11. Motive

God said

... whether you bring into the open what is in your minds or conceal it, God will call you to account for it….Q.2: 284

Say [O Muhammad] : “Shall we tell you who are the greatest losers in whatever they do? (It is) they whose labour has gone astray in (the pursuit of no more than) this world’s life, and who none the less think that they are doing good works: it is they who have chosen to deny their Sustainer’s messages and the truth that they are destined to meet Him.” Hence, all their [good deeds] come to naught, and no weight shall We assign to them on Resurrection Day. Q.18: 103-105

Surely, we do not want to be caught among the greatest losers. Let us reexamine our motives, deeds and our faith in the light of the above verse, specially : “who have chosen to deny their Sustainer’s messages and the truth that they are destined to meet Him.” Because among us are those who do not try to understand the Qura’n or do not act upon what is known to them. Let us make it our new year resolution to change that. So that we are not among those for whom the Prophet will say on the Resurrection Day (25:30) “O my Lord! Behold, (a number of) my own people have come to regard this Qur’an of no account ”

To him who desires a harvest [i.e., return of their endeavors] in the life to come, We shall grant an increase in his harvest; whereas to him who desires [but] a harvest in this world [exclusively], We [may] give something thereof, but he will have no share in [the blessings of] life to come. Q42: 20

“Niyat” or intention / motive to perform for the sake of God bears reward for all our actions – religious or temporal.



Prophet said

1. “Actions are (judged) only according to the conscious intentions (which prompted them); and unto everyone will be accounted what he consciously intended (i.e., while doing whatever he did)” – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Omar bin Khattab.
This basic, extremely well authenticated Tradition is quoted by Bukhari in seven places, as well as by Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Da’ud, Nasa’I, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hanbal, and several other compilations. In this connection it is to be noted that in the ethics of the Qur’an, the term “action”(‘amal) comprises also a deliberate “omission” of actions, whether good or bad, as well as a deliberate voicing of beliefs, both righteous and sinful: in short, everything that man consciously aims at and expresses by word or deed.

2. “A man whom God did not provide wealth or knowledge but whose (sincere) intention is to have done the (charitable) work of such and such (benevolent rich) had he (managed) the riches (then) rewards of both are equal.” – H: Tirmizi. N: Kabshah al-Anmariy.

3. “If two Muslims encounter with their swords (or any other weapon, and one gets
killed) then both the killer and the killed are in the Fire.” When asked why the one who is murdered, the Holy Prophet said: “Because he too was eager to kill his companion.” – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Bakrah.

4. “Whoever marries a woman for a dower with the intention of not paying it back is a fornicator; and whoever takes a loan with the intention of not returning it is a thief.” – H. Ibn Majah. N: Abu Hurairah.

10. Blessings Of The Message

God said


… a guidance unto man and a self-evident proof of that guidance, and as the standard by which to discern the true from the false. …. Q.2: 185 { C.f., Behold, this (Qur’an) is indeed a word that cuts between truth and falsehood, … Q.86:13 }

… follow it, then, and be conscious of God, that you might be graced with mercy. Q.6: 156

…. (This is ) a Scripture which We have revealed unto you (Muhammad) that thereby you may bring forth mankind from darkness unto light … Q.14: 1

[O men!] We have revealed for you a book which contains all that you ought to bear in mind: will you not, then, use your reason? Q.21: 10
Hence, the phrase contains, apart from the concept of a “reminder”, an indirect allusion to the dignity and happiness to which man may attain by following the spiritual and social precepts laid down in the Qur’an.

Had We caused this Qur’an to descend upon a mountain thou would indeed see it humbling itself, breaking asunder for awe of God…And [all] such parables We propound unto men (and women) so that they might [learn to] think. Q.59: 21
i.e. in contrast with those who, by remaning oblivious of God and all moral imperatives, are spiritually more dead than inert mountain.



Prophet said

1. “Peace of mind descends on people who recite the Qur’an in company. These people are encompassed by the mercy of God; are surrounded by angels of compassion and are mentioned favourably by God in the gathering of angels.” -- H: Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.
2. “Be particular about the recitation of the Qur’an. It is light in this world and storehouse of reward in the hereafter” – H. “Blessings of the Holy Qur’an”. N: Abu Zarr.
3. “(Do) read the Qur’an because it will be an intercessor on the Resurrection Day for its readers” – H: Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.
4. “The best among you is one who has learnt the Qur’an and then teaches it” – H: Bukhari. N: Usman-b-Affan.
Quite obviously, one should learn to read the word of God correctly, learn the meanings with the help of explanations, and read from beginning to the end, as you would to study any valuable work in a language that you did not know. You being the representative of God, surely you know the stakes are much greater in case of neglecting God’s guidance on this planet!!

Eid Mubarak!

09. The Message Of God

God said

And unto thee [O Prophet] have We sent this Scripture, setting forth the truth, confirming the truth of whatever there still remains of earlier revelations and determining what is true therein…. Q.5: 48

For, indeed, many facets have We given in this Qur'an to every kind of lesson (designed) for (the benefit of) mankind! Q.17: 89

This [message] is not less than a reminder to all mankind -- to every one of you who wills to walk a straight way. Q.81: 27,28

The universality of the Qur'anic revelation arises from three factors: firstly, its appeal to all mankind irrespective of descent, race or cultural environment; secondly, the fact that it appeals exclusively to man's reason and, hence, does not postulate any dogma that could be accepted on the basis of blind faith alone; and, finally, the fact that – contrary to all other sacred scriptures known to history – the Qur'an has remained entirely unchanged in its wording ever since its revelation fourteen centuries ago and will, because it is so widely recorded, forever remain so in accordance with the divine promise, "It is We who shall truly guard it [from all corruption]" (15:9). It is by virtue of these three factors that the Qur'an represents the final stage of all divine revelation, and that the Prophet through whom it has been conveyed to mankind is stated to have been the last (in Qur'anic terminology, "the seal") of all prophets (33:40).

Wherein there are ordinances of ever-true soundness and clarity. Q.98: 3


Prophet said

1 . "Nothing can take you nearer to God than the recitation of the holy Qur'an which is the word of God Himself" – H: Abu Daud. N: Abu Zarr .
2 . "He is not of us who does not chant the Qur'an "– H: Bukhari. N: Abu Huarirah .
3. "The Word of God has superiority over all other expressions in the same way as the superiority of God is over His creations" – H: Tirmizi and Baihaqi. N: Abu Saeed.

Qur'an has three rights on us: to read, to try to understand it (that is why where necessary, explanations are being provided), and to act upon it. (Reading of every letter of the Arabic text is highly rewarding, being the word of God. It needs will and a little effort to learn to read the Qur'an correctly and earn much needed reward)

08. Mission Of The Messenger

God said

Even as We have sent unto you an apostle from among yourselves to convey unto you Our messages, and to cause you to grow in purity, and to impart unto you revelation and wisdom, and to teach you that which you knew not : so remember Me, and I shall remember you; and be grateful unto Me, and deny Me not. Q.2 : 151,152

O Prophet – behold, We have sent you as a witness [to the truth] and as a herald of glad tidings and a warner [against sin], and as one who summons [all people] to God by his leave, and as a light giving beacon. Q.33 : 45,46

He it is who has sent forth His Apostle with (the task of) spreading guidance and the religion of truth, to the end that He makes it prevail over all [false] religion, however hateful this may be to all who deny the truth. Q.61: 9 (Not over all religions, in the plural. There is really only one true religion to all : submission to the Will of God, preached by all the prophets.)

"Mission of the world-Prophet ran parallel to the revelation for over 22 years. He invited paupers and kings to the Word of God, detailing, demonstrating, inspiring, training, transforming men and women to take Islam across the world after him – undergoing sometime most severe hardships, defending against those who tried to eliminate the Faith and the faithful. The mission was successfully completed as confirmed by verse 5:3. It was revealed during the historic sermon at ‘Arafat, in the afternoon of Friday, the 9th of Dhu‘l-Hijjah, 10 H., eighty-one or eighty-two days before the Prophet passed away. Chronologically, no legal injunction was revealed after this verse."


Prophet said

1. : “God has sent me to accomplish virtues and to perfect the conduct”
-- H: : Sharah-i-sunnah. N: Jabir.
2. “God has sent me not to be harsh nor to make things difficult. He has sent me as a teacher (for the world), one who would bring ease.”
-- H: Muslim. N: Jabir.

07. Sublime Practice Of The Messenger

God said

Thus, [O Prophet,] if they argue with thee, say, ” I have surrendered my whole being unto God and [so have] all who follow me.”… Q.3: 20

Those who shall follow the (last) apostle, the unlettered Prophet whom they shall find described in Torah that is with them, and (later on) in the Gospel: (the Prophet) who will enjoin upon them the doing of what is right and forbid them the doing of what is wrong, and make lawful to them the good things of life and forbid them the bad things, and lift from them their burdens and the shackles that were upon them [aforetime] …Q7: 157
(A reference to the many severe rituals and obligations laid down in Mosaic law, and to the tendency towards asceticism evident in the teachings of the Gospels.)

Indeed there has come unto you [O mankind] an apostle from among yourselves: heavily weighs upon him [the thought] that you suffer [in the life to come]; full of concern for you [is he, and] full of compassion and mercy towards the believers. Q9:128

…and follow him , so that you might find guidance! Q7:158

Obedience to God is the primary goal for us, His representatives. God the Most Gracious has made our job easy through the example of Prophet’s life. Hence, “Whoever obeys the Messenger obeys God;” Q.4: 80


Prophet said

1. “I leave two things with you. You will never be misguided as long as you hold these two things fast : the Book of God and (Sublime) Practice of His Messenger.” – H: Mu’atta. N: Malik-b-Anas.

2. “What will be the condition of people who remain aloof from what I myself practice” – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Bibi Ayesha.

3. “He who loves to follow me loves me, and he who loves me will be in paradise with me” --H: Tirmizi. N: Anas.

06. Blessings On The Messenger

God said

God and His angels bless the Prophet: [hence,] O you who have attained to Faith, bless him and give yourself up [to his guidance] in utter self-surrender! Q.33:56

God and His Angels, send blessings on the Prophet: O you that believe, send blessings on him, and salute him with all respect. Q.33:56 (Abdullah Yusufali’s translation reviewed and released by Saudi Arabia)
(A brief blessing is: ALLAHUMMA SUALLE ‘ALA MUHAMMADIUN WA ‘ALA AALEHI WASUALLAM. But the highly recommended one is DURUD-E-IBRAHIM which is recited in the salat )


Prophet said

1. “Dearest to me on the Resurrection Day will be those who will be (here) foremost in sending blessings on me” -- H: Tirmezi. N: Ibn Masud.

2. Abdullah-b-Masud reported: I was praying while the Prophet was present with Abu Bakr and Omar.(After the prayer) I sat down and began with the praise of God , then sent blessings on the Prophet and, finally, I supplicated for myself. The messenger of God said : “Seek and you will be given , seek and you will be given” – H: Tirmizi.

This shows the right way to supplicate, i.e., first to praise God, then to bless the Prophet and finally to supplicate. Supplications are suspended between heaven and the earth pending the blessings on the Prophet, according to the second caliph, Omar.

05. The Messenger of God

.

God said -

Say [O Prophet, to mankind]: If you love God follow me: God will love you and forgive you your sins...Q 3:31

Whoever obeys the Messenger obeys God...Q. 4:80

Say [O Muhammad]: O mankind! Verily, I am an apostle of God to all of you, [sent by Him] unto whom the dominion over the heavens and the earth belongs! There is no deity save Him; He alone grants life and death!...Q. 7:158

(Each of the previous prophets was sent to his and only his community. Thus the Old Testament only addresses the Children of Israel. Even Jesus speaks of himself as "sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Mathew 15, 24). In contrast, the message of the Qur'an is universal - ie. addressed to human beings as a whole - and it is neither time-bound nor confined to any cultural environment. It is for this reason that Muhammad through whom this message was revealed, is described in the Qur'an as an evidence of God's "grace towards all the worlds" (21:107) and as the "Seal of the Prophets" (33:40) - in other words the last of them.)


Prophet said

1. None among you can be a believer until I become dearer to him than hs father and his child and all of mankind.
- H. Bukhari and Muslim. N. Anas

2. He who obeyed me obeyed GOd, and he who disobeyed me disobeyed God.
- H. Bukhari N. Abu Hurairah

04. The Beautiful Names of God

God said -

And God's (alone) are the attributes of perfection; invoke Him, then, by these, and stand aloof from all who distort the meaning of his attributes...(ie., by applying them to other beings or objects or, alternatively, by trying to "define" God in human terms and relationships like "father" or "son" - Razi) Q.7:180

...by whichever name you invoke Him, (He is always the One - for) His are all the attributes of perfection...Q 17:110



Prophet said -

1. There are ninety-nine names of God (in the Qur'an). Whoever takes these to heart will enter paradise. - Hadith Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: Abu Hurairah.
(Not learning by heart or counting on rosary, but to comprehend and imbibe these attributes, which 'set up the ideal for man to attain. The Prophet said "Imbue thyself with divine attributes" - Al Hadis: Mishkat-al-Masabih, Vol.3 Pg.735)

03. Excellence of Remembrance

God says -

So remember Me, and I shall remember you; and be grateful unto Me, and deny Me not. Q.2:152

And if My servants ask thee about Me ... I am near; I respond to the call of him who calls, whenever he calls unto Me: let them, then, respond unto Me, and believe in Me, so that they might follow the right way. Q.2:186

...In the remembrance of God hearts do find their rest ... Q13: 28

...And remembrance of God is indeed the greatest (good)... Q 29:45

… But remember God often so that you might attain to a happy state! Q.62:10


Prophet said -

1. “God says: I am with My servant according to his expectations of me. When he remembers Me, I am with him. If he remembers Me in his mind I remember him likewise; and if he remembers Me among people, I remember him in a better assembly than his; and if he comes one span to Me, I go one cubit to him; and if he comes one cubit to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running. ” – Hadis Qudsi: Bukhari . N: Abu Hurairah.

2, “He who remembers God and he who does not are likened to the living and the dead’ – H: Bukhari & Muslim. N: Abu Musa.

3. “Be God-conscious (and) you will find Him in front of you. Be God-conscious and God will protect you!” – H: Tirmizi. N: Abdullah ibn Abbas.


If we do not remember God the Most Gracious, we are being ungrateful to Him. It is clear, as His representatives, we have to act first and then He responds.

02. Remembrance Of God

God says -

….who remember God when they stand, when they sit, and when they lie down to sleep… Q.3:191

And never say about anything, “Behold I shall do this tomorrow,” without [adding], “if God so wills,” And if though shouldst forget [thyself at the time, and become aware of it later], call thy Sustainer to mind and say: “I pray that my Sustainer guide me, even closer than this, to a consciousness of what is right!” Q.18:23/24

But as for anyone who chooses to remain blind to the remembrance of the Most Gracious, to him We assign an [enduring] evil impulse, to become his other self: whereupon, behold, these [evil impulses] bar all such from the path [of truth], making them think that they are guided aright! Q.43:36/37


Prophet said -

1. “Phrases most liked by God are four : SUBHANALLAHI (glory be to God), WALHAMDU LIL LAHI (all praise is for God), WALA ILAHA ILLALLAHU (there is no deity except God), WALLAAHU AKBAR (God is the greatest).” -- Hadis: Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: Samorah-b-Jandab.

2. “Two phrases are light on tongue but will carry much weight on the Day of Judgment (and) are dear to the Merciful : SUBHANAL LAHI WA BIHAMDIHI (glory be to God and I begin with His praise), WA SUBHANAL LAHIL AZEEM (and glory be to Almighty God).” -- Hadis: Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: Abu Hurairah.

3. “Let me direct you to a treasure out of the treasures of paradise. Recite : LA HAULA WALA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH (there is no might and no power but that of God).” -- Hadis: Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: Abu Musa Al Ash’ari.

01. The Beginning

God says -

Bismillaa hir rahmaa nir raheem
In the name of God, the Most Graceful [rahmaan], the Most Gracious [raheem] (Q1:1)

Both the divine epithets rahmaan and raheem are derived from the noun rahmah, which signifies “mercy”, “compassion”, “loving tenderness” and more comprehensively, “grace”. From the very earliest times, Islamic scholars have endeavored to define the exact shades of meanings which differentiate the two terms. The best and simplest of these explanations is undoubtedly the one advanced by Ibn al-Qayyim (as quoted in Manar I, 48): the term rahmaan circumscribes the quality of abounding grace inherited in, and inseparable from, the concept of God’s Being, whereas raheem expresses the manifestation of that grace in, and its effect upon, His creation – in other words, an aspect of His activity.

Muslims recite this meritorious verse in the beginning of doing any activity daily. Indeed, it becomes a source of remembrance of God if recited consciously of His presence “Whatever work you may do–(remember that) We are your witness (from the moment) when you enter upon it.” Q.10:61(part)


Prophet said -

“An activity is severed (from its blessings) if not begun with the words: Bismillaa hir rahmaa nir raheem [In the name of God, the Most Graceful, the Most Gracious] “ – Hadith: Abu Daud. Narrator: Abu Hurairah.

Note: “Q” is short for Qur’an. The first number after the “Q” represents the number of the chapter (surah), the second stands for its verse. The translations and commentary are based on Muhammad Asad The Message of The Qur’an (Gibraltar: Dar Al-Andalus 1980). My own words occur in green like these notes.

Reminder:. Please use honorifics. After the name or the title of the Prophet say “Sual-lal lahu ‘Alaihi wa Sal-lam”; (peace and blessings upon him); after the name or the title of every prophet (nabi) and apostle (rasul) say “ ‘Alai his salaam” (peace be upon him/ them); and after the name of their family member, as well as, companion, say “Radi Allahu ‘Anhu” (may God be pleased with him / her).

INTRODUCTION: The Makers of Tomorrow

Knowledge leads to belief and belief to action. Do you realize that, all of us, men and women, irrespective of cast, creed and colour, are representatives of God here on Earth? Believe in this truth and see that your whole outlook for life will change. You will realize your status and would feel like living up to it. You have been provided with faculties, intelligence, freedom of decision and, in addition, the Book of knowledge and wisdom for guidance. That’s not all. You have also ‘hot-line’ with God who said “-- I am near; I respond to the call of him who calls, whenever he calls unto Me: let them, then, respond unto Me, and believe in Me, so that they might follow the right way.”- Q.2:186. Great! (Do you really think that you understand what it is to ‘respond unto Him’ and ‘to believe in Him’? Don’t rush to say yes because you may not. See the next Friday Post. You will know why).

Knowledge is power which can be misused too. An earlier example is of dropping the atom bomb and killing millions of innocent civilians!

But look at the example of what man’s constructive effort can do.Here is a glimpse of Muslim’s gigantic leap in knowledge which resulted in historical contribution to the good of mankind:-

“Their accomplishments were staggering, including the development of modern medicine, chemistry, and algebra. Muslim scientists correctly calculated the circumference of the globe in the tenth century. Muslim musicians introduced the guitar and musical notation to Europe. And Muslim philosophers invented the scientific method and paved way for the Enlightenment…. At the dawn of Renaissance, Christian Europe was wearing Persian clothes, singing Arab songs, reading Spanish Muslim philosophy and eating off Mamluk Turkish brassware.” (How Islam Created the Modern world by Mark Graham).
This development continued for nearly a thousand years, a period which ironically Eurocentric history refers to as the Dark Ages.

You, the young members of Ummah, the decision makers and pace-setters of tomorrow, you know what useful knowledge can do to you and to the society. Opportunity lies before you. Whichever field of knowledge you are pursuing keep your aims high and be good to other human beings. "The Mercy of God is near to those who do good" (Q 7:56). Being a representative, be always in touch with the Message of God in order to follow the right way. That’s where Your Friday Post comes in.

Eid Mubarak!