Daily Qur’an Reflections: (12) Hud 11.6-123 to Yusuf 12.52 – Calling to Allah, Uprightness, Prayer, and the Qur’anic Stories – 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 12: Juz’ Twelve: Surat Hud [11.6-123] & Surat Yusuf [12.1-52]
In this section, we’ll be looking at four key themes:
[1] The Prophetic Way of Calling to Allah
The Prophetic way of calling to Allah had four distinguishing characteristics: (1) mercy, (2) asking for assistance and success, (3) reliance upon Allah, and (4) always turning to Him.
“He answered, ‘My people, can you not see? What if I am acting on clear evidence from my Lord? He Himself has given me good provision: I do not want to do what I am forbidding you to do, I only want to put things right as far as I can. I cannot succeed without God’s help: I trust in Him, and always turn to Him.” [Qur’an, 11.88]
[2] Remaining Upright
The Straight Path of guidance is the way of uprightness (istiqama).
“So keep to uprightness as you have been commanded, together with those who have turned to God with you. Do not overstep the limits, for He sees everything you do.” [Qur’an, 11.112]
Uprightness has four aspects:
(1) knowing one’s purpose;
(2) directing oneself towards one’s purpose;
(3) taking the right means towards that purpose; and
(4) taking these means with outward and inward excellence.
Uprightness is the way of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He counselled: “Say: I believe in Allah–and then remain upright,” said the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). [Muslim]
[3] The Prayer & Performing Righteous Actions
Prayer is our expression of gratitude to God, of yearning for God, of love for God, of awe of God. It is the perfect expression of our slavehood to Allah, our need for Allah, and our commitment to Allah. Allah Most High commands:
“Keep up the prayer at both ends of the day, and during parts of the night, for good things drive bad away– this is a reminder for those who are aware.” [Qur’an, 11.114]
Prayer (1) draws one closer to Allah, (2) purifies one’s heart and soul, and (3) enables one to leave those things that distance one from Allah.
[4] Taking Lessons from Stories
The stories of the Qur’an have many spiritual benefits:
“We have told you the stories of the prophets to make your heart firm and in these accounts truth has come to you, as well as lessons and reminders for the believers.” [Qur’an, 11.120]
These stories have three main purposes: (1) to increase one’s faith, certitude and resolve; (2) to give one truth and guidance; and (3) they contain lessons and reminders by which we can–through understanding and reflection–take heed, and turn to Allah on the footsteps of “those whom Allah has blessed.”
And Allah alone gives success.
Faraz Rabbani and Tabraze Azam
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