Lessons from the Qur'an

Juz 2

Virtues of studying the Quran

- Each letter of the Quran brings 10 rewards for it

- Allah makes the path to paradise easier for one who goes on the path to study the Quran

- The best of you are those who learn the Quran and then teach

- Indeed, Allah has special people from mankind. They are the people of the Quran, the people of Allah.

- Each step that you take to come closer to Allah, He takes 10 steps to come closer to us.

- Angels are in gatherings where Allah is mentioned

This juz is filled with the commands and rules on how to live our lives.

We have been forbidden to have- dead animals, blood, flesh of swine (pig) and the things that have been dedicated to anyone other than Allah.

If one is under compulsion and is being forced to have them, then he doesnt get sin for it, as long as he doesnt desire it himself.

Characteristics of Al Muttaqoon (the righteous ones)

- Belief in Allah, the last day, the Book and the prophets

- Give wealth to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveller, the one who asks for it and for freeing slaves

- One who establishes prayer and gives zakah

- Those who fulfil their promises

- Those who are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle

- A duty upon the righteous is to leave behind a will so that their wealth may be distributed in the right way after their death- this is proof that the righteous people can own wealth and property as one would not require a will if they were not allowed to have wealth.

- One who fasts

Ramadhan – the month in which the Quran was revealed and month in which the Quran is recited the most.

If you are ill or on a journey, you can skip the fast, and then repay it later.

If you are able to fast, but with difficulty, then substitute it by feeding a poor person each day.

Ramadhan is also the month of Dua- the Dua of the fasting person is not going to be rejected- Hadeeth. Dua can be made all the time, but particularly when we open our fast (iftar time), suhoor time (pre-dawn meal), after Salah, and anytime during the day. This is why the ayahs (verses of the Quran) regarding Dua come right after those regarding Ramadhan.

Hours for fasting- start when the white thread of dawn appears and end when the sun sets. So precise and clear for us.

Spouses are clothing for each other- they cover, comfort, protect and beautify each other- this is how the relationship should be. Covering one anothers faults and secrets. They can help and encourage one another to do good and get closer to Allah.

Do not consume one anothers wealth/property unjustly and do not bribe the judges so that they may help you to consume anothers wealth unjustly.

Fight back against those who fight you, in the cause of Allah but do not cross the limits that have been set by Him- do not kill innocent people. Do not fight in Masjid al Haram unless they fight you first, in which case, they should be killed.

If someone assaults you, then you can only assault him back in the same way.

Spend in the way of Allah- towards establishment of institutions where deen will be spread and preserved for the next generations, towards building of mosques.

We dont only have to ask Allah for provision in this world, rather we should ask for good in this world and the next:

وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Waminhum man yaqoolu rabbana atina fee alddunya hasanatan wafee alakhirati hasanatan waqina AAathaba alnnari

"But among them is he who says, Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire."

(Quran: 2:201)

Having a lot of wealth and property in this world doesnt make us better in the Sight of Allah, rather it is our faith and the good deeds that we do which please Him.

"Fighting has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not."

(Quran: 2:216)

We may not see the harm in something, and it leads us to wonder why it is prohibited for us. But we need to understand that whatever is prohibited for us must have a greater harm than good, and who knows better that the One who created it all?

Drinking and gambling- there is great sin in both of them. They were both common in the society before Islam came. We may see some benefit in them but the sin/harm is better than any benefit it may have.

Spend / give away things that are beyond your need- if you dont need something/arent using it, then give it away. We need to use our minds and decide what we really need, and what we dont need.

How to take care of orphans? – do good and look after their wealth and welfare. Whoever is conscious of Allah will always do whats best for the orphans.

-Do not marry disbelieving women until they become believing women, for a believing slave woman is better than the disbelieving free woman even though she may seem attractive to you. Same goes for marrying men.

-Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and those who love to purify themselves.

-Do not make oaths with Allahs name lightly.

-When someone has done you wrong, or a situation is wrong, always be kind, openhearted and courteous.

-Do not hold grudges, rather learn to let go and overlook peoples mistakes.

-Guard your Salah, especially the middle one- Asr salah (the third one in the day).