Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Surah-al Mu'minun [ The Believers ] , 23...Prologue







Recitation by Shaykh Saud ash-Shuraim,





Rare recitation by Shaykh Abdul Basit of of surah al Mu'minun [ 1960's , full surah]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIOFtqvVB90







THERE IS A STRONG AND DEFINITE RELATIONSHIP between actions and results. A good act will yield a favorable outcome, whilst an evil act, no matter how slick or suave it may look today, will lead to a lamentable end. Most people are preoccupied with the here-and-now, with quick and spectacular results, and are completely oblivious of the future. This surah is dedicated to drawing our attention  to the life hereafter. It reassures the believers with the promise of a happy and rewarding future, and warns cynics and skeptics that, for them, the worst is yet to come. The surah opens on a promising note: "Successful indeed are the believers (1) Who are humble in their prayers, (2) And who shun vain conversation, (3) And who are payers of the poor-due; "(4)

'Umar ibn al-Khattab reported that when Prophet Muhammad received a Qur'anic revelation, his Companions could hear buzzing sounds around him. One day Muhammad went into this state for a while and when he came round he read the first ten verses of al-Mu'minun. 'Umar went on to say that Prophet had told them that whoever heeded those verses would enter paradise. Then, he said:


'God, please increase our share of goodness and do not reduce it; be generous to us and do not humiliate us; give to us and do not deprive us; favor us and do not favor others more than You favor us; and give us contentment and  be pleased with us.'


The opening verses cover an important and wide range of religious and moral principles and instructions. The same ideas are reiterated, with minor alterations, half-way through the surah.

Lo! those who go in awe for fear of their Lord. (57) And those who believe in the revelations of their Lord, (58) And those who ascribe not partners unto their Lord, (59)And those who give that which they give with hearts afraid because they are about to return unto their Lord, (60) They race for the good things, and they shall win them in the race. (61)

The two passages are clearly complementary and combine to give a fuller description of the character of the believers.

A description of the unbelievers is given towards the end of the surah, highlighting some of the features. The usrah also relates examples of the end that awaits the wrong-doers. The reward, or punishment, promised by Allah is given after a certain period of time spent here on earth, after people's faith and sincerity have been tested andtried and their deeds noted for judgement hereafter. This interim period is described in vivid and graphic detail in the surah: " Verily We created man from a product of wet earth; (12) Then placed him as a drop (of seed) in a safe lodging; "(13) 

The question that immediately springs to mind is : How did  all this happen? Other questions also arise: How did the clay turn into a living body? How did the genes form and become encapsulated in the sperm? By what system or logic or law do these genes recognized their course and function, turning a helpless lump of flesh into a full-grown adult, with amazing talents and capabilities? The whole universe attests, in the loudest possible way, to the  power of God. Yet, many people continue to dismiss truth and disbelief in Him. The surah goes on : "Then lo! after that ye surely die. (15) Then lo! on the Day of Resurrection ye are raised (again). "(16) 


" A Thematic Commentary On The Qur'an "
Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali





Reflection and commentary by Imam Zia,
Session 1
ayat 1 to ayat 11





Session 2
ayat  12 - ayat 17,





session 3

ayat 18 - ayat25,




23:09       Prophet Noah did daawah for 950 years and only 80 people became Muslim!
26:06       Iman is about belief in the 'unseen'




Session 4
ayat 26 - ayat 41

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2zYl-WGbKo








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