JUZZ 1
The Juz deals with a number of issues related to Guidance, Allah’s Governance on Earth and history of previous Muslim Ummah. Surah al-Baqarah begins with the statement that it is Allah who revealed this book (the Qur’an) for the guidance of those who are conscious of Allah. Only those who seek guidance can benefit from the guidance of this Book. Allah divides mankind into three categories: Believers, Disbelievers or Hypocrites and describes the characteristics of the hypocrite.
Although Nifaq (Hypocrisy) is alluded to, the word Nifaq and Munafiqeen are not mentioned in Surah al-Baqarah by name. Allah chose the Human race to worthy to be His Khalifah on Earth and instructed others to prostrate before Adam. The story of the cow contains great lessons: beware of faltering when faced with Allah’s commands and do not procrastinate or ridicule them because to do so leads to hardness of the heart.
Surah al-Baqarah is the longest Surah of the Qur’an with 286 Ayat, has the longest Ayat of the Qur’an (2:282), the greatest Ayat of the Qur’an (2:255), and reportedly the last Ayat of the Qur’an revealed (2:281).
Sections:
- The Book of Guidance for those who want to be righteous. The difference between the believers and the non-believers.
- The hypocrites: their sickness, mischief and self-deception.
- Mankind, worship Allah alone. Make no partners in Allah’s divinity. The challenge of the Qur’an. This Book will guide many but many will remain in error. The character of those who shall remain in error.
- The story of the creation of Adam. Allah’s plan and promise to send His guidance from time to time through His prophets.
- Address to Bani Israel to accept this message. Allah’s covenant must be fulfilled.
- Warnings to those who stray from the covenant of God. How some from among the Children of Israel turned away from God’s teachings.
- God’s blessings on the Children of Israel and their transgressions.
- The real recipients of Divine salvation. The hesitation of Bani Israel in sacrificing the cow.
- Some perversions of those who were supposed to follow the law of God.
- Basic principles of God’s Covenant with the Children of Israel.
- Some of them were arrogant to follow the teachings of their prophets, some rejected the Prophets or tried to kill them, some worshipped the calf, disobeyed God’s commands and became too greedy for the life of this world.
- Opposition and enmity towards the Prophets, following devils and magic.
- Reminders to the Believers to follow these examples. Stay firm on your principles. Some among the People of the Book will try to mislead you with false claims and assertions.
- The true guidance of Allah is here. Read the Book of Allah and follow it.
- The great example of Prophet Ibrahim. He and his son built the Ka’bah and prayed for a Prophet to come.
- Prophet Ibrahim submitted to Allah and this is the message that he and his sons gave to their progeny.
JUZZ 2
The Qur’an was revealed in Ramadhan and the first occurrence of the word “Qur’an” mentioned in the Mushaf is the Ayat of Ramadhan (2:185) (“Ramadhan” only appears once in the Qur’an). Rules and regulations concerning Hajj, Marriage, Divorce, Suckling etc Allah emphasizes the importance of Taqwa. The story of Goliath and a powerful nation toppled not by sheer numbers or might but through faith, patience and constancy.
Sections:
- The change of Qiblah and the response of the hypocrites and fools. Those who have knowledge know that this is the true Qiblah of all the Prophets.
- Believers will be tried but they should be firm and steadfast and must face the trials with patience and prayers.
- Allah’s signs and His bounties are everywhere. The polytheists and idolaters are misplacing their loyalties.
- Believers should eat good and permissible food and should never follow the steps of the devil.
- The true piety and righteousness. Some rules related to the punishment of murderers. The rules of bequests.
- Fasting and Ramadan: the objective of fasting and some rules.
- Rules of Hajj, fighting those who expelled Muslims from their homes.
- Appreciate God’s bounties. All human beings were originally one community. Divisions came later. Be generous and defend your self and your faith.
- Some important questions answered: War in the sacred months, wine and gambling, charity, orphans’ money, divorced women and their situation.
- The laws of divorce and rules on the remarriage of the divorced women or the widowers.
- Fighting in the cause of God: Israelites.
- Under the leadership of Prophet David the victory came over the forces of Goliath.
JUZZ 3
The main topics of Surah Ale-Imran are Tawhid, Prophethood and the truth of the Qur’an. As Surah al-Baqarah discussed the issues related to Bani Israel, Ale-Imran discusses some issues related to the Christian community and their religious positions. It also discusses the subjects of Hajj, Jihad, Zakat and Riba. It will end, like Surah al-Baqarah, with a profound Dua.
Sections:
- Emphasis on charity. To Allah belongs everything. His Throne extends to heaven and earth. No compulsion in religion. Allah brings out people from darkness unto light.
- Allah’s power over life and death, some examples: Prophet Ibrahim’s dialogue with Nimrood, a man in the valley of dead, Prophet Ibrahim asks Allah how will He raise the dead to life. Allah’s answer to Prophet Ibrahim.
- Allah blesses charity: some examples of how Allah blesses charity.
- Emphasis on charity: spend good things, give openly and secretly to the poor and needy.
- Prohibition of usury (riba) and its bad effects on individuals and society
- Some rules on loan transactions
- Conclusion of Al Baqarah. Everything in the heaven and earth belong to Allah, the prayer of the believers.
- Allah is the Ever-Living, Self-Subsisting. He sent the Qur’an as He sent before the Tawrat and Injil for the guidance of people. True believers are those who accept every thing of the Book of Allah and try to understand it. Believers pray always for Allah’s guidance for them.
- Those who reject the truth, their wealth and their progeny will not avail them anything against the chastisement of Allah.
- Allah bears witness for His own Tawhid as well as the angels and the people of knowledge. The religion acceptable in the sight of Allah is Islam.
- To love Allah one must follow the Prophet. Obedience to Allah and His Messenger are necessary for faith. Allah chose Adam, Noah, Family of Ibrahim and the Family of Imran to guide humanity through them. Many prophets and messengers of Allah came for this purpose.
- Birth of Jesus and his true message. Jesus preached the message of Tawhid. His true followers are those who recognize Tawhid. Jesus’ birth was miraculous, just as Adam’s was miraculous.
- Some Christians argued with the Prophet. He asked them to come for an open Mubahalah (invoking the curse of Allah upon the liar).
- Invitation to the People of the Book to come to a common word of Tawhid and obedience to Allah.
- Some People of the Book try to discredit Islam. Muslims are warned to be conscious of this challenge. Previous prophets and their scriptures confirm the truth of Islam.
JUZZ 4
The importance of holding fast to the rope of Allah and the significance of unity and not splitting. The Muslim Ummah has been described as the best nation to come forth for humanity by virtue of their enjoining the good and prohibiting the evil. The evil effects of disobedience as shown to us by the example of the Battle of Uhud; The Messenger of Allah would recite the last Ayaat of ale-Imran upon waking up.
Surah an-Nisa: Establishment of the new Islamic social order after removing the pre-Islamic Jahili system. The Just System will protect the rights of the weak and vulnerable members of society albeit, women, orphans, marriage, forced marriage, inheritance and financial rights. The Surah was revealed after the Battle of Uhud, which left 70 of the Muslims killed. This situation brought about the need to address issues such as inheritance left by those killed etc.
Sections:
- Charity and sacrifice are necessary to attain faith and piety. Muslims should pay attention to the Ka’bah and stand firm to give the message of Islam to the world.
- Muslims must remain conscious of Allah and must hold fast together the rope of Allah, i.e His Book and His guidance.
- Role of the Muslim Ummah in the world.
- Critical review of the Battle of Uhud
- Prohibition of Riba and emphasis on charity. Believers must hasten to seek the forgiveness from their Lord. Some beautiful characters and qualities of the believers are mentioned.
- Prophet Muhammad is only a Messenger of Allah like other messengers. His death should not mean giving up the faith. Believers must persevere and be patient in difficulties.
- Criticism of those who showed weakness during the Battle of Uhud. Muslims should be strong in their commitment to faith.
- True believers and the hypocrites. Hypocrites’ delinquency at the time of Uhud
- Steadfast attitude of the Believers. Shaytan tries to frighten the Believers, but the true Believers become even stronger after trials and tests.
- Some propaganda of the People of the Book against Islam and how to respond to such challenges.
- Allah’s promise of success for the Believers. How the believers should pray to Allah and seek His blessings.
- Responsibility to take care of the family. Special care of orphans.
- Laws of inheritance. It is an obligation from Allah.
- Relations between men and women should be based on the principle of equity and goodness.