Juz' 2

Introduction

The speakers introduce themselves and the purpose of the program.

Introductions

• Sheikh Mikaeel welcomes Imam Herbert to the program.

• They express their excitement to listen to the recitation of the Quran and reflect on its verses.

• Imam Herbert is introduced as an imam serving in Tulsa, Oklahoma who completed his tahfeeth-ul-Quran in Baltimore.

• Helping Hand is acknowledged for their support in putting together the program, and viewers are encouraged to support non-profit organizations during COVID-19.

Recitation of 2nd Juz' of Quran

The speakers begin reciting and reflecting on the 2nd Juz' of the Quran.

Recitation and Reflection

• The main intention is to connect with the Quran by listening to its recitation and reflecting on its meanings.

• The entire Juz' will be recited within 45 minutes while also reflecting on certain verses.

• Viewers are encouraged to follow along with their own copies of the Quran.

Conclusion

The speakers conclude the program.

Final Remarks

• Sheikh Mikaeel thanks Imam Herbert for his time and contributions to the program.

• Viewers are reminded that although masjids may be closed, community can still be found through programs like this one.

• The importance of connecting with Allah through reading and reflecting on His words is emphasized.

Understanding the Context

In this section, the speaker discusses the context and backdrop of what was happening in Madinah during the time of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The Jews and mushrikeen were putting pressure on him, finding faults in his deen.

Dealing with Pressure

• The prophet ﷺ dealt with a lot of different people that were putting a lot of pressure on him.

• The Jews and mushrikeen would find any moment they could to just pick and find faults in the deen of the prophet ﷺ.

Facing Challenges

• Allah ﷻ tells us that changing the qiblah was a test for Muslims.

• When Prophet Muhammad ﷺ changed the qiblah towards Ka'abah, which was built by Ibraheem and Ismael عليهما السلام, it caused doubt among new Muslims.

• Allah ﷻ gives strength to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by telling him to do what he is told to do even if others don't follow.

Pursuing Goodness

This section focuses on pursuing goodness despite everyone having their own direction. It also emphasizes remembrance of Allah and being patient during difficult times.

Keep Going After Good

• Everyone has their own direction but Muslims should keep going after good.

• Don’t worry where everyone else is going, you keep going for good.

Importance of Remembrance

• Allah ﷻ reminds us about the importance of remembrance of Him.

• This month is dedicated to remembrance of Allah.

Being Patient During Difficult Times

• Allah ﷻ reminds us that we will be tested with difficulties in this world.

• Those who have patience and welcome the difficulties will be rewarded.

Reflection on Two Verses

This section reflects on two verses from the Quran.

Pursuing Goodness

• Everyone has their own direction but Muslims should keep going after good.

• Don’t worry where everyone else is going, you keep going for good.

Being Patient During Difficult Times

• Allah ﷻ reminds us that we will be tested with difficulties in this world.

• Those who have patience and welcome the difficulties will be rewarded.

The Jews and the Last Prophet

In this section, the speaker discusses how the Jews were already aware of the coming of the last prophet, but when he came from a different tribe, they became upset. Allah curses those who hide the signs and guidance after it has been made clear to people.

The Jews' Reaction to the Last Prophet

• The Jews were already aware of the coming of the last prophet.

• They became upset when they found out that he was from a different tribe.

• Amongst themselves, they acknowledged that he had all the signs, but would deny it to others.

• Allah curses those who hide signs and guidance after it has been made clear to people.

Love for Allah vs. Love for Material Things

This section discusses how some people love material things more than they love Allah. It poses a powerful question about what we deeply desire and love.

Loving Material Things More Than Allah

• Some people take idols as gods instead of Allah and love them as much as they should love God.

• People often love material things like money, houses, cars, and popularity more than they love Allah.

• The sahaba loved Allah so much that it kept them up at night.

Powerful Question About Our Desires

• Those who believe have the strongest love for Allah.

• We should ask ourselves what we deeply desire and love.

Following What Allah Revealed

This section talks about bad logic used by people in response to following what Allah has revealed.

Bad Logic in Response to Following What Allah Revealed

• When people are told to follow what Allah has revealed, they reply that they will follow what their parents were doing.

• Allah often points out bad logic used by people in the Qur'an.

Overall, the speaker discusses how some people love material things more than they love Allah and how this is a problem. He also talks about the Jews' reaction to the last prophet and how some people use bad logic when it comes to following what Allah has revealed.

Putting Revelation First

In this section, the speakers discuss the importance of putting revelation before everything else.

The Concept of Putting Revelation First

• If you know this revelation, then why does it matter what your parents did?

• The concept is that we’re putting revelation before everything else.

Righteousness Lies in Obedience to Allah

• Allah ﷻ says, “Goodness does not lie in your turning east or west."

• Righteousness lies in your obedience to Allah.

• At the end of the day, righteousness is in your obedience to Allah.

Ways to Gain True Birr (Righteousness)

• Allah ﷻ mentions a number of ways by which we gain true birr.

• Reciting Quran as much as possible during Ramadan is one way to gain true birr.

Ramadan: A Short Time for Gaining Taqwa

This section highlights the importance of realizing that Ramadan is a short time for gaining taqwa and pushing oneself towards good deeds.

Fasting Ordained Upon Believers

• Fasting has been ordained upon believers so they may gain consciousness and awareness of Allah.

Witnessing Ramadan

• Being present in the month of Ramadan and witnessing it is a blessing.

• Not everyone alive witnesses Ramadan, but we are witnesses of Allah and His reality.

Pushing Forward During Ramadan

• Realize that Ramadan is just a short time and push oneself forward.

• Every morning is just a few days, and before we know it, Ramadan will be over.

The Month of the Quran

This section emphasizes the importance of reciting Quran during Ramadan.

The Month of the Quran

• The month of Ramadan is the month of the Quran.

• Reciting as much Quran as possible during Ramadan is important.

Month of Du'a and Balanced Du'as

In this section, the speaker talks about the importance of making supplications during the month of Ramadan and recites some verses from the Quran that emphasize the need for balance in our du'as.

Making Supplication During Ramadan

• This is the month of du'a, gather your families together and make a lot of supplication.

• The speaker encourages listeners to make a lot of supplication during Ramadan.

Balanced Du'as

• The verse "Our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter" emphasizes the need for balance in our du'as.

• We should focus on our akhira but not forget about our dunya.

• During Ramadan, we should make du'a for both khayr in this dunya and hasana in the akhira.

Do Not Throw Yourself Into Destruction

In this section, the speaker discusses a verse from the Quran that warns against giving up and not putting effort into one's work.

Context of Verse

• The verse "And spend, and exert yourself in the path of Allah. And do not throw yourself into destruction" was revealed when some elder sahaba felt they could relax more while younger ones worked harder.

• The meaning of "throw yourself into destruction" is to give up and stop working.

• The Prophet ﷺ said "The mu'min dies with sweat still on their brow," emphasizing that believers should always put effort into their work.

Receiving Guidance with Openness

In this section, the speaker talks about different paradigms presented throughout the Quran regarding attitudes towards receiving guidance.

Different Attitudes Towards Receiving Guidance

• The Quran presents different attitudes towards receiving guidance, including arrogance and openness.

• When someone corrects us, we should be open to receiving the guidance and making ourselves better.

• We can make something beneficial for ourselves by looking at it positively.

Importance of Entering Jannah

In this section, the speaker recites a verse from the Quran that emphasizes the importance of entering Jannah.

Importance of Entering Jannah

• The verse "Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you?" emphasizes the importance of striving for Jannah.

Understanding Struggle

In this section, the speaker talks about how life is made with inherent struggle and encourages us to look at the generations before us to appreciate what they went through.

Appreciating Struggle

• Life is made with inherent struggle.

• We should look back at what people went through to be appreciative of our own struggles.

Taking Care of Orphans

This section focuses on taking care of orphans and the elderly, two segments of society that are often neglected.

Caring for Orphans

• Allah tells us to take care of orphans.

• We should have the right intention when taking on the responsibility of caring for them.

Ideal Character in Tough Situations

This section discusses how Islam provides guidance on how we should behave even in tough situations like divorce.

Ideal Character in Divorce

• Islam provides guidance on how we should behave even in tough situations like divorce.

• A true Muslim recognizes and is aware of Allah in all scenarios of life.

Being Mindful of Our Thoughts

This section emphasizes the importance of being mindful of our thoughts and intentions.

Importance of Mindfulness

• There are different levels of thoughts, some can be sinful.

• If we're not careful about watching our thoughts, they can become actions and habits.

Forgiveness and Destiny

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of forgiveness and how it is closer to taqwa. The speaker also talks about how we should not forget the past goods that were between us. Additionally, the speaker mentions that we cannot run away from our destiny.

Forgiveness is Closer to Taqwa

• Allah says "For you to forgive is closer to taqwa"

• We should not forget all the good from before

• The character of a mu’min remembers the good

Destiny

• We cannot run away from our destiny

• A story is narrated regarding a group of people who left their homes due to a plague but could not avoid death

• Scholars have written about rulings of a plague and what to do during times of sickness

Lessons from Taloot's Army

In this section, the speaker discusses Taloot's army and how they were tested for patience in the battlefield. The speaker also talks about how only a few people obeyed Taloot's orders when they came across water during their journey.

Testing Patience in Battlefields

• Taloot was taking an army against Goliath and Allah wanted him to test those soldiers for patience in battlefields

• Thirst was getting severe during their journey

• Taloot ordered his soldiers not to fill their containers with water but only drink a handful

• Only a few people obeyed Taloot's orders

The Importance of Quality over Quantity

In this section, the speaker emphasizes that numbers do not matter and that success can be achieved with very few resources. He encourages the audience to focus on quality rather than quantity.

Numbers Don't Matter

• Allah ﷻ says, "don't worry about numbers."

• Many successful people have achieved their goals with very few resources.

• Small groups often come out more successful than larger ones.

Focus on Quality

• Do not look at the external or quantity, but rather focus on quality.

• The verses being taught emphasize the importance of quality over quantity.

Gratitude and Conclusion

In this section, the speaker expresses gratitude to the audience for allowing Qalam to be a part of their Ramadan night. He also thanks Imam Herbert for his time and recitation and reminds the audience to continue their journey through Ramadan.

Expressing Gratitude

• The speaker thanks the audience for letting Qalam be a part of their Ramadan night.

• He expresses gratitude towards Imam Herbert for his time and recitation.

Continuing the Journey Through Ramadan

• The speaker reminds the audience to continue their journey through Ramadan.

• He emphasizes that Ramadan will be over before they know it and encourages them to make the most of it.

Closing Remarks

In this section, the speaker concludes by saying goodbye in Arabic.

Closing Remarks

• The speaker says goodbye in Arabic.