Daily Qur’an Reminders: (07) Ma’ida 58-120 and An`am 1-110 – Consequences of Being True; Your True Home; Allah’s Mercy; Allah is the Point

 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 7: Juz’ Seven: Surat al-Ma’ida [5.83-120] & Surat al-An`am [6.1-110]

In today’s set of verses, we’ll be looking at four key themes: (1) consequences of being true; (2) your home is the Hereafter; (3) Allah’s Mercy; and (4) Allah is the point.

[1] The Consequence of Being True

Allah consistently reminds us of the eternal consequences of our actions and choices in this life. One of the highest virtues is being true (sidq), and Allah Most High tells us of the “supreme triumpth” granted those who are true:

“God will say, ‘This is a Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness. They will have Gardens graced with flowing streams, there to remain for ever. God is pleased with them and they with Him: that is the supreme triumph.’” [Qur’an, 5.119]

Being true (sidq) is for one’s aims and aspirations to correspond to the Pleasure of Allah, and for one’s actions and responses to correspond to what one aims and aspires towards.

[2] Your Home is the Hereafter

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “From a person’s Islam being good is his leaving what does not concern him.” What concerns you? That which has benefit, in this life or the next, and is a means to the Pleasure of Allah. Leave everything else:

“The life of this world is nothing but a game and a distraction; the Home in the Hereafter is best for those who are aware of God. Why will you [people] not understand?” [Qur’an, 6.32]

True understanding is knowing what benefits, and then pursuing it.

[3] Mercy upon Mercy

A constant theme in the Qur’an is Allah’s reminding us that He is ready to forgive. He is the All Forgiving, Most Merciful. He accepts the repentance of His servants who turn to Him, saddened by their mistake, with none other to turn to, hoping in Him:

“When those who believe in Our revelations come to you [Prophet], say, ‘Peace be upon you. Your Lord has taken it on Himself to be merciful: if any of you has foolishly done a bad deed, and afterwards repented and mended his ways, God is most forgiving and most merciful.’” [Qur’an, 6.54]

[4] Allah is the Point

The whole of the Qur’an is pointing to Allah.

“This is God, your Lord, there is no God but Him, the Creator of all things, so worship Him; He is in charge of everything.” [Qur’an, 6.102]

Make everything you do a means of worshipping Him, seeking Him, knowing Him, and loving Him. You weren’t created except to know and love Him.

And Allah alone gives success.

Faraz Rabbani and Tabraze Azam