Juz 9
- People are often tested with adversity, when their lot changes and they become privileged they become arrogant; instead of learning from their past they end up haughty and corrupt. (94-102)
- Detailed discussion about the story of Moses and Pharaoh, including the message conveyed, the challenges posed, the opposition endured by Moses and the ultimate destruction of the transgressing, arrogant and rejecting Pharaoh (103-137). Reference to the history of Bani Isra'iel, the favors they received and the transgressions they committed should serve as lesson to all who have access to revelation yet commit excesses (138-171)
- Genuine followers of Muhammad, the prophet mentioned in previous scriptures(157) are commanded by Allah through him to ?¢‚Ǩ¬¶
- Command what is good
- Forbid what is evil
- Declare permissible the pure and beneficial
- Consider impermissible the impure and detrimental;
- And by so doing be freed of the various (ideological, social and economic) shackles of bondage. Such true believers, who honor, support the ?¢‚ǨÀúlight' that he brought to humanity will be successful
- Censure of those who, despite having the highly developed human faculties gifted to them, refuse to utilize them effectively, remaining heedless to the physical and metaphysical realities that surround them(179)
- Be compassionate, command what is good and avoid whoever or whatever is nonsensical and devoid of guidance. (199)
- Advice to follow the last Prophet, be attentive to the final revelation, not to be arrogant; but rather to glorify Allah (203-206)
This Madinan surah was revealed after the Battle of Badr, 2 AH. It provides details and a critique of this first major armed conflict between the forces of Islam and its opposition It brings to attention the lessons that need to be learnt, the shortcomings that need to be overcome, and the importance of doing what is right while relying on Allah. The central theme thus revolves around the Battle of Badr and the principles essential for consolidating an emerging community.
- Focus not only on the material aspects of your strivings but also (and more so) on your commitment to the Creator; Rather ?¢‚Ǩ¬¶
- be sincerely dutiful and God-conscious
- be reconciliatory
- obey Allah and His Messenger (1)
- Believers ?¢‚Ǩ¬¶
- Remember Allah with earnestness
- Reflect on the revelation of Allah with due deliberation
- Pursue spiritual development through salaah /prayers
- Pursue economic and social welfare through zakaah /charity(2-4)
- Do not let your personal interests cause you to deviate from your major task, Allah strengthens those who are on the right course with the right intent (5-14)
- Obedience to Allah and His Messenger is more than mere belief; it incorporates understanding, belief, commitment and implementation. What is the use of having the faculties of hearing and sight if we do not utilize them for seeing the reality and listening to the truth? Be cognizant of the fact that indifference to corruption/evil is ultimately detrimental to the whole community. (20-26)
- Believers are commanded ?¢‚Ǩ¬¶
- to obey Allah and His Messenger
- not to let the temporary and the fleeting distract you from the permanent, nor let the insignificant be prioritized over the significant
- abide by what is right and avoid the wrong
- be not sidetracked by opponents of goodness, rather be proponents of goodness (27-37)
- Non-believers are advised to abstain from persecuting Believers, if they cease their persecution Allah will forgive them their past (38)
- If people attack, be not hesitant to fight in the cause of Allah in defense of truth and justice ((38-40)(60-61)