Ramadan 24, 1435/2014 Tafseer, by Imam Muhammed Shoayb Mehtar, Khadeeja Islamic Center, SLC, Utah
Nightly Notes (24)*:
Tonight we read Surah Na’ziat wherein Allah describes that on the Day of Judgment, this world and all that we have said and done in it will be shown to us like a big flashback. Just like when someone has a major surgery or almost gets into a serious accident, their life flashes in front of them; whatever they did the previous month, the previous year, just hits them. Allah is saying if such a flashback is possible in this world then how is it not feasible that He will give us the flashback of our lives on that Day? We will wish that we did more good and abstained from evil. Allah has placed us through a test in this world. This world will feel like a strong current on that Day, 10 years of our life will flash before us in one second.
We need to be mindful that when we pass away we will be brought up in front of Allah.
Jahannam will be made very clear to us on that Day, it will no longer be a figment of our imaginations. Verse 38 (read until the end of the Surah) says, “And had preferred the life of this world,”; this world is just to deceive us.
Those of us that let this deception rule our lives will live in a bad, evil abode… that abode is Jahannam and the duration is forever and ever.
Regarding one that fears Allah (has concern regarding his deeds) they always have Allah in the back of their minds. They walk, talk, and serve others in the manner that Allah wishes them. They have a stiff, genuine concern and prevent and stop their Naffs (desire/ego) from ruining themselves. They do 2 things:
- They remember (fear) Allah at all times in all positions.
- They don’t let desires have control over them.
Don’t be like an animal that just eats and eats and eats until it finally dies. Those ‘cheap’ or ‘free’ buffets may seem like you’re getting a good or free deal but then later we have heart issues, we have blood pressure issues. If we did the two things mentioned above then Jannah will be our abode.
In Surah ’Abasa Allah is admonishing the Prophet (SAW) and pausing Wahi (revelation). Why is Allah doing this? Rasulullah (SAW) was speaking to a Mushrik (about Islam) and a blind Sahabah by the name of Abdullah ibn Makhtum (RA) came to speak to him and he (SAW) turned his face away. Allah got very upset and halted/snatched revelation to Rasulullah (SAW). We get emotional about this and say how could Allah be upset at Rasulullah (SAW) but the reality is we are snatching the Qur’an away every day. We don’t follow it, we out-right reject its teachings and do whatever we want. Allah is passing a message to us, that a bird in the hand is better than 2 or 3 birds out there. When a non-Muslim comes, especially from leadership to the masjid, we drop everything and everyone ‘like it’s hot’ and go to them to give Da’wah. When (for men) we go to the store and a female cashier drops the change in our hands we give ‘da’wah’ and talk about how she looks like the moon, etc. When a Muslim who is dressed like a Muslim comes we call them a fundamentalist – the reality is we talk like this.
When we turn our faces away from a believer we are demanding the anger of Allah.
Those that are part of us are a part of us. When we die, who will wash our bodies? Who will pray Janazah salah on us? Is it the non-Muslim(s)? They will, at best, ask where they can put a card on our graves. Trust me, cards and flowers do not advance our position as the future goes. Let us hold tighter spiritual bonds. Let us develop and help members of our community develop and become the best, insha’Allah, Ameen!** added by imam
The message from Allah in this Surah through the rebuke to Rasulullah (SAW) is that those that are around us (a part of our deen) are more important than those that are not.
May Allah (SWT) help us and guide us at all times.
*Nightly Notes provided by note-takers in the masjid, as heard during tafseer.