Pondering on the Qur’an is one of the essential ingredients of the “CORE RAMADAN DIET.” Last night many of us heard the third Juz. What are your thoughts? What did you take form this amazing part of the Qur’an?
A juz is a part of the Qur’an. The Qur’an is divided into 30 parts (juz). The 3rd juz of the Qur’an is from 2:253–3:92.
Suhaib Webb is a contemporary American-Muslim educator, activist, and lecturer. His work bridges classical and contemporary Islamic thought, addressing issues of cultural, social and political relevance to Muslims in the West. After converting to Islam in 1992, Webb left his career in the music industry to pursue his passion in education. He earned a Bachelor’s in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and received intensive private training in the Islamic Sciences under a renowned Muslim Scholar of Senegalese descent. Webb was hired as the Imam at the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, where he gave khutbas (sermons), taught religious classes, and provided counselling to families and young people; he also served as an Imam and resident scholar in communities across the U.S.
From 2004-2010, Suhaib Webb studied at the world’s preeminent Islamic institution of learning, Al-Azhar University, in the College of Shari`ah. During this time, after several years of studying the Arabic Language and the Islamic legal tradition, he also served as the head of the English Translation Department at Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah.
Outside of his studies at Al-Azhar, Suhaib Webb completed the memorization of the Quran in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. He has been granted numerous traditional teaching licenses (ijazat), adhering to centuries-old Islamic scholarly practice of ensuring the highest standards of scholarship. Webb was named one of the 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center in 2010.
I was amazed at the verse, “And how many righteous men fought with the Prophets…” and the verse after it, “And they only said, “Our Lord…”
The first part is sincere action, the second part is sincere hearts and words. Thus, Intention+SincereWords+Sincere Act=a complete believer.
Last night’s reading was wonderful.
Suhaib
When Zakariya realized that Allah granted Maryam fruits out of season, He (subhanallah) could grant his wife children out of season!
Our children are our fruits, we must care for them well. For that reason, in Arabic it says, inbataha nabatan hassan, “We caused her to sprout (grow) an excellent sprouting (growth).
That story always makes me laugh. First, Zakariya makes dua with full sincerety. And then when his dua is accepted, he has a hard time believing it and asks Allah for a sign. SubhanAllah!
LOL– It’s an interesting point really because even though we try to make dua’a with full conviction, sometimes we do ask for things that we accidentally feel may be impossible (in our eyes) and thus when Zakariyyah says *after* his dua’a is accepted–“but how can I have a child when I am old and my wife is barren”- it makes him human like the rest of us and also gives us much hope at the same time–alhamdulillah!
“Kind speech and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury. And Allah is Free of need and Forbearing.” (2:263)
SubhanAllah, we always forget what a few nice words can do. I think this is an excellent reminder that words are powerful. It’s intriguing that Allah’s (swt) words and mercy are a charity to us, but many times we neglect what is handed to us.
I realized that the first time ALlah address the Christians in the Qur’an, He say, “Say: “If you (really) love Allah then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [3:31]
The Christians are always claiming that we love God, and God loves us… Allah begans his address to them by negating this belief, and then mentions the story of Maryam’s miraculous birth, followed by another miraculous birth (Zakariya asking Allah for his wife), followed by Jesus birth.
Also, I realized a lot of the miracles that Jesus did had to do with bring back the dead or putting life. The bird made out of clay, raising the dead… Now if Isaaa AS was able to do this, is it hard then to believe that his birth was miraculous.
003.035 Behold! a woman of ‘Imran said: “O my Lord! I do dedicate unto Thee what is in my womb for Thy special service: So accept this of me: For Thou hearest and knowest all things.”
003.036 When she was delivered, she said: “O my Lord! Behold! I am delivered of a female child!”- and God knew best what she brought forth- “And no wise is the male Like the female. I have named her Mary, and I commend her and her offspring to Thy protection from the Evil One, the Rejected.”
I don’t know if I can communicate this insight properly, but I’ll try anyways.
Maryam’s mother makes a supplication to Allah dedicating the child in her womb for Allah’s service, and Allah accepted her dua. And since Allah knew what service He needed from her child, he made the child a female. For the mother, however, this was a bit disappointing, because a male child might have been able to serve Allah in more obvious ways.
So although she still dedicated the child to Allah, she also commented ‘And no wise is the male like the female.’ But this sentence which she uttered is exactly the reasoning for which she delivered a female child. Because the service which Allah needed from her child was one which could not have been provided by a male child.
SubhanAllah! It just blew my mind the first time Allah gave me this insight while I was listening to these verses in the car.
SubhanAllah Br Abdul Majeeb, I’ve read this verse so many times and I always used to think that Allah (swt) wanted to test Umm-e-Maryam by giving her a female child when she wanted a male – but I’ve never thought of it this way:
“So although she still dedicated the child to Allah, she also commented ‘And no wise is the male like the female.’ But this sentence which she uttered is exactly the reasoning for which she delivered a female child. Because the service which Allah needed from her child was one which could not have been provided by a male child.”
As a woman I feel so special reading all those verses. Every now and then we always hear “ooh islams does not defend or care for women “ …stagfirrulah…… I mean look at all this verses….”Treat them good “ “FEAR ALLAH “ “DO NOT HURT THEM “ .” FEAR ALLAH “ “ALLAH KNOWS EVERYTHING “ I MEAN EVERYTHING HAPPENING BEHIND THOSE CLOSED DOORS “ “”” FEAR ALLAH “ DON’T TAKE THOSE AYAHS AS AJOKE “ “ FEAR ALLAH “ .
Sahih International
2.227 And if they decide on divorce – then indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing
2-228 Divorce is twice. Then, either keep [her] in an acceptable manner or release [her] with good treatment. And it is not lawful for you to take anything of what you have given them unless both fear that they will not be able to keep [within] the limits of Allah . But if you fear that they will not keep [within] the limits of Allah , then there is no blame upon either of them concerning that by which she ransoms herself. These are the limits of Allah , so do not transgress them. And whoever transgresses the limits of Allah – it is those who are the wrongdoers.
2-230 And if he has divorced her [for the third time], then she is not lawful to him afterward until [after] she marries a husband other than him. And if the latter husband divorces her [or dies], there is no blame upon the woman and her former husband for returning to each other if they think that they can keep [within] the limits of Allah . These are the limits of Allah , which He makes clear to a people who know.
2-231.. And when you divorce women and they have [nearly] fulfilled their term, either retain them according to acceptable terms or release them according to acceptable terms, and do not keep them, intending harm, to transgress [against them]. And whoever does that has certainly wronged himself. And do not take the verses of Allah in jest. And remember the favor of Allah upon you and what has been revealed to you of the Book and wisdom by which He instructs you. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Knowing of all things
2-233–Mothers may breastfeed their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is the mothers’ provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child. And upon the [father’s] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. And if they both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and consultation, there is no blame upon either of them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Seeing of what you do.
2-241—And for divorced women is a provision according to what is acceptable – a duty upon the righteous.
(some people fear Jail time so they avoid harming others……well is there jail in heaven ? no there is hell fire…)
May Allah swt keep us on this straight path and protect us from the hell fire … .Ameen
Assalamualaykum,
I have a question to ask, which is more important, To recite the whole Quran for this ramadhan or to slowly recite with deep understanding (might not be able to finish it by this month)?
jazakallah khayran
Assalamo-alaikum sister- I only speak for myself and am no scholar but as it’s a month to re-charge the heart with taqwa then the best thing to do is to see what will bring the best result for you. Will reciting the whole Quraan result in your taqwa increasing greatly or will doing it slowly with depth of understanding? It’s such a precious, limited time and we have to get as much “taqwa juice” as possible and aim to leave the month on a positive high note insha’Allah. w’Allahu a’lam. 🙂
Salams Shaykh
Based on the story of Zakariyah AS, what would you recommend me reading/praying for pious children
I have not kids but i really would like them
Verse 259 hit me Hard
The word “look” is repeated I think three times… then after that “when he was clear” (tabbayna) then he confessed “I know Allah is all able”
Lots of reflection will lead to clarity and when clarity is achieved then after that true intimate knowledge of Allah and His signs happens… Alahu A’lam
@ Birkah,
Imam Suhaib please correct me if I’m saying any of this incorrectly.
I learned in a class recently that Allah (swt) sent Prophets with miracles according to their time.
For example, Musa(as) was sent during a time when Magic was at it’s peak. Allah (swt) made the strongest snake out of a staff at his hand to challenge all the finest magicians of the land, and sent a book to explain.
Isa (as) was sent at a time when Medicine was being discovered and people revered others as miracle workers for being able to “heal” the sick. Allah (swt)brought the dead back to life at the hand of Isa (as), and challenged those who thought they were the ultimate, and then sent a book to explain.
If you look carefully at the time the books came down, it was with a lesson that Allah (swt) had taught those people. Each group of people at their time had made a discovery and credited it to man. Allah (swt) clarified them.
May Allah forgive me if I’m wrong in anything I said.
When I read about Maryam, it always bring tears to me. Her position to Allah. How Allah selects her, gives her the rizq, her tribulation in giving birth (alone)… only the strong (her strength is given by Allah)can overcome all these. Masa allah!