BISMILLAH IR-RAHMAN IR- RAHIM

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH MOST BENEFICENT, MOST MERCIFUL

Tonight’s Taraweeh consists of three-quarter of Wa mâ min Dâbbah and the first half of Wa mâ Ubarri’u. The Sûrahs covered are the end of Hûd, Yûsuf and the first third of Ra’d. Sûrah Hûd: Hûd (AS) preached to his people, the ‘Ad, to “worship Allah (SWT)” and “no other gods besides Him”. They rejected Allah (SWT) and His Message. They continued to believe in other gods and remained too proud to listen to the Truth. Allah (SWT) wiped these disbelievers out by sending the Punishment. The Thamûd in the time of Sâlih (AS) acted selfishly by denying the she-camel “to feed on Allah (SWT)’s earth”. They hamstringed her. Allah (SWT)’s Punishment overtook these people too. Lût (AS)’s people practiced very evil habits. Ibrâhîm (AS) pleaded for them to be saved from Allah (SWT)’s Punishment. Lût (AS) asked them to change their ways, but to no avail.

These people were blotted out. Shu’aib (AS)’s people, the Madianites, were warned against fraud and mischief, but they refused to listen to Allah (SWT)’s Apostle and were destroyed. Proud leaders like Pharaoh mislead man, and man brings ruin on himself. Allah (SWT) is Just. The penalty for sin is indeed great, therefore shun all evil and serve Allah (SWT) whole-heartedly. Sûrah Yûsuf: This deals with the story of Yûsuf (AS), one of the twelve sons of Ya’qûb (AS). The story is called “the most beautiful of stories “ for three reasons: (1) it is the most detailed story in the Qur’ân; (2) it is full of the ups and downs in human fortune; therefore, it has appealed to people of all classes and at all times (3) it describes fully with their moral meanings, the different walks of life and people’s attitudes and behaviours, - e.g. Ya’qûb (AS)’s old age and the love between him and his young son, the elder brothers’ jealousy of Yûsuf (AS), their plot and their father’s sorrow, the sale of the father’s darling son into slavery “for a miserable price”, sexual love, contrasted with purity and modesty, false charges, prison and interpretation of dreams, low life and high life, innocence raised to honour, the sweet “revenge” of Forgiveness and Kindness, matters dealing with ruling a country, the constant remembrance of Allah (SWT) in spite of reaching a high position in life, and the beauty of piety and Truth. Life is only as short as a dream, that can be explained by stories and parables. Whatever Yûsuf (AS) saw in his dream angered his ten halfbrothers. They made secret plans to get rid of him. They sold him as a slave to a merchant for a small price. The merchant took him to Egypt, where a high court official (‘Azîz) bought and adopted him. His wife tried without success to seduce Yûsuf (AS). Because he refused she decided to take revenge on him. He was disgraced falsely accused and sent to jail. Even there he taught the truth and was known for his kindness. One of his fellow prisoners, to whom he had interpreted a dream, was released and became the King’s cup bearer.

The King had a dream, which Yûsuf (AS) (through the cup-bearers’ recommendation) explained. The King wanted to release him, but Yûsuf (AS) before his release, made it clear that all gossip against him should be publicly cleared. The King was much impressed and made him (Yûsuf (AS)) his Chief Minister. His half- brothers came to Egypt to buy corn because there was a drought in Canaan. He treated them kindly without them knowing his identity. He asked them to bring his full brother, the youngest son, Bin Yamîn. He detained Bin Yamîn by a plan. He then accused his half-brothers of their hatred and crime against himself. Yûsuf (AS) then revealed his identity to his brothers, forgave them, and sent them to bring the rest of the family to Egypt. Ya’qûb (AS) was united with Yûsuf (AS) once more and settled in Egypt. Allah (SWT)’s name was glorified. Allah (SWT)’s Truth will last forever and His Purpose will be fully revealed in the Hereafter. Sûrah Ra’d: This Sûrah deals with the way Allah (SWT) shows Himself to mankind. In spite of this, why does man not believe? Firstly Allah (SWT) reveals His message through His creation and the fixed laws ruling the nature, on the earth and in the sky. He also reveals His message by revelation. In the world one can see life and death following each other at all times; in winter plants and trees seem dead. The coming of spring gives new life and beauty to the vegetation. But the Unbelievers ask: “When we are dust, shall we actually then be in a new creation?” look at their stupidity! They mock at the idea that Allah (SWT) will punish them because Allah (SWT)’s punishment has not reached them yet for their wrongs. They want to see signs of His Power rather than of His mercy – but don’t they know that these signs of Allah (SWT) (namely Power, Glory and Mercy) can be seen in thunder and lightning? Only Allah (SWT) is the all knower. All creation praises Him. Good will last whereas evil will be destroyed.

Night 10 - 1430 Taraweeh Audio Coming Soon