JIQ: Young Professionals

Rashed Hasan/MyLLife Team

10/5/2024

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Session 3: Summary and Discussion

Surah Baqarah (v. 253 -286) & Surah Al-Imran (v. 1-91)

What We Read and Process We Followed

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Session 3 Assigned Reading:

• Chapter 2: The Cow (Surah Baqarah) – v. 253-286
• Chapter 3: House of Aram (Surah Al-Imran) – v. 1-91
• A total of 130 verses - 1 hour at regular pace
• ~40 verses each weekly – dedicate 30-45 mins for reflective and deeper reading each week
• Consistent routine and building weekly rhythm
• Qur’an arrangement context
• Standard compilation - communal rules first - foundation of faith/goodness already understood
• Actual chronology – faith/goodness first, communal rules follows…

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Highlights (v. 255) – Ayatul Kursi

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Allah —there is no one worthy of worship but He, the ever Living, the Self-Subsisting (by Whom everyone subsists). Drowsiness or sleep does not overtake Him. God owns whatever is in the heavens and in the earth. Who is there to plead to Him for someone except with His permission? God knows their past and their future. They acquire none of His knowledge except what He allows. God’s dominion (arsh) extends all over the heavens and the earth, and He does not get tired of preserving them. He alone is truly Exalted, Magnificent!

Ref: Chapter 112: Surah Ikhlas (4 verses) – God’s 99 names

Highlights (v. 256 -257)

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1. No coercion in matters of faith – you cannot force people to believe
2. Truth and falsehood had been made clear – we can choose
3. Evil and Good are within reach – but we must choose the right fork on the road to life
4. God calls to light, knowledge, enlightenment while the Devil/Evil people call to ignorance, darkness and oblivion
5. God is on the side of truth and justice

Highlights (v. 260)

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1. Abraham’s desire for a demonstration of God’s power to create
2. He was allowed to ask and not chided
3. How did that desire manifest – God did not talk to him directly
• Possibly in his prayer/supplications
• Conversation with visiting angels
• In response to some questions/challenge from someone in the community, possibly his own father
4. Be mindful of what thoughts to your mind, what wishes crop up in your consciousness, fleeting image in your memory, your dreams…
5. God communicates with us all – if we are tuned to God (analogy – FM short wave radio that transmits but without a proper receiver and right frequency you can’t receive; discovery of stars and galaxies by various light waves)

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Highlights (v. 261 - 274)

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1. Charity – what you spend for God’s cause (sabili-llahi)
2. Sadaqah (Encouraged Charity for the poor and needed) – wider meaning; any good done without expecting anything in return – pure goodwill; as much as you can (affirmation of truth) – applies to all and from earnings/wealth
3. Zakat – obligation on your wealth, harvest, other assets (2.5% annually) – to purify, to grow; applies to relatively wealthy part of society
1. To be given freely without expectation or demand
2. Cannot demean or cause harm or show off or seek favors (charity vs. bribery)
3. Give from what you like and not what you dislike (old clothes vs. new clothes)
1. Sadaqah can be done individually or collectively but Zakat has to a community initiative administered by the leadership (formal or informal) for collective and longer-term benefits (prevention vs. cure)

Highlights (v. 261-274) continued…

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1. Charity done openly or in secret
2. From what you earn and what God brings out for you from earth (harvest, minerals…)
3. Seek out people who are in genuine need but are not asking for help
4. “Charity does wash away some of your evil deeds.”
5. Charity continues into the next world, but earning/wealth are not longer yours after death
6. Rewards for charity is multiplied 10-100+ times (example of a grain seed which produces 100s of grains…)

Highlights (v. 275 -281)

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1. Riba (Usury) is forbidden
2. What is Riba – Interest? Excessive Profit? Coercive financial dealings…
3. Riba is not trading… Trading is allowed, Riba is not
4. Injunction to give up any demand on Riba, forgiving the debt is even better
5. If the debtor is in difficulty – give time and reduce the burden – not increase the burden

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Highlights (v. 282 - 284)

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1. Debt contract to be in writing with witnesses – weather small or large transaction with due dates…
2. Those who can write should not refuse (now you have notary public, lawyers, simple witnessing and written information contract…)
3. Two male witnesses agreeable to both parties – if two male not available, then one male and two female (when, how, where…)
4. In case on forgets, other can remind
5. Give proper testimony and not refuse to verify/testify and not be harmed for testifying
6. Use of collateral in case of not written document
7. For minor or mentally incapable persons, a guardian will act on their behalf
8. Debtor should dictate, not the provider of capital (our current practice is totally opposite) and should not diminish his obligations (big vs. small companies, people of power vs. average citizens…)
9. Everyone should be treated fairly, and trust has to be honored with good intention. God is aware of our intentions (more so that we do)

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Highlights (v. 285)

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The Messenger and the faithful believe in what has been revealed to the Messenger. They all believe in ALLAH, His angels, His Books, and His Messengers, making no distinctions among the prophets. They say, “We have heard, and we take our submission to God seriously. O our Sustainer! We seek Your forgiveness, and to You is the end of our journey!”

Highlights (v. 286) – Last verse of Chapter 2

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God does not impose on any soul a burden beyond its capacity. It has the benefit of its good works and its evil works against its own soul.

(Say in prayer), “O our Sustainer! Do not hold us accountable if we forget or make a mistake. Our Sustainer, do not put a burden on us similar to what was laid on those before us. Our Sustainer, spare us of a burden that we do not have the ability to bear. Forgive us, protect us, have mercy on us, You are our Guardian. Help us against the people who actively deny faith. (Amen)!”

Chapter 3 – Al-Imran (House of Amran)

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1. Chapter 2 and 3 are considered twin Surahs – one seamless follows to the next (if you read in their chronological sequence)
2. Known to have been revealed after a delegation of Christian emissary from Byzantine visited the Prophet (v. 30-80)
1. By 600 CE, the original monotheistic purity of Christianity was lost and the notion of Trinity and Roman/Greek influence dominated Christian theology and practices
2. Amran (household) – a direct lineage of Moses and Aaron
3. Details about Mary and Jesus – not found in the Bible (Torah was before Jesus)
4. Theological differences between Islam and Christianity
3. Later part of the Surah relates to Battle of Ohud

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Highlights (v. 1 - 6) Chapter 3 – Al-Imran

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1. Qur’an affirms previous revealed books – Old Testament (Taurat), New Testament (Bible, Gospel, Injil)
2. It is God who revealed all these books – unity of faith
3. For guidance and to differentiate (right vs. wrong ways)
4. God is Ever Living (al-Hai’oo), Ever Self-Subsisting (al-Qa’uum)
5. Everything in the universe is visible to God – nothing is hidden…Even a fetus in mother’s womb – shaping and perfecting…

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Highlights (v. 7)

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Some of its verses are foundational and decisive (mohkamat), forming the basis of the book while other verses are allegorical, given as examples (mutashabihat). But those whose hearts are steeped in perversity and seek to misguide, attempt to give meanings to these verses according to their own interpretation. Only God and those who have developed deeper knowledge understand these meanings, who say, “We believe in it, and it is all from our Sustainer.” Only people of understanding will take note of such guidance.

Highlights (v. 8 - 9) - Supplications

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(Du’a): Our Sustainer! Do not let our hearts and conscience deviate from Your teaching after You have guided us right. Grant us mercy and support from Yourself since You are a Generous Giver. O our Sustainer, You are the Gatherer of people on a Day about which there is no doubt; a promise, O ALLAH, you will not fail to deliver.

Highlights (v. 10-12)

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For those who are persistent in denying God, their wealth and their family will not be enough to protect them from God’s accountability, and they will face the suffering of hellfire. This was the case with Pharaoh and others before them. They refused to accept God’s message and guidance, and on account of their continued sin (and defiance), God took away their power and prominence. God is Able, and He is Just in taking such actions. Therefore, tell those who continue to disbelieve that they will be made to suffer the consequences in this life and will be driven toward Hell, which is an evil place to find oneself in.

Who/what comes to mind as you read this – in the current context?

Highlights (v. 23 -25) – Claims of Privilege

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Have you noticed that those who are given a portion of the book [the Torah] and are invited to the book of God [the Qur’an] so that clarity can be achieved, they turn back and withdraw? These people feel they have special privileges such that their evils and denying of God’s message will result in minor displeasure from God [literally, fire will not touch us except for a few days]; this they concoct only to deceive themselves. When God will gather them all on the Judgment Day, about which let there be no doubt, each soul will meet the results of its deeds; there will be no injustice.

Highlights (v. 26 -27) – God is always in Control

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Say, “O ALLAH, the Sovereign God! You give command and control to whomever You wish, and You take away such command and control from whomever You feel it is not deserved; You raise the honor of whom You wish and debase whoever so deserves. In Your hand is all that is good, and you possess power over all that exists. You make the night glide into the day and the day into the night, and You extract the living from the dead and the dead from the living, and you provide resources (material, intellectual, spiritual) to whomever You wish in abundant measures.”

Highlights (v. 31-91) – unfolding stories of Jesus

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Mary - But when she (Mary’s mother) gave birth, she exclaimed, “My Lord, I have given birth to a female.” God certainly knew who she brought forth and that a male [which she may have hoped for] could not be the same as this female. She named her Mary and entrusted her and her offspring to the protection of God from the devil.

The angels said to Mary, “ALLAH has chosen you, made you noble, and made you eminent over all women in the world. O Mary, remain devoted to your Sustainer God, humble yourself, and bow together with those who submit to God.

Zacharias and John - Zacharias was inspired to pray to his Lord: “My Lord, grant me a worthy offspring (as well) —surely You are the One who hears a genuine prayer.” God sent angels to Zacharias as he stood in devotion inside the sanctuary and said, “God gives you good news of John - a testimony to His promise - honorable, morally upright, and a prophet from among righteous people.”

Jesus

Abraham, Ishmael, Issac, Jacob…Moses, Jesus...Mohammad

Highlights (v. 31-91) – unfolding stories of Jesus

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Jesus

The angels said to Mary, “God gives you the advent of a word from Him [a son for you], whose name will be Messiah, Jesus, Son of Mary, to be eminent in this world and in the hereafter and shall be close to God. He [Jesus] will speak to people from an early age to full maturity, and he will be of those who are good people.”

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Mary replied, “My Lord, how can I have a son when no man had ever touched me?” God said, “This is the will of God. When He wills a thing, He says, ‘Be,’ and it becomes.”

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God will teach him (Jesus) knowledge, wisdom, the Torah, and the Bible and make him an apostle to the children of Israel.

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I (Jesus) am here to confirm the Torah that came to you before me and to reverse certain prohibitions that were imposed on you, and I have come with certain evidence from my Lord. Therefore, it behooves you to submit to ALLAH and to pay attention to my guidance. Surely God is your Lord and my Lord; therefore, let’s serve Him—that is the straight path.

Highlights (v. 31-91) – unfolding stories of Jesus

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Jesus

[Reflect on what] ALLAH said to Jesus, “I will cause your death, give you eminence in my presence, protect you from those who disbelieve, and make your followers above those who disbelieve till the day of resurrection.

The likeness [birth] of Jesus is similar to that of Adam in God’s eyes. He created Adam from dust and said to it, “Be,” and it became. This is truth from your Lord, and do not become one of those who doubts or disputes.

People of the Book

Address the People who follow earlier Revelations: “Let’s come to an equitable understanding among ourselves that we serve none but ALLAH, and that we associate no human with God in divinity and that some of us will not take others for gods besides God.” If they refuse to accept such understanding, then simply say, “We ourselves submit wholeheartedly to God alone.”

Highlights (v. 31-91) – unfolding stories of Jesus

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People of the Book

Ask the People of the Book why they dispute about Abraham, whereas the Torah and the Bible were both revealed after him. Is it that difficult to comprehend?

Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but an upright human being, a muslim and was not a polytheist. The people who can claim to be the kin to Abraham are the ones who follow Abraham’s way—like this Prophet [Mohammad] and those of true faith. Indeed, God is a friend of those who truly believe!

And, indeed, there are people among them who lie about the revelations contained in the book so that one might consider these (false doctrines) to be part of the book while these are not part of the book. They say, “This is from God,” while it is not from God. They lie against God, and they know about it.

It is not at all fitting for a mortal (Prophet Jesus) that God should give him revelations, superior judgment, and prophethood, and he would say to people, “Be a servant of me, besides God.” [Rather, he would say] “Be a follower of God by having studied the revelation by yourself and by teaching it to others.”

Highlights (v. 91) – Unity of Faith

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Declare, “We believe in God and what has been revealed to us and all that was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and generations following them and all that was given by their Sustainer to Moses, Jesus, and other prophets; we make no differentiation among the prophets, and to God we do surrender ourselves.”

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To anyone who seeks out ways other than submission to God (Islam) — such ways are not acceptable to God, and such people will be among those who have lost their ways.

Is this a statement about faith or religion – is there a distinction?

Highlights (v. 221 -242)

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Marriage, divorce, women’s rights…long series of verses

• Marriage between Muslims, People of the Book, Polytheists (Atheists)
• Right to divorce and the process
• Right for women and men before, during and after divorce
• Childcare and maintenance
• Support for women (consent, due process, financial, dignity, freedom, justice, inheritance, mutual obligations…)
• Verse 2:228 (context of men initiating divorce) and 4:34 (divorce in general and women’s right)

وَلَهُنَّ مِثْلُ ٱلَّذِى عَلَيْهِنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ – she has right similar in matters of goodness, and (but) وَلِلرِّجَالِ عَلَيْهِنَّ دَرَجَةٌ – for men is the higher obligations to her

ٱلرِّجَالُ قَوَّٰمُونَ عَلَى ٱلنِّسَآءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ -

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Highlights (v. 243 -252)

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“David killed Goliath. God granted David kingdom and wisdom and knowledge of things as God pleased. Were it not for God’s enabling people to defend themselves against others, the earth would have been full of corruption and chaos; thus, God shows His limitless Grace to the universe. These are the messages from God. We convey these to you in truth, and truly you (Mohammad) are one of the Messengers.”

Open Up for Conversation, Q&A

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• Any verses that resonated with you and why?
• Observations/Reflections you want to share
• Questions you want

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Session 4: Nov 9^th (Sat at 11AM)

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• Link to reading:https://myllife.org/read/monthly-quran-readings.html/title/session-4
• Weekly rhythm – each week (reading/reflections)
• Perhaps keep a journal, if that is helpful

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