Taraweeh Salaah 18 -20

Taraweeh Salaah - Night 18 - Night 20

By Sheikh Abdul Hamid Lachporia - Canada

In the Name of Almighty Allah Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Tonight's Tarawee consists of Surah Wamay-Yaqnut....(JUZ 22). The Surahs to be be covered are the remaining two thirds of Surah Al Ahzab; Surah Saba (Sheba) in its entirety; Surah Fatir (The Originator of Creation} in its entirety and only one and a third Rukuh of Surah Ya Sin:

SURAH AL AHZAB:
The Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam's household is not for worldly ends: his consorts have a place and dignity beyond ordinary women. They must recite and proclaim the Signs of Allah. For women have spiritual values and duties like unto men. Allah decrees, no unhappy wedlock; fear not to dissolve such and provide what is right and fitting for the service of Allah. High is the Nabee S.A.W.'s position, and he must order his household as best befits his work and duties. Allah does watch all things. The Hour will come when all Evil will be punished. Fear Allah, and always speak the word that leads to Right. Let man but strive in Faith, and fulfil Allah's Trust - by the Grace and Mercy of Allah.

SURAH SABA (SHEBA):
This Surah leads off with emphasis on Allah's Mercy and Power and Truth. We are told how Angels manifest the Power of Allah, and how different is Good from Evil and Truth from Falsehood. No good or Truth is ever lost. Human power and prosperity are fleeting; but Allah's Power and Justice endure, and will enforce personal responsibility on man on the Last Day. Faith and Unfaith will eventually find their true places and true values; Falsehood has no power; Truth is with Allah. Man should understand and not resist Allah's Revelation. Human wisdom and Power, as given to Nabee Dawood A.S., were only for establishing righteousness. Human glory, like Nabee Sulayman A.S.'s rested on slender foundations. Saba (Sheba) but enjoyed her fair and prosperous state as long as she obeyed the Law of Allah, but perished for unrighteousness. Learn then, that the Mercy and Power, Wisdom and Justice, of Allah are beyond all comparison. Do right and prepare for the Final Day.

SURAH FATIR:
This Surah deals with the mystery of Creation and its maintenance, with various forces typified, with various forces typified by the wings of Angels. Whether we look to outer nature or to man. Allah's Grace proclaims His Glory, and protects His votaries from Evil. It is an early Makkan Surah, but its chronology has no significance. The forces which maintain Creation, as typified by Angels, were themselves created by Allah, to Whom Alone all praise is due: all else is naught. All good is from Allah: who then will choose Evil, and reach the doom that goes with Evil? Allah is the Source of all things: all Power, Wisdom, Beauty, and Truth from from Him. It is Evil that deceives and plots in the dark. All knowledge is with Allah. The things that are good and pure and true are not as the things that are evil, deceitful, and false. Allah is free of all needs: it is we that need Him: let us seek His love and live. His Message will save us from wrong, while dark is the fate of those who reject Him. Praise and Glory to Him, the Cherisher of all! Man can see by his own experience what infinite shades and grades of colour there are in nature. So there are grades in the spiritual world. The Good and the True understand Allah, Who knows and watches over all His Creation. The Good will reach Eternal Bliss, while Evil will find no helper. Arrogance and plotting will be the undoing of Evil: its doom is sure, if it fails to profit by the respite granted by the All-Merciful Allah.

Please Note:
The very first section [i.e. one and a third Rukuh of Surah Ya Sin will be read this evening but the commentary will be presented tomorrow evening Insha'Allah when the main portion of the entire Surah will be recited.


Taraweeh Salaah - Night 19

By Sheikh Abdul Hamid Lachporia - Canada

In the Name of Almighty Allah Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Tonight's Tarawee covers Wama Liyaa...(JUZ 23). The Surahs that will be recited this evening are: the three and two third Rukus of Surah Ya Sin, Surah Al Saffat in its entirety, Surah Sad, and half of Surah Al Zumar .

SURAH YA SIN:
This particular Surah is devoted to the Beloved Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam and the Revelation which he brought. The abbreviated letters Ya Sin are usually construed as a title of the Nabee S.A.W. But it is not permissable to be dogmatic about the meaning of abbreviated letters. This Surah is considered to be "the heart of the Qur'an", as it concerns the central figure in the teaching of Islam and the central doctrine of Revelation and the Hereafter. As referring to the Hereafter, it is appropriately read in solemn ceremonies after death. In chronology it belongs to the middle or early Makkan period.

Summary: - The Qur'an is full of wisdom, and those are unfortunate who cannot profit by it. The Wisdom of Revelation - the Qur'an received through the Nabee S.A.W. - is a guide to the Straight Path, and a warning against the terrible state in which the yokes of sin are enslave us. The righteous receive it with joy, for they believe in the Hereafter. Behold, there was once a City, to which came two righteous men with the Gospel of Truth. But they were rejected and persecuted: they were joined by a third, But the City refused to believe or to turn from iniquity. Only one man was found in its outskirts to be witness to Truth, Faith and Righteousness, and he did suffer Martyrdom. He attained Peace, but mourned for his people, in that they shut their gates of salvation and Allah's Mercy on themselves. Alas for man's short-sighted folly in defying The Grace that would shield and deliver him!

Are there not enough Signs around you to bear witness to Allah, and His saving Grace? The earth dies and revives: there are mysteries of Life and Sex, of Light and the Stars and Planets in heaven, that follow their orbits by Law and in harmony! There are the ships and the modes of transport by which man can conquer the forces around him with Allah-given Gifts! Learn the Laws of Goodness from them and believe in the Hereafter, it will come when least expected. Be prepared for Allah! When the Day comes, men will be taken aback. The Judgement Seat will be established. Blessed will be those who attain Salvation: Their Joy, Satisfaction, and Peace will be crowned with nearness to their Lord! Alas for the sinful, who deliberately followed evil: their own nature and actions will speak against them. They will face the realities of Punishment! Both Revelation and Nature are eloquent in instructing man for his own good in the Hereafter, which will come as a certainty. Praise and Glory to Allah.

SURAH AS- SAFFAT:
This is the fourth in a series of Surahs in which the mysteries of the spiritual world are manifested in different ways, tending to the defeat and final extirpation of Evil. The defeat of Evil is throughout connected with Revelation, and here the ranged fight is illustrated by a reference to the Angels in heaven and to the earlier Prophets in our earthly history from Nabee Nuh A.S; to Nabee Yunus A.S. This Surah belongs to the early middle Makkan period.

Summary: - Through all the mysteries of the heavens and earth, there is a sorting out of the evil against the good: their final destinations contrasted. Peace and victory came to Nabee Nuh A.S; Nabee Ebrahim A.S; Nabee Moosa and Nabee Haroon Alayhim Salaam, to Nabee Ilyas A.S. and Nebee Lut A.S. in their conflict with Evil. So was it with Nabee Yunus A.S. when he glorified Allah. But men will ascribe to Allah what is unworthy of Him. Allah's Prophets strive for His Glory, and shall be victorious. Allah is One, the Source and Centre of all Affairs. High is He above all creatures. The ranks of Angels and Messengers stand firm in His Service. Evil is sure to be overcome. So Praise and Glory to Allah, the Lord of Honour and Power, and Peace to His Messengers.

SURAH SAD:
This Surah, both in chronology and subject matter is cognate to Surah Al Saffat and carries forward the same argument. But here the emphasis is laid on the working of earthly power when combined with spiritual power, and it is pointed out how much more significant (and real) spiritual power is. For this reason the illustrative stories are mainly those of Nabee Dawood A.S. and Nabee Sulayman A.S. who were kings as well as Prophets, and a parallel is suggested with the unfolding public life of our Beloved Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam.

Summary: - Worldly and evil men are surprised at the renewal of Truth and Righteousness; but righteousness has more power than worldly strength, as is seen in the story of kings like Nabee Dawood A.S., who had both. Nabee Sulayman also loved Allah more than worldly power, which may be good but may be misused by evil men of power and insight, chose the path of final bliss rather than final misery. So also is the case of Nabee Muhammad S.A.W. the final Messenger; his Gospel of Unity must triumph over all jealousy and Arrogance in Allah's good time. The Gospel of Unity is the True Cure for Evil for it gives the good news of Allah's Power
Supreme, and His Mercy and Forgiveness again and again. It warns us to avoid Evil, for Evil arose from selfish pride and rebellion. No power has it over Allah's Servants, sincere and true: while Revelation comes as a Gift free to all Allah's Creation.

SURAH AL ZUMAR:
This is the last of the series of Surahs which deal with the mysteries of the spiritual world, as leading up to the Ma'ad, or the Hereafter. Its subject matter is how Creation in its great variety is yet sorted out in Groups or Classes, all governed by one Plan, and created and sustained by One Creator, Who will separate Good from Evil at the Last Day. The words Zumar occurs in verses 71 and 73. It belongs to the later Makkan period.

Summary: - The variety in Creation yet points to the Unity of Plan: there is only One Creator: to Him is due all worship and from Him flow all Justice and Grace. There is Unity in Revelation, and Guidance comes from Almighty Allah alone. Turn to Him only, for all else is false. Allah's Mercy is all-embracing: despair not: seek it before it is too late: for Judgement and Justice will come for certain. To Allah is due sincere devotion, and to Him Alone. There is none like unto Him. All nature obeys His Laws, and our own Growth and Life proclaim Him Lord and Cherisher. How can we blaspheme? We must serve Him, the One, the True, with sincere devotion, and follow His Law in its highest meaning or else the loss is our own. All nature proclaims aloud His Grace and Loving Kindness.


Taraweeh Salaah - Night 20

By Sheikh Abdul Hamid Lachporia - Canada

In the Name of Almighty Allah Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Tonight's Tarawee consists of Faman Adhlamoo (JUZ 24) and the Surahs to be covered are as follows: The remaining half of Surah Al Zumar, the whole of Surah Al Mu'min (The Believer) or (Ghafir - Forgiver) and the first section of Surah Fussilat or Ha Mim.

SURAH AL ZUMAR:
What distance separates the man whose heart is melted by the Message of Allah and enlightened by His Light, and let him who rejects Revelation! Allah teaches men by Parables. Straight is His Word and clear. Any doubts in the minds of men will be resolved after Death. Even now Allah's Signs are enough. No other can guide. Death and his twin brother sleep, are in the hands of Allah; to Him is our Goal. He Alone will judge in the end. His Will is all-in-all. No other thing can be of any account before His Law. But no soul need be in despair because of its sin. Allah's Forgiveness and Mercy are Unbounded. Turn to Allah in repentance now, for at Judgement it will be too late. Unity in worship and life is commanded by Allah. Go not astray. When Judgement comes, it will be a new World. In perfect justice will the followers of Evil be sorted out from the Good. And the righteous will rejoice, singing Praises to Allah with the Angels on high.

SURAH AL MU'MIN (OR GHAFIR):
This Surah is called Ghafir (Forgiver). It is also called Al Mu'min (The Believer) from the story of the individual Believer among the people of Fir'aun, who declares his faith and looks to the future. Here it is about the Individual's witness to Faith and Virtue, and his triumph in the End. As to the precise meaning Ha Mim no authoritative explanation is available . If Mim here has a signification similar to Mim in Alif, Lam, Mim, it means the End of Things, the Last Day, and all these Surah's direct our special attention to the Ha, the emphatic guttural. in contrast with the softer breathing of Alif, may be meant to suggest that the Beginning is only for the End, the Present for the Future, and to emphasize the eschatological element in Faith. But this is mere conjecture, and should be taken for no more than it is worth.

Summary: - Faith is ever justified, for Allah forgives. Evil deeds must have Evil fruits for Allah knows and is Just. In all history Evil came to Evil; the protest of Faith, in the midst of Evil, may be ignored; but Faith is protected by Allah while Evil perishes. No doubt is there of the Future Judgement; the Power, Goodness, and Justice of Allah are manifest. Will man dispute or will he accept the Signs before it is too late? Travel in space and time, and you will see that Evil came to nothing but evil. Mighty men of old in arrogance plotted against Allah's Truth, but were brought low. A humble believer in Fir'aun's Court stood up for Truth, and counselled his People to obey the Right: In earnest humility did he address them. They heard him not. But he was saved, and they were engulfed in the Wrath of Allah. The keys of Life and Death are in the hands of Allah. Dispute not the Signs of Allah, but learn from History and the world around you. Science and skill avail you not if the soul is dead.

SURAH FUSSILAT or HA MIM:
To prevent confusion with other Surahs of the Ha Mim Series, the word Sajdah is sometimes added to the title, making it Ha Mim al Sajdah, the title being necessary as there is another Surah called Al Sajdah. To avoid the double title it is sometimes called Fussilat, from the occurrence of the word in verse 3. For this particular Surah the theme is that the basis of Faith and Revelation is Allah's Power and Goodness, and the fruit of both is man's righteousness and healing.

Summary: - What is Revelation and Faith, and what is man's attitude to both, and what are its consequences? Revelation explains, and makes things clear. It gives the message of hope and mercy, and it warns men against the snares of Evil. Do not deny Allah, the Lord of the World's, Whose Glory and power are shown in Creation, and His Mercy in Revelation. Learn from the fate of the peoples of old! Learn from the warnings of our own nature. Your very limbs and faculties, if misused, bear witness against you. Repent before it is too late. The best of men is the man of faith, who calls all men to share his Faith. Knowledge belongs to Allah, but Falsehood deprives man of hope, humility, and clear sight, and drives him to hypocrisy. So turn to Truth, and live.