Reflection on Ash-Shu'ara: Forgiveness and Guidance

Asalam alaykum loves, last night was the 27th night , if it was indeed Layal Tul Qadr, May Allah reward us if we were praying or worshiping, or doing good deeds! The reward is beyond what we can imagine, so even if we did not obtain if this Ramadan, In Sha Allah it will come to you next Ramadan! May we all live to see another Ramadan and continue to practice good habits!

So as far as I know the day of Eid is unsure , some people are saying it is either Monday or Tuesday, so either we have 1 day left of fasting after today, or two more days, May Allah make it easy!

I want to finish the month out strong and catch up with the posting since I am behind! So I am just for this post going to reflect on some verses in Surah Ash' Shu'ara, nothing too special as I am running out of steam haha.

42:13- 

"He has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus - to establish the religion and not be divided therein. Difficult for those who associate others with Allah is that to which you invite them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns back [to Him]."

I liked this verse because there was so much being said just in one verse, talking about those who were Muslim before us, those who associate partners with Allah and how he guides people who leave or come to the Deen. I liked that many different prophets are mentioned, this is Allah talking to Muhammad directly and telling him that this religion he is in charge of spreading to all mankind, there were others who were revealed a similar message. They were told to establish the religion and not become divided. They were just sent to specific groups of people whereas Prophet Muhammad was sent to all mankind.

Then it goes on to say people who associate partners with Allah, so those who say Allah has a son or those who worship multiple Gods or worship little stone deities. That is of course their choice and I would neither make fun of anyone for their beliefs or tell them that what they believe in is wrong. The next sentence even says Allah chooses us, if He wants us to be rewarded in the afterlife and this life, he will guide us to Islam. What's even more beautiful is Allah will guide whom He wills and if He wills will accept those who turn back to Him. I think this gives hope to someone like me, who has left the religion and been misguided and lost at times, that Allah can still take me back.

42:40-43

"And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation - his reward is [due] from Allah . Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers."

"And whoever avenges himself after having been wronged - those have not upon them any cause [for blame]."

"The cause is only against the ones who wrong the people and tyrannize upon the earth without right. Those will have a painful punishment."

"And whoever is patient and forgives - indeed, that is of the matters [requiring] determination."

 So I liked these verses because a few different concepts were covered talking about an eye for an eye, forgiveness and tyrants and how they will get back what they deserve.

It might not make sense to some people, what we even have this in America, if someone takes a life or multiple lives, they either get their punishment as being in jail for life or (this is rare) they are sentenced to death. Allah tells us that is it okay for someone to seek the punishment or consequence or whoever wronged or hurt them BUT what is better is forgiving them, allowing them to be let go despite the hurt and pain they have caused.

I don't know about you guys but I have seen videos of mothers forgiving the killers of their children, can you imagine having that kind of heart? I definitely believe in forgiveness because it honestly harms yourself more than the person you are unwilling to forgive. Having that hatred and anger in your heart just builds up and can affect your mental health and happiness. I am completely against holding grudges and I have the type of personality where I can't stay mad at a person but I definitely think it would take more energy and time for me to get over taking away a loved one from me, especially in such a harsh way, murder. If it was an accident I could understand, but intentionally harming someone I care about? Oh boy, that would be tough. Allah tells us in these verses that forgiveness is better because the reward of that is from Him alone. He says that it requires determination, but whoever has patience and forgiveness, is better off.

May Allah reward the families who forgive those who have taken away their children in such a harsh sad way, May Allah grant them justice and patience, and reunite them with their loved ones.

Going back to the verses, it tells us there is a difference when there is someone who has done something wrong or an evil deed and seeking retribution or forgiveness for them, verses a Tyrant who purposely spreads evil and continues to harm and do wrong. With them Allah will seek justice for what they have done and Allah will punish them. It makes me feel a little better because there are so many people causing war and killing people and knowing that even if they don't get what's coming to them in this life, they will not get away with all the lives they have taken and injustice they have done.

We all will have to answer for the wrongdoings and pain we have caused others, that is why forgiving others and asking for forgiveness is so important, not just from Allah but from those in our life we have felt we hurt or upset. Do not wait until it is too late to ask for forgiveness, otherwise they will take your good deeds or give you their sins on the Day of Judgment. May Allah make us among those who continuously ask for forgiveness from Him and stay away from hurting or harming others but if we do immediately ask for forgiveness before we regret it or forget to. 

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