Thought for the day Archives - Page 20 of 24

Surah Ibrahim – Ayah 47

اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
اَعُوْذُبِااللّٰہِ مِنَ الشَّیْطٰنِ الرَّجِيْم
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

*_Today’s Thought for the day is from Surah Ibrahim Ayah 47_*

*فَلَا تَحۡسَبَنَّ اللّٰهَ مُخۡلِفَ وَعۡدِهٖ رُسُلَهٗؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَزِيۡزٌ ذُوۡ انْتِقَامٍؕ.(47)*

*_Never think that Allah would fail in His promise to His Messengers. Verily, Allah is Almighty, an Avenger.(47)_*

تو ایسا خیال نہ کرنا کہ خدا نے جو اپنے پیغمبروں سے وعدہ کیا ہے اس کے خلاف کرے گا بےشک خدا زبردست (اور) بدلہ لینے والا ہے.(47)

The address is to the Prophet SAWS and the purpose is to comfort him and his companions that they need not worry about the plotting of the enemies, for Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la will help HIS present messenger in the same way as HE SWT had helped HIS previous messengers in the past. It is not possible that Allah Azzawajal’s promise will not be fulfilled.‼️ *In another way the Ayah also serves a warning to the disbelievers as well that they should not delude themselves because of the delay in their punishment.* They too will meet the same fate as their earlier predecessors have biten the dust.

*_Act of the Day is:_* to understand that Allah Subhanahu is always True to HIS Promise and does not let injustice escape the punishment.‼️ *Those who resort to scheming and devising foul plans will not be spared.* Allah Azzawajal is Mighty, therefore, everybody is under His control. HE SWT is Capable of inflicting punishment, therefore, HE SWT will definitely punish the wrong-doers who oppose HIS messenger and plot against HIS Chosen Deen.

–To understand that as a man takes revenge, he does it along with hatred and instinctive satisfaction. Nevertheless, what Allah Azzawajal does is based on justice and wisdom. The word *“avenge”* is especially suitable here as it gives the meaning that counters both injustice and wicked scheming. A perpetrator of such injustice and wickedness deserves to suffer Allah Azzawajal’s vengeance, which is, from HIS point of view, the exercise of divine justice.

—To always keep in mind that delays in the arrival of Divine promises should not make us become discouraged and doubt the truth of those promises.❗ Allah SWT has given the opportunity to the disbelievers and the oppressors to live in the world with enjoyment for a time based on HIS divine Wisdom. Hence the believers should exercise patience and perseverance in their struggle against disbelief and always hope in a positive way that the help and promise of Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la is Near.

*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la grant us HIS help in staying firm against all forms of tyranny and injustice. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen._*

JazaK Allâhu khair!

Surah Ibrahim – Ayah 46

*_Today’s Thought for the day is from Surah Ibrahim Ayah 46_*

*وَقَدۡ مَكَرُوۡا مَكۡرَهُمۡ وَعِنۡدَ اللّٰهِ مَكۡرُهُمۡؕ وَاِنۡ كَانَ مَكۡرُهُمۡ لِتَزُوۡلَ مِنۡهُ الۡجِبَالُ‏.(46)*

*_They hatched their plots, but their plots were known to Allah; although their plots were such that they would even move mountains.(46)_*

اور انہوں نے (بڑی بڑی) تدبیریں کیں اور ان کی (سب) تدبیریں خدا کے ہاں (لکھی ہوئی) ہیں گو وہ تدبیریں ایسی (غضب کی) تھیں کہ ان سے پہاڑ بھی ٹل جائیں.(46)

The Ayah describes the amount of efforts and evil plots the disbelievers had put up against the spread of Islam and its Messengers.‼️But, never did they realised that all plans made by them, open or concealed, lie exposed before Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la who is fully aware of them, and comprehensively capable of foiling them – even though, their plots were so precise, organised and lethal that it would have made mountains move out from their place, but finally, nothing worked before the perfect power of Allah Taa’la. *HE SWT thwarted their every effort, so that their ideals and goals never got achieved and accomplished.*

*_Act of the Day is:_* to understand and learn from the earlier historical example as how Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la foiled their plots however great they might be against the Mission of HIS Messengers and establishment of HIS word.‼️ This Ayah serves an encouragement to the advocates of Islam that the help of Allah Azzawajal is near and it instills confidence into their hearts that the plots of the disbelievers are not going to succeed and are infact very tiny and small as compared to the limitless power and might of Allah Azzawajal. HE SWT is both aware of their devices and tricks, and is all-powerful over them, and HE SWT shall provide all conspirators with commensurate chastisement.

*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la help all the believers across the globe and foil all the attempts of disbelievers against HIS chosen religion. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen_*

JazaK Allâhu khair!

Surah Ibrahim – Ayah 45

*_Today’s Thought for the day is from Surah Ibrahim Ayah 45_*
ا
*وَّسَكَنۡتُمۡ فِىۡ مَسٰكِنِ الَّذِيۡنَ ظَلَمُوۡۤا اَنۡفُسَهُمۡ وَتَبَيَّنَ لَـكُمۡ كَيۡفَ فَعَلۡنَا بِهِمۡ وَضَرَبۡنَا لَـكُمُ الۡاَمۡثَالَ‏.(45)*

*_You lived in the dwellings of those who had wronged themselves, and it was clear to you how We had dealt with them; We presented to you many examples.(45)_*

اور جو لوگ اپنے آپ پر ظلم کرتے تھے تم ان کے مکانوں میں رہتے تھے اور تم پر ظاہر ہوچکا تھا کہ ہم نے ان لوگوں کے ساتھ کس طرح (کا معاملہ) کیا تھا اور تمہارے (سمجھانے) کے لیے مثالیں بیان کر دی تھیں.(45)

The Ayah depicts a scene of the Day of retribution when the tyrants and the disbelievers ask for respite for some time to mend their ways and follow the Messengers.‼️ Allah Azzawajal makes them recall their life on earth wherein they lived in the same dwellings and places wherein the tyrants lived and were made aware of their fate as to how they were punished, yet they didn’t heed and took lessons from their life and made Tawbah.

*_Act of the Day is:_* to understand and learn from the example which the history presents to us of the wrongdoers who succeed earlier tyrants.‼️ *In fact, those predecessor tyrants were destroyed by their own hands, yet these followed in their footsteps and tyrannised like them.* _They take no heed of the lessons they see in front of their eyes. Hence, like them, they are put to the same fate. The same dwellings will be rid of them after a while._

*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la grant us the ability to ponder upon the history and take heed. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen._*

JazaK Allâhu khair!

Surah Ibrahim – Ayah 44

*_Today’s Thought for the day comes from Surah Ibrahim Ayah 44_*

*وَ اَنۡذِرِ النَّاسَ یَوۡمَ یَاۡتِیۡہِمُ الۡعَذَابُ فَیَقُوۡلُ الَّذِیۡنَ ظَلَمُوۡا رَبَّنَاۤ اَخِّرۡنَاۤ اِلٰۤی اَجَلٍ قَرِیۡبٍ ۙ نُّجِبۡ دَعۡوَتَکَ وَ نَتَّبِعِ الرُّسُلَ ؕ اَوَ لَمۡ تَکُوۡنُوۡۤا اَقۡسَمۡتُمۡ مِّنۡ قَبۡلُ مَا لَکُمۡ مِّنۡ زَوَالٍ(44)*

*_”And (O’ Muhammad SAWS) warn mankind of a Day when the punishment will come to them, then those who did wrong will say, “Our Lord! Give us respite for a short term, we will answer Your call and follow the Messengers”. (It will be said,) “Had you not sworn before, that for you there would be no end?”(44)_*

اے محمد ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) ، اس دن سے تم انہیں ڈراؤ جب کہ عذاب انہیں آلے گا ۔ اس وقت یہ ظالم کہیں گے کہ اے ہمارے ربّ ، ہمیں تھوڑی سے مہلت اَور دیدے ، ہم تیری دعوت کو لبّیک کہیں گے اور رسولوں کی پیروی کریں گے ۔ ﴿مگر انہیں صاف جواب دے دیا جائے گا﴾ کہ کیا تم وہی لوگ نہیں ہو جو اس سے پہلے قسمیں کھا کھا کر کہتے تھے کہ ہم پر تو کبھی زوال آنا ہی نہیں ہے؟(44)

_Muhammad SAWS, is asked to fore-warn the mankind of the Day when Allah’s scourge (a whip used as an instrument of punishment), will overtake them: then these wrong-doers will say, “Our Lord! give us a little more respite: we will respond to Thy Message and follow the Messengers.” (But it will be said to them decisively,) *”Are you not the same people who swore before this that you will never meet with a decline.* (Decline from the zenith),_

_*The ungodly are apt to think that their power will remain in the ascendant, on account of some material advantages given them temporarily by Allah Azzawajal, but they are constantly receiving warnings in history and revelation and from the example of others before them.* The warning is perfectly general, and for all time._

*_Act for the Day is:_* _To understand that there is really no word in the English language which can convey the full meaning of the Arabic word *˜Azaab*. It means *extreme pain and extreme discomfort*‼. To a point where it is just not bearable. There is torment and pain to be found in this world. *But the torment that will come on that Day, Allah (swt) describes as the torment. He qualifies it with the definite article. To show that it is not just any torment, but it is THE torment.* Just think then what kind of a torment it must be❓ Just imagine the excruciating pain the people will feel. Let’s inform all around us about the warning of the Day and the horrible plight of the wrongdoers on the Day of Reckoning, *and mend our way of life NOW, while we’re still alive,* as otherwise there is no second chance._

*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la grant us ability to turn to HIM in complete submission and save us from the hell fire. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen_*

JazaK Allâhu Khair!

Surah Ibrahim – Ayah 42 & 43

*_Today’s Thought for the day is from Surah Ibrahim Ayat 42 & 43_*

*وَلَا تَحۡسَبَنَّ اللّٰهَ غَافِلًا عَمَّا يَعۡمَلُ الظّٰلِمُوۡنَ‌ ؕ اِنَّمَا يُؤَخِّرُهُمۡ لِيَوۡمٍ تَشۡخَصُ فِيۡهِ الۡاَبۡصَارُ.(42)*

*مُهۡطِعِيۡنَ مُقۡنِعِىۡ رُءُوۡسِهِمۡ لَا يَرۡتَدُّ اِلَيۡهِمۡ طَرۡفُهُمۡ‌ ۚ وَاَفۡئِدَتُهُمۡ هَوَآءٌ.(43)*

*_Never think that Allah is unaware of what the evildoers are doing; He is only giving them respite until a day when the eyes will stare fixedly [in horror],(42)_*

*_They will rush headlong, heads raised, eyes unblinking and hearts void..(43)_*

اور (مومنو) مت خیال کرنا کہ یہ ظالم جو عمل کر رہے ہیں خدا ان سے بےخبر ہے۔ وہ ان کو اس دن تک مہلت دے رہا ہے جب کہ (دہشت کے سبب) آنکھیں کھلی کی کھلی رہ جائیں گی.(42)

(اور لوگ) سر اٹھائے ہوئے (میدان قیامت کی طرف) دوڑ رہے ہوں گے ان کی نگاہیں ان کی طرف لوٹ نہ سکیں گی اور ان کے دل (مارے خوف کے) ہوا ہو رہے ہوں گے.(43)

Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la issues warning to the opressors and consoles those who are being oppressed.‼️ *The threat of a severe punishment for all oppressors is looming large over their head and the unjust practitioners of crime should not become carefree because Allah Azzawajal has given them respite.* _Let them not be deluded by the idea that Allah Azzawajal is not aware of their wrongdoings reasoning by that they think they are flourishing despite their crimes and for which nothing unwelcome happens to them, nor does any punishment visits them._ *This infact is not true.* Instead of all that they should presuppose, everything they are doing is all within the knowledge of Allah Azzawajal, but HE SWT, in HIS mercy and wisdom, is giving them respite till the Day of resurrection so that the wrongdoers may increase in sin until, when HE SWT seizes him and will not let him go.

*_Such is the punishment of your Lord, when HE punishes the cities that are given to wrongdoing; verily HIS punishment is painful and severe.] (Hud 11: 102)_*

_On the Day of Resurrection such horrifying scenes will be seen by the people that the eyes of the wrongdoing persons will remain staring in terror. They did not believe in the occurrence of the Day of Resurrection, therefore, they will be wonder struck by these scenes, wondering in what world have they come !_

*_Act of the Day is:_* to understand that *wrongdoing* includes wrongdoing towards one’s Lord (that is disobedience and sin) and wrongdoing towards the slaves of Allah Azzawajal by means of oppression and creating obstacles.‼️ The persecution in Makkah was high and the companions of the Noble Prophet SAWS were loosing hope as to when the help of Allah Azzawajal will descend. *With the revelation of this Ayah, the hearts of the Prophet SAWS and his companions became peaceful.* _Their fighting spirit increased. They increased their efforts to develop the religion of Allah Azzawajal. The more severe the pressure and persecution of the polytheists was, the more their efforts increased to spread Islam, because they believed that Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la will surely keep HIS promise._

–To understand that although this Ayah is addressed to Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam, but what is meant is the entire Ummah of Prophet SAWS even living today. *Therefore, the believers do not need to be influenced by the lives of oppressors who are full of luxury and pleasure, as if they are a people favored by Allah SWT.* All of this is only a trial from HIM and is temporary in nature, until the appointed time, namely a day full of chaos and misery, a day when human eyes widen in fear of facing the retribution that Allah Azzawajal will implement.

*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la strengthen our Imaan and grant HIS help against all sorts of oppression against the Ummah. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen_*

JazaK Allâhu khair!

Surah Ibrahim – Ayah 40 & 41

*_Today’s Thought for the day is from Surah Ibrahim Ayat 40-41_*

*رَبِّ اجۡعَلۡنِیۡ مُقِیۡمَ الصَّلٰوۃِ وَ مِنۡ ذُرِّیَّتِیۡ رَبَّنَا وَ تَقَبَّلۡ دُعَآءِ(40)*

*رَبَّنَا اغۡفِرۡ لِیۡ وَ لِوَالِدَیَّ وَ لِلۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ یَوۡمَ یَقُوۡمُ الۡحِسَابُ.(41)*

*_”My Lord! Make me an establisher of prayer, and (also) from my offsprings. Our Lord! And accept my prayers.”(40)_*

*_”Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and the believers on the Day when the account will established.”(41)_*

حقیقت یہ کہ میرا ربّ ضرور دعا سنتا ہے ۔ اے میرے پروردگار ، مجھے نماز قائم کرنے والا بنا اور میری اولاد سے بھی﴿ایسے لوگ اٹھا جو یہ کام کریں﴾ ۔ پروردگار ، میری دعا قبول کر.(40)

پروردگار ، مجھے اور میرے والدین کو اور سب ایمان لانے والوں کو اس دن معاف کر دیجیو جب کہ حساب قائم ہوگا.(41)

The Ayat describes the Dua for all the times. _Prophet Ibrahim A.S., prays for both branches of his family, having a wider vision. *Having prayed for his progeny, Ibrahim A.S, also prays for Allah Azzawajal’s Grace on himself, his parents, and the whole Brotherhood of Faith, irrespective of family or race or time, to be perfected in the ideal of Islam.‼️*_

Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) included his mushrik father in his prayer because he had made promise that he would pray to his Lord for his forgiveness (Surah Maryam, Ayat 48). But afterwards, when he realized that he should not pray for his forgiveness because he was an enemy of Allah, he absolved himself of that promise. (Surah At-Tauba, Ayat 114).(Please Refer S19:A46 and S21:52, 68 for details on Ibrahim A.S. father’s enmity towards him and Islam).

_At the final Reckoning, all that may seem inequality or injustice in this world will be redressed. But the merits of the best of us will need Allah’s Grace to establish us in that lasting felicity which is promised to the righteous. *And Ibrahim A.S., as the father of Prophecy, prayed for all – for the Universal Faith perfected in Islam.*_

*_Act for the Day is:_* To understand that Salah is one of the important pillar of the religion that differentiates it’s performer from the disbeliever.‼️ Establishing Salah is a also form of expressing gratitude towards HIS blessings. People who always pray, it will be easy for them to carry out other acts of worship and pious deeds. Prayer can purify the soul and body because prayer can prevent humans from committing vile and evil acts, as Allah SWT says:
*_Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, ˹genuine˺ prayer should deter ˹one˺ from indecency and wickedness. The remembrance of Allah is ˹an˺ even greater ˹deterrent˺. And Allah ˹fully˺ knows what you ˹all˺ do. (Surah Ankabut 29:45)_*

Therefore we should always make Dua starting with ourselves and our progeny. We should be worried about our progeny and their adherence to Islam.

_Let’s memorise these Duas and seek Allah Azzawajal’s forgiveness and Grace for all._

*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la forgive our sins and accept our good deeds. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen_*

JazaK Allâhu Khair!

Surah Ibrahim – Ayah 39

*_Today’s Thought for the day is from Surah Ibrahim Ayah 39_*

*اَلۡحَمۡدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِىۡ وَهَبَ لِىۡ عَلَى الۡـكِبَرِ اِسۡمٰعِيۡلَ وَاِسۡحٰقَ‌ؕ اِنَّ رَبِّىۡ لَسَمِيۡعُ الدُّعَآءِ .(39)*

*_Praise be to Allah Who, despite my old age, has bestowed upon me Isma‘eel and Is-haq, for verily my Lord hears all prayers.(39)_*

خدا کا شکر ہے جس نے مجھ کو بڑی عمر میں اسماعیل اور اسحاق بخشے۔ بےشک میرا پروردگار سننے والا ہے.(39)

Having children is one of the greatest of blessings from Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la, and the fact that they were born despite his old age, at a time when one gives up all hope of having children, is another blessing; and the fact that they were righteous Prophets is a enhanced blessing.‼️ *A person who attains old age desires to have children more keenly, because children represent the extension of one’s life into another generation.* _This is a great feeling for an elderly person who begins to think life is approaching its end. The need to feel the continuity represented by children is thus instinctive._ Allah Azzawajal granted Prophet Ibrahim AS two sons Prophet Ismail AS and Prophet Ishaq AS in this old age. Hence, Ibrahim(AS) praises Allah Azzawajal and prays for more of HIS grace. *Prophet Ibrahim AS provides an example for all believers that they must not forget Allah Azzawajal’s grace, and they must always be thankful for it.*

*_Act of the Day is:_* to understand and learn the practice of patience and gratitude from the life of Prophet Ibrahim Alahis salam.‼️ He had a long journey of trials fulfilling the commands of Allah Azzawajal right from a time when he was abandoned by his father and people for propagating Tauheed till he reached old age where having children was a remote possibility, then he was blessed with children in the form of Prophet Ismail (AS) and Prophet Ishaq (AS) from whom all the lineage of Prophets descended. The prayer of Prophet Ibrahim(AS ) to Allah Azzawajal was
*رَبِّ هَبۡ لِىۡ مِنَ الصّٰلِحِيۡن*
*_Lord, grant me a righteous child.”(Surah Saffat 37:100)_*

This should be the Dua each one of should make for desiring a righteous child who should be coolness of our eyes and a source of building our Aakhirah rather than Duniya. As Allah Azzawajal always listens and grants our sincere Duas as HE SWT is always near and definitely responds.

*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la grant us the ability to always remain grateful for all of HIS blessings and grant us children who are the coolness of our eyes and become a source of gaining the Aakhirah. Aameen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen._*

JazaK Allâhu khair!

Surah Ibrahim – Ayah 38

*_Today’s Thought for the day is from Surah Ibrahim Ayah 38_*

*رَبَّنَاۤ اِنَّكَ تَعۡلَمُ مَا نُخۡفِىۡ وَمَا نُعۡلِنُ‌ ؕ وَمَا يَخۡفٰى عَلَى اللّٰهِ مِنۡ شَىۡءٍ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ وَلَا فِى السَّمَآءِ.(38)*

*_Our Lord, verily You know what we conceal and what we disclose; from Allah, verily nothing is hidden on earth or in the heavens.(38)_*

اے پروردگار جو بات ہم چھپاتے اور جو ظاہر کرتے ہیں تو سب جانتا ہے۔ اور خدا سے کوئی چیز مخفی نہیں (نہ) زمین میں نہ آسمان میں.(38)

The Ayah describes the perfection of Allah Azzawajal’s knowledge.‼️ Prophet Ibrahim(AS) prayed for making the city of Makkah a place of Peace and to make it abundantly supplied with fruits. He prayed for harmony to be developed between the people and his family. With this words in the Ayah Prophet Ibrahim(AS) intended to Allah Azzawajal to make him and his family obedient slaves so that with this provision they can make best use of it and propagate the Deen of Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la and remain thankful.

*_Act of the Day is_* to understand the vastness and the knowledge of Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la and nothing is hidden from HIM and there is no ONE like HIM.‼️ _Whenever we are making Dua we should keep in mind that Allah Azzawajal is aware of our intentions, sometime we ask Allah Azzawajal verbally to grant us a thing but Allah Azzawajal knows whether that thing which we will be granted us will be of benefit or harm us, HE SWT knows whether we will use that granted thing for good or bad purpose therefore we should thank Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la for his Wisdom for either granting or delaying our Dua._

*_May Allah Azzawajal grant us the ability to always humbly submit to HIS wisdom and decisions and save us from the things which can make us to loose our Deen and Aakhirah. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen._*

JazaK Allâhu khair!

Surah Ibrahim – Ayah 37

*_Today’s Thought for the day is from Surah Ibrahim Ayah 37_*

*رَبَّنَاۤ اِنِّىۡۤ اَسۡكَنۡتُ مِنۡ ذُرِّيَّتِىۡ بِوَادٍ غَيۡرِ ذِىۡ زَرۡعٍ عِنۡدَ بَيۡتِكَ الۡمُحَرَّمِۙ رَبَّنَا لِيُقِيۡمُوۡا الصَّلٰوةَ فَاجۡعَلۡ اَ فۡـئِدَةً مِّنَ النَّاسِ تَهۡوِىۡۤ اِلَيۡهِمۡ وَارۡزُقۡهُمۡ مِّنَ الثَّمَرٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَشۡكُرُوۡنَ‏.(37)*

*_Our Lord, I have settled some of my offspring in a valley without cultivation, by Your Sacred House, O our Lord, so that they may establish prayer. So make the hearts of some people incline towards them, and provide them with fruits, so that they may give thanks.(37)_*

اے پروردگار میں نے اپنی اولاد کو میدان (مکہ) میں جہاں کھیتی نہیں تیرے عزت (وادب) والے گھر کے پاس لابسائی ہے۔ اے پروردگار تاکہ یہ نماز پڑھیں تو لوگوں کے دلوں کو ایسا کر دے کہ ان کی طرف جھکے رہیں اور ان کو میوؤں سے روزی دے تاکہ (تیرا) شکر کریں.(37)

Prophet Ibrahim(AS) brought Hajar and her son Isma‘il( AS), who was still an infant, from Greater Syria by the orders of Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la and left them in Makkah which at that time was not inhabited and there was no one there. When he left them there, he offered this supplication to his Lord, beseeching HIM and putting his trust in his Lord.‼️
*As he settled only Prophet Ismail (AS) in Makkah and not Ishaq(AS) therefore he said in the Dua as some of the Offspring and not all.* _The most important purpose of Settling them near the Sacred House was to establish Salah._ As Makkah is still a dry barren land surrounded by stony hills with scorching heat he prayed for inclining the hearts of some people towards them and to grant them the provision of fruits so that they remain thankful.
*Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la granted this prayer of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).* _That was why people from the whole of Arabia used to come there for Hajj and Umrah at the time of the revelation of this Surah, and now people gather there from all over the world._

_Besides this, there is plenty of food and fruit in all seasons of the year, though the valley is absolutely barren and no vegetation grows in it even for animals._

*_Act of the Day is:_* to understand that *Establishing Salah* is one of the most important and most virtuous acts of worship; whoever establishes Salah has established his religion.‼️ *So this was the task for the performance of which they have migrated and for which they tolerated a life of poverty and lack of cultivation.* _This tells us that there can be no greater concern, or love or desire for the betterment of children than that they be made to become particular and punctual with their Salah._

—To understand the purpose of choosing a desert land, instead of a green and cultivable land for the House of Allah (Baitullah) is because the idea was that the cause of attraction for the people should be the inducement of religion and not the allurement of worldly charms, and they should get a purified environment where there should be full provision for the growth of faith and development of a virtuous soul. *HE SWT created in it something that attracts people’s hearts, so that people come on pilgrimage to it and can never have enough of it the more a person frequents it, the more he longs for it and feels attached to it.* That is because Allah has attributed it (the Kaaba) to Himself (by calling it His House.

*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la grant us the ability establish Salah at its appointed hours and grant everyone of us an opportunity to perform Hajj and Umrah. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen._*

JazaK Allâhu khair!

Surah Ibrahim – Ayah 36

*_Today’s Thought for the day is from Surah Ibrahim Ayah 36_*

*رَبِّ اِنَّہُنَّ اَضۡلَلۡنَ کَثِیۡرًا مِّنَ النَّاسِ ۚ فَمَنۡ تَبِعَنِیۡ فَاِنَّہٗ مِنِّیۡ ۚ وَ مَنۡ عَصَانِیۡ فَاِنَّکَ غَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِیۡمٌ(36)*

*_”My Lord! Indeed, they have led astray many among mankind. So whoever follows me, then indeed, he is of me; and whoever disobeys me, then indeed, You are Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”.(36)_*

پروردگار ، ان بتوں نے بہتوں کو گمراہی میں ڈالا ہے ﴿ ممکن ہے کہ میری اولاد کو بھی یہ گمراہ کر دیں ، لہٰذا ان میں سے ﴾ جو میرے طریقے پر چلے وہ میرا ہے اور جو میرے خلاف طریقہ اختیار کرے تو یقیناً تو درگزر کرنے والا مہربان ہے.(36)

_This is a figurative way of saying that idols have been the means of turning many people away from Allah’s Way into the ways of deviation that is the reason for Prophet Ibrahim(AS) seeking refuge from idol worship.‼️_ He had seen his own father and his people falling to the custom of idol worship which had led them deprived of betterment in their lives. Therefore in the concluding part of the prayer he left the case of disobedient people to the mercy and forgiveness of Allah Azzawajal for he could not bear to see them under Divine scourge.. _This forbearance shown towards those who followed a different way from the Right Way is an instance of Prophet Abraham’s leniency to mankind._

_Another instance of this has been cited in *Surah Hud.* When the angels were on their way to destroy the wicked people of Lot, *Prophet Abraham* began to plead for them: *”Abraham AS began to dispute with Us concerning the people of Lot for he was tender-hearted and merciful”,*_ (S11:A74-75).

_Likewise *Prophet Jesus AS* was so tender-hearted that even when Allah will show to him that his followers had deviated from the Right Way, he will plead their case: *”Now if you punish them, they are your own servants, and if you forgive them, you are All- Mighty and All-Wise”,*_ (S5:A118). Since Ibrahim AS was a prophet with abounding mercy which encompasses his disbelievers too. Every prophet wishes from the deep recesses of his heart that no one should ever be subjected to Divine punishment, not even a disbeliever. *So, it was this elemental wish of his that he expressed when he said: ‘then You are Most Forgiving, Very Merciful.’* He did not say precisely that *they be forgiven and treated mercifully*.

*_Act for the Day is:_* to understand that Shirk and idol-worship are sins for which there is no forgiveness, therefore, one should learn from the Dua for being shielded against this greatest sin.‼️ And if we take the ‘worship of idols’ mentioned in the text in its broader sense, *that is, everything which makes man heedless to Allah Azzawajal is his idol, and overcome by its love, when man takes the initiative and disobeys Allah Azzawajal, this then is, in a way, its worship.* Therefore Every (evil) desire is an idol in your way. So, in this prayer, that is, to be kept away from idol-worship, *there is a coverage of being kept away from all sins.*

–To understand that these idols have been the cause of straying of many men; This statement of Prophet Ibrahim AS is a historical fact, since most of the big nations of the world had been practicing idolatry, and this practice is continued from the time of Prophet Nuh AS till this day.❗ *The present day man has made great progress in the field of amassing knowledge, but even great civilized nations are today known to practise idolatry, that is the same lack of real knowledge which was the bane of the people of Prophet Ibrahim’s(AS) time.* _Idolatry’s being unreasonable is obvious, but it exercised such a magical spell over the people that they stuck to it. And in our country we see such scenes that the idolaters make their own gods and then take them in processions and drown them in lakes, rivers, or sea. Can it not be termed as bankruptcy of intelligence? If not, then what is it?_

*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la grant us the true understanding of the Deen and save us and our generations to come from the sin of Shirk and idolatory. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen_*

JazaK Allâhu Khair!