BISMILLAH IR-RAHMAN IR- RAHIM

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH MOST BENEFICENT, MOST MERCIFUL

Tonight’s taraweeh consists of the second half of Qad aflaha and the first three-quarter of Wa qala l-Ladhîna. The Sûras covered are the last three-quarter of An-Nûr (Light), AlFurqân (The Criterion) and Ash-Shu’arâ’ (The Poets). Sûrah Nûr: “Do not follow Satan’s footsteps “because “he will command what is wrong”. Respect privacy. “Do not enter houses other than your own, until you have asked permission and saluted those in them. If you find no one in the house, do not enter until permission is given to you: if you are asked to go back, go back”. Dress and behave respectfully and modestly. Both men and women must “lower their looks and guard their modesty (i.e. reputation and private parts). “Allah (SWT) is the Light of the Heavens and the earth”. His Light (Knowledge) covers everything and lights up our souls and Mosques. People whose souls are brightened by Allah (SWT)’s Light remember Allah (SWT) always in spite of worldly attractions.

They pray regularly, give regular charity, and fear the Punishment on the Day of Judgement. The evil ones have shut out Allah (SWT)’s light; so their hearts are covered with “depths of darkness” (of ignorance); Their deeds are useless. All Creation praises Allah (SWT). Look around you, and learn! The hypocrites are rebels in Allah (SWT)’s Kingdom. Rules about behaviour in public council are given. One of the qualities of true Believers is that “when they are with him (i.e. the leader; in this case Muhammad [SAW]) on a matter needing collective action, they do not go away until they have asked his permission”. Further, address the Prophet (SAW) with more respect than you would address one another. Respect and obey your leader. Certainly Allah (SWT) knows everything. Sûrah Furqân: This is an early Makkan Sûrah. It develops the difference between Light and Darkness, as showing the difference between knowledge and ignorance, right actions and sin, spiritual progress and lowering of moral values. Finally, it explains the deed by which good people can be recognised in this world. One of Allah (SWT)’s greatest gifts to mankind is the Qur’ân which is the criterion by which we may judge what is right or wrong, between false and true worship (i.e. worshipping of gods besides Allah [SWT] and worshipping Allah [SWT]), between the Real reward lying in store for the good compared to the pleasures of the short life. All Allah (SWT)’s Apostles are men who live like ordinary men and guide others to the Right Path. The Unbelievers put forward two questions which also give two reasons why they do not accept Islam. They are: “Why are not the angels sent down to us”? (that is, with Allah [SWT]’s Message; why an ordinary man?), and “(Why) do we not see our Lord?” Allah (SWT) replies that “the Day they see the angels (on the Day of Judgement) – no joy will there be to the sinners”. The sinners will learn the Truth too late. By that time Allah (SWT)’s Punishment will overtake them. On that Day, Rasûl (SAW) will testify against his own people by saying: “O my Lord! Truly my people took this Qur’ân for just foolish nonsense”. The Qur’ân was revealed in stages to solve the particular problems that arose in stages as the time went by.

The people of Pharaoh, as well as the people of Nûh (AS), the ‘Ad, the Thamûd, and the Companions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) were destroyed because they sinned. Those who mock the Holy Prophet (SAW) can also expect their doom. The Signs of Allah (SWT) are everywhere: between the contrasts of Sun and Shadow, Day and Night, Life and Death, and Wind and Rain. The righteous appreciate Allah (SWT)’s caring for us by studying His Creation. They walk humbly, greet everyone, pray only to Allah (SWT) for forgiveness, spend their money wisely and abstain from wrongful acts such as murder or adultery. Sûrah Shu’arâ’: This Sûrah was revealed in the middle Makkan period at a stage when the Unbelievers were too proud and stubborn to listen to the Truth. The conflict of Unbelief with Truth serves no purpose: so was the conflict of Pharaoh with Mûsa (AS). Pharaoh’s magicians bowed to Allah (SWT) at last, and Pharaoh was drowned. Ibrâhîm (AS)’s people gained nothing by refusing to listen to the Truth he preached, and Nûh (AS)’s people perished because of their unbelief. Hûd (AS) warned his people against relying on their wealth and their knowledge of architecture and construction while Sâlih (AS) warned his people against disobeying Allah (SWT)’s Command. In both cases the sinners were destroyed. Lût (AS) had to deal with rampant homosexuality and Shu’aib (AS) against dishonesty in business dealings. Here, too, the rejecters were destroyed. Likewise Allah (SWT)’s Truth was not accepted by the Pagan Makings; but the Qur’ân is not a collection of immoral and vulgar poetry (like the poetry of the Makkan poets), and must win through in the end.

Night 15 - 1430 Taraweeh Audio Coming Soon