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#MuslimGirlRamadanBookClub Day Eight: Juz Eight Takeaways
For the eighth day of the #MuslimGirlRamadanBookClub, we are still with Surah Al-An’am (Chapter six) for Juz eight up until Surah Al-A’raf (Chapter seven). Within these verses, Allah (SWT) imparts invaluable lessons that can pretty much cover the main aspects of our lives as Muslims.
Here are our takeaways from this profound Juz!
Seeking guidance through revelation
Juz eight starts by acknowledging the adversarial nature of those who oppose the message of the prophets. It highlights the existence of forces — both human and jinn — that work to deceive and mislead people away from the truth. Despite their efforts, believers are reminded of Allah’s ultimate control over all affairs.
And so We have made for every prophet enemies — devilish humans and jinn — whispering to one another with elegant words of deception. Had it been your Lord’s Will, they would not have done such a thing. So leave them and their deceit.
— Quran (6:112)
Contemplating this verse, one cannot help but feel Allah’s words act as solace as we navigate our lives in the midst of ever-lasting chaos. Allah (SWT) knows that we are in constant panic as He (SWT) says: “Indeed, humankind was created impatient; distressed when touched with evil.” 1
He knows that are always worried about things not going our way or being inflected with harm by someone else. And so, as believers, we should trust Allah when he tells us here that even though forces of evil exist, He also exists and He is the One who permits all matters to happen, which is also something that the Prophet (PBUH) taught us. 2
The Juz also directs us believers to turn to Allah (SWT) and His revealed guidance for judgment and decision-making. It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the Quran as a detailed explanation of divine principles and laws.
˹Say, O Prophet,˺ “Should I seek a judge other than Allah while He is the One Who has revealed for you the Book ˹with the truth˺ perfectly explained?” Those who were given the Scripture know that it has been revealed ˹to you˺ from your Lord in truth. So do not be one of those who doubt. The Word of your Lord has been perfected in truth and justice. None can change His Words. And He is the All-Hearing, All- Knowing.
— Quran (6:114-115)
I like this verse so much and I believe it is more important to us now than ever before to pause when we come across it — specifically because we live in a world where all forms of wrongdoings are upon us and even beautiful values are far from valued nowadays and truth has become a subjective matter where every person has their own personal, albeit distorted version, of what “truth” is. However, we as Muslims have a reference so illustrated and comprehensive that it can serve as our manual in life.
But the Quran is not just any “manual;” it is a blessed one and a source of blessing to those of us who are mindful of its teachings and do their best to follow it.
This is a blessed Book We have revealed. So follow it and be mindful ˹of Allah˺, so you may be shown mercy.
— Quran (6:155)
The blessing here is being shown mercy, which is ultimately what we all seek from Allah (SWT). We all know that Allah (SWT) is Just and Fair. However, should we be treated with absolute fairness, none of us would be entering Jannah; it is Allah’s mercy that we all seek so that we can live a happy eternal life in the hereafter.
It is noteworthy that as you sift through this Juz, you will find Allah stressing on following the teachings of the Quran no matter the feelings that come with it such as stress. After all, practicing Islam can alienate us from many circles that we feel we do belong with. The feeling of “otherness” and being subjected to constant judgment is certainly stress-inducing. So Allah (SWT) urges the Prophet (PBUH) and us to follow His instructions regardless and be mindful of them without associating with other “guardians” besides Him.
˹This is˺ a Book sent down to you ˹O Prophet˺ — do not let anxiety into your heart regarding it — so with it you may warn ˹the disbelievers˺, and as a reminder to the believers. Follow what has been sent down to you from your Lord, and do not take others as guardians besides Him. How seldom are you mindful!
— Quran (7:2-3)
I personally believe that this verse is powerful and deep because if we connect the dots, Allah (SWT) tells us that he has made us “witnesses over humanity” and made our Prophet (PBUH) a witness over us as He (SWT) illustrates: “And so We have made you ˹believers˺ an upright community so that you may be witnesses over humanity and that the Messenger may be a witness over you…” 3 And that is how following His divine guidance serves as a “warning” to those who decide to ignore Allah’s message and a reminder to us as believers.
Reflecting on the signs of Allah
Whenever we cover the signs of Allah, we immediately think of the diversity of nature and creations, but we almost forget to look at the diversity of the human condition as one of the signs of Allah (SWT). Some of us are practicing Muslims, others are not, whereas others do not believe in the existence of a God, which is also tied to the types of fate in Islam. Here is what Allah (SWT) tells us:
Say, “Allah has the most conclusive argument. Had it been His Will, He would have easily imposed guidance upon all of you.”
— Quran (6:149)
I always stop at the part “Had it been His Will, He would have easily imposed guidance upon all of you” because we often encounter non-Muslims who ask us why not everyone is meant to be guided to what Allah (SWT) loves. If anything, many Muslims even question this fact and we start to ask ourselves whether we act by choice or by fate. Believing in fate is one of the pillars of Imaan so fate does exist; we cannot negate that. However, this verse tells us that Allah (SWT) has willed that not everyone will be guided. Why? Because it is part of the test we have in this world. Allah (SWT) tells us, “We have made some of you a trial for others. Will you ˹not then˺ be patient?” 4
Is that unjust? No, because whoever wants to be guided will be guided; whoever does not will not, which is, again, the concept of fate. We have the type of fate that is already pre-written, and the other that is according to our deeds, as the Prophet (PBUH) told us. 5
So when we reflect on this verse, we should trust that Allah (SWT) is telling us that every person will reap what they sow during this test in life even though He (SWT) could just impose guidance on everyone, but then, those who are sincere in their faith in God will not be filtered from those who are not. 6
The consequences of disbelief
Though many of us feel the urge to shy away from discussing the consequences of not believing in Allah (SWT) and His message, we still need to be aware of them. Allah (SWT) tells us in this Juz that those who chose to disregard His signs, books, and messengers do not have an excuse as to why they did not believe.
Nor can you say, “If only the Scriptures had been revealed to us, we would have been better guided than they.” Now there has come to you from your Lord a clear proof — a guide and mercy. Who then does more wrong than those who deny Allah’s revelations and turn away from them? We will reward those who turn away from Our revelations with a dreadful punishment for turning away.
— Quran (6:157)
This verse highlights the severity of turning away from the signs of Allah and denying His guidance. It warns them that punishment will be their recompensation. It is tough but fearing Allah is part of respecting Him (SWT) — it is part of being mindful of His presence. The more you fear Allah, the more you will remember to repent and say “AstghfurAllah,” the exact word that the devil could not utter when disobeying Allah.
In the next chapter within this Juz, Allah (SWT) ties disbelief in Him with arrogance as He tells us:
But those who receive Our revelations with denial and arrogance will be the residents of the Fire. They will be there forever … Surely those who receive our revelations with denial and arrogance, the gates of heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel passes through the eye of a needle. This is how We reward the wicked.
— Quran (7:36, 40)
Arrogance is the quality that made the devil refuse to prostrate (as a sign of respect) to Adam (AS). So when we neglect Allah’s messages and even deny them, we are following suit with what the devil did.
Upholding truth and justice
Allah (SWT) here in this Juz warns against blindly following the majority without discernment, as they may lead one astray from the path of Allah. It emphasizes the importance of upholding truth and justice, even in the face of opposition.
˹O Prophet!˺ If you were to obey most of those on earth, they would lead you away from Allah’s Way. They follow nothing but assumptions and do nothing but lie.
— Quran (6:116)
This verse is a beautiful reminder for us to keep upholding truth and justice, regardless of societal pressures or popular opinion. We should keep doing our best to resist the temptation to compromise our beliefs for worldly gain.
Allah proceeds in the next chapter to let us know that upholding justice and uprightness is something that we will be held accountable for:
Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “My Lord has commanded justice and dedication ˹to Him alone˺ in worship, calling upon Him with sincere devotion. Just as He first brought you into being, you will be brought to life again.”
— Quran (7:29)
The reason why one should always bear in mind that every one of us will be held accountable for whether or not we have upheld justice is that Allah (SWT) follows this statement about upholding justice with the fact that he will bring us back to life after we die the first time, which is of course during the Day of Judgment.
Juz eight offers profound insights into the principles of faith, guidance, and accountability. By reflecting on the lessons derived from these verses, we can strengthen our connection with Allah (SWT), deepen our understanding of His guidance, and strive for righteousness in our daily lives.
What are your personal takeaways and reflections from Juz eight? Let us know on all social media platforms!