Quran: Reflection & Action Series 4

سورة التكاثر
Period of Revelation:
In Makkah, after Surah Al Kawthar.

Purpose of Revelation:
To pull back the hearts drowning in worldly illusions and often get distracted and disconnected from the afterlife.

Reflection:
Don’t let the competition in worldly affairs make you forget your purpose in this life.
Even if you forget the blessings you enjoyed during this life, Allah will ask you about them as everything is being measured and recorded.

Call to Action:
Visit graves and remember death.
Thank Allah for His blessings.
Use His blessings in doing good.

سورة القارعة
Period of Revelation:
In Makkah, after Surah Quraysh.

Purpose of Revelation:
One of the names of the Day of Judgement, telling people about the horrors and seriousness of that Day.

Reflection:
Comparison is made between the status of mountains on that Day and people to show the contrast.
Scales become heavy with good deeds.

Call to Action:
Do good and be consistent in doing good.
Stay away from evil.

سورة العاديات
Period of Revelation:
In Makkah, after Surah Al Asr.

Purpose of Revelation:
First part of the Surah contains the prophecy shared with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

Reflection:
Humans know the truth deep down.
Allah knows what people hide and He will bring out the hidden secrets on the Day of Judgement in the open.

Call to Action:
Follow the Messenger ﷺ.
Work on purification of your heart.

سورة الزلزلة
Period of Revelation:
In Madinah, after Surah Al Nisaa.

Purpose of Revelation:
To show what will happen to the earth on the Day of Judgement so everyone can prepare ahead.

Reflection:
There will be the final earthquake where earth will spill its treasures, the bodies it contains, be given the ability to speak so it’ll testify and tell what happened on its surface.

Do whatever good is within your capacity as you’ll be rewarded for it.
Even the tiniest of deeds, good and bad, will be recorded and shown on the Final Day.

Call to Action:
Pray in different places on this Earth so those places become a witness for you.
Don’t belittle smiling at others.
Hold yourself accountable.
Stay away from sinning.

Link to Zoom’s Session: Zoom Session

Quran: Reflection & Action Series 3

سورة الماعون
Period of Revelation:
Revealed in Makkah, after Surah at Takathur.

Purpose of Revelation:
To reveal how the charitable acts by disbelievers were superficial and benefitted no one.

Reflection:
Beware of being among these people who hurt orphans and don’t look after them, delay their prayers and are insincere.

Call to Action:
Give in charity sincerely for the sake of Allah.
Feed the poor and take care of the orphans around you.
Do more than just fund programs for orphans- really make time for them.
Pray on time.

سورة قريش
Period of Revelation:
In Makkah, after Surah at Teen.

Purpose of Revelation:
To show Allah’s favours upon the tribe of Quraysh.

Reflection:
Blessings of our Lord necessitate that we sincerely thank Him for the safety and security He provided us with.

Call to Action:
Praise Allah for His blessings.
Increase your daily Remembrance of your Lord.
Be grateful and share your Lord’s blessings with others.

سورة الفيل

Period of Revelation:
In Makkah, after Surah Al Kafirun.

Purpose of Revelation:
To show how Allah protects His House and has control over His creation. Even wealth cannot deter the wrath of Allah.

Reflection:
How Allah’s creation submits to His command.

Call to Action:
Pray to Allah, especially during the difficulties.
Have faith and trust Allah.

سورة الهمزة
Period of Revelation:
In Makkah, revealed after Surah Al Qiyamah.

Purpose of Revelation:
Traits of the misguided people, as opposed to the traits of the believers mentioned in Surah Al Asr.

Reflection:
Don’t let your wealth deceive you.
Backbiting, gossipping, slandering and creating trouble for others is forbidden and a major sin as it causes a lot of harm to mankind.

Call to Action:
Stay away from slander, gossip and backbiting.
Seek Allah’s forgiveness.
Give charity.

سورة العصر
Period of Revelation:
In Makkah, after Surah Al Sharh.

Purpose of Revelation:
Value of time and traits of believers are mentioned here.

Reflection:
Time is of essence so you must value it.
Faith comes beforr righteous deeds and actions.
Righteous actions are to be followed by helping others in finding truth.
Believers must show patience.

Call to Action:
Excel in managing your time.
Prioritise your religion over worldly affairs.
Be patient.

Link to the Zoom Session: Zoom Session

The Afterlife is Better

Hātim [al-Assam] رحمه الله said:

“I looked at the creation and realised that every person has something which is beloved to him, but when that person reaches his grave, his beloved would be separated from him.

Therefore I made the most beloved thing to me my righteous deeds, so they may be with me in my grave.”

Mukhtasar Minhāj al-Qāsideen 28 | Ibn al-Jawzi رحمه الله

وَالْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَى – سورة الأعلى

And the Hereafter is better for you than the first [life]. – Surah Al A’laa

A Thousand Good Deeds Daily

Sounds like a lot of hard work is required to have a thousand good deeds on your scales daily, right?

الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍ مِّائَةُ حَبَّةٍ وَاللَّهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed which grows seven spikes, in each spike is a hundred grains. Allah multiplies His reward for whom He wills, for Allah is vast and knowing.

Surat Al-Baqarah 2:261


On the contrary, it’s not difficult at all. All you need to say Subhan Allah a hundred times.

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:
أَيَعْجِزُ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يَكْسِبَ، كُلَّ يَومٍ أَلْفَ حَسَنَةٍ؟ فَسَأَلَهُ سَائِلٌ مِن جُلَسَائِهِ: كيفَ يَكْسِبُ أَحَدُنَا أَلْفَ حَسَنَةٍ؟ قالَ: يُسَبِّحُ مِئَةَ تَسْبِيحَةٍ، فيُكْتَبُ له أَلْفُ حَسَنَةٍ، أَوْ يُحَطُّ عنْه أَلْفُ خَطِيئَةٍ
-رواه مسلم

The Prophet of Allah ﷺ said: “Is anyone of you incapable of earning one thousand Hasanah (rewards) a day?” Someone from the gathering asked, “How can anyone of us earn a thousand Hasanah?” The Prophet ﷺ said: “Glorify Allah a hundred times by just saying “Subhanallah” and a Good deeds will be written for you, or a thousand sins will be wiped away.” – Sahih Muslim:2073

وقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:
مَا تَصَدَّقَ أَحَدٌ بِصَدَقَةٍ مِنْ طَيِّبٍ وَلَا يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا الطَّيِّبَ إِلَّا أَخَذَهَا الرَّحْمَنُ بِيَمِينِهِ وَإِنْ كَانَتْ تَمْرَةً فَتَرْبُو فِي كَفِّ الرَّحْمَنِ حَتَّى تَكُونَ أَعْظَمَ مِنْ الْجَبَلِ كَمَا يُرَبِّي أَحَدُكُمْ فَلُوَّهُ أَوْ فَصِيلَهُ
-رواه مسلم

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
None gives charity from what is good, for Allah only accepts what is good, but that the Merciful takes it with His right hand. Even if it is a date, it is nurtured in the hand of the Merciful until it becomes greater than a mountain, just as one of you nurtures his young horse or camel.
-Sahih Muslim:1014

What Can Your Favourite Surah Teach You

Whenever this life tires you out, spending time reciting and reflecting on the verses of Quran will connect you to your purpose (Surah ar Ra’d, adh Dhariyat)

You can bring your worries and burdens and place them at the doorstep of prayers (Surah Ibrahim, Al Hijr).

When you feel like you cannot make it on your own, the verses of Quran will give you strength, comfort you, heal your heart and help you to carry on (Surah Yunus, Fussilat).

Quran will show you how Allah defended the believers (Surah Al Hajj, Yusuf), and He sent down Quran to protect the Final Messenger ﷺ from falling into despair (Surah ad-Duha, Al Mudatthir).

The purpose of the Final Revelation was to encourage you to read more and take lessons from the previous generations’ trials and stories, from among humans and jinns (Surah Al Alaq, Al Ahqaf).

Pick your favourite Surah tonight/today and don’t just recite it without focus- think about the verses and their purpose of revelation and how it all connects with your life right now.

Quran & Sunnah

Learn Quran,
And recite it,
Then apply it,
And then teach it.

Learn Sunnah,
And apply it,
Then teach it.

Make Dua for yourself and others that Allah makes it easy for everyone to find the truth.

It sounds vague and a general advice, but once you find trustworthy and authentic sources and upright scholars to study with who not only give you the words of our Lord and our beloved Messenger ﷺ but also the methodology and practical application of your learning.

Start with whatever is available right now and begin building on it. You’ll find yourself far ahead if you practice daily and reap the reward of a better and more fulfilling Ramadan.

Quran: Reflection & Action Series 2

سورة المسد

Period of Revelation:
In Makkah, during the early stages of Prophethood
Revealed after Surah Al Fatiha, before Surah At Takweer

Purpose of Revelation:
To show the ultimate end of Abu Lahab and his wife, Umm Jameel.

Reflection:
Warning to those who make the lives of the believers difficult.

Call to Action:
Give charity
Help believers

سورة النصر

Period of Revelation:
In Madinah, after Surah at Tawbah

Purpose of Revelation:
End of the Prophet’s mission on this Earth, and preparation for him to return to His Lord.

Reflection:
Help of Allah eventually leads to victory.
Importance of remembering Allah, praising Him and seeking His forgiveness.

Call to Action:
Be prepared to help new believers.
Call others to Islam.
Do Dhikr often: سبحان الله وبحمده
Repent often: استغفر الله

سورة الكافرون

Period of Revelation:
In Makkah, after Surah Al Maun, right before the command of Hirjah was sent.

Purpose of Revelation:
To dissociate from Shirk

Reflection:
Dangers of following others who call to evil.

Call to Action:
Recite Surah Al Kafirun in first Rakah and Surah Al Ikhlaas in the second Rakah of Sunnah prayers of Fajr and Maghreb.

سورة الكوثر

Period of Revelation:
Revealed in Makkah, after Surah Al Adiyat and before Surah Al Takathur.

Purpose of Revelation:
In praise and honour of the Final Messenger ﷺ.

Reflection:
Praising and honouring the Messenger ﷺ.
Command to pray and sacrifice purely for the sake of Allah.
End of those who dishonour the Messenger ﷺ.

Call to Action:
Send Salawat upon the Messenger ﷺ often.
Study his Seerah.
Apply his Sunnah.

Link to the Zoom session:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/dKYejfeT74n9VN7rucAjWdJgFzI979BB57Bt0OLuS4xL6Y2ZNb3FRihVKgPooBrusYnpO6DG32Phdws1.ulCmhse9zJ_6OGYv