Daily Qur’an Reflections: (11) Tawba 9.94, Yunus, to Hub 11.5 – Key to Taqwa, Prophetic Mercy, Rejoicing in Allah – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani and Ustadh Tabraze Azam

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.

Day 11: Juz’ Eleven: Surat al-Tawba [9.94-129], Surat Yunus [10.1-109] & Surat Hud [11.1-5]

We will be touching upon  four key themes in the 11th Section (juz’) of the Qur’an:: (1) the key to taqwa (mindfulness of Allah); (2) seeking and supporting religious knowledge; (3) The Prophet’s love, mercy, and concern for believers; and (4) the command to rejoice in Allah’s blessings.

[1] The Key to Mindfulness (taqwa)

It is from Allah’s Mercy that when  He commands us to a virtue He always tells us how to attain it. Here, Allah gives us a key to mindfulness (taqwa):

“You who believe, be mindful of God, and be with those who are true.” [Qur’an, 9.119]

Your company colours your consciousness, character, and conduct. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “A person is on the way of their close companions, so let each of you consider carefully whom you take as a close companion.” [Ahmad and others]

[2] Seeking Knowledge and Supporting Religious Scholarship

Islam is a religion of knowledge. This knowledge is transmitted from the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) through teaching and study. Allah Most High commands us to both seek knowledge, and to support the nurturing and spread of sound religious scholarship:

“…out of each community, a group should go out to gain understanding of the religion, so that they can teach their people when they return and so that they can take heed.” [Qur’an, 9.122]

The role and purpose of scholars is made clear here: (1) to teach people how to turn to Allah Most High; and (2) to remind people of their duty to Allah–th

The health of individuals and communities is through being connected to scholars who are inheritors of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) in knowledge, guidance, and spirituality.rough encouragement and warning.

[3] The Prophet’s Mercy, Concern, and Love for the Believers

Allah Most High reminds us, agains, of the tremendous blessing and gift of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace):

“A Messenger has come to you from among yourselves. Your suffering distresses him: he is deeply concerned for you and full of kindness and mercy towards the believers.” [Qur’an, 9.128]

Appreciate this Gift, and strive to emulate his radiant example: seek the mercy, concern, and love of Allah Most High through having true mercy, concern, and love for Allah’s creation. “It is the merciful who are shown mercy by the All-Merciful,” said the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), “Be merciful to those on earth, and the Lord of the Heavens will be merciful to you.” [Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud]

[4] Rejoicing in Allah

This is the reminder of the tremendous blessings that have been bestowed upon us. It is a Qur’anic imperative to rejoice in Allah, in Allah’s Grace and Mercy:

“People, a reminder from your Lord has come to you, a healing for what is in [your] hearts, and guidance and mercy for the believers. Say [Prophet], ‘In God’s grace and mercy let them rejoice: these are better than all they accumulate.’” [Qur’an, 10.57-58]

Four qualities of the Qur’an are mentioned here:

(1) it is a reminder (maw`idha)–for humans tend towards forgetting;

(2) it is a healing (shifa’) for all that ails the heart–through recitation, through reflection, through acting upon its guidance, and through Allah’s drawing close and illuminating the hearts of those who find Him through His Speech;

(3-4) it is guidance and mercy–showing the way of good, out of Divine Favour.

Given all this, a believer should be ever-rejoicing in Allah’s Favours. Rejoice in Allah’s gifts of life, faith, guidance, and all good–worldly and spiritual.

And Allah alone gives success.

Faraz Rabbani and Tabraze Azam

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