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By Sheikh Abdul Hamid Lachporia – Canada
In the Name of Almighty Allah Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Tonight’s Tarawee consists of the remaining Surahs of Amma (JUZ 30) and the Surahs to be recited tonight are listed hereunder with brief explanations of their meanings.

SURAH AL DUHA: [The Glorious Morning Light].
In this Surah the vicissitudes of human life are referred to, and a message of hope and consolation is given to man’s soul from Allah’s past mercies, and he is bidden to pursue the path of goodness and proclaim the bounties of Allah. This is the general meaning. In particular, the Surah seems to have been revealed in a dark period in the outer life of the Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam, when a man of less resolute will might have been discouraged. But the Nabee S.A.W. is told to hold the present of less account than the glorious Hereafter which awaited him like the glorious morning after a night of stillness and gloom. The Hereafter was, not only in the Future Life, but his later life on this earth, full of victory and satisfaction.

SURAH AL SHARH or Al INSHIRAH: [The Expansion of the Breast].
This short Surah gives a message of hope and encouragement in a time of darkness and difficulty. It was revealed to the Nabee S.A.W. soon after the last Surah [Al Duha], whose argument it supplements. The Nabee S.A.W.’s mind and heart had indeed been expanded and purified; the burden which pressed on his soul had been removed; and his name exalted in this world and the next. For the righteous man there is no trouble but is linked with ease and joy; he must strive at every stage, and look to Allah Alone as the goal of all his hopes.

SURAH AL TIN: [The Fig].
This Surah appeals to the most sacred symbols to show that Allah created man in the best of moulds, but that man is capable of the utmost degradation unless he has Faith and leads a good life. Nature and history and the Light of Revelation, through the ages, show that man, created by Allah can fall to the lowest depths, unless he lives a life of faith and righteousness. Then will he reach his goal: if not he must stand his Judgement – none can doubt – before the Wisest and Justest of Judges.

SURAH AL ALAQ OR IQRA: [The Clinging Clot or Read]
The first five verses were the first direct revelation to the Prophet (SAW), noble is the mission of the Prophet (SAW), chosen to share publicly the message of Allah, the Lord and Cherisher of all His Creation, Whose measureless bounties include the instruction of man in new and ever new knowledge. But alas for man! he fancies himself self-sufficient, turns away from the Path, and misleads others. But nothing is hidden from Allah. He will bring all untruth and sin in rebellion to Judgement, and subdue all evil. The righteous bow in adoration to Allah, and draw closer to Him.

SURAH AL QADR: [The Night of Power and Honour].
The subject matter is the mystic Night of Power [or Honour], in which Revelation comes down to a benighted world – it may be to the wonderful Cosmos of an individual – and transforms the conflict of wrongdoing into Peace and Harmony – through the agency of the angelic host, representing the spiritual powers of Mercy of Allah, and bless every nook and corner of the heart! All jars are stilled in the reign supreme of Peace, until this mortal night gives place to the glorious day of an immortal world!

SURAH AL BAYYINAH: [The Clear Evidence].
The mystic night of Revelation is indeed blessed. But those who reject Truth are impervious to Allah’s Message, however clear may be the evidence in support of it. Faith and Good Life lead straight to the Goal – The Beauteous Gardens of Bliss Eternal!

SURAH AL ZALZALAH: [The Earthquake].
The Hour of Judgement must needs be heralded by a mighty Convulsion. The earth will give up her secrets and tell her tale of all man’s doing. Men will march in companies and clearly see the inwardness of all their deeds. Not an atom of Good or Evil done, but will be shown in the final account of men convinced.

SURAH AL ADIYAT: [Those that Run].
Its subject matter is the irresistible nature of spiritual power and knowledge, contrasted with unregenerate man’s ingratitude, pettiness, helplessness, and ignorance. There are those that fight with eager charge, the hosts of evil, and storm its citadel. But unregenerate Man shows less than gratitude for Allah’s most gracious Bounties. His life bears witness to his treason and his greed. Allah’s Knowledge is all-embracing. All things hidden will be laid bare at Judgement.

SURAH AL QARI’AH: [The Great Calamity].
This Makkan Surah describes Judgement Day as the Day of Clamour, when mankind will be distracted and the landmarks of this world will be lost, but every deed will be weighed in a just balance, and find its real value and setting. Those whose good deeds will show substance and weight will achieve a Life of good pleasure and satisfaction, while those whose good will be light will find themselves Alas, in a blazing Pit of Punishment.

SURAH AL TAKATHUR: [The Piling Up].
This Surah gives a warning against acquisitiveness i.e. the passion for amassing worldly and material things, whether in the good things of this world, or in manpower or in other forms of megalomania, which leave no time or opportunity for pursuing the higher things of life.

SURAH AL ‘ASR: [Time Through the Ages].
This Surah refers to the testimony of Time through the Ages. All history shows that Evil came to an end. But Time is always in favour of those who have Faith, live clean and pure lives, and know how to wait, in patience and constancy.

SURAH AL HUMAZAH: [The Scandalmonger].
This Surah condemns all sorts of scandal, backbiting, and selfish hoarding of wealth, as destroying the hearts and affection of men. The Fire of Wrath will envelop them and wither up their hearts and minds, and consume that largeness of life which is the portion of mankind.

SURAH AL FIL: [The Elephant].
Let no man be intoxicated with power or material resources. They cannot defeat the purpose of Allah. So Abrahah Ashram fired by religious fanaticism led a large expedition against Makkah intending to destroy the Ka’bah with his elephant or elephants. A shower of stones, thrown by flocks of birds, destroyed him and his army almost to a man. The stones produced sores and pustules on the skin, which spread like a pestilence.

SURAH QURAYSH: [The Tribe of Quraysh].
This Makkan Surah may well be considered as a pendant to the last. If the Quraysh were fond of Makkah and proud of it, if they profited, by its central position and it guaranteed security, from their caravans of trade and commerce, let them be grateful, adore the One True Creator and accept His Message. Who gave the Quraysh their talents for the arts of peace, for trade, for commerce and for journeys south and north at proper seasons, and made their home inviolable in Makkah? Surely they, if any, should adore their Lord and listen to His Message of Unity and Truth.

SURAH AL MA’UN: [The Neighbourly Assistance].
The subject matter is the meaning of true worship, which requires Faith, the practical and helpful love of those in need, and sincerity rather than show in devotion and charity.What remains if you deny all Faith and personal responsibility? Why then help the helpless or teach others deeds of charity? Vain were worship without heart and soul. What do you think of men who make great show, but fail to meet the simple needs of daily life?

SURAH AL KAWTHAR: [The Abundance].
This Surah sums up in the single mystic word Kawthar [Abundance] the doctrine of spiritual Riches through devotion and sacrifice. The converse also follows: indulgence in hatred means the cutting off of all hopes of this life and the Hereafter. To the man of Allah, rich in divine blessings, is granted a Fountain unfailing, they will quench the spiritual thirst of millions. Turn, then, in devotion and sacrifice to Allah, nor heed the venom of Hatred, which destroys its own hopes, alas, of the present and the future!

SURAH AL KAFIRUN: [Those Who Reject Faith].
This Surah defines the right attitude to those who reject Faith. In matters of Truth we can make no sacrifices, but there is no need to persecute or abuse anyone for his faith or belief. The man of Faith holds fast to his faith, because he knows it is true. The man of the world, rejecting Faith, clings hard to worldly interests. Let him mind his worldly interests, but let him not force his interests on men sincere and true, by favour, force, or fraud.

SURAH AL NASR: [The Help].
This beautiful Surah was the last of the Surahs to be revealed as a whole, though the portion of the verse 3 of Surah Al Ma’idah: “This day have I perfected your religion for you” etc., contains probably the last words of the Holy Qur’an to be revealed. The date of this Surah was only a few months before the passing away of the Beloved Nabee S.A.W. from this world, Rabi 1, A.H. 11. The place was either the precincts of Makkah at his Farewell Hajj, Dhu al Hijjah A.H. 10, or Madinah after his return from the Farewell Hajj. Victory is the crown of service, not an occasion for exultation. All victory comes from the help of Allah. Praise and Glory belongs only to Allah: to Him we humbly Turn and pray for Grace, for He is oft-Returning in Grace and Mercy.

SURAH AL MASAD or AL LAHAB: [The Plaited Rope] or [The Flame].
“Abu Lahab: “Father of Flame” – was the nickname of an uncle of the Nabee S.A.W; from his fiery hot temper and his ruddy complexion. He was one of the most inveterate enemies of early Islam. When the Nabee S.A.W. called together the Quraysh and his own family members to come and listen to his preaching and his warning against the sins of the people, the “Father of Flame” flared up and cursed the Nabee S.A.W. saying “Perdition to Thee!” This Surah carries the general lesson that cruelty ultimately ruins itself. The man who rages against holy things is burnt up in his own rage. His hands, which are the instruments of his action, perish, and he perishes himself. No boasted wealth or position will save him. The curses, insults, threats and spite, harmed not the innocent, but hit the wrondoers themselves and branded them with eternal infamy!

SURAH IKHLAS: [The Purity of Faith].
The nature of Allah is here indicated to us in a few words, such as we can understand. Here we are specially taught to avoid the pitfalls into which men and nations have fallen at various times in trying to understand Allah. Keep Faith all pure and undefiled. There is Allah, the One and Only; Eternal, Free from all needs; on Whom depend, to Whom go back all things; He hath no son nor father nor partner. There is no one like unto him.

SURAH AL FALAQ: [The Daybreak].
In Allah’s Created World, there are all kinds of forces and counter forces, especially those put in motion by beings who have been endowed with some sort of will. The forces of Good may be compared to light, and those of evil to darkness. Allah can cleave the depths of darkness and produce light (Surah Al An’am verse 96], and therefore we should cast off fear and take refuge in Divine Guidance and Goodness. Banish fear, and trust His Providence. No danger, the, from the outer world, no secret plottings from perverted wills, no disturbance of your happiness or good, can effect the fortress of your inmost soul.

SURAH AL NAS: [Mankind].
The previous Surah pointed to the necessity of seeking Allah’s protection against external factors which might affect an individual. Here the need for protection from internal factors, mankind being viewed as a whole, is pointed out. This Surah is a pendant to the last Surah, and concludes the Most Glorious and Holy Qur’an with an appeal to us to trust in Almighty Allah Rabbul ‘Aala’meen, rather than man, as our sure shield and protection. It warns us specially against the secret whispers of evil within our own hearts.
Allah is the Heavenly Sovereign Who gives Laws and Allah is the Goal to which we will be returned and Judged. Let man but place himself in Allah’s hands, and never can Evil touch him in his essential and inner life.

Courtesy: www.everymuslim.net

Taraweeh Salaah – Night 26

By Sheikh Abdul Hamid Lachporia – Canada

In the Name of Almighty Allah Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Tonight’s Tarawee consists slightly more than the first half of Amma (JUZ 30) and the Surahs that will be covered are listed individually with brief explanations and their meanings.

SURAH NABA: [The Great News]. The Great News for man, in his spiritual destiny, is the Day of Judgement to come, the Day of Sorting Out. It sets forth Allah’s Loving Care in a fine nature passage, and deduces from it the Promise of the Future, when Evil will be destroyed and Good will come to its own: and invites all who have the will to seek refuge with their Exalted and Most Gracious Lord.

SURAH AL NAZI’AT: [Those Who Tear Out]. This Surah deals with the theme of Judgement from the point of of Pride and its Fall. The Parable of Fir’aun occupies a central place in the argument. He flouted Allah’s Message specially sent to him, and arrogantly proclaimed: “I am your Lord Most High!” He perished in this life and will answer for his deeds in the next.

SURAH ABASA: [He Frowned]. Men who are not blessed with the good things of this life may yet be earnest seekers of Truth and Purity, and deserve as much attention as those who seem to wield some influence, yet who in their pride are self-sufficient. Allah’s Message is universal and all have a right to hear it. The Surah recapitulates the Mercies of Allah to mankind, and the consequences of a good pr a wicked life here, as seen in the spiritual world to come, in the Hereafter.

SURAH AL TAKWIR: [The Folding Up]. The Surah opens up with a series of highly graphic images portraying the break-up of the world as we know it [verses 1-13] and the enforcement of complete personal responsibility for each soul [verse 14]. This is followed by a passage showing how the Qur’anic Revelation was true, and revealed through Sayyidina Jibra’eel Amin Alayhis Salaam, and not a rhapsody from one possessed. Revelation is given for mankind’s spiritual guidance in verses 14 to 29.

SURAH AL INFITAR: [The Cleaving Asunder]. In subject matter this Surah is cognate to the last, though the best authorities consider it a good deal later in chronology in the early Makkan period. Its argument is subject to the threefold interpretation as referring (1) to the Day of Judgement, (2) to the Lesser Judgement, on an individual’s death, and (3) to the awakening of the Inner Light in the soul at any time, that being considered as Death to the Falsities of this Life and a Rebirth to the true Spiritual Reality.

SURAH AL MUTAFFIFIN: [The Dealers in Fraud]. This Surah is close in time to the last one and the next one. It condemns all fraud – in daily dealings, as well as and especially in matters of Religion and higher spiritual life which will be exposed to view at Judgement, however hidden they may be in this life. Give everyone his due for the record of ill deeds and good is fully kept, and the stains of sin corrupt the soul. Reject not Real Now, nor mock for the time will come when the True will come to its own, and then the mighty arrogant will be abased.

SURAH AL INSHIQAQ: [The Rending Asunder]. This Surah opens with a mention of some cataclysmic events, shows that the present phenomenal order will not last, and Allah’s full Judgement will certainly be established. Mankind should therefore strive for the World of Eternity and True Values.

SURAH AL BURUJ: [The Constellations]. The subject matter of this Surah covers the persecution of Allah’s votaries. Allah watches over His own, and will deal with the enemies of Truth as He dealt with them in the past.

SURAH AL TARIQ: [The Night Star]. The subject matter is the protection afforded to every soul in the darkest period of its spiritual history, The physical nature of man may be insignificant, but the soul given to him by Allah must win a glorious Future in the end. Through the darkest night comes a penetrating light of a glorious Star. Such is the power of Revelation: it protects and guides the erring. For what is man? But a creature of flesh and bones! But Allah by His Power doth raise man’s state to a Life Beyond! – when lo! All things hidden will be made plain. Man’s help will then be but the Word of Allah, which none can thwart. So wait with gentle patience – for His Decision.

SURAH AL A’LA: [The Most High]. The argument is that Allah has made man capable of progress by ordered steps, and by His Revelation will lead him still higher to purification and perfection. Let us look to the Eternal Goal, with hearts and souls of Purity, and glorify His Name: For in this changing, fleeting world, His Word is always True, and will remain through all the ages, ever the same.

SURAH AL GHASHIYAH: [The Overwhelming Event]. The contrast between the destinies of the Good and the Evil in the Hereafter – on the Day when the true balance will be restored. The Signs of Allah even in this life should remind us of the Day of Account, for Allah is Good and Just, and His Creation is for a Just Purpose.

SURAH AL FAJR: [The Dawn]. Its mystic meaning is suggested by contrasts – contrasts in nature and in man’s long history. Thus does it enforce the lesson of Faith in the Hereafter to “those who understand”. Man’s history and legendary lore show that greatness does not last and the proudest are brought low. For enforcing moral and spiritual truths, the strictest history is no better than legend. Indeed all artistic history is legend, for it is written from a special point of view. Man is easily cowed by contrasts in his own fortunes, and yet he does not learn from them the lesson of forbearance and kindness to others, and the final elevation of goodness in the Hereafter. When all the things on which his mind and heart are set on this earth shall be crushed to nothingness, he will see the real glory and power, love and beauty, of Allah, for these are the light of the Garden of Paradise.

SURAH AL BALAD: [The City].This Surah refers to the mystic relation (by Divine sanction) of the Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam with the City of Makkah. The Prophet’s own City persecuted him. Honoured by his nativity, it sought to slay him. Yet he loved it and purged it of all that was wrong. What toil and struggle did it not involve? Man is made for toil and struggle. Let him not boast of ease and wealth. He will be called to account for all his doings. Let him use his God-given faculties, and tread the steep path that leads to Heaven’s Heights: The steps thereto are Love, unselfish Love, given freely to Allah’s creatures – all those in need – and Faith in Allah, and Patience joined with self-restraint and kindness. Thus only can we reach the ranks of the blessed Companions of the Right Hand!

SURAH AL SHAMS: [The Sun]. Beginning with a fine nature passage, and leading up to man’s need of realising his spiritual responsibility, it ends with a warning of the terrible consequences for those who fear not the Hereafter. Allah gave the soul the power of choice and the sense of Right and Wrong. Let man keep it pure and attain salvation. Soil it with sin and reach perdition. Inordinate wrongdoing ruined the Thamud. They defied Allah’s Sacred Law and His Prophet, and went to Destruction for their crime.

SURAH AL LAYL: [The Night]. Here we are told to to strive our utmost towards Allah, and He will give us every help and satisfaction. When we consider Allah’s Wonderful Creation, we see many mysteries – many opposites – many differences; the succession of nights and days, the creation of male and female. Can we wonder at the differences in the nature and objectives of man? He is endowed with Will, and he must strive for the Right through all his diverse paths. For the Righteous, the way is made the smoother for bliss: for the arrogant crooked will, the way is the smoother for Misery. But Allah’s Guidance is always near if man will choose it. And what is the goal for those who choose aright? The sight of the Face of Allah Most High: For that indeed is happiness supreme.

Courtesy: www.everymuslim.net