SURAH AL-IMRAN THE FAMILY OF IMRAN.

. TAFSIR BY AMINA ELAHI VERSES 11-20 Like the behaviour of the people of Pharoah and those before them; they belied our signs so Allah seized them for their sins and Allah is severe in punishment. Say O Muhammad (pbuh) to those who disbelieve, you will be defeated and gathered together to hell and worst indeed is that place of rest. There has already been a sign for you in the two armies that met; one was fighting in the cause of Allah and as for the other, they were disbelievers. The believers saw them with their own eyes twice the number and Allah supports with his victory whom he wills. Indeed in this is the lesson for those who understand. The reference is the battle of Badr where although the Muslims were heavily outnumbered Allah granted them victory. Beautified for mankind is the love of things they desire; women, children, much of gold and silver, grand and beautiful horses (in our days it would be cars), cattle and wealth of land. This is the pleasure of this worlds life but Allah has the excellent return with Him. We need to understand that in Islam, Allah teaches us moderation. So what is forbidden is greed. What is forbidden is obsession. So we find that Allah has not condemned the dunya but we are supposed to keep the dunya in its right perspective. The Prophet pbuh once said there is a horse which is used for Ar-Rahman, there is a horse which is used for insaan, and there is a horse which is used for shaytaan in other words there is one means of wealth which you are using for Allahs sake; a car which you are utilising to go and spread the word of Islam, to listen to the word of Islam so youre getting rewarded for that. And theres some wealth which you are using for your own daily needs and youre neither being punished for that and theres one means of wealth which you are using for shaytaan, in other words you are using it to sin or to disobey Allah so the last one is punished and the first one is rewarded. And as Prophet Suleiman AS said I love wealth because it helps me to remember my Lord. I love wealth not for wealth in itself but because it helps me to attain closeness to Allah to please Him. And that is the perspective of the mumin. Say, shall I inform you of things far better than those for those who are Allah conscious there are garden with their Lord underneath which rivers flow, therein is their eternal home and purified mates, and Allah will be pleased with them, and Allah is all seer of his slaves. Those who say Our Lord we have indeed believed so forgive us our sins and save us from the punishment of the fire (Rabbana innana amanna faghfir lana dhunuubana wa qinna 'adhaban-Naar) Who are these people whom Allah loves so much. Those who do sabr. Those who speak the truth whether to people or to Allah We have said la ilaaha illallah so we should be proving that with every action in our lives. And those who are obedient, with humility they obey Allah not with complacency or arrogance thinking I am

bound to be forgiven, they obey Allah with humility and those who spend, again the concept of spending to prove your faith, and those who pray and beg for Allahs forgiveness in the last hours of the night, especially in the nights of Ramadan where each hour is precious, especially the hours before sehri, so we should all be reading astaghfar at that time. Allah bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but He. Do you turn away from Allahs commands, do you disobey Him? Allah doesnt need our testimony. He himself bears testimony that none has the right to be worshipped but He. And the angels and those having knowledge also give this witness. When people we respect, when personalities we admire say something we value that much more for instance you read the quote of any great philosopher, you automatically listen to it more attentively. Allah says O people if you are not giving your testimonies, He doesnt even need our testimonies, him Himself is bearing testimony and not He alone but the angels and those having knowledge, those on the highest ranks of mankind and creation all give this witness. He maintains his creation in justice, none has the right to be worshipped but He the Almighty, the all wise. This is one of the most magnificent ayahs in the Quran; we should read it and reflect upon it. Indeed the only way of life with Allah is Al-Islam. What is Islam; two things; peace and submission. Only in submission to Allah can we find true peace and serenity. Those who were given the book; the Jews and the Christians did not differ, except out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them and whoever disbelieves in the signs of Allah, then Allah is indeed swift in calling to account. So if they dispute with you, say O Muhammad pbuh that I have submitted myself to Allah, i surrendered my essence to Allah as have those who follow me, and tell those who were given the scripture, the Jews and the Christians and to those who were illiterates (a reference to the Arabs) do you also submit yourself to Allah? If they do they are rightly guided but if they turn away, your duty is only to convey the message and Allah is all seer of his slaves.