The Seventeenth Chapter of the Quran: The Night Journey

I found a good Website for reading the Quran with the meanings.

I finished reading the seventeenth chapter of the Holy Quran, the Night Journey. I would like to share some of the verses with you:

And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], “uff,” and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. (23) And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, “My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.” (24)

Quran 17:23-24

And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully. (26) Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful. (27)

Quran 17:26-27

I like the following verses. They are precious advices and are full of wisdom:

And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck or extend it completely and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent. (29) Indeed, your Lord extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]. Indeed He is ever, concerning His servants, Acquainted and Seeing. (30) And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, their killing is ever a great sin. (31) And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way. (32) And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly – We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law]. (33) And do not approach the property of an orphan, except in the way that is best, until he reaches maturity. And fulfill [every] commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned. (34) And give full measure when you measure, and weigh with an even balance. That is the best [way] and best in result. (35) And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart – about all those [one] will be questioned. (36) And do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed, you will never tear the earth [apart], and you will never reach the mountains in height. (37) All that – its evil is ever, in the sight of your Lord, detested. (38)

Quran 17:29-38

And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy. (53)

Quran 17:53

And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference. (70)

Quran 17:70

Food Wars in Ramadan

If you go to the hypermarket in any Arab country, especially in the Gulf, during Ramadan, even before, you will see long queues of shoppers pushing trolleys filled to form a mountain. This can be seen all Ramadan long, and I always think there is going to be a war that I have not heard of, yet!

Why this waste of food in Ramadan? Maybe some of the shoppers buy this much of food to distribute it in Masjids or Iftar tents, but why only in Ramadan people go crazy about food and cook so much dishes and eventually throw most of it in the garbage?

You know what? Ramadan is Eid for stray cats.

Allah says in the Holy Quran:

O Children of Adam! Look to your adornment at every place of worship, and eat and drink, but be not prodigal. Lo! He loveth not the prodigals. (31)

Quran 7:31

Who can eat that much in Ramadan?

All Humans are Weak

Even if we are different in color, we are still humans. And all humans are weak. No one is superior to others because of their color.

We cannot walk on gravel without wearing shoes, can we?

Allah says in the Holy Quran:

Allah would make the burden light for you, for man was created weak. (28)

Quran 4:28

And no one is better than the other except those who are good in their faith. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware. (13)

Quran 49:13

Love each other!

Ramadan Questions & Answers

I would like to share some questions and answers regarding the holy month of Ramadan from Islam Question and Answer Website:

• How can she make use of her time when she is cooking in Ramadaan?
• Ramadaan fasting is not acceptable if one does not pray.
• Fasting makes her lazy and causes her to lose weight; can she not fast?
• He is afraid that he may become sick because of being underweight; is he allowed not to fast during Ramadan?
• It is better for pregnant and breastfeeding women not to fast if it is too hard for them to fast.
• Does wearing lipstick when fasting break the fast?
• When should a person make the intention to fast, and what if he finds out during the day that Ramadan has begun?
• Having fillings and applying medicine to the teeth does not affect the fast.
• Using toothpaste whilst fasting.
• Worship is love and veneration; it is not burdensome and difficult.
• Every person who is resident in a country is obliged to start and end the fast with its people.
• Does he have to make up what he missed of Ramadan before he became Muslim?
• He is going to travel and will remain abroad for three months; does he have to fast Ramadan?
• He wants to delay making up Ramadan fasts until winter because the days are shorter.

And here is a link to a book about “70 Matters Related to Fasting” from Islam Question and Answer.

Give Charity

One of the good deeds in Islam is giving charity. It ensures that the poor and those who cannot get their basic needs can continue to live happily.

Allah says in the Holy Quran regarding charity:

The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarer; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is Knower, Wise. (60)

Quran 9:60

And He says regarding the method of giving the charity:

If ye publish your almsgiving, it is well, but if ye hide it and give it to the poor, it will be better for you, and will atone for some of your ill-deeds. Allah is Informed of what ye do. (271)

Quran 2:271

Allah has given us many ways to increase our good deeds, and one of those ways is giving charity. Do not stop helping the poor and the needy!

Do Not Laugh at Others

It is not permissible for a believer to laugh at another person because of their ethnicity, name, faith, racial backgrounds, wealth status, … etc. Allay says in the Holy Quran:

O ye who believe! Let not a folk deride a folk who may be better than they (are), not let women (deride) women who may be better than they are; neither defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. Bad is the name of lewdness after faith. And whoso turneth not in repentance, such are evil-doers. (11)

Quran 49:11

Laughing at a person because of their names or ethnicity implies racism. A person who has a tiny bit of arrogance in his heart is not a true believer. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

Turn not thy cheek in scorn toward folk, nor walk with pertness in the land. Lo! Allah loveth not each braggart boaster. (18)

Quran 31:18

Those who insult others because of their color or ethnic backgrounds are insulting the Creator. Such people should be advised to stop, and if they do not you must not be friends with them.

Stop Backbiting

Allah says in the Holy Quran:

O you who have believed, avoid much suspicion, for some suspicions are sins. Do not spy, nor should any one backbite the other. Is there any among you who would like to eat the flesh of his dead brother?’ Nay, you yourselves abhor it. Fear Allah, for Allah is Acceptor of repentance and All-Merciful. (12)

Quran 49:12

Guard your tongue from saying anything bad about others, whether it is true or not. Spend your time in something useful rather than spy on others. It is better you say good things about the people instead of spending time trying to taint them.

The Third Chapter of the Quran: The Women

Peace be upon you!

Today, I started reading the third chapter of the Holy Quran, The Women. I would like to share with you some of the verses in this chapter:

Give unto orphans their wealth. Exchange not the good for the bad (in your management thereof) nor absorb their wealth into your own wealth. Lo! that would be a great sin. (2)

Quran 4:2

Forgiveness is only incumbent on Allah towards those who do evil in ignorance (and) then turn quickly (in repentance) to Allah. These are they toward whom Allah relenteth. Allah is ever Knower, Wise. (17) The forgiveness is not for those who do ill-deeds until, when death attendeth upon one of them, he saith: Lo! I repent now; nor yet for those who die while they are disbelievers. For such We have prepared a painful doom. (18)

Quran 4:17-18

Allah would make the burden light for you, for man was created weak. (28)

Quran 4:28

And covet not the thing in which Allah hath made some of you excel others. Unto men a fortune from that which they have earned, and unto women a fortune from that which they have earned. (Envy not one another) but ask Allah of His bounty. Lo! Allah is ever Knower of all things. (32)

Quran 4:32

Lo! Allah wrongeth not even of the weight of an ant; and if there is a good deed, He will double it and will give (the doer) from His presence an immense reward. (40)

Quran 4:40

Lo! Allah forgiveth not that a partner should be ascribed unto Him. He forgiveth (all) save that to whom He will. Whoso ascribeth partners to Allah, he hath indeed invented a tremendous sin. (48)

Quran 4:48

Lo! Allah commandeth you that ye restore deposits to their owners, and, if ye judge between mankind, that ye judge justly. Lo! comely is this which Allah admonisheth you. Lo! Allah is ever Hearer, Seer. (58)

Quran 4:58

When ye are greeted with a greeting, greet ye with a better than it or return it. Lo! Allah taketh count of all things. (86)

Quran 4:86

And whoso doeth good works, whether of male or female, and he (or she) is a believer, such will enter paradise and they will not be wronged the dint in a date-stone. (124)

Quran 4:124

Ye will not be able to deal equally between (your) wives, however much ye wish (to do so). But turn not altogether away (from one), leaving her as in suspense. If ye do good and keep from evil, lo! Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful. (129)

Quran 4:129

O ye who believe! Be ye staunch in justice, witnesses for Allah, even though it be against yourselves or (your) parents or (your) kindred, whether (the case be of) a rich man or a poor man, for Allah is nearer unto both (them ye are). So follow not passion lest ye lapse (from truth) and if ye lapse or fall away, then lo! Allah is ever Informed of what ye do. (135)

Quran 4:135

Fasting of the Tongue

Fasting in Ramadan is not only limited to abstaining from food, drinks, and sexual relationships during the day. More important than fasting from food and drinks is to guard one’s tongue.

Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon him, said:

One who while fasting does not guard his tongue from telling lies and does not refrain from bad deeds, is not respecting his fast. Allah does not approve of mere abstention from food.

When you are fasting, you should not speak ill of anybody, nor should you be rough and noisy. If anybody speaks ill of you or tries to pick a quarrel with you, reply him not, but say to him that you are fasting.

Fasting can make a person rough, but it is a good test to observe the willpower of one’s soul to perfect itself.

A Pity to the Worshippers of Ramadan

Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon him, said:

If people understood what good there was in the month of Ramadan, they would have liked that it last for a year.

It is very wrong for a Muslim to pray, read the Quran, do more good, and refrain from sins only in Ramadan. A Muslim is supposed to pray, read the Quran, do more good, and refrain from sins all year long. Ramadan is a month filled with Allah’s blessings. Each of us must invest more time during Ramadan for worshiping and perfecting one’s character.

Those who are submitting to Allah only in Ramadan are losers. Fasting is supposed to change hearts. Those who do not feel any guilt or shame during their fast and when Ramadan ends they continue committing sins are low in faith.

Ramadan blessings are felt by those who really want to change and start a new page as true Muslims.

Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon him, said:

Unfortunate is the person who is deprived of the forgiveness of Allah during this great month (of Ramadan).

A pity to those who worship Ramadan!

Allah, Our Only God

Allah, the Creator, the First, and the Last, is the only God worthy of our worship. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered. (136)

We strongly believe that Allah, the Magnificent, must not be like any of His creations:

The Creator of the heavens and the earth. He hath made for you pairs of yourselves, and of the cattle also pairs, whereby He multiplieth you. Naught is as His likeness; and He is the Hearer, the Seer. (11)

Quran 42:11

And, we Muslims, believe that the Messiah, Jesus, is one of Allah’s Prophets calling to worshiping Allah alone:

(And remember) when the angels said: O Mary! Lo! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from him, whose name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, illustrious in the world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (unto Allah). (45) He will speak unto mankind in his cradle and in his manhood, and he is of the righteous. (46) She said: My Lord! How can I have a child when no mortal hath touched me? He said: So (it will be). Allah createth what He will. If He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is. (47) And He will teach him the Scripture and wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel, (48) And will make him a messenger unto the Children of Israel, (saying): Lo! I come unto you with a sign from your Lord. Lo! I fashion for you out of clay the likeness of a bird, and I breathe into it and it is a bird, by Allah’s leave. I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I raise the dead, by Allah’s leave. And I announce unto you what ye eat and what ye store up in your houses. Lo! herein verily is a portent for you, if ye are to be believers. (49) And (I come) confirming that which was before me of the Torah, and to make lawful some of that which was forbidden unto you. I come unto you with a sign from your Lord, so keep your duty to Allah and obey me. (50) Lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path. (51) But when Jesus became conscious of their disbelief, he cried: Who will be my helpers in the cause of Allah? The disciples said: We will be Allah’s helpers. We believe in Allah, and bear thou witness that we have surrendered (unto Him). (52) Our Lord! We believe in that which Thou hast revealed and we follow him whom Thou hast sent. Enrol us among those who witness (to the truth). (53)

Quran 3:45-53

Being a Muslim, that is submitting to Allah alone, means that you only worship Him and not linking any of His creations to Him:

Then worship what ye will beside Him. Say: The losers will be those who lose themselves and their housefolk on the Day of Resurrection. Ah, that will be the manifest loss! (15)

Quran 39:15

Why not call out Allah in our prayers? Who deserves our supplication and cries other than Him?

Say (unto mankind): Cry unto Allah, or cry unto the Beneficent, unto whichsoever ye cry (it is the same). His are the most beautiful names. And thou (Muhammad), be not loud-voiced in thy worship nor yet silent therein, but follow a way between. (110)

Quran 17:110

Let each of us say:

But He is Allah, my Lord, and I ascribe unto my Lord no partner. (38)

Quran 18:38

Ward Off Evil

Fasting helps us not do bad and control our desires.

Allah says in the Holy Quran:

O ye who believe! Devour not usury, doubling and quadrupling (the sum lent). Observe your duty to Allah, that ye may be successful. (130) And ward off (from yourselves) the Fire prepared for disbelievers. (131) And obey Allah and the messenger, that ye may find mercy. (132) And vie one with another for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who ward off (evil); (133) Those who spend (of that which Allah hath given them) in ease and in adversity, those who control their wrath and are forgiving toward mankind; Allah loveth the good; (134) And those who, when they do an evil thing or wrong themselves, remember Allah and implore forgiveness for their sins – Who forgiveth sins save Allah only? – and will not knowingly repeat (the wrong) they did. (135) The reward of such will be forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide for ever – a bountiful reward for workers! (136)

Quran 3:130-136