BISMILLAH IR-RAHMAN IR- RAHIM

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH MOST BENEFICENT, MOST MERCIFUL

Tonight’s taraweeh consists of Hâ Mîm. The Sûras covered are Ahqâf (The.Sandhills), Muhammad (The Prophet), Fatah (Victory), Hujurât (The Apartments), Qâf (A Letter) and the first section of At-Thâriyât (The Winds that Scatter). Sûrah Ahqâf: The Ahqâf are the long and winding crooked tracts of sand-hills, like those in the country of the ‘Ad people, adjoining Hadhramut and Yaman. These ‘Ad people probably had a fertile irrigated country, but their sins brought on Allah (SWT)’s Punishment mentioned in verses 24-25.

Allah (SWT) has created everything “for just ends.” Those who pray to things besides Allah (SWT) are definitely on the wrong path. Allah (SWT)’s truth is unchangeable; those who disbelieve in it will be severely punished on the Day of Judgement. Be kind to your parents for their sacrifices for you. In your old age pray for the well-being of your offspring. Allah (SWT) places different people in different ranks only “according to their deeds.” Do not be proud like the ‘Ad and reject the Truth; otherwise Allah (SWT) will punish you in ways you least expect. Sûrah Muhammad: This Sûrah was revealed around the first year after Hijra when the possibility existed that the Pagan Makkans might wipe out the Muslims. This and the next two Sûras deal with external and internal relations when the Umma was formed. “Those who reject Allah (SWT) and obstruct (men) from the path of Allah (SWT) - Allah (SWT) will cause their deeds to go wrong and they will be destroyed.”But those who believe and do good... Allah (SWT) will remove their ills from them and improve their condition”. Allah (SWT) will guide those who fight for His cause. The hypocrites (like those in Madîna in Prophet Muhammad [SAW]’s time) are fainthearted. They only pay lip-service to Islam. “Such are the men whom Allah (SWT) has cursed.” Allah (SWT) will punish them because they do not want to fight for Islam. Serve Islam sincerely, otherwise “He will substitute in your place another people (who) will not be like you” Sûrah Fatah: This Sûrah was revealed after the Treaty of Hudaibiya which was signed in 6 A.H. between the Muslims and the Makkan Pagans. Hudaibiya is a plain, a short day’s march to the north of Makka. Prophet Muhammad (SAW), together with about 1500 Muslims, wanted to perform the ‘Umra (lesser pilgrimage). The treaty that followed was a great moral, social and political victory for Islam. Victory comes from calmness of mind, faith, devotion, bravery and patience, as shown at Hudaibiya. Greed or faint-heartedness can never bring victory.

The rewards for service cannot always be measured by immediate results, but show themselves in many ways if we are patient. Fight Evil strongly, but be kind and gentle among yourselves. Such an act will cause Allah (SWT) to love you. Sûrah Hujurât: This Sûrah was revealed in 9 A.H. when many deputations of all kinds visited Madîna to offer their loyalty to Islam. The word Hujurât (Inner Rooms) occurs in verse four. Respect your Leader by not acting in a forwardly manner when in his presence. Do not raise your voices when you talk to him. Do not accept rumours without testing them. Make peace between two quarrelling parties among Believers “with justice”. Remember that “the Believers are a single Brotherhood”. Do not laugh, speak ill, make wounding remarks, or call each other by offensive nicknames. “Avoid suspicion as much (as possible)… do not spy on each other, nor speak ill of each other behind their backs”. All men are descendants from one male and female. “Certainly the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah (SWT) is (he who is) the most righteous of you”. Honour does not depend on race. Being a believer does not mean paying lip-service, but by accepting Allah (SWT)’s Will and striving in His cause. By accepting Islam you do not do others a favour; rather, you do yourselves a favour because it is a guidance for you. Sûrah Qâf: We now come to a group of seven Makkan Sûras dealing with Allah (SWT)’s revelation through nature, history and mouths of the Prophets, and pointing to the Hereafter. The disbelievers find it beyond their understanding that they will be raised up again after they have become dust. But they just have to look at His Creation, and conclude from it that Allah (SWT) is capable of doing everything. As He gives (new) life to land that is dead so will He bring about our Resurrection. Learn also from the lessons of how past peoples: those who rejected Allah (SWT) were destroyed. Every deed, word and thought is recorded by two angels. Death will open your eyes and make you see the Truth. The fruit of good deeds will be Paradise, while the fruit of evil will be Hell.

Sûrah At-Thâriyât: This Sûrah deals with the many ways in which Truth is successful at all times, even against heavy odds. The winds may be strong or gentle: blowing, scattering, lifting, rushing or dividing in all directions – but Allah (SWT)’s Purpose remains one. Look at the signs around you, and you will see Allah (SWT)’s Unity. On the Day of Judgement everything will become clear. Look at the history of past peoples who rejected Allah (SWT) and learn lessons therefrom. Those who believe find profit in their lives. Evil will end in Punishment while Good will end in Joy and Satisfaction. If you do not heed Allah (SWT)’s signs, the loss is your own.

Night 22 - 1430 Taraweeh Audio Coming Soon