Life-Lessons: Juz 29

Raghabah Towards Allah

Surah Al-Qalam, verse 32

The last two juz’ of the Quran mark a break from all the previous Juz. Each surah is shorter in length, mostly revealed in the Makkan period, and centers around the topic of the spiritual life of believers. There is very little discussion of practical matters of living an Islamic lifestyle, interacting with the larger community, or legal rulings. Rather, the focus is on the establishment of one’s own internal faith in Allah. The verses contain deeper meaning and the style is more poetic.

In Juz 29, there are 11 surahs. Surah Mulk to Surah Al-Mursalat. I have picked verse 32 from Surah Qalam which is the 2nd surah of Juz 29.

عَسَىٰ رَبُّنَآ أَن يُبْدِلَنَا خَيْرًا مِّنْهَآ إِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا رَٰغِبُونَ

 We trust our Lord will give us a better garden than this, ˹for˺ we are indeed turning to our Lord with hope.

The background story of verses 17-32 is about the children of a person who had a big farm and was very charitable. He used to help and feed people from his garden. When this man passed away, his children thought that what their father was doing was not the right decision. He was spending too much of his wealth. So, they decided to keep all the produce for themselves and locked the farm on needy people, and went to their houses. They planned that they will pick up all the harvest the next early morning. However, in their ungrateful behavior, they forgot about Allah SWT. The next day, when they opened their farm, they were devastated to see that the entire farm was destroyed due to the tornado while they were sleeping. Their harvest was ruined to ashes. They realized that feeding others from their blessings is the way to be thankful for His bounties. The punishment from Allah SWT for their selfishness and ingratitude destroyed their garden. (Recorded by Ibn Kathir).

They were good people, their father gave them a good upbringing, unfortunately, Shaitan got them. So, they repented to Allah SWT and accepted that they were indeed mistaken and crossed the limits. Consequently, with repentance, they wanted to mend their relationship with Allah SWT. They truly desired and hoped that they will make efforts to create a better relationship with Him onwards.

Back to the verse, look at the word رَٰغِبُونَ, it is the plural of (راغِب) Raghib and is derived from the word Raghabah رَغَبَة, which means turning to someone with all devotion, love, and piety. Remember that true devotion requires something to do, it can be from your skills, time, money, or any blessing that you are gifted with. In the light of the Quran, here raghabah implies towards Allah SWT which requires to give something that you love, because it ultimately shows the degree of faith and trust, that one has in Him.

Life-Lessons

• In this world, we make efforts to have relationships with people we love. For instance, if you admire a doctor in your family, you try to reach that person or try to invite them to your place. For that invitation, you do your best to impress that person. You make arrangements, prepare the best meal, during meetings try to have a good conversation, etc.
• Now connect this example in light of our relationship to Allah SWT. When you pray, do you really wanna pray? When you fast, do you really wanna fast? You fast and pray because you know this is for Allah. When you go for Hajj, you smile and say, Oh Allah! I am here, I spend and travel to reach this blessed place, I am ready to go through all these hardships, I am going through this heat, this strenuous walk, just for You. And you know, it’s worth it to have such a bond with Him.
• To understand this idea further, I like to quote the saying of an early Muslim leader, he said,

 “Prayer carries us halfway to God; fasting brings us to the door of His palace, alms procure us admission.”

• Why a believer needs to do what pleases Allah SWT? Because if Allah is happy everything else doesn’t matter, it’s more or else Ok. And everything above dirt is dirt. We need to let go of our attachments with temporary things. Remember, Allah is the Ruler of all, when we are with Him, we have everything, but if we cling to something, it will become our Master. We will try to find peace and solace in it, whether it is our wealth, health, children, etc., it will rather distance us from the Almighty.

Today’s takeaway lesson is to let go of everything from our heart in faith and hope which is creating distance between us and our Rabb.

وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ رَضُوا۟ مَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَقَالُوا۟ حَسْبُنَا ٱللَّهُ سَيُؤْتِينَا ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَرَسُولُهُۥٓ إِنَّآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ رَٰغِبُونَ

If only they had been content with what Allah and His Messenger had given them and said, “Allah is sufficient for us! Allah will grant us out of His bounty, and so will His Messenger. To Allah ˹alone˺ we turn with hope.” (Surah At-Tawbah 9:59)

Juz 1 – Evils of Pride  | Juz 2 – He is really near, Call upon Him | Juz 3 – Purity of Intentions

Juz 4 – The Burdens of Sins | Juz 5 – Bounties in the Obedience of Prophet ﷺ | Juz 6 – Be Just |

Juz 7- Beware of Shaitan’s Plan | Juz 8 – Heart Epicenter of Eman | Juz 9 – Dunya over Deen?? |

Juz 10 – Strive in the way of Allah | Juz 11 – Allah is All-Powerful | Juz 12 – Fruits of Patience |

Juz 13 – Peace in Remembrance of Allah | Juz 14 – Don’t be Distressed… |

Juz 15 – Being good to your Parents |Juz 16 – Acceptable Deeds | Juz 17 – Hold on to the Hope |

Juz 18 – Do not Waste your Time | Juz 19 – Family is our Comfort Zone | Juz 20 – Do all Duas get Accepted |

Juz 21 – Sabr | Juz 22 – Rizq | Juz 23 – Transformation | Juz 24 – Humans are Selfish |

Juz 25 – What Am I leaving Behind | Juz 26 – Evil Characteristics | Juz 27 – Racing Extra Milestones

Juz 28 – Best Gift | Juz 29 – Raghbah | Juz 30 – Criteria of Nobility