The Authentic Ummah

In Episode 96 of The Authentic Ummah Podcast, I continue my journey through the Qur’an in English, reading from Surah Al-A‘raf, Chapter 7, verse 171 through to Surah Al-Anfal, Chapter 8, verse 45, using the Abdullah Yusuf Ali English translation.

This reading brings us to the end of Surah Al-A‘raf and then into Surah Al-Anfal.

We read reminders about Allah’s signs, those who turn away from them, the importance of remembering Allah, and the call to forgiveness and righteousness.

As Surah Al-Anfal begins, we encounter a powerful description of true believers: when Allah is mentioned, they feel a tremor in their hearts; when His signs are recited, their faith grows; and they place their trust in their Lord.

The reading then takes us into the events surrounding the Battle of Badr — including trust in Allah, courage in difficulty, the help given to the believers, and the importance of remaining firm and remembering Allah.

📖 Surah Al-A‘raf 7:171 – Surah Al-Anfal 8:45
🎙️ Episode 96
📚 English translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali

This episode is part of my ongoing journey through the Qur’an in English. My aim is to read at least ten pages every day while listening to the Arabic and trying to better connect the words with their meaning.

May Allah help us understand His words, reflect upon them and bring their guidance into our lives. Ameen.

In Episode 95 of The Authentic Ummah Podcast, I continue reading the Qur’an in English from Surah Al-A‘raf, Chapter 7, verses 88–170, using the Abdullah Yusuf Ali English translation.

This reading takes us through some of the most powerful events in the story of Prophet Musa (Moses).

We read about Musa and Pharaoh, the signs shown to Pharaoh and his people, the magicians who recognised the truth and chose to believe, and the eventual escape of the Children of Israel.

The passage then continues with Musa receiving the revelation, the worship of the golden calf during his absence, repentance, and the covenant taken from the Children of Israel.

Among the most hopeful reminders in this reading are the words:

“My mercy extendeth to all things.”

It is a powerful reminder of the vastness of Allah’s mercy, alongside the importance of faith, obedience and repentance.

📖 Surah Al-A‘raf 7:88–170
🎙️ Episode 95
📚 English translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali

This episode is part of my ongoing journey through the Qur’an in English. My aim is to read at least ten pages every day while listening to the Arabic and trying to better connect the words with their meaning.

May Allah help us understand His words, reflect upon them and bring their guidance into our lives. Ameen.

In Episode 94 of The Authentic Ummah Podcast, I begin reading Surah Al-A'raf (The Heights), Chapter 7, verses 1–87, using the Abdullah Yusuf Ali English translation of the Qur'an.

This powerful reading takes us back to the creation of Adam and the story of Iblis, who refused Allah's command to bow before him out of arrogance.

We read about how Iblis tempted Adam and his wife, the importance of following Allah's guidance, and the consequences of pride and disobedience.

The passage also describes the Day of Judgment, Paradise and Hell, and the people of Al-A'raf (The Heights).

We then encounter the stories of earlier prophets, including Nuh (Noah), Hud, Salih, Lut (Lot) and Shu'ayb, and their calls to worship Allah alone.

Among the powerful lessons in this reading is the danger of arrogance and the importance of humility, obedience and repentance.

📖 Surah Al-A'raf 7:1–87
🎙️ Episode 94
📚 English translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali

This episode is part of my ongoing journey through the Qur'an in English. My aim is to read at least ten pages every day while listening to the Arabic and trying to better connect the words with their meaning.

May Allah help us understand His words, reflect upon them and bring their guidance into our lives. Ameen.

In Episode 93 of The Authentic Ummah Podcast, I continue my journey through the Qur’an in English, reading Surah Al-An‘am, Chapter 6, verses 102–165, using the Abdullah Yusuf Ali English translation.

This reading contains powerful reminders about Allah as the Creator of all things, worshipping Him alone, following His guidance, and recognising His signs throughout creation.

The passage also warns against inventing religious restrictions without authority, reminds us that guidance comes from Allah, and calls us towards a straight path.

Toward the end of Surah Al-An‘am comes one of the most powerful declarations of devotion:

“My prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are all for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds.”

It is a reminder that worship is not limited to individual acts. Our whole lives should ultimately be directed towards Allah.

📖 Surah Al-An‘am 6:102–165
🎙️ Episode 93
📚 English translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali

This episode is part of my ongoing journey through the Qur’an in English. My aim is to read at least ten pages each day while listening to the Arabic and trying to better connect the words with their meaning.

May Allah help us understand His words, reflect upon them and bring their guidance into our lives. Ameen.

In Episode 92 of The Authentic Ummah Podcast, I continue my journey through the Qur’an in English, reading Surah Al-An‘am, Chapter 6, verses 28–101, using the Abdullah Yusuf Ali English translation.

This reading contains powerful reminders about resurrection, accountability, the temporary nature of this worldly life, the rejection faced by earlier messengers, and the knowledge and power of Allah.

Among the most striking verses in this section is the reminder that with Allah are the keys of the unseen. Nothing on the land or in the sea escapes His knowledge, and not even a leaf falls without Him knowing it.

We also read about Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him) reflecting upon the stars, the moon and the sun before declaring his devotion to the One who created the heavens and the earth.

The passage continues with signs of Allah throughout creation — the night and day, the stars, rain, plants, fruits and human life itself.

📖 Surah Al-An‘am 6:28–101
🎙️ Episode 92
📚 English translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali

This episode is part of my ongoing journey through the Qur’an in English. My aim is to read at least ten pages each day while listening to the Arabic and trying to better connect the words with their meaning.

May Allah help us understand His words, reflect upon them and bring their guidance into our lives. Ameen.

In Episode 91 of The Authentic Ummah Podcast, I continue my journey through the Qur’an in English, reading from Surah Al-Ma’idah, Chapter 5, verse 78 through to Surah Al-An‘am, Chapter 6, verse 27, using the Abdullah Yusuf Ali English translation.

This reading takes us through the closing verses of Surah Al-Ma’idah and into the beginning of Surah Al-An‘am.

We read powerful passages concerning Jesus the son of Mary, his message to worship Allah alone, the Day of Judgment, truthfulness, accountability and the complete dominion of Allah over the heavens and the earth.

As Surah Al-An‘am begins, the reading turns to Allah as the Creator of the heavens and the earth, His mercy, the certainty of resurrection, and the signs that surround us.

Among the memorable words in today’s reading are the words of Jesus:

“Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.”

📖 Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:78 – Surah Al-An‘am 6:27
🎙️ Episode 91
📚 English translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali

This episode is part of my ongoing journey through the Qur’an in English. My aim is to read at least ten pages each day while listening to the Arabic and trying to better connect the words with their meaning.

May Allah help us understand His words, reflect upon them and bring their guidance into our lives. Ameen.

In Episode 90 of The Authentic Ummah Podcast, I continue my journey through the Qur’an in English, reading from Surah An-Nisa, Chapter 4, verse 141 through to Surah Al-Ma’idah, Chapter 5, verse 77, using the Abdullah Yusuf Ali English translation.

This longer reading brings us to the end of Surah An-Nisa and into Surah Al-Ma’idah.

The passage contains powerful guidance about faith, justice, obedience, covenants, what is lawful and unlawful, purification and prayer, and our responsibilities towards Allah and one another.

We also read about Jesus the son of Mary, the People of the Book, the story of the two sons of Adam, the sanctity of human life, and repeated reminders to remain faithful to the truth.

Among the most memorable words in this reading are:

“This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.”

📖 Surah An-Nisa 4:140 – Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:77
🎙️ Episode 90
📚 English translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali

This episode is part of my ongoing journey through the Qur’an in English. My aim is to read at least ten pages each day while listening to the Arabic and trying to better connect the words with their meaning.

May Allah help us understand His words, reflect upon them and bring their guidance into our lives. Ameen.

In Episode 89 of The Authentic Ummah Podcast, I continue reading the Qur’an in English from Surah An-Nisa, Chapter 4, verses 80–140, using the Abdullah Yusuf Ali English translation.

This reading contains powerful guidance about obedience to Allah and His Messenger, personal responsibility, prayer, forgiveness, migration, hypocrisy, faith and justice.

Among the strongest reminders in this section is the command to stand firmly for justice — even when the truth may go against ourselves, our parents or those closest to us.

It is a reminder that justice should not change depending on who is involved, whether rich or poor, and that our own desires should not cause us to turn away from what is right.

📖 Surah An-Nisa 4:80–140

🎙️ Episode 89

📚 English translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali

This episode is part of my ongoing journey through the Qur’an in English, reading at least ten pages at a time while listening to the Arabic and trying to better connect the words with their meaning.

May Allah help us understand His words, reflect upon them and bring their guidance into our lives. Ameen.

In Episode 88 of The Authentic Ummah Podcast, I continue reading the Qur’an in English from Surah An-Nisa, Chapter 4, verses 20–79, using the Abdullah Yusuf Ali English translation.

This section of Surah An-Nisa contains guidance touching many parts of everyday life and faith — including marriage and family responsibilities, the treatment of others, worship, prayer, justice, honesty, fulfilling trusts and obedience to Allah and His Messenger.

Among the powerful reminders in this reading is the command:

“Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger…”

The passage also speaks about resolving disagreements by returning to Allah and His Messenger, the difference between sincere faith and hypocrisy, the responsibility to stand up for those who are oppressed, and the reality that wherever we may be, death will eventually reach us.

📖 Surah An-Nisa 4:20–79
🎙️ Episode 88
📚 English translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali

This episode is part of my ongoing journey of reading through the Qur’an in English and making its meaning a regular part of my day.

May Allah allow us to understand, reflect upon and benefit from His words. Ameen.

In Episode 87 of The Authentic Ummah Podcast, I continue my journey of reading the Qur’an in English, beginning at Surah Aal ‘Imran, Chapter 3, verse 158 and continuing through to Surah An-Nisa, Chapter 4, verse 19, using the Abdullah Yusuf Ali English translation.

This reading brings us through the powerful closing passages of Surah Aal ‘Imran, with reminders about relying upon Allah, the reality of this worldly life, the certainty of death, patience through trials, reflection upon Allah’s creation, prayer, perseverance and the Hereafter.

We then begin Surah An-Nisa — “The Women” — where the Qur’an turns to important matters concerning family, orphans, inheritance, marriage, justice and the treatment of women.

Among the words in this reading is one of the Qur’an’s most sobering reminders:

“Every soul shall have a taste of death.”

A reminder that this life is temporary, and that our ultimate return is to Allah.

📖 Surah Aal ‘Imran 3:158 – Surah An-Nisa 4:19
🎙️ Episode 87
📚 English translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali

This episode is part of my ongoing journey of reading through the Qur’an in English, aiming to make reading and reflecting upon its meaning part of everyday life.

May Allah allow us to understand, reflect upon and benefit from His words. Ameen.