Living The Quran Through The Living Quran

The Muslim life in Medina would see many changes in the relationship of  Prophet Muḥammad and Imam ʿAlī. The Commander of the Faithful would  propose to and eventually marry Fatima al-Zahra, the only daughter of  Prophet Muḥammad and would continue to shine by displaying his bravery,  courage, skills and many other traits. His status would also be added to  by Allāh when h...

As Imam ʿAlī continued to grow and mature, his dedication to Islam and  to his spiritual brother, Prophet Muḥammad also grew. The Prophet relied  upon Imam ʿAlī in critical junctures of the growth of Islam in Mecca,  such as inviting and cooking food for the invitation to the Quraysh to  Islam in the event known as Da’wat Dhu’l Asheerah. He also showed his  love for Islam...

Commentary of Verses 29 and 30 29. Or do those in whose hearts is sickness think that Allah will not bring to light their malice against the Divine Religion and its followers ? 30. Had We so willed, We would have shown them, the hypocrites , to you, the Muslims , and you would have known them by their marks. But you certainly know them by the false tone of their speech, and Allah knows your deeds.

There is a relationship which exists between Prophet Muḥammad and Imam ʿAlī which no other companion or family member of the Prophet has. Not only is Imam ʿAlī the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet, but more importantly, he is his spiritual brother in this world and in the next. He was blessed to marry the only daughter of Prophet Muḥammad and his two sons, Imams Hasan and Husayn would actually...

Commentary of Verses 27 and 28 27. So, how (will it be) when the angels take their souls at death, striking their faces and their backs? 28. This  is because they have followed what incurs God’s wrath (condemnation),  and are averse to what pleases Him, and so He has caused all their  (previous good) deeds to go to waste.

Although a human being, however Prophet Muḥammad has been given certain abilities by Allāh which he is entitled to use IF and WHEN Allāh permits him – one of them is his ability to tap into Knowledge of the Unseen – again IF and WHEN Allāh allows him. He has also been given the ability to be a witness over the actions of his community – showing that he has the power to know what all of the believe...

Commentary of Verses 25 and 26 25. Surely  those who have turned back as apostates after (God’s) guidance has become clear to them, Satan has seduced them; he has implanted in them  long-term worldly ambitions. 26. This is because they have said to those who are averse to what God has sent down: "We will obey you in some issues." God knows their secrets.

With the move to Medina, the Prophet encountered a challenge – how to  bring about harmony and introduce two distinct groups to one another –  the Muhajiroon, those who had converted in Mecca and had to leave their  home to move to Yathrib and the Ansar, those who had converted in the  city of Yathrib and were now in a position to have to welcome in  hundreds of people int...

Every faith tradition has a focus or direction which they hold sacred and important. For the Muslims, this is Mecca and the Sacred Ka’bah. However it was not always the direction of prayer. For the entire period of life in Mecca, the Muslims would turn towards Jerusalem when they engaged in their acts of worship. However, once they established themselves in Medina, the order was given to now turn...

A continuation of Episode 13 in which we reviewed Verse 24 which stated, "Do they not then reflect on the Quran? Nay, on the hearts there are locks." In this episode, we delve deeper into the Noble Quran and it importance and relevance in our lives.

After thirteen years of struggle, the Muslim community were at a dead-end – if they stayed in Mecca, not only could they not grow, but rather, their lives were in danger every day. What to do in such a situation? The answer was to leave Mecca and find a new home to grow in – and so Prophet Muhammad, through the direction of Allāh, proceeded to plan to move at night to the city of Yathrib – north o...

On the journey through the realms of existence, Allāh allowed His prophet to experience many unheard things which no one before or after him would ever go through. At the same time, he was also granted two blessings which Allāh would only confer upon him – the obligation to the night prayer (ṣalāt al-Layl) and the power to intercede for his community (maqam-e mahmood). Join us in this episode as w...

Commentary of Verses 23 - 24 23. Such are they whom God has cursed (excluded from His mercy), and so He has made them deaf and blinded their eyes (to the truth). 24. Do  they not meditate earnestly on the Qur’an, or are there locks on the  hearts (that are particular to them so that they are as if deaf and  blind, and incapable of understanding the truth)?

Commentary of Verses 21 - 22 21. (Whereas,  what true believers are expected to do in response to any Divine order  is) obedience and a proper word. So, if they were true to God when the  command has been resolved upon (and it calls them to do what their  pledge to God requires them), it would certainly be good for them. 22. But  is it to be expected of you (O hypocritical...

Commentary of Verse 20 20. Those  who believe (look forward to a new surah conveying knowledge of Divine  truths and God’s new commandments being sent down, and) say: "If only a  new surah were sent down!" But when a decisive surah has been sent down  in which fighting is mentioned (clearly as a commanded duty), you see  those in whose hearts there is sickness looking at y...

Commentary of Verses 18 - 19 18. Do  they (who persist in unbelief and evil deeds) wait but for the Last  Hour – (waiting) that it come upon them all of a sudden? Now indeed its  portents have already come. But how can it benefit them to take  admonition when the Last Hour has (already) come upon them? 19. Then,  know (bear in mind) that there is no deity but God, and ask...

Commentary of Verses 16 - 17 16. Among  them (the people of Madinah) are some who give ear to you, but when  they go out from your presence, they ask (with arrogance and derision)  those who have been given (some) knowledge (of the truths of the  Religion): "What has he said just now?" Those are they whose hearts God  has sealed, and who follow their lusts and fancies. 17....

Commentary of Verse 15 15. A  likeness of Paradise which the God-revering, pious are promised is  this: in it are rivers of water incorruptible (in taste, smell, and  color); and rivers of milk whose taste never changes; and rivers of wine  delicious for the drinkers; and rivers of pure, clear honey. And in it  there are also fruits of every kind for them, as well as forgi...

Commentary of Verses 13 - 14 13. How  many a township there has been, greater in power (and more abundant in  wealth) than your township, which has driven you out, (O Messenger). We  destroyed them and they had no helper (against Us). 14. Is,  then, the one who is (standing) upon a clear evidence from his Lord  like him whose evil deeds are decked out to be appealing to hi...

Commentary of Verse 12 12. God  will admit those who believe and do good, righteous deeds into Gardens  through which rivers flow. As for those who disbelieve, they take their  enjoyment and consume (God’s bounties) just as cattle consume, (without  considering Who has given them to them, and what they are expected to do  in return, and with no sense of the life to come);...

Commentary of Verses 10 - 11 10. Have  they not traveled about the earth and seen how the outcome was for  those who came before them (and persisted in associating partners with  Him, and in all kinds of transgression)? God brought utter devastation  upon them, and the unbelievers (now) the like of their fate awaits. 11. This  is because God surely is the Guardian of those...

Commentary of Verses 8 - 9 8. But those who disbelieve: collapse and perdition are their lot, and He will render all their deeds vain. 9. This is because they are averse to that which God has sent down, and so He causes their deeds to go to waste.

Commentary of Verses 5 - 7 5. (Rather,) He will guide them (to the realization of their goal in both worlds) and set their conditions right for them, 6. And He will admit them into Paradise that He has made known to them. 7. O  you who believe! If you help God(’s cause by striving in His cause), He  will help you and make your feet firm (so that you are steadfast in His  cause and u...

Commentary of Verses 3 - 4 3. That  is because those who disbelieve follow falsehood (in their beliefs,  thoughts, and actions), while those who believe follow the truth from  their Lord. Thus God expounds to people what they are like. 4. So,  when you meet those who disbelieve in war, smite at their necks  (without giving them opportunity to defeat you). At length, when y...

Introduction to Sūrah and Commentary of Verses 1 and 2 1. Those who disbelieve and bar (people) from God’s way – God will render all their deeds vain. 2. While  those who believe and do good, righteous deeds, who believe in what has  been sent on Muhammad – and it is the truth from their Lord – He will  blot out from them their evil deeds (which will otherwise prevent their  ac...