ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ Idfa‘ billatī hiya aHsan Repel evil with what is best (Sūrat Fussilat, No. 41, Āyat 34) One of the highest signs of a noble character is to be able to do good to someone who has been mean to you. It requires strength of character and an ego free mind. … Read more
وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِ – wa shāwirhum fil-amri And consult with them in (certain) matters (Sūrat Āli Imrān, No. 3, Āyat 159) Consulting others and taking their opinions reveals a level of trust and respect for them. The practice of consulting others has many benefits. It stimulates thought, enhances self-esteem, strengthens relationships, and binds society together. … Read more
وَاللَّهُ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِين – wallāhu khayrur-rāziqīn And Allah is the best of Sustainers (Sūratul Jumu‘ah, No. 62, Āyat 11) Financial stress has a huge impact on people’s emotional lives. We worry about income, paying bills, financial stability etc. Although it is necessary to work hard and struggle to achieve the sustenance we need, many verses … Read more
قُلْ لَا أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِي ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا إِلَّا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ Qul lā amlikku linafsī dharrawn-walā naf‘an illā mā shā’a-llāhu Say: I have no control over my harms or any benefits except what Allah pleases (Sūrat Yūnus, No. 10, Āyat 49) Human beings often see themselves as in charge of most of the things they … Read more
أَلَا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ Alā inna awliyā’a-llāhi lā khawfun ‘alayhim walā hum yaHzanūn Now surely the friends of Allah – they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve (Sūrat Yūnus, No, 10, Āyat 62). The word ‘awliya’ in the verse above refers to those who are close … Read more
تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فَسَادًا ۚ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ Tilkad-dārul-ākhiratu naj‘aluhā lilladhīna lā yurīdūna ‘uluwwan fīl-ardhi walā fasādā, wal-‘ākibatu lil-muttaqīn And that the abode of the Hereafter, We shall assign it to those who have no desire to exalt themselves on the earth, nor to make mischief. And the … Read more
يَا بَنِي آدَمَ خُذُوا زِينَتَكُمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ Yā banī Ādama khudhū zīnatakum ‘inda kulli masjid O Children of Adam! Put on your adornment on every occasion of prayer (Sūratul A‘rāf, No. 7, Āyat 31) Salāt is a private conversation between the believer and Allah. It is a meeting, a meeting of one who is … Read more
إِنَّ هَٰذِهِ تَذْكِرَةٌ ۖ فَمَنْ شَاءَ اتَّخَذَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِ سَبِيلًا Inna hādhihi tadhkirah, faman shā’at-takhadha ilā rabbihi sabīlā Surely this is a reminder; so let anyone who wishes, take the way to his Lord. (Sūratul Muzammil, No. 73, Āyat 19) The verses in Sūratul Muzammil talk about Salātul Layl, and go on to advise and … Read more
وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ Wa-ta‘āwanū ‘alal-birri wat-taqwā, wa-lā ta‘āwanū ‘alal-ithmi wal-‘udwāni. Wat-taqqullāha, innallāha shadīdul-‘iqāb And help one another in goodness and piety, and do not help one another in sin and aggression; and be careful of (your duty to) Allah; surely … Read more
قَالُوا لَا ضَيْرَ ۖ إِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا مُنْقَلِبُونَ Qālū lā dayra, innā ilā rabbinā munqalibūn They said: No harm [in it]; surely to our Lord we shall return (Sūratush Shu‘arā, No. 26, Āyat 50) When the human heart is enlightened with the Truth, all else fades into obscurity. That which mattered so much before becomes … Read more