As we wrap up the blessed month of Ramadan, we may be feeling a mix of emotions: a tinge of sadness at the ending of the month of Blessings, Mercy and Forgiveness, a sense of relief that we were able to fast and pray [and that we can eat again!] and maybe some regret that we did not or could not do more during the blessed minutes and hours of this sacred month of Allah [swt] when we were His guests.

Many of us have been deeply impacted by the news from Palestine and our sense of helplessness to stop the atrocities. Please let us remind ourselves that we have the huge weapon of Dua at our disposal. And though the month of Ramadan may be coming to an end and our eyes may not water quite so much at every Sahoor and Iftar, thinking of our brothers and sisters starving while we are blessed with an abundance of food and drink at our tables, we cannot and must not forget that we have an ongoing duty to do what little we can which includes turning to Him in prayer to ease their plight and...

Yesterday we reflected on a truth about this life from the Quran: that life is full of challenges.

Today, let us look at a promise of Allah [swt] that gives us confidence that we have what it takes to succeed in these challenges and find our way through these distresses.

At the end of Chapter 2, Sura Al-Baqara the Quran tells us:
Allah does not task any soul [impose a duty on, place a burden on] beyond its capacity. [2:286]

This brief selection from a longer verse suggests many important points of reflection:

The word Quran uses for soul is “Nafs”, the struggling part of ourself. The part that struggles to be better and yearns to actualize.

In order not to burden us beyond our capacity or capability, He knows what that capacity is. So many times when we are facing challenges, they seem insurmountable, and we feel completely overwhelmed and inadequate to deal with them. At times like these, it is important to remind ourselves of this verse. Even if we are unsure of our own...

Today’s reflection is from Sura Balad where Allah [swt] says: Certainly We have created man to be in distress. [90:4]

In this verse, Allah [swt] uses the word kabad for distress. Scholars explain that the word kabad which originally means intensity, also signifies 'a disease in the liver of a person’ and is used for any trouble and misery.

This verse spells out a truth about the human experience during this plane of existence: from the time the human embryo is conceived it will go through difficult stages with pain and toil until the time it is born, and from then on; during his childhood, the period of his adolescence, and through his mature and senior years, he is and will be faced with many kinds of challenges, stresses and distresses.

The problem, though is that even though Allah [swt] has explained this to us in the Quran, we human beings expect something different. We LOVE comfort and luxury and are deeply attached to the idea of a life of stability and ease. We...

In Verse 39 of Sura Najm, Allah says: And that man shall have nothing but what he strives for. (Holy Quran 53:39)

For today’s verse, I could not find a better title than the Urdu phrase: Harkat mein barkat, meaning there is blessing in movement/striving. One of the principles of life, taught by experience and by Divinity, is that human beings get what they strive towards.

It is important to note that what the Quran is telling us is that our outcome will be in accordance with our striving. The Arabic word sa’ā which is used literally means to walk fast, to run almost, to walk with effort. It is used to denote hard work and effort as this means moving ahead fast on the path. It is interesting to note that it does not say that man will have nothing but in accordance to his actions, rather in accordance to the efforts behind his actions. What this means is that it the intention and effort behind the action that counts.

This is quite different to our experience in the...

Today’s reflection is from Chapter 23, Sura Muminum where the Holy Quran says:

"It is they who hasten to every good work and these who are foremost in them." [23:61]

In this verse and a couple of verses preceding it, Allah [swt] points out a few qualities of the believers. One of their qualities that they “hasten to do good deeds”. This desire is borne out of a desire to please Allah [swt] and drives them to take quick action towards worthy causes and goals.

The word the Quran uses is yusāri‘ūna which signifies “racing” towards good actions. It is interesting that while hurry or haste is not considered a virtue, when the haste is in racing towards goodness and virtuous action, it becomes an act of virtue.

Why is haste recommended in doing good works? Imam Bāqir (as) explains: “When you think of doing something good, rush to do it immediately for verily you do not know what could happen later [to prevent you from doing it]” (The Scale...

Today’s reflection is verse 9 from Chapter 62, Sura Juma, when Allah [swt] addresses the believers and says:

O you who believe! when the call is made for prayer on Friday, then hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trading; that is better for you, if you know. [62:9]

4 important points are made in this verse:

1. When the call for the Friday congregational prayers is made, rush to attend to it. In other words, answer the call and join the congregation as soon as possible.
2. Leave trading and other worldly distractions at this time
   Trading and business are particularly mentioned as the time for Juma prayers in right in the middle of the work day and these are also the main distractions for those in the marketplace. Of course, it applies to other distractions as well which stop us from joining the congregation on time. 
3. This is better for you
4. If only you knew

Allah is reminding us that human beings are short sighted and are often unaware of the bigger picture or what...

Continuing with this verse from Sura Ale Imran:
So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in [some of] the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]. (Quran 3:159)

The final part of the verse advises the Holy Prophet [saw] that once you have decided on a matter, have tawwakul or trust in Allah and ends by saying that Allah loves those who rely upon Him.

Scholars explain that “when you are resolved” or “when you have decided” means that once the step of consultation or decision on his own has been taken, then he should then make his attitude one of trust in God, not in human deliberations

In the Quran, tawakkul is used for a state when man exclusively places his hope and trust upon Allah (swt).

Scholars explain that a...

Continuing with this verse from Sura Ale Imran:

So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in [some of] the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]. (Quran 3:159)

After appreciating the Prophet [saw] for being lenient with his companions who disobeyed him, the Holy Prophet [saw] is advised to consult his companions.

Scholars explain that in this verse, “consult them” refers to strategies of war, since the Prophet by definition would not consult them in matters of revelation or in laws and commands decided by Allah (swt).

The Holy Prophet (saw) often consulted his family and companions. He would consult on military strategy from those who were in the trenches. He also established the seeking of counsel as a role model and...

For the next couple of days, we will inshallah explore the following verse from Sura Ale Imran:
So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]. (Quran 3:159)

There is so much to discuss and learn from in this verse. Today, let us give a bit of background and discuss the segment: So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them.

This verse refers to the Holy Prophet(saw)’s demeanor with his companions after the disaster on the battlefield of Uhud.
In the battle, Muslims in the Prophet Muhammad's (saw) army defended themselves against the...

Here is today's reflection from the Quran:
In Sura Maida, the Quran whilst talking about whom to take as a Wali, says:

Your Wali is only Allah, His Apsotle, and the faithful of those who keep up prayers and give alms while they bow. [Quran 5:55]

As we commemorate the occasion of the martyrdom of Imam Ali (as), let us reflect on this verse to remind us of his position as various scholars from all schools of Islamic thought concur that this verse was revealed in response to an act of Imam Ali [as].

Before we begin reflecting on the verse, let us examine a key word in this verse which is Wali:
The word Walī in Arabic has various meanings in English, a friend, protector, guardian, leader, one whom a follower inclines to, to name a few.

Although it can mean friend, in the context of this verse, many scholars agree that it means something more than an ordinary friend. Scholars explain that it is not possible that Allah would tell us to befriend only those who have these two specific...