Day 6 / Juz 6 (Ramadan ’17):-
“If you should raise your hand against me to kill me – I shall not raise my hand against you to kill you. Indeed, I fear Allah, Lord of the worlds.” [5: 28]
Thus is the believer forever restrained by his piety. You’ll come across many people in your life who’ll say things about you because of jealousy or anger towards you or some bitterness and past grudges. They may attack your character or things you hold dear, and they may go out of their way to harm you. Subhan’Allah, whilst the believer never allows oppression to be done to him or others, he does not – at the same time – begin with any transgression. Let people do as they may, and never stoop to their level by inflicting harm. Take care of yourself but never step into the wrong.
It’s said that a man once verbally abused Khalid ibn al-Walid (ra) saying something bad about him. So Khalid turned around and despite being the military commander that he was, despite being a man of strength and courage, he simply said, “هي صحيفتك املأها بما شئت” – “It’s your scroll of deeds, so fill it with what you wish.” Never lose focus of your scrolls that you’re filling every day. A single response may tarnish golden pages written for you, so choose your battles carefully, and let your piety and fear of God hold you back from overstepping His divine boundaries.
Day 7 / Juz 7 (Ramadan ’17):-
“So on account of what they said, Allah rewarded them with gardens in Paradise beneath which rivers flow…” [5: 85]
Sometimes, a single statement that you make weighs so heavily on the Scale and is so powerful in the Unseen world that it qualifies you for Paradise. It’s not just actions, but words have huge weight and they are an act of worship too.
“Let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day speak good or remain silent.” [Hadith, sahih]
Day 8 / Juz 8 (Ramadan ’17):-
“And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees, so that He may test you through what He has given you…” [6: 165]
People think that the most tested are the destitute and impoverished; those who have nothing. But actually it’s those who have been given a lot who face the riskiest trials. Simply because they don’t know they are being tested. For them life is good, things are peaceful, all is quiet. But the angels are busy scribbling away and they are busy indulging in the luxuries.
Don’t think you are being tested just because you’ve been given less. Fear the day when all doors of the Dunya are opened for you because often He gives in order to try you. May Allah help us be on guard and help us fulfill our thanks and duties to Him, ameen.
Day 9 / Juz 9 (Ramadan ’17):-
“Hold to forgiveness; enjoin what is right and turn away from the ignorant.” [7: 199]
There are several translations to the first part of this verse, but most translations are about going out of your way to forgive. It says ‘khudh al-‘afw’, which means to grab forgiveness by your hand and reach out to take it. It’s an *action* that we make the effort to do, and not a feeling that we wait for our heart to feel.
Sometimes it’s very hard to forgive; it might be painful to think of letting something slide or letting someone off the hook, but forgiveness does tons more for us than it does for the person we are forgiving. We need it more – for our worldly life, our Hereafter, and the health of our souls. Don’t just wait until you feel forgiveness in your heart. Reach out and take it with your hand and then give it to others with that same hand. Soon forgiving will be part of your nature and that will draw in the love and mercy of the Most Forgiving One, insha’Allah.
Day 10 / Juz 10 (Ramadan ’17):-
“Remember when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts was disease said, “Their religion has deluded those [Muslims].” But whoever relies upon Allah – then indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” [8: 49]
You will be taunted and ridiculed for believing. You will be stared at in your attire and the moral values you hold. You will be mocked and made to feel inferior because you believe in a superior Being. You will cry in du’a and call for hope when there is little to no hope. You will believe intensely when faced with a concrete wall. And you will strive to embrace whatever comes in life because you know Who it came from. This both bewilders and confuses others, but you just hold on.
You are not delusional. And yes, Allah will come to your rescue each and every time. But He will come at the time of His choosing. And even if you see nothing; no answers or responses, know that He’s working in ways that you’re just unaware of – and all will unfold eventually. So keep the faith despite what people may say, and keep hoping for good despite what you are told. Be wise, be intelligent, but above all, be trusting of He Who gave you life.