Day 41/114: Fussilat فصلت - Explained in Detail⁣
There is good in the world. There is also evil.⁣

We all have the power to be the good. To overpower the evil around us. We can choose to not contribute to the evil.⁣

Be the one that restores faith in humanity. ⁣

“And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.” [41:34]⁣
Day 42/114: Ash-Shuraa الشورى - The Consultation⁣
I remember coming across this passage years ago and it was the first time I truly became aware of the shortness of this life.⁣

People passing on, things breaking, opportunities found and lost. In the end, what will it all be for?⁣

The word used in the Arabic is “Mataa’” (متع) which is used to describe something that you use, but don’t necessarily enjoy. Things like a mop or a sponge as an example.⁣

The entire world, and everything in it, is essentially in this category; that it’s there to be used, but for a higher overall purpose. And it’s also a reminder of how everything will eventually come to an end, and that the afterlife is what everyone should truly focus on.⁣

“So whatever thing you have been given - it is but [for] enjoyment of the worldly life. But what is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who have believed and upon their Lord rely” [42:36]⁣

Day 43/114: Az-Zukhruf الزخرف - The Ornaments of Gold⁣
When speaking of the creation of God, one naturally leans towards the natural world and the earth - landscapes, mountains, skies, seas, and the likes of them.⁣

Interestingly this passage makes mention of the very vessels we used for transportation as well as the pathways a gift from God too, relating way back to the ark built by Noah.⁣

Driving for example is arguably the most dangerous task we undertake on a daily basis. ⁣

In upholding the universe, the intricacies of daily life aren’t bypassed, as such complex systems of modern living are also all under precise control. ⁣

“[The one] who has made for you the earth a bed and made for you upon it roads that you might be guided” [43:10]⁣
“And who created the species, all of them, and has made for you of ships and animals those which you mount.⁣
That you may settle yourselves upon their backs and then remember the favor of your Lord when you have settled upon them and say. "Exalted is He who has subjected this to us, and we could not have [otherwise] subdued it.” [43:12-13]⁣
Day 44/114: Ad-Dukhan الدخان - The Smoke⁣
When somebody has a extremely high IQ or level of qualification in a particular area, they can quite easily become cut off from people of a significantly lower IQ, or of beginners in that area of expertise.⁣

They begin to speak in a language, and communicate in a way that is alien to a particular audience. Have you ever felt this way with anyone? How isolated did you feel?⁣

The Quran is mentioned here as being one that is easy to understand, if only we gave it some thought. An example being the numerous metaphors relating to the natural world.⁣

Another interpretation is that it’s easy to memorise - with many thousands of Muslims across the world having memorised it from cover to cover.⁣


“And indeed, We have eased the Qur'an in your tongue that they might be reminded.” [44:58]⁣

Day 45/114: Al Jathiya الجاثية - The Crouching⁣
One of the things the Quran does to the one who reads and contemplates upon it is to go out into the world, into nature.⁣

The book pushes you out into the world, and the world brings you back to the book. ⁣

We’ve reached a point in human history where we have incredible access to knowledge right at our fingertips. We even have in depth technology and research that dives down deep into the atomic level, right to the very edges of our universe.⁣

Within that, is countless inspiration and a wealth of knowledge to derive incredible works of art. ⁣

Next time you feel uninspired, take a walk and ponder upon what you see.⁣

“And He has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth - all from Him. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” [45:13]⁣
Day 46/114: Al Ahqaf ٱلْأَحْقَاف - The Sand Dunes⁣
Duty to parents is a huge deal in Islam. There is great emphasis placed on respecting them, taking care of them, and honouring them.⁣

Some of us may only understand their struggles to raise us when we become parents ourselves. Others will never truly know what sacrifices were made so we could have a future.⁣

It’s such a shame every time I hear of an elderly person left behind in a care home when their kids haven’t even bothered as much to visit, let alone be there for them. It’s even worse when a system benefits from people suffering and feeding into such a society.⁣

If yours are still around, so something nice for them after reading this. ⁣


‘And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months. [He grows] until, when he reaches maturity and reaches [the age of] forty years, he says, "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims."’ [46:15]⁣
Day 47/114: Muhammad محمد⁣
When somebody is cut off from knowledge, it isn’t their mind that is cut off, but their hearts.⁣

When you contemplate a matter, it’s in the head. But when you truly internalise it, when it means something to you, it enters your heart. ⁣

When you love someone, you could give a hundred reasons for feeling that way. Such as, “I think they’re funny, pretty, intelligent, humorous...” and so on. But there are many people in the world who have those qualities, but we don’t necessary feel that way about them. Because there’s no connection to the heart. ⁣

When your heart is cut off, you could spend weeks, months, and years trying to get your mind around it, and fail to do. Because that connection has been denied.⁣

Perhaps that’s one reason why a person could pick up the book and levy all sorts of accusations against it, without even knowing a single word of Arabic!⁣

“Then do they not reflect upon the Qur'an, or are there locks upon [their] hearts?” [47:24]⁣
Day 48/114: Al Fath الفتح - The Victory⁣
Many a times we suffer setbacks and occurrences that we deem to be great failures.⁣

It’s only when we look back and realise that those very things would’ve been disastrous for us, or have diverted us from something better.⁣

This chapter in its entirety came after prophet Muhammad ﷺ had entered into a treaty which seemingly appeared like the most raw possible deal. But it was only but one of the first steps on the way to a much larger victory that was written for him and his people.⁣

“Indeed, We have given you, [O Muhammad], a clear victory” [48:1]⁣
Day 49/114: Al Hujurat الحجرات - The Rooms⁣
We’ve all been the victim of being told half a story, or inaccurate one at some point in our lives. At times, we may have even fallen into the trap of spreading the same information without verification.⁣

Today, everybody wants to be right. But in being “first”, we often forsake fact checking, and often this leads to many ills being spread amongst people. Muslims are especially on the receiving end, with many publications printing large inflammatory remarks which lead to demonisation of minority groups.⁣

Is it better to be misinformed or uninformed? Are both equally dangerous?⁣

“O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.” [49:6]⁣
Day 50/114: Qaf ق⁣
There is more to the human being than just animalistic instinct, and signals floating around in the brain.⁣

The psychological idea of a Id, Ego, and Superego was conceived a long time ago. But spiritually, we have known of an idea of desires, drives, and fantasies even longer before that (“nafs” in Arabic).⁣

But God is closer to us than all of that. ⁣

Though not in the physical sense. When someone is close to you, they don’t necessarily have to be in your company. They can occupy a place in your heart even from the other side of the world. ⁣

The “Alif” or ا is used to spell out “Allah” الله - God. ⁣

“And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein” [50:16]⁣

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