"Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter..."

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Hasan al-Basree said about the Dua’a:

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ 

"Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!" [al-Baqarah 2:201]

“Give us in this world that which is good” means give us beneficial knowledge and worship.

“and in the Hereafter that which is good” means Jannah.

Ibn al-Qayyim said, “This is from the best of Tafseers (explanations) of this Aayah”

[Miftaah Daar as-Sa’aadah (1/121)]

Ways to Deal with Islamophobia: Properly Upholding and Understanding the Quraan and Tawheed

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 وَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ جَعَلْنَا بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ حِجَابًا مَّسْتُورًا

And when you (Muhammad) recite the Qur'an, We put between you and those who believe not in the Hereafter, an invisible veil.

[al-Israa 17:45]

Haafidh Ibn Katheer [may Allaah have Mercy on him] wrote in explanation:

“We put between you and those who believe not in the Hereafter, an invisible veil”: some said this refers to a physical barrier, hence the word ‘Sitr’ (a covering) is used.

Others said it refers to a barrier over their minds, thus there being a difference between guidance and disbelief, at-Tabaree favoured this view.

It is narrated on the authority of Asmaa bin Abee Bakr as-Siddeeq [may Allaah be Pleased with them both] that when Surah al-Lahab was revealed, Aboo Lahab’s wife, Umm Jameelah, came looking for Muhammad and my father. Wailing with a rock in her hand, she was shouting, “Come out, O Mutthammam (a derogatory play-on-words)!” She finally saw Aboo Bakr [may Allaah be Pleased with him] whilst he was sitting with the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him]. As she approached, Aboo Bakr informed the Prophet and said to him, “I fear she will see you and try to harm you.” So the Prophet replied, “She will not see me and then recited the Aayah as a protection for himself:

And when you (Muhammad  ) recite the Qur'an, We put between you and those who believe not in the Hereafter, an invisible veil (or screen their hearts, so they hear or understand it not).

[al-Israa 17:45]

When she approached them she addressed Aboo Bakr and said standing over Aboo Bakr, “O Abu Bakr, you’re companion has poetry defaming me.” So Aboo Bakr replied, “No, by Allaah! It is not poetry that is defaming you.” So she turned away yelling, “The Quraysh know that I am the daughter of a noble man.” End quote.

Ibn Katheer continued:

Qatadah (d. 117AH who was an Imaam from the Salaf) said:

Surely, when the Muslim say Laa Ilaaha Ila Allaah, the Mushriks (and disbelievers) disbelieve in this and they refuse it with pride. Iblees and his army restrict their ration. So Allaah does not allow for them to overcome the believers. He Supports the believers and doesn’t allow for the party of Ibless to become apparent and succeed. He doesn’t allow for their plots to be implemented. Surely, this word (Laa Ilaaha Ila Allaah with its conditions and proper understanding) is a word which brings success and whoever truly upholds it in their lives, they will be supported. It is something known in this part of the world (at that time), that when the Muslim army mounted their carriages for war, they would depart during the night and they would travel for great distances whilst the people are sleep, without any one of the enemy knowing their presence or sensing them in the slightest.

[Adapted from Tafseer Ibn Katheer (5/82-83)]

Imaam al-Qurubee [may Allaah have Mercy on him] stated:

In the Seerah of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] there are incidents in which the Kuffaar prevented from seeing him. Once they gathered around the house of the Prophet in order to ambush and kill him, the Prophet had ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib [may Allaah be Pleased with him] take his place in his bed instead. The Prophet left his house, which was surrounded by would-be assassins, and whilst throwing sand in their faces he recited:

وَجَعَلْنَا مِن بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ سَدًّا وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ سَدًّا فَأَغْشَيْنَاهُمْ فَهُمْ لَا يُبْصِرُونَ

“And We have put a barrier before them, and a barrier behind them, and We have covered them up, so that they cannot see.” [Yaaseen 36:9]

Until the Prophet walked passed them all without any one of the enemy seeing him [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him], until he fled from their plots safe and sound.

I (al-Qurtubi) say: something similar happened to me in Andalusia (Spain). I had escaped from my cell whilst in their imprisonment of me in Cordoba. I fled to the latter part of the compound so that I may not be detected. When they had realized that I had escaped, a search party was sent out, and one of their soldiers had caught up to me. I was in a plain open land without anywhere to hide. So I recited the above Aayaat in Surah Yaaseen and other Aayaat from the Quraan. The soldiers passed me by and returned and even went pass me, head on. One of them even said to the other, “This man is a Shaytaan (performing illusions).” So Allaah, the Glorified and the Exalted, blinded their eyes and they didn’t see me at all. So all Praises are due to Allaah, Praises in abundance for Helping me.

[Adapted from Tafseer Jaami’ al-Ahkaam al-Quraan (10/243)]

Tafseer: "And Warn Them of the Day of Grief and Regrets"

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}وَأَنذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ الْحَسْرَةِ إِذْ قُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ وَهُمْ فِي غَفْلَةٍ وَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ}

“And warn them (O Muhammad) of the Day of Grief and Regrets, when the case has been decided, while (now) they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not.” [Maryam 19:39]

Imaam ‘Abdur-Rahmaan as-Si’dee [may Allaah have Mercy on him] said in his Tafseer (Pg. 493):

Day of Grief and Regrets; it is a single day in which every single affair will be judged.

Everyone will be gathered - on one plane, at one moment; from the very first of us to the very last of us.

None will be spared; every single of them will be asked about their deeds - did they believe in Allaah and follow the Messenger that was sent to them?

The one who finds happiness on that day will be overwhelmed with joy, so much so that he will never experience sadness ever again. End quote. 

Tafseer: Whatsoever You Spend of Anything, He Will Replace It

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وَمَا أَنفَقْتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ

“and whatsoever you spend of anything, He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers." [Saba’ 34:39]

Imaam ‘Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sa’dee [may Allaah have Mercy on him] said in his Tafseer (Pg. 681):

“…and whatsoever you spend of anything,”: meaning all forms of spending, be it obligatory or recommended; spending upon relatives or neighbours; the poor or orphans etc.

“He will…”: meaning, it is Allaah, the Most High, Alone that will…

“…replace it.”: meaning, so do not think that spending will be a cause of your provisions to decrease. Rather, the one who spends has been promised that he will have his spending replaced (with something better). Allaah is the One who proportions provisions to whomsoever He Pleases and He is Ever-Able.

“And He is the Best of providers.”: meaning, seek provisions from Him Alone. Seek the means to increase your provisions via the acts of worship He has Commanded you with. End quote. 

Tafseer: Grammatical Benefit of the Aayah, “All Praises Belong to Allaah, the Lord of the Creation” (1:1)

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Question: Is there a difference between saying 'Al-humdulilah’ (الحمد لله) and ‘Ahmadu Allaah’ (أحمد الله)

The Answer:

A nominal sentence (الجملة الاسمية) is used for reinforcement and something constant.

A verb sentence (الجملة الفعلية) is used for something that reoccurs habitually or something that is about to begin.

For this reason, Allaah, the Most High, Started with a nominal sentence as it is stronger in its meaning and greater in its affirmation.

[Reluctance in Seeking Knowledge in Times of Trials and Tests (العزوف عن طلب العلم في زمن الفتن) 46-47mins]

Shaykh 'Abdul-Kareem bin 'Abdullah al-Khudayr [May Allaah Preserve him]

Member of Permenant Committee of Senior Scholars, Saudi Arabia 

Tafseer: “as it was prescribed for those before you”

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“O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious - see V.2:2).” [al-Baqarah 2:183]

Imaam as-Sa’dee [may Allaah have Mercy on him] said:

Allaah, the Most High, has Honoured the slave with fasting. Obligating the fasting of Ramadhaan replicates the same obligation that was upon the nations before us; this is because all commands found in the Sharee’ah are of profound benefit. This is irrespective of time and place. So for this Ummah, the obligation of fasting is a great opportunity. It allows us to compete with the nations before us in order for our deeds to be perfected and be even more fruitful in reward. End quote.

[Taken from Tafseer as-Sa’dee 1/86]

Tafseer: "Be With Those Who Are True"

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{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ}

“O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds) .” [at-Tawbah 9:119]

Shaykh Saaleh aal ash-Shaykh [may Allaah Preserve him] said in explanation:

Be with the truthful in your character and attributes. Be with them in your manners. Be with them in your Emaan and having sincerity in Ikhlaas. Be truthful in your acts of worship. Be truthful in your manners and etiquettes. Be truthful in acting upon the Sharee’ah. Be with the truthful in every possible way, even if you do not personally accompany the people of truth (from the past to present) be with them in your stance and attitude. To the extent that even if you were at the peak of a mountain by yourself, then be as the truthful would be. 

[Sharh al-Fatwaa al-Hamawiyyah al-Kubraa (Pg. 415)]

Tafseer: A Description of Events From Death to Your Final Abode

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وَجَاءَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَعَهَا سَائِقٌ وَشَهِيدٌ [21] لَقَدْ كُنْتَ فِي غَفْلَةٍ مِنْ هَٰذَا فَكَشَفْنَا عَنْكَ غِطَاءَكَ فَبَصَرُكَ الْيَوْمَ حَدِيدٌ [22] وَقَالَ قَرِينُهُ هَٰذَا مَا لَدَيَّ عَتِيدٌ [23] أَلْقِيَا فِي جَهَنَّمَ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ عَنِيدٍ [24] مَنَّاعٍ لِلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ مُرِيبٍ [25] الَّذِي جَعَلَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا آخَرَ فَأَلْقِيَاهُ فِي الْعَذَابِ الشَّدِيدِ [26] قَالَ قَرِينُهُ رَبَّنَا مَا أَطْغَيْتُهُ وَلَٰكِنْ كَانَ فِي ضَلَالٍ بَعِيدٍ [27] قَالَ لَا تَخْتَصِمُوا لَدَيَّ وَقَدْ قَدَّمْتُ إِلَيْكُمْ بِالْوَعِيدِ [28] مَا يُبَدَّلُ الْقَوْلُ لَدَيَّ وَمَا أَنَا بِظَلَّامٍ لِلْعَبِيدِ[29] يَوْمَ نَقُولُ لِجَهَنَّمَ هَلِ امْتَلَأْتِ وَتَقُولُ هَلْ مِنْ مَزِيدٍ [30] وَأُزْلِفَتِ الْجَنَّةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ غَيْرَ بَعِيدٍ [31] هَٰذَا مَا تُوعَدُونَ لِكُلِّ أَوَّابٍ حَفِيظٍ [32] مَنْ خَشِيَ الرَّحْمَٰنَ بِالْغَيْبِ وَجَاءَ بِقَلْبٍ مُنِيبٍ [33] ادْخُلُوهَا بِسَلَامٍ ۖ ذَٰلِكَ يَوْمُ الْخُلُودِ [34] لَهُمْ مَا يَشَاءُونَ فِيهَا وَلَدَيْنَا مَزِيدٌ[35] وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُمْ مِنْ قَرْنٍ هُمْ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ بَطْشًا فَنَقَّبُوا فِي الْبِلَادِ هَلْ مِنْ مَحِيصٍ [36]إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَذِكْرَىٰ لِمَنْ كَانَ لَهُ قَلْبٌ أَوْ أَلْقَى السَّمْعَ وَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ [37]

19. And the stupor of death will come in truth: "This is what you have been avoiding!"
20. And the Trumpet will be blown, that will be the Day whereof warning (had been given) (i.e. the Day of Resurrection).
21. And every person will come forth along with an (angel) to drive (him), and an (angel) to bear witness.
22. (It will be said to the sinners): "Indeed you were heedless of this, now We have removed your covering, and sharp is your sight this Day!"
23. And his companion (angel) will say: "Here is (this Record) ready with me!"
24. (And it will be said): "Both of you throw (Order from Allah to the two angels) into Hell, every stubborn disbeliever (in the Oneness of Allah, in His Messengers, etc.).
25. "Hinderer of good, transgressor, doubter,
26. "Who set up another ilah (god) with Allah, then (both of you) cast him in the severe torment."
27. His companion (Satan devil)] will say: "Our Lord! I did not push him to transgress, (in disbelief, oppression, and evil deeds) but he was himself in error far astray."
28. Allah will say: "Dispute not in front of Me, I had already, in advance, sent you the threat.
29. The Sentence that comes from Me cannot be changed, and I am not unjust (to the least) to the slaves."
30. On the Day when We will say to Hell: "Are you filled?" It will say: "Are there any more (to come)?"
31. And Paradise will be brought near to the Muttaqun (pious - see V.2:2) not far off.
32. (It will be said): "This is what you were promised, - (it is) for those oft-returning (to Allah) in sincere repentance, and those who preserve their covenant with Allah (by obeying Him in all what He has ordered, and worship none but Allah Alone, i.e. follow Allah's Religion, Islamic Monotheism).
33. "Who feared the Most Beneficent (Allah) in the Ghaib (unseen): (i.e. in this worldly life before seeing and meeting Him), and brought a heart turned in repentance (to Him - and absolutely free from each and every kind of polytheism),
34. "Enter you therein in peace and security; this is a Day of eternal life!"
35. There they will have all that they desire, and We have more (for them, i.e. a glance at the All-Mighty, All-Majestic Ìá ÌáÇáå ).
36. And how many a generation We have destroyed before them, who were stronger in power than them, and (when Our Torment came) they ran for a refuge in the land! Could they find any place of refuge (for them to save themselves from destruction)?
37. Verily, therein is indeed a reminder for him who has a heart or gives ear while he is heedful.

[Surah Qaaf 50:19-37]

19. And the stupor of death will come: meaning the pangs and the pains of death will afflict everyone, turning his sanity to state of vacancy.

19. “…in truth”: the wording truth refers to the reality of death, it escapes no one. It was also said to mean that man will realise the truth reality of death when he sees it, turning his state of joy and relaxation on the earth into a state of wretchedness in the hereafter. Some also said it means that the pangs of death are deserved prescription of pain for the one who is dying.

19. "This is what you have been avoiding!": what you were trying to avoid. Hasan al-Basree said it means what they were trying to escape from. Ibn ’Abbaas said it means the death which you abhor. 

20. And the Trumpet will be blown that will be the Day whereof warning (had been given) (i.e. the Day of Resurrection): This is the promised Day, the Day promised to the Kuffaar and the punishment that awaits them.

21. And every person will come forth and every person will come forth along with an (angel) to drive (him), and an (angel) to bear witness: driven to their station of reckoning by the Angels that record the deeds of an individual and they will be witnesses for or against the actions of that person. This was mentioned by ad-Dahhaak and Ibn ‘Abbaas.

22. (It will be said to the sinners): "Indeed you were heedless of this, now We have removed your covering": You were negligent in the Dunyaa but today your heart will be exposed, likewise your hearing and your seeing.

22. and sharp is your sight this Day!: Your eyes will be fixed on the scales of reckoning.

23. And his companion (angel) will say: referring to the Angel of death.

23. "Here is (this Record) ready with me!": I have with me the records of the individual, ready to present and set forth.

24. (And it will be said): "Both of you throw (Order from Allah to the two angels) into Hell: Both referring to two Angels, the one who drives and the others who witnesses.

24. …every stubborn: every single arrogant disbeliever, rejecter of the truth.

25. "Hinderer of good, transgressor, doubter: meaning the one who refused to do any good deed, pay any charity or fulfil any obligation - a self-oppressor to at-Tawheed.

26. "Who set up another ilah (god) with Allah, then (both of you) cast him in the severe torment.": A painful punishment in the fire.

27. His companion (Satan devil)] will say: Meaning, the Shaytan that the person had whispering to him to do bad deeds in the Dunyaa will seek to excuse himself on this Day. He will try to plea innocence by claiming that the person he led astray was arrogant to the truth.

27. "Our Lord! I did not push him to transgress, but he was himself in error far astray.": Sa’eed Ibn Jubayr said it means that the person going to be thrown into the fire will plea to Allaah by claiming that the Angel recording his deeds has oppressed him by adding extra bad deeds to his account. Upon this, the Angel will respond, "Our Lord! I did not push him to transgress by adding to his account but he was himself in error far astray as he rejected the truth.”

28. Allah will say: "Dispute not in front of Me, I had already, in advance, sent you the threat: the decision of punishment of eternal fire will not be reversed, so stop arguing, as there has already come to you a warner.

29. The Sentence that comes from Me cannot be changed, and I am not unjust (to the least) to the slaves.": i.e. I have already foretold you in the Quraan that the Hellfire will be filled with Man and Jinn, and this Decree will not be overturned. This information had already reached you and no lie departs from Me. This is the Decree and I Know all of the Unseen. 

30. On the Day when We will say to Hell: "Are you filled?" It will say: "Are there any more (to come)?": This question will be asked as a form of rebuke whilst simultaneously confirming a Forgone Word.

31. And Paradise will be brought near to the Muttaqun (pious - see V.2:2) not far off: those who feared Shirk will clearly see Jannah and what it contains even before they enter it.

32. (It will be said): "This is what you were promised, - (it is) for those oft-returning (to Allah) in sincere repentance, and those who preserve their covenant with Allah (by obeying Him in all what He has ordered, and worship none but Allah Alone, i.e. follow Allah's Religion, Islamic Monotheism): those who repented regardless of how many times they sinned. Ibn ‘Abbaas said it means this is the promised reward for those who protected the commands of Allaah and abstained from the acts of disobedience against Him, turning back to him in repentance.

33. "Who feared the Most Beneficent (Allah) in the Ghaib (unseen): (i.e. in this worldly life before seeing and meeting Him), and brought a heart turned in repentance (to Him - and absolutely free from each and every kind of polytheism): those who obeyed Allaah because they believed in the unseen. Ad-Dahhaak said it means those who obeyed Allaah whilst in their unseen private sittings. This is the reward for those who were sincere in obeying Allaah.

34. "Enter you therein in peace and security; this is a Day of eternal life!": meaning those who fulfill the previous set of characteristics will  receive this greeting, greeted by the Angels with a Salaam (peace) that will never expire from that Day forth.

35. There they will have all that they desire, and We have more (for them, i.e. a glance at the All-Mighty, All-Majestic): meaning every wish they ask for will be granted but they will be given even more. “More” referred to here is the bliss and pleasure of looking at the Noble Face of Allaah.

36. And how many a generation We have destroyed before them, who were stronger in power than them, and (when Our Torment came) they ran for a refuge in the land! Could they find any place of refuge (for them to save themselves from destruction)?: meaning how many people have trod on this earth, some having travelled great distances, yet none of them were able to escape death.  

37. Verily, therein is indeed a reminder for him who has a heart or gives ear while he is heedful: meaning in their destruction and punishment is an admonishment for those who have common sense.
In this Quraan, so listen to it, there is life given to the hearts of those who are heedless.

[Taken from Mukhtasar Tafseer al-Baghawee (Pg. 893-895)]