The Prophet said, “The one who was devoted to the the Qur’an will be told on the Day of Resurrection: ‘Recite and ascend (in ranks) as you used to recite when you were in the world. Your rank will be at the last Ayah you recite”. [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi]

With the precious month of Ramadan upon us, it benefits us to try our best to memorise the Qur’an. During Ramadan when everyone is trying to maximise their good deeds, we can benefit immensely from the repetitive nature of Qur’an. Memorising one verse is equal to the memorisation of 31 or 5 verses in some cases.

During Ramadan when the reward of every good deed is with Allah alone, we can dedicate just 15 to 25 minutes, and end up memorising more than 70 verses of the Qur’an. However, we can be one step ahead of the race to win Allah’s pleasure by starting early and making a conscious effort to start memorising now. But first, let’s understand the nature of the Qur’an.

So, why does the Qur’an repeat itself?

Before we understand the repetitive nature of Qur’an, let us understand ourselves. Qur’an calls us ‘insaan’. Linguistically speaking, “Insaan” comes from the root word ‘nisyân’ which means ‘to forget’. The second one is ‘unsiyah’, which means ‘to relate, to love-be loved, to become close to’. Ibn Abbas said that al-insân is called so because of his forgetfulness. Our very name tells us about our nature, we are a forgetful lot. The things that are hardest to internalise are the things that are mentioned most in the Qur’an. Taqwa (righteousness, piety, goodness) of Allah is repeatedly mentioned because it is something we tend to forget the most in this world that constantly bombards us with materialism.

Below are 10 verses from the Qur’an that we will often encounter. Let us memorise and extract guidance from them  [all transliterations are from Quran.com]. In the last 2 days of Ramadan, ensure that your ranks in jannah are raised 71 times, In sha Allah!

VERSE #1: 2 Verses [Surah 2, 31: Verse 5]

أُولَٰئِكَ عَلَىٰ هُدًى مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
Ola-ika AAala hudan minrabbihim waola-ika humu almuflihoon

Those are on [right] guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are the successful.
[Click here for audio]

Reflection:

Successful refers to all bounties that come from Allah . They may be:

• Physical gifts e.g. food, clothing, houses, gardens, wealth etc. or
• Intangible gifts e.g. influence, power, birth and the opportunity flowing from it, health and talents etc. or
• Spiritual gifts e.g. insight into good and evil, understanding of men, the captivity of love, etc.

We are to use all bounties in humility and moderation. We need to share them with for the well-being of others. We are to be neither ascetics nor luxurious sybarites, neither selfish misers nor thoughtless prodigals. The right use of bounties will, In sha Allah, lead to an increase future bounties. Believers receive blessings because they submit to Allah’s will. They will do well in this life (from the highest standpoint) and they will reach their true goal in the future, In sha Allah.

VERSE #2: 6 Verses [Surah 2, 3, 29, 30, 31, 32: Verse 1]

الم
Alif, Laam, Meem
Alif, Laam, Meem
[Click here for audio]

Reflection:
Huruf-e-muqatta’at – the disjointed letters.

A large number of scholarly books have been written over the centuries on the possible meanings and the probable significance of these disjointed letters – the muqatta’at. Opinions have been numerous but without a final conclusion.

There is no reliable report of Prophet Muhammad having used such expressions in his ordinary speech, or his having thrown light on its usage in the Qur’an. More importantly, none of his companions seemed to have asked him about it.

These letters are usually used in the Qur’an when one needs to pay attention. The Arabs knew these letters but didn’t know them in this fashion and it caught their attention. Only Allah knows what their true meaning is.

VERSE #3: 2 Verses [Surah Al Baqarah 2: 42] & [Surah Al-Imran 3: Verse 71]

وَلَا تَلْبِسُوا الْحَقَّ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُوا الْحَقَّ وَأَنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
Wala talbisoo alhaqqa bilbatiliwataktumoo alhaqqa waantum taAAlamoon [Surah Al Baqarah 2: 42]

And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know (it).
[Click here for audio]

With a slight difference:

يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لِمَ تَلْبِسُونَ الْحَقَّ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُونَ الْحَقَّ وَأَنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
Ya ahla alkitabi limatalbisoona alhaqqa bilbatili wataktumoonaalhaqqa waantum taAAlamoon [Surah Al-Imran 3: Verse 71]

O People of the Scripture, why do you confuse the truth with falsehood and conceal the truth while you know [it]?
[Click here for audio]

Reflection
There are many ways of preventing access to the truth. One is to tamper with it or dress it up with colours of falsehood; half-truths are often more dangerous than obvious falsehoods. Another is to conceal it altogether. Those who are jealous of a believer will not allow his credentials or virtues be known, or might seek to vilify him or conceal facts that would draw people to him. When people deprive themselves of the light (of which we are ourselves witnesses), they are descending to the lowest depths of degradation. They are doing more harm to themselves than to anyone else.

VERSE #4: 4 Verses [Surah Al-Qamar 54: Verses 17, 22, 32, 40]

وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِنْ مُدَّكِرٍ
Walaqad yassarna alqur-ana liththikrifahal min muddakir

And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?
[Click here for audio]

Reflection
The Qur’an’s guidance for man’s conduct are plain and easy to understand and act upon. Is this not in itself an act of grace from Allah ? What excuse is there for anyone who fails?

VERSE #5: 31 Verses [Surah Ar-Rahman 55 : Verses 13, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73,75, 76]

فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ
Fabi-ayyi ala-i rabbikumatukaththiban

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?
[Click here for audio]

Reflection
Both the pronoun ‘your’ and the verb ‘will ye deny’ are in the Arabic in the dual number. The whole surah is a symphony of duality which leads to unity. All creation is in pairs. Justice is the conciliation of two opposites to unity, the settlement of the unending feud between right and wrong. The things and concepts mentioned in the surah are in pairs; man and outer nature; sun and moon; herbs and trees; heaven and earth; fruit and corn; human food and fodder for cattle; and so on throughout the surah. Then there is man and jinn.

‘Will ye deny?’ That is, fail to acknowledge either in word or thought or in your conduct. If you misuse Allah’s gifts or ignore them, that is equivalent to ingratitude or denial or refusal to profit by His infinite grace.

VERSE #6: 12 Verses [Surah Mursalat 77: Verses 15, 19, 24, 28, 34, 37, 40,4 5, 47, 49] [Surah Mutaffifin 83:10] & [Surah At-Tur 52: Verse 11]

[Surah Mursalat 77: Verses 15, 19, 24, 28, 34, 37, 40,4 5, 47, 49] [Surah Mutaffifin 83:10]

وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
Waylun yawma-ithin lilmukaththibeen

Woe, that Day, to the deniers.

[Click here for audio]

With a slight difference [Surah At-Tur 52: Verse 11]

فَوَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
Fawaylun yawma-ithin lilmukaththibeen

Then woe, that Day, to the deniers,

[Click here for audio]

Reflection
That day will be the day of woe to the wrong doers or rebels against Allah and his Truth described in two aspects and a day of joy and thanksgiving to the righteous, who are described in three aspects in verses 17 and 28. The rebels are described as being those who openly defy truth and plunged into wrong doing or who jested with serious matters. They were also those who did not have the courage to plunge openly into wrongdoing but who secretly indulged it. They were also those who wasted their life in doubt and petty quibbles. It is difficult to say which attitude did more harm to themselves and to others. However, the mercy of Allah is open to all if they repent.

VERSE #7: 8 Verses [Surah Ash-Shu-ara 26: Verses 9, 68, 104, 122, 140,1 59, 175, 191]

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الرَّحِيمُ
Wa-inna rabbaka lahuwa alAAazeezu arraheem

And indeed, your Lord – He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful.

[Click here for audio]

Reflection
One who is able to carry out his will and plans. And verily your Lord, He is truly The All-Mighty means, the One Who has power over all things, to subdue and control them. ‘The Most Merciful’ means, towards His creation, for He does not hasten to punish the one who sins, but He gives him time to repent, and if he does not, then He seizes him with a mighty punishment. Abu Al-Aliyah, Qatadah, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and Ibn Ishaq said: ‘He is Almighty in His punishment of those who went against His commands and worshipped others besides Him.’ Sa`id bin Jubayr said: ‘He is Most Merciful towards those who repent to Him and turn to Him.’

VERSE #8: 2 Verses [Surah Waqi’ah 56: Verses 9, 41]

وَأَصْحَابُ الْمَشْأَمَةِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْمَشْأَمَةِ
Waas-habu almash-amati maas-habu almash-amat

[Click here for audio]

 وَأَصْحَابُ الشِّمَالِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الشِّمَالِ
Waas-habu ashshimalima as-habu ashshimal

[Click here for audio]

Meaning of both verses: And the companions of the left – what are the companions of the left?

Note: There is a slight difference due to grammatical rules, but the meaning of the two verses are the same.

VERSE #9: 2 Verses [Surah Waqi’ah 56: Verses 8, 27]

فَأَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ
Faas-habu almaymanati maas-habu almaymanat

[Click here for audio]

وَأَصْحَابُ الْيَمِينِ مَا أَصْحَابُ الْيَمِينِ
Waas-habu alyameeni maas-habu alyameen

[Click here for audio]

Meaning of both verses: The companions of the right – what are the companions of the right?

Note: There is a slight difference due to grammatical rules, but the meaning of the two verses are the same.

VERSE #10 : 2 Verses [Surah Al-Kafiroon 109: Verses 3, 5]

وَلَا أَنْتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ
Wala antum AAabidoona maaAAbud

Nor are you worshippers of what I worship.

[Click here for audio]

VERSE #11: 2 Verses [Surah Ash-Shuara 26: 183 and Surah Al-Hud 11:85]

وَلَا تَبْخَسُوا النَّاسَ أَشْيَاءَهُمْ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا فِي الْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ

Wala tabkhasoo annasaashyaahum wala taAAthaw fee al-ardimufsideen [Surah Ash-Shu’ara 26: Verse 183]

وَيَا قَوْمِ أَوْفُوا الْمِكْيَالَ وَالْمِيزَانَ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ وَلَا تَبْخَسُوا النَّاسَ أَشْيَاءَهُمْ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا فِي الْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ

Waya qawmi awfoo almikyala walmeezanabilqisti wala tabkhasoo annasaashyaahum wala taAAthaw fee al-ardimufsideen [Surah Al-Hud 11: Verse 85]

[Click here for audio]

Meaning of phrase in both verses: And do not deprive people of their due and do not commit abuse on earth, spreading corruption.

Note: There is an extra line in 11:85 but it is followed by the same verse found in 26:183. Here is an excellent video for further discussion on this verse.

Bi’ithnillah this can be the beginning of Qur’an memorisation for all those who want to be future huffadh; a jump start towards a life-long commitment to understanding and living Qur’an. Always remember the best form of remembrance is the word of Allah and the best means to get closer to Him is through his own speech. Masha Allah, how easy Allah has made it for us to memorise the Qur’an and increase our rewards. So let’s maximise this opportunity and make sincere efforts to learn these ayah, and benefit from the rewards of memorising 75 ayah from the Qur’an this Ramadan, In sha Allah.

The post Memorise 75 Ayath from the Qur’an in Just 15-20 Minutes a Day appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

Book:

In just 96 pages, this book will change your life for better. The author’s aim is to inspire you and make you a better Muslim. The inspiration for the book is derived from the verse:

“(This is) a Book (the Quran) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember.” [Qur’an: Chapter 38, Verse 29]

Who Is This Book For?

This book is for every person who is trying to get closer to Allah and follow the blessed Qur’an but has failed. For someone who has read many books and is yet unable to start truly living Islam. For someone who has read books and found them either too complicated or too easy and couldn’t relate to them. I am an avid reader and this book is by far the most easy to relate to and understand. A kind of book that will successfully gain its entry into the book club of enjoyable reads!

What Does the Book Cover?

The author covers what we need to do when life is: good/not as good/when Allah begins to test our health. He presents to us a compilation of uplifting verses from the Qur’an to help us through rough times. Every section ends with a “Last Word” full of wisdom and inspiration. This book contains a contract between you and Allah. The contact is official in its presentation and has 5 articles and sub sections. There is a mock contract and detailed explanation of how one needs to go about this contract for maximum benefit.

This book is ideal in helping teenagers get over pornography, addicts in getting over their drinking or smoking addictions, or anyone in getting over depression, understanding the purpose of life and be content with Allah’s decree. The author ensures that the contract gives you the extra push that’s always needed to bring a positive change in your life.

What are the Book’s Other Amazing Features?

My favorite part: the author gives us a realistic, easy and achieveable step-by-step plan to achieve Jannah! And who doesn’t want Jannah?! He then steers us towards a “fool proof” method of staying out of Hell. He skilfully describes how shaytan works and what his weapons of mass destruction are. Most importantly, he presents a compilation of Qur’anic verses describing Hell: Subhan Allah, this compilation is something that we need to read and reflect upon daily. Additionally, readers are also taught how to master the art of repentance.

Any More Interesting Stuff?

If you are reading this I like you: because you are greedy for knowledge just like me! A detailed verse by verse explanation of Prophet Yusuf’s story is added just before the end. After reading this section, I sincerely prayed that someone reads this book and writes the entire Qur’an in a similar fashion for kids and especially for teenagers. The way the verses are presented with detailed notes makes this beautiful surah so relatable and easy to implement! I have watched detailed tafseer videos on Surah Yusuf but nothing effected me quite like these notes did. The author gives us 25 real life lessons from the story of Prophet Yusuf’s life.

He ends the book with some pointers on money and Islam, friends and foes, state of the Muslim nation, women and Islam and the last word on being a Muslim in the 21st Century.

Is It Too Long?

I finished this book in a day and so can everyone else. It has nothing to do with my reading skills and everything to do with the way this book is written. You cannot put it down! It’s so easy to read, the writer covers nearly everything in just 96 pages. I highly recommend purchasing this book for yourself and gifting it to at least one person (preferably a teenager/an introvert/younger sibling/revert/donating it to a Masjid Library).

After you finish this book you will begin having a more beautiful relationship with Qur’an and Islam. This book is not a one-time read – every time I go through some hardship I keep coming back to the 25 real life lessons from the story of Prophet Yusuf.

This book will be your friend, your companion (a fun one at it) and a source of greater pleasure that awaits its reader at its end: a strong connection with the blessed Qur’an and Allah Himself, in sha Allah.

The post Book Review: Real Life Lessons from The Holy Qur’an for the 21st Century Muslim appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

My copy was bought in Jeddah and cost 55 Saudi Riyals.

Al Adab Al Mufrad is probably the second most important work of Imam Bukhari after Al Jami as

Sahih to which he devoted more than a quarter of his life and which is generally considered as an authority second only to the Holy Quran.   This book deals solely with the subject of moral etiquette in Islam. Compiled in the 9th Century, it is one of the first books to be written on this subject.

It is made up of a Foreword, Introduction, Transliteration table, 644 Chapters and a Subject Index at the end.
It is 274 pages long and the print is big and clear which makes for easy reading.  This book is suitable for both the general reader as well as the academic.

Muhammad Mustafa Azami mentions in the introduction “Al Adab Al Mufrad is one of the most

important books for the individual and the community. It is a barometer by which we can gauge ourselves and the community to find out where we stand, how we can eliminate so many of the vices of society.”

The book in all its essence presents to us the immaculate character of Prophet Muhammad . It also contains sayings and excellent examples of the moral character of the companions .

Al Adab Al Mufrad starts with a hadith on the verse of Surah Al Ankabut:

“We enjoined Man To Be Kind To his Parents” [Quran: Chapter 29, Verse 8]

and ends with how one should not let anger be the cause of one’s destruction. Under Chapters 1 to 644 the book contains 1322 hadiths. From issues of orphans, neighbours and nobility, to issues of curses, defaming and excellence of visiting; a vast array of topics are covered.

How Can a General Individual Benefit From This Book?

For benefiting the most from this book we need to remember the ayah of Qur’an where Allah mentions:

“And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers.”[Quran: Chapter 51, Verse 55]

As you read the book use a highlighter and highlight all those hadiths that you need to work on.

This book is not a one time read; you need to keep coming back to it again and again until you

perfect a certain aspect of your character or behaviour.  It may be anger issues or the habit of cursing or being disobedient to ones parents.

Importance of Morality and Moral Productivity

Imam Malik’s hadith where he mentions the Prophet saying

“Verily, I was sent for no other reason, except to perfect the noble traits of Character.” [Al Adab Al Mufrad]

is proof of how important manners are. It is to say that one of Rasulallah’s goals, or rather his primary goal was to perfect character and how people behave.

Moral productivity might sound like a tough road to tread but in His infinite mercy, Allah has made it easy for us through the example of Prophet Muhammad . Whenever we want to perfect a certain thing, we select someone who is best at it and imitate him/her.  In the same way, to achieve moral productivity we need to imitate our Nabi one hadith at a time. The catch is to not over burden the self by trying to change everything at once.  Take baby steps toward achieving good manners.  Start by smiling, improving your behaviour with neighbours and your parents and then striving to control your tongue and anger.  In the Quran, Allah attests to the perfect character of Prophet Muhammad and how we must emulate him:

“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.” [Quran: Chapter 33, Verse 21]

That’s where Al Adab Al Mufrad comes in; to help and guide us towards the best of manners and

to protect us from the worst of manners.

Conclusion

This book is a must have for everyone who understands the importance of good character and

wants to perfect it.  A little example from Al Adab Al Mufrad:

Abu Hurayra said,

“The Prophet , was asked: ‘Messenger of Allah! A certain woman prays in the night, fasts in the day, acts and gives sadaqa, but injures her neighbours with her tongue.’ The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘There is no good in her. She is one of the people of the Fire.’ They said, ‘Another woman prays the prescribed prayers and gives bits of curd as sadaqa and does not injure anyone.’ The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘She is one of the people of the Garden.” [Al Adab Al Mufrad]

Thus, the value of moral values in Islam becomes very clear, and these values are fixed by Allah , The Most Wise and The All Knowing of what is in our hearts. I leave you with two hadiths to reflect upon and to show how important it is to live by this book

and inculcate all those etiquettes in our lives to please Allah  for a better akhira.

Abu Huraira said that the Prophet said,

“If one has good manners, one may attain the same level of merit as those who spend their nights in prayer.” [Abu Dawud]

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet said,

“And what is most likely to send people to Paradise? Being conscious of Allah and good manners.” [Bukhari]

[1] ISBN: 978187253113 7 (HB) and 9781872531182 (HB)

The post [Book Review] Al-Adab Al-Mufrad A Code for Everyday Living: The Example of the Early Muslims appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.