Quranic Reflection No 740. Ayat 3:104 – Imam al-Husayn against Munkar

Bismillah. وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ ۚ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ There has to be a nation among you summoning to the good, bidding what is right, and forbidding what is wrong. It is they who are the felicitous. (Sūrat Āli ‘Imrān, No. 3, Āyat 104) In his own blessed … Read more

Quranic Reflection No 739. Ayat 72: 26 & 27 – Imam al-Husayn’s Knowledge of His Fate

Bismillah. عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ فَلَا يُظْهِرُ عَلَىٰ غَيْبِهِ أَحَدًا  إِلَّا مَنِ ارْتَضَىٰ مِن رَّسُولٍ Knower of the Unseen, He does not disclose His [knowledge of the] Unseen to anyone, except to an apostle He approves of. (Sūrat al-Jinn, No. 72, Āyāt 26-27) These two verses in Sūrat al-Jinn initially affirm that the knowledge of the unseen … Read more

Quranic Reflection No 738. Āyāt 3:61 – The Event of Mubāhalah

Bismillah. فَمَنْ حَآجَّكَ فِيهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْاْ نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءنَا وَأَبْنَاءكُمْ وَنِسَاءنَا وَنِسَاءكُمْ وَأَنفُسَنَا وأَنفُسَكُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَل لَّعْنَةُ اللّهِ عَلَى الْكَاذِبِينَ And whoever disputes with you concerning him, after what has come to you of knowledge, say: ‘Come! Let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your … Read more

Quranic Reflection No 737. Āyāt 29:41 – A parable: Fragile supports and the spider’s home

Bismillah. مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ كَمَثَلِ الْعَنكَبُوتِ اتَّخَذَتْ بَيْتًا وَإِنَّ أَوْهَنَ الْبُيُوتِ لَبَيْتُ الْعَنكَبُوتِ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ The example of those who take guardians other than Allah is like that of the spider who takes a home. And indeed, the weakest of homes is the home of the spider, if only they … Read more

Quranic Reflection No 736. Āyāt 30: 2 – 4, Byzantium’s Victory: A Prophecy Fulfilled

Bismillah. غُلِبَتِ الرُّومُ‏ فِي أَدْنَى الْأَرْضِ وَهُم مِّن بَعْدِ غَلَبِهِمْ سَيَغْلِبُونَ‏ فِي بِضْعِ سِنِينَ The Byzantines has been vanquished in a nearby land, but they, after their defeat, will be victorious in a few years. (Sūrat al-Rūm No. 30, Āyāt 2-4) At the time Islam emerged in the Arabian Peninsula, two dominant world powers stood … Read more

Quranic Reflection No 735. Āyāt 62:4 – God’s Favor upon the Prophet (s) and the Arabs

Bismillah. ذَٰلِكَ فَضْلُ اللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ That is Allah’s grace, which He grants to whomever He wishes, and Allah is dispenser of a great grace. (Sūrat al-Jumu‘ah No. 62, Āyat 4) The above verse from Sūrat al-Jumu‘ah follows Allah’s mention of His favor upon the unlettered (ummiyyūn) Arabs—how He … Read more

Quranic Reflection No 734. Āyāt 61:4 – Social Relationship between Believers

Bismillah. اِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِهِ صَفًّا كَأَنَّهُم بُنْيَانٌ مَّرْصُوصٌ Indeed, Allah loves those who fight in His way in ranks, as if they were a firm and compact wall. (Sūrat al-Saff, no.61, Āyat 4) A believing community is made up of people who support one another in the journey towards Allah ‘azza wajall. Relationships between … Read more

Quranic Reflection No 733. Āyāt 87:9 – The Purpose of Reminders

Bismillah. All Quran tafsīr lectures in English by Shī ‘ah Muslims available here فَذَكِّرْ إِن نَّفَعَتِ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ So, remind, for reminding is indeed beneficial (Sūrat Al-A‘lā No 87 Āyat 9) It is not uncommon for a person to experience boredom or restlessness when listening to lectures that feel repetitive. When the content appears familiar, one may question the … Read more

Quranic Reflection No 732. Āyāt 16:71 – Differences in Provision

Bismillah.Have you seen the updated list of English Quran Tafsir lectures? وَٱللَّهُ فَضَّلَ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍۢ فِى ٱلرِّزْقِ ۚ فَمَا ٱلَّذِينَ فُضِّلُوا۟ بِرَآدِّى رِزْقِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُمْ فَهُمْ فِيهِ سَوَآءٌ ۚ أَفَبِنِعْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ And Allah has favored some of you over others in provision. But those who were favored would not hand over their provision … Read more

Quranic Reflection No 731. Āyāt 18:110 – Hope in meeting with Allah (swt)

Bismillah. فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا So, whoever hopes to encounter his Lord—let him act righteously and not associate anyone with the worship of his Lord. (Sūrat al-Kahf No. 18, Āyat 110) According to this verse, the person who hopes to meet his Lord needs to do … Read more