ﷺ

"And whoever does the smallest amount of good shall see it [on Judgment Day]." -Quran

The Prophet was the kind of person to try to help someone if they were feeling down or anxious. In the cave, he told Abu Bakr "Don't worry, Allah is with us," and when he entered the mosque on another occasion and found a companion sitting there full of stress, the Prophet taught him a powerful dhikr to say morning and evening to help relieve his debt and worries. Be like the Prophet - help others; give charity.

First knowledge, then action. Both are needed and critical as it relates to treading the middle and balanced path of Islam. May Allah guide and help us.

Allah tells us at the end of Surah Taghabun to do four things: be mindful of Him as best we can, listen, obey, and give charity. Then immediately following the last command, to give charity, Allah elaborates and offers us more motivation. If we give charity, it's good for us, helps us to control the lower self and attain success, plus Allah will give us so much more in return. Give some charity today, albeit one dollar!

1. Faith

2. Good deeds

3. Encourage each other to truth

4. Encourage each other to patience

Surah Rahman begins with a unique ayah, the likes of which is found nowhere else in the Quran - the entire verse consists of one of the names of Allah! And of all names, which one in particular? Al-Rahman - The Most Merciful. Then what is the next ayah? "[He] taught the Quran." A gem of a reflection to take away from this is that the more we connect with the Quran, the more compassionate and merciful we should become. This is why the Prophet said the best among you are those who learn the Quran and teach it - because these are supposed to be people of mercy.

The Quran was not sent for us to simply read it cover to cover, or listen to it cover to cover; rather, it was sent for us to reflect deeply over and positively transform as a result. So when we come across verses in the Quran, or stories in the Quran, we should pause and reflect deeply over them, and pluck different fruits of relevance from them, based on whatever we are going through at that time. For example, after Nabi Yusuf went through a difficult period of isolation (think of modern-day quarantine), immediately following that the greatest doors of his life opened! May Allah make it the same for you. And regarding Nabi Sulayman, he taught us an important formula - to first ask Allah for forgiveness, then for something huge - like an historic kingdom!

The best day of the year, Arafah, is this Thursday (7/30/2020). May Allah help us to try our best to take advantage of it! Even if you can't fast for one reason or another, try to do some extra special good deeds. May Allah accept them, and forgive our shortcomings.

"My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication." (Surah Ibrahim)