Day 21 (Juz 21):-
“And We have indeed sent Messengers before you to their people, and they came to them with clear evidences. Then We took retribution from those who committed crimes, and it was incumbent upon Us to support the believers.” [30: 47]
The earth shakes with the crimes of humanity, and time and time again it bears the burdens of people oppressing one another. Like a plate of food, tyrants swarm around and invade lands; pillaging resources, killing innocent people, ruining lives, and destabilising regions that were otherwise peaceful. But nothing escapes the watchful gaze of Allah ‘azza wa jall. He has decreed victory for His slaves and support for them in ways that we know and ways that we know not. He has promised aid to those whose strength of faith keeps them firm in the face of repression and tyranny, who keep toiling through their days, striving, and wishing for nothing but His pleasure through their patience. Their homes have been demolished, their blood made to run on the ground, funeral prayers held one after another, children overcoming levels of fear and loss that not even an adult can bear, the heartbreak as mothers are tested to the limits and beyond, and men, our men driven to insanity through torture and imprisonment. There’s not much that this earth hasn’t seen and history not witnessed. But people who suffer to such extents surely have Divine right to be supported by Allah, the Muntaqim. From Burma to Syria, Egypt to Yemen, Iraq to Somalia, Afghanistan to Libya, and like that back and forth it continues.
O Allah, restore peace and stability to the devastated lands and mend the broken lives of the Muslims worldwide. Strengthen them, unite them, and bring out Your leaders from amongst them who raise your word and bring harmony. Let us hear good news and let the winds of peace blow through them once again. Allahumma ameen.
Day 22 (Juz 22):-
“And indeed Iblis (Satan) confirmed his thought about them, and they followed him all, except a group of believers.” [34: 20]
Do you know what Shaytan’s thought was which he found confirmed amongst human beings? There’s something he said about us aforetime which he then used to his full advantage. As a result of this, a large number of people will fall prey to him except those with faith. Guessed it yet? The scholars of tafsir explained that it’s ingratitude. And this is highlighted in the verse when Shaytan swore to do his best to mislead mankind. He said at the end, “…And You will not find most of them as thankful ones” [7: 17]
Sadly, it’s true. Most of us live life constantly victimizing ourselves. We expect more than we have and give little thanks for what we do have. We look to others and end up wronging ourselves and also wronging Allah, al-Razzaq. How often we’re deprived of enjoying life because we’ve deprived ourselves of the blessing of gratitude. And it is a blessing – that ability to say ‘alhamdulillah’ deep from our hearts. Shaytan knew the devastation it can bring when we no longer have this contentment and positive outlook during our days in this world, and so he went wild with it. Now this verse in Surah Saba’ comes around the middle of the chapter, but what’s interesting is how Allah `azza wa jall, out of His Mercy, warns us indirectly much earlier in the chapter. In verse 13, He lists His blessings that were given to Dawud and Sulayman, and then commands them with gratitude: “Work, O family of David, in gratitude.” And then He gives a warning, relevant until the end of time… “And few of My servants are grateful.” [34: 13]
Ingratitude is not in your genetic make-up, so you can always change. You can always teach yourself to be satisfied, and consequently, happy. You can always prove Shaytan wrong and be from the group of believers who he never manages to prove his thought about. You can always be from the grateful servants – few in number but mighty in faith.
Day 23 (Juz 23):-
“Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, (like one who does not)? Say, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” It is only the people of understanding who will remember.” [39: 9]
The depths of the night hold untold treasure for the believer. Subhan’Allah, during a time when Allah draws near to His servants, the people are sifted into two groups: those who sleep throughout the night and those who revive a portion of the night with worship. When a person’s heart is alive and filled with emotions brought on by faith (hope, fear, love etc), their nights eventually transform as they seek out the treasures and tranquility that Allah has placed within the night.
In an authentic narration, the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “Upon you is to observe the night prayer for it is the way of the righteous that came before you…”. Every Prophet and Messenger established a prayer in the night, the believers across the timeline of history established it in their lives too. And they all loved it. Qiyam al-layl was something they looked forward to, a nourishment for their souls, a time of serenity and peace. The one who feared the Hereafter could not sleep due to that fear, and the one who hoped for Mercy could not could not sleep due to the spring of hope in his heart – to be forgiven, to be given, to be in conversation with Allah `azza wa jall. Indeed, it is as Mu’adh ibn Jabal so eloquently put it, for whenever he rose to pray at night, he would say: “O Allah, indeed the eyes of people are asleep and the stars have receded but You are the Ever Living and Eternal. O Allah, my way to Paradise is slow and my fleeing from Hellfire is weak. O Allah, grant me Guidance from You which you return to me on the Day of Judgment, truly You do not fail in Your Promise.” The he would enter into the night prayer.
O Allah, help us to worship You through days and nights, through thick and thin, highs and lows. Bless us with prayers in the depths of the night, and unite us with the believers on the Day when Your Pleasure descends upon them. Ameen ya Rabb.
Day 24 (Juz 24):-
When you think of Angels, how do you think of them? They are obedient slaves of Allah and firm upon His Commands, but we forget that they are also exceptionally kind and caring. Look at Surah Ghafir. There is a passage of 3 long verses which talks about their du’as for us:
“Those [angels] who carry the Throne and those around it exalt with praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask forgiveness for those who have believed, [saying], “Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire.
Our Lord, admit them to gardens of perpetual residence which You have promised them and whoever was righteous among their fathers, their spouses and their offspring. Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
“And save them from (the consequences of) sins, and whomsoever You save from sins that Day, him verily, You have taken into mercy.” And that is the supreme success.” [40: 7-9]
Wow. You can just feel their care and concern for us. Subhan’Allah, it’s not the first time their du’as for us are mentioned in the Qur’an, and this shows that they converse with Allah about us, they plead on our behalf, they ask for our safe delivery, and they love the believers, although the love of Allah is greater and more encompassing. Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power, sees the grand descent of these Angels down to the earth – they are likened to the number of raindrops that fall during a rainfall – no space remains on earth except that an Angel descends to it along with the descent of blessings and mercy subhan’Allah. Angels also descend during the times of Qur’anic recital so imagine reciting Qur’an or standing in prayer on a night when Allah decrees it to be Laylat al-Qadr? You will find yourself in the magnificent swarm of Angels, all glorifying Allah and seeking forgiveness for you.
They are our brothers and close friends. And it’s not me saying this! Towards the end of this Juz, we have another statement from the Angels: “We are your friends in the life of this world and in the Hereafter.” [41: 31]. Not just any friends, but awliya’ – close companions, protectors, allies, and supporters. Subhan’Allah, indeed they are a caring and loving creation of Allah.
O Allah, grant us a good ending, and make our meeting a meeting with Angels of Mercy, ameen.
Day 25 (Juz 25):-
“The Creator of the heavens and the earth. He has made for you mates from yourselves, and for the cattle (also) mates. By this means He creates you. There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.” [42: 11]
Allah is al-Witr. He is Unique, and opposite to His Creation. We die while He is the Eternal. We get sick while He is free from defects. He is the Master while we are the slaves – dependent on Him for everything. As such we live on this earth as generations, taking spouses and giving birth to the next generation.
Alhamdulillah, growing up in a warm, secure, and loving home allowed me to see the numerous blessings and importance of raising children in such an environment to the extent that as a young girl I would tell myself, ‘When I marry and have children, I’ll remember to do this particular thing, or not to have this specific thing’ etc – because I realised early on that the home impacts its people for life. It’s little wonder why Allah uses beautiful descriptions when talking about taking a spouse and establishing a home. He calls the home ‘Maskan‘ – a place of sakan (dwelling) and sakinah (tranquility) because that’s what it should be… A place for growth and comfort, ease and development, security and joy, and a place to worship Allah and raise a generation who do the same or better. He speaks of mercy and love between spouses – and then calls that a Sign from His Signs in this world. Subhan’Allah. A home bereft of all these, is a home deprived.
But deprivation does not have to be a constant, because hearts can come back to life and homes can be flooded with warm lights. Laughter is contagious – remember that – and peace can begin with a outstretched hand. Charity takes a million forms and how blessed it is when it springs from a home to those within that very home. Likewise, love takes a million forms and what a beauty it is when it springs from a home to those within. Patience is a saving grace as humility is a touching feature – no soul can bring itself to hate a humble man or woman.
We live on this earth as generations giving birth to the next generation. But there is nothing like Allah `azza wa jall for He is Unique. He is al-Witr.