#Ramadan2024 - Day-21
Does religion hate science?
الٓمٓ ١
Alif-Lãm-Mĩm.
— Qur’an 30:1
29 chapters of the Qur’an begin with these "unknown letters".
They don’t form a word, they’re disconnected and their meaning is hidden. We will never know what they mean.
Scholars have posited many theories for these mysterious letters. Ultimately however, even though the rest of the Qur’an is sent in a clear Arabic language — these letters and their meanings remain hidden.
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ قُرْءَٰنًا عَرَبِيًّۭا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ٢
"Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran so that you may understand." — Qur’an 12:2
The meaning of these hidden letters is known only to God. This in itself is a message from God: a message humbling us; reminding us that we will never understand the entirety of the universe.
All of our literary analysis and scientific endeavours help us to make sense of the world and to live more enriched lives.
As science slowly uncovers the inner machinations of the universe it can enlighten us on how God operationalises his power throughout this world.
إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍۢ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ١٩٠
"Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the day and night there are signs for people of understanding."—Quran 3:190
We strive to understand the nature of the universe, but we acknowledge that we will never know everything... As intelligent as we are, the hidden letters will always be a secret known only to God.
#Ramadan2024 - Day-22
Is having lots of money hard?
We often pray for the things we don’t have — but do we thank God for the wealth and privilege we already have 🤔
What if we started tomorrow with only the things we thanked God for today? Have we been thankful for running water, warmth and a functioning body?
Wealth and comfort are a test in life, do we thank God for what he has given us? Or do we become complacent and forgetful — seeing our privilege as normal?
Wealth and comfort come with a moral onus to spend them well. As with all of our actions, are we using our time wisely — in a way that is pleasing to God?
۞ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ أَنتُمُ ٱلْفُقَرَآءُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ هُوَ ٱلْغَنِىُّ ٱلْحَمِيدُ ١٥
"O humanity! It is you who stand in need of Allah, but Allah ˹alone˺ is the Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy." — Qur’an 35:15
Everyday we should try and take some time to step back, to gain perspective and to thank God for all He has given us.
The 5 daily prayers are a great time to remove ourselves from the busyness of our lives and to gain perspective.
#Ramadan2024 - Day-23
Does religion make life easier?
Having a clear moral compass may seem like a helpful tool while navigating the great journey of life, but some people seek to mock that 🤔
In a constantly changing society it can become frowned upon to have a clear and fixed moral compass.
We see in today’s world things that were praised in previous generations are now considered archaic. Some laws and practices we see changing within a single generation; moving from being frowned-upon to being legal and then later back to being illegal!
Islam provides a moral compass that answers the big question and ennobles all people within society. Islam gives rights to men and women together — while also acknowledging their differences where appropriate.
As the modern world grapples with simple moral questions, Muslims are free to live our lives with the wisdom bestowed upon us by God and the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Our simple purpose is to worship God, witness Him around us and basque in the tranquility of an intimate relationship with the divine.
As for those who mock the Prophet (ﷺ) and God’s noble message:
یَـٰحَسۡرَةً عَلَى ٱلۡعِبَادِۚ مَا یَأۡتِیهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ یَسۡتَهۡزِءُونَ﴿ ٣٠ ﴾
“Oh pity, such beings! No messenger ever came to them without being mocked.” — Quran 36:30 (surah Yasin)
God’s messengers came to countless societies to bring them wisdom and enlightenment — only for the messengers to be mocked for disrupting the establishment. Ultimately those previous civilisations failed to accept guidance and were destroyed in their own confusion.
#Ramadan2024 - Day-24
Thick and Thin
أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍۢ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يُؤْمِنُونَ ٥٢
"Do they not know that Allah gives abundant or limited provisions to whoever He wills? Surely in this are signs for people who believe." — Quran 39:52
Our provision is sent to us from God — in whichever form that may find us. Money, food, friends it is all within God’s power to provide.
When God restricts his provision and makes things difficult for us it is a test of our faith.
Do we still worship Him in difficult times? Do we continue to rely on Him wholeheartedly and have faith in Him even when that faith and patience is pushed to our limit?
When life is comfortable we should still remember God. When things are working out exactly how we wanted, we thank God for providing the answer to our prayers. Are we constantly grateful? Or do we, even a little bit, feel like we’re owed something?
God provides for us at all times and can restrict that provision whenever he feels. Maybe as a test or even a way of helping us draw closer to him.
Many people live healthy wonderful lives until they get a shock diagnosis that sends their life in a different direction. How do we act with the health and wealth we’ve been blessed with every day? Do we wait until it’s gone to value it?
#Ramadan2024 - Day-25
No Regrets?
I recently heard a story of a young man who worked hard throughout his youth to retire in his early 30s. He worked so hard he sadly passed away from over-exertion. He became very rich — only to find it didn’t serve him in the end.
Some people have dedicated their lives in search of something temporary, something other than God. After we’re gone our money and our status won’t benefit us — all of us will pass away and return to God for our questioning.
The Day of Judgement is also known as the day of regret. The day when all people will wish they had done something else.
The righteous will wish they had spent even more time in worship. Those who dedicated their life to other than God will wish they had found something permanent.
Money, status, and people will not help us on that day.
وَضَلَّ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَدْعُونَ مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَظَنُّوا۟ مَا لَهُم مِّن مَّحِيصٍۢ ٤٨
“Whatever ˹idols˺ they used to invoke besides Allah will fail them. And they will realise that they will have no escape.” — Qur’an 41:48
In these last few days of Ramadan let us think on how we can best dedicate ourselves to God