Lessons from the Qur'an

Juz 6

- True believers do not discriminate between messengers; they believe in all of them.

- We should develop the ability to pardon our fellow Muslims, friends and family for their mistakes.

- If you believe, it is better for you- when we believe in the messenger, it is only us who gain something- Allah doesnt gain anything from it as He already owns the heavens and he earth and the whole universe.

- Dont commit excess in your religion- messengers are messengers and should be respected as such, we shouldnt raise them to the status of god, nor reduce their status such that we dont respect them (e.g. some people killed their prophets)

- Dont raise peoples status, such that we see them as perfect and unable to make any mistakes to the extent that we start idolising them and modelling their lives. And dont lower them, such that we disrespect them and not appreciate their hard work and efforts.

- We should love people for Allahs sake, and we will be greatly rewarded and will get the shade of Allahs Throne on the Day of Judgement, on the day when there will be no other shade except for this one.

- We shouldnt look down on the religious acts that people do- if she wants to cover up, be happy for her, rather than questioning why she wants to dress that way. Those who look down upon the obedience of Allah will have a painful punishment.

Surah Al Maidah

- A Madani surah, one of the last Surahs to be revealed before Muhammad (s.a.w) passed away, thus many of the commands in this surah are final commands.

- It is very hard to point out to someone close to us if they are doing something wrong, but we have to be careful, otherwise we will also get the sin of that act.

- Dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and anything that was killed for other than Allah is unlawful to eat. Also unlawful are, animals that were killed by strangling, a violent blow, a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and also that which a wild animal has eaten from. Except that which you are able slaughter before its death.

- Finding out the future, fortune-telling, soothsaying, star reading- astrology, reading hands and tea leaves- are all forbidden, because they all seek to find out the future and help you make a decision. If one goes to the soothsayer seeking to find out the future, his Salah is not accepted for 40 days.

- All this has become so common all around the world- in the Muslim world also, such that when we tell people how it is not good, they usually say whats the harm in reading your star? We just want to know.- well, the harm is, your Salah will not be accepted for 40 days- it is a very big harm!

- No one can have knowledge of the future- even the prophets didnt- except for Allah.

- Islam is such a big blessing for us from Allah, we need to realise this and appreciate it.

- All good foods and game that is caught by animals that we have trained for hunting, and we should mention the Name of Allah. The food of those who were given the Scripture are lawful for us and our food is lawful for them.

- Wudhu is also a blessing from Allah and a means of purification- if it wasnt for wudhu, would we even wash our face, our hands or our feet?

- Be just- even to people who you have disagreements with, or you do not get along well. And speak up with the truth and rightness, even if someone doesnt want to hear it.

- Adam (a.s) two sons both gave sacrifice to Allah, but only one was accepted- the only difference between their sacrifices was sincerity. This shows us how very important sincerity and correct intentions are.

- Whoever kills one soul, it is as if he has slain mankind entirely, unless the one who was killed had caused corruption in the land, or it is a life for a life. Whoever saves one soul, it is as if he has saved mankind entirely.

- Doing good deeds are a way to come close to Allah because He loves the doers of good.

- If we turn away from Allahs religion, He will bring another people who will love Him and they are humble towards the believers and they are powerful against the disbelievers. They will strive in the path of Allah and they do not fear criticism or blame because they know that what they are doing is the right thing.