Living The Quran Through The Living Quran

Living The Quran Through The Living Quran

By QAIM InstituteReligion & Spirituality
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Living The Quran Through The Living Quran episodes

  • 06 - Adam and Hawwa BOTH TEMPTED in “The Garden” - Ramadan Reflections 2023

    On the sixth day of Ramadan 2023/1444, we review the theme of "Adam and Hawwa BOTH TEMPTED in “The Garden”."
    The event of Adam and Hawwa in the Garden is a unique event which is told in two different ways – the Old Testament of the Bible has one narrative while the Quran has the true narrative.
    The Bible clearly shows that the woman tempted the man – that is Eve tempted Adam – and so technically she is to blame for the downfall of the human being.
    However the Quran exonerates the woman and paints a radically different picture.
    In Chapter 7 (Sūrah al-Aʿrāf), Verses 19 to 22, the Quran details the event as such:
    (To Adam, He said): “O Adam! Dwell, you and your spouse, in the Garden, and eat (of the fruits) thereof where you desire, but do not approach this tree, or you will both be among the wrongdoers.” Then Satan made an evil suggestion to both of them that he might reveal to them their private parts that had remained hidden from them (and waken their carnal impulses), and he said: “Your Lord has forbidden you this tree only lest you should become sovereigns, or lest you should become immortals.” And he swore to them: “Truly, I am for you a sincere adviser.” Thus he led them on by delusion; and when they tasted the tree, their private parts (and all the apparently shameful, evil impulses in their creation) were revealed to them, and both began to cover themselves with leaves from the Garden. And their Lord called out to them: “Did I not prohibit you from that tree, and did I not say to you that Satan is a manifest enemy to you?” 7:19-22
    If we study this verse carefully, especially by referring to the Arabic, we see a different picture than what is portrayed by the Bible.

    10 min
  • 05 - Spiritual Status of Women and Men in Islam - Ramadan Reflections 2023

    On the fifth day of Ramadan 2023/1444, we review the theme of "Spiritual Status of Women and Men in Islam."
    We have seen that Islam regards the woman as being a creation of Allah and every much a human being as the man is.
    Today we wish to look at a general verse in terms of the spiritual status of both the woman and man.
    There are many verses of the Quran in this regard, and we will be reviewing other verses which are more specific later on.
    However for today, we look at a verse from Sūrah 3, Ale Imran, verse 195.
    Scholars note various reasons for why this verse was revealed, one opinion stating that Umm Salamah, one of the wives of the Prophet came to him and said that there are many verses in the Quran about the acts which men are rewarded for – jihad, migration, self-sacrifice, etc. however we wonder if women also share in these same rewards? In response, the verse which we wish to review today was revealed.
    In it, Allah says the following: "And thus does their (All-Gracious and Generous) Lord answer them: “I do not leave to waste the work of any of you (engaged in doing good), whether male or female. (As males and females following the same way) you are all one from the other. Hence, those who have emigrated (in My cause) and been expelled from their homelands and suffered hurt in My cause, and have fought and been killed, indeed I will blot out from them their evil deeds and will admit them into Gardens through which rivers flow, as a reward from Allah (with infinite Mercy and Power to fulfill whatever He promises).” With Allah lies the best reward. (3:195)
    The entire verse speaks to the question of Umm Salama and perhaps other women at the time of Prophet Muḥammad and even today.

    11 min
  • 04 - Emergence of Islam and a Revolution: Creation of the Women - Ramadan Reflections 2023

    On the fourth day of Ramadan 2023/1444, we review the theme of "Emergence of Islam and a Revolution in the Status of Women: Creation of Women."
    From today on-wards, we turn our focus to the dawn of Islam, the revelation of the Quran and the revolution which Prophet Muḥammad brought about to change the understanding of people.
    Right at the outset, we must look at the creation of the human being – as many people – then and now, seem to think that the women is less a human due to how God created them.
    Right at the beginning of the 4th chapter, which is ironically entitled An-Nisa – The Women – Allah initiates the discussion by taking us back to the creation of humanity:
    O humankind! In due reverence for your Lord, keep from disobedience to Him Who created you from a single human self, and from it created its mate, and from the pair of them scattered abroad a multitude of men and women. In due reverence for Allah, keep from disobedience to Him in Whose name you make demands of one another, and (duly observe) the rights of the wombs (i.e. of kinship, thus observing piety in your relations with Allah and with human beings). Allah is ever watchful over you. (4:1)
    Whereas other religions and societies that were build on a lack of Divine teachings looked at women in a negative light, Islam sought to ensure its followers that a woman was every much a human; she had her own free will and her own freedoms – social, political, economic, etc. – obviously in the framework of the teachings of Allah as laid down in the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muḥammad and his family.

    10 min
  • 03 - Women in Pre-Islamic Arabia: Grief at having a daughter - Ramadan Reflections 2023

    On the third day of Ramadan 2023/1444, we review the theme of "Women in Pre-Islamic Arabia: Grief at having a daughter."
    The second major theme we review from the Quran is the attitude and way that the pre-Islamic Arabs thought of girls – most notably their daughters. Not only did some of the pre-Islamic Arab tribes bury their daughters alive out of a fear of the unknown, as we mentioned yesterday, but they also had strange notions about Allah and the Angels and daughters.
    Before we go into the discussion on the grief that some Arab men in the pre-Islamic era would show when they wife would deliver a girl, let us have a quick glance at the verses for today from Sūrah al-Zukhruf (43), Verses 16-19:
    "What! has He taken to Himself daughters out of all that He creates, and “honored” you with sons? When any of them is given the news of the birth of what he accepts as appropriate for the All-Merciful, his face darkens, choking with anger. ”What! (Am I to have a daughter –) one who is brought up in adornments, and unable to be clear in disputation?” And yet they have judged the angels, who are themselves the servants of the All-Merciful, to be females (whom they judge to be of little value, and yet regard as His daughters). Did they witness their creation? This testimony of theirs will be recorded, and they will be called to account (for this falsehood in the Hereafter)."
    This selection of verses presents us with some of the most twisted thought-patterns of the Arabs of Jahiliyyah era.
    So what were some of the beliefs that these people had? Tune in to this episode to find out more...

    10 min
  • 02 - Women in Pre-Islamic Arabia: Burying their Daughters Alive - Ramadan Reflections 2023

    On the second day of Ramadan 2023/1444, we review the theme of "Women in Pre-Islamic Arabia: Burying their Daughters Alive."
    The first major theme we review from the Quran is the attitude and way that the pre-Islamic Arabs treated girls – most notably their daughters.
    The collection of verses which we wish to review today contains multiple discussions with them such as: Irregular beliefs about Allah and Strange ways of understanding their relationship with Allah.
    We focus on Sūrah al-Nahl (16), Verses 58-60 in which Allah says:
    "When any of them is given news of the birth of a girl, his face becomes overcast, and he is (as if choking inwardly) with suppressed anger. He hides himself from the people because of the evil (as he wrongly supposes it) of what he has had news of. (So he debates within himself:) Shall he keep her with dishonor or bury her in earth? Look now! how evil is the judgment they make (concerning Allah, and how evil is the decision they debate)!"
    Although killing another human is a sick act, however what makes it worse is when a person has the audacity to kill their own flesh and blood; that too a child that is defenceless and that too by burying them alive.
    We will review this and other issues in this episode of Ramadan Reflections for 2023.

    11 min
  • "Not Like the Other: Women in the Quran" - Ramadan Reflections 2023 - Episode 1

    On the first day of Ramadan 2023/1444, we introduce the theme of "Not Like the Other: Women in the Quran.
    In the Quran, when speaking about the lead-up to the birth of Maryam binte Imran we are told that her parents had made an oath to dedicate their child, whom they were expecting would be a boy, to be a servant in the temple.
    In Sūrah Ale Imran (3), Verse 36, Allah says: "Then when she delivered her [child Maryam (Mary)], she said: 'O my Lord! I have delivered a female child,' - and Allah knew better what she delivered, 'And the male (child she expected) could not be like the female (that Allah blessed her with), and I have named her Maryam (Mary), and I seek refuge with You (Allah) for her and for her offspring from Satan, the outcast.'"
    However as history would show, Maryam binte Imran would become an unparalleled woman in history, giving birth through a miraculous conception to one of the greatest Prophets, Isa ibn Maryam – a Prophet that will return at the end of time to assist Imam al-Mahdi.
    Unfortunately in our era, we have seen a radical shift in the roles of men and women in society. Yes at one level, we need to get away from stereotypes and cultural practices IF they are going against religion.
    However one of the downfalls of the rapid ‘progress’ if you want to call it that, is the redefinition of what it means to be a woman.
    We live in an era in which many women feel that in order to be considered as ‘equal’ to men, they should do and want to do everything men do in society.
    This is not only in the “West” but also the “East”. It is a global phenomenon that we must all be aware of.
    As an example, some of the topics which we will cover this month include:
    • Emergence of Islam and a Revolution in the Status of Women: Creation of Women
    • Spiritual Status of Women and Men in Islam
    • Men and Women: Similar Spiritual Traits and Rewards
    • Men and Women: Similar Punishments in the World to Come
    • Women: Right to Choose when it Comes to Marriage
    • Women: Right to Encourage Good and Forbid Evil
    • Women: Right to be Defended against False Accusations
    • Women: Differences with Men in SOME Areas (Blood Money, Testimony, and Inheritance)
    • Women: The Hijab: Quranic Perspectives
    From the second half of the month, we will look at examples of women in the Quran that Allah speaks about and that we can learn from.
    The Quran is replete with stories of righteous women like wives of Prophet Ibrahim, the mother and sister of Prophet Musa, the wife of the Pharaoh, Umm al-Momimeen Khadijah, Fatima az-Zahra and others – and we will be spending a day or two on each of these and other noble, respectable women.
    There are also women that led less than a respectable, righteous life and were reprimanded by Allah in the Quran – women like the wife of Prophet Lut and also the wife of Prophet Nuh and of course, two of the wives of Prophet Muḥammad – Ayesha the daughter of Abu Bakr and Hafsa the daughter of Umar and how Allah speaks about them in Sūrah al-Tahreem.
    Join us every day in Ramadan 2023/1444 as we review a new and interesting topic from the Quran under the theme of: NOT LIKE THE OTHER: WOMEN IN THE QURAN.

    8 min
  • 07 - Commentary on Surah al-Fath (48) - Review of Verse 10

    In this Ramadan series of lectures, Shaykh Saleem reviews Surah al-Fath (48) - The Chapter of the Victory.

    In part 7, he goes over the tenth verse: "Those of the Bedouins, the dwellers of the desert, who did not respond to your call to participate in the Minor Pilgrimage Campaign and stayed behind will say to you by way of excuse: “Our possessions and families kept us busy and so we could not join you, so ask Allāh for our forgiveness.” They speak with their tongues that which is not in their hearts. Say to them O Muhammad: “Who is there that can intervene on your behalf with Allāh if He wills harm for you or if He wills a benefit for you? Whatever excuse you offer, bear in mind that Allāh is fully aware of all that you do.”"

    29 min
  • 06 - Commentary on Surah al-Fath (48) - Review of Verses 7, 8, and 9

    In this Ramadan series of lectures, Shaykh Saleem reviews Surah al-Fath (48) - The Chapter of the Victory.

    In part 6, he goes over the seventh, eighth and ninth verses: "To Allah belong the hosts of the heavens and the earth. Allah is All-Glorious, All-Wise. Surely We, Allah, have sent you, Muḥammad, as a witness to the truth of Islam and the falsehood of other ways, and as a witness in both worlds to people’s deeds, and as a bearer of glad tidings of prosperity in return for faith and righteousness and a warner against the consequences of misguidance. In order that you, O humankind and jinn, believe in Allah and His Messenger, Muḥammad, and that you may help him, Muḥammad, and honour him in the highest regard, and glorify Him, Allah, in the early morning and in the evening."

    32 min
  • 05 - Commentary on Surah al-Fath (48) - Review of Verse 6

    In this Ramadan series of lectures, Shaykh Saleem reviews Surah al-Fath (48) - The Chapter of the Victory.

    In part 5, he goes over the sixth verse: "And that He, Allah, will punish the hypocritical men and the hypocritical women, and the polytheistic men and the polytheistic women - those who associate partners with Allah – those people who always entertain negative thoughts about Allah. Theirs will be the evil turn of fate. Allah has destined them to a severe punishment, eternally excluded them from His Mercy and prepared Hell for them. How evil a destination to arrive at!"

    30 min
  • 04 - Commentary on Surah al-Fath (48) - Review of Verse 5

    In this Ramadan series of lectures, Shaykh Saleem reviews Surah al-Fath (48) - The Chapter of the Victory.

    In part 4, he goes over the fifth verse: "And that He, Allāh, may admit the believing men and believing women into Gardens through which rivers flow, therein to abide forever, and may blot out from them their evil deeds. That is a supreme triumph in the sight of Allāh."


    29 min

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