Lessons from the Qur'an

Juz 4

People were in manifest error before the prophet (s.a.w) was sent to them.

- It is Allah who makes one win or lose, regardless of their number or strength. Like in the battle of Badr, the Muslims were very outnumbered, yet they gained victory because of their firm belief in Allah and their sincerity thus Allah made them win. However, in the battle of Uhud, they lost because the archers who were posted on the hill, with clear instructions to stay there no matter what happens, did not listen- as soon as they saw the enemies retreating, and the war booty came into sight, they thought they had won and started descending the hill. No sooner did the enemies see this then they came back and attacked- thus causing defeat for the Muslims. Here it shows how our greed for materialistic things will not get us anywhere and that defeat is due to our own mistakes and shortcomings.

-The hypocrites said that the martyrs should have stayed in their homes, and they wouldnt have died. But everything happens by the will of Allah i.e those who died during battle, would have died even if they stayed in their homes, for death was already written for them.

-Response of the Muslims when they were told that the mushrikeen have gathered against them and that they should be feared:

حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ

hasbuna Allahu waniAAma alwakeelu

"Sufficient for us is Allah , and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs."

(Quran: 3:173)

We should always have faith in Allah, and not fear anyone or anything more than Him. We can also recite this as a dua.

- Muslims should act as one unit, and support one another through trying times. when one of our fellow believers is going through a hard time, or is making mistakes- rather than saying things about them, we should try to help and support them.

- When people go through a test, they become purified and their Imaan increases along with the reward for them. By putting the people through tests, Allah separated the hypocrites and the true believers.

- We should give more in charity rather than hoard our wealth, thinking it will help us in the future. The necks of the people who withhold will be encircled by the property they withhold, on the Day of Resurrection.

- In comparison to the hereafter, this life is very temporary, and will soon end because every soul shall taste death. We all have to die one day, but we dont know when the day will come, hence we should make the most of every moment we have, lest it should be our last.

- The prophet (s.a.w) used to recite the last 10 verses of surah Al- Imran when he used to wake up for Tahajjud

- This is how Allah describes the people of understanding:

الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَٰذَا بَاطِلًا سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Allatheena yathkuroona Allaha qiyaman waquAAoodan waAAala junoobihim wayatafakkaroona fee khalqi alssamawati waalardi rabbana ma khalaqta hatha batilan subhanaka faqina AAathaba alnnari

Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], "Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire

(Quran: 3:191)

It includes a dua which we should recite when we see His creation. Nothing was created without a reason, we should ponder over Allahs creation and realise His Power and Might, and then praise him. This is also a very good act of Ibadah.

- These are some Duas from the Quran, so we should make it a point to learn them and recite them as they are very beneficial:

رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِي لِلْإِيمَانِ أَنْ آمِنُوا بِرَبِّكُمْ فَآمَنَّا ۚ رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الْأَبْرَارِ

Rabbana innana samiAAna munadiyan yunadee lileemani an aminoo birabbikum faamanna rabbana faighfir lana thunoobana wakaffir AAanna sayyiatina watawaffana maAAa alabrari

Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller calling to faith, [saying], 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous.

(Quran: 3:193)

رَبَّنَا وَآتِنَا مَا وَعَدْتَنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۗ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ

Rabbana waatina ma waAAadtana AAala rusulika wala tukhzina yawma alqiyamati innaka la tukhlifu almeeAAada

Our Lord, and grant us what You promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in [Your] promise."

(Quran: 3:194)

- Believe, persevere, endure, and remain stationed- doing these will lead us to success. We need to endure and be patient through it all; whether it is inclinations within us, or external influence.

Surah An-Nisaa

- We are all from Adam and Hawa, and since we are all from one source, there is no superiority of one over another.

- In this surah, Allah upholds the rights of orphans, women- do not consume the wealth of orphans, give women their dowry graciously, do not give the weak-minded their property lest they should waste it away, when orphans reach maturity and sound judgement then give them their property.

- When parents and close relatives die, both men and women have a share they should receive. If relatives, orphans and needy are present when the inheritance is being divided, then give them something and speak to them with kind words.

- Children do not need expensive gifts and materialistic things, rather they require our time, energy, love and attention.