(29:6) Rageful Refutations to Courteous Conversations?

The examples of scholars having decorum and etiquette in their disagreements are too many to relate. But one example came up today while I was doing some reading around this verse in Surah Al-Ankabut.

After Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, may Allah have mercy on him, spends a significant number of pages responding to some Mu’tazilite theological arguments – something he spends a lot of time doing in his exegesis – he then says something quite profound about this whole back-and-forth he’s engaging in.

(80:31) A few careless words

Ibn Kathir mentions in his Tafsir:

“Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (ra) was asked about the meaning of this verse. He replied:

`What sky would shade me and what earth would carry me if I said about the Book of Allah that which I did not have knowledge of.’ ”

Many of us are quick to interpret the words of Allah ﷻ with little study or knowledge, particularly when asked a question.

Summer Holiday Hacks

It’s the summer holidays, a time all kids rejoice and parents begrudge! After a long, tough year at school, every kid relishes that much earned break to kick back, relax and enjoy the sun. In their minds, summer consists of a concoction of games, gym, smartphones, TV and friends – with snacks, sleep and maybe a vacation scattered in between.

As parents, it’s tough enough entertaining them for 6 weeks alongside work, let alone having to worry about the time they spend. Religion feels like another burden to bear! Here are 10 Hacks to help you parent like a pro to make this a summer they won’t forget!

The Desert Call

As He stood upon the newly built house in the vastness of the desert, he began calling the emptiness to the House of God.

To an observer, His actions seem worthless. What good will his call do amidst the immensity of the desert? How will it reach the millions of people around the world to bring them to the House of God? Shouldn’t he have built it where people already were, rather than expecting them to come to the house of God? Who would traverse the difficult terrain of Arabia to come to His house?

(20:67-69) Musa’s Fear

Video: https://youtu.be/9_Xu1L5KCvEPodcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclubApp: http://www.quranclub.org فَأَوۡجَسَ فِي نَفۡسِهِۦ خِيفَةٗ مُّوسَىٰSo Moses concealed fear within himself. (20:67) It’s easy to understand why anyone would be scared. A massive display of snakes appeared to move before him, a great display of magic by the country’s finest. But Prophet Musa (as) wasn’t anybody. He had spoken to Allah ﷻ…

(14:34) Write Your Blessings (part 2)

Video: https://youtu.be/t48EsykFhRU Podcast: https://anchor.fm/quranclubApp: http://www.quranclub.org In the Quran, Allah ﷻ presents quite the challenge; وَءَاتَىٰكُم مِّن كُلِّ مَا سَأَلۡتُمُوهُۚ وَإِن تَعُدُّواْ نِعۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُحۡصُوهَآۗ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ لَظَلُومٞ كَفَّارٞ And He has granted you all that you asked Him for. If you tried to count Allah’s blessings, you would not be able to enumerate them.…

Notice the Pause

Notice the pause.
Notice where the verse ends.

“Whoever is mindful of Allah ﷻ, He will make a way out for them.” (65:3)

We’re always told to have hope in God. Trust in God. Be conscious of God. Hold onto God in the moments most difficult to you. God will provide a way.

And just like that, in a verse and surah which discusses divorce – the most difficult of personal circumstances – Allah ﷻ commands us to act honourably, promising He will find a better way for us.

Then it ends. Full stop. The verse ends. That chapter of pain is now closed.