Quran Reflections – English

Bismillāh,  اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ ۖ الْمِصْبَاحُ فِي زُجَاجَةٍ ۖ الزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ يُوقَدُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍزَيْتُونَةٍ لَا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍ يَكَادُ زَيْتُهَا يُضِيءُ وَلَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْهُ نَارٌ ۚ نُورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ ۗ يَهْدِي اللَّهُ لِنُورِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۚ وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّشَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is a niche wherein is a lamp—the lamp is in a glass, the glass as it were a glittering star—lit from a blessed olive tree, neither eastern nor western, whose oil almost lights up, though fire should not … Read more

Bismillāh. فَلَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى الْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ  Evil is the [final] abode of the arrogant  (Sūrat al-Nahl, No. 16, Āyat 29) One of the vices discussed in the books of ethics and noble character (akhlāq) is that of pride (takabbur). Pride is like self-conceit (‘ujb), but they differ in that pride is when a person sees themselves as being above … Read more

Bismillāh. 5 January 2024/22 Jumādā al-Ākhira 1445 وَلَكُمْ فِي الْقِصَاصِ حَيَاةٌ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ There is life for you in retribution, O you who possess intellects! Maybe you will refrain! (Sūrat al-Baqarah No. 2, Āyat 179) Criminal law in the Islamic tradition differs substantially from that which is found in the Common Law or Civil … Read more

Bismillāh. أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ Do people think that they will be left alone on saying: ‘We believe’, and that they will not be tested?  (Sūrat Al- ‘Ankabūt, No. 29, Āyat 2) At times in the Holy Quran, Allah ‘azza wajall asks us certain questions which act as a … Read more

Bismillāh. اَللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالاَرْضِ Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. (Surat al-Nur, No.24, Āyat 35) This is one of the most descriptive verses of the holy Quran. In this reflection, we focus on its opening sentence: Allah is the illumination of the heavens and the earth, and inshāAllah in a future Reflection, … Read more

Bismillāh Did you miss our ‘Umrah webinar? You can view the material, slides, and the recording at www.academyofislam.com/ali-672 فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ. إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ. إِنَّمَا سُلْطَانُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَهُ وَالَّذِينَ هُم بِهِ مُشْرِكُونَ When you recite the Quran, seek the protection of Allah against … Read more

Bismillāh. 15 December 2023/1 Jumādā al-Ākhira 1445 Did you miss our ‘Umrah webinar? You can view the material, slides, and the recording at www.academyofislam.com/ali-672 فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ. إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ. إِنَّمَا سُلْطَانُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَهُ وَالَّذِينَ هُم بِهِ مُشْرِكُونَ When you recite the Quran, … Read more

Bismillāh. Order printed copy of our latest publication Rabi’ and Jumada Devotions from www.amazon.com. The digital version can be downloaded from www.academyoislam.com/publications  يَا أَيُّهَا الْإِنسَانُ إِنَّكَ كَادِحٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ كَدْحًا فَمُلَاقِيهِ O human! Indeed, you are labouring towards your Lord laboriously, and you will encounter Him.  (Sūrat Al-Inshiqāq, No.84, Āyat 6) Allah ‘azza wajall describes the journey of … Read more

Bismillāh. Order printed copy of our latest publication Rabi’ and Jumada Devotions from www.amazon.com. The digital version can be downloaded from www.academyoislam.com/publications  وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ Do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge.  (Sūrat Al-Isrā, No.17, Āyat 36) A miracle is defined as an extraordinary act performed by someone who claims … Read more