Quranic Appreciation Online classes for Children ages 10 – 16 years
ALI 639: Online Quran Appreciation, for Girls & Boys Ages 10-12
Schedule: Tuesdays, Oct 4th – Dec 6th, 2022 (Rabī‘ al Awwal 7th- Jumādā Al-Ulā 11th) Timings: Vancouver 1:15 pm, NY/Toronto 4:15 pm /London 9:15 pm.
Instructor: Sr Sukaina Kassam. Fees: CAD 50.00
Registration: https://academyofislam.com/registration
*Those who register for the course will receive the Zoom Link via Email
ALI 640: Online Quran Appreciation, for Girls & Boys Ages 13-16
Schedule: Fridays, Oct 7th – Dec 9th, 2022 (10th Rabī‘ al Awwal – 14th Jumādā Al-Ulā) Timings: Vancouver 1:15 pm, NY/Toronto 4:15 pm /London 9:15 pm.
Instructor: Sr Najma Dhala-Datoo Fees: CAD 50.00
Registration: https://academyofislam.com/registration
*Those who register for the course will receive the Zoom Link via Email
يُمَتِّعْكُم مَّتَاعًا حَسَنًا إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى
Yumatti‘kum hasanan ilā ajalin musammā
He will let you enjoy a good provision for a specified term.
(Sūrat Hud, No 11, Āyat 3)
Verses 2 and 3 of Sūrat Hud talk about worshipping Allah ‘azza wajall and seeking His forgiveness. The result of these two actions is outlined in the above part of verse 3 – Allah will give them a good provision for a specific time. This verse states an important fact. Closeness to the Creator does not only bring reward in the Hereafter. It also helps make life of this world more pleasant. According to Allāmah Tabātabā’ī in Tafsīr al-Mīzān, the specified term in this verse refers to the span of life in this world. There will be reward after death, but even before death the fruits of faith can be tasted in this world.
Faith makes a person in this world move forward on a journey towards Allah. It gives purpose, meaning, and focus. It allows him to appreciate the blessings provided by Allah in this world, including nature, relationships, emotional and intellectual pleasures, spiritual joy, dignity, etc. In fact, according to Tafsīr-e Namūneh so long as religion does not affect the life of this world it cannot affect the life hereafter.
Those who have faith have been protected from living a life of succumbing to desires. Such a life can have lack of meaning and unrestricted greed and desires. It can be akin to an animalistic life, just somewhat more sophisticated. Being able to stay away from such a lifestyle is a huge blessing and is one of the amazing results of faith in this world.
Those who turn away from God and religion have restricted their souls’ ability to transcend. The Quran says: And whoever turns away from My reminder, his shall be a straitened life (Q 20:124). Such a person might believe they have a lot of good fortune in terms of wealth, power, position, etc. but they have been deprived of the blooming of the heart and soul which true believers gain through their connection with Allah. Lack of faith is more likely to bring about corruption, oppression, etc. which harm both individual and social life.
The good provision that believers get affects their society too. A group of believers can have strong bonds based on their faith. There is co-operation and compassion between themselves. Together they support each other in the journey towards God. There is a lot of joy in such interactions with others and it brings satisfaction and peace of mind. Each member of such a group sees his or her own benefit in the benefit of the group and does not seek to exploit them. Good provision of this life enables a life in line with the fitrah of the human being. This provides ease while leading a life opposed to the natural fitrah brings unease and disturbs inner equilibrium.
The fact that faith brings about a good life in this world has been mentioned in other verses too. The Quran talks about the advice of Prophet Nūh (a) to his people: Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. He will send rain from the sky upon you in [continuing] showers. And give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers (Q 71:10-12).
This verse reminds us that our faith gives us good of this world and of the Hereafter. It impacts both and the effects can be felt even while living on this earth.
Sources: Allāmah Muhammad Husayn Tabātabā’ī, Tafsīr al-Mīzān
Āyatullāh Nāsir Makārim Shirāzī (Ed.), Tafsīr-e Namūneh.