Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy

Do you get upset standing in the security line before an airline trip or do you get excited about the destination? Ustadh Michael Wolfender uses this analogy to help prepare us for the best journey ever – the life Allah provides us and what to do to earn paradise.

Allah tells us in Surat At-Tur (52 The Mount): “Indeed, the righteous will be in Gardens and bliss, enjoying whatever their Lord will have granted them. And their Lord will have protected them from the torment of the Hellfire. ˹They will be told,˺ “Eat and drink happily for what you used to do.” They will be reclining on thrones, ˹neatly˺ lined up ˹facing each other˺. And We will pair them to maidens with gorgeous eyes. As for those who believe and whose descendants follow them in faith, We will elevate their descendants to their rank, never discounting anything ˹of the reward˺ of their deeds. Every person will reap only what they sowed.” (52: 17-21)

This starts with the five pillars of Islam: belief, prayer, fasting, charity and pilgrimage. Make sure you cover the basics of belief and worship, as every prayer is your conversation with Allah asking of and thanking Him. The more you remember Allah, the more He hears you. Work on improving character, as arrogance deflects entry to paradise. And level up your rank in heaven with Qur’an, fasting and hajj.

Ustadh Michael underscores the importance of prayer, reminding that when salah is good, all will be good on the Day of Judgment. The first thing Allah said to Moses when he spoke with Him was the command to worship One God and establish prayer to remember Allah. In Surah Maryam, Jesus says that Allah has ‘entrusted me to perform prayer and give charity throughout my life,’ as an example for us all. 

The Day of Judgment includes an accounting of each of our deeds, with the successful receiving their book of deeds as Allah describes in Surat Al-Inshiqaq (84 The Sundering): “As for those who are given their record in their right hand, they will have an easy reckoning, and will return to their people joyfully. And as for those who are given their record ˹in their left hand˺ from behind their backs, they will cry for ˹instant˺ destruction, and will burn in the blazing Fire. For they used to be prideful among their people, thinking they would never return ˹to Allah˺. (84: 7-14)

Focusing on the positive, when family members make it to paradise, just one’s piety and character can raise the entire family’s level in heaven. Such is the Might and Mercy of Our Lord. 

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Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares the story of a prophet, two bad guys and their fate with what Allah provides and how we can learn to remember Allah, avoid being arrogant and harming others.

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The kings who were father and son, Dawood and Suleiman (as), were aware of where their blessings came from, so Allah gave them more because they had the right attitude. In Surat  An Naml (27 The Ant), Allah gives examples of these prophets acknowledging their blessings from Allah. In Surat Sad (38 The Letter ‘Saad’), Allah acknowledges the blessing Dawood was provided in his son: “And We blessed David with Solomon—what an excellent servant ˹he was˺! Indeed, he ˹constantly˺ turned ˹to Allah˺. (38:30) Allah then describes Suleiman’s love of horses and an incident where he was busy inspecting his horses at Asr time, as Ustadh Michael explains. Recognizing the distraction his love of horses provided, Suleiman ordered to get rid of the horses, preferring not to have anything to distract him from Allah and that praying on time is most important. Allah continues in the 38th surah then describing how Allah gave him more and more, including control of the wind.

This story shares the lesson of controlling your time and giving importance to prayer. Ustadh Michael then references from ayat 15 – 16 of Surat Al Fajr where Allah says: “Now, whenever a human being is tested by their Lord through ˹His˺ generosity and blessings, they boast, “My Lord has ˹deservedly˺ honored me!” But when He tests them by limiting their provision, they protest, “My Lord has ˹undeservedly˺ humiliated me!”

Most people are not alert and don't realize blessings from Allah, boasting when they get things they don’t deserve and then complaining when something bad happens to them.

Instead, Ustadh Michael advises following the lesson of recognizing the importance of time and praying on time to earn a place among those Allah acknowledges at the end of Surat Al Fajr in ayat 27 – 30 describing the resulting reward on the Day of Judgment: ˹Allah will say to the righteous,˺ “O tranquil soul! Return to your Lord, well pleased ˹with Him˺ and well pleasing ˹to Him˺. So join My servants, and enter My Paradise.”

Ustadh Michael concludes with Suleiman’s dua which was prompted by the namesake of the 27th surah (An Naml ‘The Ant’):  “My Lord! Inspire me to ˹always˺ be thankful for Your favors which You have blessed me and my parents with, and to do good deeds that please you. Admit me, by Your mercy, into ˹the company of˺ Your righteous servants.” (27:19)

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In this season of thanks, Ustadh Michael Wolfender provides lessons from Surat An Naml (27 The Ant) focusing on a father and son who naturally and genuinely thanked Allah (27:15-16) Who thusly granted them more and more. The father Dawood and his son Suleiman were kings in their time who recognized how Allah provides individuals favors specific to each of us. You simply have to look and recognize them and be thankful to Allah. Like when Suleiman was leading an army and heard an ant as referenced in 27:18: “And when they came across a valley of ants, an ant warned, “O ants! Go quickly into your homes so Solomon and his armies do not crush you, unknowingly.” And then in the next ayat where instead of ignoring a small creature’s concern, Suleiman turns to Allah: “So Solomon smiled in amusement at her words, and prayed, “My Lord! Inspire me to ˹always˺ be thankful for Your favours which You have blessed me and my parents with, and to do good deeds that please you. Admit me, by Your mercy, into ˹the company of˺ Your righteous servants.”

He made this dua to Allah thanking Him for the blessings He provides and parents, recognizing that what matters is doing good deeds pleasing to Allah over seeking the acceptance of other people.  He concluded this dua asking Allah to make him among the righteous people who go to Paradise.

In 27:17, Allah advises how He provided Suleiman the capacity to speak to birds and other measures of power and control specific to Suleiman. This is also true how Allah endows each of us individually. Recognizing this helps to understand how we need Allah to be pleased with us to earn paradise.

27:20 provides another example of Suleiman connecting with animals: “˹One day˺ he inspected the birds, and wondered, “Why is it that I cannot see the hoopoe? Or could he be absent?”

The bird advised him (27:22 – 25) of a queen who led her people in worshipping the sun instead of Allah. And when she received his letter (27:28 – 31), she decides to send a gift (27:35). To which upon receipt, Suleiman replies (27:36) that what Allah provides is better and that he doesn’t need the gift. Typically, humans are gratified upon receiving gifts, rather than considering the best provision consistently is provided by Our Creator. Suleiman declares the fact that the gift givers are sun worshippers, which is wrong. He cares about their belief and not about any gift from this society. This conviction ends well as the queen comes to understand Suleiman’s true interest and she accepts the beliefs he so wishes to convey of Islam’s tenets (27:44).

This surah entails many actual realities commonplace in fictional blockbusters such as

super powers, super heroes and magical powers. The Qur’an, as Truth, advises of this reality: Allah gave Suleiman more because he was alert, he knew what comes from Allah and he was appreciative. Allah then gave him more as reward for Suleiman’s consistently keeping Allah on his mind. 

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Qur'an will give us cure and is a mercy for believers. Ustadh Michael Wolfender provides the example of one of the early believers in Islam, a slave, and how the Qur’an made him strong despite torture he endured for his faith. Ustadh Michael uses this example to illustrate how many are slaves to video games, which inherently, due to addictive behavior, teach you how not to take care of yourself. As stimulating activities, the psychology of video games makes the participants eager for further engagement, primarily due to dopamine release. This chemical release trains the brain to thus determine nothing is more fun than video games. Ustadh Michael explains how the 'triumph circuit' propagates a distortion of reality causing the participant reduced ability to overcome real life challenges, partly because of perceived false senses of victory derived from video games. Anxiety presents itself as the participant misperceives values of social status, sincere friendship and family relationships due to silo’ed activity. The body loses the ability to correctly identify and control emotions, as brain cells are killed. Video games move gray matter from one part of the brain to another. Actual socializing time is reduced, hindering building nurturing relationships. Video games commonly train poor social behavior, instilling blaming, shaming, cyberbullying and foul language. Studies show video games are linked to memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease. Allah’s Book, The Qur’an, will not make you strong in video games. It will make you strong in life. Ustadh Michael encourages students to leave video gaming and to start by seeking assistance and talking with parents. Replace video games with quality time with family, outdoors and Qur'an. Qur'an will free you so you are in control of your life. Ustadh Michael concludes with two measures of guidance to keep believers on the straight path. 

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Nothing is perfect except Allah summarizes Ustadh Michael Wolfender, referencing An-Nahl (16 The Bee), the 14-page surah wherein Allah lists many of His Blessings (see ayat 78 – 81). For example, Ayah 8 advises His Favor of what animals have been provided to ride without which some areas could not be reached. Ayat 10 – 11, 65 and 67 discuss how Allah sends rain as water for drinking and for plants to grow which then makes food for cattle to graze. As Brother Michael phrases: “flavors in fruit, food and juice.” In Ayat 5 – 7 and 66, Allah illustrates how He has provided cows for warm, food and many other benefits.  And the namesake of the surah, the bee, is addressed in ayat 68 and 69, including the healing power of honey. Brother Michael remarks on how in seeking pollen, bees will each travel the same route to designated flowers, such is the amazing detail Allah endows His Creation. Animals provide clothing, and at the time of revelation, means to create tents as mobile living.

With these examples, Ustadh Michael recounts how Allah articulates humans cannot count His Blessings. And after this, despite our failings, Allah declares He is Forgiving. While we cannot and do not thank Him enough, He continues to provide. Ayat 49 – 50 conclude with requiring prostration before Allah, explaining how everything in the universe acknowledges Allah's Omnipotence.

Every blessing comes from Allah so we should recognize this and be grateful. Most don't recognize the blessings of Allah. Those who do appreciate Allah and thank Him ensure they protect this by continually thanking Him. Brother Michael counsels the more you are thankful, the more Allah says He will make you thankful as He will provide more for you to be thankful for.

As An-Nahl nears its end, in Ayah 90, Allah warns to be fair and forbids to do what is wrong. Our job is to be honest, sincere and do our part with the capabilities Allah has showered us with. With this,appreciate what Allah provides and be content. As we learn in ayat 30 – 32 and 95 – 96 that the reward for the patient will be everlasting. The key to success is outlined in Ayah 97: Allah promises those who do good deeds and believe in Him will have a good life. 

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At the beginning of Surat Al-Azhab (33 The Combined Forces) Allah swt addresses the value of believing in His final messenger, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. In verse 21, saying: "Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often." And then affirming those who follow, from verse 23: " Among the believers are men who have proven true to what they pledged to Allah. Some of them have fulfilled their pledge ˹with their lives˺, others are waiting ˹their turn˺. They have never changed ˹their commitment˺ in the least."

Ustadh Michael Wolfender recites the beginning of this surah, referencing the final messenger ﷺ as an excellent example for us to follow as a role model, hoping to meet Allah, remembering Him a lot. The battle of Al Azhab was difficult for the believers fighting in Allah's cause at the time behind His prophet ﷺ. 

This verse comes among others referencing hypocrites doubting faith in Allah's messenger ﷺ and even Him. So Allah sent revelation indicating that what His messenger ﷺ says is from Him, which affirms believers' faith because what Muhammad ﷺ says is truth. 

Ustadh Michael shares a picture of the sunrise showing the last crescent moon of the month and discusses the phases of the moon. Allah talks about the sun and moon in His Book, the Qur'an. A poet remarked on seeing the final messenger ﷺ and how he is beautiful like the sun and the pleasure of looking at him is akin to appreciating the beauty of the moon lit in the night sky. 

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ made everyone feel like he loved them, including prisoners of war. He ﷺ advised to make things easy, not hard. Give people good tidings and make them feel happy. 

What role models do you look up to? Is Prophet Muhammad ﷺ at the top of your list?

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Learn three qualities to ensure Allah provides an immediate answer. Ustadh Michael Wolfender takes us through Surat Al-Ambya (21 The Prophets) where Allah details the stories of at least a dozen prophets and lessons we can learn from, including the commandments provided to Moses, Ibrahim’s destroying of idols, Noah’s ultimate dua, Job’s calling out to his Master, and the famous dua from Jonah trapped in a whale. 

Of the prophets mentioned, each embodied three qualities warranting Allah’s immediate answer: 

1. They rushed to do good and bring good to other people. Their intent and actions were to do good to people wherever they would go. 
2. They always made dua to Allah; not only just calling out when in need. Their sincere hopes included meeting Allah.
3. They remained humble.

After mentioning these prophets in Al-Ambya, Allah mentions Mary and Jesus as a sign for the entire universe. He then mentions Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as a mercy for the entire universe. 

After migrating to the city of Medina, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ instilled brotherhood and peace with a constitution instituting rights including freedom of worship. Citizens would mutually defend the community. Peace and goodness were spread to make those around each other live in happiness, taking care of those who have less. Share food with all people. Worship, turn to Allah, make dua, especially at night. This is the way to success. 

These measures help define how Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a mercy to the entire universe, promoting the spread of Islam, as in the verse after Ayat ul Kursi (2:255) where Allah says there is no coercion in religion. Rather, the message of Islam is to be delivered with humility, peace and mercy as declared in Surat Al-Ambya. This is how Islam brings justice and fairness. 

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Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares learnings from Surat Al-Mu’minun on how amazing Allah is. Brother Michael advises how the surah opens with the first four ayat guaranteeing success to believers who follow what Allah ordains: care about prayer, do not waste time and share. Believers will be winners when they are serious about praying salah and care about prayer, use time productively and are charitable. Believers give what they like to others, understanding Allah is The Provider and He can give more. 

The 23rd surah describes how Allah created man from clay and how humans form from embryos. From this, Allah fashions humans, who, if they physically injure themselves can have human body parts, like skin, repair itself. As further benefit, Allah sends down fresh water filling rivers and lakes, sustaining life that grows sustenance with all sorts of flavor and nutrition. 

Allah sent messengers. People denied them, just as they deny Allah’s Favors. This is a fundamental mistake to not realize how amazing Allah is, while everyday it is evident the creation He has provided, including our human bodies, water and food. 

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 As the new Hijri calendar year begins, Ustadh Michael Wolfender reflects on the legacy of our prophet Muhammad ﷺ and how he would love to see those who love him, which includes believers of today.  Brother Michael shares how Allah revealed Surah Al Kawthar (108 The Abundance) as comfort and to advise His messenger of the legacy he would provide humanity. 

Takeaway lessons include trusting in Allah alone, worry about pleasing Allah and He will make you the best. 

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