by Hadeer Solimon
Surat al Mulk
The first word of this surah, “tabarak,” indicates Allah’s exaltation and greatness, his abundance and permanence. Allah lists some of His creations, and then tells us that we can find no incongruities in them. In telling us to turn our vision again, Allah encourages us to reflect on the creation, so well-connected and in perfect harmony and coordination. Seeing the creation should lead us to see the perfection of the Creator
In a later ayah, we are reminded that Allah is the All-Knowing, and He is aware of what we do in secrecy or in public. Even the thoughts and deeds we think are hidden are not hidden from Allah.
Allah also reminds us in ayah 23: “He it is Who has brought you into being, and has given you hearing and sight, and has given you hearts to think and understand. How seldom do you give thanks!” The ability to think and reason rather than follow blindly distinguishes us from animals, yet we take these abilities for granted, and we rarely give thanks to the One who gave them to us. Our eyes and intellect were given to us so that we do not follow others blindly, and it is necessary to reflect on the signs around us that testify to Allah’s oneness. Using the blessings of sight and intellect on other things that deny Allah’s oneness is a form of ungratefulness to Him.
Surat al Qalam
Surat al Qalam mentions the parable of the people of the garden as a reminder of the process of sinning that involves many opportunities for repentance and returning to Allah at every step. We are also reminded of those who do not make any allowance for the will of Allah. They were so sure and confident of their own power, that they swore they would harvest the fruit the next morning, without feeling the necessity to say that they would only do so if Allah willed. This is a reminder to us to remember Allah before we take part in even the smallest of actions and internalize the reality that nothing is possible if Allah does not will it.
Surat al Ma’arij
Allah tells the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and us to hold patience of beautiful contentment (“fasbir sabran jameelan”). Not only should we be patient through calamities, but we should accept the will of Allah, knowing it to be good and having faith and trust in Him.
Those who pray (almusallun) and are constant (da’imun) in prayer are described as the exception to being impatient. Those who devote themselves to prayer necessarily believe in Allah, His Messenger, His Book and the Hereafter and try to act according to this belief. Constancy in prayer means there is no laziness, and prayer is performed with khushu`, humility, and peace of mind. Only when we are devoted to constant prayer will we be of those who attain “sabran jameel.”
