Journey through the Qur’an – Juz 1 [Guidance]

Some of us have high aspirations but we are unable to accomplish what desire. How can we overcome this? Start with the Du’a. Be sincere in your intention and ask Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala to ease your task. We are surrounded by distractions. We turn on our computer to take an online class and get distracted by all that the internet has to offer. Sometimes our cellphones are a distraction. Sometimes someone comes at our door unannounced. Ask Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala to put blessing in your time and free you for 2-3 hours so that you can gain beneficial knowledge without getting distracted, in sha Allah.

Our topic for today’s Juz is “Guidance.”

In the Qur’an we read:

❝ Say, ‘Indeed, the guidance of Allah is the [only] guidance.’ If you were to follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you would have against Allah no protector or helper.❞ (Qur’an 2: 120)

First we have to ask Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala for guidance and then seek refuge with Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala from the whisperings of Shaytan before he deviates or distracts us.

A Du’a that the Prophet salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam used to make:

‏ ‏ اللهم إني أسألك الهدى والتقى والعفاف والغنى‏‏

Allahumma inni as’alukal-huda wat- tuqa wal-‘afafa wal-ghina

“O Allah! I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity and self- sufficiency.” [Muslim]

[Read the Explanation of this Du’a]

The Prophet salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was already guided and protected by Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala, yet he used to “ask” Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala for guidance and to protect that guidance. How can we protect our guidance? By implementing it in our lives. We learn so many beautiful ayaat and Ahadith but we forget them. Why? It is because we don’t live by them. So make it a goal to ask Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala for guidance and to protect that guidance by staying away from the desires of our nafs [soul].

How to start a journey through the Qur’an?

– Get a diary – it should be neither too big nor too small. It should have enough space to write down action points and a few ayaat, Ahadith and du’as from each Juz

– Highlight your favorite ayaat in the Qur’an

– Deduce five action points from each Juz (to-do list)

[Tafseer of the Entire Juz 1]

Summary Surah Al-Fatihah

– All praise belongs to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala because He is the Lord of every creation and all the worlds. He is the Lord of the fish in the sea and the planets in the galaxy.

– Even though He owns eveything, He is Ar-Rahman and Ar-Raheem. He is not cruel or stingy like the rich and powerful of this world.

– He is the Master of the Day of Judgment which means only Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala can judge

– We only worship Him because He is our Lord and He created us. We “only” seek help from Him because He is the “only” one Who can help us. Depending only on Allah SWT means having no expectations from the people. This is true tawwakal [reliance]. We don’t have to beg people to do what we want. We will go to the Lord of the worlds and ask Him. He will put the right thing in the hearts of the people so that they help us. After all, He is the Controller of the hearts. Don’t embarrass yourself by asking people or having expectations from them. 

[Understanding Surah Al-Fatihah]

What is Ibadah?

Ibadah is showing submission through our limbs, minds and hearts. It is not a mere ritual but when we pray our hearts and minds should be connected to Allah SWT. We should know why we are praying, what are we praying for and what words are we uttering.  A submissive heart is a humble heart that is consciously connected with Allah SWT – this is ibadah. 

We should increase our prostrations because we owe so much to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala

TASK: Ask Allah SWT for guidance consciously

The best du’a is the du’a for guidance. The first that He taught us in the Qur’an is:

“Guide us to the straight path.”

It means put us on the road that will take us to Jannah. 

Even though we recite this du’a many times in our prayer why is not getting accepted? For this we will have to look at the condition of our prayers. How attentive are we in our Salah? Are we focusing on the words that we utter? Allah SWT doesn’t hear a du’a of a negligent heart. If you want your du’as to be accepted, especially the du’a for guidance, then put your heart into it. Don’t just say the words without meaning anything. 

So we ask Allah SWT to put us on the path of those who were favored and not of those who evoked His anger or went astray.

Surah Al-Fatihah is the cure for all kinds of diseases (physical, spiritual, emotional, psychological, hatred, envy, jealousy). It is also called ruqiyya. 

How to make du’a?

Make a du’a sandwich

– Start with the praise of Allah SWT
– Send Salawat on Rasoolullah SA
– Make Du’a
– Send Salawat on Rasoolullah SA
– End with the praise of Allah SWT

Summary Surah Al-Baqarah

Surah Al-Baqarah is known as the hump of the Qur’an. Shaytan cannot enter a house where this Surah is recited regularly. If you can’t recite the entire Surah in one sitting, recite a few ayaat every day and try to finish it every week, in sha Allah.  Reciting this Surah is a source of barakah [blessing] and leaving it is a source of regret.

TASK: Make it a habit to recite the last two ayaat of this Surah every night before you go to sleep.

“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.” (Qur’an 2:1)

We learn that for guidance we need taqwa or Allah-consciousness.

What are the qualities of the Allah-conscious (Muttaqeen)?

– They believe in the unseen

– They establish prayer (not once in a while but regularly at their appointed times with proper wudhu, khushu and proper clothing)

– They spend out of what Allah SWT has given them

– They believe in what has been revealed to Muhammad SA

– They believe in what has been revealed before you (as they were revealed not the alterations that have been made)

– They are certain about the Day of Judgment  (our preparation for Akhirah shows our belief/conviction about the Day of Judgment)