taqwa – Islamic Inspirations

May 30, 2025May 30, 2025

Quran 2:189 (Surah al-Baqarah)

They ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about the phases of the moon. Say, “They are a means for people to determine time and pilgrimage.” Righteousness is not in entering your houses from the back doors. Rather, righteousness is to be mindful ˹of Allah˺. So enter your homes through their ˹proper˺ doors, and be mindful of Allah so you may be successful.Quran 2:189Surah al-Baqarah (The Cow) — The surah encompasses a variety of topics and contains several commands for Muslims such as enjoining fasting on the believer during the month of Ramadan; forbidding interest or usury (riba); and several famous verses such as The Throne Verse, Al-Baqara 256, and the final two or three verses.

click the button above to listen to the recitation of these Quranic verses again

یَسۡءَلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡأَهِلَّةِۖ
قُلۡ هِیَ مَوَ ٰقِیتُ لِلنَّاسِ وَٱلۡحَجِّۗ

وَلَیۡسَ ٱلۡبِرُّ بِأَن تَأۡتُوا۟ ٱلۡبُیُوتَ مِن ظُهُورِهَا وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلۡبِرَّ مَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰۗ

وَأۡتُوا۟ ٱلۡبُیُوتَ مِنۡ أَبۡوَ ٰبِهَاۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ — The surah addresses a wide variety of topics, including substantial amounts of law, and retells stories of Adam, Ibrahim (Abraham) and Musa (Moses). A major theme is guidance: urging the pagans (Al-Mushrikeen) and the Jews of Medina to embrace Islam, and warning them and the hypocrites (Munafiqun) of the fate God had visited in the past on those who failed to heed his call.

لوگ تم سے چاند کی گھٹتی بڑھتی صورتوں کے متعلق پوچھتے ہیں
کہو:
یہ لوگوں کے لیے تاریخوں کی تعین کی اور حج کی علامتیں ہیں

نیز ان سے کہو:
یہ کوئی نیکی کا کام نہیں ہے کہ اپنے گھروں میں پیچھے کی طرف داخل ہوتے ہو
نیکی تو اصل میں یہ ہے کہ
آدمی اللہ کی ناراضی سے بچے

لہٰذا تم اپنے گھروں میں
دروازے ہی سے آیا کرو

البتہ اللہ سے ڈرتے رہو
شاید کہ تمہیں فلاح نصیب ہو جائے — **Sections:**
The Book of Guidance for those who want to be righteous. The difference between the believers and the non-believers.
The hypocrites: their sickness, mischief and self-deception.
Mankind, worship Allah alone. Make no partners in Allah’s divinity. The challenge of the Qur’an. This Book will guide many but many will remain in error. The character of those who shall remain in error.
The story of the creation of Adam. Allah’s plan and promise to send His guidance from time to time through His prophets.
Address to Bani Israel to accept this message. Allah’s covenant must be fulfilled.
Warnings to those who stray from the covenant of God. How some from among the Children of Israel turned away from God’s teachings.
God’s blessings on the Children of Israel and their transgressions.
The real recipients of Divine salvation. The hesitation of Bani Israel in sacrificing the cow.
Some perversions of those who were supposed to follow the law of God.
Basic principles of God’s Covenant with the Children of Israel.
Some of them were arrogant to follow the teachings of their prophets, some rejected the prophets or tried to kill them, some worshipped the calf, disobeyed God’s commands and became too greedy for the life of this world.
Opposition and enmity towards the Prophets, following devils and magic.
Reminders to the Believers to follow these examples. Stay firm on your principles. Some among the People of the Book will try to mislead you with false claims and assertions.
The true guidance of Allah is here. Read the Book of Allah and follow it.
The great example of Prophet Ibrahim. He and his son built the Ka’bah and prayed for a Prophet to come. Prophet Ibrahim –peace be upon him- submitted to Allah and this is the message that he and his sons gave to their progeny.
The change of Qiblah and the response of the hypocrites and fools. Those who have knowledge know that this is the true Qiblah of all the Prophets.
Follow this direction wherever you are. This is the universal Qiblah for all.
Believers will be tried but they should be firm and steadfast and must face the trials with patience and prayers.
Allah’s signs and His bounties are everywhere. The polytheists and idolaters are misplacing their loyalties.
Believers should eat good and permissible food and should never follow the steps of the devil.
The true piety and righteousness. Some rules related to the punishment of murderers. The rules of bequests.
Fasting and Ramadan: the objective of fasting and some rules.
Rules of Hajj, fighting those who expelled Muslims from their homes.
No fighting during Hajj, rather seek God’s bounty when you return from Hajj.
Appreciate God’s bounties. All human beings were originally one community. Divisions came later. Be generous and defend your self and your faith.
Some important questions answered: War in the sacred months, wine and gambling, charity, orphans’ money, divorced women and their situation.
The laws of divorce
Continuation of the laws of divorce.
Rules on the remarriage of the divorced women or the widowers.
Further rules of divorce
Fighting in the cause of God: Israelites
Under the leadership of Prophet David the victory came over the forces of Goliath.
Emphasis on charity. To Allah belong everything. His Throne extends to heaven and earth. No compulsion in religion. Allah brings out people from darkness unto light.
Allah’s power over life and death, some examples: Prophet Ibrahim’s dialogue with Namrood, a man in the valley of dead (probably Prophet Ezekiel’s vision of Jerusalem), Prophet Ibrahim asks Allah how will He raise the dead to life. Allah’s answer to Prophet Ibrahim.
Allah blesses charity: some examples of how Allah blesses charity
Emphasis on charity: spend good things, give openly and secretly to the poor and needy.
Prohibition of usuary (riba) and its bad effects on individuals and society
Some rules on loan transactions
Conclusion and prayer: Everything in the heaven and earth belong to Allah, the prayer of the believers.

October 13, 2023April 26, 2025

THE LAST SERMON OF HOLY PROPHET (PBUH)

The Great Charter of Human Rights

“O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you.

Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that he will indeed reckon your deeds.

Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has, judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibne Abd ul Muttalib [the Prophet’s uncle] be waived.
Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of son of Rabiah bin Harith.

O People, the unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calendar in order to make permissible that which Allah forbade, and to forbid that which Allah has made permissible.

With Allah the months are twelve in number.

Four of them are holy, three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Shaban.

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope of that he will be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women but they also have rights over you.

Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right, then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness.
Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers.

And it is your right that they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, offer your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat.

Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over a white – except by piety and good action.

Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not therefore do injustice to yourselves.
Remember one day you will meet Allah and answer your deeds. So beware: do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me, and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore,

O People, and understand my words
which I convey to you.

I leave behind me two things, the Qur’an and my Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly.

Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people.”

References:
(1) Muslim, vol:2, Hadith:456,
(2) Bukhari, vol:1,Hadith:69,1670,1672,1673, vol:3,Hadith:17

some keywords associated with the Last Sermon (Farewell Sermon) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):

Unity: Emphasized the unity of Muslims and humanity.
Equality: Stressed the equality of all individuals regardless of race or ethnicity.
Justice: Called for justice in all aspects of life.
Rights of Women: Emphasized the rights of women and fair treatment.
Human Rights: Addressed the rights and dignity of all individuals.
Economic Justice: Discussed fairness in economic transactions and the prohibition of usury.
Piety (Taqwa): Encouraged piety and good deeds.
Brotherhood: Advocated for the brotherhood of Muslims.
Responsibility: Highlighted individual and collective responsibilities.
Finality of Prophethood: Declared the finality of prophethood with the message of Islam.
Guidance from the Quran: Encouraged adherence to the teachings of the Quran.
Worship of One God: Reaffirmed the oneness of Allah and worshiping Him alone.
Humility: Demonstrated humility and servitude to Allah.
Accountability: Warned about the Day of Judgment and being accountable for actions.

July 2, 2023July 2, 2023

Quran 22:31~32

Be upright ˹in devotion˺ to Allah, associating none with Him ˹in worship˺. For whoever associates ˹others˺ with Allah is like someone who has fallen from the sky and is either snatched away by birds or swept by the wind to a remote place.That is so. And whoever honours the symbols of Allah, it is certainly out of the piety of the heart.Quran 22:31~32 (Surah al-Hajj) — ^{Named after the obligation of the pilgrimage to Makkah – The Hajj.
The word ‘Hajj’ is only mentioned once in this Surah, وَأَذِّن فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًا وَعَلَىٰ كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ “And proclaim to the people the Hajj [pilgrimage]; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass -” [22:27]
There are 78 Ayat in this Surah.}

^{click the button above to listen to the recitation of these Quranic verses again}