Book of Guidance

Pondering Time!

How do you handle the Qur’an? Ponder over your body language! Your hands. Your heart. Your movement. How do you feel? Do you swiftly take hold of it to finish your day’s reading while having your day’s to-do list in mind? Or does your heart feel chill and tranquil and peace when you hold the Book? 

Realize! An “audio” miracle, revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) 1400 years ago, has been passed on to YOU indeed, by the will of Allah! Do you thank Allah for it or do you take it for granted?

  ذَلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لاَ  رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ  

“This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah.” (Surah Al Baqarah, Verse 2)

The Book mentioned here is the very Qur’an we hold and recite everyday. Allah has referred to it as “The Book” which is a Guidance for Those who Fear Allah – Guidance is granted to those fear Allah. And let’s repeat this one more time…” Guidance is granted to those who have Taqwa! “

Indeed, Hidaayah or Guidance – is only granted to those who have Taqwa – Fear of Allah.

 Allah says, (Say: It is for those who believe a guide and a healing. And as for those who disbelieve, there is heaviness (deafness) in their ears, and it (the Qur’an) is blindness for them. They are those who are called from a place far away (so they neither listen nor understand)) (41:44)

Meaning of Taqwa

The root meaning of Taqwa is to avoid what one dislikes. It was reported that `Umar bin Al-Khattab asked Ubayy bin Ka`b about Taqwa. Ubayy said, “Have you ever walked on a path that has thorns on it” `Umar said, “Yes.” Ubayy said, “What did you do then” He said, “I rolled up my sleeves and struggled.” Ubayy said, “That is Taqwa.” [Taken from Tafsir – Ibn Kathir]

God-consciousness is the core of taqwa, because God-consciousness is acknowledging, feeling, and realizing God’s presence at all times, and knowing that He is looking after you and knows what you are doing and even what your soul whispers to you. This feeling results in trying to go through life according to God’s orders and being ashamed of doing wrong in His presence, which is at all times. (Dr. Jamal Badawi)

So a person who has taqwa tries to avoid both: things that displease God and things that may harm himself or others. This is explained beautifully in a story that took place during the reign of `Umar ibn Al-Khattab. A simple teenage girl had a mother who sold milk and in order to increase the amount of milk and earn money easily her mother added water to it. On seeing her mother, the girl advised her not to cheat but the mother said that they are alone and caliph `Umar cannot see them, so the girl told her that `Umar cannot see them but the God of `Umar can see them.

Action Plan:

• Measure your taqwa by your actions today! How much do you refrain from evil? Gazing at the people of opposite gender? Lying now and then? Missing Salah or praying late? Do not Delay! Check your actions before you are deprived of guidance!
• The next time you handle the Qur’an, remember to “Handle it with Care”- Yes. More carefully than how you grasp a brand new cell phone or your favourite expensive gadget. Don’t forget – The Qur’an is more than expensive than anything of that. Handle it with Taqwa, and absorb every word with humility and make a decision each time, to improve for the better…inshaAllah!

Have you had a chance remark that changed you for good? Does the Qur’an bring you to tears? Has someone helped you understand Taqwa so well that you would like to share it? Go ahead and comment! Everyone’s waiting to hear you!

Further Reading:
Taqwa:Between Love and Fear