Qur'an by Sheikh Gabriel Keresztes No. 33

 Today I learned about Qur'an:

O Prophet! ˹Always˺ be mindful of Allah, and do not yield to the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

Follow what is revealed to you from your Lord. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what you ˹all˺ do.

And put your trust in Allah, for Allah is sufficient as a Trustee of Affairs.

Allah does not place two hearts in any person’s chest. Nor does He regard your wives as ˹unlawful for you like˺ your real mothers, ˹even˺ if you say they are. Nor does He regard your adopted children as your real children. These are only your baseless assertions. But Allah declares the truth, and He ˹alone˺ guides to the ˹Right˺ Way.

A man can't have two hearts, but a mother and a baby in her womb can have two hearts.

Let your adopted children keep their family names. That is more just in the sight of Allah. But if you do not know their fathers, then they are ˹simply˺ your fellow believers and close associates. There is no blame on you for what you do by mistake, but ˹only˺ for what you do intentionally. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

The Prophet has a stronger affinity to the believers than they do themselves. And his wives are their mothers. As ordained by Allah, blood relatives are more entitled ˹to inheritance˺ than ˹other˺ believers and immigrants, unless you ˹want to˺ show kindness to your ˹close˺ associates ˹through bequest˺. This is decreed in the Record. 

And ˹remember˺ when We took a covenant from the prophets, as well as from you ˹O Prophet˺, and from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, son of Mary. We did take a solemn covenant from ˹all of˺ them

so that He may question these men of truth about their ˹delivery of the˺ truth. And He has prepared a painful punishment for the disbelievers.

O believers! Remember Allah’s favour upon you when ˹enemy˺ forces came to ˹besiege˺ you ˹in Medina˺,1 so We sent against them a ˹bitter˺ wind and forces you could not see.2 And Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.

˹Remember˺ when they came at you from east and west, when your eyes grew wild ˹in horror˺ and your hearts jumped into your throats, and you entertained ˹conflicting˺ thoughts about Allah.

And ˹remember˺ when the hypocrites and those with sickness in their hearts said, “Allah and His Messenger have promised us nothing but delusion!”

And ˹remember˺ when a group of them said, “O people of Yathrib!1 There is no point in you staying ˹here˺, so retreat!” Another group of them asked the Prophet’s permission ˹to leave˺, saying, “Our homes are vulnerable,” while ˹in fact˺ they were not vulnerable. They only wished to flee.

Had their city been sacked from all sides and they had been asked to abandon faith, they would have done so with little hesitation.

Sacked means Attacked.

They had already pledged to Allah earlier never to turn their backs ˹in retreat˺. And a pledge to Allah must be answered for.

Ask ˹them, O  Prophet˺, “Who can put you out of Allah’s reach if He intends to harm you or show you mercy?” They can never find any protector or helper besides Allah.

Allah knows well those among you who discourage ˹others from fighting˺, saying ˹secretly˺ to their brothers, “Stay with us,” and who themselves hardly take part in fighting.

Youth Around the Prophet by Sheikh Tariq Appleby No. 4

Today I learned about The Youth Around the Prophet:

Abdullah bin Al-abbas

1. Cousin of the Prophet.

2. Born before the Hijrah.

3. Call the habr and the Bahr.

4. His fatehr.

5. His mother.

6. His aunt.

In the Prophet's home

1. His aunt was the prophet's wife.

2. Close Relationship.

3. The Prophet's advice to him.

4. The Prophet's Du'a for him.

5. Seeing Jibril.

His Knowledge

1. His students.

2. Other Companions.

3. Stories about his learning.

His Character Traits.

1. Gentleness.

2. Humility.

3. Bravery.

4. Worship and Piety.

His death

1. Died in 68 AH.

2. 71 years old when he died.

3. The City of Ta'if.

Youth Around the Prophet by Sheikh Tariq Appleby No 4

Today I learned about Youth Around:

Abdulla ibn al-Zubayr:

1.The first baby born to the Muhajirin:

2. His father: Zubayr ibn al-Awwan.

3. His mother: Asmaa bint Abu bacra

4. His grandfather: Abu Bakr.

5. His aunt: Aaishah.

(6. And he was 10 years old when the Prophet died).

His Characteristics:

1. Bravery and Boldness.

2. Eloquence.

3. 'Ibaadah.

4. Loyalty.

The Khilaafah:

1. The Ummayads:

2. 64 AH.

3. The pledges of Allegiances.

4. Abdul Malik ibn Marwan.

4. Al-Haij ibn Yusuf.

5. 73 AH.

Qur'an by Sheikh Gabriel Keresztes No. 32

Today I learned about Qur'an:

And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and say, "We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God is one; and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him."

And thus We have sent down to you the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān]. And those to whom We [previously] gave the Scripture believe in it. And among these [people of Makkah] are those who believe in it. And none reject Our verses except the disbelievers.

To be a Muslim you must believe in the Qur'an.

And you did not recite before it any scripture, nor did you inscribe one with your right hand. Then [i.e., otherwise] the falsifiers would have had [cause for] doubt.

People think that The Author of the Qur'an is Prophet Muhammad, but it is from Allah.

But they say, "Why are not signs sent down to him from his Lord?" Say, "The signs are only with Allah, and I am only a clear warner."

People want signs about Allah, but EVERYTHING is a sign from Allah.

And they urge you to hasten the punishment. And if not for [the decree of] a specified term, punishment would have reached them. But it will surely come to them suddenly while they perceive not.

People want a sign like a lighting strike to happen, that is the signs the people want, but EVERYTHING is a sign.

O My servants who have believed, indeed My earth is spacious, so worship only Me.

Every soul will taste death. Then to Us will you be returned.

And so many a moving (living) creature there is, that carries not its own provision! Allah provides for it and for you. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.

If you were to ask them: "Who has created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon?" They will surely reply: "Allah." How then are they deviating (as polytheists and disbelievers)?

And if you asked them, "Who sends down rain from the sky and gives life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness?" they would surely say, "Allah." Say, "Praise to Allah"; but most of them do not reason.

And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter - that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew.

This Dunya is Limited, not forever.

Have they not seen that We have made (Makkah) a sanctuary secure, and that men are being snatched away from all around them? Then do they believe in Batil (falsehood - polytheism, idols and all deities other than Allah), and deny (become ingrate for) the Graces of Allah?

And who does more wrong than he who invents a lie against Allah or denies the truth (Muhammad SAW and his doctrine of Islamic Monotheism and this Quran), when it comes to him? Is there not a dwelling in Hell for disbelievers (in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad SAW)?

As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allah's Religion - Islamic Monotheism). And verily, Allah is with the Muhsinun (good doers)."

Atheism by Dr. Yusif Abdul-Jobbar

Today I learned about Atheism:

An Atheism's view on life that means "There is no god".

Say: "Who is the Lord and Sustainer of the heavens and the earth?" 
Say: "It is Allah." Say: "Do ye then take (for worship) Protectors other than His such as have no power either or good or for harm to themselves?" Say: "Are the blind equal with those who see?

Or the depths of darkness equal with Light?" Or do they assign to Allah partners who have created (anything) as He has created so that the creation to them Similar?

Say: "Allah is the Creator of all things: He is the One the Supreme and Irresistible."

Youth Around the Prophet by Sheikh Tariq Appleby No. 3

Today I learned about The Youth Around the Prophet:

al-Husayn bin Ali

1. His name was knot known in Jahiliyah.

2. Born almost two years after al-Hassan.

3. Sha'ban 4 AH.

4. They were inseparable.

5. Certain Hadith mentioning them both.

The Sahabah's Love for Him

1. Abu Bakr.

2. Umar.

His Character Traits:

1. Kindness.

2. Piety.

3. Bravery.

4. Eloquence.

His Martyrdom:

1. Ashura 10th Muharram 61 AH.

2. 

Youth Around the Prophet by Sheikh Tariq Appleby No. 2

Today I learned about The Youth Around the Prophet:

Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Abu Talib:

1. The first person to be named al-Hassan, his name had a special name, his father wanted to name his son Harb (meaning war), but the Prophet said to name him Hassan.

2. Abu Muhammad, His grandfather.

3. What did the Prophet say about him, Prophecy.

4. Who was his father, Ali Abu Talib.

5. Who when his mother, Fatimah bint Muhammad. (both were very young to have a son.)

6. How did his parents marry.

His Early Life:

1. Born in Ramadan.

2. 3rd year of the Hijrah.

3. Issues related to Aqiqah, shaving the head and Athan in the ear of the newborn, if it is a boy shave the head.

The Prophets love for him:

1. He would hug them.

2. He would let them play in the Masjid.

3. He expressed his love for them.

Hassan's qualities:

1. Graceful.

2. Handsome.

3. Dignified.

4. Generous.

5. Kind.

6. Pious.

7. Modest.

Hassan's Special Status:

1. Resesmbeld the Prophet the most from his brother.

2. He would reconcile between to great parties of Muslims.

Hassan's Death:

1. He was poisoned.

2. He was buried in Baqee.

3. 49 AH.

Qur'an by Sheikh Gabriel Keresztes No. 31

Today I learned about Qur'an: 

On the Day when every soul will come disputing [i.e., pleading] for itself, and every soul will be fully compensated for what it did, and they will not be wronged [i.e., treated unjustly].

And Allah presents an example: a city [i.e., Makkah] which was safe and secure, its provision coming to it in abundance from every location, but it denied the favors of Allah. So Allah made it taste the envelopment of hunger and fear for what they had been doing.

And there had certainly come to them a Messenger from among themselves, but they denied him; so punishment overtook them while they were wrongdoers.

Then eat of what Allah has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And be grateful for the favor of Allah, if it is [indeed] Him that you worship.

People are vegetarian and some are vegan, you can eat anything Halal

 flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit] – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

He has only forbidden to you dead animals,1 blood, the

And do not say about what your tongues assert of untruth, "This is lawful and this is unlawful," to invent falsehood about Allah. Indeed, those who invent falsehood about Allah will not succeed.

We can't make Haram Halal and Halal to Haram, people who do that will have a painful punishment.

And to those who are Jews We have prohibited that which We related to you before.1 And We did not wrong them [thereby], but they were wronging themselves.

Then, indeed your Lord, to those who have done wrong out of ignorance and then repent after that and correct themselves – indeed, your Lord, thereafter, is Forgiving and Merciful.

Indeed, Abraham was a [comprehensive] leader,1 devoutly obedient to Allah, inclining toward truth, and he was not of those who associate others with Allah.

[He was] grateful for His favors. He [i.e., Allah] chose him and guided him to a straight path.

And We gave him good in this world, and indeed, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.

Then We revealed to you, [O Muhammad], to follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate with Allah.

The sabbath was only appointed for those who differed over it. And indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.

Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.

There are people who Allah has them to stray away, from the right path.

And if you punish [an enemy, O believers], punish with an equivalent of that with which you were harmed.1 But if you are patient – it is better for those who are patient.

We live our lives following Allah's guidelines (the Qur'an).

And be patient, [O Muhammad], and your patience is not but through Allah. And do not grieve over them and do not be in distress over what they conspire.

Allah is the one who gives us patience.

Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him and those who are doers of good.

And that's the End of Surah An-Nahl.

Battle of the Trench by Sheikh Tariq Appleby

Today I learned about the Battle of the Trench:

The intention behind the war is: non-muslims tried to take back Medinah, and kill every Muslim there, but the Muslims make a trench and win the war.

The siege of Medinah continued for over a month (30+ days).

The Siege occurred during Shawwal in the fifth year.

O you who have believed, remember the favour of Allah upon you when armies came to [attack] you and We sent upon them a wind and armies [of angels] you did not see. And ever is Allah, of what you do, Seeing.

O you who have believed, remember the favour of Allah upon you when armies came to [attack] you and We sent upon them a wind and armies [of angels] you did not see. And ever is Allah, of what you do, Seeing.

[Remember] when they came at you from above you and from below you, and when eyes shifted [in fear], and hearts reached the throats, and you assumed about Allah [various] assumptions.

The Muslims were cold and there was a lack of food because at night desserts are very cold.

There the believers were tested and shaken with a severe shaking.

Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allah ?" Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.

And [remember] when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease said, "Allah and His Messenger did not promise us except delusion,"

This is a Ayah from Surah Al-Abzab, from Ayah 12 - 20 we will be using Surah Al-Abzab.

And when a faction of them said, "O people of Yathrib,1 there is no stability for you [here], so return [home]." And a party of them asked permission of the Prophet, saying, "Indeed, our houses are exposed [i.e., unprotected]," while they were not exposed. They did not intend except to flee.

And if they had been entered upon from all its [surrounding] regions and fitnah [i.e., disbelief] had been demanded of them, they would have done it and not hesitated over it except briefly.

And they had already promised Allah before not to turn their backs [i.e., flee]. And ever is the promise to Allah [that about which one will be] questioned.

The non-muslims don't fear the last day.

Say, [O Muhammad], "Never will fleeing benefit you if you should flee from death or killing; and then [if you did], you would not be given enjoyment [of life] except for a little."

Where ever you go, there is a chance for everyone will die.

Say, "Who is it that can protect you from Allah1 if He intends for you an ill or intends for you a mercy?" And they will not find for themselves besides Allah any protector or any helper.

If Allah wants to give good things to you then nothing can stop that, and if Allah wants to give bad things, then there is nothing that can stop that.

Already Allah knows the hinderers1 among you and those [hypocrites] who say to their brothers, "Come to us," and do not go to battle, except for a few.

Indisposed1 toward you. And when fear comes, you see them looking at you, their eyes revolving like one being overcome by death. But when fear departs, they lash you with sharp tongues, indisposed toward [any] good. Those have not believed, so Allah has rendered their deeds worthless, and ever is that, for Allah, easy.

Allah can make all the good deeds have no effect on going to Jannah.

They think the companies have not [yet] withdrawn. And if the companies should come [again], they would wish they were in the desert among the bedouins, inquiring [from afar] about your news. And if they should be among you, they would not fight except for a little.

And Allah repelled those who disbelieved, in their rage, not having obtained any good. And sufficient was Allah for the believers in battle, and ever is Allah Powerful and Exalted in Might.

The Muslims did not need to fight in the war directly, Allah helped make the enemy leave, without hurting the Muslims.

There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern1 for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.

And when the believers saw the companies, they said, "This is what Allah and His Messenger had promised us, and Allah and His Messenger spoke the truth." And it increased them only in faith and acceptance.

That Allah may reward the truthful for their truth and punish the hypocrites if He wills or accept their repentance. Indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.

Youth Around the Prophet by Sheikh Tariq Appleby

 Today I learned about The Youth Around the Prophet:

Do good deeds when you are young.

Usamah commanded an army to war when he was 17, young people are just as strong as adults.