Recite Verse In Times Of Panic

Darse Quran by Maulana Muhammad Mustafa Shareef Naqshbandhi
Published in Muslim Murasu, June 2013

Forgiving offenders, in spite of possessing strength to avenge, is real forgiving. Forgiving a stronger enemy won’t count. Ten brothers of Prophet Yusuf (alai) had severely harmed him. They stripped him and threw him in a well. He was taken to another country. His brother Binyamin was falsely accused as a thief and humiliated.
Prophet Yusuf did not find his family. Forty years passed in this. Now he had become the ruler. Power was at his disposal. He could have taken revenge. He could have sent them to prison or given them death sentence.
He forgave his offenders. Surah Yusuf, 12, verse 92 – ‘qaala laa tashreeba alaikumul yawma’. He said, ‘this day let no reproach be cast on you’.
Only a prophet can say this. Famine had gripped Cannaan region. Brothers of Prophet Yusuf had migrated out in search of provision. He could have enslaved them. But he remained patient.
Verse continues – ‘yagfirullahu lakum wahuwa arhamur raahimeen’. ‘God will forgive you and He is the Most Merciful’.
Mere recitation is not enough. These principles should be implemented in life. Wife should be forgiven. We have become used to hearing speeches.
A Hadith was read after Fajr prayer. Anas bin Maalik (rali) was the Raawi. Whoever waits after Fajr prayer and prays Ishraq prayer will earn reward of accepted Haj and Umra. Everyone left once Hadith was completed. No one waited in the mosque. Ishraq prayer will cost extra electricity bill. Locking the mosque is also a problem. No one followed the Hadith. Interest was shown in locking the mosque.
Gaining more knowledge is not important. Acquired knowledge should be properly honored. Surah Anaam, 6, verse 125 – ‘fa manyuridillahu anyahdiyahu yashrah sadrahu lil islaam’. Those whom God wishes to guide, He expands their heart for Islam.
Hadith – ‘manyuridillahu bihi khairan yufaqqihu fiddeen’. When Allah wishes good for a person, he will have desire to understand the religion. He will enjoy doing good deeds. It is indicative that God’s Grace is on him.
Life of prophets should be listened with the intent to follow. There will be ups and downs in life. Examples set by prophets should be emulated in each situation.
A lawyer well versed in legal sections, nuances and interpretations can succeed. He can convince the judge. We should read the Quran repeatedly. For every situation, relevant verse, explanation and solution should appear in our mind. Then it will be possible to follow it.
Prophet Yusuf told to cast his shirt on his father’s face. That will bring back his lost vision. This shirt was given to him by Jibreel (alai) when he was thrown in the well. Verse 93 – ‘izhabu biqameesi haazaa falqoohu alaa wajha abee ya’ti baseeran’. Protection was given with the shirt.
Misr (Egypt) was prosperous in those days. Prophet Yusuf asked his family to come out of their famine-stricken land. Verse continues – ‘wa’tunee biahlikum ajmaeen’.
Prophet Yakoob was far from Prophet Yusuf. In spite of that, he was able to feel his scent. Verse 94 – ‘walamma fasalattil eeru qaala aboohum inni la ajidu reeha yusufa’. When our Prophet (s.a.w.s) passes by a street, his fragrance will linger even after he has gone. His companions will come to know of his visit from his fragrance.
Some brothers told Prophet Yakoob that he is talking out of old love. ‘qaalu tallahi innaka lafi dalaalikal qadeem’. You are in old wandering mind. Caravan from Egypt reached them. Royal guard came. Bearer of good news came. Shirt was cast on his face. Prophet Yakoob got back his sight. ‘falamma anjaa’al basheeru alqaahu alaa wajhihee fartadda baseera’. ‘Basheer’ means bearer of good news.
Allah can make anything happen if we put our faith in Him. Surah Ala Imran, 3, verse 26 – ‘watuizzu man tashaau watuzillu man tashaau’. Honor and humiliation are in His Hand. Brothers asked for forgiveness. Prophet Yakoob said he will pray for them. Verse continues – ‘qaala sawfa astagfiru lakum rabbi’. I will pray to my Lord for your forgiveness.
There is appointed time for acceptance of supplication. Prophets have followed it. Sahar time is for supplications.
Prophet Yusuf came to the border of the city and welcomed Prophet Yakoob. ‘waqaaladkuloo misra inshaa allahu aamineen’. You can enter and stay in Egypt with safety.
There is relief after distress. We will panic when receiving a grief. The life of Prophet Yusuf should be remembered. There is relief and honor after trouble.
My two-wheeler got lost. I remembered the verse. Surah Taariq, 86, verse 8 – ‘innahu alaa rajihi la qaadir’. Allah is capable of bringing it back. The vehicle stood abandoned in the next street. Vehicle was found. But more importantly, verse came to mind at the right time. We have been preaching for twenty years. We got a chance to follow it.
We say innaalillahi when we hear of death. It should be recited even for minor inconvenience. Surah Baqara, 2, verse 156 – innaa lillahi wa inna ilaihi raajioon’. We should say it as soon as hearing a shocking news. That is Sabrun Jameel, beautiful patience. Prophet Yakoob’s history is the example. Surah Yusuf, verse 18 – ‘fa sabrun jameel’.
Prophet Yakoob heard the shocking news. He heard that a wolf devoured Yusuf. He was shown a blood stained shirt. Prophet Yakoob did not lose control. He maintained composure. He tolerated.
Saying Bismillah often will make our prayers accepted. We should stand with such people.
Allah will test with fear. Panicking means failure. Saying innaalillahi is success criteria. Regaining patience after two days is not the point. Verse should come to mind the next moment. Quran discourses are conducted in many places in the city. Followers are less.
Reciting ‘innahu alaa raj’ihi la qaadir’ will bring us back the lost object or Allah will replace it with a better one. Our faith will improve through practical situations. Once my bicycle was lost in Chennai. I recited the verse from Surah Taariq. I got the cycle two days later. Allah will talk to you through troubles.
Prophet Yusuf made his parents sit on throne. His brothers were overwhelmed with guilt and fell down in prostration. ‘wa rafa’a abawaihi alal arshi wa kharroo lahu sujjadan’. They prostrated to show their respect.
Prophet Yusuf said this was the realization of his dream. God has been gracious to me. He brought me out of prison. You came from desert. This is God’s huge grace. Verse 100 – ‘inna rabbi lateefun limaa yashaau’. My God will easily achieve what He wishes.

Proper Training For Prophet Moosa

Darse Quran by Maulana Muhammad Mustafa Shareef Naqshbandhi
Published in Muslim Murasu, February 2013

Surah Hud, 11, verse 96 – ‘wa lakad arsalnaa moosa bi aayaatina wa sultaanin mubeen’. We sent Moosa with clear signs and evidence.
Prophets will be the best in their societies. They will be best in appearance and character, in every aspect and activity. No stage in their lives can be subjected to criticism. Prophethood is a big position. Allah will groom them from their childhood.
Associates of Firaun warned him. “A person from Banu Israel will defeat you and your kingdom”. Surah Baqara, 2, verse 49 – ‘yuzabbihoona abnaa’akum wa yastahyoona nisa’akum’. Firaun slaughtered their sons and took the girls as slaves.
Allah protected Moosa (alai) in this situation. We should do our work. Allah will give protection and respect. We work too hard. We go to jobs and on top of it do part time as well. Man should do two things. 1. Pray 2. Work. Open shop. Allah will bring customers. Plant apple tree. You will get apples. This is a world of means and materials. Make use of them. Even Auliyas of Allah used them. Result should be left in Allah’s hands.
Moosa’s (alai) mother felt fear. ‘wa makaroo wa makarallah’. There is a rule in Quran called ‘Mushakalaa’. A word can mean different when used for Allah and mean different when used for man. Men did ‘Makar’ means they plotted and conspired evil things. Allah is most forgiving. He won’t desire destruction for His creations. Allah did ‘Makar’ means He devised a plan.
Quran translations were not available two hundred years earlier. Ummat was united at that time. There was no Devband–Barelvi conflict. When translations came, each group translated on the basis of their beliefs. Books that came before two hundred years were drenched in the love of God and Prophet. There is a six hundred page book available on the meaning of the word ‘Zanbun’. It means sin when used for men. But it should not be construed to mean sin when used for Prophets. Same word will have different meaning depending on the context.
Pyramids in Egypt are considered a world wonder. They were constructed under terrible conditions of hunger and pain by Banu Israel slaves.  They are symbols of their tortures. Firaun (Pharaoh) is a title. Seven Nizams have ruled Hyderabad. The name of the Firaun of Moosa’s time was Ramses. Roman rulers were called as Caesar. Iranian rulers were Kisra.
Don’t chide your sickness. Allah is talking through illness. Firaun never caught a sneeze or illness for many years. Man can become Firaun if he is healthy all the time. ‘ana rabbukum’. He declared, ‘I am god’. People started worshiping him. He will sit in the throne in the morning with pearls attached to this beard. It will create halo effect when sun’s rays fall on him. This had psychological effect on people. Allah was patient after all this. Firaun led his people astray along with him. Allah will send message through his Prophets before punishing a community. Moosa (alai) came to warn them.
Moosa (alai) was born. He grew in the palace. He moved out. He returned to Firaun with clear evidence and argued. Firaun denied him. Moosa faced sea on one side and Firaun’s army on the other. Panic gripped his followers. Surah Shura, 26, verse 62 – ‘inna la mudrakoon’. We will be caught. Moosa (alai) consoled them. ‘kallaa inna ma’iya rabbi sayahdeeni’. My God will guide me. Sea let them a way. Moosa (alai) and his followers escaped. Firaun drowned and died.
This took 35 years. Patience is required to see the fulfillment of God’s plans. It took 35 years for Moosa (alai). ‘Kun fayakoon’. Saying ‘Be’ is enough for Him to make anything happen. But Allah took six days to create this world. God’s plan is gradual, systematic perfection.
‘istayeenu bissabri wassalaati’. Seek help with patience and prayer. Those who got these two have got God’s word. Now missionary workers expect instant answers to their prayers. They plan in the morning and expect results by evening. They are in such hurry.
‘Sultaanun mubeen’. Clear evidence. The rod of Moosa (alai) will become snake when he throws it down. It will be so huge that its lower jaw will touch the floor while its upper jaw will touch the ceiling of Firaun’s palace.
Moosa (alai) had married Shoib’s (alai) daughter. He was traveling with his family through a forest. He saw a fire at some distance. Surah Taha, 20, verse 14 – ‘innani anallahu’. ‘Verily I am God’. Verse 17 – ‘wa maa tilka biyameenika ya moosa’. What is in your right hand. Allah conversed with Moosa (alai). The use of right hand is illustrated here. Moosa (alai) answered. Verse 18. I lean on it, I beat down fodder for my flocks and I have other uses. ‘Kaala alkihaa ya moosa’. Throw it down. It became a snake and moved. Surah Naml, 27, verse 10 – ‘walla mudbiran walam yuakkib’. Moosa (alai) was scared and started running.
Demonstration is held in the forest. Moosa (alai) had to later repeat this in Firaun’s palace. Surah Taha, verse 21 – ‘khuzhaa walaa takaf’. ‘Seize it, don’t fear’.