Day 31/114: Luqman لقمان
Can you imagine being a writer and having the oceans on the earth worth of ink to write with?
You’d eventually run out of things to say, before you start repeating yourself.
The words of God are also related to His actions (“When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, "Be," and it is.” [2:117]).
I like to think of it as God having full command of the entire universe, at any given time, night or day, without exhaustion.
“And if whatever trees upon the earth were pens and the sea [was ink], replenished thereafter by seven [more] seas, the words of Allah would not be exhausted. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” [31:27]
You’d eventually run out of things to say, before you start repeating yourself.
The words of God are also related to His actions (“When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, "Be," and it is.” [2:117]).
I like to think of it as God having full command of the entire universe, at any given time, night or day, without exhaustion.
“And if whatever trees upon the earth were pens and the sea [was ink], replenished thereafter by seven [more] seas, the words of Allah would not be exhausted. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” [31:27]
Day 32/114: As-Sajdah السجدة - The Prostration
It’s only the wisest, learned, and dedicated amongst us who suffer from the likes of imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and in some cases, crippling anxiety too.
Only a fool rushes into something like a bull in a china shop.
It’s because we care. It’s because we give weight to our actions, our time, and our legacy.
So we arrive once again to the example of plurality.
God mentions the characteristics of Muslims, who call upon him with both fear and hope.
To understand the importance of one, we must know it’s opposite.
Nobody can appear smug in the middle of a test thinking they’ve aced it, only to realise their mistake later.
Nobody can also fear that they’ve ultimately failed, by disregarding their own actions in the process.
“They arise from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend.” [32:16]
Only a fool rushes into something like a bull in a china shop.
It’s because we care. It’s because we give weight to our actions, our time, and our legacy.
So we arrive once again to the example of plurality.
God mentions the characteristics of Muslims, who call upon him with both fear and hope.
To understand the importance of one, we must know it’s opposite.
Nobody can appear smug in the middle of a test thinking they’ve aced it, only to realise their mistake later.
Nobody can also fear that they’ve ultimately failed, by disregarding their own actions in the process.
“They arise from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend.” [32:16]
Day 33/114: Al Ahzab الأحزاب - The Combined Forces
This is a snippet of something that is recited during the beginning of every Friday sermon.
We are always instructed to have clear speech. Speech that isn’t ambiguous, speech that doesn’t create problems, that doesn’t leave anything to the imagination other than what is clear and apparent.
For a designer, this is paramount. To create that which conveys clarity, and coherence.
To do otherwise is to create more problems, rather than solving them.
“O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice.“ [33:70]
We are always instructed to have clear speech. Speech that isn’t ambiguous, speech that doesn’t create problems, that doesn’t leave anything to the imagination other than what is clear and apparent.
For a designer, this is paramount. To create that which conveys clarity, and coherence.
To do otherwise is to create more problems, rather than solving them.
“O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice.“ [33:70]
Day 34/114: Saba سَبَأ - Sheba
Among some of the accusations against prophet Muhammad ﷺ was that he was delivering his message for money’s sake.
Similar accusations are levied across various people, and many are eager to invent lies without evidence for it.
Muslims are reminded that the final and ultimate reward rests with God, and not in any worldly form.
“Say, "Whatever payment I might have asked of you - it is yours. My payment is only from Allah, and He is, over all things, Witness."” [34:47]
Similar accusations are levied across various people, and many are eager to invent lies without evidence for it.
Muslims are reminded that the final and ultimate reward rests with God, and not in any worldly form.
“Say, "Whatever payment I might have asked of you - it is yours. My payment is only from Allah, and He is, over all things, Witness."” [34:47]
Day 35/114: Fatir فاطر - Originator
Another example of the duality in explaining things.
Though apart from physical blindness, sometimes people can be blind to the truth, to another perspective, to the other side of the coin.
We can be blind to the emotions of others, to intentions, to outcomes.
Change the lens, change how you see the world.
“Not equal are the blind and the seeing” [35:19]
Though apart from physical blindness, sometimes people can be blind to the truth, to another perspective, to the other side of the coin.
We can be blind to the emotions of others, to intentions, to outcomes.
Change the lens, change how you see the world.
“Not equal are the blind and the seeing” [35:19]
Day 36/114: Ya Seen يس
In describing the path of the sun and the moon, there is a palindrome to be found in its description.
كُلٌّ فِي فَلَكٍ
“Each in its orbit”
Just like the symmetry of the orbits, the letters of this phrase are also in orbit.
ك ل ف ى ف ل ك
Pretty cool.
“It is not allowable for the sun to reach the moon, nor does the night overtake the day, but each, in an orbit, is swimming.” [36:40]
كُلٌّ فِي فَلَكٍ
“Each in its orbit”
Just like the symmetry of the orbits, the letters of this phrase are also in orbit.
ك ل ف ى ف ل ك
Pretty cool.
“It is not allowable for the sun to reach the moon, nor does the night overtake the day, but each, in an orbit, is swimming.” [36:40]
Day 37/114: As-Saffat الصافات - Those Who Set The Ranks
Another mention of the prophets.
This time, the story of prophet Jonah who at one point found himself being swallowed by a whale. And it was there that he remained until he made mention of God.
In other words, when you are stuck, ask for help. Don’t assume your problems will dissolve away.
In every story a moral and a lesson to be taken.
“And indeed, Jonah was among the messengers.
[Mention] when he ran away to the laden ship.
And he drew lots and was among the losers.
Then the fish swallowed him, while he was blameworthy.
And had he not been of those who exalt Allah,
He would have remained inside its belly until the Day they are resurrected.” [37:139-114]
This time, the story of prophet Jonah who at one point found himself being swallowed by a whale. And it was there that he remained until he made mention of God.
In other words, when you are stuck, ask for help. Don’t assume your problems will dissolve away.
In every story a moral and a lesson to be taken.
“And indeed, Jonah was among the messengers.
[Mention] when he ran away to the laden ship.
And he drew lots and was among the losers.
Then the fish swallowed him, while he was blameworthy.
And had he not been of those who exalt Allah,
He would have remained inside its belly until the Day they are resurrected.” [37:139-114]
Day 38/114: Saad ص
Today, an incident during the time of prophet David.
He judged between two men who had an appeared before him, and realised the error of his ways when he had only judged after hearing one side of the story.
An example of fairness. Can you recall a time when you were hard done by, with someone having made a judgement against you without giving you a fair and due opportunity to defend yourself?
How many people are given incredible amounts of injustice without fair representation?
“[We said], "O David, indeed We have made you a successor upon the earth, so judge between the people in truth and do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah ."” [38:26]
He judged between two men who had an appeared before him, and realised the error of his ways when he had only judged after hearing one side of the story.
An example of fairness. Can you recall a time when you were hard done by, with someone having made a judgement against you without giving you a fair and due opportunity to defend yourself?
How many people are given incredible amounts of injustice without fair representation?
“[We said], "O David, indeed We have made you a successor upon the earth, so judge between the people in truth and do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah ."” [38:26]
Day 39/114: Az-Zumar الزمر - The Troops
Falling into hopelessness and despair are pitfalls that occur with everybody, in every sphere of life. Even spiritually.
It’s easy to think that you’re screwed and headed for the very bottom. God offers immense hope and mercy. There is hope for everybody, no matter who you are, as long as you’re still breathing.
Many times I see people mentioning how the universe (or indeed anything else) has better things planned for them, and here, God sets it out clearly.
Everyone has there assigned share of good and bad times. You need both to grow.
The glass is, as always, half full.
“Do they not know that Allah extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]? Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.
Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah . Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."” [39:52-53]
It’s easy to think that you’re screwed and headed for the very bottom. God offers immense hope and mercy. There is hope for everybody, no matter who you are, as long as you’re still breathing.
Many times I see people mentioning how the universe (or indeed anything else) has better things planned for them, and here, God sets it out clearly.
Everyone has there assigned share of good and bad times. You need both to grow.
The glass is, as always, half full.
“Do they not know that Allah extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]? Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.
Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah . Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."” [39:52-53]
Day 40/114: Ghafirغافر - The Forgiver
In October 2012, Felix Baumgartner stood 39km up in the stratosphere, at the edge of space and said:
“The whole world is watching now. I wish you could see, what I can see. Sometimes you have to get up really high to understand how small you are. I’m going home now.”
We are but specks of dust in a vast universe. Perhaps if everybody understood that perspective, the world would be a different place.
“The creation of the heavens and earth is greater than the creation of mankind, but most of the people do not know.” [40:57]
“The whole world is watching now. I wish you could see, what I can see. Sometimes you have to get up really high to understand how small you are. I’m going home now.”
We are but specks of dust in a vast universe. Perhaps if everybody understood that perspective, the world would be a different place.
“The creation of the heavens and earth is greater than the creation of mankind, but most of the people do not know.” [40:57]