Reflection on verses in Surahs Al-An'aam and Al-Anfal

Asalam alaykum! Day 11 of Ramadan complete! May we continue to reap the rewards of this blessed month and let our connection with the Quran and prayer only become stronger even after Ramadan is over! If you haven't been already try to give in charity even if it is a small amount because the amount does not matter it is your intention and if you are trying to be consistent!

I wanted to tell you about a Launchgood Campaign for a friend of mine named Sedika! She is a sister I have know for years, who has done a lot for the community and for others, she has personally helped me out a few times! She has a condition called Sickle Cell Disease, a painful blood disorder that affects her daily life. She has recently traveled out of state and qualifies for a stem cell transplant with her sister as her donor! In order for her to afford the medical treatment and bills while she will be healing she is raising funds! Let's help this sister out and also gain reward!

Read more about her story her and Donate: https://www.launchgood.com/campaign/sedika

Surah Al-Hadid, 18: 

"Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan - it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward."

I came across some verses the other day about people who have a seal over their hearts, that no matter how much we tell the message of the Islam, they refuse to listen or obey. The Quran describes these people as deaf and blind, not in the literal sense but in the sense that there are so many signs that they ignore. They claim that the Quran is fabricated or magic and they want to believe in what their ancestors or fathers have practiced before them. There are so many signs, the alternation of the night and day, the moon and the sun, how we have basically fall into the "cousin of death" (sleep) and awaken everyday, nature and animals and the Quran itself!

Surah Al-An'am, 25:

"And among them are those who listen to you, but We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And if they should see every sign, they will not believe in it. Even when they come to you arguing with you, those who disbelieve say, "This is not but legends of the former peoples."

32: "And the worldly life is not but amusement and diversion; but the home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear Allah, so will you not reason?"

46: "Say, "Have you considered: if Allah should take away your hearing and your sight and set a seal upon your hearts, which deity other than Allah could bring them [back] to you?" Look how we diversify the verses; then they [still] turn away."

These verses had me emotional because it made me think of the time where I heard the message of Islam but didn't follow it or was frustrated for constantly being told about it. I never want to be one of those who turns a blind eye or shuts my ears and refuses to listen to the beauty that is Islam. I have personally people in my life who have heard the message and still do not practice which is what these verses are saying, that people will turn away and you can argue and show them all the signs and they will still refuse. No one wants to see the ones you love fall into haram or the punishment of Allah, so May Allah guide us all and protect us from having our hearts sealed. 

While this verses can be hard and make us feel sad if we know people who belong to this group, Allah always reminds us even if there is a punishment for those who do not believe and create injustice on Earth, he provides us with hope and tells us of the reward if we believe and do good. He tells us only within Allah we will find a protector and helper and that is he the All Merciful and All Forgiving. 

Al-Anfal, 2-4

"The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely -"

"The ones who establish prayer, and from what We have provided them, they spend."

Those are the believers, truly. For them are degrees [of high position] with their Lord and forgiveness and noble provision.

May Allah make us among the people who rely on Him, fear Him but have hope and believe in His mercy and love, who pray for and work for Jennah Tul Furdaus, and who constantly remember Allah, standing, sitting or laying down. Ameen!