- See also Talk:suffering
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An archive from QuranReflect.com/HausaDictionary
Reflections on Quran/13/10 and Quran/67/13
Bismillah. Subhanallah[1], I was just clearing out my inbox as usual when the ayahaday.com's email came in:
"It is the same ˹to Him˺ whether any of you speaks secretly or openly, whether one hides in the darkness of night or goes about in broad daylight. (13:10)"
I'm immediately reminded of a similar verse in Suratul Mulk 67:13: "Whether you speak secretly or openly—He surely knows best what is ˹hidden˺ in the heart."
I thought, surely they are closely related and reinforce a similar theme, but perhaps with subtle differences in structure, emphasis, and style. Both verses remind us that nothing is hidden from Allah — whether in speech, action, or thought.
13:10 teaches us not to think that being secretive or moving at night escapes His sight.
67:13 tells us even if no one hears us or sees us, Allah knows our intention, our heart — the seat of sincerity or deception.
Thus these ayats serve both as solace, knowing that even when one feels isolated and misunderstood, Allah fully knows. But also as a deterrent from His disobedience. May Allah Ar-Raqeeb always keep us in a state of muraqabah or heightened awareness before Him, ameen.
Reflections on Quran/18/49, Quran/95/8 [2]
Bismillah. Both "Wa lā yaẓlimu rabbuka aḥadan" (18:49) and "A-laysa Allāhu bi-aḥkami l-ḥākimīn" (95:8) affirm Allah’s justice, but they do so in distinct and complementary ways.
🕊️ Together, they affirm that Allah not only never wrongs anyone, but also judges with perfect wisdom — no injustice and no imperfection. One negates all injustice, the other declares the highest level of justice.
As a divorced dad of a 3 year old son, who's now a 10 hour drive away from me, I often somberly reminisce and long for our first 2 years of life together. Alhamdulillah for the gift of salah however, which is always right around the corner for me to reestablish my connection with Allah, Al-Hakeem, Al-Hakam, Al-Adl. I often try to read those verses as a reminder to myself and to gain some solace as they help me accept the bitter feeling of betrayal and the grief of loss that I often feel. It strengthens me to continue to soldier on with beautiful patience like Yaqoob AS and our beloved prophet ﷺ...
1. Surah Yusuf (12:18)
فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ ۖ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ
"So [for me], beautiful patience. And Allah is the one sought for help against that which you describe." — Yusuf 12:18
Context: Yaqub (Jacob) responds with ṣabrun jamīl when his sons bring a false story about Yusuf (Joseph). It is a model of dignified endurance without complaining to people.
2. Surah Yusuf (12:83)
قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًا ۖ فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ ۖ عَسَى اللَّهُ أَن يَأْتِيَنِي بِهِمْ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ
"He said, 'Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so beautiful patience. Perhaps Allah will bring them all to me. Indeed, it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise.'" — Yusuf 12:83
Context: Again, Yaqub speaks after losing another son (Binyamin). He repeats ṣabrun jamīl, demonstrating continued reliance and trust in Allah despite compounding loss.
3. Surah Al-Ma‘ārij (70:5)
فَاصْبِرْ صَبْرًا جَمِيلًا
"So be patient with a beautiful patience." — Al-Ma‘ārij 70:5
Context: Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to exhibit ṣabrun jamīl in the face of mockery and denial from disbelievers. This reinforces the prophetic model of forbearance without bitterness.
Now I can see why even Aisha AS invoked these words. [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 60, Hadith 274]
I pray Rabbana afrig ʿalaynā ṣabran wa thabbit aqdāmanā wansurnā ʿala al-qawmil-kāfirīn
“Our Lord, pour upon us (this beautiful) patience, make our feet firm, and grant us victory over the disbelieving people.” — Surah Al-Baqarah 2:250
Reflections on Quran/18/46, Quran/63/9
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Allah's call-to-action[3] in these ayats mentioning one's wealth and children appear to be to DO good deeds (dhikr/remembrance of Allah) in 18:46 and a negation of diversion or distraction from that dhikr/remembrance.
Allahumma a inni ala zikrika wa shukrika wa husni ibadatika. ("O Allah, help me to remember You, to be grateful to You, and to worship You in the best manner.") ameen! 🤲🏽
Chapter 18 : Al-Kahf, Verse: 46, Chapter 63 : Al-Munaafiqoon, Verse: 9
Wealth and children are the adornment of this worldly life, but the everlasting good deeds [4] are far better with your Lord in reward and in hope. (18:46)
O believers! Do not let your wealth or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. For whoever does so, it is they who are the ˹true˺ losers. (63:9)
Reflections on Quran/3/17 and Quran/51/18
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The fact that Allah mentions a group of elite people who wake up in the quietest part of the night (before fajr) to seek His forgiveness—not once, but twice in the Qur’an (Surah 3:17 and Surah 51:18)—is deeply moving. These ayats don’t just describe righteous individuals; they highlight a deeply intimate act of worship carried out when the world is asleep.
And then, paired with the powerful hadith in Sahih Muslim and Bukhari, where the Prophet ﷺ tells us:
"Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven every night in the last third of the night and says: ‘Who is calling upon Me, that I may answer him? Who is asking Me, that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness, that I may forgive him?’"
— [Sahih al-Bukhari 1145, Sahih Muslim 758]
…how can I not try to be among those people?
These verses and this hadith are not simply invitations—they are divine opportunities. Knowing that Allah Himself is asking for us to turn to Him during this time fills me with hope and responsibility. I want to take advantage of this sacred window before Fajr—to whisper istighfar, to ask, to cry, and to reconnect. May we continually be invited by Al-Ghafoor, ameen! 🤲🏽
Chapter 3 : The Family of Imraan, Verse: 17, Chapter 51 : The Winnowing Winds, Verse: 18
It is they˺ who are patient, sincere, obedient, and charitable, and who pray for forgiveness before dawn. (17)
Alssabireena waalssadiqeena waalqaniteena waalmunfiqeena waalmustaghfireena bialashari (17)
and pray for forgiveness before dawn. (18)
Wabialashari hum yastaghfiroona (18)
Reflections on Quran/81/26 and Quran/51/50
[5] When Allah asks in Qur'an 81:26, "So where are you going?", it's not just a rhetorical question — it's a divine nudge, a mirror to the soul. And your answer, rooted in Qur’an 51:50, “So flee to Allah”, captures both vulnerability and hope.
“I’m fleeing to Allah... sometimes unfortunately from Allah, but inshaAllah still back to Allah.” This expresses the human condition with honesty: we often turn away, we get lost, but the refuge is still Him — and He still welcomes us back.
It’s a powerful loop:
Where are you going? → I’m running home.
Chapter 81 : The Overthrowing, Verse: 26, Chapter 51 : The Winnowing Winds, Verse: 50
So then where are you going? (26)
Faayna tathhaboona (26)
So ˹proclaim, O Prophet˺: “Flee to Allah! I am truly sent by Him with a clear warning to you. (50)
Fafirroo ila Allahi innee lakum minhu natheerun mubeenun (50)
Reflections on Quran/51/22, Quran/28/24 and Quran/51/58
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Whenever I read 51:22, it's like Allah is telling us: “Your provision is already arranged — so look to the heavens and trust in Me.” I think of Prophet Musa AS doing just that, begging Allah in 28:24: “I am in utter need of any goodness You (have already sent... since anzalta is said to be past tense) down to me.” Then Allah further puts the exclamation point in 51:58 "Indeed, Allah is the continual Provider, the firm possessor of strength." reminding and comforting us just Whom we are asking and putting our trust in. Ar-Razzaq and Al-Mateen!
Allahumma inni as aluka rizqan tayyiban
"O Allah, I ask You for pure, wholesome provision." 🤲🏽
Reflections on Quran/28/83 and Quran/31/18
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Both verses call for humility and a rejection of pride. One by purifying the heart’s desires (Surah Al-Qasas 28:83), the other by refining external behavior (Surah Luqman 31:18). Together, they reflect the inward and outward dimensions of Islamic character.
✅ Similarities
Condemnation of Arrogance: Both verses reject arrogance and pride. Qasas 83 speaks about not seeking superiority on earth, while Luqman 18 criticizes displaying pride through behavior.
Focus on Internal Disposition: Qasas 83 describes an inner lack of desire for worldly dominance, while Luqman 18 advises against outward expressions of arrogance—showing how the internal manifests externally.
Moral Framework Rooted in Taqwa and Divine Approval: Qasas ends by uplifting the muttaqīn (God-conscious) as those who receive the best outcome. Luqman AS concludes by stating that Allah does not love those who are boastful, linking behavior to divine love/displeasure.
🧭 Thematic Link
Together, these verses present a comprehensive Islamic view of humility:
Qasas 28:83 teaches why humility is necessary: to attain the Hereafter and avoid destruction.
Luqman 31:18 teaches how humility should be practiced: in demeanor, speech, and walking.
O Allah, we beg You for yearning hearts that are humble and that turn to Your path. Ameen! 🤲🏽
Chapter 28 : The Stories, Verse: 83; Chapter 31 : Luqman, Verse: 18
That ˹eternal˺ Home in the Hereafter We reserve ˹only˺ for those who seek neither tyranny nor corruption on the earth. The ultimate outcome belongs ˹only˺ to the righteous. (83)
Chapter 28 : The Stories, Verse: 83 Tilka alddaru alakhiratu najAAaluha lillatheena la yureedoona AAuluwwan fee alardi wala fasadan waalAAaqibatu lilmuttaqeena (83)
“And do not turn your nose up to people, nor walk pridefully upon the earth. Surely Allah does not like whoever is arrogant, boastful. (18)
Chapter 31 : Luqman, Verse: 18 Wala tusaAAAAir khaddaka lilnnasi wala tamshi fee alardi marahan inna Allaha la yuhibbu kulla mukhtalin fakhoorin (18)