March 14, 2024

In my Khatam group today, we completed recitation of Juz 4 and part of Juz 5. On days when time allows, we spend a few minutes to do tadabbur of the Qur’an (contemplate and reflect deeply on its meanings and purpose). Today was one of such days. I went back to the ayats I had recited to ponder upon its meanings but more importantly to connect with what Allah had destined for me to connect with in that present moment.

The ayats that spoke to me were at the very begining of the pages that I recited in Surah An-Nisa [4:122-126]. Allah says that for those who believe and do good, their reward is eternity in “Gardens under which rivers flow.” Then Allah continues to say:

“Allah’s promise is ˹always˺ true. And whose word is more truthful than Allah’s?” [4:122]

This part of ayah 122 really stood out to me. It’s a rhetorical question and a powerful one. The path is laid so bare for me - believe, and do good and my reward is eternity in a garden in Jannah with rivers flowing under it. What more could I ask for? Who else’s words would I believe and take as truth if not Allah’s? Ya Rabb keep me steadfast on Your path and Your Truth, Amin. The ayats continue and then Allah as if to put emphasis on what was previously said, He says again that

“But those who do good whether male or female and have faith will enter Paradise and will never be wronged ˹even as much as˺ the speck on a date stone.”

“And who is better in faith than those who ˹fully˺ submit themselves to Allah, do good, and follow the Way of Abraham, the upright? Allah chose Abraham as a close friend.” [4:124-125]

The importance of believing, doing good and submitting to Allah remained a continuous theme throughout these ayats. And in each ayah Allah reveals reward after reward that is promised for those who fall in this category. First it was the reward of eternity in a Garden with rivers flowing underneath it; then it was the promise of never being wronged even as much as a speck and then the last and certainly not the least becoming a friend of Allah. Ya Rabb make us amongst them.

It was the way Allah reveals this that astonished me. Allah didn’t just say, He’ll choose me as a friend but instead He gives me an example of someone who embodies these qualities, Ibrahim peace be upon him and then says: “Allah chose Abraham as a close friend.” Allah is not just leaving me to my devices, He tells me the end goal (Jannah), gives me the formula (believe, do good, submit) then gives me a role model, someone whose way I can use as a guide. Allah, Al-Karim, He is Ever Generous. How then do I not love Him? How? when He has made it so easy.

Forgive me ya Allah. Ya Ghafar (The All and Oft-Forgiving) I ask You for Your continuos forgiveness for my shortsightedness, for my negligence and for the times when I have failed to recognize Your Mercy. Envelope Me in Your Mercy, Ya Rahman and do not deprive me of it. Ya Ra’uf, I ask You for Your Divine Grace. Do not leave me to myself even for a blink of an eye. Ya Allah, Ya Hafidh, guard and protect my heart. Make Yourself beloved to me and make me beloved to You. I am not Ibrahim but I ask You by Your Mercy, Ya Waliy (The Protecting Friend and Ally) to grant me Your Companionship, Your Friendship. Choose me Ya Allah. I ask You with the words of your prophet Yusuf “O Originator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Guardian in this world and the Hereafter. Allow me to die as one who submits and join me with the righteous.” Allahumma Amin.

With Love, Ibtisam