One of the words for rain in Arabic is maṭar (مَطَر) – and this is the colloquial word for rain. Another word for rain is ghayth (غَيْث). In the Qur`ān, maṭar is exclusively used to describe punishment coming down from the skies: [And We rained upon them a rain of stones, and evil was the rain of those who were warned] Naḥl:58 And ghayth is used for rain when mercy is sent down from the sky: [And it is He who sends down the…
The blindness to be sought refuge in Allah from is not a physical impairment. Rather it is a spiritual one. It is the blindness of the heart. The blindness that prevents the Nūr of guidance reaching the heart. What use is seeing if their blind hearts are prevented from recognising the Truth? [For indeed, it is not eyes that are blinded, but blinded are the hearts which are within the chests.] Ḥajj:46 We seek refuge in Allah from the blindness…
One Surah that Muslim youth need to reflect on is Surah Al Kahaf. Though the lessons in it are for everyone, the lessons for us – specifically – are simply profound. [Indeed, they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance] Kahaf:13 The people of the cave were young men who only sought to obey their Lord, and because of this Allah subḥāneh wa t’āla did the rest. He protected them in ways no one…
Observe society, without a doubt you will find that Allah has favoured some over others in provision, health, wealth, beauty… and this is the sunnah (way) of Allah. But His ultimate and truest favour on some over others will be in Akhira. [Look how We have favoured (in provision) some of them over others. But the Hereafter is greater in ranks and greater in distinction] Isrā`:21 Society seeks to distinguish the rich from the poor, people of different races, those who…
[Inform us of its interpretation; indeed, we see you to be of the Muḥsinīn.] Yusuf:36 In surah Yusuf, Allah describes an incident involving two inmates. These inmates confide something personal and then seek advice from a stranger and fellow inmate – Yusuf ‘alayhis salām. Why? Because he looked righteous. Those who claim that righteousness has little to do with our outward appearance and it is solely within the heart; please stand corrected. Though īmān is amongst the matters of the heart,…