28.10.2020

 

We were not sure whether it was permissible to exercise at the local municipal lake . There were reports / updates of places where  the public could access during this restricted movement. Gyms, parks, shopping malls are on the ‘can go to ‘ places.  So we  left home at around 9 am this morning. Quite late actually because our normal times are around 7.00 to 7.30 am. Alas, once we reached the parking area, there was not a single  car in sight. No sign of any joggers . So is it on or is it off once again? Even if it is permissible , we don’t quite  like the idea of 2 elderly persons  walking in that secluded area. There had been reports of snatch thieves  So we decided to skip the walkout despite the fact that it had been almost a week of non-exercise. Feeling the lethargy  seeping in. 

So, off to the local grocer store to pick up a few items. Then to the bank to close my dormant account since 2005. Fancy lining up outside for a. good 30 minutes. It was hot, it was so tiring . Enough to reach the threshold  of  trying to be being patience and accepting the temporary setback . Patience wearing thin. Anger over the whole  episode. Tired . Just so tired..and stressed out....

 

Until I remember this beautiful surah. so what better way to keep calm and recite this beautiful Surah.  Its Surah Ad-Duha  and was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to relieve him of these negative feelings and to give him hope, positivity, and the assurance that Allah is with him no matter what. From it we too can find peace, hope, and a renewed faith in Allah when we go through similar states of depression, sadness, and hopelessness.

This surah is the ninety-third surah of the Qur'an with 11 ayat. Many of us know surah ad-duha off by heart and have probably read its meaning many times as well, which seems quite straightforward. How many of us, though, have actually gone into the reason behind its revelation and derived the lessons and implications this surah has in our lives? 

وَالضُّحَى

 

Demi waktu duha (ketika matahari naik sepenggalahan),

I swear by the morning,

 when you’re feeling low, just  wake up and  look at the sunshine! Everything in life is not doom and gloom– you just have to look up!

 

وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَى

dan demi malam apabila telah sunyi,

and by night settling,

the night is meant to cover and give us comfort and rest. 

مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَى

 

Tuhanmu tidak meninggalkan engkau (Muhammad) dan tidak (pula) membencimu

that I did not abandon nor do I hate you.

 Allah is telling us that He doesn’t hate us and hasn’t forgotten us–  that He is always by our side!

 

وَلَلآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لَكَ مِنَ الأولَى

 

dan sungguh, yang kemudian itu lebih baik bagimu daripada yang permulaan

And the next life is better for you.

 Any problems in our lives as temporary tests of our faith from Allah.

 

وَلَسَوْفَ يُعْطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرْضَى

 

Dan sungguh, kelak Tuhanmu pasti memberikan karunia-Nya kepadamu, sehingga engkau menjadi puas.

Till you are completely satisfied, I will keep giving to you.

A promise from Allah that very soon he will give us a massive reward (Jannah) and we will be happy!

 

أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًا فَآوَى

 

Bukankah Dia mendapatimu sebagai seorang yatim, lalu Dia melindungi(mu)

Didn’t I find you an orphan and sheltered you?

There were many times in your life when you were sick or lonely and felt like you had nobody who cared about you? Who was the only one by your side at that time? Allah! It was He who took care of you and guided you out of that stage in life. 

وَوَجَدَكَ ضَالا فَهَدَى

 

Dan Dia mendapatimu sebagai seorang yang bingung lalu Dia memberikan petunjuk.

Didn’t I find you lost and guided you?

How many of us, despite being born Muslims, have found ourselves misguided and straying away from Islam in the past? It was Allah who gave us that hidayah and brought us back to the straight path and to Him and made us practicing Muslims. 

 

وَوَجَدَكَ عَائِلا فَأَغْنَى

 

Dan Dia mendapatimu sebagai seorang yang kekurangan, lalu Dia memberikan kecukupan

Didn’t I find you poor and enriched you?

Many of us have probably gone through many periods in our lives when we have been short of money and wealth. Now when we look back we realize that it was only Allah who gave us that rezeki in some form and got us through those tough financial times.

 

فَأَمَّا الْيَتِيمَ فَلا تَقْهَرْ

 

Maka terhadap anak yatim janganlah engkau berlaku sewenang-wenang

So be kind to the orphans,

There are people who are in far worse situations than ourselves when we’re feeling hopeless and depressed— Look at the orphans,who have no family or loved ones and nobody to care for them. We have families and parents who love us, a roof over our heads and food on the table and we still think we’re in a bad situation? 

وَأَمَّا السَّائِلَ فَلا تَنْهَرْ

 

Dan terhadap orang yang meminta-minta, janganlah kamu menghardik(nya)

and be gentle with the beggars,

These examples of the orphan and the beggar are ones we should constantly remind ourselves of to be thankful for the numerous blessings Allah has given us, get over our depression and feel connected to Allah again, out of gratitude.

 

وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ

 

. Dan terhadap nikmat Tuhanmu hendaklah engkau nyatakan (dengan bersyukur)

and share with others the blessings I have given you.

This final ayat is about maintaining that renewed faith and bond with Allah – by pondering, glorifying and talking about the blessings of Allah!  Dhikr, reading quran and listening to lectures are also great ways to keep the remembrance of Allah close to your heart!

EACH DAY YOU HAVE IS A BLESSING

THE GREATEST SOURCE OF HAPPINESS IS THE ABILITY TO BE GRATEFUL AT ALL TIMES.

ALHAMDULLILAH

SUBAHANALLAH

ALLAHUAKBAR!!