Fajr Thoughts: Juz 22
To be of the cream of the crop!
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
ثُمَّ أَورَثنَا الكِتٰبَ الَّذينَ اصطَفَينا مِن عِبادِنا ۖ فَمِنهُم ظالِمٌ لِنَفسِهِ وَمِنهُم مُقتَصِدٌ وَمِنهُم سابِقٌ بِالخَيرٰتِ بِإِذنِ اللَّهِ ۚ ذٰلِكَ هُوَ الفَضلُ الكَبيرُ ٣٢ جَنّٰتُ عَدنٍ يَدخُلونَها يُحَلَّونَ فيها مِن أَساوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَلُؤلُؤًا ۖ وَلِباسُهُم فيها حَريرٌ ٣٣
Then we caused to inherit the Book those We have chosen of Our servants; and among them is he who wrongs himself, and among them is he who is moderate, and among them is he who is foremost in good deeds by permission of Allah. That [inheritance] is what is the great bounty. [For them are] gardens of perpetual residence which they will enter. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments therein will be silk. [Qur’an 35:32-33].
These servants are in three groups - Then of them are some who wrong themselves. these are the ones who are careless about doing some obligatory actions. and who commit some forbidden actions. And of them are some who follow a middle course, these are the ones who fulfill their obligations and avoid things that are forbidden, but they may neglect some good deeds and do some things which are disliked.And of them are some who are foremost in good deeds. These are the ones who do obligatory actions and things which are encouraged, and who avoid doing unlawful and disliked actions, and avoid some actions which are permissible. That is indeed a great grace.
To have been chosen by Allah ﷻ is a favour upon you. And it points to the fact that we are nothing without Allah ﷻ. Some times we find ourself picking and choosing acts of ibadah like we are at a buffet table. What level are we at when we think about it?
And just like the levels of these servants of Allah ﷻ differ, we need to continually strive to improve. Our relationship with the Qur'an helps to increase or decrease us in rank.
How can we improve that?
I prepared a small guidebook for anyone who wants to make tadabbur one small part of their day. It has one ayah from each juz, some notes from various tafasir (all referenced), and personal reflection questions. Allow the Qur'an transform you.
Also, Women of Tadabbur is open. You can join us!