Good Deed: #214 Be grateful – Reflect Surah Ibrahim
Surah 14.Ibrahim (Abraham)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
1. Alif. Laam. Raa. A Book which We have revealed unto thee, in order that thou mightest lead mankind out of the depths of darkness into light – by the leave of their Lord – to the Way of (Him) the Exalted in power, worthy of all praise!-
2. Of Allah, to Whom do belong all things in the heavens and on earth! But alas for the Unbelievers for a terrible penalty (their Unfaith will bring them)!-
3. Those who love the life of this world more than the Hereafter, who hinder (men) from the Path of Allah and seek therein something crooked: they are astray by a long distance.
4. We sent not an apostle except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people, in order to make (things) clear to them. Now Allah leaves straying those whom He pleases and guides whom He pleases: and He is Exalted in power, full of Wisdom.
5. We sent Moses with Our signs (and the command). “Bring out thy people from the depths of darkness into light, and teach them to remember the Days of Allah.” Verily in this there are Signs for such as are firmly patient and constant,- grateful and appreciative.
6. Remember! Moses said to his people: “Call to mind the favour of Allah to you when He delivered you from the people of Pharaoh: they set you hard tasks and punishments, slaughtered your sons, and let your women-folk live: therein was a tremendous trial from your Lord.”
7. And remember! your Lord caused to be declared (publicly): “If ye are grateful, I will add more (favours) unto you; But if ye show ingratitude, truly My punishment is terrible indeed.”
8. And Moses said: “If ye show ingratitude, ye and all on earth together, yet is Allah free of all wants, worthy of all praise.
9. Has not the story reached you, (O people!), of those who (went) before you? – of the people of Noah, and ‘Ad, and Thamud? – And of those who (came) after them? None knows them but Allah. To them came apostles with Clear (Signs); but they put their hands up to their mouths, and said: “We do deny (the mission) on which ye have been sent, and we are really in suspicious (disquieting) doubt as to that to which ye invite us.”
10. Their apostles said: “Is there a doubt about Allah, The Creator of the heavens and the earth? It is He Who invites you, in order that He may forgive you your sins and give you respite for a term appointed!” They said: “Ah! ye are no more than human, like ourselves! Ye wish to turn us away from the (gods) our fathers used to worship: then bring us some clear authority.”
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Action Plan
When asked, “What is the greatest blessing endowed by Allah”, many people would refer to mundane affairs such as their spouse, children, home, or money. On the other hand, when asked about the worst affliction undergone, they would mention worldly problems such as loss of money, or ruined business. To remove such misconceptions, Allah points out in surat Ibrahim (AS) “Abraham” that the greatest blessing ever is the blessing of belief in Allah, and the worst affliction is disbelief and estrangement from Allah (SWT).
The surah concludes with a comparison between two models. The first one is of a man, Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who lived on Allah’s blessings and internalized the blessing of belief. The other one is of people living away from Allah’s path, being unjust to themselves and to their communities. Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) thankfulness for the blessings received is always evident,
1. Be grateful
2. Perform Hajj- Journey of a lifetime
3. Have faith