Pages of the Glorious Qur’ān today Tuesday 20/10/26, Sūrah alAḥzāb (33): 23-35, tafakkur verse 33: 35 Theme: Ten Qualities of a Righteous Life إِنَّ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِینَ وَٱلۡمُسۡلِمَـٰتِ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ وَٱلۡقَـٰنِتِینَ وَٱلۡقَـٰنِتَـٰتِ وَٱلصَّـٰدِقِینَ وَٱلصَّـٰدِقَـٰتِ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِینَ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرَٰتِ وَٱلۡخَـٰشِعِینَ وَٱلۡخَـٰشِعَـٰتِ وَٱلۡمُتَصَدِّقِینَ وَٱلۡمُتَصَدِّقَـٰتِ وَٱلصَّـٰئِمِینَ وَٱلصَّـٰئِمَـٰتِ وَٱلۡحَـٰفِظِینَ فُرُوجَهُمۡ وَٱلۡحَـٰفِظَـٰتِ وَٱلذَّٰكِرِینَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِیرࣰا وَٱلذَّٰكِرَٰتِ أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةࣰ وَأَجۡرًا عَظِیمࣰا “Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their chastity and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so, for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” LESSONS: 1. Faith must be reflected in conduct. Islam and īmān are not merely identities we claim; they should be evident in our choices, relationships, and dealings with others. 2. Obedience, truthfulness, and patience are essential virtues. A righteous person remains committed to Allah, speaks the truth even when it is difficult, and exercises patience through trials and blessings. 3. Humility and charity demonstrate genuine righteousness. We should worship Allah with humble hearts and serve humanity through generosity, compassion, and concern for those in need. 4..Self-discipline protects our spiritual and moral integrity. Fasting teaches restraint, while guarding our chastity reminds us to preserve our dignity, honour our commitments, and uphold moral boundaries. 5. Remembering Allah brings us closer to His mercy. Frequent dhikr keeps the heart conscious of Allah and encourages a life of gratitude, repentance, and righteousness. The verse concludes with the magnificent promise of divine forgiveness and a great reward. O Allah, make us among the Muslim men and women, the believing men and women, the obedient, truthful, patient, humble, charitable, fasting, and chaste servants, and those who remember You abundantly. Forgive us, have mercy upon us, and grant us the great reward. Āmīn. Reflection: The verse teaches us that righteousness is a comprehensive way of life. It encompasses faith, worship, character, self-discipline, generosity, and constant remembrance of Allah. Significantly, Allah mentions both men and women throughout, affirming that both are equally addressed by this promise of forgiveness and great reward when they embody these qualities. May Allah grant us the grace to embody these virtues sincerely and consistently. Āmīn.

A NEW YEAR OF LIFE: SEEKING SALĀM ON THE DAY OF BIRTH, DEATH AND RESURRECTION One of the profound reflections that the Qur’an offers us on the significance of human life is the mention of three critical moments in our earthly and eternal existence: the day we are born, the day we die, and the day we are resurrected. Concerning Prophet ʿĪsā (Jesus, peace be upon him), Allah records his words: وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَيَّ يَوْمَ وُلِدْتُ وَيَوْمَ أَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ أُبْعَثُ حَيًّا “And peace is upon me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I am raised alive.” (Qur’an 19:33) Similarly, concerning Prophet Yaḥyā (John, peace be upon him), Allah declares: وَسَلَامٌ عَلَيْهِ يَوْمَ وُلِدَ وَيَوْمَ يَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ يُبْعَثُ حَيًّا “And peace be upon him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he is raised alive.” (Qur’an 19:15) These verses invite us to reflect deeply on the significance of our birth, the inevitability of death, and the certainty of resurrection. Beyond celebrating the gift of life, we must be concerned about how we live, how we depart this world, and the condition in which we shall stand before Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The ultimate blessing is not merely to be born, but to live in obedience to Allah, die upon faith, and be raised among those who receive His mercy and peace. The Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (ṣallā Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) further underscores the significance of his day of birth. When he was asked about fasting on Mondays, he replied: ذَاكَ يَوْمٌ وُلِدْتُ فِيهِ وَيَوْمٌ بُعِثْتُ أَوْ أُنْزِلَ عَلَيَّ فِيهِ “That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I was commissioned as a Prophet, or revelation was sent down to me.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 1162). This authentic narration demonstrates the Prophet’s gratitude to Allah for the blessing of his birth and the honour of receiving revelation. It also teaches us that gratitude for life should find expression in acts of worship and obedience to Allah. As I mark another year of my life, I am reminded that every birthday brings me a year closer to my inevitable return to my Lord. I am grateful to Allah for preserving my life, granting me another opportunity to worship Him, and allowing me to witness another year. Yet, I am equally conscious of my shortcomings, the sins I have committed openly and secretly, and the many ways in which I have fallen short of the purpose for which I was created. Therefore, I seek Allah’s forgiveness for my sins, those known to me and those unknown, those committed knowingly and those committed through negligence. I ask Him to make the years ahead more fruitful in faith, sincere worship, beneficial knowledge, righteous deeds, service to humanity, and preparation for the Hereafter. Above all, I pray that the gratitude I express today will not remain mere words, but will translate into a life that pleases Allah. May He accept my gratitude, forgive my shortcomings, bless the remainder of my life, and grant me a beautiful ending. اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي كُلَّهُ، دِقَّهُ وَجِلَّهُ، وَأَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ، وَعَلَانِيَتَهُ وَسِرَّهُ O Allah, forgive all my sins, the minor and the major, the first and the last, and those committed openly and secretly. اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلِ السَّلَامَ عَلَيَّ يَوْمَ وُلِدْتُ، وَيَوْمَ أَمُوتُ، وَيَوْمَ أُبْعَثُ حَيًّا. O Allah, grant me peace on the day I was born, on the day I die, and on the day I am raised alive. May Allah grant me salām (peace and security) in this life, at the moment of death, in the grave, and on the Day of Resurrection. May He cause me to meet Him with sound faith, a heart free from rancour, a record filled with righteous deeds, and sins forgiven through His boundless mercy. May He grant the same to my family, loved ones, teachers, students, friends, benefactors, and the entire Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (ṣallā Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam). Āmīn, Yā Rabb al-ʿĀlamīn.

Pages of the Glorious Qur’ān today Monday 19/10/26, Sūrah alAḥzāb (33): 7-22, tafakkur verse 33: 11-12 Theme: The Battle of the Trench tested the faith of the believers but victory belongs to those who wait and trust Allah هُنَالِكَ ٱبۡتُلِیَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ وَزُلۡزِلُوا۟ زِلۡزَالࣰا شَدِیدࣰا (11) وَإِذۡ یَقُولُ ٱلۡمُنَـٰفِقُونَ وَٱلَّذِینَ فِی قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضࣱ مَّا وَعَدَنَا ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥۤ إِلَّا غُرُورࣰا (12) "There the believers were tested and shaken with a severe shaking. And [remember] when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is disease said, Allāh and His Messenger did not promise us except delusion". LESSONS: These verses describe the severe test faced by the believers during the Battle of the Trench and the contrasting reactions of sincere believers and hypocrites. 1. Trials test the sincerity of faith: The true strength of belief becomes evident when people face fear, uncertainty, hardship, a long waiting period, and situations that challenge their convictions. 2. Experiencing fear does not negate faith: Even sincere believers may be shaken by overwhelming circumstances. Faith is demonstrated by perseverance, patience, and continued reliance upon Allah despite such difficulties. 3. Crises reveal what lies within people's hearts: While hardship may strengthen the resolve of sincere believers, it can expose hypocrisy and spiritual weakness in others. Our reactions to adversity reveal much about our inner convictions. 4. Despair can lead to the misinterpretation of divine promises: The hypocrites regarded the unfolding crisis as evidence that Allah and His Messenger had promised them nothing but delusion. Believers must not judge Allah's wisdom solely by immediate circumstances or mistake delayed relief for abandonment. 5. True faith requires steadfastness during uncertainty: When circumstances appear overwhelming, believers should remain patient, maintain a sound understanding of Allah, and continue doing what is right. Difficult moments are not the time to abandon one's principles but opportunities to demonstrate conviction and trust in Allah. اللَّهُمَّ ثَبِّتْ قُلُوبَنَا عَلَى الْإِيمَانِ، وَارْزُقْنَا الصَّبْرَ عِنْدَ الْبَلَاءِ، وَالثَّبَاتَ عِنْدَ الشَّدَائِدِ، وَحُسْنَ الظَّنِّ بِكَ فِي كُلِّ حَالٍ. O Allah, keep our hearts firm in faith, grant us patience during trials, steadfastness in times of hardship, and a good opinion of You in every circumstance. Āmīn.