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Issue 106 » February 23, 2001 -

General

QURAN

Translation:

"When the earth is rocked with her (final) earthquake, when the earth shakes off her burdens, and man cries: 'What is the matter with her?' On that day she will tell her news, that your Lord has inspired her (with His command). On that day men will issue forth in small groups to be shown their labours (actions)..."

[Al-Quran- Sura Az-Zalzala 99:1-6]

Tafseer:

  • According to some reports, this Sura is a Madinan revelation but other reports say it was revealed in Makka. The latter report seems to us to be more valid, because the Sura's mode of expression and its subject matter are more in line with the style and subjects of Makkan Suras.
  • The Sura gives a violent shake to drowsy hearts; the subject matter, the scene drawn, and the rhythm all contribute to the effect of a violent jolt. It is a powerful blast that makes the earth and all that is on it quake and tremble. Men hardly recover their senses when they find themselves confronted with the reckoning, weighing, and evaluation of their actions and deeds, and with recompense. All this is expressed in a few short phrases, which is characteristic of this thirtieth part of the Quran as a whole and is forcefully portrayed in this Sura.
  • It is the Day of Judgment when the firm earth yields up her long-carried loads of bodies and metals and other matters which have weighed heavily on her.  It is a scene which cuts the heart from everything on earth it clings to, thinking it to be firm and everlasting.
  • This impact is all the more forceful because man is portrayed as confronting the scene described, and revealing his reaction and reflexes while beholding it: "And man cries: What is the matter with her?" It is the question advanced by the surprised and puzzled who sees something unfamiliar to him and beholds what makes him impatient and agitated. So he bursts out, "What is the matter with her? What is quaking and shaking her so violently?" He cries as he reels and staggers, trying to hold on to anything which may support him or keep him upright. But all around him waver and totter violently, which is unlike any earthquakes and volcanoes of this world!
  • At this point when man is astonished and puzzled, and as the rhythm gasps with dread and terror, with surprise and wonder- at this point when man can hardly keep his breath, crying "What is the matter with her? What has happened to her?" - at this point he encounters the scene of resurrection, reckoning, weighing and recompense. "On that Day men will issue forth in small groups to be shown their labours. Whoever has done an atom's weight of good will see it then, and whoever has done an atom 's weight of evil will see it then also."
[Compiled from "In the Shade of the Quran" by Syed Qutb Shaheed. Also available online at http://www.youngmuslims.ca/online_library/]
 
Hadith
 There are No Days more beloved to Allah....
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Ibn Abbas (R) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these TEN DAYS.** " The people asked, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He said, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing."   
 
(Collected by Al-Bukhari, 2-457)
 
[** Note: These ten days referred to in this Hadith are the days before Eid al-Adha day, i.e. the first ten days of the month of Dhul Hijjah. We must not waste these precious ten days that are so beloved to Allah Ta-ala] 
 
Reflections on Tazkiya and Self-Development
Reliance on Allah (Tawakkul-ala-Allah) & Self-Confidence
 
Following is one the prerequisites of Tazkiya (Self-development):
 
5- Reliance on Allah (Tawakkul-ala-Allah) :
 
Self-confidence is borne from the Believer's intimate knowledge and understanding that Allah is ever ready to assist those who strive and struggle in His way. Self-confidence comes from depending upon Allah and knowing that He is there to help you, protect you and shower His mercies upon you.
 
Self-confidence also emanates from knowing that Allah in His infinite mercy has equipped you with all that you require to undertake the tasks set before you. It is not characteristic of the One that is Most Just and Most Merciful to prepare you for a duel without equipping you with the necessary tools.
 
Self-confidence is thus borne of total reliance and trust in Allah. If you constantly hold yourself back believing that you are weak and incapable and blame your incompetence on minor inadequacies, then you are bound to fail. You must never allow yourself to believe that Allah has treated you unfairly or that He has placed upon you a burden you cannot shoulder for on no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear. [al-Baqara 2:286.]
 
Likewise, hope is central to your efforts and your success. You must sincerely hope and believe that everything you do to earn the pleasure of Allah will lead you to fulfillment. A superiority complex negates the task of self development. An inferiority complex is derived from a lack of confidence in Allah and oneself. You should never allow yourself to believe that you cannot fulfill your obligations nor should you despair of the mercy of Allah. Confidence, hope and determination are all important ingredients for your success:
 
Those unto whom men said: Lo! the people have gathered against you, therefore fear them. But it only increased them in faith and they cried.. Allah is sufficient for us! Most Excellent is He in Whom we trust! [Ale Imran 3: 173-174]
 
You must be wary, however, of the kind of self-confidence that causes a person to proclaim himself self-sufficient. Modern concepts of self sufficiency are indeed an evil form of shirk or polytheism. To ascribe self-sufficiency to one's self is to assume for oneself an attribute reserved only for Allah. For the Muslim, self-confidence is wholly dependent upon the trust one places in Allah; it is not an arrogant proclamation of complete independence from Allah. Allah alone is self-Sufficient. All else is reliant upon Him for existence.
 
To be continued in the next issue....
 
[Taken from "In the Early Hours" by Ustadh Khurram Murad (Rahimahullah), edited by Riza Mohammed. Now also available at http://www.youngmuslims.ca/online_library/default.asp]
 
15 Points on the Wisdom of Prohibition of Alcohol
 
Following is a list of reasons and wisdom behind the prohibition of drinking alcohol in Islam:
 
13- Alcohol is responsible for a large number of road accidents anywhere in the world.
 
14- Alcohol is the cause of many broken families: Divorce, women's abuse, children's abuse, etc.
 
15- Under the influence of alcohol, more homicides, rapes, and other offenses are committed.
 
For the above reasons, and many more, practicing Muslims try their best to stay away from alcoholic beverages and those parties where alcohol is served. Therefore, Muslim youth are recommended to try their best to shun away from such parties. They should be courageous enough to say to their friends and colleagues that alcohol is prohibited in Islam; and that they are Muslims. Accordingly, they should refuse those parties even if they lose their own friends, in order to win the love of their Best possible Friend, ALLAH! Those who put Allah first before everything else, Allah makes their worldly affairs easy and makes the people of this world love them for their honor and dignity, as was explained by our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
 
Interesting Note: The word ALCOHOL is a word of Arabic derivation- "Alghul", meaning ghost or evil spirit! A prominent Arab scientist and alchemist by the name of Jabir ibn al-Hayyan, known to the West as Geber, first distilled alcohol in 800 A.D. He suggest this name due to alcohol's negative effects and results.
 
[Compiled from "The Adolescent Life" by Dr. Ahmad Sakr]