Living The Quran Through The Living Quran

And we indeed sent Noah to his people and he stayed among them for (as long as) a thousand years short of fifty years ( nine hundred and fifty years). While his people were steeped in wrongdoings they were caught in the deluge. (29:14)   Commentary NUMBER 950: On the 17th day of, we reviewed this verse under the theme of ‘never lose hope’, however as Allah mentioned two numbers in this verse,...

And they stayed in this Place of Refuge three hundred years and extended (their stay) another nine (years). (18:25)   Commentary NUMBER 300: As with any good story, many times, a reader wants to know all of the juicy details, sometimes even those things which really don’t have any benefit for the reader, but still, they are intrigued and want to know those finer points. In the story of the Pe...

For the present Allah has lightened your burden, for He knows that there is yet some weakness in you, thus, if there be of you one hundred persevering and steadfast persons they shall (still) overcome (at least) two hundred and if there be a thousand of you they shall overcome two thousand by the leave of Allah. And Allah is with the steadfast. (8:66) Commentary NUMBER 200: If we study verse 65 an...

 The attribute of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah is like the attribute of a grain (of corn) which sprouts seven ears, each ear bearing a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies further for whomsoever He pleases, for Allah is Bountiful, All-Knowing. (2:261) Commentary NUMBER 100: Helping the less fortunate people of the society is something which the Quran has emphasized in ma...

 ‘(The case of the litigation is that,) this is my brother. He has ninety nine ewes (female sheep) while I have one ewe; still he says, “Make it over to me,” and he has been prevailing by his arguments upon me.’ (38:23) Commentary NUMBER 99: The story which is contained in this verse and which is actually found in verses 21 to 26 of this chapter speak about an important event in the life of P...

Now Moses selected from his people seventy men (to take with him) to Our appointed place and time, but when the earthquake seized them he said, ‘My Lord! if You so willed You could have destroyed them as well as me before (this). But would You destroy us on account of that which the foolish among us have done? This (matter of the calf) is nothing but (an ordeal from You) that You may distinguish t...

The Night of Majesty is better than a thousand months. (97:3) Commentary  NUMBER 1,000: From tonight, the 19th night of Ramaḍān, we enter into the phase in which the nights are known as the Layālī al-Qadr – The Nights of al-Qadr .  Not only are these nights very special, but it is also steeped in mystery and secrecy. The fact that no one knows what night it is and that even though the aḥ...

And we indeed sent Noah to his people and he stayed among them for (as long as) a thousand years short of fifty years (nine hundred and fifty years). While his people were steeped in wrongdoings they were caught in the Deluge. (29:14)   Commentary NUMBER 50: The chapter of the Spider ( al-Ankabūt ) starts off by Allah reminding all of humanity that they will NOT be left alone merely saying th...

 And We made an appointment with Moses for thirty nights (and days to pray in solitude) which We supplemented with another ten (to receive the Law) so that the period appointed by his Lord came to be full forty nights (and days). (When leaving) Moses said to his brother Aaron, ‘Act for me (taking my place) in my absence among my people and reform and manage (them) well and do not follow the w...

And We have enjoined on a human being to do good to his parents. His mother bears him with trouble and pain and brings him forth with trouble and pain. The bearing of him and his weaning (takes) thirty months, till when he attains his full maturity and reaches (the age of) forty years he says to his Lord, ‘My Lord! rouse me up that I may give thanks for the favours you have bestowed on me and on m...

O Prophet! urge the believers freq uently and strongly to (defensive) fighting. If there be of you twenty steadfast, they shall overcome two hundred and if there be a hundred of you they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because these are a people devoid of understanding. (8:65) Commentary NUMBER 20: This verse, which speaks directly about war and the battles which must sometimes...

Over it (the Hell-Fire) are appointed nineteen (wardens). (74:30)     Commentary NUMBER 19: When we analyze the verses of the Quran and the various topics which are covered within this Living Book, we see that out of the 6,000+ verses, almost 1/3 or over 2,000 of them speak about the Day of Judgement, and the eventual outcomes of Heaven and Hell. This should be a wakeup call for us...

Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year) according to the law of Allah since the day He created the heavens and the earth. Among these, four (months) are sacred (Muharram, Rajab, Dhul-Qa’dah and Dhul-Hijjah). That is the established law. Do not do injustice to yourselves (by waging wars) during these (sacred months). And fight the polytheists all together (in your defen...

On Day 11 of Ramadhan, we review the theme of God planning and we, human beings, also plan, but guess who prevails?? -----  (Remember the time) when Yusuf said to his father, ‘My dear father! I have seen (in a vision) eleven stars and the sun and the moon. I saw them falling down prostrate (before Allah) because of me.’  Commentary NUMBER 11: The story of Prophet Yūsuf, as the late ʿAllā...

Do they say, ‘He has forged this (Quran)?’ Say (to them in reply), ‘If you are truthful (in your objection then) bring ten forged chapters like it, calling upon whom you can (for your help) apart from Allah.’ (5:89)  Commentary NUMBER 10: When Muslims say that the Quran is a miracle, is it not only from the point of view of the eloquence and beauty of its composition – this is only one aspect...

And there were in the city, a gang of nine (persons) who had upset the stability and peace in the country and would not reform (themselves). (Quran, Sūrah al-Naḥl (27), Verse 48) Commentary NUMBER 9: This verse speaks about the event which transpired during the time of Prophet Ṣāliḥ with respect to his community and the plots of his people, including that of the plan of the disbelievers and hypocr...

Commentary NUMBER 8: This passage speaks about the multiple blessings which Allah has showered upon humanity, and although many of the points in this verse have been repeated elsewhere in the Quran, however repetition is needed and a good thing as it refreshes our memories and gets us to constantly think. Allah starts off by reminding us that He created us from a ‘single soul’ and that our spouse...

Seven Ears of Corn    مَثَلُ   الَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنْبَتَتْ   سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنْبُلَةٍ مِائَةُ حَبَّةٍ وَاللَّهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَنْ   يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ٢٦١ The attribute of those who spend their wealth in the cause   (way) of Allah is like the attribute of a grain (of...

Commentary NUMBER 6: This verse introduces Allah to us in a unique fashion and tells us that our Lord is Allah – the One who created the skies and the earth in six periods – however we must note that this does not mean that Allah could not create it instantaneously or in the ‘blink of an eye.’ From this point, Allah reminds us that He maintains and controls everything, and this is the meaning of ‘...

On Day 5 of Ramadhan, we review the theme of humility and humbleness - traits of the righteous people. ----- Commentary NUMBER 5: The story of the People of the Cave is perhaps one of the most mysterious and at the same time, fascinating ones in the Quran.  A relatively short narrative about a group of young men who fled from the corruption and sins of their society and sought refuge high in...

Day 4 of Ramaḍān Animals who walk on Fours   وَاللَّهُ   خَلَقَ كُلَّ دَابَّةٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَمْشِي عَلَى بَطْنِهِ وَمِنْهُمْ   مَنْ يَمْشِي عَلَى رِجْلَيْنِ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَمْشِي عَلَى أَرْبَعٍ يَخْلُقُ   اللَّهُ مَا يَشَاءُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ٤٥ And Allah has created every animal from water. Some of them   move upo...

Commentary NUMBER 3: The Quran is quick to speak about deviations which the past communities went through – not to mock them, but to let the Muslims know that we are not immune from the same thing, and we must be vigilant to ensure that we do not allow our faith to become corrupt with inaccurate teachings.  The point which the Quran mentions in this verse is the erroneous belief of the majori...

يَا   أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا شَهَادَةُ بَيْنِكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ   حِينَ الْوَصِيَّةِ اثْنَانِ ذَوَا عَدْلٍ مِنْكُمْ أَوْ آخَرَانِ مِنْ غَيْرِكُمْ... ١٠٦ O you who believe! When death comes to one of you (and you wish   to make your will) let there be present among you, at the time of making the will,    two just persons from among you...

        يَا   أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ نَفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ   وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاءً وَاتَّقُوا   اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءَلُونَ بِهِ وَالْأَرْحَامَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ   رَقِيبًا١ O people! Take as a shield your Lord Who created you...

In this the final episode of the commentary of Surah al-Najm, we review  the concluding verses which speak of the power of God and conclude with the obligation to  prostrate to God upon reading the Arabic of the final verse of this  chapter.