We got something better…

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alaikum.

Some Muslims read about the miracles of the earlier Prophets (alaihimissalaam) and think “Why didn’t we get such awesome miracles??”

Well, I’m here to tell you that we, the Ummah of Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), got even more awesome miracles than they did. Yes, we got something better.

In yesterday’s post, I discussed an interesting point of benefit that Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen (rahimahullah) mentioned in his explanation of the following ayah (verse).

وَإِذْ فَرَقْنَا بِكُمُ الْبَحْرَ فَأَنجَيْنَاكُمْ وَأَغْرَقْنَا آلَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَأَنتُمْ تَنظُرُونَ

And (remember) when We separated the sea for you and saved you and drowned Firaun’s people while you were looking (at them, when the sea-water covered them). [Surah Al-Baqarah (2): 49-50]

Apart from the point mentioned in that post (which I won’t repeat), he also pointed out something that Imam Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) mentioned. It has to do with a principle that the scholars have.

And what principle is that, you ask? Well, it’s that there was no miracle given to a previous Prophet except that Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) got something similar to it or better than it.

The miracles of anyone from the Ummah are included in the Prophet’s (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) miracles. Why is that? Well, because they were only granted those miracles due to their following of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), so it’s a proof of his Prophethood and therefore, it counts as his miracle. [And yes, non-Prophets can have miracles. They are referred to as karamaat.]

Let’s take the example mentioned in the above ayah (verse): the splitting of the sea, which took place on Ashura (that’s today) many centuries ago.

What miracle did the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) or his ummah get that was similar to or better than this?Interestingly enough, there are two examples which can be used. One was mentioned by Ibn Uthaimeen and the second by one of my teachers in a recorded lecture of his.

The example that my teacher gave was of the splitting of the moon (because the lecture was actually about the splitting of the moon).

اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ

The Hour has come near, and the moon has split [in two]. [Surah Al-Qamar (54) : 1]

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه أَنَّ أَهْلَ، مَكَّةَ سَأَلُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ يُرِيَهُمْ آيَةً، فَأَرَاهُمُ الْقَمَرَ شِقَّتَيْنِ، حَتَّى رَأَوْا حِرَاءً بَيْنَهُمَا‏

Narrated Anas bin Malik: The people of Makkah asked Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) to show them a miracle. So he showed them the moon split in two halves between which they saw Hira (mountain). [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 5, Hadeeth No. 208]

Yes, the splitting of the sea was a great miracle but the splitting of the moon was even greater.

Ibn Uthaimeen mentioned a completely different miracle: walking on water.

Wait, someone walked on water? Yes, some of the Companions of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) did exactly that.

Here’s a lecture by Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen himself where he mentions the story.

This is a greater miracle than the splitting of the sea because Banu Israeel walked on a solid path to cross the sea, whereas the Sahaabah (radiallahu anhum) actually walked ON the water.

وَلَقَدْ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ أَنْ أَسْرِ بِعِبَادِي فَاضْرِبْ لَهُمْ طَرِيقًا فِي الْبَحْرِ يَبَسًا لَّا تَخَافُ دَرَكًا وَلَا تَخْشَىٰ

And indeed We inspired Musa (saying): “Travel by night with Ibaadi (My slaves) and strike a dry path for them in the sea, fearing neither to be overtaken [by Firaun (Pharaoh)] nor being afraid (of drowning in the sea).” [Surah Ta-Ha (20) : 77]

Another miracle that Musa (alaihissalaam) had was water coming out of a stone. He prayed for water as his people needed it and then Allah ordered him to strike the stone with his staff. So, he (alaihissalaam) struck the stone and out gushed water.

وَإِذِ اسْتَسْقَىٰ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِ فَقُلْنَا اضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ الْحَجَرَ ۖ فَانفَجَرَتْ مِنْهُ اثْنَتَا عَشْرَةَ عَيْنًا ۖ قَدْ عَلِمَ كُلُّ أُنَاسٍ مَّشْرَبَهُمْ ۖ كُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا مِن رِّزْقِ اللَّـهِ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا فِي الْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ

And (remember) when Musa asked for water for his people, We said: “Strike the stone with your stick.” Then gushed forth therefrom twelve springs. Each (group of) people knew its own place for water. “Eat and drink of that which Allah has provided and do not act corruptly, making mischief on the earth.” [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 60]

Did the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) have something like this? Yes, Ibn Uthaimeen mentions it in his explanation of this ayah (verse): The water came out of the Prophet’s (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) fingers.

And as with Musa’s (alaihissalaam) case, it too came at a time when people needed water.

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ كُنَّا نَعُدُّ الآيَاتِ بَرَكَةً وَأَنْتُمْ تَعُدُّونَهَا تَخْوِيفًا، كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي سَفَرٍ فَقَلَّ الْمَاءُ فَقَالَ ‏:‏ اطْلُبُوا فَضْلَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ ‏.‏ فَجَاءُوا بِإِنَاءٍ فِيهِ مَاءٌ قَلِيلٌ، فَأَدْخَلَ يَدَهُ فِي الإِنَاءِ، ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏:‏ حَىَّ عَلَى الطَّهُورِ الْمُبَارَكِ، وَالْبَرَكَةُ مِنَ اللَّهِ ‏.‏ فَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ الْمَاءَ يَنْبُعُ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَصَابِعِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم، وَلَقَدْ كُنَّا نَسْمَعُ تَسْبِيحَ الطَّعَامِ وَهْوَ يُؤْكَلُ‏

Narrated Abdullah (radiallahu anhu): We used to consider miracles as Allah’s Blessings, but you people consider them to be a warning. Once we were with Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) on a journey, and we ran short of water. He said, “Bring the water remaining with you.” The people brought a utensil containing a little water. He placed his hand in it and said, “Come to the blessed water, and the Blessing is from Allah.” I saw the water flowing from among the fingers of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) , and no doubt, we heard the meal glorifying Allah, when it was being eaten (by him). [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Hadeeth No. 779]

عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ أُتِيَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِإِنَاءٍ وَهْوَ بِالزَّوْرَاءِ، فَوَضَعَ يَدَهُ فِي الإِنَاءِ، فَجَعَلَ الْمَاءُ يَنْبُعُ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَصَابِعِهِ، فَتَوَضَّأَ الْقَوْمُ‏.‏ قَالَ قَتَادَةُ قُلْتُ لأَنَسٍ كَمْ كُنْتُمْ قَالَ ثَلاَثَمِائَةٍ، أَوْ زُهَاءَ ثَلاَثِمِائَةٍ‏

Narrated Anas (radiallahu anhu): A bowl of water was brought to the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) while he was at Az-Zawra. He placed his hand in it and the water started flowing among his fingers. All the people performed ablution (with that water). Qatadah asked Anas, “How many people were you?” Anas replied, “Three hundred or nearly three hundred.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Hadeeth No. 772]

So, about three hundred people managed to do wudhu (ablution) from the water flowing out from the Prophet’s (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) fingers, subhan Allah!

Ibn Uthaimeen mentions that this miracle is greater than water coming out of a stone. Why? Well, because water doesn’t gush out of fingers, unlike stones which might have water gushing out of them.

The proof of this is in the Quran itself.

ثُمَّ قَسَتْ قُلُوبُكُم مِّن بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ فَهِيَ كَالْحِجَارَةِ أَوْ أَشَدُّ قَسْوَةً ۚ وَإِنَّ مِنَ الْحِجَارَةِ لَمَا يَتَفَجَّرُ مِنْهُ الْأَنْهَارُ ۚ وَإِنَّ مِنْهَا لَمَا يَشَّقَّقُ فَيَخْرُجُ مِنْهُ الْمَاءُ ۚ وَإِنَّ مِنْهَا لَمَا يَهْبِطُ مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّـهِ ۗ وَمَا اللَّـهُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

Then, after that, your hearts were hardened and became as stones or even worse in hardness. And indeed, there are stones out of which rivers gush forth, and indeed, there are of them (stones) which split asunder so that water flows from them, and indeed, there are of them (stones) which fall down for fear of Allah. And Allah is not unaware of what you do. [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 74]

Also, he points out that fingers are not attached to the earth but stones are. [The earth contains water so a stone could possess some.] Of course, the stone splitting is still miraculous because it produced 12 springs. It’s just that water coming out from someone’s fingers is an even bigger miracle.

Awesome, isn’t it? There’s much more of these but I’ll just mention one more example.

Ibrahim (alaihissaalam) was thrown into the fire and did not burn. That was a great miracle.

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ رُشْدَهُ مِن قَبْلُ وَكُنَّا بِهِ عَالِمِينَ

ذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِ مَا هَـٰذِهِ التَّمَاثِيلُ الَّتِي أَنتُمْ لَهَا عَاكِفُونَ

قَالُوا وَجَدْنَا آبَاءَنَا لَهَا عَابِدِينَ

قَالَ لَقَدْ كُنتُمْ أَنتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُمْ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ

قَالُوا أَجِئْتَنَا بِالْحَقِّ أَمْ أَنتَ مِنَ اللَّاعِبِينَ

قَالَ بَل رَّبُّكُمْ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ الَّذِي فَطَرَهُنَّ وَأَنَا عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُم مِّنَ الشَّاهِدِينَ

وَتَاللَّـهِ لَأَكِيدَنَّ أَصْنَامَكُم بَعْدَ أَن تُوَلُّوا مُدْبِرِينَ

فَجَعَلَهُمْ جُذَاذًا إِلَّا كَبِيرًا لَّهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِ يَرْجِعُونَ

قَالُوا مَن فَعَلَ هَـٰذَا بِآلِهَتِنَا إِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا فَتًى يَذْكُرُهُمْ يُقَالُ لَهُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ

قَالُوا فَأْتُوا بِهِ عَلَىٰ أَعْيُنِ النَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْهَدُونَ

قَالُوا أَأَنتَ فَعَلْتَ هَـٰذَا بِآلِهَتِنَا يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ

قَالَ بَلْ فَعَلَهُ كَبِيرُهُمْ هَـٰذَا فَاسْأَلُوهُمْ إِن كَانُوا يَنطِقُونَ

فَرَجَعُوا إِلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ فَقَالُوا إِنَّكُمْ أَنتُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ

ثُمَّ نُكِسُوا عَلَىٰ رُءُوسِهِمْ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا هَـٰؤُلَاءِ يَنطِقُونَ

قَالَ أَفَتَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّـهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُكُمْ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَضُرُّكُمْ

أُفٍّ لَّكُمْ وَلِمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّـهِ ۖ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ

قَالُوا حَرِّقُوهُ وَانصُرُوا آلِهَتَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ فَاعِلِينَ

قُلْنَا يَا نَارُ كُونِي بَرْدًا وَسَلَامًا عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ

وَأَرَادُوا بِهِ كَيْدًا فَجَعَلْنَاهُمُ الْأَخْسَرِينَ

And indeed We bestowed aforetime on Ibrahim his (portion of) guidance, and We were Well-Acquainted with him (as to his Belief in the Oneness of Allah, etc.).

When he said to his father and his people: “What are these images, to which you are devoted?”

They said: “We found our fathers worshipping them.”

He said: “Indeed you and your fathers have been in manifest error.”

They said: “Have you brought us the truth, or are you one of those who play about?”

He said: “Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them and of that I am one of the witnesses.”

“And by Allah, I shall plot a plan (to destroy) your idols after you have gone away and turned your backs.”

So he broke them to pieces, (all) except the biggest of them, that they might turn to it.

They said: “Who has done this to our aaliha (gods)? He must indeed be one of the wrong-doers.”

They said: “We heard a young man talking (against) them who is called Ibrahim.”

They said: “Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may testify.”

They said: “Are you the one who has done this to our gods, O Ibrahim?”

He (Ibrahim) said: “Nay, this one, the biggest of them (idols) did it. Ask them, if they can speak!”

So they turned to themselves and said: “Verily, you are the dhaalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers).”

Then they turned to themselves (their first thought and said): “Indeed you [Ibrahim] know well that these (idols) speak not!”

He (Ibrahim) said: “Do you then worship besides Allah, things that can neither profit you, nor harm you?

“Fie upon you, and upon that which you worship besides Allah! Have you then no sense?”

They said: “Burn him and help your aaliha (gods), if you will be doing.”

We (Allah) said: “O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibrahim!”

And they wanted to harm him, but We made them the worst losers.

[Surah Al-Anbiya (21) : 51-70]

Okay, what did the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) or his Ummah (nation) get that was comparable or better?

Well, Imam Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) mentions in his book, Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah (The Beginning and the End) that the fire of Persia went out when the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was born.

What was this fire? Well, it seems that it was the sacred fire that the Persians worshipped. The Persians were Magians (fire worshippers) at that time.

How is this comparable to Ibrahim’s (alaihissalaam) miracle? Ibn Kathir argues that it is actually a greater miracle because the fire of Ibrahim (alaihissalaam) subsided when he came in direct contact with the fire but the fire of Persia subsided even though the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was far away.

Not convinced that this is comparable? No worries because there is another miracle which is definitely comparable – someone from the Ummah of Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was actually thrown into a fire and did not burn!

Yes, he got the exact same miracle that Ibrahim (alaihissalaam) got. [I recall mentioning this in class about two years ago and there were actually gasps because they were so shocked!]

The person’s name was Abu Muslim Al-Khawlani and he was from the Tabieen i.e. the generation that followed the Sahabaah (radiallahu anhum), the Companions of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).

You can read the story at the following link (please note that the title says that he was a Sahabi but this is incorrect):

‘Umar’s True Intuition Concerning Abu Muslim Al-Khawlaani (The Sahaaba Burnt In The Fire)

Want more miracles? Well, if so, you’ll have to go through the following links:

• The Splitting of the Moon by Ustadh Umar Saad. This is the lecture that I referred to above. He mentions some other miracles here. It’s in Arabic. Sorry.

• The Miracles of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) by Imam Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah). This is the portion of Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah where he discusses the miracles. And yes, it’s in English. Here’s another translation of the same book.

• The Messengers and the Messages by Shaikh Umar Al-Ashqar. This book just mentions the miracles of the Prophet (sallallahi alaihi wasallam) and some of his followers. However, he does not compare them to any of the earlier miracles.

You know what the most amazing thing is about all these miracles? The fact that there is a miracle which the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) got which is greater than them all –  and this miracle is still with us today.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ مَا مِنَ الأَنْبِيَاءِ نَبِيٌّ إِلاَّ أُعْطِيَ مِنَ الآيَاتِ مَا مِثْلُهُ أُومِنَ ـ أَوْ آمَنَ ـ عَلَيْهِ الْبَشَرُ، وَإِنَّمَا كَانَ الَّذِي أُوتِيتُ وَحْيًا أَوْحَاهُ اللَّهُ إِلَىَّ، فَأَرْجُو أَنِّي أَكْثَرُهُمْ تَابِعًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ‏

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “There was no prophet among the prophets but was given miracles because of which people had security or had belief, but what I was given was the Divine Inspiration which Allah revealed to me. So I hope that my followers will be more than those of any other prophet on the Day of Resurrection.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Hadeeth No. 379]

Yes, the greatest miracle is the Quran. [The whole of it, not just the “scientific” part.]

Isn’t it interesting that we ooooh and aaaah when we read about all the other miracles – which we never saw – but we are so disinterested in the miracle that is with us? Part of it is because most people don’t realise that the Quran is miraculous to begin with.

Ibn Kathir explains some aspects of the Quran’s miraculous nature in his explanation of Verse 24 of Surah Al-Baqarah:

“Whoever reads through the Quran will realize that it contains various levels of superiority through both the apparent and hidden meanings that it mentions. Allah said,

﴿الركِتَـبَأُحْكِمَتْ ءايَـتُهُ ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتْ مِن لَّدُنْ حَكِيمٍ خَبِيرٍ﴾

(Alif Lam Ra. (This is) a Book, the verses whereof are perfect (in every sphere of knowledge, etc.), and then explained in detail from One (Allah), Who is Wise and well-acquainted (with all things)) (11:1)

So the expressions in the Quran are perfect and its meanings are explained. Further, every word and meaning in the Quran is eloquent and cannot be surpassed. The Quran also mentioned the stories of the people of the past; and these accounts and stories occurred exactly as the Quran stated. Also, the Quran commanded every type of righteousness and forbade every type of evil, just as Allah stated,

﴿وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقاً وَعَدْلاً﴾

(And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice) (6:115). meaning, true in the stories it narrates and just in its Laws. The Quran is true, just and full of guidance. It does not contain exaggerations, lies or falsehood, unlike Arabic and other types of poems that contained lies. These poems, conform with the popular statement, “The most eloquent speech is the one that contains the most lies!” Sometimes, one would find a long poem that mainly contains descriptions of women, horses or alcohol. Or, the poem might contain praise or the description of a certain person, horse, camel, war, incident, fear, lion, or other types of items and objects. Such praise or descriptions do not bring any benefit, except shed light on the poet’s ability to clearly and eloquently describe such items. Yet, one will only be able to find one or two sentences in many long poems that elaborate on the main theme of the poem, while the rest of the poem contains insignificant descriptions and repetitions.

As for the Quran, it is entirely eloquent in the most perfect manner, as those who have knowledge in such matters and understand Arabic methods of speech and expressions concur. When one reads through the stories in the Quran, he will find them fruitful, whether they were in extended or short forms, repeated or not. The more these stories are repeated, the more fruitful and beautiful they become. The Quran does not become old when one repeats reciting it, nor do the scholars ever get bored with it. When the Quran mentions the subject of warning and promises, it presents truths that would make solid, firm mountains shake, so what about the comprehending, understanding hearts. When the Quran promises, it opens the hearts and the ears, making them eager to attain the abode of peace – Paradise – and to be the neighbors of the Throne of the Most Beneficent. For instance, on the subject of promises and encouragement, the Quran said,

﴿فَلاَ تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّآ أُخْفِىَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَآءً بِمَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴾

(No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do) (32:17), and,

﴿وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِيهِ الاٌّنْفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ الاٌّعْيُنُ وَأَنتُمْ فِيهَا خَـلِدُونَ﴾

((There will be) therein all that inner selves could desire, and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever) (43:71).

On the subject of warning and discouragement;

﴿أَفَأَمِنتُمْ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمْ جَانِبَ الْبَرِّ﴾

(Do you then feel secure that He will not cause a side of the land to swallow you up) (17:68), and,

﴿أَءَمِنتُمْ مَّن فِى السَّمَآءِ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمُ الاٌّرْضَ فَإِذَا هِىَ تَمُورُ – أَمْ أَمِنتُمْ مِّن فِى السَّمَآءِ أَن يُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ حَـصِباً فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ كَيْفَ نَذِيرِ ﴾

(Do you feel secure that He, Who is over the heaven (Allah), will not cause the earth to sink with you, and then it should quake Or do you feel secure that He, Who is over the heaven (Allah), will not send against you a violent whirlwind Then you shall know how (terrible) has been My warning) (67:16-17).

On the subject of threats, the Quran said,

﴿فَكُلاًّ أَخَذْنَا بِذَنبِهِ﴾

(So We punished each (of them) for his sins) (29:40). Also, on the subject of soft advice, the Qur’an said,

﴿أَفَرَأَيْتَ إِن مَّتَّعْنَـهُمْ سِنِينَ – ثُمَّ جَآءَهُم مَّا كَانُواْ يُوعَدُونَ – مَآ أَغْنَى عَنْهُمْ مَّا كَانُواْ يُمَتَّعُونَ ﴾

(Tell Me, (even) if We do let them enjoy for years. And afterwards comes to them that (punishment) which they had been promised. All that with which they used to enjoy shall not avail them) (26:205-207).

There are many other examples of the eloquence, beauty, and benefits of the Quran.

When the Quran is discussing Laws, commandments and prohibitions, it commands every type of righteous, good, pleasing and beneficial act. It also forbids every type of evil, disliked and amoral act. Ibn Masud and other scholars of the Salaf said, “When you hear what Allah said in the Quran, such as,

﴿يَـأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ﴾

(O you who believe!), then listen with full attention, for it either contains a type of righteousness that Allah is enjoining, or an evil that He is forbidding.” For instance, Allah said,

﴿يَأْمُرُهُم بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَـهُمْ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّبَـتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَـئِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَالاٌّغْلَـلَ الَّتِى كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ﴾

(He (Muhammad ) commands them for Al-Maruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained); and forbids them from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); he allows them as lawful At-Tayyibat (i.e. all good and lawful things), and prohibits them as unlawful Al-Khabaith (i.e. all evil and unlawful things), he releases them from their heavy burdens and from the fetters (bindings) that were upon them) (7:157).

When the Ayat mention Resurrection and the horrors that will occur on that Day, and Paradise and the Fire and the joys and safe refuge that Allah prepared for His loyal friends, or torment and Hell for His enemies, these Ayat contain glad tidings or warnings. The Ayat then call to perform good deeds and avoid evil deeds, making the life of this world less favorable and the Hereafter more favorable. They also establish the correct methods and guide to Allah’s straight path and just legislation, all the while ridding the hearts of the evil of the cursed devil.”

So, that’s some of what makes the Quran so miraculous.

Now, how is one supposed to behave after they come across a miracle?

Wouldn’t the person be more devoted to their Lord? Wouldn’t the person strive to improve? Wouldn’t the person be more grateful to the One that granted them that miracle?

Let’s see how Banu Israeel behaved after they saw the sea split into two before their very eyes.

وَجَاوَزْنَا بِبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ الْبَحْرَ فَأَتَوْا عَلَىٰ قَوْمٍ يَعْكُفُونَ عَلَىٰ أَصْنَامٍ لَّهُمْ ۚ قَالُوا يَا مُوسَى اجْعَل لَّنَا إِلَـٰهًا كَمَا لَهُمْ آلِهَةٌ ۚ قَالَ إِنَّكُمْ قَوْمٌ تَجْهَلُونَ

And We brought the Children of Israel (with safety) across the sea, and they came upon a people devoted to some of their idols (in worship). They said: “O Musa! Make for us an ilaahan (a god) as they have aaliha (gods).” He said: “Verily, you are a people who know not (the Majesty and Greatness of Allah and what is obligatory upon you, i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone, the One and the Only God of all that exists).” [Surah Al-Araaf (7) : 138]

So, instead of being more devoted to the One that saved them, they wanted to worship some idols!!!!

Doesn’t this sound crazy? That someone saw a miracle and then behaved in this manner?

Now, let’s look at ourselves. How do we behave although we have the greatest miracle in our midst? Are we close to Allah? Do we strive to remember Him often? Are we a nation that other people can look up to?

And what happens after we’ve spent time with the Quran? If a person, for example, recites a page of the Quran, does the person then become more devoted to Allah or is it the same old thing?

What about when someone comes back from Quran class? Is the person better or is there no difference?

In the past, when I used to read about the stories of Banu Israeel in the Quran, I used to shake my head. I couldn’t believe that they would behave that way, especially after Allah had favoured them to such a great degree.

Then, eventually, my eyes opened and I realised that, unfortunately, our ummah (nation) behaves a lot like Banu Israeel used to. In fact, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) already predicted it.

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏:‏ لَتَتْبَعُنَّ سَنَنَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ شِبْرًا شِبْرًا وَذِرَاعًا بِذِرَاعٍ، حَتَّى لَوْ دَخَلُوا جُحْرَ ضَبٍّ تَبِعْتُمُوهُمْ ‏‏‏.‏ قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ الْيَهُودُ وَالنَّصَارَى قَالَ ‏: فَمَنْ ‏

After I realised this part, I no longer shake my head at Banu Israeel. Now, I just try to figure out the similarities between us and them, because sadly, there are far too many.

In yesterday’s post, I mentioned that we needed to learn the lessons that Ashura teaches us.

Well, this is another lesson that it teaches us: that when Allah grants us a blessing, we need to be grateful to Him and increase in obedience. We need to improve.

How unfortunate is it that we have the Quran, the greatest miracle, and many of us don’t improve. Sadly, many Muslims have abandoned the Quran, either by not reciting it, or not understanding it, or not calling to it, or not applying it, etc.

In fact, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) will actually mention this to Allah on the Last Day.

وَقَالَ الرَّسُولُ يَا رَبِّ إِنَّ قَوْمِي اتَّخَذُوا هَـٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ مَهْجُورًا

And the Messenger (Muhammad) will say: “O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Quran (neither listened to it, nor acted on its laws and orders). [Surah Al-Furqan (25) : 30]

So, this post is simply a reminder to myself and to you that we spend more time with the Quran and not abandon it. We need to appreciate the greatest miracle and be grateful to the One who sent it down for us, to guide us until the end.

And we really need to make sure that we don’t behave like Banu Israeel did because we got something better than they did, therefore we should strive to be far better than they ever were.

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