Day 81/114: At-Takwir التكوير - The Overthrowing
As we enter into the final section (of 30 sections), inevitably the end is close in sight, and so must the question be- what to do with what we now know?
The particular context comes after a description of the end of times and the onset of the day of judgement.
Supposedly this also applies to any endeavour of learning or consumption - every book, piece of knowledge or information - what do we do with it once we know?
Do we mindlessly consume and move on to the next until the end of time, or do we become people of action?
“So where are you going?” [81:26]
The particular context comes after a description of the end of times and the onset of the day of judgement.
Supposedly this also applies to any endeavour of learning or consumption - every book, piece of knowledge or information - what do we do with it once we know?
Do we mindlessly consume and move on to the next until the end of time, or do we become people of action?
“So where are you going?” [81:26]
Day 82/114: Al-Infitar الانفطار - The Cleaving
Sometimes people get asked whether they’d consider writing a book.
Some go on to do it, others stay behind, wandering aimlessly.
For each of us, we are all writers of our own story, of our own life. And everything is being recorded in great detail, with nothing left out.
Our deeds and words are like an email that we send and cannot recall, and it will all be presented to us once again.
What will yours read?
“A soul will [then] know what it has put forth and kept back.” [82:5]
Some go on to do it, others stay behind, wandering aimlessly.
For each of us, we are all writers of our own story, of our own life. And everything is being recorded in great detail, with nothing left out.
Our deeds and words are like an email that we send and cannot recall, and it will all be presented to us once again.
What will yours read?
“A soul will [then] know what it has put forth and kept back.” [82:5]
Day 83/114: Al Mutafiffin المطففين - The Defrauders
Many of us have likely been victim of unreasonable business practices at some point in our lives.
Whether through clauses hidden away in extreme fine print, questionable treatment of customers, or even plain dishonesty.
Heck, the average person even pays a certain price for a bag of crisps, only to find 80% of it filled with air.
What’s wrong with giving people their full due? To be honest in trade? If your business relies on shady tactics to survive, is it a viable business at all?
“Woe to those who give less [than due],
Who, when they take a measure from people, take in full.
But if they give by measure or by weight to them, they cause loss.” [83:1-3]
Whether through clauses hidden away in extreme fine print, questionable treatment of customers, or even plain dishonesty.
Heck, the average person even pays a certain price for a bag of crisps, only to find 80% of it filled with air.
What’s wrong with giving people their full due? To be honest in trade? If your business relies on shady tactics to survive, is it a viable business at all?
“Woe to those who give less [than due],
Who, when they take a measure from people, take in full.
But if they give by measure or by weight to them, they cause loss.” [83:1-3]
Day 84/114: Al Inshiqaq الانشقاق - The Sundering
Another example of links between nature and life - stages.
The moon has stages in which we view from earth.
Life has stages - from being in our mothers wombs, to where we are now.
Everything is moving, no matter how slow it may seem. And everything ends - but what matters is what we do here and now.
“So I swear by the twilight glow
And [by] the night and what it envelops
And [by] the moon when it becomes full
[That] you will surely experience state after state.[84:16-19]
The moon has stages in which we view from earth.
Life has stages - from being in our mothers wombs, to where we are now.
Everything is moving, no matter how slow it may seem. And everything ends - but what matters is what we do here and now.
“So I swear by the twilight glow
And [by] the night and what it envelops
And [by] the moon when it becomes full
[That] you will surely experience state after state.[84:16-19]
Day 85/114: Al Buruj البروج - The Mansions of the Stars
In the madness of daily life and world news, it can be quite difficult to keep up new events and developments, and it always seems like the world is on the knife edge, with something new every day to bring us down.
One of the things that brings me comfort is simply; there is a method to the madness.
Each great event and moment in history adds up when we look at it in retrospect, but that lens is almost impossible to grasp while we are in the eye of the storm.
Everything passes eventually. And everything is under control.
“To whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. And Allah, over all things, is Witness.” [85:9]
One of the things that brings me comfort is simply; there is a method to the madness.
Each great event and moment in history adds up when we look at it in retrospect, but that lens is almost impossible to grasp while we are in the eye of the storm.
Everything passes eventually. And everything is under control.
“To whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. And Allah, over all things, is Witness.” [85:9]
Day 86/114: At-Tariq الطارق - The Night-comer
It’s always astounding considering the levels of pride and boasting amongst some humans, forgetting that they once were barely a cell, not even visible to the naked eye.
On the other hand, it’s a testament to what’s possible - that 9 months inside a mothers womb can cause entire organs and features to be formed, making a living, breathing, human being.
And if you’re reading this, then you’ve made it a long way wherever you may be in life, so why stop now?
“So let man observe from what he was created.
He was created from a fluid, ejected,”[86:5-6]
On the other hand, it’s a testament to what’s possible - that 9 months inside a mothers womb can cause entire organs and features to be formed, making a living, breathing, human being.
And if you’re reading this, then you’ve made it a long way wherever you may be in life, so why stop now?
“So let man observe from what he was created.
He was created from a fluid, ejected,”[86:5-6]
Day 87/114: Al A’laa الأعلى - The Most High
In life we experience difficulty upon difficulty. And though it may seem relentless, it’s only with time that true perspective is apparent.
Often wishing for outright ease can also be the cause of our greatest failures.
The tough times that we experience also make us grow as a result, in which we eventually rise over and above any obstacle that stands before us.
Much like a training in the gym, it’s not that it gets easier over time, but rather our bodies are better prepared for tougher challenges.
As Bruce Lee once put it: “Do not pray for an easy life, but pray for the strength to endure a difficult one”.
“And We ease you toward ease” [87:8]
Often wishing for outright ease can also be the cause of our greatest failures.
The tough times that we experience also make us grow as a result, in which we eventually rise over and above any obstacle that stands before us.
Much like a training in the gym, it’s not that it gets easier over time, but rather our bodies are better prepared for tougher challenges.
As Bruce Lee once put it: “Do not pray for an easy life, but pray for the strength to endure a difficult one”.
“And We ease you toward ease” [87:8]
Day 88/114: Al Ghashiya الغاشية - The Overwhelming
Another misconception is that Islam was spread by force and coercion. I’ve even had accusations of being a Muslim only because I was born into such a family.
Not withstanding freedom of choice and a sound mind, such comments can be applied to any situation or anything, in order to fit ones own bias.
The Prophets were all simply human beings - and they had no power or control over anybody else’s heart or mind. Their mission was simply to deliver a message, to remind.
In creating this, I pondered upon the state of us today- how inundated are we with consuming content on every corner (at the surface level), that everything eventually begins to lose its meaning?
How many items do you chase, before you realise you’re losing grasp of them all?
“So remind, [O Muhammad]; you are only a reminder.
You are not over them a controller.” [88:21-22]
Not withstanding freedom of choice and a sound mind, such comments can be applied to any situation or anything, in order to fit ones own bias.
The Prophets were all simply human beings - and they had no power or control over anybody else’s heart or mind. Their mission was simply to deliver a message, to remind.
In creating this, I pondered upon the state of us today- how inundated are we with consuming content on every corner (at the surface level), that everything eventually begins to lose its meaning?
How many items do you chase, before you realise you’re losing grasp of them all?
“So remind, [O Muhammad]; you are only a reminder.
You are not over them a controller.” [88:21-22]
Day 89/114: Al Fajr الفجر - The Dawn
It’s always peculiar to witness ones response to adversity in relation to God, especially in regard to wealth.
In this particular instance - there’s a contrast between ones financial activities and relations between humans - and how it’s perceived.
This came as I was reading a snippet of how a particular company CEO chose to deck out his mansion - yet his very employees suffer with inhumane working conditions.
It’s important to note that ones wealth of lack thereof isn’t a measure for worth in the sight of God. Everyone is given their due share - but what you do with it is what really matters.
“And as for man, when his Lord tries him and [thus] is generous to him and favors him, he says, "My Lord has honored me."
But when He tries him and restricts his provision, he says, "My Lord has humiliated me."
No! But you do not honor the orphan
And you do not encourage one another to feed the poor.
And you consume inheritance, devouring [it] altogether,
And you love wealth with immense love.” [89:15-20]
In this particular instance - there’s a contrast between ones financial activities and relations between humans - and how it’s perceived.
This came as I was reading a snippet of how a particular company CEO chose to deck out his mansion - yet his very employees suffer with inhumane working conditions.
It’s important to note that ones wealth of lack thereof isn’t a measure for worth in the sight of God. Everyone is given their due share - but what you do with it is what really matters.
“And as for man, when his Lord tries him and [thus] is generous to him and favors him, he says, "My Lord has honored me."
But when He tries him and restricts his provision, he says, "My Lord has humiliated me."
No! But you do not honor the orphan
And you do not encourage one another to feed the poor.
And you consume inheritance, devouring [it] altogether,
And you love wealth with immense love.” [89:15-20]
Day 90/114: Al Balad البلد - The City
In this parable - two pathways are described; one as a mountain that is extremely difficult at first, but gets easier the higher up you get.
The other is a path that starts off easy, but becomes a difficult the further down you go.
Islam was described as the former - that it’s a difficult one to embark on - certainly so during its early period during the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ, but as time went on, was given ease in his path.
“And have shown him the two ways?
But he has not broken through the difficult pass.” [90:10-11]
The other is a path that starts off easy, but becomes a difficult the further down you go.
Islam was described as the former - that it’s a difficult one to embark on - certainly so during its early period during the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ, but as time went on, was given ease in his path.
“And have shown him the two ways?
But he has not broken through the difficult pass.” [90:10-11]