Softguy

It was a great honour to receive the eminent, highly cerebral, and deeply cultured scholar, Shaykh Sulaiman Amubieya, in my office a few weeks ago. We remain grateful for the honour of his visit and the opportunity to learn once again from his immense wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and exemplary humility. Indeed, true greatness is reflected not only in the depth of one's knowledge but also in the humility with which it is carried. May Allah bless, preserve, and continue to elevate him upon goodness, grant him sound health and longevity, and make his knowledge a lasting source of benefit to humanity. Āmīn.

Pages of the Glorious Qur’ān today Wednesday 4/11/26, Sūrah aṣ-Ṣāffāt (37): 127-182, tafakkur verse 37: 139-144 Theme: The Trials of Prophet Yūnus, Repentance and the Power of Dhikr وَإِنَّ یُونُسَ لَمِنَ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِینَ (139) إِذۡ أَبَقَ إِلَى ٱلۡفُلۡكِ ٱلۡمَشۡحُونِ (140) فَسَاهَمَ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُدۡحَضِینَ (141) فَٱلۡتَقَمَهُ ٱلۡحُوتُ وَهُوَ مُلِیمࣱ (142) فَلَوۡلَاۤ أَنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُسَبِّحِینَ (143) لَلَبِثَ فِی بَطۡنِهِۦۤ إِلَىٰ یَوۡمِ یُبۡعَثُونَ (144) "Indeed, Prophet Yūnus was certainly one of the Messengers. When he fled to the fully laden ship, he cast lots with the others and was among those who lost. Then the fish swallowed him while he was blameworthy. Had he not been among those who glorified Allah, he would certainly have remained in its belly until the Day when they are resurrected." LESSONS: 1. Being a Messenger of Allah does not exempt one from trials and moments of difficulty. Prophet Yūnus was among the noble Messengers, yet he experienced an extraordinary trial. His experience reminds us that righteousness does not mean a life without challenges. Sometimes, the people closest to Allah experience the most difficult tests. 2. We must exercise patience and wisdom when faced with difficult situations. Prophet Yūnus left his people before receiving Allah's permission to do so. His experience teaches us the importance of patience, perseverance and seeking divine guidance rather than allowing frustration to dictate our decisions. 3. No situation is beyond the power of Allah. Being swallowed by a great fish in the depths of the sea, surrounded by darkness, was an apparently hopeless situation. Yet, Allah preserved Prophet Yūnus. What appears impossible to human beings is never beyond Allah's power. 4. Consistent remembrance of Allah is a source of deliverance during difficult moments. Allah specifically identifies Prophet Yūnus as one of those who glorified Him. His established devotion and remembrance of Allah became significant in his moment of distress. This teaches us to cultivate a relationship with Allah during times of ease so that we may turn to Him sincerely during times of hardship. 5. Never despair of Allah's mercy, regardless of how difficult your circumstances may be. If Allah could rescue Prophet Yūnus from the belly of a fish in the depths of the sea, He can certainly deliver anyone from whatever difficulty they face. No darkness is too deep, no crisis too overwhelming and no situation too complicated for Allah's intervention. O Allah, make us among those who remember You constantly, glorify You sincerely and remain steadfast in obedience to You. Grant us patience in times of difficulty, wisdom in moments of frustration and the ability to recognise our mistakes and return to You in sincere repentance. O Allah, just as You rescued Prophet Yūnus from the darkness of the belly of the fish, rescue us from the darkness of our difficulties, anxieties, trials and afflictions. Never leave us to ourselves, even for the blink of an eye. Āmīn.