When in distress - call out to Allah with His beautiful Attributes

Allah, God to some, created this entire universe for man to ponder over His infinite Lordship - unparalleled and unmatched by any  other deity. He first created the universe, and then provisioned our earth with unimaginable means of sustenance, and then created man so he could liv

e thanking Him for all the good He has done for us. 

And for this favour for us, we should always be thanking Him and seeking His blessings using many attributes associated with His name, each depicting a particular trait of His Lordship. 

While we should be thanking Allah all the time, as the nature of human being is, he only returns to his Creator when struck against the fall or in a frail position when nothing seems to in one's favour. We have selected some of the attributes of Allah which we must use to call out to His Lordship to redress our grievances and help us out of our miseries and difficulties.  

Let us mention some of the attributes as a referral, the details of which can be accessed from one of our posts which can be accessed for detailed understanding so that address Him befitting His particular attribute - The Link:  99 Attributes of Allāh (Reference Page).

1. Al-Mujib (المجيب) - The Fulfiller of Prayers, The Responsive: 

The doors of Allah are never shut. Whosoever approaches Him, he should be rest assured that He is the most Responsive to His servants vows and will always fulfill their prayers.

2. Al-Hafiz (الحفيظ) - The Preserver, The Protector: When a believer, who has complete faith in Allah, is in a state when everyone around is hellbent to destroy him, he should call out to the Al-Hafiz (الحفيظ) - The Preserver, The Protector, for there is no better protector than Allah. And when He is approached, He can nullify the negativities surrounding his servant and protect him from any harm.

3. Al-Wadud (الودود) - The Most Affectionate: when one finds him all alone with no one caring for his difficulties, that one should call out to the Al-Wadud (الودود) - The Most Affectionate, for no one is more affectionate than He. It is said that love and affection of seventy times the love and affection of one's mother.  

4. At-Tawwab (التواب) - The Acceptor of Repentance: Each one of us is prone to committing sins or actions unbecoming. A true believer should immediately feel ashamed of his negative act and repent earnestly. And none other Allah is At-Tawwab (التواب) - The Acceptor of Repentance who would surely accept the repentance of His servant and assure him to bank on him.

5. 5. Al-Ghafur (الغفور) - The Forgiving, The Pardoner:: Having repented for one's sins, one should call out to Al-Ghafur (الغفور) - The Forgiving, The Pardoner for no one other than He who is the ultimate forgiver and pardoners. A true believer knows that wordily deities who are themselves dependent on forgiveness of Allah, cannot be their pardoners or forgivers.

6. As-Sami (السميع) - The Hearer of invocation: One of the beautiful attributes of Allah is that he the only Hearer of invocations, As-Sami (السميع), of his servants. SO always turn to Allah when in distress and be rest assured that He WILL listen to our invocations and bless us.

7. Al-Wahhab (الوهاب) - The Liberal Bestower, The Giver of Gifts: This is one of the beautiful attributes of Allah. It is He alone when He listens to the invocation of His servants, bring them good tidings from none other He is so liberal in bestowing blessings and gifting us with His bounties. For sure He is Al-Wahhab (الوهاب) - The Liberal Bestower, The Giver of Gifts.

8. Al-Fattah (الفتاح) - The Opener, The Revealer:  When one is surrounded by people who do not want to listen to his viewpoint, one should call out to Al Fattah - The Opener and the Revealer. It is only Allah alone Who can untie the knotted hearts and minds to allow a man to get audience and listening minds, thus the justice.

9. Ar-Razzaq (الرزاق) - The Supplier, The Provider: AS we mentioned in the premise of this post, it is Allah who has provisioned this world with means of sustenance of man. Therefore, when one is unemployed or poverty has overtaken him to an extent that it is unable for him to sustain himself, he should call out to Ar Razzaq - The Supplier, the Provider and the Sustainer.

For now, these are some of the important attributes of Allah one should never forget and more often than not call out to Allah for his well being and sutenance.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo | Resource references: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A. You may also refer to our refference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on important issue related to Islam to know more about Islam.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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How to strengthen our faith - Īmān (إِيمَان)

Everyone in this world has some sort of faith one believes in that give the ultimate direction of life. In Islam,  Īmān  (إِيمَان) is the Muslims' faith based on worship of one true God, we call Allah. Allah, the creator of the entire universe, who made us to be and would take us back at our appointed time. Unless one has an unflinching faith in one true God, one can hope for one's salvation both in this world and the world of the Hereafter. In fact, Īmān (faith) is the foundation of a Muslim’s life.

That is why every believer is in pursuit of keeping his Īmān intact and not get it tainted by the distractions by the Satan, the Evil and the world itself. Before we see practical ways to strengthen it., let us explore it clearly and deeply — from the Qur’an, Sunnah, and views of early scholars.

What is Īmān (Faith)?

• The Linguistic Meaning: “Īmān” (إيمان) comes from the Arabic root A-M-N (أ م ن) — meaning security, peace, and trust. So, Īmān literally means to affirm with conviction, to feel secure through belief.
• Qur’anic Definition:
• "The (true) believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, and afterward doubt not, but strive with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah. Such are the sincere." — (Surah Al-Ḥujurāt 49:15)
• This verse shows that Īmān is not just belief — it includes:
• Conviction (no doubt),
• Action (striving with wealth and life),
• Sincerity (doing it for Allah alone).
• Prophetic Definition (Hadith of Jibrīl — Sahih Muslim 8): When Angel Jibrīl asked the Prophet ﷺ: “What is Īmān?”, the Prophet replied: “It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and in Qadar (divine decree), both good and bad.”

Classical scholars (like Imām al-Bukhārī, Ibn Taymiyyah, and Imām al-Nawawī) define Īmān as:

“Īmān is belief in the heart, words by the tongue, and actions by the limbs — it increases with obedience and decreases with sin.” 

Thus, Īmān is dynamic — it grows or weakens. “That they may increase in faith along with their (present) faith.” — (Surah Al-Fath 48:4)

How to Strengthen Īmān

Let us follow the following roadmap drawn from Qur’an and Sunnah:

1. Deepen Knowledge of Allah

First and the foremost, we must be very clear and sure who Allah is. For many, the belief in God is varying. For Hindus, although there is a concept of a divine deity, they replicate this deity into idols and when they think of that divine deity, an image of a man made idols creeps into their mind. Likewise, the concept of Trinity further confuses the true identity of one true God. But the Muslims have a very clear knowledge of Allah, and follow Him unseen without need of any illustration or image of Allah being in front of them. And it is this unseen faith in Allah which strengthens our Īmān in Allah, for we do not need to see Him. We have His book, Al Qur'an, through which He directly speaks to us if we reflect on the verses of Qur'an.

“It is only those who have knowledge among His servants that fear Allah.” — (Surah Fāṭir 35:28)

We can also know Allah through His 99 attributes, each of which is embodiment of His finest qualities and describes Allah to us clearly and leaving no doubt about is existence.  Learn Allah’s Names and Attributes — knowing who He is brings love and awe.

Practical Tip: 

• Study one Name of Allah daily and reflect on how it shows in your life. You may like to read, understand and memories these 99 attributes of Allah from our post: 99 Attributes of Allah.
• You may also know Allah better from our earlier posts given in:
• Understanding Islam - Frequently Asked Q&A for knowing more about Islam
• Compiled verses from Qur'an on specific subjects: Faith in Allah

2. Regular Salah (prayer) 

In Islam, five salah (prayer) has been made obligatory on all adult and healthy Muslims (barring the lunatics or ill to an extent not to know of one's actions) of both genders five time a day. 

The performance of the five daily prayers with sincerity and focus is not only an act of fulfilling the obligation of worship of Allah, but it also takes a believer closer to Allah and develops the love with Allah which He most certainly deserves.

Adding Tahajjad prayer late at night adds more closeness to Allah, for getting late at night and breaking one's sleep is an act which most loved by Allah. That is why there is a Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which narrates that at the time of Tahajjad, Allah comes down very close to our world to listen to His believers and bless them all they wish for.

2. Regular Qur’an Recitation and Reflection

Reading Qur’an with understanding and emotion nourishes the heart.

“The believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts tremble; and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith.” — (Surah Al-Anfāl 8:2)

Most of us, however, read the Qur'an but do not reflect on what is being said to them and act upon the commandments of Allah. In fact, it is Allah who is speaking directly to us through His revealed Book - so we need to rad small portions with tadabbur (reflection), not just speed, and shape our lives as per instructions of Allah.

Tadabbur is the deep reflection, contemplation, and pondering over the meanings and lessons of the Quran to understand its message and apply it to one's life. It involves going beyond mere recitation to grasp the wisdom within each verse, relate it to daily experiences, and seek guidance for personal and spiritual growth. 

• Key aspects of Tadabbur
• Deep reflection: It is a mindful process of thinking deeply about the words of Allah, reflecting on their implications and wisdom. 
• Beyond recitation: It moves past reciting the Quran to understanding its message, making it a source of guidance for daily life. 
• Personal application: Tadabbur involves applying the lessons of the Quran to current life situations, such as problems at work or home. 
• A deeper connection: It is a way to connect with Allah and His words on a deeper level, providing grounding and solace. 
• Understanding consequences: The word itself relates to the idea of thinking about the consequences or the underlying cause of something, which helps in uncovering the deeper meanings of the verses. 
• A continuous process: It is an ongoing exercise of seeking and internalizing the guidance from the Quran for personal and spiritual development. 

So engage with meaning of verses of Qur'an and apply its teachings to our practical life.

3. Constant Remembrance (Dhikr)

Dhikr is a devotional practice of remembering Allah by reciting phrases or prayers, either silently or aloud. The practice involves invoking God's names or reciting supplications from the Qur'an and hadith to keep Allah in one's mind. This act of remembrance is considered a fundamental form of worship that strengthens faith, brings peace, and can be done at any time.

“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” — (Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:28)

 In fact Dhikr connects your heart with Allah and removes spiritual rust.

Daily Tip: Make daily habits — SubḥānAllāh, Alḥamdulillāh, Allāhu Akbar, Astaghfirullāh — especially in moments of stillness.

However, some factions of Muslims sit together in congregation, and start reciting one attribute of Allah with their heads swaying side by side for the whole day - some even go to wilderness and do Dhikr sitting in isolation, cutting themselves from the world. This is not the purpose of Dhikr. Instead, we need to remember Allah and do dhikr even when we are at work. This will add good to us and blessings of Allah and strengthen our Iman for we are constantly in remembrance of Allah.

4. Repent Often and Avoid Sin

One of the best tool provided to a believer to seek Divine forgiveness of the sins so committed through repentance.

“Those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness… and do not persist in it.” — (Surah Āl-‘Imrān 3:135)

Repentance, known as Tawbah, is a direct relationship with Allah to ask for forgiveness for sins, which involves three core steps: feeling regret for the sin, ceasing the sinful action, and resolving not to repeat it. If the sin involved another person, the individual must also make restitution or seek forgiveness from them. Sincere repentance is seen as an act of worship and is considered a way to purify the soul and draw closer to Allah.  

Sin darkens the heart and weakens faith; repentance restores its shine. Unlike some religions, where after sinning, the followers go to their religious men and ask for forgiveness and they are assured that they are forgiven by God. But that is not the correct of seeking repentance and forgiveness. Qur'an tells us to approach Allah directly without any intermediary and repent - and no matter how bigger is the sin, Allah will forgive. But repentance should not be toyed with - that is summitting sin, repenting and then return to sins again. One has to first sincerely feel ashamed of his sinful act, then repent with a clear intention of not sinning again and then seek forgiveness.

We have written a number of posts on repentance which may be read to understand what repentance and forgiveness is. Our latest post How do we know that Allah has accepted our repentance and forgiven us may be read to understand the concept of repentance better.

5. Keep Good Company

Always remember the age old phrase: A man is known by the company he keeps." Friends influence faith — keep the company of believers who remind you of Allah.

“And keep yourself patient with those who call upon their Lord morning and evening.” — (Surah Al-Kahf 18:28)

If one is in the company of the God fearing ones. one learns good things from them that strengthen one's Iman. But if one is in company of those who take this life as an entertainment and while away their time in acts that are detrimental to ensuring closeness to Allah, then one starts to drift from the righteous pat and a time comes when their conscious dies to really appreciate what is good and bad. Such a state whe is reached, one's Iman is said to have weaken to its lowest ebb.

6. Perform Good Deeds Consistently

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has been quoted as saying, “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if small.” — (Sahih al-Bukhari 6464). Some of the good deeds are Small daily worships — salah on time, charity, fasting, helping others — feed the heart.

Read our already published a number of posts on Charity from our reference page: Selected verses from Qur'an on Importance of Charity in Islam to know why charity also strengthens our Iman.

You may also read an eye open Hadith regarding death: Death of some relieves them and death of some relieves the world (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

7. Reflect on Death much too often and the Hereafter: A believer with firm faith and Iman should often reflect on the purpose of life and why it is so short lived. If one contemplates the purpose of life and the final return to the One who created us in the first place will reflect on us the purpose of life which would ultimately strengthens our Iman. 

Remember, one of the 99 Attributes of Allah is Al-Mumīt - The Creator of Death. Read more to know about this attribute and why Allah created death.

8. Supplicate Constantly

While one should take all possible practical steps, as mentioned in point 1-6, one also needs to continuously supplicate and seek Allah's blessing so that his Iman does not get tainted.

The Prophet ﷺ often prayed: اللَّهُمَّ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ  “O Allah, keep my heart firm upon Your religion.” — (Tirmidhi 2140)

This shows that even the Prophet feared for his heart — so constant dua is essential. This does not mean that the Prophet sinned, but this was a practical tip for his companions to supplicate for they were no prophets but plain human beings liable to commit sin or something unbecoming. We therefore, should regularly and continuously supplicate to be be on the right path so that our Iman does not get tainted but strengthens every day.

9. Seek knowledge

Science and working on meaning of Qur'an is unfolding many a hidden secrets and knowledge of Qur'an which were hitherto were obscure from the scholars and the scientists. In view of the great research work done on Qur'an and Islam, it is incumbent on every believer to learn more about Islam through books lectures and scholars. This would not only increase one's knowledge about Islam, but would also lace every believer with knowledge to spread Islam and extend Da'wah to non Muslims. At the same time more indepth knowledge will add to strengthening our Iman.

10. Read about life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a beacon of hope for all Muslims in particular and others in general. From a thriving businessman of Quraish of Makkah, his life changed from extreme comfort to extreme discomfort when he was chosen for the prophethood at the age of forty years. From here on till he died, was a life full of tests and trials, torture and mockery by the idolaters of Makkah. He endure the physical as well as spiritual hardships when he went about extending Da'wah / invitation to Islam to the non Muslims. Despite the rugged life he endured, ever new test further strengthen his Iman.

And if we review our status of Iman, we would appreciate that we have more failings than success while trying to live a life as per tenets of Islam. We hardly life a life as was lived by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. If we start now bit by bit, we will certainly add on to better our Iman and becoming a good Muslim. 

In short: Īmān = Conviction in the heart + Declaration by the tongue + Action by the body. It grows through remembrance, knowledge, and obedience — and weakens through sin, heedlessness, and pride.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo | references: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A. You may also refer to our refference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on important issue related to Islam to know more about Islam.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

How do we know that Allah has accepted our repentance and forgiven us

"To err is human" - a phrase we have been listening since our childhood. But then in our childhood the "err" was innocent - however, as we grew the magnitude of our 'errs' continue to increase, sometimes crossing the red line. We then cam to know that if one sincerely repents and swear not to 'err' again, the Lord of the world would forgive us. Although, more often than not, we repent and seek forgiveness of Allah, many remain uncertain whether our repentance has been accepted or not.

Uncertain of the answer, some turn to religious men, imams but seldom true scholars and muftis. Many who are contacted give funny answers and extort money rather than guiding them in the light of Qur'an and Sunnah. There are many examples that if one sees green color in one's dream, the repentance is accepted, if white colour is seen it indicates acceptance on hold, and black color means straight rejection. Some advise to look for the first sound one hears after getting up - the barking of dog means rejection and mewing of a cat means acceptance. And the list is never ending.

Those who see the negative indications, there life is ruined and many go in depression. They fail to question how can they predict acceptance or rejection of repentance, for this is exclusive domain of Allah and no one else. If was turn to Qur'an and Sunnah, we will be enlightened to know the answer. In fact, the Qur’an and Sunnah give clear assurances that true repentance (tawbah) is always accepted — provided it is sincere, for Allah is Ar Rahman (Most Kind and Gracious ), Ar Rahim (The Most Merciful ) and At Tawwab - The Acceptor of Repentance.

Let’s explore this carefully with authentic Qur’anic verses and hadith, step by step:

Allah’s Promise in the Qur’an

• Allah accepts sincere repentance 
• إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَأُولَٰئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
• “Except those who repent, believe, and do righteous deeds — for them Allah will change their evil deeds into good deeds. And Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” — (Surah Al-Furqan 25:70–71)
• Meaning: When repentance is genuine, Allah not only forgives but even transforms past sins into good deeds as a sign of His mercy.
• Allah loves those who repent 
• إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
• “Indeed, Allah loves those who repent and purify themselves.” — Surah Al-Baqarah 2:222
• Meaning: Forgiveness is not only granted — Allah expresses love for those who return to Him sincerely.
• Repentance is always open 
• قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
• “Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” — (Surah Az-Zumar 39:53)
• Meaning: No sin is too great for forgiveness — as long as one turns to Allah before death with remorse and sincerity.
• Allah accepts repentance until the final moment 
• “Allah only accepts the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and then repent soon after; it is they to whom Allah will turn in forgiveness…” — Surah An-Nisā’ 4:17–18
• But not for those who delay until death (4:18).
• This is most important when seeking repentance. Allah promises that He would accept our repentance again and again - but when the angel of death knocks at our door, then the door to repentance also shuts for ever. 
• So repent again and again, for one never knows when our time in this world comes to an abrupt end with warning.

The above reference from Qur'an make it amply clear that those who sincerely repent with the pledge not to err again, their repentance is accepted and are thus forgiven. Therefore, one does not have to worry about the prospects of acceptance of repentance for if are still indecisive, then it means:

• We have not sincerely repented.
• We have not made a solemn pledge of not repeating our sins, and that
• We do not trust the Divine commitment in Qur'an.
• We have weak Iman - faith in Allah: Which is the main reason that such questions abound our brain (of course initiated by the Satan to make us weary of our Iman and losing confidence of being forgiven).

If this is our state of mind, then we need to make an appraisal of our faith and read Qur'an with understanding and thus seeking guidance that would keep us away from the sins and wrongdoing.

The Prophet ﷺ on the Signs of Accepted Repentance

• Allah accepts as long as one repents before death: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah accepts the repentance of the servant so long as the soul has not reached the throat.” — Tirmidhi 3537; Ibn Mājah 4253; graded Sahih by al-Albani
• Allah rejoices more than anyone at repentance: 
• The Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant than one of you who loses his camel in a desert and then finds it suddenly.” — Sahih al-Bukhari (6309), Sahih Muslim (2747)
• Meaning: This shows Allah’s deep mercy — He longs to forgive those who return to Him.
• The Door of Repentance Never Closes
• The Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, Allah stretches out His hand at night to accept the repentance of those who sinned during the day, and He stretches out His hand during the day to accept the repentance of those who sinned at night, until the sun rises from the west.” — Sahih Muslim (2759)
• That is Allah’s mercy is continuous, not occasional — the only limit is the coming of the Last Hour or death.

How we can feel that our repentance was accepted

Having shared reference from Qur'an and Sunnah, let us find out how can we know acceptance of our repentance, if at all we want some signs from Allah. Scholars (like Ibn al-Qayyim and Imam al-Ghazālī) mention signs of accepted repentance, based on Qur’an and Sunnah:

1. You start to sincerely regret the sin and feeling genuine sorrow for sin (Tawbah means “to turn back” — Qur’an 66:8)

2. You start to stay away from sins - gradual abandonment of sin to total abandonment (Prophet ﷺ said: “Remorse is repentance” — Ibn Mājah 4252)

3. A resolve creeps into you to stand to your ground and never to return to a life of sins. You resolve not to return (Al-Furqan 25:70–71)

4. You start to replace sin with good deeds, like charity, prayer, helping others (Hud 11:114)

5. Your heart start to feel peace and you become closer to Allah (Al-Ra’d 13:28)

6. Suddenly you start to feel lighter as if some heavy burden has been taken off your body.

When these are found, one can hope with confidence that Allah has accepted his repentance — because Allah never breaks His promise.

“And who is more faithful to his promise than Allah?” — (Surah At-Tawbah 9:111)

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo | Resource references: | ChatGPT | Hadith Collections

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A. You may also refer to our refference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on important issue related to Islam to know more about Islam.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Whom should we seek to please: The World or the Lord of the Worlds?

The question being posed in our post today may make many to ponder deeply, while some may discard it for the obvious answer. Yes, we know the answer, but have we ever came across situations when love of the world overtakes the love for the Lord of the worlds?

Let’s explore this through the Torah, the Bible, and the Qur’an, showing that the Divine message across revelations has always been consistent: True success lies in pleasing God, not people. We will first give some references from all the Divine Scriptures about who alone is to be pleased and then will give some examples when prophets and men have to take firm decision to follow one path only:

Torah (Old Testament)

It is said in Deuteronomy 5:33

“You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may go well with you.”

Here Torah emphasizes walking in the ways of the Lord, not in the ways of men. Success and peace depend on obeying God alone.

The Bible (New Testament)

Jesus (ʿĪsā عليه السلام) taught the same truth as mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew 6:19–20:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

That is focus on eternal reward, not temporary approval. Pleasing God brings everlasting peace; pleasing people is fleeting.

The Qur’an

Since I am a Muslim, I will quote a few verses that direct a man to follow which path:

• The Central Principle
• “And of the people is he who sells himself, seeking the pleasure of Allah. And Allah is kind to [His] servants.” — Surah Al-Baqarah (2:207)
• Explanation: The believer sacrifices comfort, popularity, or even safety to earn Allah’s pleasure (riḍwān Allāh). This pleasure outweighs all worldly approval.
• Warning Against Pleasing People over God
• “They seek to please people, but Allah has more right that they should please Him, if they are truly believers.” — Surah At-Tawbah (9:62)
• Context: This verse was revealed about hypocrites who pretended to support the Prophet ﷺ but sought worldly reputation. Allah clarifies that faith means prioritizing divine pleasure above human praise.
• The Ultimate Goal
• “Their reward is with their Lord: gardens beneath which rivers flow... Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him — that is the supreme success.” — Surah Al-Bayyinah (98:8)
• Lesson: The ultimate success is not wealth or applause, but mutual contentment — Allah pleased with His servants, and they pleased with Him.

Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The message of the last of the prophets Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is none different as is Divinely said in the Qur'an. Herein under asre some of his hadiths on the subject:

• Allah’s Pleasure Over People’s
• The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever seeks Allah’s pleasure, even if it displeases people, Allah will be pleased with him and will make the people pleased with him. But whoever seeks to please people at the cost of Allah’s displeasure, Allah will be displeased with him and will make the people displeased with him.” — Ibn Ḥibbān (276), Tirmidhī (2414) — Ṣaḥīḥ
• Lesson: Pleasing Allah may seem costly in the short term, but it ultimately brings honor and inner peace. Pleasing people by compromising faith brings humiliation.
• On Sincerity
• “Actions are judged by intentions, and every person will have only what he intended.” — Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1907
• Meaning: The believer must act not for reputation or recognition but purely for Allah’s sake (ikhlāṣ).

Exemplifying the Subject under discussion.

Now let us share an example of Prophet Abraham  ( Ibrāhīm عليه السلام) who is regarded as the father of all prophets by all followers of the Divine religions. He was born in a idolatry family but worshipping static man made idols never satisfied him. He knew there was some being greater than all who controls the world and lives of the humans. So, one day while the main temple was empty, he broke all the idols. Naturally this annoyed everyone, including his father. But the revered Prophet plainly refused to follow idolatry at the cost of annoying and losing his family. He preferred the unseen Lord of the worlds over the lifeless idols and severed the family ties specially with his father. This is the extreme love a man can express to please the Lord of the worlds and not The World.

Hazrat Bilal, known as Bilal Habshi, was a slave in the very early formatting time of Islam, who embraced Islam much to the annoyance of his master. He was pressurized to renounce his new faith and return to idolatry. When he refused, his master laid him on the burning sad of summers of Arabia and put a heavy stone on his chest which almost crushed his bone - yet he continue to murmur "Ahad - Al-Ahad (الاحد)   - The One, The Only One. Seeing his plight, an uncle of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم bought him and set him free. He could have averted the severe pain and renounced Islam, yet for him love of Allah was more than the comfort of life of darkness, that is idolatry.

Relevance for Today

In a world obsessed with social approval, fame, and “likes,” this timeless command from all Scriptures reminds us:

• Faith over fame.
• Truth over trend.
• Allah’s pleasure over human praise.

When the believer’s compass is fixed toward the pleasure of the Lord of the Worlds, he finds tranquility (sakīnah) that the world cannot offer.

It may thus be said that to please the world is to lose yourself; to please the Lord is to find yourself. The Prophets, from Abraham to Jesus to Muhammad (peace be upon them), all lived for Ridhā Allāh — the pleasure of their Lord — and taught their followers to do the same.

However, despite the Divine commandments and the examples of those with a strong faith, we find our selves meek and weak when it comes to weight between the world and the Lord of the world. Many give way to the comforts and love of the world, thinking they will have ample time to repent and seek pleasure of Allah, the Lord of the worlds. We sacrifice our faith when confronting family pressures or official commitments and often make decisions that offend our Creator. Yet the love of the world keeps our eyes shut of the true reality, which only a few can sincerely fathom.

Let us quote a closing verse to really ponder upon:

“O you who believe! Indeed, among your spouses and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them. But if you pardon and overlook and forgive – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. Your wealth and your children are but a trial; but Allah has with Him a great reward.” — (Surah At-Taghābun 64:14–15)

“O you who believe! Let not your wealth and your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah; and whoever does that — then those are the losers.” — (Surah Al-Munāfiqūn 63:9) 

This theme appears in several Qur’ānic verses reminding believers not to let love of wealth, family, or worldly life divert them from Allah’s remembrance and obedience. Family and wealth are blessings, but they can become distractions or tests (fitnah) if they lead a person to neglect Allah’s commands or delay obedience. The believer must love them in balance, ensuring Allah’s pleasure comes first.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo | Resource references: | ChatGPT | 1 | 2 | 3 |

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A. You may also refer to our refference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on important issue related to Islam to know more about Islam.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Pray you are not one of the Ẓālimūn الظالمون – The oppressor - the tyrant or the unjust

Oppressor, exploiter or tyrants are the words we often use for those who oppress others and take away their rights for their own gains. At many places in Qur'an, the believers have been warned not to be among the Ẓālimūn الظالمون  - a term we generally take for the demagogues, tyrant or un-just rulers or arrogant men of position who oppress others. To a lesser degree, we may translate this word to wrong doers and injustice too. But we seldom go deeper in the meaning of this word and absolve ourselves of being amount this category of people. 

However, today while translating one of the verses of Qur'an, i just thought of finding the true meaning of this word and how does it effect our lives. The verses if from Surah 7. Al A'raf (The Heights) mentioned below:

وَاِذَا صُرِفَتۡ اَبۡصَارُهُمۡ تِلۡقَآءَ اَصۡحٰبِ النَّارِۙ قَالُوۡا رَبَّنَا لَا تَجۡعَلۡنَا مَعَ الۡقَوۡمِ الظّٰلِمِيۡنَ

(7:47) And when the eyes of the people of the Heights will be turned towards the people of Hell they will say: 'Our Lord! Do not cast us among the wrongdoing people.'

So let me share what I find a deeper meaning of the word  and see how inadvertently we also fall into this category for there are many meanings that can be associated with it.

Meaning of Ẓulm (ظلم) in the Qur’an

In Arabic, ẓulm means to put something in a place where it does not belong — i.e., injustice, wrongdoing, or oppression. In the Qur’an, the term is used in various contexts, ranging from shirk (associating partners with Allah) to social injustice and personal wrongdoing.

Linguistic and Qur’anic Meaning

The root word ẓ-l-m (ظ ل م) implies “to darken” or “to deprive something of its proper light.” Hence, a ẓālim (ظالم) is someone who transgresses the limits set by Allah — against Himself, others, or creation.

Types of Ẓulm in the Qur’an

Since this Ẓulm, whetehr used in singular our plural, is used at many different places in Qur'an, let us its meanings in different context as used in Qur'an:

• Shirk — The Greatest Ẓulm: 
• “Indeed, shirk (associating partners with Allah) is a great injustice (ẓulmun ʿaẓīm).” — Surah Luqman 31:13
• Explanation: Shirk violates the fundamental right of Allah — exclusive worship. This is why Luqman warned his son against committing it. It is the root of all ẓulm.
• Injustice Against Others
• “And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly (bil-bāṭil)...” — Surah Al-Baqarah 2:188
• “And those who, when tyranny strikes them, defend themselves...” — Surah Ash-Shura 42:39–42
• Explanation: Social injustice, oppression, exploitation, or denying others their due rights all fall under ẓulm. Islam strongly forbids oppressing others regardless of religion or status.
• Wronging One’s Own Soul
• “But they wronged themselves.” — Repeated in Surah Al-A‘raf 7:160, Surah At-Tawbah 9:70, and others.
• Explanation:  When a person sins or disobeys Allah, he harms none but himself spiritually. Such a person is a ẓālim to his own soul.

Who Are the Ẓālimūn (الظالمون)?

The Qur’an uses al-ẓālimūn to describe:

• Those who commit shirk (31:13)
• Those who reject truth and faith (2:254)
• Those who oppress others (3:57)
• Those who deceive or exploit (11:18–19)
• Those who deny Allah’s signs (29:49)

“And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.” — Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:51

Ḥadīth References

Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم has warned his companions to satay away from Zulm and being in the category of Ẓālimūn. Herein under are some of his sayings as found in Hadith books:

• On Injustice The Prophet ﷺ said: “Beware of ẓulm, for indeed ẓulm will be darkness on the Day of Judgment.” — Sahih Muslim, 2579
• On Oppressing Others: “The supplication of the oppressed person is answered, even if he is a disbeliever.” — Musnad Ahmad, 12549
• On Allah’s Justice: Allah said in a ḥadīth Qudsī: “O My servants, I have forbidden ẓulm for Myself and made it forbidden among you, so do not wrong one another.” — Sahih Muslim, 2577

Relevance Today

Zulm has always been and is even today a tool in the hands of the men of authority, specially those who are unjust and heartless, not afraid of the punishment Divinely recommended for them. The Zulm may start from individual level and then elevates upward. How can we we avoid of being in the category of  Ẓālimūn الظالمون, here in under are some practical tips:

• Personal Level: 
• The Zulm commences at personal level and then becomes the basis for zulm in the family and then to society. 
• If everyone avoids lying, cheating, or harming others; this is self-purification against ẓulm.
• Family and Society: Treat others with fairness; do not misuse authority or wealth.
• Global Level: Stand against oppression — political, economic, or racial — since Islam declares all forms of injustice forbidden.

In essence:  Ẓulm is darkness, and Islam is light. The believer should strive to eliminate ẓulm from his soul, his dealings, and his world — to walk in the light of justice and mercy.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo | Resource references: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A. You may also refer to our refference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on important issue related to Islam to know more about Islam.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Why Islam prohibits eating of pork - Eminent Muslim scholar explains

No religion is objected to, rejected or even mocked than Islam. Every other day, objections air on the social media against Islam, specially its various laws curtailing and prohibiting what a man should eat or not to eat. Pork is one such flesh of the animal which is strongly prohibited, and this prohibition is always strongly reacted to non Muslims.  

And the interesting thing is that it is the majority of followers of Bible who object to this stringent law of Islam and are amazed as to why such a palatable flesh of pigs and swine is prohibited in Islam. Such objections normally arise when one is not even aware of the Book of Faith being followed by them. Or perhaps it is because of the selective reading of the book  that follow that results into such objections and amazement.  

One of the objection raised is that if God has created an animal, how could He be so "cruel" to deprive the man of eating of its flesh, which is so palatable and tasty. One thing everyone fails to understand is that when the Lord of the Worlds commands His servants to abstain from something, one does not have to reason why, there shouldn't be any hesitation on the part of the servants to object to it, but obey it absolutely. And to surprise of many followers of Bible, it may be mentioned here that the prohibition of pork is one of the clearest shared laws between the Qur’an and the Bible..

Let us compare the prohibition law of eating pork as mentioned in the Qur'an and Bible:

Law prohibiting eating pork in the Qur'an

Pork is explicitly and repeatedly forbidden in four places:

• Surah al-Baqarah (2:173): “He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah.”
• Surah al-Mā’idah (5:3): “Forbidden to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah…”
• Surah al-Anʿām (6:145): “Say, I do not find within that which was revealed to me [anything] forbidden to one who would eat it unless it be a dead animal, or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine – for indeed, it is impure…”
• Surah al-Naḥl (16:115): “He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah…”

Qur’anic Rationale: Islam views food laws as acts of obedience, not mere health codes: obeying Allah even when we don’t know the full reason is part of Taqwā (God-consciousness). The Qur’an calls pork “rijs” (impure, filthy) — 6:145, which means pork represents both physical impurity (harmful to health) and moral/spiritual impurity (obedience to Allah’s command).

Law prohibiting eating pork in Bible

The followers of Bible shouldn't be surpised the similarity of Divine Commandments about prohibition of pork both in the Qur'an and the Bible. Herein under are some references from Bible prohibiting pork:

• Leviticus 11:7–8 (Old Testament / Torah): “And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.”
• Deuteronomy 14:8: “The pig is also unclean; although it has a divided hoof, it does not chew the cud. You are not to eat their meat or touch their carcasses.”

These are clear Divine Commandments not to eat pork - then be amazed if Muslims also adheres to similar commandments in the Qur'an?

Jewish Understanding:  Even Jews do not eat pork for observant Jews still follow this prohibition under kashrut (dietary law). It’s seen as a test of obedience and purity — not only health-related but spiritual.

Thus, Islam reaffirms this earlier divine command, continuing the same message given to the prophets before Muhammad ﷺ. It shows the continuity of divine law: Islam did not invent the prohibition but restored it.

Wisdoms (Hikmah) Behind the Prohibition

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah has made lawful what is good and pure and forbidden what is impure.” (Muslim 1015) - While the primary reason is obedience to Allah, scholars and modern research note possible wisdoms:

• Health: Pork carries parasites (trichinosis, tapeworms) and diseases.
• Hygiene: Pigs are scavengers that eat filth and dead matter.
• Moral discipline: Avoiding what Allah forbids trains the soul in self-control and obedience.

The key lesson: True purity lies in obeying Allah’s command, whether we fully grasp all the worldly reasons or not.

We now share an incredible explanation of the Divine Commandment by one of the most eminent scholars of present times, Dr Zakir A Naik who explained a 15 years old Christian boy the why of pork prohibition in Islam, giving him related reference and making him understand the reason why. Please watch the video:

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is our duty to convey only to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the video above are those of the scholar concerned. We have shared this view as added information in better understanding of Islam. The reader may or may not agree with the view owing to their own perception. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | Earlier Publication: Prohibition of Pork (in Islam)

For more Scholarly views and videos, please read our reference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on Important Issues Related to Islam. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Qur’an is a blessed Book revealed for Reflection, specially by men of understanding (ulu al-albāb), to take heed

AL Qur'an is the last of the four Divine Scriptures from Allah for the guidance of mankind. It is revealed in Arabic language, yet it is the most read Divine Scripture around the world even by non Arabic speaking Muslims. Those who cannot read Arabic, read translation of Al Qur'an and are still spellbound how Allah directly speaks to the audience no matter Muslim or Non Muslim. There is a strange connection that is established between the Lord of the universe and His creations when Al Qur'an is read.

Unfortunately many a  man do not know how to approach AL Qur'an to benefit from it. Those averse to Islam, dig into Qur'an only to find verses that can be twisted and used against Islam. Many verses so twisted are used as a platform for waging a sinister campaign and spreading Islamophobia in the world. But those who read Qur'an with an open minds and try to find the good in it, more often than not find the true guidance and come under the fold of Islam.

Although, the ordinary men get to understand the Divine message, even by reading the translation of Al Qur'an, there are many hidden meanings that only men of wisdom, intellect and understanding can understand. This is what is being said in the 29th verses of Surah 38 Saad (The letter Saad) being shared and explained herein under:

The Verse

"This is a Blessed Book which We have revealed to you, so that they may reflect upon its verses and so that those of understanding (ulu al-albāb) may take heed."

(38:29)

Key Points in the Verse

• “Blessed Book” (Kitābun Mubārak): 
• The Quran has been called a blessed Book in the sense that it is highly useful for man. It gives him the best guidance to improve and reform his life. By following it he has only to gain and nothing to lose.
• The Qur’an is full of blessings: spiritual, moral, and practical guidance, light, healing, and mercy.
• Purpose of Revelation: 
• Tadabbur (reflection)
•  Not just recitation, but pondering the meanings, wisdom, and lessons.
• Ibn Taymiyah said, “Whoever contemplates [tadabbur] upon the Qur’ān [with the condition] of seeking guidance from it, [then] the path of truth will be made clear.”
• Dhikrā (reminder) — So that people can act upon it, not merely admire it.
• “Those of Understanding” (Ulu al-Albāb): This phrase occurs often in the Qur’an. It refers to people with pure hearts, sound intellect, and sincerity who can recognize truth when they see it.

Who Are the Men of Wisdom (Ulu al-Albāb)?

Ulu al-albāb (or Ulūl albāb) is an Arabic term from the Quran that refers to people of sound intellect, wisdom, and deep insight, who integrate their intellectual faculties with spiritual awareness to understand God's signs in creation. They are characterized by their profound contemplation, reflection, piety, and ability to make wise decisions, striving for truth and seeking to serve God and humanity. 

Ibn Qayyim said, "In short, there is nothing more beneficial for the heart than reading the Quran and with contemplation and reflection. The Quran encompasses all levels of the travelers, the conditions of the workers, and the stations of those possessing know. It is the Quran that generates love, desire, fear, hope, repentance, reliance, pleasure, entrustment, gratitude, patience, and the rest of the different states that are life to the heart and perfection of it. Likewise, it repels all the rebuked characteristics and actions that cause the corruption and ruin of the heart. If people were to possess a realization of what recitation of Quran with contemplation contains, they would devote themselves to it at the expense of anything else". [Ref: Miftaah Daar as Saadah p.204]

Key characteristics of ulū al-albāb:

• Deep intellectual capacity: They possess sharp, profound, and broad understanding, often described as having "layered brains" or pure intellects. 
• Spiritual maturity: They achieve a notable degree of spiritual maturity, combining intellect with emotion and devotion. 
• Contemplation and reflection: They actively contemplate the creation of the heavens and the earth and reflect on God's decrees. 
• Wisdom and insight: They gain profound insight and wisdom, allowing them to understand the essence of things and perceive signs of God's greatness. 
• Piety and remembrance: They remember God (dhikr) while standing, sitting, or lying down and hasten towards His forgiveness. 
• Integrative approach: They integrate human reason with Divine revelation and combine worldly knowledge with religious knowledge. 
• Solution-oriented: They can act as solution-oriented individuals who use their minds for effective planning and decision-making. 

In essence: Ulu al-albāb are not just intellectually smart but are deeply spiritual, possessing a complete understanding of reality through the combined lens of reason and faith, leading to moral action and purposeful living. 

Quranic Examples:

• 3:190–191: Ulu al-albāb are those who remember Allah, reflect on creation, and say, “Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly.”
• 13:19: They recognize that what Allah has revealed is the truth.
• 39:9: They are described as those who spend the night in prayer, humble before their Lord, fearing the Hereafter.

So "men of wisdom" are not an elite scholarly class only — but people whose hearts are alive with faith and reflection.

Can Ordinary Believers Understand the Qur’an?

Yes of course. The Qur’an was revealed for all of mankind, not just scholars.

54:17: “And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?”

39:27: Allah says He has given every type of example in the Qur’an so people may take heed.

The Prophet ﷺ recited Qur’an to ordinary companions — shepherds, traders, farmers — who reflected and acted on it.

However, levels of understanding differ:

• Ordinary believers can understand the general guidance (belief in Allah, prayer, morality, justice, patience).
• Scholars with deeper study of Arabic, tafsīr, and Sunnah can uncover deeper layers and resolve complex issues.
• But reflection (tadabbur) is for everyone. The Qur’an invites all believers to think, not just scholars.

Lessons for Us Today

Al Qur'an is revealed for guidance of man and not finding shortcuts from Al Qur'an in form of supplications to steer the life as they want it. Those who understand the Qur'an will have their life well shaped as it will add the love and mercy of Allah in everything they do and wish for. 

Remember:

• Don’t treat Qur’an as just for recitation in rituals — it is for reflection and action.
• Everyone can benefit, but sincerity, humility, and use of intellect are key.
• True wisdom is not just having knowledge, but applying Qur’anic guidance to life.

Surah Ṣād 38:29 highlights that the Qur’an is a blessed Book revealed for reflection. The “men of wisdom” are not just scholars, but anyone with sincerity, humility, and sound intellect who seeks Allah’s guidance. Ordinary believers can and must reflect on the Qur’an, while scholars may access deeper layers — but everyone can benefit from its guidance.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | ChatGPT / Google

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

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