Daily Qur’an Reflections: (10) Anfal 41-75 to Tawba 1-93: Highest Love, Trials and Trust, Mercy and Belief, Qualities of Believers

 In this series, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani and Ustadh Tabraze Azam, SeekersHub Global Instructors, share a day by day overview of key themes of each section (juz’) of the Qur’an, over the month of Ramadan. This is covered nightly at IMO of Toronto, where SeekersHub Toronto (www.seekers.flywheelstaging.com) is conducting its Ramadan 2013 programming.

We look at four main themes in these verses: (1) loving Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him); (2) trials and trust in Allah; (3) the Prophet’s concern and mercy; and (4) a description of the qualities embodied by true believers.

[1] Loving Allah and His Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace)

Our religion is built on love. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “By the One in whose grasp is my soul, none of you believes until I am more beloved to him than their children, parents, and all people.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

“Say [Prophet], ‘If your fathers, sons, brothers, wives, tribes, the wealth you have acquired, the trade which you fear will decline, and the dwellings you love are dearer to you than God and His Messenger and the struggle in His cause, then wait until God brings about His punishment.’ God does not guide those who break away.” [Qur’an, 9.24]

This is a call to intensity of love, and that striving for Allah arises from love–and must be in ways beloved to Him. The warning against turning away from this is clear.

[2] The Blows of Fate and Reliance on Allah

Here, Allah tells us the response of the true believers to the blows of fate. Everything is from Allah, and realizing this transforms hardships into opportunities of seeking closeness to Him.

“Say, ‘Only what God has decreed will happen to us. He is our Master: let the believers put their trust in God.’” [Qur’an, 9.51]

Trust in Allah is to know:

(1) that everything is from Allah;

(2) that there is Mercy in all that Allah sends, if one responds right;

(3) that if one has inward acceptance and right response, then both hardship and ease are for one’s good: they increase our faith, are a means of reward, and draw one closer to Allah.

Why complain?

[3] Mercy to Mankind

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) is the embodiment of true mercy. Believers benefit from this gift of mercy:

“There are others who insult the Prophet by saying, ‘He will listen to anything.’ Say, ‘He listens for your own good: he believes in God, trusts the believers, and is a mercy for those of you who believe.’ An agonizing torment awaits those who insult God’s Messenger.” [Qur’an, 9.61]

[4] Description of the Believers

Allah Most High gives us a comprehensive description of the best of believers:

“The believers, both men and women, support each other; they order what is right and forbid what is wrong; they keep up the prayer and pay the prescribed alms; they obey God and His Messenger. God will give His mercy to such people: God is almighty and wise. God has promised the believers, both men and women, Gardens graced with flowing streams where they will remain; good, peaceful homes in Gardens of lasting bliss; and– greatest of all– God’s good pleasure. That is the supreme triumph.” [Qur’an, 9.71-72]

Strive to embody these virtues, seeking the supreme triumph–attaining Allah’s Good Pleasure.

And Allah alone gives success.