Message and teachings of Holy Quran

The message revealed in the Quran has been categorized by scholars in many ways. The following is one categorization -

• Information about Allâh, His Names, His Attributes, His Actions and His Sayings – which is Tawhîd al-Ma’rifah wal-Ithbât (the Tawhîd of knowledge and affirmation); or
• It is a call to worship Allâh alone without any partner, and a rejection of whatever is worshipped besides Him – and this is Tawhîd al-Irâdî at-Talabî (the Tawhîd of actions and intentions); or
• It is a command to obey Him and to comply with His orders and prohibitions – so this is from the rights of Tawhîd and is a completion of it; or
• It gives information about the people of Tawhîd and how they were treated in this world and how they will be honoured in the Hereafter – and this is the reward for Tawhîd; or
• It gives information about the people of Shirk (associating partners along with Allâh) and the punishment they receive in this world and the torment they shall receive in the Hereafter – so this is the reward for those who abandon Tawhîd.”

Allah is our helper and protector

The Analogy of the Spider’s Web

Allah says in the Quran:

The likeness of those who take protectors and helpers other than Allah is as the likeness of a spider, who builds (for itself) a house, but verily, the frailest (weakest) of houses is the spiders house; if they but knew. (Ankabut: 41)

Reflections from this verse –

• Though those who take protectors other than Allah may think they are holding to something strong, but Allah likens their support to that of a spider’s web, which is very weak and frail.
• This verse may also apply to Muslims who in their daily affairs give more credit to others than what Allah has called for. Muslims therefore should remember that they should never cease to depend upon Allah in their hearts and minds for all their affairs.
• This verse also reflects the language of the Quran and how Allah clarifies a point in people’s minds by giving appropriate analogies.

Everything is easy for Allah.

Allah’s Dialog with Prophet Zachariah and Allah’s Miracles

1. Kaf-Ha-Ya-’Ain-Sad. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings].

2. This is a mention of the mercy of your Lord to His slave(Zakariyya (Zachariah)

3. When he called out his Lord (Allah) a call in secret

4. He said: “My Lord! Indeed my bones have grown feeble, and grey hair has spread on my head, And I have never been unblest in my invocation to You, O my Lord!

5.”And verily I fear my relatives after me, and my wife is barren. So give me from Yourself an heir.

6. “Who shall inherit me, and inherit (also) the posterity of Ya’qub (Jacob) (inheritance of the religious knowledge and Prophethood, not of wealth.). And make him, my Lord, one with whom You are Well-Pleased!”

7. (Allah said) “O Zakariyya (Zachariah)! Verily, We give you the glad tidings of a son, whose name will be Yahya (John). We have given that name to none before (him).”

8. He said: “My Lord! How can I have a son, when my wife is barren, and I have reached the extreme old age.”

9.He said: “So (it will be). Your Lord says: It is easy for Me. Certainly I have created you before, when you had been nothing!”

Source: Quran: (Maryam: Verses 1 – 9)

Reflections from these verses –

• These verses give us the evidence of Allah’s Mercy which is boundless. It makes possible what may seem impossible to us. Nothing is impossible for Allah.
• We understand from these verses that we cannot use our logic to comprehend Allah’s Power and Design. Our duty is to pray for good and hope for the best from Allah.
• These verses also show that when Zakaria invoked Allah, he first acknowledged that Allah had always blessed him and he had never been disappointed in his invocation. A true servant of Allah therefore should always be conscious of the blessings of His Creator and Benefactor.
• These verses reflect the fact that a Prophet does not have selfish desires. His concern was that Allah’s Commands are followed and that goodness prevail.
• These verses reflect the Quranic style of the dialog between Zakaria and Allah. We see how Allah communicates a message to us by telling us a story thereby making it easy for us to understand the lessons in the story.
• Through these verses Allah reminds us that we should ponder on man’s creation. Man had been nothing before Allah created him. Everything is easy for Allah.

All creatures are slaves of Allah

Associating Partners with Allah

Shirk is greatest sin.

Surah Maryam (verses 88 – 95)

88. And they say: “The Most Gracious (Allah) has begotten a son (or offspring or children).”
89. Indeed you have brought forth (said) a terrible evil thing.
90. Whereby the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains fall in ruins,
91. That they ascribe a son (or offspring or children) to the Most Gracious (Allah).
92. But it is not suitable for (the Majesty of) the Most Gracious (Allah) that He should beget a son (or offspring or children).
93. There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Gracious (Allah) as a slave.
94. Verily He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting.
95. And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection (without any helper, or protector or defender).

Reflections from this verse –

• The verses and the language used in them show Allah’s anger and displeasure with those who associate others with Allah.
• The verses are a strong reminder of the Day of Judgment from which there is no escape for anyone. On this day the pious believers in the Oneness of Allah will see Allah as their Most Gracious Benefactor. Allah does not have children.Allah does not have son or daughters. The verses emphasize the enormity of the crime of ascribing a son or offspring or daughters to Allah the Most Majestic. Although Allah may allow those committing this crime to enjoy the comforts of life, that doesn’t negate the approaching Day of Judgment when the Ultimate Truth will be unveiled.
• Allah asserts that all creatures whether in the Heaven or on earth are His slaves; they return to Him as slaves and He, the All-Knowing, knows each of His creations.
• The end of the verses make us aware of our individual accountability for all our actions, which will not be shared or supported by anyone. A false sense of assurance from a group of like-minded people, should not delude us into going against Allah’s Commands with impunity.

Allah loves good-doers.

Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers) 

Surah Aal Imran: (verse 134)

Those who spend (in Allah’s Cause) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers).

Reflections from this verse –

• The verse clarifies some of the virtues of the virtuous whom Allah loves and refers to them as Al-Muhsinun.
• Allah loves those who even in adversity, with restricted means at their disposal, readily spend in Allah’s cause.
• Allah loves those who control their anger.Another virtue that brings one close to Allah is repressing one’s anger. Conflicts are resolved, misunderstandings get dissolved, good sense prevails, patience holds sway and Satan has no say, when anger is repressed.
• Closely linked to repression of anger is forgiving others. In spite of any wrong done to you if you can have a big heart and pardon the offender, Allah appreciates this gesture. Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers). What more could a true Muslim aspire for!
• The practice of these virtues requires just timely self control assisted by constant reminders of what pleases Allah, and the reward from Allah Most Gracious is immense.