Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy

Guest khateeb Hammad Qasim Siddiqui describes why Allah created each of us imperfect, prone to error. This creates our opportunity to ask for His Forgiveness and understand how close He is to each of us. 

In Surah Al-Furqan (25 The Criterion): Allah says: “Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (25:70)

A key to closeness to Allah is through dua or asking of Him. Start dua by praising Allah and thanking Him for the blessings He provides. Brother Hammad concludes with an example of how sincerity in dua can result in Allah changing sins to good deeds, resulting in the reward of entry into paradise.

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Allah explains the significance of the month of Ramadan starting in the second surah of the Holy Qur’an: "Ramaḍân is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard ˹to distinguish between right and wrong˺. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful. When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺."" (Al Baqarah 2:185 - 186)

We learn the Qur’an was sent down in the month of Ramadan and when His servants ask, Allah is near and answers those who ask of Him. Ustadh Michael Wolfender hares four surahs showing the power of Ramadan we can't see with our own eyes.

The first is Al-Qadr (97 The Power) where Allah explains sending down the entire Qur'an to the lowest heaven on Laylatul Qadr, known as the Night of Power and thus this night is better than a thousand months. It is also annually when all angels visit earth including angel Gibreel. Laylatul Qadr began the year Gibreel came to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ with the first five verses of the Qur’an from Surah Al-’Alaq (96 The Clot). This occurred in a cave on Mount Hira and angel Gibreel continued to deliver revelation over the course of 23 years. 

The second is Ad-Dukhan (44 The Smoke) which Allah begins: "By the clear Book! Indeed, We sent it down on a blessed night, for We always warn ˹against evil˺. On that night every matter of wisdom is ordained by a command from Us, for We have always sent ˹messengers˺ as a mercy from your Lord. He ˹alone˺ is truly the All-Hearing, All-Knowing —  the Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything in between, if only you had sure faith.” (44:2-7) The blessed night referred to here is Laylatul Qadr, thought to be one of the odd nights in the last ten during Ramadan. This night is when Allah sends HIs Decrees for the coming year. It is on this particular night Muslims search for to seek Mercy from our Master as he hears those who ask and understands how we feel inside. 

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There are seven surahs in the Holy Qu’ran referred to as the ‘musabeehat’ in Arabic. They start with phrases of glorification of Our Creator. They were revealed by Allah to bring comfort and relief to His Believers. The first is Surat Al-A'la (87 The Most High), This surah brought so much comfort of Prophet Muhammad that he often recited it in jummuah, the Friday congregation, and the Eid clebration prayers. Glorifying Allah reminds us of His Perfection and this world is not perfect. This brings peace to believe in and seek to understand Allah’s Perfection, including in all that He creates and decrees. 

The second surah, Al-Isra (17 The Night Journey), was revealed in what is referred to as The Year of Sadness, when Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ wife, uncle and son, who were all beloved relatives to him, returned to Allah. It was during this time that Allah provided His prophet ﷺ the miraculous journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and ascended him ﷺ to heaven to receive gifts including the command for daily prayers and the two verses of Surat Al-Baqarah (2 The Cow). 

Muslims partake of these gifts daily in worship, glorifying Allah when bowing and prostrating. Allah begins Surah Al-Isra: “Glory be to the One Who took His servant ˹Muḥammad˺ by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” Glorifying Our Creator brings believers ease. The Qur’an is a cure from disease and harm. In the 82nd verse of Surah Al-Isra, Allah says: وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مَا هُوَ شِفَآءٌۭ وَرَحْمَةٌۭ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًۭا the first part of which translates as: “We send down the Quran as a healing and mercy for the believers.” 

Other surahs in the musabeehat Allah sent during times of Islam’s early revelation to ease the hardships His believers faced, including a seige from 300 soldiers. With the right intention, actions and asking of Allah, relief comes. In this situation, the Muslims dug a trench and Allah sent a sandstorm which caused the soldiers to retreat. Remembering Allah’s Perfection brings peace, comfort and strength. 

Completing our look at these surahs:

The beginning of Al-Hadid (57 The Iron), Al-Hashr (59 The Exile) and As-Saf (61 The Ranks) all start with:  “Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth glorifies Allah. For He is the Almighty, All-Wise.”

Al-Hashr ends with: “He is Allah: the Creator, the Inventor, the Shaper. He ˹alone˺ has the Most Beautiful Names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth ˹constantly˺ glorifies Him. And He is the Almighty, All-Wise.”

Al-Jumu'ah (62 The Congregation, Friday) begins with: “Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth ˹constantly˺ glorifies Allah—the King, the Most Holy, the Almighty, the All-Wise.”

At-Taghabun (64 The Mutual Delusion) “Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth ˹constantly˺ glorifies Allah. The kingdom is His, and all praise is for Him. For He is Most Capable of everything.”

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Ustadh Michael Wolfender recites from Surah Quraysh (106 Quraysh) where Allah acknowledges the blessings He provided people in Mecca at the time of Islam’s onset. These blessings included a variety of food and safety in a desert. However, when humans get used to blessings as normal, they forget these favors indeed are blessings from Our Creator. This can even lead to, as in the case for the Quraysh, disbelieving in the Signs of Allah by not being thankful to Him. This angers Allah.

So we should remember Allah and thank Him for the blessings He provides. Or He may take away these blessings, as its own harsh reminder. This was the case in Texas’ recent winter storm. Snow took away electricity, literal power, in the state. Of course, many take the blessing of having electricity as normal. Ustadh Michael reminds it is a blessing that Allah took away this blessing of normality. Normality can breed forgetfulness. Removing this normality can also breed thankfulness to Allah. We need reminders of the Blessings from Allah. Say bismillah (“in the name of Allah”) before eating. After a meal, say Alhamdulillah (“all praise and thanks is due to Allah”).

Ustadh Michael references Surah 56 Al Waqiah where Allah points out His Blessings in verses 63 – 72: ”Have you not considered what you sow? Is it you who cause it to grow, or is it We Who do so? If We willed, We could simply reduce this ˹harvest˺ to chaff, leaving you to lament, “We have truly suffered a ˹great˺ loss. In fact, we have been deprived ˹of our livelihood˺.” Have you considered the water you drink? Is it you who bring it down from the clouds, or is it We Who do so? If We willed, We could make it salty. Will you not then give thanks? Have you considered the fire you kindle? Is it you who produce its trees, or is it We Who do so?”

Food, water and heat are Blessings from Allah. Not complaining is showing gratitude for Allah and to Him. Asking Allah (making dua) is showing gratitude in asking Him to return His Favors, such as life without a pandemic. Maintaining a school environment such as Good Tree Academy is a blessing. Being able to pray, worship Allah and bow down before Him is a blessing. Many don’t have or partake of these blessings. We should be grateful for and look for the blessings Allah provides and not complain. Patience and gratitude are traits of those who are successful, earning Allah’s Greatest Reward of eternity in His Paradise.

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Imam Ilir Aliji shares guidance from Surah Yusuf (12 Joseph) on interaction between children and parents.

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Surah Al-Anam (The Cattle ) is the sixth chapter of the Qur'an with 165 verses which were revealed all at once. Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares two verses or ayah from the Holy Qur'an which ultimately underscore the peace of Islam in its appropriate practice. Translations of the two ayah from Arabic are: 

"Indeed, Allah is the One Who causes seeds and fruit stones to sprout. He brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living. That is Allah! How can you then be deluded ˹from the truth˺?" (6:95)

"Whoever Allah wills to guide, He opens their heart to Islam. But whoever He wills to leave astray, He makes their chest tight and constricted as if they were climbing up into the sky. This is how Allah dooms those who disbelieve." (6:125)

Looking at the beginning of 6:95, we learn Allah as Our Creator is The One who opens seeds and causes soft saplings to grow. In the same way, Allah can open a believer's chest as true power is in being soft, not harsh. Power is in submitting to the Commands of Allah which allows the believer to be relaxed. 

In 6:125, Ustadh Michael uses the example of a hot air balloon and how the lighter air inside causes it to rise. 

Being guided in Islam provides relief, similar to how deep breathing provides relaxation. In doing this, you feel your chest expand when taking deep breaths. Islam is submitting to Allah to acheive peace. Without this relaxation, one's chest feels squeezed with worldly concerns, worries and fears. 

Using this same literal technique of breathing to expand your chest allows a believer to breathe when reciting the first chapter of the Noble Qur'an, Al Fatihah, to feel the connection in daily prayer. This draws a wave of relaxation throughout the body, expanding your chest as a believer submitting to Allah. 

Relaxation triggers hormones allowing your brain to be relaxed. Recite surah Al-Fatiha slowly. When you recite Qur'an slowly, you feel relaxed.

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Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares the story of early Muslims provided safety from persecution by migrating to Africa and examples of early believers in Islam who were black. Piety and character is what we should value in our fellow humans, not the color of their skin.

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Ustadh Michael Wolfender was looking for the beauty of the Qur’an and shares how he found its power, in particular while listening to Surat ‘Abasa (80 He Frowned). Allah trains your heart to be touched by the Qur'an when you seek to only worship Him. Whoever who has a heart who wants to know Allah is the best. This is a premise in Surat ‘Abasa referencing the blind man who is now memorialized in the Qur’an. Allah made him famous due to his dedication to learn about Him. And the lesson Allah taught his prophet ﷺ brought him to tears. Allah cares about the heart which is eager to learn. This will raise your rank with Allah and He is The Loving. 

We can learn from the Signs of Allah. Everything in creation is a Sign of Allah and this can draw you closer to Him.

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All of Allah’s messengers came with the same message: worship Allah alone. Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares four lessons from a contemporary of Jesus, John the Baptist, and their correlation to the fifth ayat of Surat Al-Bayyinah (98 The Clear Proof): “... even though they were only commanded to worship Allah ˹alone˺ with sincere devotion to Him in all uprightness, establish prayer, and pay alms-tax. That is the upright Way.” (98:5) 

What are these lessons from Allah’s prophet? Don’t worship other than Allah alone, giving charity can save you, angels love the smell of those who are fasting and when you remember Allah, it is your own fortress you build of safety. Further, John the Baptist advised the importance of connecting your heart in prayer and focusing your mind, praying as if Allah is in front of you listening to each word and answering each of your requests. 

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Among the lessons from Prophet Ibrahim is that of conviction at a young age, guidance and steadfastness in belief. Ustadh Michael Wolfender references two passages in the Qur’an of Allah telling Ibrahim’s story, beginning with Surah Al-Anbya (21 The Prophets) from ayah 57 - 65. Ibrahim advised those in his community that when they would be gone, he would take action against their devotion to idolatry. And when the community was away, he broke their idols, except for the biggest one where he left his tool used to break them hanging. Upon discovery of this act, questions arose as to its perpetrator. Youthful in age, Ibrahim spoke against the idols and their worship as the community questioned him in public. His response: the big idols committed the act and why not ask the idols around him? Allah recounts how this consideration prompted awareness of the errors in not worshipping The One Creator: “So they came back to their senses, saying ˹to one another,˺ “You yourselves are truly the wrongdoers!” (21:64)

But as humans do, they changed their minds again, failing to accept the truth that idol worship is wrong. Blinded by their own desires, they literally threw Prophet Ibrahim into a bonfire they built. Ibrahim is known as the Friend of Allah, and friends protect each other. Ibrahim attested the greatest ease in his life was the coolness Allah provided him as he endured the flames of this bonfire, saying for him Allah is enough. 

Ustadh Michael recites the dua Ibrahim made asking of Allah from Surah Ash-Shu’ara (26 The Poets): ˹He is˺ the One Who created me, and He ˹alone˺ guides me.˹He is˺ the One Who provides me with food and drink. And He ˹alone˺ heals me when I am sick. And He ˹is the One Who˺ will cause me to die, and then bring me back to life. And He is ˹the One˺ Who, I hope, will forgive my flaws1 on Judgment Day.” “My Lord! Grant me wisdom, and join me with the righteous. Bless me with honourable mention among later generations. Make me one of those awarded the Garden of Bliss. Forgive my father, for he is certainly one of the misguided. And do not disgrace me on the Day all will be resurrected - the Day when neither wealth nor children will be of any benefit. Only those who come before Allah with a pure heart ˹will be saved˺.” ˹On that Day˺ Paradise will be brought near to the God-fearing (26: 78 - 87)

From this, Ustadh Michael reminds it is the successful who will earn paradise by coming before Allah with a pure heart, no jealousy, no slander and no anger. Life’s hardships is Allah purifying our hearts. Prayer helps provide a pure heart, proper behavior and to feel better. Prayer is connecting with Allah. Humans are imperfect, committing sins and often even unknowingly. This begets the power of seeking forgiveness. Be cautious of making excuses, using the cover of doing as the majority may and thus fooling yourself into errant ways without seeking forgiveness. 

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