8th Taraweeh Summary 1445 H

Understanding the Quran During Taraweeh

All Praises to Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful.

8th Taraweeh Summary, Ramadan 1445 Hijri
Summary of Verses 8:1 9:93
(Sura Anfal is a Madinan Sura)
Sura Al-Anfal (The Spoils of War) (Verses 8:1-75)
What qualities define believers? Believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and when they hear His signs rehearsed, find their faith strengthened, and put all their trust in their Lord, who establish regular prayers and spend freely out of the gifts We have given them for sustenance. Such are the true believers. They have grades of dignity with their Lord, and forgiveness, and generous sustenance. (8:2-4)

This definitive description of believers was revealed following the Muslim victory in the Battle of Badr. Al-Anfal (The Spoils of War) describes the planning, the strategy, the internal debates and ultimately, the victory by Muslims who, with Allahs help, defeated a larger and better-equipped Quraish army. In fighting for the truth, the lesson is that believers are not to be distracted by thoughts of worldly possessions, be it the spoils of war or other types of material gain but be guided by faith and fortitude. Also, revelations repeatedly encourage us to exercise reason and rationality while exhorting us to shun irrationality: Indeed, the worst of creatures in Allahs sight are the deaf and dumb who do not use reason. (8:22)

This verse makes it clear that we need to use our senses (see, hear, touch, taste, and smell), reason, and revelation to have a deep and holistic understanding of life and the universe we inhabit. Those who claim Islam opposes the use of reason are unaware that reason is an integral part of our faith. We believe, precisely because it is reasonable to believe. Not to believe would be the unreasonable thing to do!

(In some verses, Allah gives us the reason for His Command, as when He tells us in the Quran that O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may become mindful of Allah (2:183) or, Do not come anywhere near adultery, for it is a shameful deed and an evil, opening the road to other evils (17:32) or, Indeed, prayer prevents indecency and wickedness. (29:45))

(A vivid example of the use of reason and the practice of ijtihad can be found in the classical report by At-Tirmidhi of the prophets conversation with his companion Muadh ibn Jabal. (Note that one persons ijtihad is not binding in a religious sense on any other person. What this incident shows is the importance of exercising reason and common sense in a particular situation, tempered by humility.) When he (Muadh ibn Jabal) was being sent as governor of Yemen, the prophet asked him: How will you decide the cases that will be brought before you? Muadh replied: I shall decide them according to the Book of Allah. And if you find nothing concerning a particular matter in the Book of Allah? Then I shall decide according to the Sunnah of Allahs Messenger. And if you find nothing about it in the Sunnah of Allahs Messenger? Then, replied Muadh, I shall exercise my judgment (ajtahidu bi-rayi) without the least hesitation. Thereupon the prophet slapped Muadh upon the chest and said, Praise be to Allah, Who has caused the messenger of Allahs Messenger to please the latter!)

We may hide what is in our hearts from other people but we cannot hide it from All-Knowing Allah because He is present between our hearts and us. We may project an image of goodness to the world but if there is hypocrisy in it, (an avatar of kindness to the world but a monster to the family at home, for example) Allah knows it. O you who believe! Give your response to Allah and His messenger when He calls you to that which will give you life. And know that Allah comes between a man and his heart, and that it is to Him that you will be gathered. (8:24)

In case victory in the Battle of Badr made Muslims arrogant and turned them away from the One who made the victory possible, Allah warns and reminds them of what constitutes true success: Believers, do not betray the trust of Allah and the Messenger, nor knowingly violate your trust. Know you that your wealth and your children are but a trial and that it is Allah with Whom lies your highest reward. (8:27-28)

Given the fundamental importance of Taqwa in the life of a believer, it is worth repeating that this word and its various forms and nuances appear about 190 times in the Quran, either as a noun, a verb or a derivative. Scholars say that one of the best ways to deepen our understanding of the Quran is to be particularly attentive to verses in which the word Taqwa and its variations appear and try to understand their meanings in context. Taqwa is sometimes loosely translated as fear, as in fear of incurring the displeasure of Allah whom we love the most, but its meaning is broader and deeper. It can mean awe, wonder, reverence, consciousness, mindfulness, shield, protection, piety, connecting with Allah, righteousness, a heightened state of worship, a profound spiritual awakening, and a holistic combination of these qualities.

In (8:29), for instance, we read the word tattaqullaha and the verse translates as O you who have attained to faith: If you remain conscious of Allah, He will endow you with a criterion by which to discern the true from the false, and will remove your bad deeds, and will forgive you your sins, for Allah is limitless in His bounty.

Badr was the first battle between the pagan Quraish and the young Muslim community of Madinah. It forced the Quraish to confront the reality that Prophet Muhammads (s.a.w) movement was not temporary but the beginning of a new spiritual, political, and social order, with Taqwa as its driving force. It took several more years for Islams monotheism to replace Arabias polytheism, but the transformation had begun at Badr and there would be no stopping it.

The Sura offers clear guidance to Muslims for achieving victory when war is forced on them: Believers, when you meet an enemy, be firm and remember Allah in abundance, so that you may succeed. Obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute with one another, lest you weaken and lose your strength, and remain steadfast because Allah is with those who patiently persevere. Do not be like those who departed from their homes in pursuit of vanity and keep others from the path of Allah. (8:45-47)
 
For the Muslim community, the battle of Badr was also the catalyst for converting words and ideas into action. Believers must first conquer their inner fears before they can think of defeating those who wage war against them. This truth is timeless: Unless we strive to change what is within us for the better, we will never be worthy of receiving Allahs mercy: "Allah will never change the favor which He has bestowed on a people until they change their inner selves. Allah is All-hearing and All-knowing. (8:53)

If the enemy sincerely desires peace, Muslims are to reciprocate the gesture.  if they incline toward peace, you also incline toward peace. And trust in Allah. Surely, He is All-hearing, All-knowing. Should they intend to deceive you (by their show of peace), Allah is sufficient for you. (8:61) We are again reminded that Allah is with those who patiently persevere. (8:66)

(Sura At-Taubah is a Madinan Sura)
Sura At-Taubah (Repentance) (Verses 9:1-93)
This Sura continues the general theme of war between believers and nonbelievers and the moral distinction between them. It details the conduct of war and the sanctity of treaties, granting asylum to those who deny the truth only due to ignorance, the hypocrisy of those who refuse to heed the call for confronting aggression (as in the Tabuk expedition), and the need for fighting those who continuously resort to unprovoked aggression and armed confrontation with Muslims.

Believers must prove themselves worthy of Allahs guidance to be truly successful: The mosques of Allah shall be visited and maintained by such as believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish regular prayers, and pay zakat, and fear none except Allah. It is they who are expected to be on true guidance. (9:18)

We test ourselves by the criteria Allah has defined for us. Say: If it is that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, or your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, or the dwellings in which you delight, are dearer to you than Allah and His messenger, or the striving in His cause, then wait until Allah brings about His decision; and Allah guides not the rebellious. (9:24)
 
(Note particularly the reference to wealth, businesses, and dwellings. How often do we get carried away by our evanescent worldly successes and possessions and think we are masters of our destiny? The Quran warns us to keep lifes purpose in perspective and not be among the rebellious who equate striving for Allahs cause with worldly success. We can maintain the proper perspective by ensuring that our love for Allah is far above our love for anyone or anything else. If we love our earthly ties, comforts, profits, and pleasures more than we love Allah, Allahs purpose will proceed with or without us. We will be the ones deprived of Allahs grace and guidance.)
 
The unfortunate human tendency to derive pleasure from the misfortunes of others schadenfreude must not tempt believers if they are to be guided right. This is indicated by the attitude of the hypocrites toward the Prophet (s.a.w) during the Tabuk expedition and the prophets response on behalf of the believers through Divine revelation: If good befalls you, it grieves them but if a misfortune befalls you, they say: We took our precautions beforehand, and they turn away rejoicing. Say: Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us. He is our protector. And on Allah let the believers put their trust. (9:50-51)

Who are deserving of alms, of sadaqah? Sadaqah are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the funds, for those whose hearts have been reconciled to truth, for those in bondage and debt, in the cause of Allah, and for the wayfarer. This is an obligation prescribed by Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (9:60)

Notice that this type of charity is Fard, or obligatory. It is not optional. Some scholars distinguish between obligatory sadaqah and voluntary sadaqah. In verse (9:60), we are reminded to fulfill the requirements of the obligatory, year-round sadaqah reflecting utmost generosity. 

The contrast between hypocrites and believers is made vivid: The hypocrites, men and women, are alike. They enjoin evil and forbid what is just and tighten their purses strings. They have forgotten Allah, so He has forgotten them  (9:67)

On the other hand, the believers, men and women, are protecting friends one of another. They encourage what is just and forbid what is evil. They observe regular prayers, pay zakat and obey Allah and His messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy, for Allah is exalted in power, wise. (9:71)

Believing men and women protect each others honor and dignity. If one is absent from a gathering, the other defends his or her honor. Believing men and women shun those who backbite, promote cruelty and cynicism, and plot nefarious schemes. Instead, they look out for one another and love each other to gain Allahs pleasure. The verse hints at the importance of choosing ones friends, for the company we keep often determines the path we take in life. It also suggests that if we are kind and gentle with others, Allah will be kind and gentle with us.

What is the ultimate goal of a believer? Yes, believers aspire to Jannatul-Firdous in the Hereafter but is that the summit of success? No, the ultimate goal of believers is to gain the pleasure of Allah: Allah has promised believers, men and women, gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting stay. But the greatest bliss is the good pleasure of Allah. That is the supreme triumph! (9:72)

(Note the profound truth of these words: The greatest bliss is the good pleasure of Allah. This is the purpose of a believers life. This is what gives life its meaning. Anything we say or do should be to earn Allahs pleasure. We must keep this purpose front and center in our lives as we spend our time, talent, and energy in pursuit of worldly goals. For additional references that reinforce this theme, see also (2:165), (3:14), and (4:114). Combine these verses with You alone we worship, and from You alone we seek help (1:5) and the transcendent means and goals of our lives are unambiguously defined within a holistic framework. Think also of what we recite in every prayer as part of Attahiyatu: Attahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-taiyyibatu  All good deeds and acts of worship are for the pleasure of Allah.)

Often it happens that in difficult times we promise Allah we will become charitable if He blesses us with His bounty. When He blesses us with His gifts, however, we become miserly and renege on our promise. We become hypocrites, afflicted with the disease of the heart. Instead of pointing fingers at others, we must look deep into our hearts and ask: Have we shown gratitude to Allah for the bounty He has blessed us with by sharing it with others? If the answer is no, we must know of the dire consequence awaiting us: Among them are people who made a covenant with Allah that if He bestowed on them His bounty, they would give significantly to charity, and be truly among the righteous. But when He did bestow His bounty, they became misers and turned back from their covenant, averse to its fulfillment. So He has put as a consequence hypocrisy into their hearts  (9:75-77)

For the hypocrites and the fearful among Muslims, the Quran is clear with its admonishment: Believers, what is the matter with you that, when you are asked to go forth in the cause of Allah, you cling heavily to the earth? Do you prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life, as compared with the Hereafter  (9:38) and Let not their wealth nor their sons dazzle you: in reality, Allahs plan is to punish them with these things in this life  (9:85)

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