Four Surahs’ Series - Part Four ~ Surah Waaqi‘ah

Surah Waaqi‘ah is the 56th surah of the Quraan Majeed and can be found in the 27th juz (para), immediately after Surah Rahmaan.

The special virtue and benefit of Surah Waaqi‘ah is that the one who recites it every night will be saved from poverty. (Shu‘abul Imaan #2267)

On the occasion when Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) lay on his deathbed and was approaching his final moments, Sayyiduna ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), who was the khaleefah at the time, came to visit him.

During the visit, Sayyiduna ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) asked him, “Should I not instruct for you to be given an allowance?” Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “I have no need for it.” Sayyiduna ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) responded, “The allowance will be for your daughters (after your demise).” To this, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) answered, “Do you fear that my daughters will fall into poverty? (You should not have this fear as) I have instructed my daughters to recite Surah Waaqi‘ah every night. Indeed I heard Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mention, ‘The person who recites Surah Waaqi‘ah every night, poverty will never afflict him.’” (Usdul Ghaabah vol. 3, pg. 77)

One of the most common fears which people face is that of poverty. If they do not have this fear for themselves, then they have it for their children and progeny after them – especially their daughters, granddaughters, etc. In this regard, the commonly encountered mindset is, “What if she is divorced? Or widowed? Or her husband cannot support her?” To allay this fear of poverty, which is merely a distant possibility, it has now become a trend for parents to send their young daughters to universities, and subsequently into the corporate environment, so that they have a career ‘to fall back on’. It is as if we are saying – Allah Ta‘ala forbid! – that if we do not send our daughters into these sin-filled environments, Allah Ta‘ala will not give them their sustenance later on in life! The tragic reality is that many have fallen backwards in these sin-filled environments – backwards in their imaan, respect, chastity, etc. May Allah Ta‘ala protect us all, aameen.     

The problem is not one of understanding – it is one of imaan. Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had firm imaan that Allah Ta‘ala alone provides sustenance. Hence, he knew that the best ‘investment’ that he could leave for his daughters, securing their financial future, was Surah Waaqi‘ah. Such was his imaan that he even turned down the allowance of the khaleefah!

Let us all ‘invest’ in Surah Waaqi‘ah by reciting this surah, which comprises of just 5 pages, every single night, together with Surahs Yaseen, Mulk and Sajdah. Insha-Allah, the returns on this investment will be enjoyed in this world and the next. However, it is obvious that to attain the benefit of these recitations, one must also fulfil all the obligations of Deen and refrain from sin. 

May Allah Ta‘ala grant us the steadfastness to remain punctual on the recitation of these four surahs every night until we pass away, aameen.

​Four Surahs’ Series - Part Three ~ Surah Sajdah

Surah Sajdah is the 32nd surah of the Quraan Majeed and can be found in the 21st juz (para). As with Surah Mulk (Tabaarak), it has been reported that it was the blessed practice of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to recite Surah Sajdah every night. (Sunan Tirmizi #2892)

The special virtue and benefit of reciting Surah Sajdah every night is that it will protect the one who recites it from the punishment of the grave.

Khaalid bin Ma’daan (rahimahullah), a Taabi‘ee, mentioned the following:

“Indeed Surah Sajdah will dispute, in the grave, in defence of the one who would recite it. It will say, ‘O Allah! If am from Your kitaab then accept my intercession for him, and if I am not from Your kitaab then erase me from it!’ The surah will assume the form of a bird and will spread its wings over him (to protect him). It will intercede on his behalf and protect him from the punishment of the grave, and Surah Mulk also shares the same virtue.”

On account of this invaluable virtue, Khaalid bin Ma’daan (rahimahullah) would ensure that he would not go to sleep until he had recited Surah Sajdah and Surah Mulk. (Sunan Daarimi #3410)

Khaalid bin Ma’daan (rahimahullah) also mentioned the following (from the Sahaabah [radhiyallahu ‘anhum]):

There was once a man who was very sinful. However, he would recite Surah Sajdah on a regular basis, and besides this surah, there was nothing else that he would recite. (After he passed away,) Surah Sajdah (assumed the form of a bird) and spread its wings over him (to protect him). It said, “O my Rabb! Forgive him, for he would recite me in abundance!” Allah Ta‘ala then accepted the intercession of Surah Sajdah on his behalf and said to the angels, “In place of every sin that he has, record for him one good deed and raise him by one stage in Jannah.” (Sunan Daarimi #3408 and Mirqaat vol. 4 pgs. 679-681)

Surah Sajdah is a concise surah as it is approximately just four pages in length. Hence, reciting this surah will take just a few minutes, while the benefit of reciting it every evening will be enjoyed during the lengthy stay in the grave that we will all have to undergo.

May Allah Ta‘ala bless us all to recite Surah Sajdah as well as Surah Yaseen and Surah Mulk every night.   

Four Surahs’ Series – Part Two ~ Surah Mulk

Surah Mulk

Surah Mulk, commonly known by many as Surah Tabaarak, is the first surah of the twenty-ninth juz (para) of the Quraan Majeed. It is just less than three and a half pages in length. Accordingly, its daily recitation and even its memorization are extremely easy.

As with Surah Yaseen, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned regarding Surah Mulk, “I certainly wish that it (Surah Mulk) be in the heart of every individual of my Ummah.” (Tabraani – Majma‘uz Zawaaid #11477)

The importance of this surah can also be gauged by the fact that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would recite it every night. (Sunan Tirmizi #2892)

Some of the special virtues and benefits of reciting Surah Mulk are:

Protection from the Punishment of the Grave:

Sayyiduna Ibnu ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that on one occasion, a Sahaabi of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) pitched his tent somewhere without realizing that he had pitched his tent on a grave. After erecting his tent, he suddenly heard, from the ground, the voice of a person reciting the entire Surah Mulk. The Sahaabi then went to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and explained what he had witnessed. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) remarked, “It (Surah Mulk) is the surah that protects and the surah that saves – it saves the reciter from the punishment of the grave.” (Sunan Tirmizi #2890)

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that in the blessed era of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), we (the Sahaabah [radhiyallahu ‘anhum]) would refer to Surah Mulk as “Al-Maani‘ah” (that which protects from the punishment in the grave). Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) also mentioned that Surah Mulk is such a great surah that the one who recites it in the night has indeed done a lot and has done very well. (Tabraani - Majma‘uz Zawaa’id #11479)

Intercession for Forgiveness:

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned, “Indeed there is a great surah of the Quraan Majeed which consists of thirty verses. It will intercede for a person (who recites it punctually) until he gains forgiveness. This surah is Surah Tabaarak.” (Sunan Tirmizi #2891)

From the above ahaadeeth, we understand that we should all make it a point to recite Surah Mulk every night. This was the blessed habit of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) himself, and furthermore, regular recitation of this surah will assist us in the grave by protecting us from punishment.

Since this surah is relatively short, it will take just a few minutes to recite. 

May Allah Ta‘ala assist us to be punctual on the recitation of this Surah together with Surah Yaseen, Aameen

Four Surahs’ Series – Part One ~ Surah Yaseen

Surah Yaseen​

Surah Yaseen is indeed a unique surah, as it has been termed the ‘heart’ of the Quraan Majeed. Furthermore, reciting it once equals the reward of reciting the Quraan Majeed ten times. (Sunan Tirmizi #2887)

The importance of this surah, in the life of every believer, can be gauged by the fact that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) expressed his desire for every Muslim to memorise this surah mentioning, “I wish that it (Surah Yaseen) be in the heart of every individual of my Ummah.” (Bazzaar - Kashful Astaar #2305)

Some of the virtues and benefits for reciting Surah Yaseen are:

Forgiveness of Sins

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Whoever recites Surah Yaseen seeking reward from Allah Ta‘ala, his (minor) sins will be forgiven.” (Shu‘abul Imaan #2235)

Fulfilment of Needs

Sayyiduna Ibnu ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) mentioned, “Whoever recites Surah Yaseen in the morning, his tasks for that day will be made easy until the evening, and whoever recites it at the commencement of the night, his tasks for that night will be made easy.” (Sunan Daarimi # 3419)

It is thus evident that we should try to make it a point to recite Surah Yaseen every morning and evening. In this way, Allah Ta‘ala will fulfil our needs, make our tasks easy for us and forgive our sins. Let us make a determination that we will commence this practice from today and remain punctual on it until we leave this world.

May Allah Ta‘ala enable us all to enliven our hearts with the heart of the Qura'an Majeed. May the Qura'an Majeed intercede for us in our Qabr & on the day of Qiyamah, Aameen.

9 Lessons from Surah Hujurat

9 Lessons from Surah Hujurat

When a glass breaks, the sound of breaking disappears in mere moments, but the glass pieces are scattered all over, hurting whoever walks over it.

Similarly, when you say something that hurts someone's emotions and feelings, your words disappear, but the pain in the heart remains for a long time.

Therefore, before uttering any statement, remember the nine advises and prohibitions that Allah Ta’ala has given in Surah Hujurat:

1.فتبينوا: "Fa Tabayyanu"

Investigate: whenever you receive an information, ensure it is accurate lest you harm people out of ignorance.

2.فأصلحوا: "Fa Aslihu"

Reconciliation: reconcile between one’s fellow Muslim as believers are brothers/sisters to one another.

3. وأقسطوا: "Wa Aqsitu"

Act justly: whenever there is a dispute and one is attempting reconciliation, act justly among both parties as Allah loves those who are just.

4.لا يسخر : "La Yaskhar"

Don't ridicule people, perhaps they may be better than you in the eyes of Allah.

5.ولا تلمزوا : "Wa La Talmizu"

Don't insult one another.

6. ولا تنابزوا:"Wa La Tanabazu"

Don't call each other with offensive nicknames.

7.اجتنبو كثيرا من الظن : "Ijtanibu Kathiiran minaz zan"

Avoid negative assumptions, indeed some of the assumptions are sins.

8.ولا تجسسوا : "Wa La Tajassasu"

Don't spy on each other.

9. ولا يغتب بعضكم بعضا: "Wa La Yaghtab"

Don't backbite about each other. It is a sin equivalent to eating your dead brother's flesh.

May Alla save us from this type of behaviour, Aameen

Surah Zumar (the groups)

بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمُ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ 

 

39|70|And each person will be paid in full of what he did; and He is Best Aware of what they do.

 

39|71|And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups, till, when they reach it, the gates thereof will be opened (suddenly like a prison at the arrival of the prisoners). And its keepers will say, "Did not the Messengers come to you from yourselves, reciting to you the Verses of your Lord, and warning you of the Meeting of this Day of yours?" They will say: "Yes, but the Word of torment has been justified against the disbelieves!"

 

39|72|It will be said (to them): "Enter you the gates of Hell, to abide therein. And (indeed) what an evil abode of the arrogant!"

 

39|73|And those who kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups, till, when they reach it, and its gates will be opened (before their arrival for their reception) and its keepers will say: Salamun 'Alaikum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein."

 

39|74|And they will say: "All the praises and thanks be to Allah Who has fulfilled His Promise to us and has made us inherit (this) land. We can dwell in Paradise where we will; how excellent a reward for the (pious good) workers!"

 

39|75|And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne (of Allah) from all round, glorifying the praises of their Lord (Allah). And they (all the creatures) will be judged with truth, and it will be said. All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).

Surah Zumar (the groups)

Surah Ad Duha

Surah Ad Duha was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (saw) at a time when he had not received any revelation for six months, not even in the form of a dream! The Prophet (saw) was in a very disturbed state of mind, feeling negative and depressed and believing that Allah was displeased with him, had forgotten him, and did not want him as a Nabi (saw)anymore.

 

Don’t we have similar feelings in our lives? Times when our level of imaan is low, our khushoo in salah wavers and we feel a drop in our connection with Allah? We feel like our duas are not being answered, our salah is not having a positive impact on our hearts, and worst of all the feeling that we’re horrible human beings, that Allah doesn’t love us or doesn’t care about us anymore.

 

Surah Ad-Duha was revealed to the Prophet (saw) to relieve him of these negative feelings and to give him hope, positivity, and the assurance that Allah is with him no matter what. From it we too can find peace, hope, and a renewed faith in Allah when we go through similar states of depression, sadness, and hopelessness.

 

So what does this surah say?

 

Wad duhaa— By the morning brightness

 

This is the first thing you need to hear when you’re depressed: Wake up, look at the sunshine! Everything in life is not doom and gloom– you just have to look up!

 

Wal laili iza sajaa— And [by] the night when it covers with darkness,

 

Why is this aayah immediately talking about darkness? As a reminder to us that the night is meant to cover and give us comfort and rest.

 

Generally when we’re depressed, we tend to get into a very bad sleep pattern by staying up at night and sleeping all day, thereby worsening our state of mind. This aayah reminds us to use the night as a comfort to ease our distress.

 

Ma wad da’aka rabbuka wa ma qalaa— Your Lord has not taken leave of you, [O Muhammad], nor has He detested [you].

 

This is a very powerful verse from Allah telling us that He doesn’t hate us and hasn’t forgotten us– reminding the depressed person that He is always by his or her side!

 

Walal-aakhiratu khairul laka minal-oola— And the Hereafter is better for you than the first [life].

 

Many times when we’re depressed we think: Is this all my life is going to be? Is it never going to get better?

 

This aayah serves as a perfect answer to those questions, reminding us that life in this world is temporary and thatAakhira is certainly a better, more permanent place for us than this world could ever be.

 

This makes us look forward to attaining our place in Jannah and helps us look at any problems in our lives as temporary tests of our faith from Allah.

 

Wa la sawfa y’uteeka rabbuka fatarda— And your Lord is going to give you, and you will be satisfied.

 

A promise from Allah that very soon he will give us a massive reward (Jannah) and we will be happy! Subhanallah!

 

Isn’t this the best thing to hear when you’re depressed and fed up with this worldly life and the problems you’re facing?

 

Alam ya jidka yateeman fa aawaa – Did He not find you an orphan and give [you] refuge?

 

From this verse onwards, Allah gives us reason to believe His declarations and promises in the first half of the surah.

 

Now many of us may think:  how would this aayah about orphans relate to the majority of us? Think about it– weren’t there many times in your life when you were sick or lonely and felt like you had nobody who cared about you? Who was the only one by your side at that time? Allah! It was He who took care of you and guided you out of that stage in life.

 

Wa wa jadaka daal lan fahada— And He found you lost and guided [you].

 

How many of us, despite being born Muslims, have found ourselves misguided and straying away from Islam in the past? It was Allah who gave us that hidaya and brought us back to the straight path and to Him and made us practicing Muslims.Alhamdulillah!

 

Wa wa jadaka ‘aa-ilan fa aghnaa— And He found you poor and made [you] self-sufficient.

 

Many of us have probably gone through many periods in our lives when we have been short of money and wealth. Now when we look back we realize that it was only Allah who gave us that rizq in some form and got us through those tough financial times.

 

When a person is depressed, giving him or her examples of how Allah has helped them in the past will strengthen their conviction and belief in the promises Allah makes in this surah for their future.

 

Fa am mal yateema fala.     taqhar — So as for the orphan, do not oppress [him].

 

This aayah is the ultimate antidote to depression!

 

Depressed people are mostly consumed with their situation and feel that nobody could possibly be in a worse situation.

 

This aayah reminds us to look at people who are in far worse situations than ourselves when we’re feeling hopeless and depressed— Look at the orphans,who have no family or loved ones and nobody to care for them. We have families and parents who love us, a roof over our heads and food on the table and we still think we’re in a bad situation? Subhanallah!

 

Wa am mas saa-ila fala tanhar— And as for the petitioner, do not repel [him].

 

Another example is of the beggar – to once again remind us of the many material blessings that Allah has given us that we take for granted – food, clothing and shelter. How many of us have ever gone to sleep hungry? How many of us don’t have clothes to wear? Or don’t have a home to go to?

 

These examples of the orphan and the beggar are ones we should constantly remind ourselves of to be thankful for the numerous blessings Allah has given us, get over our depression and feel connected to Allah again, out of gratitude.

 

Wa amma bi ne’mati rabbika fahad dith – But as for the favor of your Lord, report [it].

 

This final aayah is about maintaining that renewed faith and bond with Allah – by pondering, glorifying and talking about the blessings of Allah! Either in terms of halaqas, discussions with family and friends or even da’wah! Dhikr, reading quran and listening to lectures are also great ways to keep the remembrance of Allah close to your heart!

 

So the next time you feel disconnected, disheartened or depressed with your level of Imaan and your connection with Allah – read Surah Ad Duha and ponder over its meanings – Inshallah it will restore your faith and increase your belief in the greatness and power of Allah.