The best of stories: The people of the Sabbath

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

This is the fourth piece in the series. Read the third one here.

And ask them (O Muhammad ) about the town that was by the sea, when they transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath (i.e. Saturday): when their fish came to them openly on the Sabbath day and did not come to them on the day they had no Sabbath. Thus We made a trial of them for they used to rebel (see the Qur’an: V.4:154).And when a community among them said: “Why do you preach to a people whom Allah is about to destroy or to punish with a severe torment?” (The preachers) said: “In order to be free from guilt before your Lord (Allah), and perhaps they may fear Allah.”So when they forgot the remindings that had been given to them, We rescued those who forbade evil, but We seized those who did wrong with a severe torment because they used to rebel (disobey Allah). So when they exceeded the limits of what they were prohibited, We said to them: “Be you monkeys, despised and rejected.” (It is a severe warning to the mankind that they should not disobey what Allah commands them to do, and be far away from what He prohibits them). [Surah 7:163-166]

The best of stories: The people of the garden

 

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

This is the third piece in the series. Please read the second one here.

Verily, We have tried them as We tried the people of the garden, when they swore to pluck the fruits of the (garden) in the morning, Without saying: Insha’ Allah (If Allah will).Then there passed by on the (garden) something (fire) from your Lord at night and burnt it while they were asleep.So the (garden) became black by the morning, like a pitch dark night (in complete ruins).Then they called out one to another as soon as the morning broke, Saying: “Go to your tilth in the morning, if you would pluck the fruits.”So they departed, conversing in secret low tones (saying), No Miskin (poor man) shall enter upon you into it today.And they went in the morning with strong intention, thinking that they have power (to prevent the poor taking anything of the fruits therefrom).But when they saw the (garden), they said: “Verily, we have gone astray,”(Then they said): “Nay! Indeed we are deprived of (the fruits)!”The best among them said: “Did I not tell you: why do you not say: Insha’ Allah (If Allah will).”They said: “Glory to Our Lord! Verily, we have been Zalimun (wrong-doers, etc.).”Then they turned, one against another, in blaming.They said: “Woe to us! Verily, we were Taghun (transgressors and disobedient, etc.)We hope that our Lord will give us in exchange a better (garden) than this. Truly, we turn to our Lord (wishing for good that He may forgive our sins, and reward us in the Hereafter).”Such is the punishment (in this life), but truly, the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they but knew. [Surah Al-Qalam 17-33].

Their father had a garden and used to give a portion of his harvest to the poor. When he died, the children did not want to continue on that path so they decided to wake up early and pack up the harvest while the rest of the world slept to prevent the poor people from getting the harvest. One of them tried to make a point but he was shut down. That night as they slept, Allah sent destruction upon the land.

The best of stories: The story of Dawud and Sulayman

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

This is the second piece in the series. Please read the first one here.

And (remember) Dawud (David) and Sulaiman (Solomon), when they gave judgement in the case of the field in which the sheep of certain people had pastured at night and We were witness to their judgement. And We made Sulaiman (Solomon) to understand (the case), and to each of them We gave Hukman (right judgement of the affairs and Prophethood) and knowledge. And We subjected the mountains and the birds to glorify Our Praises along with Dawud (David), And it was We Who were the doers (of all these things).And We taught him the making of metal coats of mail (for battles), to protect you in your fighting. Are you then grateful?And to Sulaiman (Solomon) (We subjected) the wind strongly raging, running by his command towards the land which We had blessed. And of everything We are the All-KnowerAnd of the Shayatin (devils) (from the jinns) were some who dived for him, and did other work besides that; and it was We Who guarded them. [Surah Anbiyah 78-82].

Dawud and Sulayman were not only Prophets (i.e religious leaders), they were also political leaders and both of them were sent to Bani Israel. Prophet Dawud was Prophet Sulayman’s father.

Diary of a bayyinah access 1 student : Beginner’s Blessings.

Bayyinah access is an online Qur’anic Arabic course with a simplified curriculum made available for students unable to attend the Bayyinah Dream course (I mean to up and leave your life and move to another place wouldn’t be easy, not to mention the cost implication). I wanted to be a dream student even though i did not see it happening but I prayed nonetheless to Al-Mujeeb. I cannot say how i found out about the course but by His grace I did (My constant stalking of all things bayyinah institute and Nouman Ali Khan maybe😉).
Then came the question – is this the right time? I have a new job role as pharmacy manager plus my MSc thesis, not neglecting my role as wife and homemaker, sister, aunt and friend. Would I? Could I? Should I?😞 So I prayed Istikhara and spoke to a few of my favourite people…at this point, i wasn’t even sure whether I was talking myself into it or out of it🤔. I went ahead and registered.

Can I memorize the Qur’an? — Part 1

 

Bismillahi Rahmani Raheem.

I recently decided to start this series. I mean you don’t know who your story would touch. And so I would be putting them in short enough bites for your enjoyment.

*Nur’s Journey

Growing up, it was compulsory to go to Qur’an School and so I went. I learnt the alphabets, memorised just enough to pray and then came high school. I went to a boarding school where no one made it compulsory and then to the university and I was a graduate. I remember having a group of friends and we encouraged each other to learn the first ten verses of Suratul Khaf to save us from dajjal and then I took another break.

One day I saw this video of kids who were huffaz in a competition on youtube