Surah 4 (An-Nisâ), Verses 163-176 (Y6)

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.

Summary

Today’s selection concludes Surah 4, An-Nisâ or the Women, Verses 163-176. These verses assert that the Qur’an carries the same message as was sent to Prophets Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Humans should believe in this revelation if they want to attain felicity but there is no Trinity in Islam as there is in modern Christianity. In Islam, Jesus was a Prophet and worshiper of God. Lastly, there is a legal decision relating to the inheritance of childless persons.

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Surah 57 (Al-Hadeed), Verses 20-29 (Y6)

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.

Summary

Today’s episode concludes Surah 57, Al-Hadeed or the Iron, with verses 20-29. This selection asserts that our earthly lives are just play and an illusion. We must not grieve for posessions lost, nor be overjoyed at what we gain. It links Prophets Noah, Abraham and Jesus and also speaks of monastic life.

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Surah 61 (As-Saff) (Y6)

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.

Summary

Today’s selection is Surah 61, As-Saff or the Battle Array, which is 14 verses in total. It enjoins believers to keep their word or practise what they preach. It recounts Prophet Jesus’ foretelling of a Prophet of God after him; that Prophet of course was Muhammad (pbuh). Lastly, it describes faith as a sort of bargain given the rewards which it produces.

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Surah 5 (Al-Mâ‘idah), Verses 35-50 (Y6)

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.

Summary

Today’s episode is from Surah 5, Al-Mâ‘idah or the Repast, verses 35-50. These verses discuss struggling in God’s name and the punishment for stealing. Next there is a discussion of how if God intends to test a person, even the Prophet could not intervene, the laws of the Torah, and finally, establishing justice based on Allah’s revelations.

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Verses

Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.

O believers! Fear Allah and seek the means to be closer to Him and make Jihad (holy struggle) in His Way so that you may be successful.[35] As for those who are unbelievers, if they have everything that the earth contains or twice as much to offer as a ransom to redeem themselves from the punishment of the Day of Resurrection, it will not be accepted from them and they shall have a painful punishment.[36] They will desire to get out of the fire but will not be able to do so and they shall have an everlasting punishment.[37] 5:[35-37]

Male or female, whoever is guilty of theft, cut off the hand (that was used in theft) of either of them as a punishment for their crime. This is, exemplary punishment, ordained by Allah. Allah is Mighty, Wise.[38] But whoever repents after committing the crime and reforms his conduct, Allah will surely turn to him with forgiveness. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.[39] Do you not know that Allah has sovereignty over the heavens and the earth? He may punish whom He pleases and forgive whom He pleases. Allah has power over everything.[40] 5:[38-40]

O Rasool (Messenger)! Do not grieve for those who plunge headlong into unbelief; those who say with their tongues: We believe, but have no faith in their hearts; and do not grieve for those Jews, who listen to lies and spy for other people who had never come to you. They tamper with the words of Allah and take them out of their context and say: “If you are given such and such commandment, accept it; but if it is other than this, reject it.” If Allah intends to put anyone to trial, you have no authority in the least to save him from Allah. Such people are those whose hearts Allah does not desire to purify; they will have humiliation in this world and a grievous punishment in the hereafter.[41] That is because they listen to falsehood and eat what is forbidden. Therefore, if they come to you with their cases, you may judge between them or refuse to do so. Even if you refuse, they will not be able to harm you the least, but if you do act as a judge, judge between them with fairness, for Allah loves those who judge with fairness.[42] But why do they come to you for Judgment when they have the Tawrât which contains Allah’s commandments? Yet, they turn back after that. In fact, they are not true believers.[43] 5:[41-43]

cropped-quran-header-20151.jpg

Indeed, We revealed the Tawrât  (Torah) to Moses, in which there is guidance and light: By its laws, all the Prophets, who were Muslims, judged those who call themselves Jews and so did the Rabbis and jurists of law. They were entrusted the protection of Allah’s Book and they themselves were witnesses. Have no fear of people; fear Me, and do not sell My revelations for a petty price: those who do not judge by the law which Allah has revealed, are indeed kafirs (unbelievers).[44] We ordained in Torah for them: “A life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth and for a wound an equal retaliation.” But if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity, it will be an act of atonement for him; those who do not judge by the law which Allah has revealed, are indeed the wrongdoers.[45] 5:[44-45]

Then in the footsteps of those Prophets, We sent Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), confirming whatever remained intact from the Torah in his time, and gave him the Injeel (Gospel) wherein was guidance and light, corroborating what was revealed in the Torah; a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah.[46] Therefore, let the people who follow the Gospel, judge by the Law which Allah has revealed therein; those who do not judge by the Law which Allah has revealed, are indeed the transgressors.[47] 5:[46-47]

To you, O Muhammad, We have revealed this Book with the truth. It confirms whatever has remained intact from the Book which came before it and also to safeguard it. Therefore, judge between them according to Allah’s revelations and do not yield to their vain desires, diverging from the truth which has come to you. We have ordained a law and a Way of life for each of you. If Allah wanted, He could have made all of you a single nation. But He willed otherwise in order to test you in what He has given you; therefore, try to excel one another in good deeds. Ultimately you all shall return to Allah; then He will tell you the truth of those matters in which you dispute.[48] 5:[48]

So, O Muhammad, pronounce Judgment among them according to the law which Allah has revealed and do not follow their vain desires, and beware of them lest they tempt you away from a part of that which Allah has revealed to you. If they reject your Judgment, then know that it is Allah’s wish to scourge them for some of their sins. In fact, most of the people are transgressors.[49] By rejecting the Divine Law, do they wish to be judged by the laws of ignorance? Who is a better Judge than Allah for those who believe in Him?[50] 5:[49-50]

Ameen.

This concludes today’s episode of the 17 Verses Podcast. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.

Thank you and be well.

Surah 2 (Al-Baqarah), Verses 87-96 (Y6)

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.

Summary

Today’s selection concludes Surah 2, Al-Baqarah or the Cow, verses 87-96. These verses tell of the advent of Prophet Jesus. It recounts how the Jews knowingly rejected the truth, their love for the calf outpacing their love for God, the nature of their beliefs and how their claim of exclusive right to inherit paradise has been put to the test.

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Surah 9 (At-Tauba), Verses 30-42 (Y6)

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.

Summary

Today’s selection is from Surah 9, At-Tauba or Repentance, verses 30-42. These verses assert Jews and Christians, who call Ezra and Jesus the sons of God, respectively, are mushrikïn. Furthermore, do not be like the rabbis and priests who misappropriate the wealth of the people. Four of the 12 months in the Qur’an are declared sacred and God orders the faithful to bear arms against the unbelievers, if necessary.

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Surah 3 (Âli-‘Imrân), Verses 42-54 (Y6)

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.

Summary

Today’s selection is from Surah 3, Âli-‘Imrân or the Family of Imran, verses 42-54. These verses tell the story of Mary, who was chosen by God and exalted above all the women of the world. She gave birth to Prophet Isa or Jesus. It recounts the miracles of Prophet Jesus and asserts that followers of Prophet Jesus are Muslim, which literally means, “one who bows to the will of God”.

Also, a short tafseer concerning the Qur’anic story of Prophet Jesus.

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Verses

There came the time when angels said: “O Mary! Surely, Allah has exalted you, purified you, and preferred you for His service over all the women of the worlds.[42] O Mary! Be obedient to your Lord, prostrate and bow down in worship with other worshippers.”[43] O Muhammad, this is the news from the Unseen which We are revealing to you. You were not present with them when priests of the temple cast their pens to decide which of them should be the guardian of Mary; nor were you with them when they argued about it.[44] 3:[42-44]

When the angels said “O Mary! Allah gives you the good news with a Word from Him that you will be given a son: his name will be Al-Maseeh (Messiah), Isa (Jesus Christ), the son of Mary. He will be noble in this world and the Hereafter; and he will be from those who are very close to Allah. [45] He will speak to the people in the cradle and in his maturity and he will be among the righteous.”[46] 3:[45-46]

quran-header-2015Hearing this, Mary said, “O my Lord! How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me?” He replied, “Even so, Allah creates however He wants; whenever He decides to do anything, He only says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is![47] Allah will teach your son the Book, the Wisdom, the Tawrât (Torah), and the Injeel (Gospel) [48] and send him forth as a Messenger to the Children of Israel with this message: ‘I have brought you signs of my appointment from your Lord. I shall make for you the likeness of a bird from clay; I shall breathe into it and, with Allah’s leave, it will become a living bird. I shall heal him who was born blind and the leper, and raise the dead to life, by Allah’s leave. Furthermore, I will tell you what you have eaten and what you have stored in your houses. Surely, these are the signs to convince you, if you are believers.[49] I am appointed to confirm that which is before me from the Tawrât (Torah) and to make lawful to you some of the things forbidden to you. I have brought you the signs from your Lord, therefore, fear Allah and obey me.[50] In fact, Allah is my Lord as well as your Lord, therefore, worship Him; this is the Right Way.'”[51] 3:[47-51]

When Isa (Jesus) found out that they (most of the children of Israel) had no faith, he asked: “Who will help me in the cause of Allah?” The Disciples replied: “We will help you in the cause of Allah. We believe in Allah. Be our witness that we are Muslims.”[52] Then they invoked Allah and said: “Our Lord! We believe in what you have revealed and we follow Your Messenger. Please count us with those who bear witness.”[53] 3:[52-53]

The unbelievers plotted to kill Isa and Allah also devised a plan to raise him up, and Allah is the best in planning.[54] 3:[54]

Ameen.

Tafseer

From the noted translator, A. Yusuf Ali, regarding verse 52.

The story of Jesus is told with special application to the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Note the word helpers (Ansar) in this connection and the references to plotters in 3:54. It was the one religion – the religion of Allah, which was in essence the religion of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. The argument runs: who do you then now make divisions and reject the living Teacher? Islam is: bowing to the will of Allah. All who have faith should bow to the Will of Allah and [therefore] be Muslims.

This concludes today’s episode of the 17 Verses Podcast. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.

Thank you and be well.

Surah 3 (Âli-‘Imrân), Verses 21-41 (Y6)

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.

Summary

Today’s selection is from Surah 3, Âli-‘Imrân or the Family of Imran, verses 21-41. These verses warns Jews and Christians of being deceived by their own self-invented beliefs. It prohibits taking disbelievers as protectors and commands the people to follow and obey Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It recounts the birth and life of Maryam, mother of Prophet Jesus and the prayers of Prophet Zakkariyah to grant him a son, who was then named Yahya (or John).

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