Monday
Worshipping the Creator, not creation
Tonight’s Taraweeh consists of three-quarters of juz 7 and the first half of juz 8.The Sûrah covered is the whole of ch. 6 Al-An’âm (The Cattle).
The spiritual history of mankind is continued here from where the previous Sûrah left off. Up until now, the Qur’ân has discussed the creation of man, leading onto the history of the People of the Book and the loss or corruption of the message, the need for Islam, and the rules governing the Muslim Ummah. The next step is to contrast the teachings of Islam with the beliefs of the idol worshipping Arabs (or the Mushriks).
Did the civilizations of idolatry survive?
First the qualities of Allah (SWT) are discussed. He is the Creator, the Sustainer and the All-Truth. Then why should man worship other than Him? Further, He is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. Now the weakness of Paganism is exposed. They “reject the Truth when it reaches them,” claiming that “this is nothing but obvious magic.” Here, a clue to the reality of rejecting Allah (SWT) is given by asking the Unbelievers to “travel through the earth and see what was the end of those who rejected Truth” – they were all destroyed, no matter how powerful they were. They are the losers in the Hereafter also. The life of this world is “play and amusement, but best is the Home in the Hereafter.”
Creation has its limits unlike the Creator
The perfection in Creation must convince us that all this is only Allah’s working in His world, under His constant care and guidance. This is the argument that Abraham (AS) put forward in his dispute with those who worshipped false gods. A very important point is brought out against the worshippers of the sun and the moon: Abraham (AS) rejected them as gods because the sun sets when the day is over. It cannot offer its radiance to us all the time. Similarly, the moon, whose radiance is so splendid, cannot offer any radiance once it sets. In short, it is futile to accept them as gods because they do not give permanent radiance because being created things there are limits to their abilities. The Creator is surely Allah (SWT) and surely we must turn to Him alone to give us the light of guidance. The signs pointing out Allah’s Oneness are so many and so obvious and yet there are those who still join partners with him.
Reflect on His beautiful signs in the natural world and in revelation
The succession of Prophets after Ibrâhîm (AS) kept Allah’s Truth alive and led up to Muhammad (SAW) and the revelation of the Qur’ân. So do not make excuses about being unaware of the Truth that Allah is to be worshipped alone.
On the Day of Judgement, we see Allah’s Mercy that the believer’s single good deed will receive ten times the like, while a single evil deed will receive only the like thereof.
Muhammad (SAWS) is instructed to testify to Islam’s message of tawheed (worshippping Allah alone). ‘Say, Indeed my Lord has guided me to a straight path – a correct way of life – the way of Abraham, inclining toward truth. and he was not among those who associated others with Allah.’
In tonight’s taraweeh, may we reflect on Allah’s beautiful signs that help us dedicate our devotion and worship to Him alone.
Abbreviations
S.W.T Subhanahu wa Ta’ala – (Allah) The Glorious, the Exalted
A.S -Alayhis Salam– (Prophets, pious ones) on whom be peace
S.A.W SalAllahu alayhi Wa sallam – (Muhammad) on whom be peace
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