Thought for the day Archives - Page 9 of 24

Surah An Nahl – Ayah 63

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

*_Today’s Thought for the day is from Surah An-Nahl Ayah 63_*

*تَاللّٰهِ لَـقَدۡ اَرۡسَلۡنَاۤ اِلٰٓى اُمَمٍ مِّنۡ قَبۡلِكَ فَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيۡطٰنُ اَعۡمَالَهُمۡ فَهُوَ وَلِيُّهُمُ الۡيَوۡمَ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ اَلِيۡمٌ.(63)*

*_By Allah, We indeed sent [Messengers] to nations before you, but Shaytan made their deeds fair-seeming to them [the evildoers]. He is their ally today, and theirs will be a painful punishment.(63)_*

خدا کی قسم ہم نے تم سے پہلی امتوں کی طرف بھی پیغمبر بھیجے تو شیطان نے ان کے کردار (ناشائستہ) ان کو آراستہ کر دکھائے تو آج بھی وہی ان کا دوست ہے اور ان کے لیے عذاب الیم ہے.(63)

Allahﷻ comforts the Prophetﷺ not be grieved by the opposition from the people.‼️The Prophetﷺ is not the first Messenger to be rejected and opposed, as Allahﷻ swears by Himself *_By Allah, We indeed sent [Messengers] to nations before you]), calling them to affirm the oneness of Allahﷻ_* Those Arabs were not the first community to deviate from the path of the truth, nor were they the first to attribute to Allahﷻ what they did not accept for themselves. Other communities before them traversed the same deviation and false claims against Allahﷻ. *Shaitan made their concepts and actions seem fair to them and they accepted his bidding. Thus he became their master.* Allahﷻ then, sent HIS Messengers from time to time to save them, show them the truth and judge between them in their disputes over their faith. HEﷻ provided guidance to the believers and delivered a message that is an act of grace bestowed on them:

*_Act of the Day is:_* to understand the reason for the rejection of the truth by the people is they falling victim and getting misled by the *whisperings* of the shaitan.‼️ The shaitan blinds their thinking and the tactics employed by him is called as *Tazyeen* meaning *making it fair or decorative*, that is he makes them see their wrong deeds as seemingly fair and they get carried along with it and are deceived.

–To understand another reason to get deceived by shaitan is because of *hardening of the heart*. Because of this it becomes hard to accept the truth, hard to accept revelation, not to get impressed when reading the Qur’an, cannot accept advice from preachers. If the heart is hard, then the devil will succeed in leading them astray. As Allahﷻ says in Surah Al-An’am
*_But their hearts became hardened, and Shaitân (Satan) made fair-seeming to them that which they used to do.(6:43)_*

—To understand that all the Messengers Alahis salam called to the path of Allahﷻ which is the opposite of what shaitan calls to. Hence the one who takes shaitan as his guardian in this world will have again shaitan as his helper in the hereafter where he himself remains helpless against the torment and punishments of Allahﷻ.

*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la soften our hearts and save us from falling into the trap of shaitan. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen._*

JazaK Allâhu khair!

Surah An Nahl – Ayah 62

*_Today’s Thought for the day is from Surah An-Nahl Ayah 62_*

*وَيَجۡعَلُوۡنَ لِلّٰهِ مَا يَكۡرَهُوۡنَ وَتَصِفُ اَلۡسِنَـتُهُمُ الۡـكَذِبَ اَنَّ لَهُمُ الۡحُسۡنٰى‌ؕ لَا جَرَمَ اَنَّ لَهُمُ النَّارَ وَ اَنَّهُمۡ مُّفۡرَطُوۡنَ‏.(62)*

*_They ascribe to Allah that which they dislike [for themselves], and their tongues assert the falsehood that the better things will be theirs. Without a doubt for them is the fire, and they will be hastened on into it.(62)_*

اور یہ خدا کے لیے ایسی چیزیں تجویز کرتے ہیں جن کو خود ناپسند کرتے ہیں اور زبان سے جھوٹ بکے جاتے ہیں کہ ان کو (قیامت کے دن) بھلائی (یعنی نجات) ہوگی۔ کچھ شک نہیں کہ ان کے لیے (دوزخ کی) آگ (تیار) ہے اور یہ (دوزخ میں) سب سے آگے بھیجے جائیں گے.(62)

The Ayah once more condemns the pagans of ascribing daughters to Allahﷻ and sets aside their false claims of getting ease in the Hereafter.‼️ *The amazing thing is that those who associate partners with Allahﷻ assign to HIM what they dislike for themselves, whether daughters or other things.* _They then falsely claim that they will only have what is good in return for what they do and allege._ The word *تَصِفُ Tasifu* meaning *assert a thing* with their tongue that too a lie. They boast of good things of the world available to them because of these invented partners (of Allahﷻ), and if at all the trouble of the Hereafter occurs, these partners (angels) will intercede on their behalf and obtain their salvation.That is: they are dreaming of receiving good rewards, though Hell is going to be essentially their permanent abode, and they will be left therein in such a way that they will never get relief.

*_Act of the Day is:_* to always rely upon the Mercy of Allahﷻ for ease on the Day of retribution and entering into Jannah.‼️ *These Pagans had the false notion that they are guardians of the Kaaba therefore they deserve to receive Jannah.* This is a totally false concept they had in their mind. The word *مُفرَطونَ Muftarun* meaning *ignored or Forsaken* that is Jahannam is the abode where they will be thrown hurriedly and ignored to remain there permanently. This is like the Ayah: *_“So today We forget them just as they forgot meeting on this day of theirs.” (7:51)._*

*_May Allah ﷻ protect us and all our descendants from being included in this group. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen._*

JazaK Allâhu khair!

Surah An Nahl – Ayah 61

*_Today’s Thought for the day comes from Surah An-Nahl Ayah 61_*

*وَ لَوۡ یُؤَاخِذُ اللّٰہُ النَّاسَ بِظُلۡمِہِمۡ مَّا تَرَکَ عَلَیۡہَا مِنۡ دَآبَّۃٍ وَّ لٰکِنۡ یُّؤَخِّرُہُمۡ اِلٰۤی اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّی ۚ فَاِذَا جَآءَ اَجَلُہُمۡ لَا یَسۡتَاۡخِرُوۡنَ سَاعَۃً وَّ لَا یَسۡتَقۡدِمُوۡنَ(61)*
ا
*_”And If Allah were to seize (punish) Mankind for their wrongdoing, He would not have left upon it (earth), any moving creature, but He defers them for an appointed term. Then, when their term comes, they will not remain behind an Hour, nor can they advance it”.(61)_*

گر کہیں اللہ لوگوں کو ان کی زیادتی پر فورا ہی پکڑ لیا کرتا تو روئے زمین پر کسی متنفس کو نہ چھوڑتا ۔ لیکن وہ سب کو ایک وقت مقرر تک مہلت دیتا ہے ، پھر جب وہ وقت آجاتا ہے تو اس سے کوئی ایک گھڑی بھر بھی آگے پیچھے نہیں ہو سکتا.(61)

The Ayah describes the Divine mercy of Allahﷻ. HEﷻ withholds punishment, giving humans a chance to repent.‼️ _Allah’sﷻ decree works without fail. If he were to punish for every wrong or shortcoming, not a single living creature on earth would escape punishment. But in HIS infinite Mercy and Forgiveness, HEﷻ gives time for repentance._
_If repentance is forthcoming, then Allah’sﷻ Mercy is forthcoming without fail. If not, the punishment comes inevitably on the expiration of the term._

*_Act for the Day is:_* to understand that *Man is the only creature on earth that spreads corruption, commits injustice, denies his Creator, allows tyranny within his own social set up and inflicts harm on other species*❗. Yet despite all this, Allahﷻ is merciful to him, gives him one chance after another, and never abandons him altogether.

_To realise that Had Allahﷻ seized people on the spot for their transgression, HEﷻ would not have left alive any living creature on the Earth: but HEﷻ respites all for an appointed term._

_And that, the sinner cannot anticipate the time of punishment by an insolent challenge, nor can he delay it when the time arrives. Let him not think that time given mean that he can do what he likes, and that he can escape scot-free from the consequences._

*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la grant us the ability to repent sincerely to HIM and seek HIS forgiveness. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen_*

JazaK Allâhu Khair!

Surah An Nahl – Ayah 60

*_Today’s Thought for the day is from Surah An-Nahl Ayah 60_*

*لِلَّذِيۡنَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِالۡاٰخِرَةِ مَثَلُ السَّوۡءِ‌ۚ وَلِلّٰهِ الۡمَثَلُ الۡاَعۡلٰى‌ ؕ وَهُوَ الۡعَزِيۡزُ الۡحَكِيۡمُ .(60)*

*_Those who do not believe in the hereafter have evil attributes, and to Allah belong the most sublime attributes, for He is the Almighty, Most Wise.(60)_*

جو لوگ آخرت پر ایمان نہیں رکھتے ان ہی کے لیے بری باتیں (شایان) ہیں۔ اور خدا کو صفت اعلیٰ (زیب دیتی ہے) اور وہ غالب حکمت والا ہے.(60)

The Ayah condemns and highlights the evil trait of the disbelievers for attributing false things to Allahﷻ.‼️ These pagans apart from associating partners with Allah ﷻ also attributed falsely that Angels are HIS daughters. *Both these evils stem from denying the life to come.* _It is interlinked in people’s minds, leading to clear influences on the individual human society and life altogether. Because of this evil trait in them they considered the birth of girl child as a matter of disgrace for them and hiding from people which actually amounts to challenging *Divine wisdom* as the creation of male and female among the created is the very requisite of wisdom from Allah ﷻ._ *Hence the Ayah concludes with the perfect attributes of Allahﷻ that is Al-Aziz the Almighty as HE ﷻ sets everything in its right place and the Al-Hakeem The All-wise as HE ﷻ acts always on the basis of HIS infinite wisdom.* HE ﷻ certainly can punish people for their wrongdoing. Had HE ﷻ chosen to do so, HE ﷻ would have brought everything down over their heads. But in HIS wisdom, HEﷻ has decided to give them respite, for a definite term.

*_Act of the Day is:_* to understand that possesion of Evil traits is directly linked with Denial of Afterlife.‼️ *Those who have no belief in the Hereafter do essentially develop in themselves bad attributes, e.g. false beliefs, evil intentions, tendency to show off, jealousy and rancour, ill-gotten earnings, usurping other’s rights, wasteful spending, wrong doing and excesses etc.* _Therefore, they deserve to be compared with bad examples so that their condition may become clear to them. Accordingly in the Qur’an their belief of making someone other than Allahﷻ their master and controller has been likened to the weakest house, that of a spider (Surah Ankaboot – 41), they have been compared to blind and deaf persons (Surah Hood, 240), they are said to be like animals, which do not understand a thing. (Surah A’raf, -179)._

— *To understand that the attributes of Allahﷻ are excellent and sublime, therefore, about HIM only what may express HIS grandeur and excellence can be stated.* To say that the angels are Allah’sﷻ daughters is to attribute to HIM something which is very much below HIS dignity. Similarly to consider Allahﷻ like worldly kings, to say that people cannot present their needs before HIM and that is necessary to obtain some ‘Wasila’ or agency for this purpose, is nothing else but inventing false and improper examples for HIM.

*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la Strengthen our Imaan and grant us the capabilities to do the best to make our scales heavy in Aakhirah. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen._*

JazaK Allâhu khair!

Surah An Nahl – Ayah 58 & 59

*_Today’s Thought for the day is from Surah An-Nahl Ayat 58 & 59_*

*وَاِذَا بُشِّرَ اَحَدُهُمۡ بِالۡاُنۡثٰى ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهٗ مُسۡوَدًّا وَّهُوَ كَظِيۡمٌ‌ۚ.(58)*

*يَتَوَارٰى مِنَ الۡقَوۡمِ مِنۡ سُوۡۤءِ مَا بُشِّرَ بِهٖ ؕ اَيُمۡسِكُهٗ عَلٰى هُوۡنٍ اَمۡ يَدُسُّهٗ فِى التُّـرَابِ‌ ؕ اَلَا سَآءَ مَا يَحۡكُمُوۡنَ.(59)*

*_When news is brought to one of them of [the birth of] a female infant, his face darkens and he is filled with inward grief.(58)_*

*_He hides away from people because of the bad news he has been given. Should he keep her and feel disgraced or bury her in the dust? How evil is their estimate of Allah!(59)_*

حالانکہ جب ان میں سے کسی کو بیٹی (کے پیدا ہونے) کی خبر ملتی ہے تو اس کا منہ (غم کے سبب) کالا پڑ جاتا ہے اور (اس کے دل کو دیکھو تو) وہ اندوہناک ہوجاتا ہے.(58)

اور اس خبر بد سے (جو وہ سنتا ہے) لوگوں سے چھپتا پھرتا ہے (اور سوچتا ہے) کہ آیا ذلت برداشت کرکے لڑکی کو زندہ رہنے دے یا زمین میں گاڑ دے۔ دیکھو یہ جو تجویز کرتے ہیں بہت بری ہے.(59)

The Ayat paints a grim picture of the practices of ignorance.‼️ *The Pagan Arab is sad and angry, trying to suppress his fury, as though the birth of a girl is a disaster when she is a gift from Allahﷻ, just like any boy.* _These Arabs followed the tribal system, in which security and defence had special importance. This aspect was strong in their thinking that birth of daughters was unwelcome for them. The mentality of the society was so corrupt that it considered the birth of a daughter as something to be abhorred to such an extent that whenever a man received the news that a daughter was born to him, his face used to darken with sorrow and he used to be overtaken by gloom. If he brought her up, he did so thinking it to be a disgrace, or to avoid this he used to bury her alive. The image of this brutal practice of the Arabs is drawn in these ayat, so that they may realize how wrong is their mentality_

There were several ways in which the pre-Islamic Arabs disposed off their new-born female children. Some of them dug a hole in the ground and buried the infant alive. Others threw them down a cliff, yet others slit their throat, etc.

*_Act of the Day is:_* to understand that Whenever human society deviates from the true faith, ignorant concepts begin to raise their ugly faces. In fact we see the same concepts that prevailed then creeping up again today.‼️ *Many social classes do not welcome the birth of a girl. It is often the case that a woman is not treated on an equal footing with a man.* _She is not offered the same care or respect. This is an aspect of paganism the seeds of which were planted with the deviation from the true Islamic faith that has affected many communities._ Hence the sign of a true Believer is that he becomes Happy and Glad when he receives the news of a daughter being born.

—To understand that Man cannot fashion the foetus in the womb so as to determine the sex of his child. He cannot breathe life into it, or make the fertilized egg a human being. It is sufficient to reflect how life grows, by Allah’sﷻ will, from a sperm into a human being, to make the birth of a child, of either sex, a joyous occasion. It is a miracle of creation despite the fact that it takes place all the time. Why should a man who is given a daughter feel sad and gloomy when he himself has no say in any stage of the process of creation. It is all done by Allahﷻ, while he himself is only the means to accomplish Allah’sﷻ will.

–To understand that it is divine wisdom that has determined that life is started with a couple: a male and a female.❗ *This means that the woman is as essential to the continuation of life as the man, indeed more so, because it is inside the woman that the first stage of life is completed.* _How can a man thus feel sad when given the news of the birth of a daughter❓ Why does he hide away, feeling ashamed, when life cannot continue and prosper without both spouses❓_ *This is obviously then a case of deviant social concepts and traditions.* Hence the Ayat concludes with“ How Evil is their estimate of Allah!”.

*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la strengthen our Imaan and save us from falling into despair and sin. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen._*

JazaK Allâhu khair!

Surah An Nahl – Ayah 57

*_Today’s Thought for the day is from Surah An-Nahl Ayah 57_*

*وَيَجۡعَلُوۡنَ لِلّٰهِ الۡبَـنٰتِ سُبۡحٰنَهٗ‌ۙ وَلَهُمۡ مَّا يَشۡتَهُوۡنَ‏.(57)*

*_And they ascribe daughters to Allah – glory be to Him! – but for themselves they choose what they desire [sons].(57)_*

اور یہ لوگ خدا کے لیے تو بیٹیاں تجویز کرتے ہیں۔ (اور) وہ ان سے پاک ہے اور اپنے لیے (بیٹے) جو مرغوب ودلپسند ہیں.(57)

The Ayah describes another evil innovation of the Pagan Arabs.‼️ *These Pagan Arabs used to consider angels as the daughters of Allahﷻ, which was a baseless assumption.* _To have daughters was a disgraceful thing for them, as they liked to have only sons. They considered bringing up daughters is financially burdensome and they will not contribute anything for increase in their income. Thus they had set a lower standard for Allahﷻ than what standard they had set for themselves. This evil mentality of theirs is reproached here._

*_Act of the Day is:_* to understand that Allahﷻ is most perfect and pure than having children.‼️ HEﷻ does not need children. We creatures do need children for our survival. We need children to complete our lives. The word *سُبْحٰنَهٗ Subhanahu* used here is because HEﷻ is more pure and perfect than what they are attributing to HIM.

—To understand that Deviation from the correct faith is not limited to beliefs. Indeed when people deviate from the essence of Imaan, their deviation spreads into their social life and its traditions. Whether Imaan is given prominence or kept in the background in any society, it continues to be the prime influence on living conditions. The pagan views about girls was a totally misconception as they thought that she needed to be fed, placing a burden on family resources. *The true faith is free of all such misconceptions.* All sustenance is provided by Allahﷻ for everyone. None will take anything more than what is assigned to him or her. Moreover, human beings, male and female, are given by Allahﷻ a position of honour. *In Islam, a woman is a human being, equal to man in status. She is the other half of the human entity, as Islam states.*

This Ayah reminds us to:

1. To recognize Allah’sﷻ perfection and transcendence.
2. To reject harmful cultural norms and biases.
3. To value and respect all individuals, regardless of gender.

*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la grant us the true understanding of the Deen and save us from wrongful and sinful practices. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen._*

JazaK Allâhu khair!

Surah An Nahl – Ayah 56

*_Today’s Thought for the day is from Surah An-Nahl Ayah 56_*

*وَيَجۡعَلُوۡنَ لِمَا لَا يَعۡلَمُوۡنَ نَصِيۡبًا مِّمَّا رَزَقۡنٰهُمۡ‌ؕ تَاللّٰهِ لَـتُسۡـئَلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنۡتُمۡ تَفۡتَرُوۡنَ.(56)*

*_They allocate a portion of the sustenance We have given them to those whose reality they do not even know. By Allah, you will surely be called to account for the lies you have been fabricating.(56)_*

اور ہمارے دیئے ہوئے مال میں سے ایسی چیزوں کا حصہ مقرر کرتے ہیں جن کو جانتے ہی نہیں۔ (کافرو) خدا کی قسم کہ جو تم افتراء کرتے ہو اس کی تم سے ضرور پرسش ہوگی.(56)

The Ayah describes the ignorance and wrongdoing of the polytheists, and how they fabricated lies against Allahﷻ.‼️ _They divided the provisions of sustenance Allahﷻ gave them, their crops and cattle into two portions, assigning one to Allahﷻ and claiming that they did this in accordance with Allah’sﷻ law. They assigned the other portion to the deities they invented and who they considered as partners with Allahﷻ having power over their lives, wealth and children._

Having done so, they dealt unfairly with the portion they assigned to Allahﷻ. By one device and another they increased the share of the false deities. They used to add a part of it to the portion assigned to their other deities or partners and never did the same with the other portion belonging to Allahﷻ which only showed that their heart lay with those sham partners rather than with Allahﷻ.

*_Act of thr Day is:_* to understand the gravity of idolatry and false worship.‼️Here Allah ﷻ swears by HIS name and this shows the magnitude of the matter to be conveyed and warns those of practicing shirk to be ready for accountability.

–To understand that it is sheer ingratitude to ascribe the acts of benevolence and grace of the true Benefactor to the intercession of others, and to associate them with Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la in thanksgiving.

–To understand that To Allahﷻ alone belong all the bounties that has been given to man, and only HIS Law should therefore determine what part of those bounties should be offered to HIM in thanksgiving and how the remaining should be spent. It is absolutely wrong to act as a law-maker who could ascribe shares to Allahﷻ and others as one wishes. The authority of God head to legislate only and solely belongs to Allahﷻ Alone.

*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la grant us the true and right knowledge of the Deen and save us from falling into the trap of shirk and Deviations. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen._*

JazaK Allâhu khair!

Surah An Nahl – Ayah 54 & 55

*_Today’s Thought for the day is from Surah An-Nahl Ayat 54 & 55_*

*ثُمَّ اِذَا كَشَفَ الضُّرَّ عَنۡكُمۡ اِذَا فَرِيۡقٌ مِّنۡكُمۡ بِرَبِّهِمۡ يُشۡرِكُوۡنَۙ.(54)*

*لِيَكۡفُرُوۡا بِمَاۤ اٰتَيۡنٰهُمۡ‌ؕ فَتَمَتَّعُوۡا‌ ۖ فَسَوۡفَ تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ.(55)*

*_Yet when He has relieved you of your misfortune, some of you ascribe partners to their Lord, (54)_*

*_Showing their ingratitude for what We have given them. Take your pleasure now, but you will soon know the consequences.(55)_*

پھر جب وہ تم سے تکلیف کو دور کردیتا ہے تو کچھ لوگ تم میں سے خدا کے ساتھ شریک کرنے لگتے ہیں.(54)

تاکہ جو (نعمتیں) ہم نے ان کو عطا فرمائی ہیں ان کی ناشکری کریں تو (مشرکو) دنیا میں فائدے اٹھالو۔ عنقریب تم کو (اس کا انجام) معلوم ہوجائے گا.(55)

The Ayat is a sobering critique of human ingratitude and warns them against the consequences of such behaviour.‼️ *These type of human beings are found across every generation.* _When harm and affliction strikes, people’s hearts turn to Allahﷻ for help. By nature, they know that HEﷻ is the only One to protect them when no one else can. In times of comfort and pleasure, they are preoccupied with enjoyment, weakening their relationship with Allahﷻ_. *Thus they wrong themselves by denying the blessings that Allahﷻ has bestowed upon them.* _When HEﷻ saved them from hardship and brings them ease they begin to ascribe some of HIS helpless creation as partners to HIM. They deviate from His path, following diverse ways which may lead to outright idolatry. The polytheists consider it to be the favour of some gods or goddesses, and among Muslims, those who indulge in polytheistic practices, think that it was due to the favour from ‘Aulia’ (Saints) or ‘peers’, they offer ‘nazr’ and ‘niaz’ in their names. This kind of polytheism among the Muslims was not found in the first century of Islam. This was invented later on, and now it has become so common that a large number of the present day Muslims do not consider it polytheism at all and if only they could see their faces and claims in the mirror of these ayat!_

*_Act of the Day is:_* to introspect and realise the favours and blessings of Allahﷻ in our life.‼️ *There is clear warning* for showing ingratitude and the respite people get for such behaviour is only temporary in this world and they will realise their error in the Hereafter which results in suffering which is bound to be eternal.

Let’s do sincerely a self introspection and Reflect upon the following questions:

1. Do we remain grateful to Allahﷻ after receiving blessings?
2. Do we associate anyone or anything with Allah’sﷻ authority?
3. How can we maintain a pure and steadfast faith?

*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la grant us the the true understanding of the Deen and save us from falling into the trap of shirk and Bidah. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen._*

JazaK Allâhu khair!

Surah An Nahl – Ayah 53

*_Today’s Thought for the day is from Surah An-Nahl Ayah 53_*
ا
*وَمَا بِكُمۡ مِّنۡ نّـِعۡمَةٍ فَمِنَ اللّٰهِ‌ ثُمَّ اِذَا مَسَّكُمُ الضُّرُّ فَاِلَيۡهِ تَجْئَرُوۡنَ‌ۚ‏.(53)*

*_Whatever blessing you have, it is from Allah, then when misfortune afflicts you, it is to Him that you cry out for help.(53)_*

اور جو نعمتیں تم کو میسر ہیں سب خدا کی طرف سے ہیں۔ پھر جب تم کو کوئی تکلیف پہنچتی ہے تو اسی کے آگے چلاتے ہو.(53)

This Ayah is a poignant reminder of the reason to worship Allahﷻ Alone as HEﷻ is only ONE who grants us all the blessings we have and eases our struggles in times of difficulties.‼️ *HEﷻ is the sole source of all internal and external blessings.* The word *نِّعمَةٍ Niyamah* means favour irrespective of whether it is external or internal. As Allahﷻ says
*_And if you should count the blessings of Allah, you would not be able to number them Surah Nahl 16:18_*
So the implied message is that when all the blessings we have are from Allahﷻ, then we should follow HIS instructions.

Attention is now drawn towards another sign – one observable even in the lives of those who deny the Truth❗. *When either some great calamity befalls a man or when death starkly stares him in the face, it is only to Allahﷻ that he turns for refuge*. _On such occasions even the staunchest polytheists forget their false gods and cry out to the One True God, and even the most rabid atheists stretch out their hands in prayer to HIM. This phenomenon is mentioned here in order to draw an instructive lesson. *It shows that devotion to Allahﷻ and monotheism(Fitrah) are ingrained in the human soul*._ No matter how overlaid this truth might be, some day it shakes off man’s heedlessness and ignorance and manifests itself fully.

*_Act of the Day is:_* to understand that *Tawheed monotheism,* as an inherent trait, is embedded in everybody’s nature, but in normal circumstances, it is obscured by one’s negligence, arrogance ignorance, fanaticism and superstition.‼️ _Let’s not assume Allah’sﷻ blessings as the consequences of our own struggle, education and our own administrative ability or as a result of our luck or chances. By contrast let’s show gratitude to Allahﷻ for whatever of blessings are given to us, even the most insignificant ones in our eyes are only from as HIM._

Therefore let us recognise
1. Allah’sﷻ sovereignty and providence.
2. Human vulnerability and dependence on Allahﷻ
3. The importance of gratitude and consistent devotion.
4. The test of prosperity and adversity.
5. The need for consistent faith and worship.

*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la grant us the ability to always remain grateful to HIM through our Obedience for all HIS favours and blessings. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen._*

JazaK Allâhu khair!

Surah An Nahl – Ayah 52

*_Today’s Thought for the day is from Surah An-Nahl Ayah 52_*

*وَلَهٗ مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ وَلَهُ الدِّيۡنُ وَاصِبًا‌ ؕ اَفَغَيۡرَ اللّٰهِ تَـتَّـقُوۡنَ‏.(52)*

*_To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth, and constant obedience is due to Him alone. Will you then fear anyone other than Allah?(52)_*

اور جو کچھ آسمانوں میں اور جو کچھ زمین میں ہے سب اسی کا ہے اور اسی کی عبادت لازم ہے۔ تو تم خدا کے سوا اوروں سے کیوں ڈرتے ہو.(52)

This Ayah is a powerful affirmation of Allah’sﷻ sovereignty and sole authority.‼️This whole universe belongs to Allahﷻ totally. When the word *لَهُ Lahu* is placed at the beginning of a sentence, then it carries an *exclusive* meaning that is *No one owns this universe except Allahﷻ Alone.* Therefore, there is no place for us to depend on or go to except in the realm created by Allahﷻ. When Allahﷻ created this world and Allahﷻ owns it, why do we want to look for other gods?

_The word *”Ad-Deen” الدّينُ* which here means *obedience with the full sincerity of heart,* and *‘Wasib’ واصِبًا* used here means *essential and permanent.* It means that the essential and consistent obedience is our obligation to Allahﷻ. This obedience is neither temporary, casual nor dependent on anybody’s choice, but as a slave of Allahﷻ man’s relation with HIM must be of this nature only, and it must be from the bottom of his heart, and not merely a formal, ceremonial or mechanical following of the rule._

*_Act of the Day is:_* to understand that Everything belongs to Allahﷻ Alone and all the *power belongs exclusively to HIM Alone* and among the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth none of them possess any power to cause us harm or benefit us. It is only Allahﷻ Who gives and bestows kindness. Therefore *Fear and reverence should be directed to Allah Alone*.‼️
There are other types of paganic believers who keep worshipping different deities for fear that they may cause harm to them. Thia type of practice is ‘familiar to many barbaric races.’ There are still a ‘numerous though oppressed people in Mesopotamia and adjacent countries’ known as Yazidis or *Devil-worshippers.* ‘This remarkable sect is distinguished by a special form of *dualism*. _While recognizing the existence of a Supreme Being, their peculiar reverence is given to Satan, chief of the angelic host, who now has the means of doing evil to mankind, and in his restoration will base the power of rewarding them._

–This Ayah reminds us that
1. Allah’sﷻ absolute authority and dominion.
2. The futility of fearing anyone or anything besides Allahﷻ.
3. The importance of devotion and loyalty to Allahﷻ Alone.
4. The need for trust and reliance on Allahﷻ Alone (tawakkul).

*_May Allah Subhanahu wa taa’la strengthen our Imaan and grant us the ability to develop Taqwa in all spheres of life. Aa’meen Ya’Rabbul Aa’lameen._*

JazaK Allâhu khair!