Day 16 / Juz 16 (Ramadan ’17):-
“He said: “My Lord! How can I have a son, when my wife is barren, and I have reached the extreme old age?”” [19: 8]
“She said: “How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?”” [19: 20]
I’ve always found it intriguing to read the above two verses in Surah Maryam. When Zakariya and Maryam were both independently told the news of a child to come, they were naturally shocked and questioned it even though they knew the order was coming from Allah the Most High. This of course didn’t mean that they didn’t believe it could happen or that Allah was not capable (معاذ الله), but what it said to me was this: they had a habit of talking to Allah from the depths of their heart.
They knew He could do it and they knew it was going to happen because He said so. But that didn’t stop them from being vulnerable and totally honest with Him regarding their thoughts and their fears and hopes. It’s a beautiful habit to have; conversing with Allah about yourself and situation. Talk to Him regularly, not just in du’a and to ask of Him, but just to talk… To offload your issues, to find support, to clear your mind, to reconnect. He is more than just a God Who gives; He is your Wali (friend, supporter, and protector)
Day 17 / Juz 17 (Ramadan ’17):-
“And we have made the sky a well-guarded roof. Yet they turn away from its signs.” [21: 32]
In this part of Surah al-Anbiya’, Allah `azza wa jall has a number of verses talking about one thing: the earth and our universe. Among them is the above verse, and it tells us that often we witness the intricate creation of Allah, but we are blind to their signs.
As we know from ahadith, the fish in the depths of the seas are aware when a seeker of knowledge passes by, and they make du’a for him/her. The place you pray on welcomes you and weeps for you when you depart. The trees and animals listen to you as you recite Qur’an and they are fully aware. Everything around us knows and is alive, but we are the ones unaware subhan’Allah.
In a hadith, the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “A verse has been revealed to me tonight and woe to whoever reads it without reflecting upon it.” Aisha said, “It was the verse: ‘Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding.'” [3: 190]” – You’re not living in a bubble devoid of meaning; you’re living in a world that’s filled with signs and routes back to Allah `azza wa jall.
Day 18 / Juz 18 (Ramadan ’17):-
“Indeed, there was a party of My servants who said, ‘Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us and have mercy upon us, and You are the best of the merciful.’ But you took them in mockery to the point that they made you forget My remembrance, and you used to laugh at them.” [23: 109-110]
Imagine, a person can end up completely forgetting the remembrance of Allah and consequently losing track of themselves, all because they were too preoccupied with another human being!
We unfortunately waste so much time and barakah in our lives because we’re busy sizing each other up, or scrutinizing each other, or secretly keeping tabs on each other lol. We see someone in worship and begin to analyse everything about their worship (while forgetting ours). We hear someone reciting Qur’an and analyse whether their tajwid is on point or defective (while forgetting ours). Some of us even wait ever so patiently for others to trip, stumble, and make a mistake. Subhan’Allah, how satanic.
There’s no harm in advising and wanting good for someone, but don’t become too preoccupied with others and never seek their faults because the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “…Do not search for their faults, for if anyone searches for their faults, Allah will search for his fault, and if Allah searches for the fault of anyone, He disgraces him even if he is in his own house.” [Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi]
Day 19 / Juz 19 (Ramadan ’17):-
“Pharaoh said, “You believed Moses before I gave you permission!” [26: 49]
From the arrogance of Fir’awn was that he demanded to be in control of everything that people did – down to their very choice of belief. But iman (faith) doesn’t seek permission from mortals… it doesn’t even seek permission from the person himself. When Allah commands a heart to believe, it fills every chamber and often it’s unstoppable, undeniable, and overwhelming.
For this reason nations have woken up after being asleep, society progressed with speed after being backwards, people became brave, fearless, and strong after being weak and fragile, hearts became humble and righteous after dancing with devils. Iman is not something you can see, but once it’s present in full force, it’s all you can see from a person. O Allah grant us Iman that does not waver, ameen.
Day 20 / Juz 20 (Ramadan ’17):-
“And We inspired to the mother of Moses, “Suckle him; but when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and will make him one of the messengers.”” [28: 7]
Fear can be absolutely gut-wrenching, paralyzing and crippling. When you fear for your life or your loved ones, there’s nothing you won’t do for survival. So don’t blame she who throws her baby out of a burning block of flats, and don’t blame she who puts her toddler on a rocky boat to escape war. These mothers feared just like the mother of Musa feared, and Allah knew that fear needs an outlet. So He inspired her to hold on for as long as possible until the moment when the fear became too much, then she was told to throw her baby into the water.
I find it interesting the verse says ‘throw’ because these are drastic words understood only by those in the harrows of fear and oppression. Throw, because this is not a choice you’d make otherwise. Throw, because it’s a time of desperation. Throw, because Allah will take care of your precious bundle you’re handing to Him. Throw, because He knows your heart has reached its limits and it has emptied out completely of alternatives. Thus the heart of Musa’s mother became ‘farigh‘ (empty), but an empty heart can only lie in wait to be filled back somehow. May Allah console every grieving mother, father, sibling and loved one, and all those who suffer from fear and loss, ameen.