A deep reflection is needed to grasp the wisdom in Allah’s saying, exalted is He: “As for the sky, He raised it high and set the balance” (55:7). The key to this reflection lies in the pairing of the raised sky with the establishment of the balance. The word “sky” (as-samāʾ) is used in both its literal and figurative senses. Literally, it is among the signs of the Creator’s perfect design and the realm of the angels. Figuratively, it refers to the origin of divine rulings and

The plea of the man who concealed his faith from the people of Pharaoh was: “And O my people, indeed I fear for you the Day of Calling, the Day you will turn your backs fleeing; there is not for you from Allah any protector. And whoever Allah sends astray — there is not for him any guide.” (40:33). It is the plea of one who fears with compassionate fear — he knew, he was certain, and thus he feared and felt mercy for them. Similar to him is the man in Surat Ya Sin who came fr

The deed by which a servant is honored on the Day of Resurrection, and through which one is granted success by the permission of Allah (swt), is to come to Allah having established Tawheed (the oneness of Allah) in the heart and having acted according to it throughout one’s life. Establishing Tawheed in the soul is embodied in one comprehensive act: truthfulness, as Allah says: “This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness” (5:119). Here, two words a

In Surat Al-Araf, Allah, Exalted is He, addressed His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), saying: “And recite to them the news of him to whom We gave [knowledge of] Our signs, but he detached himself from them; so Satan pursued him, and he became of the deviators” (7:175). Recite to them this profound account — a story rich with lessons and layered meanings. It tells of one who committed a grave transgression: he was entrusted with the signs of Allah, yet he cast them

When Allah (swt) called upon Moses and spoke to him, He entrusted him with a mission, saying: “Go to Pharaoh; indeed, he has transgressed” (20:43; 79:17). In response, Moses (peace be upon him), supplicated his Lord, asking Him to expand his breast, make his task easy, and support him through his brother Harun, (peace be upon him). He then explained the purpose of his supplication, saying: “So that we may glorify You much and remember You much. Indeed, You are ever seeing us”

The very first quality by which Allah (swt) describes the muttaqīn (the God-conscious) is belief in the unseen: “This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for the God-conscious — those who believe in the unseen” (2:2-3). The muttaqī is one who conducts every aspect and every moment of life according to the principles of servitude to Allah, as He says: “They are those who have faith and are mindful of Him” (10:63). Thus, the foundation of life lived under the

To the wrongdoers who spread corruption in the land, oppress others, and act unjustly, Allah — Exalted be He — addresses them with the following warning: “And warn mankind of the Day when a severe punishment will overtake them. Then the wrongdoers will say, ‘Our Lord, grant us respite for a short while, and we will respond to Your call and follow the messengers.’ (But they will be told): ‘Did you not swear before that you would never face decline?’” (14:44). It is these very

“We have sent down the Quran in truth, and with the truth it has come down” (17:105). Being sent down in truth means that it contains ultimate reality and encompasses guidance that leads to the straight path. Being sent down with the truth means that Allah (swt) revealed it as a mercy to His servants, guiding them, enlightening their hearts, showing them the straight path, and warning them of the Day of Judgment. Those who are endowed with knowledge, when they learn of it, fa

Every soul will surely taste death – it is an inevitable and unavoidable reality. When a servant dies, the record of deeds is closed, yet the impact of the deeds left behind continues – enriching the record and bringing comfort to his/her soul. In a Hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The intelligent one is he who holds himself accountable and acts for what comes after death, while the incapable one is he who follows his desires and merely places vain

In a Hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever says, ‘I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, with Islam as my religion, and with Muhammad as my Prophet,’ Paradise will become obligatory for them.” Guidance to this state of pleasure can only be attained by following the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who reached the highest degree of Allah’s pleasure and honor – for Allah (swt) forgave his past and future sins. The Prophet (peace and blessin

“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds” (21:107). In the blessed month of Rabi‘ al-Awwal, the gifted Mercy to creation – Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) – was born. He himself said (peace and blessings be upon him): “O people, I am but a gifted mercy.” On the anniversary of his birth, one should reflect on his noble qualities and exalted status, for remembering them inspires one to emulate him. Yet, this remembrance must re

True believers are those whose Iman (faith) compels them to act and drives them to hasten toward good deeds. There is a difference between Iman as a mere foundation and Iman in practice — the kind of Iman that transforms the heart and becomes a constant force of motivation in a person’s life. Iman manifests itself through the inner conscience it plants within the believer’s soul. This inner restraint becomes a powerful drive that awakens concern, attentiveness, eagerness to d

“No disaster strikes, except by permission of Allah. And whoever believes in Allah – He will guide his heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things” (64:11). No calamity befalls anyone in this worldly life except by the permission of Allah — that is, by His will and His enabling. It is as though the calamity itself is directed toward the servant, entirely dependent on the will and permission of the Almighty. When a calamity descends upon believers, they are granted a special gif

When the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) would retreat to the cave of Ḥira’, it was an act of spiritual purification, a search for the key to confront the widespread injustice of his people — a system built on falsehood, centered on worshiping idols that neither benefit nor harm, yet used to mislead the masses and uphold the power of the strong over the weak. It was then that Allah (swt) revealed to His servant His Book — a Divine guide presenting the true

Allah (swt) says: “Indeed, those who inject deviation into Our verses are not concealed from Us. So, is he who is cast into the Fire better, or he who comes secure on the Day of Resurrection? Do whatever you will; indeed, He is Seeing of what you do” (41:40). The “deviation” (ilḥād) mentioned here refers to turning away from the Ayat (verses, signs) of Allah and disregarding the guidance they contain. These signs comprise both: Universal signs: the evidences found in creation

“Do the people think that they will be left to say, 'We believe' and they will not be tried? We certainly tested those before them. And ˹in this way˺ Allah will clearly distinguish between those who are truthful and those who are liars” (29:3). Faith is not merely a word to be uttered, nor something to be inherited. It is not confined to outward acts of worship or adherence to customs. Rather, it is a living reality with responsibilities, a trust that carries burdens, and a s

“When Moses said to his servant, ‘I will not give up until I reach the junction of the two seas or continue for a long period’” (18:60). In these words, we witness unwavering determination, firm resolve, courage, and perseverance. Amazement only deepens when we realize that the purpose of this journey was not to expand a kingdom or pursue worldly authority, but rather, a sincere desire to increase in virtue and perfection — a quest to meet one who could grant him greater know

“So is one whose breast Allah has expanded to [accept] Islam and he is upon [i.e., guided by] a light from his Lord [like one whose heart rejects it]? Then woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of Allah. Those are in manifest error” (39:22) Sharḥ aṣ-Ṣadr — the expansion of the breast — is the divine opposite of constriction. It signifies openness, spiritual vitality, and the settling of peace and joy in the heart. Constriction, in contrast, is marked

Divine selection (istifa’) is one of Allah’s universal laws (sunan) that govern His creation. It encompasses every realm of existence. Allah (swt) selects messengers from among the angels and messengers from among humanity. He chooses specific times and places— just as He chose Ramadan from all months, and the Kaaba from all locations. This Divine selection always relates to a purpose for which the selection occurs, and generally, that purpose is to serve the message of servi

“So be patient. Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth. And let not those who have no certainty of faith to shake your firmness” (30:60). Patience is the believer’s means and weapon on the long, thorny path that may at times seem endless. Its foundation lies in trust in the promise of Allah, and its fruit is steadfastness — unwavering, free from doubt or hesitation. One should not let those who lack certainty shake their resolve, stirring within them distress, anxiety, or pani