I cannot remember exactly when but I remembered it was after I finished learning the Muqaddam, somewhere during my childhood.
Taught by my grandma, she taught me how to “ngaji”, or recite the Quran, with the “Muqaddam” and slowly progressed to Juz 1 of the Quran. At that age, my impression of the al-Quran was more like “a Holy Book of Allah that was a step above the muqaddam”. I knew it was significant, but did not exactly understood the significance. I knew I had to take wudhuk before touching the Quran and remember not to put it on the floor;
Suddenly remembered a snippet of a dialogue between my brother and me, “Jangan jatuhkan! Ayoo…jatuh…cepat cepat angkat!”
And if none of us had our ablution, “Ayoo…takde air sembahyang takboleh angkat! dosa…”, (and it goes on and on…dah namanye budak-budak..hehe..)
But little did I really know the captivating stories, inspiration and guidance that lies in it.
Fast forward to years later, I think it was in polytechnic that I started to “explore” and tried to understand the contents of the Book. Also when I joined NYPMS and started to get involved with youth activities.
I bought a mini Mushaf, an Arabic one with English translation (from Darul Arqam) so I could understand what I was reading. So that I could understand what I am reading, insyaAllah.
One of the most beautiful moments was when I had a tazkirah in the mountains for the first time, with the Mushaf in front of me, reflecting upon Allah’s beautiful creations.
It was not my first encounter, but one of the firsts impactful ones in my life.
From Surah 34, Saba’
Say (O Muhammad SAW): “Verily, my Lord enlarges and restricts the provision to whom He pleases, but most men know not.” -verse 36
Say: “Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and (also) restricts (it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah’s Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers.” -verse 39
Apologies for the long absence. I have recently started working full-time and it has been quite a ride. Since I’m new, I’m experiencing many uncomfortable struggling moments and adapting to the new environment, which pretty much are the usual things you would have to go through when you have just started something new. It has not been easy, but I do see a lot of ease made in my path, like what Allah has promised His creations. So Alhamdulillah. I trust that Allah s.w.t has only the best in store for me, InsyaAllah, and that this will turn out into a most valuable experience.
Difficulties and challenges? That too shall pass. Whatever is in this world is temporary but the ibadah you do will bring you to forever.
These 2 verses from Surah Saba’ related to me, MashaAllah, and made me reflect on all kinds of rizq I have had in my life. It also reminds me to give for Allah’s cause, accompanied with the right intentions and remember that all rizq comes from Allah.
Alhamdulillah 🙂
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.”
2:30 / Al-Baqarah, verse 30
The question here is HOW DID THE ANGELS KNOW?
“O ye who believe!
Bow down, prostrate yourselves,
And adore your Lord; and do good;
That ye may prosper.”
“And strive in His cause
As ye ought to strive,
(With sincerity and under discipline).
He has chosen you,
And has imposed no difficulties on you in religion;
It is the cult of your father Abraham.
It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation);
That the Messenger may be a witness for you, and ye be witnesses for mankind!
So establish regular Prayer,
Give regular Charity,
And hold fast to Allah!
He is your Protector – the Best to protect and the Best to help!”
SubhanAllah in these 2 verses I am touched as I read the first few words. Allah is directing this verse and saying directly, specifically to the people who believe (specifically Muslims as specified in verse 78), to us, insyaAllah may our Iman be renewed and be stronger with His will.
Another thing that touched me was that Allah mentioned that He has specially chosen us – so, it is an honor to be a Muslim, really, but sometimes we do not realize this. And some people, sadly are not even proud to be one. If only they knew, that Allah has given them guidance and He doesn’t just give it to merely anyone…
He has even told us how to be successful in life by doing good in verse 77, and in verse 78 He elaborates further – by establishing regular solat, giving charity (zakah and other forms of giving), and holding our fasts.
I came across a verse on dakwah which I find extremely relevant for all of us today.
“Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; And argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: For thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, And who receive guidance.” (An-Nahl, 125)
Now excuse my lack of knowledge but I saw 5 points from this verse:
1. Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching;
2. And argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious:
3. For thy Lord knoweth best,
4. who have strayed from His Path,
5. And who receive guidance.
I don’t normally like to use the word ‘preach’, preferring to use the word ‘share’ instead, but there must be a reason why it was used in this context. I always thought ‘preach’ sounded like I’m ‘forcing’ but then there is no compulsion in religion and perhaps I am the one putting a negative connotation to the word.
Furthermore like Allah s.w.t has mentioned, do it beautifully. SubhanAllah. After all, He is Beautiful and He loves Beauty. Means we also have to increase our knowledge and learn to control our patience. How easy is it to argue graciously? So not easy for me. Allah has mentioned ‘argue’ so it is okay to argue but He says argue with grace and not with emotions, not with rationality and definitely not with anger.
To argue with grace means to be mindful of your words and to put Allah first before our emotions when it comes to arguing. And then after you have done that and tried your very best, leave it to Allah to give the guidance or hidayah to whoever He chooses because He knows His creations best.
Moral of the story:
Preach Beautifully,
Argue Graciously.
I love it. It serves as an awesome reminder for me. The second part may not be easy for me but I will try. InsyaAllah and Let’s all!
Not the ra-ra-I’m-so-excited happy, but a kind of contented happiness. This is why:
1. Knowing that I am communicating with Allah as the Quran are words from Allah Himself.
Verily in this (Qur’an) is a Message for people who would (truly) worship Allah. (Al-‘Anbiya, 106)
2. Sometimes I do not understand exactly what I am reading but somehow it’s okay. Plus, I know I’m not the only one 😉
And indeed We know that they (polytheists and pagans) say: “It is only a human being who teaches him (Muhammad SAW).” The tongue of the man they refer to is foreign, while this (the Quran) is a clear Arabic tongue. (An-Nahl, 103)
3. Feeling reassured that Allah does not leave me without anything to refer to in times of need.
This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah. (Al-Baqarah, 2)
4. Knowing that I can completely trust the Holy Book of Allah as nothing, not a single verse, ever since the Revelations, has been changed, AT ALL.
That this is indeed a qur’an Most Honourable,
In Book well-guarded, (Al-Waqi’ah, 77 & 78)
5. Because Allah has specifically said so.
Whoever does good whether male or female and he is a believer, We will most certainly make him live a happy life, and We will most certainly give them their reward for the best of what they did. (An-Nahl, 97)
And He has promised eternal happiness too 🙂
Then those who have believed and worked righteous deeds, shall be made happy in a Mead of Delight. (Ar-Rum, 15)
*
If u love someone for their looks, your love might wither as they get older.
If u love someone for their money, your love might fluctuate like currency.
If u love someone for their status, your love might not always be number one.
If u love someone for their heart, your love too might have a change of heart.
But if u love someone for Allah, your love will be protected till Jannah ♥
Author’s Note:
Allah s.w.t has mentioned love many a times in the Quran. He does not look at looks or appearance but looks at what is in your hearts. But sometimes, even your heart changes. So if you love for Allah, Allah will protect that love. This love does not just refer to love between spouses but love between human beings or mankind, hablumminannaas.
“I love you because of your religion. If you let go of your religion, then I have to let go of my love for you” Imam Nawawi.
by smm
The Quran has no legs or hands, it is sitting quietly waiting for you to reach it. It is up to you to make the first move – if you do not the Quran will certainly not. And one of the most beautiful things is that Allah has made it so that there is one Quran with your name on it insyaAllah. Come on, the Quran is waiting for your love!
We have been given the ability to feel not only with our senses but also with our hearts. Yet, our senses have a big part in helping us feel and connect emotionally and spiritually with the Quran.
If you are near an Al-Quran, after taking your ablution, touch it. (If you are not near one at this moment, make a mental note to do so or to get one very soon).
Hold it in your hands.
Feel it with your fingers.
Place the Quran on your chest, and listen to your beating heart with the Quran there for a few seconds.
Think, this is Allah and His words. Allah, who loves you so dearly, has sent down the Quran as the constant companion that guides, relieves and inspires your soul as He is with us every moment of every day.
Remember, when you remember Allah, He will remember you.
And now, open it.
Look at the Arabic language beautifully written in the Quran. Even if you may not understand the words, observe the letters, the dots, the straight lines and reflect on how the letters come together to form verses that are being read over and over by Muslims all over the world, SubhanAllah.
Before you read it, first feel the Quran with your heart, mind and soul.
“Say: ‘The Quran was sent down by Him who knows the mystery that is in the Heavens and the Earth, verily He is Oft-Forgiving, most Merciful.” – Al-Furqan, verse 6.
Love Thy Quran.
The Quran was sent down to Prophet Muhammad s.a.w on the night of 17 Ramadhan thousands of years ago. Allah has sent His words to us to guide, inspire and rejuvenate our souls, SubhanAllah.
Many lives have been transformed, many hearts have been soothed, and many souls have been guided by reading, reciting and understanding the Holy Book of Allah.
To read, one does not have to fully understand everything. One does not have to know every meaning.
Intention and Heart will do, as Allah knows what resides in every heart be it open or in secret.
Hence this blog is a collection of reflections and sharings on the Quran; it is not a Tafsir or a Tajweed ‘ilm website, but voices from fellow Muslim brothers and sisters whose life has been impacted by the Quran.
So share with us your stories. It may be how the Quran has impacted your life, how one verse has made you repent or change, your experiences or others’ experiences that you believe will inspire others, what the Quran means to you…
Contributions can be in the form of stories, poems and articles.
To contribute, email to: editor.quranmylove@gmail.com
Love Thy Quran 