NIS Quran Halaqa

Lessons

Lessons from Surah Yunus: 5/12/2024

And We had already destroyed generations before you when they wronged, and their messengers had come to them with clear proofs, but they were not to believe. Thus do We recompense the criminal people. (13)

• There have been numerous nations before us that failed to accept the message and signs, for example Allah gave the people is Saleh a clear proof, the shecamel. The signs that Allah gives to us is only a fraction of belief, even if every sign was given only a few will believe. People will only believe when they see the painful punishment. How many signs did Allah give Firoun? 9 clear signs, but he refused to believe. It is part of the nature of humans, if some return back to life they will return to disbelief and sin. 
• Even animals are better than some people, animals engage in rememberance.

Guidance is a gift from Allah, Allah gives guidance to those with an open heart.

2. There are two unique words that Allah mentioned in this Surah…. الآن 

• Say, “Have you considered: if His punishment should come to you by night or by day – for which [aspect] of it would the criminals be impatient?”

• Then is it that when it has [actually] occurred you will believe in it? Now? And you were [once] for it impatient

In these two Ayahs Allah tells us about how the disbelievers were asking for the punishment, Allah then says that when they see the punishment will they believe?

It is not about the time and it is not about the signs, it is about the state in which the heart of the individual person is in.

3. And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them in tyranny and enmity until, when drowning overtook him, he said, “I believe that there is no deity except that in whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am of the Muslims.”

In this Ayah we see how firoun accepts Islam in the last second after the numerous signs and chances that Allah has given him.

Allah then says:

• Now? And you had disobeyed [Him] before and were of the corrupters?

• So today We will save you in body that you may be to those who succeed you a sign. And indeed, many among the people, of Our signs, are heedless

As stated in these ayahs, firoun is preserved. And if we research we can find and see his body to this day, but yet some people still disbelieve.

4. Some people wrong themselves.

The killers and murders that are killing our brothers and sisters in Gaza are killing, hurting, and wronging themselves. They will receive a horrible punishment. When witnessing the horrible genocide taking place in which everyone is targeted and killed, women, children, elderly. We should remember the Hadith that Rasulullah told us: 

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The martyr does not feel the pain of being killed except as one of you feels the pinch of an insect bite.”

Allah says:

• But when He saves them, at once they commit injustice upon the earth without right. O mankind, your injustice is only against yourselves, [being merely] the enjoyment of worldly life. Then to Us is your return, and We will inform you of what you used to do.

In this ayah Allah illustrates the ungratefulness of mankind, Allah saves them and yet they continue to disobey. Injustice is among ourselves.

Whoever wrongs, wrongs himself. May Allah protect us from wrongdoing.

5. Say, “Are there of your ‘partners’ any who guides to the truth?” Say, “Allah guides to the truth. So is He who guides to the truth more worthy to be followed or he who guides not unless he is guided? Then what is [wrong] with you – how do you judge?”

• No one is guided to the truth except by the guidance of Allah. Everyone needs the guidance from Allah, anyone who associates partners with Allah is commiting a horrible sin. This ayah illustrates how tawhid is the most important aspect of our lives. 

There is no God but Allah

Lessons from Surah Tawbah: 4/28/2024

This Surah is called tawbah because of two verses. “Allah has already forgiven the Prophet and the Muhajireen and the Ansar who followed him in the hour of difficulty after the hearts of a party of them had almost inclined [to doubt], and then He forgave them. Indeed, He was to them Kind and Merciful.”

“And [He also forgave] the three who were left behind [and regretted their error] to the point that the earth closed in on them in spite of its vastness and their souls confined them and they were certain that there is no refuge from Allah except in Him. Then He turned to them so they could repent. Indeed, Allah is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.”

In verse 100, Allah says “And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajireen and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct – Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.”

– in this Ayah Allah states that he is pleased with the companion of Rasulallah. What we can derive from this is that we should respect and follow them because of the fact that Allah is pleased with them. There are some “Muslims” that insult and slander companions and this is not allowed, this ayah clearly explains that we need to respect and follow the companions. When someone says something against them, they are saying stuff against Quran.

– The best people after prophet Muhammad are the companions. We cannot possibly reach the level of prophets nor companions, but we should always strive and work hard in not only Ibadah but in daily life struggles as well.

Tawbah is sincere repentance to Allah

Lessons from Surah Araf: 4/14/2024

Assalamu Alaikum, here are 5 lessons learned from Surat Al A’araf (Elevations) as shared by Imam Eslam.
1– Story of Adam (AA). Allah (SWT) warns us not to fall for Satan’s tactics as he got our parents out of Paradise. Satan is our real enemy and his goal is not to make us get back to our homeland, Paradise.
2– After Allah (SWT) mentions the stories of the prophets, He says what means that if only the people of the towns believed and feared Allah, He would have opened blessings for them from the skies and earth. But Allah (SWT) punished them because of their sins.
3– Prophet Musa (AA) wanted to see Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) told him that he will not see Him. When He appeared to the mountain, it was destroyed and Musa fell unconscious, when he woke up, he said, “Exalted are You! I have repented to You, and I am the first of the believers.”
No one can see Allah (SWT) in this life, we will see Him when we go to Heaven Insha Allah, our homeland.
4– Allah (SWT) has the most beautiful names. We need to learn them, understand them, and invoke them when we make Du’a to Allah (SWT).
5– We need to be forgiving, flexible, and understanding. People are not the same, we need to overlook the shortcomings of people and give good advice.

Lessons from Surah An’am: 2/25/2024

Assalamu Alaikum, here are 5 lessons learned from Surat Al Ana’m (Livestock) as shared by Imam Eslam.
1– Debate intelligently. The discussion between Ibrahim (AA) and his people shows the power of intellectual debate. He argued that the planet, the Moon, and the Sun cannot be Gods because they go away. Anything that goes away is not worth worshiping.
2– Worshipping anything other than Allah is a great injustice. There are 17 prophets who were mentioned by name in the Surah. Prophets are protected by Allah from associating anything with Him, even before prophethood. Allah (SWT) says what means: and if they were to associate others with Him, then all their deeds would’ve been nullified. But of-course no prophet ever associated anything with Allah (SWT).
3– Verse 65 … Allah (SWT) is the one who is able to send punishment from above or underneath or make groups and let them experience the strength of each other. When Messenger Mohammad (PBUH) recited this verse he sought refuge with Allah’s Face from being sent punishment from above and also from underneath. He did not seek refuge from being made into groups and experiencing the strength of one another because he had previously asked for that and was not given it as Allah (SWT) chose for it to be a test for us.
4– Verse 95 Allah cracks the grains … Allah (SWT) created numerous things for us: Night and day, the Sun & Moon, stars and rivers, mountains and trees, animals and plants … After all this, people still chose to associate others with Allah or deny His existence all together.
5– Verses 151 to 153 contain the commandments that were givens to Messenger Mohammad (PBUH). It is narrated that Ibn Masoud (RAA) said what means: Whoever wanted to look at the commandments of Mohammad that have his seal, then they should read … [verses 151 to 153]

Lessons from Surah Maidah: 2/11/2024

A Jewish person told Omar (RAA) that there is a verse in the Quran had it been revealed to the Jews they would have taken the day in which it was revealed as a Holiday. Omar (RAA) asked him about the verse, he said the one where Allah (SWT) says what means: “Today I have perfected …” Omar said what means: By Allah I know the verse, when it was revealed and where it was revealed. And the day is indeed a holiday for us.

Our religion is perfect, there is no need to add anything. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) teaches us that once something is complete, it will decrease. He, PBUH, joined his higher companion 3 months after the verse was revealed.

2– The Children of Israel are mentioned in this Surah. Musa (AA) told them they are promised the holy land (Palestine). They refused and said that there are tough people there. There were disobedient to Allah (SWT). As a result, Allah (SWT) made them get lost for 40 years and made the holy land forbidden to them.

This teaches us that if we are disobedient to Allah (SWT), we will not be worthy of the holy land. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) teaches us that no calamity comes down except due to sins and no calamity is lifted except due to repentance.

3- This Surah mentions the story of the 2 children of Adam. The conclusion is that whoever kills one soul unjustly it is as if they killed all mankind. The Messenger of Allah (PBUB) teaches us that any time anyone is killed, the son of Adam who killed his brother will have a share of the sin.

4– The Surah mentions a conversation that will happen between Allah (SWT) and Isa (AA). Allah (SWT) will ask Isa (AA) if he asked people to worship him and not Allah (SWT). Isa (AA) will say what means: Glory be to you, I cannot say something that I have no right in saying. If I said it you would have known it. You know what is inside of me and I don’t know what you will.

Allah (SWT) will question us on the day of judgement. Are we ready?

5– The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) kept repeating the verse that means: “If you punish them they are your servants and if you forgive them, you are the All Mighty, Allah Wise”. He kept repeating it and crying out of concern for his Ummah. Allah (SWT) revealed to him that he will be pleased and will not be caused any grief in regards to his Ummah. Alhamdulilah!!

Lessons from Surah Nisa: 2/4/2024

Assalamu Alaikum, here is a summary of 5 lessons learned from Surat Al Nisa as shared by Imam Eslam Rakha
1– Allah (SWT) sent the Quran and Messenger Mohammad (PBUH) to teach people justice. Justice is mentioned in many verses. We have to be fair even if it is against our own selves. Allah (SWT) commands us to be persistent upholders of justice and witnesses for Him. It is very hard, but we need to strive for justice.
2– Inheritance (and justice therein). The majority of the rules of inheritance are mentioned in 3 verses. A professor who was researching inheritance for decades came across inheritance in the Quran and was amazed by the comprehensiveness and perfection of the rules, so much so that he embraced Islam.
3– Allah (SWT) cares about women. A whole Surah is titled Al Nisa (The Women). Before Islam, women were marginalized and had no rights. Widows were even buried alive with their deceased husbands. In Islam, women and men are equal, but not equivalent.
4– The Surah discusses hypocrites and highlights their main attributes. This is for us to make sure that we do not exhibit any of these attributes. Other Sudan’s discuss hypocrites as well such as Al Baqara, Al Tawba, Al Munafiqun, …
5– Allah (SWT) Himself is a witness for what He has sent down to His Messenger
لكن الله يشهد بما أنزل اليك
But Allah bears witness to that which He has revealed to you
This is a great honor for Messenger Mohammad (PBUH) and for us as his followers. There is not better witness than Allah (SWT).

Lessons from Surah Ale Imran: 1/28/2024

Assalamu Alaikum, here is a summary of the lessons learned from Surat Ali Imran as shared by Imam Eslam Rakha
This Surah has unique verses that are not paralleled in other Surahs in the Quran.

1- Verse #7: There are 2 types of verses: verses that are clear and there is no problem understanding them. And there are verses that are not as clear that may carry different meanings. We fall back on the clear verses to help us understand the ones that are not as clear.

2– Verse #61: The Mubahalah (supplication). Those who disputed the nature of Isa (AA) were called to a challenge of open supplication to Allah to reveal the liars. Out of fear of exposing their lies, the disputers declined the challenge and agreed to submit to residency rules.

3– Verse #35: In this verse Allah (SWT) tells us what the mother of Mariam (AA) said. She devoted what was in her womb to the cause of Allah (SWT) and daughter refuge with Allah (SWT) from Shaitan. As a result, Allah (SWT) protected Mariam and Isa (AA) from the touch of Shaitan.

4- Verse #144: In the battle of Uhud, it was rumored that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was killed. This verse reminds the believers that Muhammad (PBUH) is but a messenger and that other messengers have passed on before him.

5– Verse #190 (and until the end of the Surah): These verses call for reflection and have great Du’a (supplication) that Allah (SWT) gifted to us. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) taught us to recite these verses when we wake up and reflect and ponder on the meanings.

Lessons from Surah Baqara: 1/7/2024

Assalamu Alaikum, here is the recording and summary of the 5 lessons learned from Surat Al Baqara that Dr. Safi shared tonight:
1– To be guided we have to attain Taqwa
2– There are 3 classifications of people in terms of worship: Believers, Disbelievers, and Hypocrites
3– There are 2 types of manifestations of worship:
a- A negative form of response like the response of the Children of Israel in the story of the Cow
b- A positive form of response like the response of Prophet Ibrahim (AA), the change of Qibla, and the firm believers who followed Talut, the righteous leader.
4– Comprehensiveness of worship: Worship is not just rituals and motions, all of our living can be worship (patience, earning, eating, relationships, …)
5– Allah (SWT) will only hold us accountable for our deeds, not passing thoughts that are not acted upon.

Lessons from Surah Fatiha: 12/3/2024

Assalamu Alaikum,

Here is a summary of some of the lessons from Surat Al Fatiha that Shiekh Aly shared.

• The Surah contains the two conditions of acceptance of any worship: (1) Sincerity to Allah (2) Following the guidance of Messenger Mohammad (PBUH)
• These two conditions are referred to in Iyyaka na3bud (it is You who we worship), which is the condition of sincerity and Ihdina assirata almustaqeem (guide us to the straight path), which is the condition of following the guidance of Messenger Mohammad (PBUH).
• Also, if you reflect on this great Surah, you will see that it has the 3 movers (or engines) of the heart: (1) The love of Allah, (2) The hope with Allah, (3) Fear from Allah.
• The love of Allah is indicated in Alhamdulilah (Praise be to Allah). The hope with Allah is indicated it in Arrahman Arraheem (the most Gracious, the most Merciful). And the fear of Allah is reflected in Maliki yaumideen (The one who has dominion over the day of judgement).
• Also, if you reflect on this Surah, you will find a great declaration in Iyyaka na3budu wa iyyaka nasta3een (it is You who we worship and it is You who we seek help from). This is the reason why the heavens and earth were created, the day of judgement was timed, the Sirat was put in place and the scrolls of deeds were written. We do not worship other than Allah, we do not seek help from other than Allah, we do not seek refuge with other than Allah, we do not call upon other than Allah, we do not slaughter for other than Allah. Our only God is Allah Subhanahu wa Ta3ala.