BISMILLAH IR-RAHMAN IR- RAHIM

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH MOST BENEFICENT, MOST MERCIFUL

Tonight’s Taraweeh consists of the last three-quarter of Sayaqûl and the first half of Tilka r-Rusul. The Sûrah covered is the last third of Al-Baqara. Earlier we were told how Ibrâhîm (AS) together with his son Ismâ’îl


(AS) built the Ka’ba, which stood for Islamic unity. By the very fact that Ibrâhîm (AS) had prayed thus with his son: “O our Lord! Make us among those who submit to Your Will and make from our offspring an Umma (community) which bows down to Your Will”, it shows that an Islamic Umma (community) had already been established. The symbol of its unity was the Ka’ba. Now, rules and regulations are laid down for this Muslim Brotherhood to follow (since no organization or body can exist for some time without any rules). The rules cover two aspects: Huqûq Allah and Huqûq al‘ibâd. The first deals with man’s relationship with Allah (SWT), and the second deals with man’s relationship with man. The Qur’ân emphasises that righteousness does not simply mean restricting ourselves to the outward observance of rituals, but in having deep-rooted faith (îmân), showing kindness, performing prayer (salât) and giving charity (zakât) after bearing their spirit in mind, exercising patience (sabr) under suffering and displaying good moral values in general. Rules are also laid down relating to food and drink, laws of inheritance, fasting, jihad, wine and gambling, good treatment of orphans and women and the prohibition from taking interest. In short, if one wishes to be a good Muslim, one has to follow the commandments of Allah (SWT) and be an asset to one’s community and also look after one’s own health. Nothing short of this can make a person a true Muslim. The subject of Jihâd is further discussed with reference to Dâwûd (AS)’s slaying of Jâlût (Goliath). Dâwûd (AS) was given great physical strength to kill his enemy and defend Islam. On the other hand, ‘Isâ (AS) was strengthened “with the Divine Word of Allah (SWT)” to aid the cause of Islam. Mûsâ (AS) called upon his followers to kill their evil desires (reference to ‘Isâ (AS) and Mûsâ (AS) in connection with Jihâd were covered in the 1st taraweeh). From examples of these three prophets we learn that Jihâd works at three levels: 1) Arming one’ self with the truth; 2) Fighting one’s baser and animal self, so that Islam within one’s heart


remains strong and guard; 3) Fighting one’s enemies for the defence of Islam, in order that Islam remains well guarded externally. Rasûl (SAW), “the most perfect example to mankind,” had all these three qualities for his Jihâd. In short, we are told that real goodness lies in practical deeds of kindness, good faith and manliness. Allah (SWT)’s qualities are discussed in the beautiful and sublime Ayat al-Kursî, the verse of the Throne. There are just two aspects left before the Sûrah can come to its logical end. The first is a call from Allah (SWT) to mankind, urging the latter to have faith in the rules and regulations laid down in this Sûrah. This faith must be followed by practical deeds (obedience) which must obviously arise from a sense of personal responsibility. Secondly, man is once more taught a beautiful prayer. Man might not be able to follow Allah (SWT)’s guidance perfectly in both letter and spirit (or in letter but not in spirit); hence it is here that man turns to Divine Help once more.

Night 2 - 1430 Taraweeh Audio Coming Soon