The Gift of Quran

 

The Holy Quran is not only a sacred book, but the eternal word of Allah, a direct link between the Creator (Allah) and His servants. It was revealed as a blessing for all humanity (all the worlds), as a warning and glad tidings, but it is more for the one who has fear of Allah and who submits to His will. As Allah tells us in the Quran itself: “This is the Book; there is no doubt in it. It is guidance for the righteous (those who fear Allah and want to follow His path)” (Al-Baqara 2: 3). For every sincere Muslim, their relationship with the Quran must deeply shape their faith, their spirituality, and their destiny.

 

Hazrat Ibn Masud (ra) said: “Whoever wants to know whether he truly loves Allah and His Prophet, then he should observe his relationship with the Quran. If he loves the Quran, then he truly loves Allah and His Prophet.” (Tabarani)

Death in Islam

 

“Kullu nafsin zaa-iqatul-mawt, summa ilayna turjaʿuun.”

“Every soul shall taste death. Then, to Us shall they be returned.”

(Al-Ankabut, 29: 58)

 

Death is a reality that cannot be avoided for every person, whether they are a believer or a non-believer. Islam teaches that every soul is responsible for its own actions, and that no one will carry the burden of another. In the Qur’an, Allah says: “No soul shall bear the burden of another.” (Al-An’am, 6: 165)

This fundamental principle of divine justice is reaffirmed multiple times in the Noble Qur’an. Allah says that everyone will be judged according to their own actions, without the faults or sins or even the merits of one person being transferred to another soul.

'Abu Lahab' and His Wife

 

‘May the hands of Abu Lahab be ruined!

May he be ruined too!

Neither his wealth nor his gains will help him:

he will burn in the Flaming Fire–– and so will his wife,

the firewood-carrier, with a palm-fibre rope around her neck.’

                             --- ( Holy Qur'an, Surah Al Masad, 111: 2-6 )

 

In the times of Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), his uncle Abu Lahab was one of the wealthiest and influential Qurayshi leaders who most opposed the Prophet and persecuted the early Muslims. Material wealth and worldly rule intoxicated him with a fiery temperament. Raging impatience characterized this ‘Flame Man’. Abu Lahab’s wife Umm Jamil bint Harb was a scheming woman, known to support her husband in his excesses- even indulged in mocking the Prophet when he was ill. The Holy Qur’an makes an illustration out of the mindset of ‘Abu Lahabs’; the Book of God  roundly condemns such arrogance and hubris: ‘may his (hands) power perish and all that he possesses’.

'Duah': A Prayer

 

O Lord of all the worlds!

It is beyond me to offer You gratitude for all Your favours.

You are most Merciful and Compassionate,

and the bounties that You have conferred upon me are countless.

 

Forgive me my sins, lest I am ruined.

Fill my heart with sincere love for You,

so that I may receive life.