Day Fifty Five (A Journey with Quran)

Surah An Nisa: Ayats 171–176

Followers of Earlier Revelation! Don’t go to extremes in your religious (doctrines), and don’t make statements about Allah that aren’t true. Jesus, the son of Mary, was a messenger from Allah and His (creative) word bestowed upon (the virgin) Mary and a spirit sent from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers (who were mortal men). Don’t say, “Trinity.” Don’t do it, as that would be best for you. Truly, Allah is just one God, glory be to Him! He’s (far above) having a child! He owns everything in the heavens and on the earth, and Allah is quite enough to take care of matters (for Himself)! [171]

The Messiah never refused to be Allah’s servant, nor have the angels, nor the nearest (people devoted to Him). Whoever arrogantly refuses to serve Him will be gathered back to Him (for judgment). [172]

Those who believed and did what was morally right will be given their due reward by Him, and even more out of His bounty! But those who were hesitant and arrogant will be punished by Him with a painful punishment, and they’ll find no one to help them or protect them besides Allah! [173]

All you people! Absolute proof has now come to you from your Lord in that We’ve sent you a clear light. [174]

So those who believe in Allah and hold firmly to Him will soon be admitted to (a state of) mercy and grace from Him, and He will guide them to Himself along a straight path. [175]

Now they’re asking you for (an additional) legal decision (concerning inheritance in cases in which there are no descendants or ascendants). Say to them, “Allah gives you the following instructions for people who leave neither descendants nor ascendants as heirs. If it’s a man who dies and he leaves a sister, but no children, she will get half the estate he leaves. If (the deceased was) a woman who left no children, her brother gets her estate. If there are (only) two sisters (left as heirs), they will get two-thirds of the estate (to share between them). If there are brothers and sisters, males and females, (then they will share the entire inheritance, with) the male receiving twice the share of the female.” And so Allah makes things clear to you so you won’t do anything in error, (and remember that) Allah knows about all things. [176]

Translation: Yahiya Emerick

Day Five (A Journey with Quran)

Today Ayats are from Surah Al-Baqarah (the longest surah in the Quran) are from Ayat 25 – 34. The story of Adam begins in Ayat 30. Iblis means Satan or Devil.

25. But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is Gardens, beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits therefrom, they say: “Why, this is what we were fed with before,” for they are given things in similitude; and they have therein companions pure (and holy); and they abide therein (for ever).

26. Allah disdains not to use the similitude of things, lowest as well as highest. Those who believe know that it is truth from their Lord; but those who reject Faith say: “What means Allah by this similitude?” By it He causes many to stray, and many He leads into the right path; but He causes not to stray, except those who forsake (the path),-

27. Those who break Allah.s Covenant after it is ratified, and who sunder what Allah Has ordered to be joined, and do mischief on earth: These cause loss (only) to themselves.

28. How can ye reject the faith in Allah.- seeing that ye were without life, and He gave you life; then will He cause you to die, and will again bring you to life; and again to Him will ye return.

29. It is He Who hath created for you all things that are on earth; Moreover His design comprehended the heavens, for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments; and of all things He hath perfect knowledge.

30. Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: “I will create a vicegerent on earth.” They said: “Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?- whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?” He said: “I know what ye know not.”

31. And He taught Adam the nature of all things; then He placed them before the angels, and said: “Tell me the nature of these if ye are right.”

32. They said: “Glory to Thee, of knowledge We have none, save what Thou Hast taught us: In truth it is Thou Who art perfect in knowledge and wisdom.”

33. He said: “O Adam! Tell them their natures.” When he had told them, Allah said: “Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of heaven and earth, and I know what ye reveal and what ye conceal?”

34. And behold, We said to the angels: “Bow down to Adam” and they bowed down. Not so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: He was of those who reject Faith.

Translation: Abdullah Yusuf

Broken

I have seen you on the prayer mat

Bowing down to our God

Yet learnt you lie so blatantly

In total disregard

Of what’s true, and what did happen

The truth between us all

You forget the angels writing

Of what did befall

Your hatred, and maliciousness

Severed the ties that held us close

They are shredded, and beyond repair

With wickedness you pose

Lies, and deceit spread their poison forever

With broken spirit I won’t trust

The likes of you never

(Sheen)

I wrote this poem a year, or two earlier, but have forgotten the date. I had posted it on my blog.

…

Broken

Write a new post in response to today’s one-word prompt

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/broken/

A Soul Rejoices

I am answering yesterday’s prompt.

I was deadbeat yesterday. I reached my bed (the previous night) at 2.30 am (preparations for food). Got up at 5.10 to answer the Fajr Prayer, then headed towards the kitchen to resume what further needed to be done.

I made two sweet dishes, so that the ladies had a choice. In between I managed to make breakfast too. Then prepared a huge bowl of salad. The chicken pieces which I had coated with my special mixture (a day before), I put them in the oven to bake. Last item left was Chinese fried rice. It was to go with Gen Tsao chicken which I had done a day earlier. 

For the past many years when it was my turn to invite someone for food, I managed by inviting them to a restaurant. Yesterday was really an uphill task by doing the cooking myself. It would have looked odd inviting people to a restaurant for a reading of the Quran.

I am glad I held the rememberance for my (late) husband. I was afraid I may not be able to manage.

All that food doesn’t reach a soul. When people gather to read God’s Book, Angels come, and watch. They go, and tell the dead person’s soul, “your ……… did this, and sent God’s Blessings on you”.

And the soul rejoices. 

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/game-of-groans/

Game of Groans

Think about an object, an activity, or a cultural phenomenon you really don’t like. Now write a post (tongue in cheek or not — your call!) about why it’s the best thing ever.

I Will Always Hope

In Retrospect
by Ben Huberman
Yesterday you invented a new astrological sign. Today, write your own horoscope — for the past month (in other words, as if you’d written it October 1st).

A horoscope for me:

Don’t give up hope. Things will definitely improve in the months to come. Live up to your sign. You are strong, courageous, and resilient.

Meanwhile I’ll always hope:

Hope for a better future.
Hope for good things to come.
Hope everything will be allright.
Hope God will always bestow His Blessings on me, and you. Ameen.

I don’t read, or believe in horoscopes. It’s just a twist of words. On reading a horoscope you will find a general statement about your day. Or it can be a prediction about some good coming your way, or vice versa, and that’s it.

To believe such baloney shows utter naivety.

How the fortune tellers predict your future, you can read it on this link, sent to me by my daughter.
http://askimam.org/public/question_detail/19703

Excerpts taken from Ask Imam:
The Jinns used to eavesdrop freely without being expelled from the upper terrestrial realms. They would listen to the discussions of the Angels to learn about future events. Then they would reveal the information to fortune tellers. The people who went to them would believe. They thought that the fortune tellers possessed knowledge, and that’s how people were deceived.

After our Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), the Jinns were barred from entering all the upper terrestrial spheres, therefore they could no longer eavesdrop on the Angels. Whenever the Jinns do it, they are pursued by a flaming, shooting star.

God has made Angels from light, the Jinns from fire, and us Humans from clay.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/in-retrospect/
http://wp.me/p23sd-nTy

Saving Life

I had an unexpected guest one morning. She was my d in law’s mother. Looking at her I saw she was crying. Concerned I asked her, “What’s the matter?” In between sniffles she told me that her d in law L was having an abortion. Greatly perturbed, she had asked L not to do it. She had asked her son to stop L from doing it. Her son had replied that it was totally L’s decision, and she could do what she wanted to do.

On an impulse I picked up the phone and dialed L’s number. Thankfully she was still at home and had not left for the hospital. For the next one hour I kept on talking to her, although I was not getting a positive response. I told her that God doesn’t like for us to take a life. It is clearly written in the Quran. Her reason was that at this stage she could not take care of a third child. I told her, she should have thought of this before. For now she should have this child and later on she could take a number of precautions and can quit having further children.

Three years later I saw L. She was all smiles when she pushed her daughter towards me and said,”This is who you saved.”

Photo courtesy of Web

INNOCENCE

Children are so innocent. They are like Angels. Sorrowfully the world we live in, deprives our children of innocence way too soon. Personally I feel deep regret and sadness over it. Movies, TV, magazines and games all have contributed towards it.

Yesterday I was sitting reading a book when my youngest grandson rushed in. A comforter trailed behind him. He threw himself to the ground and covered himself with the comforter. I was intrigued as to what he did. I asked him, “What are you doing on the floor Sweetheart?”

I was amused when I found out. He was hiding from his elder brother. His reasoning was that “S” will think that the comforter was left on the carpet.😇