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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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.Give a warning to those who deny Allah’s revelations, who slay the Prophets without any justification, and who kill those from among the people who enjoin justice, that there is a painful punishment for them.[21] They are the ones whose deeds will become void in this world and in the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers.[22] Have you not seen the behavior of those who have been given a portion of the Book? When they are invited to settle their disputes according to the Book of Allah, some of them turn back and decline.[23] This is because they say: “The fire of Hell shall not touch us except for a few days.” In their religion they are deceived by their own self-invented beliefs.[24] What will they do when We will gather them together on the Day which is sure to come, when every soul will be given what it has earned and there shall be no injustice?[25] 3:[21-25]
Say: “O Allah! Owner of the Kingdom, You give the kingdom to whom You please and take away the kingdom from whomsoever You please; You give honor to whom You please and disgrace whom You please; all the good is in Your hand; surely, You have power over everything.[26] You cause the night to pass into the day and You cause the day to pass into the night; You draw the living from the dead and You draw the dead from the living; and You provide sustenance for anyone You wish without measure.”[27] 3:[26-27]
Let not the believers make unbelievers their protectors instead of the believers; anyone who does so will have nothing to hope for from Allah – except if you do so as a precaution to guard yourselves against their tyranny. Anyhow, Allah warns you to fear Him: because with Allah is your final refuge.[28] Say: “Whether you conceal what is in your heart or reveal it, it is known to Allah. He knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. Allah has full power over everything.[29] On the Day of Judgment, when every soul will be confronted with whatever good it has done – and those who have done bad deeds will wish that their evil deeds were a long way off. Allah cautions you to beware of Him. Allah is full of kindness towards His devotees.[30] 3:[28-30]
Say to the people, O Muhammad: “If you sincerely love Allah, then follow me; Allah will also love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.”[31] Also tell them, “Obey Allah and His Messenger.” Inspite of this, if they turn back, then warn them, that Allah does not love the disbelievers.[32] 3:[31-32]
Indeed Allah exalted Adam, Nûh (Noah), the family of Ibrâheem (Abraham) and the family of ‘Imrân above all the worlds.[33] They were the offsprings of one another. Allah hears all and knows all.[34] 3:[33-34]
Allah heard when the wife of ‘Imrân said, “O my Lord! I dedicate to Your service what is in my womb. Please accept it from me. You Alone hear all and know all.”[35] When she gave birth to a girl instead of a boy, she said: “My Lord! I have given birth to a girl,” – Allah knew very well what she had delivered – and that the male is not like the female. I have named her Maryam (Mary) and I seek Your protection for her and her children from the mischief of Shaitân, the accursed.”[36] Her Lord graciously accepted her. He made her grow up as a good person and entrusted her to the care of Zakariyya. Whenever Zakariyya entered the sanctuary to see her, he found with her food. He asked, “O Maryam! From where did you get it?” She replied, “It came from Allah. In fact, Allah gives to whom He wants without measure.”[37] 3:[35-37]
Thereupon, Zakariyya prayed to his Lord saying: “O my Lord! Grant me a righteous child as Your special favor; surely, You hear all prayers.”[38] As he stood praying in the Mihrâb (a prayer place in the sanctuary), the angels called out to him saying: “Allah gives you good news of a son to be named Yahya (John), he will confirm the word of Allah, he will be a great leader, chaste and a Prophet from among the righteous.”[39] He said: “O my Lord! How can I have a son now that I have reached an old age and my wife is barren?” “Such is the will of Allah,” was the answer, “Allah does what He wants.”[40] Zakariyya said: “My Lord! Grant me a sign.” It was said: “Your sign is that you will not be able to speak to people for three days except through gestures. During this time you should remember your Lord very much and glorify Him in the evening and in the morning.”[41] 3:[38-41]
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.
Photo Credit: KENT PORTER/SANTA ROSA PRESS DEMOCRAT