17 Practical Lessons from Surah Fatiha by Uzma Rizvi

17 Practical Lessons from Surah Fatiha

 

1- Teach myself how to be grateful in many ways

 

2- Work on building attitude of gratitude all life long

 

3- If you want barakah in blessings…be grateful 

 

4- You’ve got to say and show gratitude to people as well

 

5- Rabbil Alameen… this puts me in my place, gives me perspectives on things.  i am just a tiny particle in many huge alameen (worlds), so aur jhuk kar chalain (be more humble)

 

6- And yet Allah pays attention to me as He only can to each and every minute detail and smallest creature…..so Allah is my/our Rabb

 

7- Rahman, Raheem… lots of hope for me in this world and akhira 

 

8- Mercy and Kindness are necessary if I want to convey this message of Islam to anyone, as even Allah mentions it in this opening surah. So be gentle and kind on many levels, again and again, as much as you can.

 

9- Reality is that accountability does come one day….(like in yawm id deen or in this world too) so for instance when dealing with myself or my kids, spell out the consequences of actions along with the gentle and kind reminders….

 

10- Life is simplified by iyyaka na’budu wa iyyaka nastaeen…clear cut simple solution to all issues….worship/obey only Him and seek only His help

 

11- However, i find it very hard to even practice the above simple concept everyday. Why? 

 

12- Alhamdulilah for the sirat mustaqeem given to us by Allah in Quran/HAdth/ Deen

 

13- I feel Rushk (praiseworthy envy) for those whom Allah Himself has called AnAmta Alayhim, ….they have already Passed the tests of life with flying colors, how great they were…they tread a difficult path.

but where will I stand?  I slip everyday. But Allah is my Rabb who gives hope for guidance.

 

14- Maghdoob and Dawleen….i must keep a watch out for these people’s characteristics in myself….rather than only in others

 

15- Allah has given us a life plan in Surah Fatiha…..at the risk of copying (from Weight Watchers) i think we can call this plan Worth Watchers….like what is my Worth, and the Worth of my actions in front of Allah and on Yawm id Deen 

 

16- Read surah Fatiha in namaz like the strong dua it is….not just rush it!

 

17- The Quran now enfolds after surah fatiha….. and the journey of self discovery will begin, inshaAllah. So, Pay Attention and Follow in deeds.

 

 

 

 

Reflections on Surah Fatiha; by Uzma Rizvi

Reflections on Surah Fatiha

 by Uzma Rizvi

 

Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil Alameen: 

 

The first words of the Quran are Alhamdulillah….WHY? that was very significant for me. 

 

By putting all this praise and thanks for Allah right at the beginning of HIs Book… Allah makes it clear that the first thing all His creations MUST recognize, acknowledge is the existence of Allah and that He has given us all that we have. Without His Will and and His favor nothing  and no one would have been here.

 

 It is important to make this emphasis right at the beginning so that everyone from the believer to the agnostic and the kafir knows that Allah is the one calling us on this journey of discovery, this Quran. 

  So the first step for going on this journey of Quran and hidayah is the Alahmdulillah.

 

 

I learnt never to take anything for granted, rather remember that it is on lease to me with unknown expiration date….

 

 

Differences between HAMD AND MADH: 

Hamd: praise, thanks for Allah only 

Madh: simple mere praise is for people 

 

 

~While translating, repeating, and just looking at the WRITTEN words HAMD and MADH i realized that same lettters are used in both but with different order.

HAMD haa meem daal

MADH: meem daal haa

 

~also when we say hamd there is a musical resonating quality, the word lingers on your lips and in your upper mouth (like when some buddhist people say OMmmm while meditating) and this sound of word HAMD draws you in, whereas Madah has a flat  sound and it just escapes from the mouth and that’s it.

 

~When saying the words HAMD there is feeling of continuity of sound…

 in madh it just ends there and then, i guess just like the meaning itself. one is for ALLAh only who is everlasting, eternal, forever and has been forever. Praise and gratitude of His excellence/mercy is never ending, and can never be completed fully, justifiably by anyone.  

 whereas madh is for creation that is cetainly finite, and has limited virtues.

 

 

Placing of Ar Rahman and Ar Raheem:

 

~I kept looking at the written words and pondering on their placing to try to experience them more. and i wondered why ArRahman came first and then ArRaheem….i thought maybe becoz Rahman is for this world and raheeem is  for akhira which will come later.

 

~Also Rahman is placed near the words Al Alameen of 1st ayah…as Allah is Rahman for all alameen, all worlds, all creation.

And Ar Raheem is placed near Maalik Yaum id Deen of 3rd Ayah… as Allah will be Raheem for believers on Day of judgement (yaum id Deen)

 

~ These 2 words Rahman and  Raheem give so much hope for this world and akhira.. but come with a reality check of MAALIKI Yaum id Deen in case we relax too much and forget who we will face on that Day.

 

Iyyaka Na’a budu WA Iyyaka Nastaeen

 

~This ayah showed me our helplessness that we are dependent on Allah for everything, so to get help we must refer to Him, Look to him for help thru all ibadah. 

But it is an ayah of such joy , an Ayah of such HAPPY NEWS…as in this very ayah  there is SO MUCH Liberation for us from all other creations other Saharay, false crutches, all shackles….and submission and clutching on to the only ONE.

 I cannot stop talking about this ayah as it is to me a DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE from all others (and makes breathing easier for me somehow, i mean i get a surge of relief and freedom)

 

Ihdinas Siratal Mustaqeem:

 After Na’budu and nastaeen, there comes another plural Ihdina… so Allah is telling us all as one  mankind that as long as we are doing all these good acts together we  are together as obedient ones..also this stresses the importance of collective efforts in this deen, in understanding it , practising it and establishing it.

 

sirat Al mustaqeem is one path of course and the criterion or way to follow for hidayah… but  Allah tells us the reality and the CHOICES/TEST we will face in this world in the next ayah, that we can be on the sirat al mustaqeem or otherwise become  the knowledgeable disobedient ones or the ignorant disobedient ones …

 

The Prospectus

Surah Fatiha is the just as we get a prospectus or student handbook when we want to get admission (or information) about a college or university/institute…

It gives us our first view of that institute. 

 

I leave it to you to figure out which institution is being talked about here and which ayahs tell us about the founder of that institution, its Mission Statement or Objectives,  the admissions criteria, courses offered, fee structure, discipline policy, and then at the end what are the requirements for successfully obtaining the Final Degree or ending as a Failure. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baqarah:83; reflection by Uzma Rizvi

By UZMA RIZVI

 

Reflections on Surah Baqarah, Ayah 83

إِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لَا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنكُمْ وَأَنتُم مُّعْرِضُونَ (83) 

 Some simple ways we can be good to our parents and also share our naimahs/blessings with them: 

1. spend time with them without being in a hurry and looking at the watch
2. when you walk with them, match their pace, not walk faster then them, it might take u longer to get somewhere but it is time well shared and shows respect
3. with old parents, when you sit with them… sit close enough so they can see you and touch you and hear you clearly and they don’t have to speak with more force to make themselves heard
4. when they call u go to them Asap…. not wait for them to call 2nd , 3rd time,they get drained by that
5. in old age they repeat the same things and stories, be patient and listen again and again
6. buy first fruits of the season and other fruits for them
7. cook something they like and then present to them with as much ehtimaam as they did for you 
8. clean their kitchens, rooms, cars as they like….this is spending your time and energy on them
9. take them for hajj, umrah
10. take them for other tours/holidays/ picnics/seminars etc with you
11. read newspaper and books to them …thus sharing your good eyesight and time with them
12. read Quran to them….sharing knowledge you have gained about it
13. take them to doctors’ appointments and eye checkups
14. know their hobbies and take them to places, classes, shops for their hobbies, like get them magazines or books related to their hobbies, or show them websites or printouts 
15. talk to them about their interests
16. if they cannot afford cell phones, computer…. buy for them, 
17. teach them to use computer, internet if they want to learn
18. write them letters as now we have forgotten how to do that anymore
19. take them to restaurants they like 
20. let grandkids make cards for them, 
21. let grandkids spend time with them, 
22.  if you have had a tough rough relationship with your parents, make amends FAST and don’t be shy doing so
23. if you live away from them try to visit them or if they can travel invite them to your home
24. when u visit them in their country of residence , don’t waste time in shopping too much, spend time with them
25. if they cannot afford, and you can… buy them airline tickets and get visa etc…i am saying this as a reminder, i know most of us do do that when we can afford
26. call them regularly…..
27. send them family pics especially of grandkids
28. tell them about what grandkids do and their progress/sharartain
29. MAKE DUA FOR THEM
30. when they become old, hold their hand or shoulder to help them walk
31. press their head, shoulders, arms, legs and feet for massage and pain relief
32. keep track of their medicines and give them when you can
33. try to write down their words of advice and thier stories for your own reminders and also for your kids ….and then show that to your parents to make them feel important  and respected
34. when giving a gift to them, sometimes make something with your own hands like even simple things like picking flowers yourself and decorating them in a nice vase or tying them with a ribbon yourself, making samosas or cake just for them…
35. take them shopping with you and ask them to select something for themselves
36. when they feel up to it, ask them to accompany you when you drive around doing errands, or picking kids from school etc
37. make them DUA CARDS or hadith cards that they can put on their desks or bedside tables
38. talk gently with them….
39. smile at them
40. laugh at their jokes…and talk light-heartedly with them also, not just with your friends
41. ask for their advice
42. ask them to make dua for you and your gennerations….

My reflections on Surah Baqarah:8-16 by Uzma Rizvi

SURAH BAQARAH AYAH 8-16 (My reflections: by UZMA RIZVI)

 

These ayahs shake me up, especially in certain places. For exmaple when in ayah 8 it is said wa minan nasi… and there are some people (from among you)….

 

Allahu Akbar..from among you…it feels like an accusatory FINGER is being pointed right into my face, is it you? it could be me. Is it me? Am i one of the munafiqoon? May Allah help me correct my flaws. ameen.

 

i profess BELIEF AND FAITH but are my actions in true alignment with my faith. Is my faith even pure enough, are my intentions unmaligned enough to be accepted by Allah. (shudder)

 

and it seems there is one slap after another, one scolding after another….as the ayahs progress from exposing the munafiqeen in ayah 8 to mocking their foolish conceited ways of deception….

they deceive none but themselves for they perceive not, understand not….and yet in this world such munafiqeen, while deceiving themselves are totally convinced of their “smarts and acumen”  and feted and celebrated by the world around them.

 

The disease , the tumors of NAFAQ growing inside…and what makes you shiver is that Allah HIMSELF is making that disease grow. so imagine how much hatred Allah (who in other circumstances is so MERCIFUL) must feel towards the MUNAFIQEEn for their choices, that he MAKES that disease grow.

 

ANd ofcourse it is HE who will have the last laugh as ALLAH will turn the tables on them on the DAY OF JUDGMENT AND even here in this worldas they are left cluless and ignorant of the right path.

 

 and the LIES they concoct, the corruption they spin…right before our eyes in our world today we see its many faces__ from propaganda in politics, to corruption and power struggles in world economy, media, and in our interpersonal relationships. it has torn society’s fabric into shreds.

 

 a fascinating aspect of these ayahs is that they talk to the common man today (and i guess in all previous centuries ) in terms he understands….trade, profit, purchase…

 

to make us link the munafiqana actions to bitter loss in trade, these ayahs reminds money oriented people in this world that remember that the bottom line that you worry about is not the one related to the money in this world but the real bottom line is the revenue you will incur on your capital of deeds in the akhira….so buddy, wake up and slog to STRIKE A BETTER DEAL! before the market crashes.