Episode 15: Al-Qahhar (The Superb Vanquisher)
In the name of Allah, The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful; and praise be to Allah the Lord of the worlds. All prayers and blessings be upon the Prophet of Allah (SAWS) . Today we will live with a new name of Allah’s most beautiful names. This name will make you feel the solemnity and grandeur of Allah (SWT). Unlike the previous episodes where we talked about the mercy and relentance of Allah, today’s name makes you sense His apprehension. The previously tackled meanings encourage you to be more benign. However, you must be acquainted with Allah and acknowledge Him His true magnificence. The aim of this episode is to fill your heart with the apprehension and surrender to The Superb Vanquisher, so that you may abandon some of the bad deeds you are used to. Today’s name is The Superb Vanquisher and tomorrow we will talk about The Ever-Affectionate.
First, let me ask you some questions.
What does “Islam” mean?
Allah says what can be translated as "As his Lord said to him, “Surrender,” (i.e., be muslim) he said, “I have surrendered to The Lord of the worlds.” (TMQ, 02:131). Does this mean that Ibrahim (AS) (Abraham) was not a muslim already?
When Ibrahim (AS) was about to sacrifice his son Allah says what can be translated as "So, as soon as they had both surrendered, and he dashed him upon his brow." (TMQ, 37:103). Where they still beginning to surrender?
Does the name The Superb Vanquisher invite you to fear Allah (SWT) and panic or to apprehend and surrender?
Linguistically, to vanquish something means to dominate, control and overpower. The Superb Vanquisher dominates everything in His kingdom. Everything submits and surrenders to Him. Allah says what can be translated as, “And He is The Vanquisher above His bondmen, and He is The Ever-Wise, The Ever-Cognizant.” (TMQ, 6:18). He is The Vanquisher without being unfair, on the contrary He is wise and knowledgeable, so be reassured.
All creatures surrendered to the Superb Vanquisher who submits and dominates the whole universe. Allah says what can be translated as "Upon the Day the earth will be exchanged to other than the earth and the heavens (will be exchanged); and they will go forth to Allah, The One, The Superb Vanquisher. (TMQ, 14:48).
“The Day they are going forth. Not a thing of theirs is concealed from Allah. “Whose is the Kingdom today?” “(It belongs) to Allah, The One, The Superb Vanquisher.” (TMQ, 40:16). “…, then said to it and to the earth, “Come up (you two) willingly (Or: in obedience) or unwillingly!” They (both) said, “We come up willingly.” (TMQ, 41:11). “Surely His Command, if He wills a thing, is only to say to it, “Be!” and it is.” (TMQ, 36:82). He who commands the existence of anything can also commands it to vanish. “And Allah judges; none reverses His judgment and He is swift at the reckoning.” (TMQ, 13:41). "And in no way can you (Literally: mankind) decide unless Allah (so) decides…" (TMQ, 76:30). "…and in case you turn away, then know that you are unable to be defiant to Allah;…(TMQ, 09:03). Hundreds of ayahs in the Qur’an invoke you to feel the solemnity, submission and apprehension to The Superb Vanquisher to Whom the whole universe surrenders. You need to worship Allah as if you can see Him.
The skies, the earth, the angels and all the creatures obey Him. He left us the choice; either to come to Him willingly or He will make us come to him anyway. “And in no way can you decide except “when” Allah “so” decides, The Lord of the worlds.” (TMQ, 81:29). This is the meaning of Islam; to surrender and submit to your Lord. A clear example of this comprehensive surrender is Ibrahim (AS) who obeyed Allah’s orders without question, “…“O my son, surely I see in a dream (Literally: time of sleeping) that I should slay you; so, look, what do you see?” He said, “O my (dear) father, perform whatever you are commanded; you will soon find me, in case Allah (so) decides, among the patient.” (TMQ, 37:102). Notice the attitude of Isma’il (AS) (Ishmael) and how he surrendered to the will of Allah. Their Islam was realized when they comprehensively surrenderd, “So, as soon as they had both surrendered, and he dashed him upon his brow.” (TMQ, 37:103). This is to remind us when we slaughter during the Eid the true meaning of our religion, which is to completely surrender to Him.
The tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka’ba) is another way of surrendering to Allah wearing these specific clothes and performing the tawaf following Allah’s orders.
Know your Lord, your heart must be filled with His love as well as His apprehension. We are living as if with two wings; one represents hope for His mercy and the other is dread of His fury. If the meaning of The Superb Vanquisher fills your heart you will find yourself unable to disobay Him after Ramadan. See how Allah (SWT) vanquishes everything in his kingdom. The sun and the moon, the night and the daytime, “It does not behoove the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the daytime, and each is swimming in an orbit.” (TMQ, 36:40). He vanquishes the dust to be this human being and ordered him to move and speak while he was nothing, “Has there come upon man a while of (an) era when he was not a thing to be remembered?” (TMQ, 76:1). Can you imagine that this dust now reached the moon!
He is The Superb Vanquisher who vanquishes the unjust nations. He did not punish them while they were weak, but when they reached the peak of solidness and strength, "ÉIram comprising the columns, (i.e., It is the city of Aad, who were stalwart and huge buildings). The like of which was not created in the lands? And (with) Thamd? who carved out the rocks in the valley, And (with) Firaawn, (Pharaoh) owning the bulwarks? (Or: stakes). (They) who tyrannized in the lands, So they worked much corruption therein, Then your Lord poured on them the scourge of torment? Surely your Lord is indeed Ever-Observing." (TMQ, 89:7-14). Or teach your children at bedtime the story of the elephant and Abraha and how Allah defeated him with the weakest creatures; birds.
There is another example, Allah vanquishes things with its opposite. He (SWT) brings opposites together. Look at the water and how it is composed of H2O, that is hydrogen (flammable substance) and oxygen (flaming aid). He creates the water that extinguishes fire from these two flammable substances. Allah created other substances with certain fixed specifications to help us study and benefit. He also upon command changed their nature at His will, like the knife when it did not slaughter Isma’il (AS) and the fire when it did not burn Ibrahim (AS) or the whale when it swallowed Yunus (AS) (Jonah) but did not digest him.
The sea or a breeze of fresh air can be both deadly and yet at other times beautiful and calm. Moreover, The Superb Vanquisher has the ability to combine the soul with the body and made the emotions of the soul reflect on the body.
Look at all the creatures they are rejoicing because they are submissive to Allah. Thus, you have to bear in mind that submission is not a sort of humiliation but it is apprehension and glorification.
The Companions relate that the Prophet (SAWS) was used to say a certain dua’a (supplication) at the end of any gathering:" My lord, Grant us apprehension which keep us away from disobeying you. Grant us submission which delivers us to Jannah (paradise), and grant us faith which makes us endure the worldly trials."
On the day of the solar eclipse the Prophet feared that Allah might be angry and will punish them. He kept supplicating to the Superb Vanquisher to raise His anger away from his people as long as they ask forgiveness of Allah.
The aim of the today's episode is to abandon your sins and repent to Allah after knowing The Superb Vanquisher. Feel the Glory of Allah and let reverence sweep your sins away and let apprehension be manifested in your tears. The Prophet (SAWS) says that whoever cried because of apprehension won't enter hellfire.
Apprehension makes you treat people well, as it makes you remember the punishment of The Superb Vanquisher. That is why Omar Ibn-Abdul-Aziz ordered his servant remind him of The Superb Vanquisher if he found him oppressing anyone. Omar Ibnul- Khattab was full of apprehension. He asked his son to put his face on the dust while he was dying so that Allah would have mercy on him. See how submissive he was.
The superb Vanquisher compels your tongue at the time of your death. You may find yourself unable to utter "La Elah Ela Allah" (there is no god but Allah) because of your bad deeds. On the other hand, He may compel your tongue to utter what pleases Him because of your good deeds, although it is such a simple phrase that requires almost no effort to pronounce.
On the Day of Judgment, The superb Vanquisher is alone and will call out: "whose is the kingdom today?" but no body answers. Allah then replies "It belongs to Allah, The One, and The Superb Vanquisher." The Superb Vanquisher starts life on earth by a blow in Adam's body and it ends by a blow in the trumpet.
He compels the straight path to be lit for the believers. Allah says what can be translated as: "(On) the Day (when) you see the male believers and female believers, their light proceeding along before (Literally: between their hands) them and on their right hands..." (TMQ, 57:12).
How should we deal with Allah's name, The Superb Vanquisher?
1- Be apprehensive and submissive to Allah. Your apprehension will make you able to abandon your sins, besides, it will make you treat people with mercy and shed the tears of fear which will purify your soul.
2- Do not ever oppress the weak, especially the poor and the orphans. Allah says what can be translated as "Then, as for the orphan, then do not subdue (him), and as for the beggar, then do not scold (him)"(TMQ, 93:9-10).
Vanquish Satan by following Allah orders
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The word Allah is the Arabic term for God. Although the use of the word "Allah" is most often associated with Islam, it is not used exclusively by Muslims; Arab Christians and Arabic-speaking Jews also use it to refer to the One God. The Arabic word expresses the unique characteristics of the One God more precisely than the English term. Whereas the word "Allah" has no plural form in Arabic, the English form does, and the word 'Allah' in Arabic has no connotation of gender. Allah is the God worshipped by all Prophets, from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.
Mankind, jinn and all creations.
Salla Allah alayhe Wa Salam .
SWT = Suhanahu wa Ta'ala .
TMQ=Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.
AS= Allihi as-salam .
Ayah= a verse in the Qur’an.
زملكاويه
•
زملكاويه
•
Episode 16: Al –Wadood (The Ever-Affectionate)
In the name of Allah (God), The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful; and praise be to Allah the Lord of the worlds. All prayers and blessings be upon the Prophet of Allah (SAWS). Today we will live with a new name of Allah’s most beautiful names, The Ever-Affectionate. It is a name full of love, compassion, and mercy. It is mentioned twice in the holy Qur’an. Allah says what can be translated as, “And He is The Ever-Forgiving, The Ever-Affectionate” (TMQ, 85:14) and “…surely my Lord is Ever-Merciful, Ever-Affectionate” (TMQ, 11:90).
Today’s episode is divided into four parts:
1- The meaning of the name The Ever-Affectionate.
2- The difference between affection and love and why Allah has no name called the lover.
3- The features of The Ever-Affectionate in the universe.
4- How to live in Allah’s name The Ever-Affectionate.
1- What is the meaning of “affection”?
It means love and compassion; it is the purest form of love, without any malice or envy. The Ever-Affectionate loves His devoted servants and they love Him with all their might to the extent that His love fills their hearts, eyes, ears, and souls. For them, The Ever-Affectionate is dearer than their souls, children and the whole world. In addition, The Ever-Affectionate approaches His loyal and devoted servants with love, the sinners with mercy and forgiveness, and the whole people with ample blessings in the universe. It is of our creed to believe that as Allah is The Creator and The Superb Provider, Allah is truly The Ever-Affectionate. You are so tiny compared to His kingdom and He can dispense with you as there are many creatures that worship Him more than you, angels. However, you are dear to The Creator (SWT).
2- The difference between affection and love
Affection is more comprehensive than love. Love is inner feelings, yet affection is the translation of these feelings into actions and behaviors. Thus Allah (SWT) called Himself The Ever-Affectionate not the lover because affection is more powerful than love. Therefore, each affectionate person is a lover but not each lover is an affectionate one. The Prophet (SAWS) said that when Allah (SWT) loves someone, Jibril (AS) (Gabriel) calles on the dwellers of the Heavens that Allah loves that person and orders them to love him and calls on the creatures on earth to please him.
Man is very weak and has many needs and desires. Man wants compassion and sympathy together with food, drink, knowledge, and money; thus Allah (SWT) revealed Himself as The Ever- Affectionate along with The Ever-Merciful, The Superb Provider, The Generous, and The Almighty. The Prophet (SAWS) said that Allah is more merciful than the mother to her child, that is, to show you how much Allah loves you.
3- The features of The Ever-Affectionate in the universe
The Ever-Affectionate loves in two ways. The first love is for the benefit of the whole universe. Allah created everything with a certain role in addtion to the signs of The Ever-Affectionate’s love. Allah created the night for people to rest; however He (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And (by) the night when it (comes) with its dark stillness” (TMQ, 93:2), the night has its beauty in which lovers sit and talk. Moreover, Allah created the hot weather in the morning; therefore, He (SWT) created the shade, a kind of affection, and says what can be translated as, “Have you not regarded your Lord, how He has extended the shade?” (TMQ, 25:45). Notice that this ayah is in surat al-Furqan (The Criterion) in which it talks about how The Ever-Affectionate is kind to the Prophet despite the harm of the rejecters of faith.
The second way of love and affection is directed solely to the believers and the righteous worshipers. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Surely the ones who have believed and done deeds of righteousness, for them The All-Merciful will soon show (Literally: make for them) affection” (TMQ, 19:96). For example, the cave of mount Hira' takes the shape of a hug and the first thing Jibril did after descending was hugging the Prophet (SAWS). When the rejecters of faith harmed the Prophet (SAWS), Allah tells him what can be translated as, “And (endure) patiently under the Judgment of your Lord, (for) then surely you are under Our Eyes” (TMQ, 52:48). In the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet was injured, seventy of the companions were killed, and Muslims felt grieve, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And do not feel feeble nor grieve; and you are the most exalted in case you are believers. In case a blow touches you, (This refers to the Battle of ’Uhud) then a like blow has already touched the (disbelieving) people. And such days We interchange (i.e. the change of fortune) among mankind and that Allah may know (the ones) who have believed and take to Him martyr-witnesses from among you” (TMQ, 3:139--140). If you cannot feel the love of The Ever-Affectionate, it is either Allah (SWT) loves you but you cannot feel His affection or He does not love you because you do not deserve His affection, and that is a catastrophe!
Allah tries to get close to us, the Quran says: “… then Allah will eventually come up with a people He loves and who love Him” (TMQ, 5:54) Allah first mentions that He will love them, and then He mentions that they will love Him too.
The hijab (covering of the woman) is yet another example of Allah’s kindness to mankind. The Quran says “O you Prophet, say to your spouses and your daughters and the women of believers, that they draw their outer garments closer to them; that will (make) it likelier that they will be recognized and so will not be hurt. And Allah has been Ever-Forgiving, Ever-Merciful.” (TMQ, 33:59) Thus, Allah asks women to wear the scarf in order to be protected.
The kindness and love we have to the dear people to us is all just a little part of the kindness and love Allah has for us.
Al-Wadood wants us to complain to Him, tell him about our hardships, and to have this close relationship with him. There is a difference between Allah’s names al-Mojeeb (The Supreme-Answerer) and al-Wadood. There is a difference between asking Allah for something, and just talking to him about your problems, and remembering how close he is to you. Telling Allah about your concerns is an act of worship that has its own beauty, and is very special because of how close it makes you feel you are to Allah. The Quran mentions that through the story of the mother of Virgin Mary (Maryam) as related in the ayah that can be translated as, “Lord! Surely I have vowed to you what is in my belly in dedication; so (graciously) accept (it) from me. Surely You, (Ever) You, are The Ever-Hearing, The Ever-Knowing. So, as soon as she brought her forth, (i.e. gave birth to her) she said, “Lord! Surely I have brought her forth, a female.” And Allah knows best what she brought forth, and the male is not as the female. “And surely I have named her Maryam. (Mary) And surely I take refuge with You for her and her offspring from the outcast Ash- shaytan.” (The all vicious, i.e., the Devil) (TMQ, 3:35-36).
Mary’s mother had a very close relationship with Allah. She talked to him about all her thoughts and hardships. Now, when she faced the problem of delivering a girl instead of a boy as she thought she would, Allah did not turn her away. He replied saying, what can be translated as, “Then, her Lord graciously accepted her with fair acceptance, and caused her to grow a fair growth, and He made Zakariyya (Zechariah) her sponsor. Whenever Zakariyya entered the Chamber to her, he found (a) provision in her presence. He said, “O Maryam however does this (come) to you?” She said, “It is from the Providence of Allah; surely Allah provides whomever He decides without reckoning” (TMQ, 3:37)
4- How to live in Allah’s name The Ever-Affectionate
1- Love Allah from all your heart.
2- Be sure that Allah tries to get you closer to him, when you have a problem, talk to Allah, tell him about your hardships and ask him to help you with them.
3- Be kind to people. Be nice to your spouse, to your family, and to your friends.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The word Allah is the Arabic term for God. Although the use of the word "Allah" is most often associated with Islam, it is not used exclusively by Muslims; Arab Christians and Arabic-speaking Jews also use it to refer to the One God. The Arabic word expresses the unique characteristics of the One God more precisely than the English term. Whereas the word "Allah" has no plural form in Arabic, the English form does, and the word 'Allah' in Arabic has no connotation of gender. Allah is the God worshipped by all Prophets, from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.
Mankind, jinn and all creation.
Salla Allah alayhe Wa Salam .
TMQ=Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.
SWT = Suhanahu wa Ta'ala .
AS = Alayhi as-salam .
A verse in the Qur'an.
A chapter; the Qur’an is comprised of 114 surahs.
In the name of Allah (God), The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful; and praise be to Allah the Lord of the worlds. All prayers and blessings be upon the Prophet of Allah (SAWS). Today we will live with a new name of Allah’s most beautiful names, The Ever-Affectionate. It is a name full of love, compassion, and mercy. It is mentioned twice in the holy Qur’an. Allah says what can be translated as, “And He is The Ever-Forgiving, The Ever-Affectionate” (TMQ, 85:14) and “…surely my Lord is Ever-Merciful, Ever-Affectionate” (TMQ, 11:90).
Today’s episode is divided into four parts:
1- The meaning of the name The Ever-Affectionate.
2- The difference between affection and love and why Allah has no name called the lover.
3- The features of The Ever-Affectionate in the universe.
4- How to live in Allah’s name The Ever-Affectionate.
1- What is the meaning of “affection”?
It means love and compassion; it is the purest form of love, without any malice or envy. The Ever-Affectionate loves His devoted servants and they love Him with all their might to the extent that His love fills their hearts, eyes, ears, and souls. For them, The Ever-Affectionate is dearer than their souls, children and the whole world. In addition, The Ever-Affectionate approaches His loyal and devoted servants with love, the sinners with mercy and forgiveness, and the whole people with ample blessings in the universe. It is of our creed to believe that as Allah is The Creator and The Superb Provider, Allah is truly The Ever-Affectionate. You are so tiny compared to His kingdom and He can dispense with you as there are many creatures that worship Him more than you, angels. However, you are dear to The Creator (SWT).
2- The difference between affection and love
Affection is more comprehensive than love. Love is inner feelings, yet affection is the translation of these feelings into actions and behaviors. Thus Allah (SWT) called Himself The Ever-Affectionate not the lover because affection is more powerful than love. Therefore, each affectionate person is a lover but not each lover is an affectionate one. The Prophet (SAWS) said that when Allah (SWT) loves someone, Jibril (AS) (Gabriel) calles on the dwellers of the Heavens that Allah loves that person and orders them to love him and calls on the creatures on earth to please him.
Man is very weak and has many needs and desires. Man wants compassion and sympathy together with food, drink, knowledge, and money; thus Allah (SWT) revealed Himself as The Ever- Affectionate along with The Ever-Merciful, The Superb Provider, The Generous, and The Almighty. The Prophet (SAWS) said that Allah is more merciful than the mother to her child, that is, to show you how much Allah loves you.
3- The features of The Ever-Affectionate in the universe
The Ever-Affectionate loves in two ways. The first love is for the benefit of the whole universe. Allah created everything with a certain role in addtion to the signs of The Ever-Affectionate’s love. Allah created the night for people to rest; however He (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And (by) the night when it (comes) with its dark stillness” (TMQ, 93:2), the night has its beauty in which lovers sit and talk. Moreover, Allah created the hot weather in the morning; therefore, He (SWT) created the shade, a kind of affection, and says what can be translated as, “Have you not regarded your Lord, how He has extended the shade?” (TMQ, 25:45). Notice that this ayah is in surat al-Furqan (The Criterion) in which it talks about how The Ever-Affectionate is kind to the Prophet despite the harm of the rejecters of faith.
The second way of love and affection is directed solely to the believers and the righteous worshipers. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Surely the ones who have believed and done deeds of righteousness, for them The All-Merciful will soon show (Literally: make for them) affection” (TMQ, 19:96). For example, the cave of mount Hira' takes the shape of a hug and the first thing Jibril did after descending was hugging the Prophet (SAWS). When the rejecters of faith harmed the Prophet (SAWS), Allah tells him what can be translated as, “And (endure) patiently under the Judgment of your Lord, (for) then surely you are under Our Eyes” (TMQ, 52:48). In the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet was injured, seventy of the companions were killed, and Muslims felt grieve, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And do not feel feeble nor grieve; and you are the most exalted in case you are believers. In case a blow touches you, (This refers to the Battle of ’Uhud) then a like blow has already touched the (disbelieving) people. And such days We interchange (i.e. the change of fortune) among mankind and that Allah may know (the ones) who have believed and take to Him martyr-witnesses from among you” (TMQ, 3:139--140). If you cannot feel the love of The Ever-Affectionate, it is either Allah (SWT) loves you but you cannot feel His affection or He does not love you because you do not deserve His affection, and that is a catastrophe!
Allah tries to get close to us, the Quran says: “… then Allah will eventually come up with a people He loves and who love Him” (TMQ, 5:54) Allah first mentions that He will love them, and then He mentions that they will love Him too.
The hijab (covering of the woman) is yet another example of Allah’s kindness to mankind. The Quran says “O you Prophet, say to your spouses and your daughters and the women of believers, that they draw their outer garments closer to them; that will (make) it likelier that they will be recognized and so will not be hurt. And Allah has been Ever-Forgiving, Ever-Merciful.” (TMQ, 33:59) Thus, Allah asks women to wear the scarf in order to be protected.
The kindness and love we have to the dear people to us is all just a little part of the kindness and love Allah has for us.
Al-Wadood wants us to complain to Him, tell him about our hardships, and to have this close relationship with him. There is a difference between Allah’s names al-Mojeeb (The Supreme-Answerer) and al-Wadood. There is a difference between asking Allah for something, and just talking to him about your problems, and remembering how close he is to you. Telling Allah about your concerns is an act of worship that has its own beauty, and is very special because of how close it makes you feel you are to Allah. The Quran mentions that through the story of the mother of Virgin Mary (Maryam) as related in the ayah that can be translated as, “Lord! Surely I have vowed to you what is in my belly in dedication; so (graciously) accept (it) from me. Surely You, (Ever) You, are The Ever-Hearing, The Ever-Knowing. So, as soon as she brought her forth, (i.e. gave birth to her) she said, “Lord! Surely I have brought her forth, a female.” And Allah knows best what she brought forth, and the male is not as the female. “And surely I have named her Maryam. (Mary) And surely I take refuge with You for her and her offspring from the outcast Ash- shaytan.” (The all vicious, i.e., the Devil) (TMQ, 3:35-36).
Mary’s mother had a very close relationship with Allah. She talked to him about all her thoughts and hardships. Now, when she faced the problem of delivering a girl instead of a boy as she thought she would, Allah did not turn her away. He replied saying, what can be translated as, “Then, her Lord graciously accepted her with fair acceptance, and caused her to grow a fair growth, and He made Zakariyya (Zechariah) her sponsor. Whenever Zakariyya entered the Chamber to her, he found (a) provision in her presence. He said, “O Maryam however does this (come) to you?” She said, “It is from the Providence of Allah; surely Allah provides whomever He decides without reckoning” (TMQ, 3:37)
4- How to live in Allah’s name The Ever-Affectionate
1- Love Allah from all your heart.
2- Be sure that Allah tries to get you closer to him, when you have a problem, talk to Allah, tell him about your hardships and ask him to help you with them.
3- Be kind to people. Be nice to your spouse, to your family, and to your friends.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The word Allah is the Arabic term for God. Although the use of the word "Allah" is most often associated with Islam, it is not used exclusively by Muslims; Arab Christians and Arabic-speaking Jews also use it to refer to the One God. The Arabic word expresses the unique characteristics of the One God more precisely than the English term. Whereas the word "Allah" has no plural form in Arabic, the English form does, and the word 'Allah' in Arabic has no connotation of gender. Allah is the God worshipped by all Prophets, from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.
Mankind, jinn and all creation.
Salla Allah alayhe Wa Salam .
TMQ=Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.
SWT = Suhanahu wa Ta'ala .
AS = Alayhi as-salam .
A verse in the Qur'an.
A chapter; the Qur’an is comprised of 114 surahs.
زملكاويه
•
Episode 17: Al-Haqq (The Truth)
Introduction:
In the name of Allah (SWT), The Most-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful. Today we will talk about the name of Allah, The Truth, by which the whole universe has been created. Allah said what can be translated as, “And in no way did We create the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them except with the Truth… (TMQ 15:85).” I am asking you today to live by The Truth: to tell the truth, to love the truth, to die for the truth, and never to conceal it. If you love the truth, you will love Allah (SWT), because He is The Truth.
The meaning of The Truth:
The word “truth” is the opposite of the word “falsehood”. Therefore, it had to be one of the most beautiful names of Allah (SWT). You cannot live without truth because the whole universe lives by the truth.
There is a difference between truth and justice; justice is to give everyone their rights. Therefore, justice is applying the value of truth in the universe. The Prophet (SAWS) always asks Allah (SWT) to show him the truth, and help him to follow it, and to show him falsehood, and help him to avoid it. Man cannot live by truth easily because Satan will try to prevent him from doing so. This name is addressed to all people in all fields; teachers, pupils, businessmen, etc. Everyone should ask himself whether he lives by the truth or not. Allah (SWT) is The Truth because He never differentiates between people according to color, nationality, sex, position etc; all creatures are alike and have the right to live, to eat, to drink and so on. One of the companions asked the Prophet (SAWS) when the Day of Judgment would be; he advised that they should expect it when the truth is lost. People deal with truth in different ways, for example, some people do not know where the truth is, and others know where it is, and insist on doing the opposite.
Eight things will help you to be true:
The Prophet (SAWS) taught us a supplication of eight truths that man should believe wholeheartedly. These will guide you to the other truths in life: Allah is the truth, His words are a truth, His Promise is a truth, the day we meet Him is a truth, jannah (paradise) is a truth, hellfire is a truth, the Prophets are a truth and Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) is a truth. Hence, we should glorify Allah because He is The Truth.
If these truths are deeply rooted within you, you will be able to differentiate between the truth and falsehood very easily. You will live by the truth, and never do something wrong. Look around you in the universe; you will find that everything has been created very justly. For example, the distance between the sun and the earth is 150 million km2. The earth is inside the exact safe zone of the sun's heat. If the distance were 149 million km2 for example, the whole planet would burn, and if the distance increases one km2, the earth would freeze. Those who do not care for the truth have to rethink their life after knowing The Truth (SWT). This example shows you that if life loses the value of truth, the whole universe will collapse.
The second truth is the Qur'an, which embodies Allah's words. Every ayah, and every Surah , is a truth. The third truth is Allah's promise to the believers to join paradise, and to the disbelievers to be in hell. Allah (SWT) promised that we would meet Him on the Day of Judgment, and this is true. This leads us to the fifth and sixth truths, which are paradise and hell. You should also believe in all the prophets: Ibrahim (Abraham) (AS), Isma’il (Ishmael) (AS), Isa (Jesus) (AS), Musa (Moses) (AS), and the last Prophet, Muhammad (SAWS).
Upon believing in these eight realities and holding fast to them, one will find himself exploring a new reality relating to his mission, for which he was created. In other words, we were created to fulfill the mission of reforming the earth. Allah says what can be translated as, “Did you then reckon that We created you only for sport and that you would not be returned to Us? Then Supremely Exalted be Allah, The King, The Truth! There is no god except He, The Lord of the Honorable Throne.” (TMQ, 23:115-116).
Therefore, we were not just created to eat, drink, have fun, get married, have children and nothing else. On the contrary, we were created and commanded by Allah to reform and construct this earth. This is the reality for which we came to this world. In this regard Allah says what can be translated as, “And in no way did We create the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them except with the Truth…” (TMQ, 15:85). “O Dawûd, surely We have made you a succeeding (Literally: Caliph) (Messenger) in the earth, so judge among mankind with the truth, and do not ever follow prejudice that it may make you err from the way of Allah. Surely the ones who err from the way of Allah will have a strict torment for that they have forgotten the Day of Reckoning. And in no way have We created the heaven and the earth and whatever is between them untruthfully. That is the surmise of the ones who have disbelieved. So woe to the ones who have disbelieved, from the Fire!” (TMQ, 38:26-27).
In the previous two ayahs, Allah addresses His Prophet Dawud and commands him to fulfill the message for which he was sent, namely, to reform the earth and make the truth prevail. Upon reflecting on the second ayah, we notice that everything in this universe is created upon truth, and that man should fulfill this truth. Allah commanded you in his saying that can be translated as, “Surely I am making in the earth a successor.” (TMQ, 2:30). Consequently, all people should hold fast to the truth. In this regard, let me give you examples of people who lived by the truth. Allah says what can be translated as, “O you who have believed, be constantly upright for Allah, witnesses with equity, and let not antagonism of a people provoke you to not do justice. Do justice; that (Literally: it) is nearer to piety. And be pious to Allah, surely Allah is Ever-Cognizant of whatever you do.” (TMQ, 5:8).
Once, when the Prophet (SAWS) was returning from a battle, one of his Companions, Qatada, lost his armor. He later found out one of the Ansar, namely the native dwellers of Madinah, had stolen the armor. Upon being revealed as the thief, the man informed his family that he would stealthily put the armor in one of the Jews' houses to acquit himself. Thereupon, the Jewish man was accused as being the thief. However, Allah made the truth prevail. He said what can be translated as, “Surely, We have sent down to you (i.e. the prophet) the Book with the Truth that you judge among mankind by whatever Allah has shown you; and do not be a constant adversary of the treacherous.” (TMQ, 4:105). “ They seek to conceal themselves from (other) men, (Literally: mankind) and they do not seek to conceal themselves from Allah, and He is with them as they brood by night a saying with which He is not satisfied; and Allah has been Supremely Encompassing of whatever they do.” (TMQ, 4:108). The Prophet (SAWS) announced the innocence of the Jewish man and declared the guilt of the manof the Ansar. This is to prove that Islam is a religion of justice above all, with no room for favoritism.
When the Prophet (SAWS) was asked by his uncle to abandon the message for which he was sent, in return for wealth and social position, he swore by Allah that if the sun were placed in his right hand and the moon in his left, in order that he leave this matter, he would never give it up, until Allah made it to prevail or he died in its cause.” The Prophet (SAWS) in this situation defended the truth. Thus, Allah said what can be translated as, “So put your trust in Allah; surely you are upon the evident Truth.” (TMQ, 27:79).
The Prophet (SAWS) left Makkah to Madinah, but Allah granted him victory thereafter and he conquered Makkah. This proves that however long the time of injustice, truth will always prevail in the end. This is what Allah says and can be translated as, “No indeed, We hurl the Truth against the untruth; so (Truth) smashes it; then, only then does (untruth) expire. And woe to you for whatever you describe!” (TMQ, 21:18).
This is the reality that you should truly believe in. Allah, The Truth, mentions in the Qur’an a very significant ayah, which defines the state of Truth and that of untruth. He says what can be translated as, “He sends down from the heaven water so that valleys flow, each to its determined (course), so that the flood carries away (on its surface) a swelling scum. And from that on which they kindle fire (i.e., or) seeking (to make) ornaments or belongings, out of that there is a scum like it. Thus Allah strikes the Truth and the untruth. So, as for the scum, then it goes away as jetsam (i.e., vanishes as useless) and as for whatever profits mankind, then it stays in the earth. Thus Allah strikes the similitudes.” (TMQ, 13:17).
This is the state of truth, verses that of falsehood. For this reason, all of us should live by, and, for the truth.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The word Allah is the Arabic term for God. Although the use of the word "Allah" is most often associated with Islam, it is not used exclusively by Muslims; Arab Christians and Arabic-speaking Jews also use it to refer to the One God. The Arabic word expresses the unique characteristics of the One God more precisely than the English term. Whereas the word "Allah" has no plural form in Arabic, the English form does, and the word 'Allah' in Arabic has no connotation of gender. Allah is the God worshipped by all Prophets, from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.
SWT = Subhanahu wa Ta'ala .
TMQ=Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.
SAWS = Salla Allah alayhe Wa Salam
A verse in the Qur'an
A chapter; the Qur’an is comprised of 114 surahs
AS = Alayhi Assalam (peace be upon him)
Introduction:
In the name of Allah (SWT), The Most-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful. Today we will talk about the name of Allah, The Truth, by which the whole universe has been created. Allah said what can be translated as, “And in no way did We create the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them except with the Truth… (TMQ 15:85).” I am asking you today to live by The Truth: to tell the truth, to love the truth, to die for the truth, and never to conceal it. If you love the truth, you will love Allah (SWT), because He is The Truth.
The meaning of The Truth:
The word “truth” is the opposite of the word “falsehood”. Therefore, it had to be one of the most beautiful names of Allah (SWT). You cannot live without truth because the whole universe lives by the truth.
There is a difference between truth and justice; justice is to give everyone their rights. Therefore, justice is applying the value of truth in the universe. The Prophet (SAWS) always asks Allah (SWT) to show him the truth, and help him to follow it, and to show him falsehood, and help him to avoid it. Man cannot live by truth easily because Satan will try to prevent him from doing so. This name is addressed to all people in all fields; teachers, pupils, businessmen, etc. Everyone should ask himself whether he lives by the truth or not. Allah (SWT) is The Truth because He never differentiates between people according to color, nationality, sex, position etc; all creatures are alike and have the right to live, to eat, to drink and so on. One of the companions asked the Prophet (SAWS) when the Day of Judgment would be; he advised that they should expect it when the truth is lost. People deal with truth in different ways, for example, some people do not know where the truth is, and others know where it is, and insist on doing the opposite.
Eight things will help you to be true:
The Prophet (SAWS) taught us a supplication of eight truths that man should believe wholeheartedly. These will guide you to the other truths in life: Allah is the truth, His words are a truth, His Promise is a truth, the day we meet Him is a truth, jannah (paradise) is a truth, hellfire is a truth, the Prophets are a truth and Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) is a truth. Hence, we should glorify Allah because He is The Truth.
If these truths are deeply rooted within you, you will be able to differentiate between the truth and falsehood very easily. You will live by the truth, and never do something wrong. Look around you in the universe; you will find that everything has been created very justly. For example, the distance between the sun and the earth is 150 million km2. The earth is inside the exact safe zone of the sun's heat. If the distance were 149 million km2 for example, the whole planet would burn, and if the distance increases one km2, the earth would freeze. Those who do not care for the truth have to rethink their life after knowing The Truth (SWT). This example shows you that if life loses the value of truth, the whole universe will collapse.
The second truth is the Qur'an, which embodies Allah's words. Every ayah, and every Surah , is a truth. The third truth is Allah's promise to the believers to join paradise, and to the disbelievers to be in hell. Allah (SWT) promised that we would meet Him on the Day of Judgment, and this is true. This leads us to the fifth and sixth truths, which are paradise and hell. You should also believe in all the prophets: Ibrahim (Abraham) (AS), Isma’il (Ishmael) (AS), Isa (Jesus) (AS), Musa (Moses) (AS), and the last Prophet, Muhammad (SAWS).
Upon believing in these eight realities and holding fast to them, one will find himself exploring a new reality relating to his mission, for which he was created. In other words, we were created to fulfill the mission of reforming the earth. Allah says what can be translated as, “Did you then reckon that We created you only for sport and that you would not be returned to Us? Then Supremely Exalted be Allah, The King, The Truth! There is no god except He, The Lord of the Honorable Throne.” (TMQ, 23:115-116).
Therefore, we were not just created to eat, drink, have fun, get married, have children and nothing else. On the contrary, we were created and commanded by Allah to reform and construct this earth. This is the reality for which we came to this world. In this regard Allah says what can be translated as, “And in no way did We create the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them except with the Truth…” (TMQ, 15:85). “O Dawûd, surely We have made you a succeeding (Literally: Caliph) (Messenger) in the earth, so judge among mankind with the truth, and do not ever follow prejudice that it may make you err from the way of Allah. Surely the ones who err from the way of Allah will have a strict torment for that they have forgotten the Day of Reckoning. And in no way have We created the heaven and the earth and whatever is between them untruthfully. That is the surmise of the ones who have disbelieved. So woe to the ones who have disbelieved, from the Fire!” (TMQ, 38:26-27).
In the previous two ayahs, Allah addresses His Prophet Dawud and commands him to fulfill the message for which he was sent, namely, to reform the earth and make the truth prevail. Upon reflecting on the second ayah, we notice that everything in this universe is created upon truth, and that man should fulfill this truth. Allah commanded you in his saying that can be translated as, “Surely I am making in the earth a successor.” (TMQ, 2:30). Consequently, all people should hold fast to the truth. In this regard, let me give you examples of people who lived by the truth. Allah says what can be translated as, “O you who have believed, be constantly upright for Allah, witnesses with equity, and let not antagonism of a people provoke you to not do justice. Do justice; that (Literally: it) is nearer to piety. And be pious to Allah, surely Allah is Ever-Cognizant of whatever you do.” (TMQ, 5:8).
Once, when the Prophet (SAWS) was returning from a battle, one of his Companions, Qatada, lost his armor. He later found out one of the Ansar, namely the native dwellers of Madinah, had stolen the armor. Upon being revealed as the thief, the man informed his family that he would stealthily put the armor in one of the Jews' houses to acquit himself. Thereupon, the Jewish man was accused as being the thief. However, Allah made the truth prevail. He said what can be translated as, “Surely, We have sent down to you (i.e. the prophet) the Book with the Truth that you judge among mankind by whatever Allah has shown you; and do not be a constant adversary of the treacherous.” (TMQ, 4:105). “ They seek to conceal themselves from (other) men, (Literally: mankind) and they do not seek to conceal themselves from Allah, and He is with them as they brood by night a saying with which He is not satisfied; and Allah has been Supremely Encompassing of whatever they do.” (TMQ, 4:108). The Prophet (SAWS) announced the innocence of the Jewish man and declared the guilt of the manof the Ansar. This is to prove that Islam is a religion of justice above all, with no room for favoritism.
When the Prophet (SAWS) was asked by his uncle to abandon the message for which he was sent, in return for wealth and social position, he swore by Allah that if the sun were placed in his right hand and the moon in his left, in order that he leave this matter, he would never give it up, until Allah made it to prevail or he died in its cause.” The Prophet (SAWS) in this situation defended the truth. Thus, Allah said what can be translated as, “So put your trust in Allah; surely you are upon the evident Truth.” (TMQ, 27:79).
The Prophet (SAWS) left Makkah to Madinah, but Allah granted him victory thereafter and he conquered Makkah. This proves that however long the time of injustice, truth will always prevail in the end. This is what Allah says and can be translated as, “No indeed, We hurl the Truth against the untruth; so (Truth) smashes it; then, only then does (untruth) expire. And woe to you for whatever you describe!” (TMQ, 21:18).
This is the reality that you should truly believe in. Allah, The Truth, mentions in the Qur’an a very significant ayah, which defines the state of Truth and that of untruth. He says what can be translated as, “He sends down from the heaven water so that valleys flow, each to its determined (course), so that the flood carries away (on its surface) a swelling scum. And from that on which they kindle fire (i.e., or) seeking (to make) ornaments or belongings, out of that there is a scum like it. Thus Allah strikes the Truth and the untruth. So, as for the scum, then it goes away as jetsam (i.e., vanishes as useless) and as for whatever profits mankind, then it stays in the earth. Thus Allah strikes the similitudes.” (TMQ, 13:17).
This is the state of truth, verses that of falsehood. For this reason, all of us should live by, and, for the truth.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The word Allah is the Arabic term for God. Although the use of the word "Allah" is most often associated with Islam, it is not used exclusively by Muslims; Arab Christians and Arabic-speaking Jews also use it to refer to the One God. The Arabic word expresses the unique characteristics of the One God more precisely than the English term. Whereas the word "Allah" has no plural form in Arabic, the English form does, and the word 'Allah' in Arabic has no connotation of gender. Allah is the God worshipped by all Prophets, from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.
SWT = Subhanahu wa Ta'ala .
TMQ=Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.
SAWS = Salla Allah alayhe Wa Salam
A verse in the Qur'an
A chapter; the Qur’an is comprised of 114 surahs
AS = Alayhi Assalam (peace be upon him)
زملكاويه
•
Episode 18: (Al-Ghafur)The Ever-Forgiving
In the name of Allah(God), The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful. Praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon our master, the most noble Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).
The most beautiful name of Allah of today’s episode is very lenient and very close to our hearts. All Muslims, whether they are true believers or not, worship Allah through this name, though many of them do not appreciate its accurate meaning. Today, we are going to talk about Allah’s name, the Ever-Forgiving.
Let us start with the meaning of forgiveness. When we say that Allah is the Ever-Forgiving, this means that He covers our shameful deeds in this life and in the hereafter and protects us against the hellfire on the Day of Judgment. Thus, when we ask Allah for His forgiveness, this means that we ask Him to cover our sins and our imperfections in this life and in the hereafter and to protect us from hellfire in the hereafter.
We should all be attached to Allah through this name because He is the only one who forgives our sins. Notice that this name of Allah was mentioned by many Prophets, for example, Allah tells us in the Noble Qur’an, that Nuh (AS) (Noah) said to his people what can be translated as, “So I have said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord; surely He has been (The) Superb Forgiver;” (TMQ, 71:10). Allah also says what can be translated as, “What would Allah perform with tormenting you in case you thank (Him) and believe? And Allah has been Thankful, Ever-Knowing.” (TMQ, 4:147).
The Qur’an also tells us that Ibrahim (AS) (Abraham) said to his people about Allah, while inviting them to Islam, what can be translated as, “Who created me. And so He, Ever He, guides me. And (it is He) Who, Ever He, feeds me and He gives me to drink; and when I am sick, then He, Ever He, cures me; and (it is He) Who makes me to die; thereafter He gives me life. And Whom I long (that) He will forgive me my offense (s) on the Day of Doom. (Or: Judgment)” (TMQ, 26: 78-82). Ibrahim (AS) considered that asking Allah to forgive his sin was as important as asking Him for food, drink or the cure of an illness. The companions of the Prophet (SAWS) said that they used to hear him (SAWS) asking for Allah’s forgiveness more than 70 times in each meeting with him.
We should all get close to Allah by asking His forgiveness because we are imperfect; we commit many sins and we are weak. We need Him to cover our imperfections, sins and disgrace in this life and in the hereafter and to protect us from hellfire. That is why the last ayah in surat al-Baqara, which can be translated as, “…And be clement towards us, and forgive us, and have mercy on us…” (TMQ, 2:286), sets the program of our ummah (Muslim nation). Also, note that Allah's forgiveness of our sins in this life is considered as a proof that He will not expose us in the hereafter. If you need to know to what extent Allah will forgive your sins in the hereafter, try to remember how many times you committed sins without Him exposing you.
Allah forgives whoever He wants and whatever He wants, He says what can be translated as, “Surely Allah does not forgive that (anything) should be associated with Him, and He forgives (anything) whatever apart from that for (Literally: to) whomever He decides…” (TMQ, 4:48). All we have to do is to insist on asking Allah for His forgiveness, to regret our sins and to visualize that every time we ask for Allah's forgiveness, a sin being forgiven.
Now let us move to the difference between the three names of Allah, The Ever-Forgiving, The Superb Forgiver and the Forgiver. Allah's name, the Ever-Forgiving, was mentioned 91 times in Qur'an, while The Superb Forgiver was mentioned five times and the Forgiver was mentioned only once. Scholars said that the Forgiver forgives one sin, the Ever-Forgiver forgives all your sins even if they are thousands, whereas the Superb Forgiver forgives the horrible and grave sins. Thus, Allah forgives all kinds of sins.
Allah is the Ever-Forgiving even with someone who rejects faith. Allah says what can be translated as, “Say to the ones who have disbelieved, in case they refrain, whatever has already passed will be forgiven them…” (TMQ, 8:38). He is even Ever-Forgiving with the prisoners of war who fought against the Prophet (SAWS), thus, He said what can be translated as, “ O you Prophet, say to the captives who are in your hands, “In case Allah knows of any charity in your hearts, He will bring you a more charitable (benefit) than what has been taken from you, and He will forgive you…” (TMQ, 8:70).
Allah says what can be translated as, “Their Messengers said, “Is there any doubt regarding Allah, The Originator (Literally: Renderer; i.e., creator) of the heavens and the earth? He calls you that He may forgive you (some) of your guilty deeds…” (TMQ, 14:10). This means that Allah is the one who calls us to forgive our sins. Even when Allah says what can be translated as, “The Forgiver of (every) guilty (deed), and The Accepter of penance, strict in punishment, The Owner of Ampleness…” (TMQ, 40:3). We should not fear the meaning of this ayah, because Allah shows us that although He has the might to punish us, He will forgive us.
Moreover, the Prophet (SAWS) taught us that if one persists in asking Allah for His forgiveness, He will drive away his distress, dispel his grief and He will provide for him from where he does not expect. Allah says what can be translated as,” So I have said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord; surely He has been (The) Superb Forgiver; He will send down on you (rain) from the heaven showering plentifully, and He will supply you with riches and sons, (Or: seeds) and will set up (Literally: make) for you gardens, and will set up for you rivers.” (TMQ, 71:10-12).
Allah (SWT) conceals the good things too, to let people make more use of it. For example, He concealed the Night of Determination to let people exert their best efforts during the last ten days of Ramadan. He concealed the hour in which prayers are answered on Friday, to let them supplicate to him throughout the day. He concealed patrons of Allah from being recognized, so that we would respect all people. He concealed the most glorious name of His, so that we would invoke Him with all his names. He concealed thoughts from being heard or read by others, or it would have caused severe problems amongst people. He protected people's secrets by limiting human hearing, so that their secrets would not be overheard. He concealed the time of death, so that Muslims prepare for it throughout their lives.
Imagine yourself on the Day of Judgment when you are called to be judged before Allah (SWT), with the presence of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), your wife, your neighbors and others. Imagine yourself when you read your book, in which your sins are written, before all of them. On that day, the flesh of some people's faces will fall out of shame. However, while you are standing amidst all these horrors, Allah (SWT) would call you, asking you to get nearer to him, and He would conceal you from all the surroundings. He would ask you, “Do you remember your sins? I have concealed them in the worldly life and today I forgive you.” See how forgiving he is?
Allah (SWT) does not disclose his slave’s sins at the first time of sinning. Rather, he gives him/her time to repent. Also, Allah (SWT) forgives everyone except for those who commits sins openly. Allah (SWT) wants beauty and purity to spread, and for sins to be concealed. He hates for obscenities to be done or spoken of loudly. This is the reason that he placed very hard conditions to prove that somebody has committed adultery. It takes four witnesses to testify that they are sure of they have witnessed adultery. This is very unlikely to happen, unless they commit adultery in public, and thus they are harming the society. Therefore, we can say that the punishment stated for adultery is meant to inflict those who commit sins in public.
We should not hasten to disclose others’ faults. Some kinds of media have made the disclosure of people part of their job, because they are searching for excitement. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Surely the ones who love that (the) obscenity should be widespread among the ones who have believed, (they) will have a painful torment in the present (life) (Literally: the lowly “life”, i.e., the life of this world) and the Hereafter; and Allah knows, and you do not know. “ (TMQ, 24:19).
How do we live in Allah’s Name “The Superb Forgiving”?
There are three things to do:
1- Do as many good deeds as you can. If you wish that Allah (SWT) would forgive your sins, do something great for his sake. Take advantage of the month of Ramadan with all its blessings.
2- Keep asking for Allah's forgiveness.
Do not disclose people's secrets, so that Allah (SWT) would not disclose yours. Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) taught us that he who shields a Muslim, Allah (SWT) would shield him on the Day of Judgment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The word Allah is the Arabic term for God. Although the use of the word "Allah" is most often associated with Islam, it is not used exclusively by Muslims; Arab Christians and Arabic-speaking Jews also use it to refer to the One God. The Arabic word expresses the unique characteristics of the One God more precisely than the English term. Whereas the word "Allah" has no plural form in Arabic, the English form does, and the word 'Allah' in Arabic has no connotation of gender. Allah is the God worshipped by all Prophets, from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.
Mankind, jinn and all creation
Salla Allah alayhe Wa Salam
TMQ=Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.
A verse in the Qur'an
A chapter; the Qur’an is comprised of 114 surahs
Patrons of Allah = Pious worshippers of Allah who enjoy an elevated degree of faith that exceeds that of the common people.
In the name of Allah(God), The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful. Praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon our master, the most noble Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).
The most beautiful name of Allah of today’s episode is very lenient and very close to our hearts. All Muslims, whether they are true believers or not, worship Allah through this name, though many of them do not appreciate its accurate meaning. Today, we are going to talk about Allah’s name, the Ever-Forgiving.
Let us start with the meaning of forgiveness. When we say that Allah is the Ever-Forgiving, this means that He covers our shameful deeds in this life and in the hereafter and protects us against the hellfire on the Day of Judgment. Thus, when we ask Allah for His forgiveness, this means that we ask Him to cover our sins and our imperfections in this life and in the hereafter and to protect us from hellfire in the hereafter.
We should all be attached to Allah through this name because He is the only one who forgives our sins. Notice that this name of Allah was mentioned by many Prophets, for example, Allah tells us in the Noble Qur’an, that Nuh (AS) (Noah) said to his people what can be translated as, “So I have said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord; surely He has been (The) Superb Forgiver;” (TMQ, 71:10). Allah also says what can be translated as, “What would Allah perform with tormenting you in case you thank (Him) and believe? And Allah has been Thankful, Ever-Knowing.” (TMQ, 4:147).
The Qur’an also tells us that Ibrahim (AS) (Abraham) said to his people about Allah, while inviting them to Islam, what can be translated as, “Who created me. And so He, Ever He, guides me. And (it is He) Who, Ever He, feeds me and He gives me to drink; and when I am sick, then He, Ever He, cures me; and (it is He) Who makes me to die; thereafter He gives me life. And Whom I long (that) He will forgive me my offense (s) on the Day of Doom. (Or: Judgment)” (TMQ, 26: 78-82). Ibrahim (AS) considered that asking Allah to forgive his sin was as important as asking Him for food, drink or the cure of an illness. The companions of the Prophet (SAWS) said that they used to hear him (SAWS) asking for Allah’s forgiveness more than 70 times in each meeting with him.
We should all get close to Allah by asking His forgiveness because we are imperfect; we commit many sins and we are weak. We need Him to cover our imperfections, sins and disgrace in this life and in the hereafter and to protect us from hellfire. That is why the last ayah in surat al-Baqara, which can be translated as, “…And be clement towards us, and forgive us, and have mercy on us…” (TMQ, 2:286), sets the program of our ummah (Muslim nation). Also, note that Allah's forgiveness of our sins in this life is considered as a proof that He will not expose us in the hereafter. If you need to know to what extent Allah will forgive your sins in the hereafter, try to remember how many times you committed sins without Him exposing you.
Allah forgives whoever He wants and whatever He wants, He says what can be translated as, “Surely Allah does not forgive that (anything) should be associated with Him, and He forgives (anything) whatever apart from that for (Literally: to) whomever He decides…” (TMQ, 4:48). All we have to do is to insist on asking Allah for His forgiveness, to regret our sins and to visualize that every time we ask for Allah's forgiveness, a sin being forgiven.
Now let us move to the difference between the three names of Allah, The Ever-Forgiving, The Superb Forgiver and the Forgiver. Allah's name, the Ever-Forgiving, was mentioned 91 times in Qur'an, while The Superb Forgiver was mentioned five times and the Forgiver was mentioned only once. Scholars said that the Forgiver forgives one sin, the Ever-Forgiver forgives all your sins even if they are thousands, whereas the Superb Forgiver forgives the horrible and grave sins. Thus, Allah forgives all kinds of sins.
Allah is the Ever-Forgiving even with someone who rejects faith. Allah says what can be translated as, “Say to the ones who have disbelieved, in case they refrain, whatever has already passed will be forgiven them…” (TMQ, 8:38). He is even Ever-Forgiving with the prisoners of war who fought against the Prophet (SAWS), thus, He said what can be translated as, “ O you Prophet, say to the captives who are in your hands, “In case Allah knows of any charity in your hearts, He will bring you a more charitable (benefit) than what has been taken from you, and He will forgive you…” (TMQ, 8:70).
Allah says what can be translated as, “Their Messengers said, “Is there any doubt regarding Allah, The Originator (Literally: Renderer; i.e., creator) of the heavens and the earth? He calls you that He may forgive you (some) of your guilty deeds…” (TMQ, 14:10). This means that Allah is the one who calls us to forgive our sins. Even when Allah says what can be translated as, “The Forgiver of (every) guilty (deed), and The Accepter of penance, strict in punishment, The Owner of Ampleness…” (TMQ, 40:3). We should not fear the meaning of this ayah, because Allah shows us that although He has the might to punish us, He will forgive us.
Moreover, the Prophet (SAWS) taught us that if one persists in asking Allah for His forgiveness, He will drive away his distress, dispel his grief and He will provide for him from where he does not expect. Allah says what can be translated as,” So I have said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord; surely He has been (The) Superb Forgiver; He will send down on you (rain) from the heaven showering plentifully, and He will supply you with riches and sons, (Or: seeds) and will set up (Literally: make) for you gardens, and will set up for you rivers.” (TMQ, 71:10-12).
Allah (SWT) conceals the good things too, to let people make more use of it. For example, He concealed the Night of Determination to let people exert their best efforts during the last ten days of Ramadan. He concealed the hour in which prayers are answered on Friday, to let them supplicate to him throughout the day. He concealed patrons of Allah from being recognized, so that we would respect all people. He concealed the most glorious name of His, so that we would invoke Him with all his names. He concealed thoughts from being heard or read by others, or it would have caused severe problems amongst people. He protected people's secrets by limiting human hearing, so that their secrets would not be overheard. He concealed the time of death, so that Muslims prepare for it throughout their lives.
Imagine yourself on the Day of Judgment when you are called to be judged before Allah (SWT), with the presence of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), your wife, your neighbors and others. Imagine yourself when you read your book, in which your sins are written, before all of them. On that day, the flesh of some people's faces will fall out of shame. However, while you are standing amidst all these horrors, Allah (SWT) would call you, asking you to get nearer to him, and He would conceal you from all the surroundings. He would ask you, “Do you remember your sins? I have concealed them in the worldly life and today I forgive you.” See how forgiving he is?
Allah (SWT) does not disclose his slave’s sins at the first time of sinning. Rather, he gives him/her time to repent. Also, Allah (SWT) forgives everyone except for those who commits sins openly. Allah (SWT) wants beauty and purity to spread, and for sins to be concealed. He hates for obscenities to be done or spoken of loudly. This is the reason that he placed very hard conditions to prove that somebody has committed adultery. It takes four witnesses to testify that they are sure of they have witnessed adultery. This is very unlikely to happen, unless they commit adultery in public, and thus they are harming the society. Therefore, we can say that the punishment stated for adultery is meant to inflict those who commit sins in public.
We should not hasten to disclose others’ faults. Some kinds of media have made the disclosure of people part of their job, because they are searching for excitement. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Surely the ones who love that (the) obscenity should be widespread among the ones who have believed, (they) will have a painful torment in the present (life) (Literally: the lowly “life”, i.e., the life of this world) and the Hereafter; and Allah knows, and you do not know. “ (TMQ, 24:19).
How do we live in Allah’s Name “The Superb Forgiving”?
There are three things to do:
1- Do as many good deeds as you can. If you wish that Allah (SWT) would forgive your sins, do something great for his sake. Take advantage of the month of Ramadan with all its blessings.
2- Keep asking for Allah's forgiveness.
Do not disclose people's secrets, so that Allah (SWT) would not disclose yours. Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) taught us that he who shields a Muslim, Allah (SWT) would shield him on the Day of Judgment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The word Allah is the Arabic term for God. Although the use of the word "Allah" is most often associated with Islam, it is not used exclusively by Muslims; Arab Christians and Arabic-speaking Jews also use it to refer to the One God. The Arabic word expresses the unique characteristics of the One God more precisely than the English term. Whereas the word "Allah" has no plural form in Arabic, the English form does, and the word 'Allah' in Arabic has no connotation of gender. Allah is the God worshipped by all Prophets, from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.
Mankind, jinn and all creation
Salla Allah alayhe Wa Salam
TMQ=Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.
A verse in the Qur'an
A chapter; the Qur’an is comprised of 114 surahs
Patrons of Allah = Pious worshippers of Allah who enjoy an elevated degree of faith that exceeds that of the common people.
الصفحة الأخيرة
In the name of Allah, The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful, praise be to Allah the Lord of the whole universe, and all Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon our master, the most noble Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).
Today's episode is about the Name of Allah "The Guide". It covers five main points: an introduction, the meaning of Allah's Name "The Guide", the types of guidance, how Allah (SWT) guides us, and the features of the straight Path.
Introduction
To begin, we would like to introduce some questions:
1. What is meant by the "straight Path"?
2. Allah says what can be translated as, “He (Pharaoh) said, ‘Who then is the Lord of both of you, O Musa?’ (Moses). He said, ‘Our Lord is He Who gave everything its creation (and) thereafter guided (it)’.” (TMQ, 20: 49 – 50). What does this ayah indicate?
3. Is guidance restricted to human beings only, or does it encompass all other creatures?
4. How would you respond to those who say that they do not follow the straight Path because Allah (SWT) has not yet guided them?
The meaning of Allah's name "The Guide"
Linguistically, the word "guidance" means to direct someone to the right path gently. Notice that the word "guidance" is associated to the word "path". Accordingly, Allah's Name "The Guide" means that He guides all the creatures to the straight Path.
The above-mentioned ayah denotes that Allah guides all the creatures to the proper means of living and performing their role in the worldly life, and He also guides people to the Path of jannah (paradise). Hence, guidance is not restricted to man, but it embraces all the creatures in the universe.
The message of our episode today is directed towards three types of people:
1. Those who are astray from the straight Path: Allah, The Guide, calls you to His guidance.
2. Those who are already following the straight Path: strive to gain more guidance.
3. Those who have been guided, and guide others gently to the straight Path: have good tidings of great reward from Allah (SWT).
Types of guidance
There are four types of guidance. Firstly, a general guidance for all the creatures to live aptly and to accomplish their specified function in life. Secondly, a guidance to have faith in Allah's straight Path. Thirdly, a guidance to a reach a higher degree of faith. Allah says what can be translated as, "And Allah increases the ones who have been guided in guidance…" (TMQ, 19:76). Fourthly, a guidance to jannah. Allah says what can be translated as, "…and they will say, “Praise be to Allah, Who guided us to this; and in no way could we have been guided, unless Allah has guided us..." (TMQ, 7:43).
For those who feign that Allah (SWT) has not guided them, I would say that Allah (SWT) has granted all creatures a general guidance to know instinctively how to live, so how would He deny you guidance while you are more precious to Him than these lowly creatures?! In fact, Allah (SWT) has guided all people, through their natural disposition, to faith. Moreover, He has guided them with a special yearning to get closer to Him.
In this film we see Allah's greatness in bestowing all creatures with a general guidance. For example, we see how birds and fish migrate every year over very long distances without ever losing their way! Additionally, we see how certain groups of bees seek out flowers, and then indicate to the rest of the bees in their hives their location. Notice how they perform very accurate movements to communicate the quantity of the nectar, the direction of the places of flowers, and the distance between the hives and these places!
How Allah guides us
Man is guided by his natural disposition; Allah says what can be translated as, "And (remember) as your Lord took from the Seeds (Or. sons) of Adam, from their backs, their offspring, and made them bear witness concerning themselves, “Am I not your Lord?” They said, “Yes indeed, we bear witness.” (So) that you should not say on the Day of the Resurrection, “Surely we were heedless of this,” (TMQ, 7:172). The Prophet (SAWS) emphasized the same meaning, saying that every child is born with a natural disposition (Islam), but his parents turn him into a Christian or Jew. Moreover, Allah (SWT) revealed the way of goodness and the way of evil to man. Allah says what can be translated as, "And (by) the self and That (i.e., The Command) which molded it, So He inspired it to its impiety and piety!" (TMQ, 91:7-8). Thus whenever an act of wickedness is committed one feels ashamed and upset. This inspiration is from Allah (SWT) The Guide to show you the right way. Allah (SWT) has instilled within us the ability to differentiate between good and bad. Do not say, “I have not received guidance,” for Allah (SWT) guides all. For those who do not feel that they are instinctively guided, it is their sins and lusts that estrange them from their good nature. Just as an abandoned route through the desert becomes covered with sand, a heart without guidance becomes full of sins. This ayah affirms the fact that every human being is instinctively guided. Therefore never say, “I have not been guided.” Ask Allah for forgiveness.
There are various means to help guide you to the straight Path, one of which is to reflect upon this immense universe. Look around you. Contemplate the heavens and earth. Allah says what can be translated as “…and whoever is in them extol to Him…” (TMQ, 17:44). Then Allah says to those who do not find guidance in the universe in what can be translated as “…And in no way do the signs and warnings avail a people who do not believe” (TMQ, 10: 101).
Another way to receive guidance in through the Qur'an. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Surely this Qur’an guides to (the way) that is more upright, and gives good tidings to the believers who do deeds of righteousness that they will a great reward (TMQ, 17: 9). And in another ayah, “They said, ‘O our people, surely we have heard a Book that was sent down even after Mûsa, (Moses) sincerely (verifying) what was before it, (Literally: between its two hands) guiding to the Truth and to a straight road’” (TMQ, 46:30). The vast universe and the Qur’an complement one another in providing guidance to the straight Path.
Another means to guide you to the straight Path is through people. Whoever calls people to Allah receives a great reward. Indeed, a most esteemed form of worship is to guide people to Allah in a lenient and gentle way.
Another form of guidance from Allah is through actions, signs, or even words. Abdullah Ibn-Masoud (RA), one of the Prophet's companions, once passed by a group of people and heard a man singing. He turned to the person next to him and remarked if only the lovely voice were reciting Qur'an. When the man heard what was said about him, he ran to Ibn-Masoud asking to be taught Qur’an. This shows how Allah wishes for you to be guided. He wants you to enter jannah.
It is important that you guide people gently to the path of Allah. A polytheist was told that the Prophet (SAWS) was possessed by the jinn. Being an exorcist, he approached the Prophet and asked what ails him. Look at the Prophet’s manners. He was not abusive, nor did he send him away. Instead, he told the man that we praise Allah, thank Him, and seek His help, guidance and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil in our souls and the sinfulness of our deeds. As Allah says what can be translated as, "…whomever Allah guides, then he is right-guided, and whomever He leads away into error, then you will never find for him a right-minded patron" (TMQ, 18:17). After hearing this, the man embraced Islam.
In the Qur’an, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Guide us in the straight Path” (TMQ, 1: 6). Just as the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, the straight Path is the shortest and surest way to guidance. That is why when praying we recite what can be translated as, “In The Name of Allah, The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful. Praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful. The Possessor of the Day of Doom. You only do we worship, and You only do we beseech for help. Guide us in the straight Path. The Path of the ones whom You have favored, other than that of the ones against whom You are angered, and not (that of) the erring (TMQ, 1:1-7). Praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds, You only do we worship and You only do we beseech for help. Guide us in the straight Path. This straight Path leads to the gates of paradise.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The word Allah is the Arabic term for God. Although the use of the word "Allah" is most often associated with Islam, it is not used exclusively by Muslims; Arab Christians and Arabic-speaking Jews also use it to refer to the One God. The Arabic word expresses the unique characteristics of the One God more precisely than the English term. Whereas the word "Allah" has no plural form in Arabic, the English form does. Allah is the God worshipped by all Prophets, from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.
Salla Allah alayhe Wa Salam .
SWT = Suhanahu wa Ta'ala .
TMQ=Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.
A verse in the Qur’an
May Allah be pleased with him
An invisible being of fire