IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL
INTRODUCTION
As Ramadan is enters its second week alhamdulillah, you can see many Muslims reciting the Qur’an fervently and religiously. Many would, however, either recite the Qur’an without understanding it, understanding it but without pondering over the meanings, or reciting and pondering without implementing it. Therefore, at the end of Ramadan, many would completely get no benefit of the recitation except, of course the reward of reciting the Qur’an: “Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that “Alif, Laam, Meem” is a letter, rather I am saying that “Alif” is a letter, “laam” is a letter and “meem” is a letter.” (Tirmidhi)
Many people fail to get the main purpose of the Qur’an, which is a guidance to you and I, which Allah Pointed out very clearly in the beginning of surah al Baqarab, verse 2:
“This is the Book (the Qur’an), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqun.”
If at the end of Ramadan and nothing changes in us regarding our duties to Allah despite our recitation of the Qur’an, then definitely we have to change our methods on how we recite the Qur’an. For sure, many people would fall into this category. Allah has Warned us:
“Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) to be affected by Allah’s Reminder (this Qur’an), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before (i.e. Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).” 57: 16
When we don’t understand what we read, how can we be affected by the Qur’an? Yes, it sounds beautiful when we listen to the famous reciters, but how does it hit our heart when we listen to it? Shouldn’t our faith increase so that inshaAllah we are able to be among those whom Allah labelled as “Mu’minoon”?
“The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Qur’an) are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone)” 8: 2
By the end of this lesson inshaAllah we hope to understand why the Qur’an is called a Mercy to mankind, and therefore inshaAllah we will make the relevant changes before we meet the Angel of Death.
THE QUR’AN AS A MERCY
“And We send down from the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism and act on it), and it increases the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers) nothing but loss.” 17: 82
The Qur’an has a double function in the above verse:
So Allah Reminded us that the Qur’an is firstly a healing against any diseases of the heart such doubt, inclination towards falsehood, shirk, hypocrisy and any confusions of the truth. It is also a cure of illnesses, as stated in a hadith: Al-Bukhari narrated on the authority of Abu Saýid Al-Khudry (may Allah be pleased with him): Some of the Sahabah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) came across one of the Arab tribes, but they refused to extend to them hospitality. Then the leader of that tribe was stung, so they asked (the Sahabah), “Do you have any remedy or someone who can recite supplications over the sick as a cure?” They said, “You refused to offer us hospitality, so we will not do anything until you give us something in return.” And they agreed on a flock of sheep, so one of them (the Sahabah) started reciting Umm Al-Qurýan (Surah Al-Fatihah); gathering his saliva and spitting on it (the snake-bite), and the man got cured. Then they brought the sheep, but they (the Sahabah) said, “We will not take them until we ask the Prophet (whether it is lawful).” When they asked him, he smiled and said, “How do you know that it (Surah Al-Fatihah) is a Ruqyah? Take them (the sheep) and assign a share for me.”
The Qur’an is a mercy to mankind in the following ways:
We are all busy looking for self-help books to improve ourselves when our Creator has sent us the best book to Guide us on how to lead our daily lives. Know it well and inshaAllah we will be Guided. Abandon it and we will be at a loss.
“And whenever there comes down a Surah (chapter from the Qur’an), some of them (hypocrites) say: “Which of you has had his Faith increased by it?” As for those who believe, it has increased their Faith, and they rejoice. But as for those in whose hearts is a disease (of doubt, disbelief and hypocrisy), it will add suspicion and doubt to their suspicion, disbelief and doubt, and they die while they are disbelievers. 9: 124-125
“…It is for those who believe, a guide and a healing. And as for those who disbelieve, there is heaviness (deafness) in their ears, and it (the Qur’an) is blindness for them. They are those who are called from a place far away (so they neither listen nor understand).” 41: 44
Therefore for the believers, the Qur’an guides and soften the hearts. How?
Besides informing us on the Do’s (such as worshipping Him alone, Salah, fasting) and the don’t (such as do not come near zina, or involve in riba’ or drink alcohol), the Qur’an has all the following information to soften the hearts:
The vast amount of information in the Qur’an is itself a Mercy from Allah to enable us to prepare for the Hereafter.
No one is forced to believe. This is what Allah Informed us:
“There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path…” 2: 256
“And say: “The truth is from your Lord.” Then whosoever wills, let him believe, and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve…” 18: 28
However, the consequence for choosing disbelief is very devastating:
“…whoever follows My Guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve. But those who disbelieve and belie Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) such are the dwellers of the Fire, they shall abide therein forever.” 2: 38-39
“Surely, those who reject Faith (disbelieve in Muhammad SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam as being Allah’s Prophet and in all that which he has brought from Allah), neither their properties, nor their offspring will avail them aught against Allah. They are the dwellers of the Fire, therein they will abide. 3: 116
Allah Informed us through the Qur’an that we have been sent prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as a Mercy for the ‘alamin.
“And We have sent you (O Muhammad SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) not but as a mercy for the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).” 21: 107
So, we have a messenger who has been sent in order for us to follow his ways as best as we can inshaAllah:
“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.” 33: 21
So, if we obey our beloved Prophet SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then we will gain Allah’s Love and Forgiveness
“Say (O Muhammad SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam to mankind): “If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”” 3: 31
“Verily! Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous deeds, shall have the Gardens of Al-Firdaus (the Paradise) for their entertainment.” 18: 107
In fact, both men and women will be equally rewarded:
Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islam) men and women, the believers men and women (who believe in Islamic Monotheism), the men and the women who are obedient (to Allah), the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and the women who are patient (in performing all the duties which Allah has ordered and in abstaining from all that Allah has forbidden), the men and the women who are humble (before their Lord Allah), the men and the women who give Sadaqat (i.e. Zakat, and alms, etc.), the men and the women who observe Saum (fast) (the obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the optional Nawafil fasting), the men and the women who guard their chastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues (while sitting, standing, lying, etc. for more than 300 times extra over the remembrance of Allah during the five compulsory congregational prayers) or praying extra additional Nawafil prayers of night in the last part of night, etc.) Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).” 33: 35
“Verily, Allah enjoins Al-Adl (i.e. justice and worshipping none but Allah Alone – Islamic Monotheism) and Al-Ihsan [i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allah, totally for Allah’s sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in a perfect manner], and giving (help) to kith and kin(i.e. all that Allah has ordered you to give them e.g., wealth, visiting, looking after them, or any other kind of help, etc.): and forbids Al-Fahsha’ (i.e all evil deeds, e.g. illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism, to tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right, etc.), and Al-Munkar (i.e all that is prohibited by Islamic law: polytheism of every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil deeds, etc.), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of oppression), He admonishes you, that you may take heed.” 16: 90
Allah Forgive all sins
“Say: “O ‘Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” 39: 53
If you avoid major sins minor sins will be forgiven
“If you avoid the great sinswhich you are forbidden to do, We shall remit from you your (small) sins, and admit you to a Noble Entrance (i.e. Paradise).” 4: 31
If you repent Allah will replace sins with good deeds
“Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” 25: 70
And do not kill anyone which Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause. And whoever is killed (intentionally with hostility and oppression and not by mistake), We have given his heir the authority [(to demand Qisas, Law of Equality in punishment or to forgive, or to take Diya (blood money)]. But let him not exceed limits in the matter of taking life (i.e he should not kill except the killer only). Verily, he is helped (by the Islamic law). 17: 33,
And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein, and the Wrath and the Curse of Allah are upon him, and a great punishment is prepared for him. 4: 93
“Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind….” 5: 32
“Invite (mankind, O Muhammad SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur’an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.” 16: 125,
“And say to My slaves (i.e. the true believers of Islamic Monotheism) that they should (only) say those words that are the best. (Because) Shaitan (Satan) verily, sows disagreements among them. Surely, Shaitan (Satan) is to man a plain enemy. “ 17: 53
“But if they incline to peace, you also incline to it, and (put your) trust in Allah. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” 8: 61
“The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah, that you may receive mercy”. 49: 10
“And if anyone of the Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) seeks your protection then grant him protection, so that he may hear the Word of Allah (the Qur’an), and then escort him to where he can be secure, that is because they are men who know not.” 9: 6
“Whosoever intercedes for a good cause will have the reward thereof, and whosoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a share in its burden. And Allah is Ever All-Able to do (and also an All-Witness to) everything.” 4: 85
“O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it, to insult one’s brother after having Faith [i.e. to call your Muslim brother (a faithful believer) as: “O sinner”, or “O wicked”, etc.]. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zalimun (wrong-doers, etc.).
O you who believe! Avoid much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting) . And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful.”
49: 11 – 12
“See you not how Allah sets forth a parable? – A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high). Giving its fruit at all times, by the Leave of its Lord and Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember.And the parable of an evil word is that of an evil tree uprooted from the surface of earth having no stability. Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on worshipping Allah Alone and none else), and in the Hereafter. And Allah will cause to go astray those who are Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.), and Allah does what He wills.”
14: 24 – 2
“And if the debtor is in a hard time (has no money), then grant him time till it is easy for him to repay, but if you remit it by way of charity, that is better for you if you did but know.” 2: 280
“And those who accuse chaste women, and produce not four witnesses, flog them with eighty stripes, and reject their testimony forever, they indeed are the Fasiqun (liars, rebellious, disobedient to Allah).” 24: 4
“And those who do not witness falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity.” 25: 72
“O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with a news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful to what you have done.” 49: 6,
“And obey not everyone who swears much, and is considered worthless.” 68: 10
“(The believers whose lives Allah has purchased are) those who repent to Allah (from polytheism and hypocrisy, etc.), who worship Him, who praise Him, who fast (or go out in Allah’s Cause), who bow down (in prayer), who prostrate themselves (in prayer), who enjoin (people) for Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all what Islam has ordained) and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds and all that Islam has forbidden), and who observe the limits set by Allah (do all that Allah has ordained and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allah has forbidden). And give glad tidings to the believers.” 9: 112
“Those who listen to the Word [good advice La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) and Islamic Monotheism, etc.] and follow the best thereof (i.e. worship Allah Alone, repent to Him and avoid Taghut, etc.) those are (the ones) whom Allah has guided and those are men of understanding (like Zaid bin ‘Amr bin Nufail, Salman Al-Farisi and Abu Dhar Al-Ghifari).” 39: 18
CONCLUSION
The Qur’an is truly a Mercy from Allah and this Mercy extends to all of mankind who is looking for the truth. There are a lot of lies in the media which tries to demonise the Qur’an, accusing it of violence and hardships imposed on Muslims. However, those whose heart is opened to the truth will be swept away by this message from Allah, whose Mercy to mankind is limitless. He would like all of us to have an easy journey in the Hereafter. It is up to us to take our time this Ramadan and discover the pearls and treasures in this beautiful book called the Qur’an.
May Allah Guide us to the straight path by our constant efforts on reciting the Qur’an, Allow the Qur’an to open up our hearts to the truth and soften our hearts so that all of us will be able to obey Allah and His Commands at all times until our final breath.
