THIS Surah is about the origin of creations. It starts how Satan made Adam and Eve leave heaven and how all three were brought down to earth. How Satan became the number one enemy of humanity after disobeying the Almighty. The Holy Quran is a book revealed to the Last Prophet (SAWW) for warning to disbelievers. We should follow what has been sent down from the Almighty and do not take others as guardians besides Him. How seldom are we mindful.
The weighing on the Day of Judgement will be just. As for those whose scale will be heavy with good deeds, only they will be successful. On the other hand whose scales will be light, they will have doomed themselves for wrongfully denying the Almighty’s signs and spending their lives as per the teaching of the Quran. The Almighty has indeed established us on earth and provided us with a means of livelihood. Yet we seldom give any thanks. The Almighty has mentioned a number of times that human beings are mostly ungrateful.
When the Quran is recited, we should listen to it attentively and be silent, so that we may be shown mercy. Listening attentively and understanding the Almighty’s message for guidance. As Muslims, we all know that the Quran is the most important source of guidance for us, and we have to treat it in this way. The Quran has the answers to any question which we have about any topic in life. Our biggest issue is that we have abandoned the Quran. We may read it in Ramadan, we may have it in every room of the house, we might read the entire Quran all the time, we may even memorise the Quran but we have still abandoned it, because we just read, rather than looking into the meaning and applying it to our lives. The Quran gives us our purpose and we should hold onto it. The Quran basically is an instructions manual which guides us as to how to spend each and every moment of our lives.
The Almighty has destroyed many societies because of their wrongdoings/disbelief. Surely, their messengers came to them with clear proof, but still they would not believe in what they had already denied. This is how the Almighty seals the hearts of the disbelievers. Unfortunately, many visit such places for sightseeing and entertainment. The Last Prophet (SAWW) told us that if you pass through these settlements, then pass quickly.
The best clothing is righteousness. This was one of the Almighty’s bounties, so perhaps we will be mindful. We should dress properly whenever we are at worship. Eat and drink, but do not waste. Surely the Almighty does not like the wasteful. This is one of the Almighty’s bounties, so perhaps you will be mindful. We should not let Satan deceive us as he tempted our parents out of Paradise and caused their cover to be removed in order to expose their nakedness. Surely he and his soldiers watch us from where we cannot see them. We have made the devils allies of those who disbelieve.
The Almighty has taught us how to pray. Call upon the Almighty humbly and secretly. The Almighty does not love those who trespass beyond bounds. Do not be mischievous on the earth, after it has been set in order but call on Him with fear and longing in hearts for the mercy of the Almighty is always close to the good-doers. Surely He does not like the transgressors. Do not spread corruption in the land after it has been set in order and call upon Him with hope and fear. The Almighty doesn’t like holding grudges against one another. Those have bitterness against anyone yet qualifying for paradise their hearts will be cleaned before sending them to paradise. The Almighty will remove whatever bitterness they had in their hearts. We are not allowed to carry bitterness about anyone in life.
Shoaib asked his people to give just measure and weight, not defraud people of their property, nor spread corruption in the land after it has been set in order. This is for our own good, if we are truly believers. His people were greedy and led wicked lives. Most of them were merchandisers and they gave short measure, praised their goods beyond their worth and hid their defects. They lied to their customers, thereby cheating them. Shoaib preached to them begging them to be mindful of the Almighty’s favours and warning them of the consequences of their evil ways, but they only mocked him.
When Musa went to receive Commandments from the Almighty his people during his absence had made from their golden jewellery an idol of a calf that made a lowing sound and had started worshipping it as god. They did not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to the right path. Musa after seeing all this got annoyed with his brother Haroon. Haroon replied wisely saying that he could have forced people to stop that but he felt by doing so he will create a split in the nation. A lesson for us. Jews had split their religion in 72 sects. The Last Prophet (SAWW) had predicted that his Ummah will be split in 73 sects. We all Muslims have split in many sects, unfortunately each one considers others as Kafir [non-Muslim]
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Lahore.
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