Day 61/114: As-Saff الصف - The Ranks
Be honest. Be a person of your word.
Say what you mean, and mean what you say.
Build reliability. Build trust.
“O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do?
Great is hatred in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do.” [61:2-3]
Say what you mean, and mean what you say.
Build reliability. Build trust.
“O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do?
Great is hatred in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do.” [61:2-3]
Day 62/114: Al Jumu’ah الجمعة - Friday
You’ll usually see a mosque being busiest during the Friday prayers on a weekly basis, during midday.
It’s where we leave everything behind (literally, the world), and congregate for worship.
An interesting incident is mentioned, where the importance of this act had yet to be made apparent, and the attendees had dispersed from group to flock to a trade caravan that was passing by (this took place out in the open).
The animation was partly inspired by the famous scene from The Matrix - and how easily we can be distracted from our obligations in life.
We’re given ease in the sense that the entire day hasn’t been allocated away for this act, rather just a small portion of the day - after which we are free to carry on as normal.
“But when they saw a transaction or a diversion, [O Muhammad], they rushed to it and left you standing. Say, "What is with Allah is better than diversion and than a transaction, and Allah is the best of providers."” [62:11]
It’s where we leave everything behind (literally, the world), and congregate for worship.
An interesting incident is mentioned, where the importance of this act had yet to be made apparent, and the attendees had dispersed from group to flock to a trade caravan that was passing by (this took place out in the open).
The animation was partly inspired by the famous scene from The Matrix - and how easily we can be distracted from our obligations in life.
We’re given ease in the sense that the entire day hasn’t been allocated away for this act, rather just a small portion of the day - after which we are free to carry on as normal.
“But when they saw a transaction or a diversion, [O Muhammad], they rushed to it and left you standing. Say, "What is with Allah is better than diversion and than a transaction, and Allah is the best of providers."” [62:11]
Day 63/114: Al Munafiqun المنافقون - The Hypocrites
Everything demands our attention. Everything wants our time, our resources. We usually give weight to one, while neglecting something else in return.
Following on from the previous chapter, this is a reminder that ultimately our priority should be the worship. It doesn’t mean to neglect these things completely either - rather that everything we do, and all that we have is for a higher and greater ultimate purpose.
“O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah . And whoever does that - then those are the losers.” [63:9]
Following on from the previous chapter, this is a reminder that ultimately our priority should be the worship. It doesn’t mean to neglect these things completely either - rather that everything we do, and all that we have is for a higher and greater ultimate purpose.
“O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah . And whoever does that - then those are the losers.” [63:9]
Day 64/114: At-Taghabun التغابن - The Mutual Dissolution
Every difficult and seemingly negative thing we face in life is actually that which builds us and makes us grow.
No pain, no difficulty, no loss, no trial is out of pure punishment - rather a way for us to learn in the best and most thorough possible way.
Growth doesn’t come through ease. Success doesn’t come without gruelling months and years.
Diamonds too are formed under immense heat and pressure. And such is true for every beautiful and worthwhile thing.
“Kintsugi” in Japanese is the art of repairing pottery by mending broken areas with gold, the idea being that whatever is mended is more beautiful as a result.
So too the scars that you bear make you the person you are.
“No disaster strikes except by permission of Allah . And whoever believes in Allah - He will guide his heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things.” [64:11]
No pain, no difficulty, no loss, no trial is out of pure punishment - rather a way for us to learn in the best and most thorough possible way.
Growth doesn’t come through ease. Success doesn’t come without gruelling months and years.
Diamonds too are formed under immense heat and pressure. And such is true for every beautiful and worthwhile thing.
“Kintsugi” in Japanese is the art of repairing pottery by mending broken areas with gold, the idea being that whatever is mended is more beautiful as a result.
So too the scars that you bear make you the person you are.
“No disaster strikes except by permission of Allah . And whoever believes in Allah - He will guide his heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things.” [64:11]
Day 65/114: At-Talaq الطلاق - The Divorce
When you’re enshrouded by a the darkness of a hundred clouds, it’s difficult to remember that the sun is shining behind them all.
Because it is. And we should remember that.
The night is darkest before the dawn. The most difficult of what you face is also likely to be your defining moment.
There is great wisdom behind this passage being mentioned in a chapter of divorce - often a time of great difficultly and uncertainty for anyone who experiences it.
But it’s true for other matters in life too - for true faith is something that cannot be understood by writing, reading, or even illustrating it. Rather, it’s something that has to be lived and experienced for itself.
“And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out
And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him.” [65:2-3]
Because it is. And we should remember that.
The night is darkest before the dawn. The most difficult of what you face is also likely to be your defining moment.
There is great wisdom behind this passage being mentioned in a chapter of divorce - often a time of great difficultly and uncertainty for anyone who experiences it.
But it’s true for other matters in life too - for true faith is something that cannot be understood by writing, reading, or even illustrating it. Rather, it’s something that has to be lived and experienced for itself.
“And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out
And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him.” [65:2-3]
Day 66/114: At-Tahrim التحريم - The Prohibition
The previous chapter mentioned divorce, and where even excess love is mentioned and how it can be detrimental.
Not wanting to do something thats generally allowed is OK for the most part - but then placing an unnecessary burden upon yourself out of a supposed heightened display of spirituality is wrong.
But this can be a problem outside of spiritual matters too - perhaps you’ve given yourself a ridiculously difficult goal or a challenge that is detrimental to your health and the people around you.
People sometimes overwork themselves and spend their time away from other obligations (i.e. family), not realising that they owe more than just finances- but their time and physical presence too.
“Allah has already ordained for you [Muslims] the dissolution of your oaths. And Allah is your protector, and He is the Knowing, the Wise.” [66:2]
Not wanting to do something thats generally allowed is OK for the most part - but then placing an unnecessary burden upon yourself out of a supposed heightened display of spirituality is wrong.
But this can be a problem outside of spiritual matters too - perhaps you’ve given yourself a ridiculously difficult goal or a challenge that is detrimental to your health and the people around you.
People sometimes overwork themselves and spend their time away from other obligations (i.e. family), not realising that they owe more than just finances- but their time and physical presence too.
“Allah has already ordained for you [Muslims] the dissolution of your oaths. And Allah is your protector, and He is the Knowing, the Wise.” [66:2]
Day 67/114: Al Mulk الملك - The Dominion
Rain is something we often take for granted, with many of us routinely complaining about even the slightest downfall, often pairing with feelings of sadness and misery.
But then how many nations are there on earth that are suffering a drought, or have done so in the past decade who would do anything for even a drop of rainfall upon the land?
I read an article some time back about how the UK will struggle to cope with water demand in 25 years time due to our excessive use - which has increased over 7.5 times more to roughly 135 litres per day, per person.
So much of our ecosystem depends on something as simple as water falling from the sky, not remembering that we are blessed in so many more ways than we realise.
“Say, "Have you considered: if your water was to become sunken [into the earth], then who could bring you flowing water?"” [67:30]
But then how many nations are there on earth that are suffering a drought, or have done so in the past decade who would do anything for even a drop of rainfall upon the land?
I read an article some time back about how the UK will struggle to cope with water demand in 25 years time due to our excessive use - which has increased over 7.5 times more to roughly 135 litres per day, per person.
So much of our ecosystem depends on something as simple as water falling from the sky, not remembering that we are blessed in so many more ways than we realise.
“Say, "Have you considered: if your water was to become sunken [into the earth], then who could bring you flowing water?"” [67:30]
Day 68/114: Al Qalam القلم - The Pen
This is a short passage, a narration of a group of farmers who were extremely miserly with their wealth. They went to extreme lengths to protect their crop, only to find their lot uprooted.
Charity is greatly emphasised - with the Zakat being an annual giving away of 2.5% of ones wealth away to charity.
My favourite lesson in charity came many years ago during a sermon, where the imam mentioned how we should never be shy of giving even small amounts - for no act, no matter how small, goes unnoticed.
Your 1%, is somebody else’s 100%.
“And they called one another at morning,
[Saying], "Go early to your crop if you would cut the fruit."
So they set out, while lowering their voices,
[Saying], "There will surely not enter it today upon you [any] poor person."” [67-21-24]
Charity is greatly emphasised - with the Zakat being an annual giving away of 2.5% of ones wealth away to charity.
My favourite lesson in charity came many years ago during a sermon, where the imam mentioned how we should never be shy of giving even small amounts - for no act, no matter how small, goes unnoticed.
Your 1%, is somebody else’s 100%.
“And they called one another at morning,
[Saying], "Go early to your crop if you would cut the fruit."
So they set out, while lowering their voices,
[Saying], "There will surely not enter it today upon you [any] poor person."” [67-21-24]
Day 69/114: Al Haqqah الحاقة - The Reality
Following on from yesterday’s example, an example is given of those who have truly lost on the final day - who had great wealth on the earth and did not even as much encourage giving in charity, let alone partaking in it.
On one hand we have nations that partake in extreme over indulgence, causing harm not only to themselves, but an economy that destroys the very earth that it relies upon.
On the other side, there is such extreme poverty that people are forced to eat whatever items they can find, be it edible or not.
I remember watching a beggar on the train one time being turned away in an overly harsh manner many years ago. Though it was only brief, it’s a moment that leaves me in sadness every time I remember it- how easily humans can turn away a fellow man like a dishcloth to be thrown away.
Let us all be generous and lend a helping hand in whatever capacity we can.
“Nor did he encourage the feeding of the poor.” [69:34]
On one hand we have nations that partake in extreme over indulgence, causing harm not only to themselves, but an economy that destroys the very earth that it relies upon.
On the other side, there is such extreme poverty that people are forced to eat whatever items they can find, be it edible or not.
I remember watching a beggar on the train one time being turned away in an overly harsh manner many years ago. Though it was only brief, it’s a moment that leaves me in sadness every time I remember it- how easily humans can turn away a fellow man like a dishcloth to be thrown away.
Let us all be generous and lend a helping hand in whatever capacity we can.
“Nor did he encourage the feeding of the poor.” [69:34]
Day 70/114: Al Ma’arij المعارج - The Ascending Stairways
Continuing from yesterday; a word on consumption.
The word used in Arabic is “haloo’a” (هلوع) is used to refer to someone who doesn’t have patience, has no control over his temptations.
The marketers dream - you see a product, you buy it.
And also quick to complain once the consequences of such actions hits you.
How abundant is this today? Is this something we see everywhere?
A claim made at the early part of this decade is that if everyone on the planet was to consume as much as an average US citizen, we would need four planet Earths to sustain us all.
And today we are seeing the effects of generations of living in abundance on our planet - with entire ecosystems being put at risk of extinction.
“Indeed, mankind was created anxios
When evil touches him, impatient” [70:19-20]
The word used in Arabic is “haloo’a” (هلوع) is used to refer to someone who doesn’t have patience, has no control over his temptations.
The marketers dream - you see a product, you buy it.
And also quick to complain once the consequences of such actions hits you.
How abundant is this today? Is this something we see everywhere?
A claim made at the early part of this decade is that if everyone on the planet was to consume as much as an average US citizen, we would need four planet Earths to sustain us all.
And today we are seeing the effects of generations of living in abundance on our planet - with entire ecosystems being put at risk of extinction.
“Indeed, mankind was created anxios
When evil touches him, impatient” [70:19-20]