Grounded

On Day 62 of Be Quranic, we continue with Suratul-Baqarah, focusing on ayah 37 where Adam, after being deceived into disobedience alongside Hawa by Iblis, feels remorseful. 

This ayah highlights Allah's mercy, as He teaches Adam the words to seek forgiveness, illustrating the importance of Tawbah (repentance) in Islam. 

Unlike Iblis, who blamed Allah for his disobedience, Adam takes full responsibility for his actions, setting a precedent for human accountability and humility. 

This teaches us to own our mistakes and seek Allah's forgiveness, rather than deflecting blame, thus following the prophetic path rather than the path of arrogance exemplified by Iblis.

Welcome to Day 61 of Be Quranic, where today’s lesson focuses on ayah 36 of Surah Al-Baqarah, detailing the expulsion of Adam and Hawa (Eve) from Jannah (Paradise). 

Contrary to some narratives that place the blame on Eve, the Quran states that both were equally deceived by Shaytan (Satan), leading to their removal from Paradise. 

This ayah underscores that their time in Jannah was always meant to be temporary, as humans were created for life on Earth. 

The Islamic view does not see their descent as a punishment but as a part of divine plan, highlighting the absence of original sin in Islam and the accountability for one's own actions rather than inherited sin. 

This narrative contrasts with the Biblical story where Eve is often portrayed as the primary transgressor, which perpetuates the idea of women as a weaker link in humanity.

Day 60 of "Be Quranic" explores Surat al-Baqarah, ayah 35, which narrates Allah instructing Adam and his wife to enjoy the pleasures of Jannah with the exception of approaching one forbidden tree. 

This command reflects broader life lessons about the prevalence of halal (permissible) over haram (forbidden) things, emphasising that while many things are allowed, humans often gravitate towards the few restrictions. 

The passage highlights the concept that everything is deemed halal unless explicitly stated otherwise, a principle meant to simplify religious observance. 

It also underscores the belief that prohibitions exist for our own benefit, with alternatives that are either equal or better, encouraging trust in divine wisdom even when the reasons behind certain prohibitions are not immediately apparent.

On day 58 of Be Quranic, as Ramadan begins, we reflect on the singular mention of Ramadan in the Quran, directly linked to the revelation of the Quran as a guide and criterion for mankind. 

This session continues from ayah 32 of Surah al-Baqarah, moving to ayat 34, which depicts Allah's command for angels to prostrate to Adam, highlighting obedience and the sin of arrogance exemplified by Iblis's refusal due to pride, as he was of the jinn, not an angel.

The lesson stresses the importance of humility, warning against the spiritual disease of arrogance—defined by denying truth and belittling others—which can prevent one from entering Jannah. Practical advice from Imam al-Ghazali encourages respect for all, regardless of their age or knowledge, as a means to guard against arrogance, urging reflection on our thoughts and actions to cultivate humility.

Be Quranic Day 59 focuses on applying lessons from the Quran to everyday life. 

After a break during Ramadan, the speaker discusses how the intensity of religious practices during Ramadan, like Taraweeh prayers and Quran reading, should bolster one’s spiritual strength to maintain good deeds throughout the year. 

The passage also covers a lesson from Surat al-Baqara on the importance of humility and the dangers of arrogance, exemplified by Iblis's refusal to bow to Adam, showing that true arrogance lies in denying truth and belittling others, not in appreciating one's blessings. 

The message emphasises the need to appreciate and respect others' strengths and cultural diversity without succumbing to arrogance.

Today on Be Quranic, day 57, we continue exploring ayah 32 of Surah al-Baqarah, focusing on the distinct types of knowledge: revelation-based, known to angels, and discovery-based, unique to humans. 

Both forms are divinely sourced, underscoring the Quran's emphasis on contemplation of the universe as a means to appreciate Allah's greatness. 

We delve into Imam al-Ghazali's categorisation of knowledge into Fard 'ain (individual obligation) and Fard kifayah (communal obligation), highlighting the necessity for Muslims to master foundational religious duties (Fard 'ain) and encouraging them to pursue specialized fields beneficial to the community (Fard kifayah). 

This approach balances personal faith obligations with societal contributions, advocating for expertise in diverse areas as an act of religious responsibility and excellence.

Today's lesson from Be Quranic focuses on verse 32 of Surat al-Baqarah, discussing the angels' admission of their limited knowledge to Allah, highlighting the distinction between revealed knowledge (divinely granted to angels) and discovered knowledge (unique to humans through observation and research). 

This underscores the importance of both studying the Quran and exploring the universe to understand Allah's greatness. 

The discussion illustrates how early Muslims pioneered in sciences and mathematics, viewing scientific inquiry as a way to appreciate divine creation, not to negate the necessity of God. 

This approach emphasises that religious teachings and scientific discoveries are complementary, both being crucial for fulfilling our purpose as humans in understanding and appreciating the universe and divine wisdom.

Today on Be Quranic, we delved into Ayah 31 of Surah al-Baqarah, exploring the unique capabilities endowed to humans by Allah. 

This passage highlights Allah's act of teaching Adam the names of all things, demonstrating human beings' unparalleled ability to use and develop language, a faculty that distinguishes us from all other creations, including angels. 

This unique feature enables us to create abstract concepts, such as nations, corporations, and even the concept of money, progressing beyond mere survival to build upon the knowledge and discoveries of previous generations. 

The ultimate abstraction and purpose of this divine gift is the ability to know Allah, fulfilling our existence's highest purpose through worship and understanding. 

This exploration underscores the importance of language as a tool not just for worldly advancement but as a means to comprehend our spiritual essence and connection with the divine.