutes And Hours Of This Sacred Month Of Allah [Swt] When We Were His Guests. Many of us have been deeply impacted by the news from Palestine and our sense of helplessness to stop the atrocities. Please let us remind ourselves that we have the huge weapon of Dua at our...

More Episodes

Ihsan towards parents and the challenges of multigenerational relationships.

The story of an ideal family:

The contract of a parent is time-limited till the child reaches the age of 21.
Age 0-7: build a relationship of trust with the child.
Age 7-14: train the child in life skills.
Age 14-21: act as a consultant.
Age 21 onwards: a parent’s duty is now discharged to God.

Continuing responsibilities after the age of 21:

Children are still entitled to respect and care.
Children still need advice but they should be treated as adults.

Status that Allah has given parents seen in the light of the Holy Quran:

Children are first supposed to spend on parents.
Children must not do shirk and must do Ihsan.
Parents are the second closest relationship for children after God.
Children must pray for their parents and serve them.
The responsibilities of children towards parents grow much more as the latter get older.
Children must not show any sign of disdain or frustration towards their parents.
Children must show compassion and humility towards their parents.
According to Hadith, a mother who dies whilst serving her family is given the same status as a martyr on the Day of Judgement.
A mother has jannah under her feet- she is their first Rabb.

How should parents deal with children who have made mistakes:

Pardon them and ask pardon for them.
Consult and advise them gently.
Build relationships with your children.

Responsibilities of children towards their parents:

Children’s duties towards parents increase as the latter age.
As children become stronger parents are heading towards a decline.
A healthy multi-generational relationship is good for all generations.
Show pleasure at taking care of parents.

Four keys to having strong inter-generational relationships:

Respect the other person even if they have an outlook different from yours.
Reciprocity: treat one another in a kind manner.
Resilience.
Real communication.

LINKS:

SURAH BAQARAH VERSE 215

SURAH NISA VERSE 36

SURAH IBRAHIM VERSE 41

SURAH ISRA VERSE 23, 24

SURAH ANKABUT VERSE 8

SURAH LUQMAN VERSE 14

SURAH AHQAF VERSE 15, 16, 17

SURAH NUH VERSE 28

SURAH ALI’ IMRAN VERSE 159

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