Surah Al Kahf - Ayah 83-110

Assalam o Alaikum. Shab-e-Juma Mubarak. A polite reminder to recite and understand magnificent Al Kahf this blessed day. 

In this Ayah cluster series, main theme has been to differentiate between Divine Guidance and Divine Decree. In today’s cluster from Ayah 83-110 (last) Allah swt brings us to the story of Zulqarnain, where we see, once again, how Divine guidance is upheld, this time by a person of power. Here, we learn that those people whom Allah swt has given resources and power must use these means to provide justice where it is needed and protect the innocent from oppressive people. We also learn how Divine guidance inspires leaders to demonstrate creativity and utilise technology to devise long-term solutions for pressing issues. 

However, despite all the innovation, technology, and strategy that a leader may employ, he or she must accept the fact that all power ultimately comes from Allah swt. If He decrees something to change, that change is inevitable, no matter how much effort or how many resources one may invest in an attempt to make it last. In the end, nothing lasts but Allah swt.  

Zulqarnain’s three travels have been discussed in detail in our Ayah by Ayah series.

As the Surah concludes, last ten Ayahs give us the fundamental morals of the different stories in Surah Al-Kahf: that our actions will only bring us benefit if they are done purely for the sake of Allah swt, such as the youth’s isolation, Khizar AS’  fulfilment of Allah’s commands, and the administration of Zulqarnain. On the other hand, those who work to please other than Allah will find no lasting benefit for themselves, regardless of how much effort they apply to their work, like the man with the two gardens, Iblis, or Ya’juj and Ma’juj. 

Allah’s knowledge of reality is inexhaustible, and there is no truth that escapes Him. If He promises the believers their reward, then whoever places their faith in Him and strives for His cause can never fail.

May Allah swt help us keep the faith in these trying times. Ameen

Al Kahf - Ayahs 60 - 82

Assalam o Alaikum.  Shab-e-Juma Mubarak. May this be the best ever Friday for you and your family. To make the best of it, besides necessary prayers, please recite or understand part of Al Kahf this Juma. Al Kahf is your window to the unseen worlds. Remember, we cannot see ‘them’ but they can see us. To divert, deflect and defend against ‘evil eyes’ of the unseen world, we need protection. Al Kahf is our protective shield and a strong layer of defence against all the evil out there.

Coming over to today’s cluster of Ayahs from 60-82 which is about understanding Allah’s wisdom in adversity. There is Divine wisdom behind everything which protects the well-being of the righteous, even when it seems to harm them. This means that even when a boat is damaged, a child dies, or an oppressive town is given aid, none of these events are actually to the benefit of the wretched. Rather, the decree serves the best interests of the believers. 

Similarly, following the guidance of 

Allah and applying the teachings of the Qur’an should grant us utmost certainty. Regardless of how difficult it may be for our egos to accept, there is a greater wisdom and innumerable benefits in this guidance that always transcend the apparent situation. In the end, the believer should patiently serve Allah and look forward to receiving the good that He has in store for him. To summarise, if you keep faith in Allah swt then be rest assured that every adversity is meant to benefit you, you just have to remain patient, steadfast and keep the faith. 

May Allah swt help us keep the faith through testing times. Ameen

Surah Al Kahf - Ayah 75-82

Assalam o Alaikum. Shab-e-Juma Mubarak. Pray that we all benefit from amazing Al Kahf on this blessed day.  To profit from Al Kahf, you might have to start with its recitation. For better effects, read and make sense of its translation. To accrue maximum benefits, try and understand its deeper meaning. You may never reach the bottom of it because of Al Kahf’s timelessness, profundity and vastness of subjects. Besides, a lifetime is not enough to dig deeper into this magnificent Al Kahf but as far as you could mange, shall change your world for good. In continuation of our series on discussing cluster of Ayahs, let’s explore the themes of Surah al-Kahf from Ayah 75-83. 

 So far in this surah, we have seen how Divine guidance was upheld by people in their youth (Kahf Boys) as well as how it was upheld by a person with wealth (Men of Two Gardens).  

As we arrive at the story of Musa and Khizar AS, we will learn how Divine guidance is upheld by a person with knowledge. Throughout the story, we learn that there is a profound difference between knowledge and wisdom. Allah swt granted Prophet Musa AS knowledge of the book and instructed him to follow it. On the other hand, Khizar AS was given wisdom of the decree, and he was mandated to teach Prophet Musa AS how this wisdom manifested. In this section we learn that human beings cannot judge Allah’s decree based on what things appear to be at face value.

May Allah be our Guide. Ameen

    

Random Thoughts 2

Random thoughts because pieces of jigsaw puzzle are either missing or mixed rather messed up.

Chief Justice allegedly caught bottles of alcohol on bedside of hospitalised Sharjeel Memon and laboratory results showed honey and olive samples. Whereas, two weeks after Abu Sulaiman’s (we can’t take ex PM’s name now as per PEMRA instructions and instructions of PPEMRA instructors) arrest, honourable health minister found traces of cocaine & alcohol in his urine. Imagine, someone 72 years old who not very long ago received multiple gunshots and is in constant danger of arrest or assassination, indulges in booze & crack. To believe this we will have to believe that brain is already drained from Pakistan. All we are left with is numb people, dumb leaders & duffer leaders of leaders. 

Once Mati Ullah Jan was abducted in last tenure, the whole of the western media, govts and even NGO vigils (موم بتی آنٹیز) drew significant outcry. But there is complete radio silence on human rights violation against my brothers & sisters by my brothers. A mess of proportions. What is not messy is that Mati Ullah with his dodgy ‘orientations’ has become a senior analyst and we accepted to live under New World Order.

Flipping through news channels has been made easy by current regime, they all appear to be clones of PTV. So much for free media.

For centuries, Punjab had been the hub of political prostitution and it still lives up to its reputation. Even our previous masters were totally satisfied with notables of Punjab.  Battalions of both East & West Punjab were considered ‘loyal’ to the crown.

“If we fail to improve economy within 6 months, name me Imran Niazi”. Said Imran Niazi when he was Shahbaz Sharif before assuming office. What? The deal is off. It was valid for only 6 months. Can’t call him Niazi after 15 months. Jo hukam sarkar. But if the  economy of the common man is not back on track by the end of  this calendar year, tell your puppeteers, kuch bhi nahin bachay ga. 

A soldier who speaks nonsense has been counterproductive to PTI’s cause and has turned against his own institution. Fictional Khamosh Mujahids are as silent as intergalactic dark space. Being an insider, ‘knowledge’ of the system coupled with intelligent (in evil sense) worked for him. Resultantly, a cheap product with even cheaper language became instant hit because of degenerative trends in society in general and social media in particular. Sensational cheap stuff sells fast and accrues greater revenues. 

Jinns when heard Quran said, “Indeed, we have heard an amazing Quran”. Surah Jinn, (01-72). Says a lot about how good Jinns were kept in the dark. So now you know why Pak people feel betrayed. In my forties, I feel being duped for forty years.

  

Helpful tip for the people who have to live in Pakistan - Reconcile with the status quo. Minus Abu Sulaiman hung parliament with old & new King’s Parties taking their share of the booty. Might create history by selecting first LGBT PM of the Muslim world in conformity with New World Order. Some economic relief may come after Budget. Seeing few dollars pouring in would mean normalcy. Company runs the show, long live the mad king. Long live not so mad King Sam. 

Always wondered what was wrong with Jalib, Faiz, Faraz and likes? From whom they sought freedom? What revolution did they long for? Whereas, everything was and is so perfect in this country. 

They must be taking cheap drugs. 

Lastly, awareness is double edged. Wish we were as ignorant as earlier generations, because ignorance is blessing. Wish we didn't have access to this much information. Wish we couldn't process this information. Wish we had that device which erased people's memory like the one in movie 'Men in Black' that would have lessened the misery of our countrymen/women so that instead of taking them to unknown 'heights' Men in Black Utility Trucks' would just flash that magic beam and erase their memories.