Breadth In Depth
Childhood memories are so profound because they fall into the category of simply being a kid. As we grow older, we’re pulled away from those times we thought were so difficult—times that grew all kinds of impatience in us—only to find that life just keeps moving on. Depending on the relationship we had with ourselves during childhood, we either allow those moments to follow us into adulthood in healthy ways, or we let them become barriers we never address.
The cycle of life and history never stops reminding us of the future, and that responsible thought is reflected in every family. It doesn’t matter what the goal is—if we’re living, we’re either breaking or repeating patterns. Our morals and values play such an important role in how we care for ourselves and the people in our lives. Someone with a high standard for security—not physical security, but emotional—will easily admit their insecurities. That honesty allows those insecurities to exist without pretense, drawing people closer and helping them understand the realistic ways a person works through their issues. Because the first lens into an issue rarely reveals the real problem to be solved.
So when Allah (SWT) calculates the time for a family trial to unfold, it comes with His predestined and conditional infinite wisdom. An event like this isn’t meant to overtake or control anyone involved. It’s meant to debunk the false depictions people have made over time—even Muslims convincing themselves of their own reasoning—and to diffuse the idea that believing in Allah is about fitting into a mold. It challenges the ego that claims its own righteousness of life, not faith.
The concept of deen has, for many, become like a rivalry of products—imitations competing against the truth, created by those who copy the success of their rivals. The result is a war without direction—just chaos and unfair bigotry. We attract what we put out. If we’re living, we’re surviving, and sincere Muslims are positive survivors. They can discern a predator because they’ve developed a hyperactive sense for detecting negativity. But because society encourages reaction over reason, people focus on the superficial and visible to prove they’re adding value.
The way we define a problem shapes everyone’s perspective on it. That’s why we must refine and hold on to integrity every day. If not, we end up busy putting out “social fires” that began with poor decisions made long before. We’ve also been conditioned to use status as a proxy for who to treat well and who to disregard, playing the social hierarchy game to gauge our own position. Yet Allah tells us, in so many ways, that the best success is to opt out of the game entirely and simply treat people with compassion.
The family trial stands to benefit the future outlook because it forces us to lessen the easy ways we hate and the hard ways we love. Nowadays, it seems easier to overlook those who earn evil deeds than those who earn good deeds—and that is a problem Shaytan constantly feeds into society. His biggest goal is to relentlessly cause friction, infuse negativity, and turn our perception upside down.
Allah questions those who make the deen conditional, as if its history somehow decreases the value of belief, making it less worthy to respect, entertain, or have regard for. This conditional mindset spreads across so many platforms and choices that it poisons perspectives. And so, Allah calls on the open-hearted, the sincere ones—because a person will only understand if they truly want to. It won’t matter how the information comes to them. They do not measure faith through pride or by any human standard.
Allah tells us no soul will be wronged. His justice is perfect and balanced, which is why He warns us—over and over—about the effect and influence of Shaytan. He sends angels to help fill the void that disbelief leaves in our lives, because the nature of life itself holds enough signs. Disbelief brings no benefit; entertaining it is simply the continuation of a long history of loss. And a family trial tests the people who are, in reality, living byproducts of that history in the making.
Those who dispute the signs turn truth into falsehood, creating resentment in ways we don’t even imagine possible. Those who grow lazy towards the deen, using their desires and lusts as excuses to exempt themselves, gain nothing either—because in doing so, they pretend they have full control over their lives.
A family trial exists because Allah is always sending messengers to warn and remind. He is the Most Merciful and is not simply watching us fall prey to Shaytan. A family trial exists because people spend so much time defending the false innocence that Shaytan projects against the Qur’an—making people approach it with fear or defensiveness.
A family trial occurs when people have forgotten the value found in tough love from the Lord of the Worlds. It is Allah who knows the fraud of the eyes and all that our hearts conceal. His trial is not meant to break or offend us out of spite, as many project faith to be—it is meant to bring out the eventual best of us.
Allah established the creation of mankind with faculties of hearing, seeing, and hearts. He versed these three to work together as the equation for belief. Yet we distort our hearing with seeing, and our seeing without hearing—ignoring our hearts and in turn hardening them. So when someone is sincere, Allah is assessing how others respond to that sincerity. Do they take it personally, contradicting their own behavior while ignoring their God-given guidance?
Those who demand proof while ignoring the signs are already acknowledging the truth they resent. And these are the very influences the Qur’an fights against—to save minds from corruption, both our own and others’. Because Islam is not meant to make people lose. It is the mature call to do our part, to battle for the good in this life and the next.
So when a family trial is real, it will not be something to wrap neatly in a nutshell. So the question to ask is how are you going to entertain the truth when Allah is obviously sending down His signs? Are you going to take it as a threat or fear it as a respected reality? Because Allah’s wisdom is proof of His eternal presence. He’s not trying to lure us because life is already doing that. It’s about getting us to think. Using our intelligence is the only way to get to Him. Yes, with discipline, patience, and challenges, because life naturally tests us in these ways too. Allah is allowing us to revisit the past to understand the future. Because if we don’t grow smarter together, we risk becoming the same kind of victims as the children of Gaza.
Surah Yaseen 36
Bism Illah Al Rahman Al Raheem
1. Ya-Sin.
[These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.]
2. By the Qur’an, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs),
3. Truly, you (O Muhammad ) are one of the Messengers,
4. On a Straight Path (i.e. on Allah’s religion of Islamic Monotheism).
5. (This is) a Revelation sent down by the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful,
6. In order that you may warn a people whose forefathers were not warned, so they are heedless.
7. Indeed the Word (of punishment) has proved true against most of them, so they will not believe.
8. Verily! We have put on their necks iron collars reaching to chins, so that their heads are forced up.
9. And We have put a barrier before them, and a barrier behind them, and We have covered them up, so that they cannot see.
10. It is the same to them whether you warn them or you warn them not, they will not believe.
11. You can only warn him who follows the Reminder (the Qur’an), and fears the Most Beneficent (Allah) unseen. Bear you to such one the glad tidings of forgiveness, and a generous reward (i.e. Paradise).
12. Verily, We give life to the dead, and We record that which they send before (them), and their traces [their footsteps and walking on the earth with their legs to the mosques for the five compulsory congregational prayers, Jihad (holy fighting in Allah’s Cause) and all other good and evil they did, and that which they leave behind], and all things We have recorded with numbers (as a record) in a Clear Book.
13. And put forward to them a similitude; the (story of the) dwellers of the town, [It is said that the town was Antioch (Antakiya)], when there came Messengers to them.
14. When We sent to them two Messengers, they belied them both, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said: “Verily! We have been sent to you as Messengers.”
15. They (people of the town) said: “You are only human beings like ourselves, and the Most Beneficent (Allah) has revealed nothing, you are only telling lies.”
16. The Messengers said: “Our Lord knows that we have been sent as Messengers to you,
17. “And our duty is only to convey plainly (the Message).”
18. They (people) said: “For us, we see an evil omen from you, if you cease not, we will surely stone you, and a painful torment will touch you from us.”
19. They (Messengers) said: “Your evil omens be with you! (Do you call it “evil omen”) because you are admonished? Nay, but you are a people Musrifun (transgressing all bounds by committing all kinds of great sins, and by disobeying Allah).
20. And there came running from the farthest part of the town, a man, saying: “O my people! Obey the Messengers;
21. “Obey those who ask no wages of you (for themselves), and who are rightly guided.
22. “And why should I not worship Him (Allah Alone) Who has created me and to Whom you shall be returned.
23. “Shall I take besides Him aliha (gods), if the Most Beneficent (Allah) intends me any harm, their intercession will be of no use for me whatsoever, nor can they save me?
24. “Then verily, I should be in plain error.
25. Verily! I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me!”
26. It was said (to him when the disbelievers killed him): “Enter Paradise.” He said: “Would that my people knew!
27. “That my Lord (Allah) has forgiven me, and made me of the honoured ones!”
28. And We sent not against his people after him a host from heaven, nor do We send (such a thing).
29. It was but one Saihah (shout, etc.) and lo! They (all) were silent (dead-destroyed).
30. Alas for mankind! There never came a Messenger to them but they used to mock at him.
31. Do they not see how many of the generations We have destroyed before them? Verily, they will not return to them.
32. And surely, all, everyone of them will be brought before Us.
33. And a sign for them is the dead land. We gave it life, and We brought forth from it grains, so that they eat thereof.
34. And We have made therein gardens of date-palms and grapes, and We have caused springs of water to gush forth therein.
35. So that they may eat of the fruit thereof, and their hands made it not. Will they not, then, give thanks?
36. Glory be to Him, Who has created all the pairs of that which the earth produces, as well as of their own (human) kind (male and female), and of that which they know not.
37. And a sign for them is the night, We withdraw therefrom the day, and behold, they are in darkness.
38. And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed). That is the Decree of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.
39. And the moon, We have measured for it mansions (to traverse) till it returns like the old dried curved date stalk.
40. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. They all float, each in an orbit.
41. And an Ayah (sign) for them is that We bore their offspring in the laden ship [of Nuh (Noah)].
42. And We have created for them of the like thereunto, so on them they ride.
43. And if We will, We shall drown them, and there will be no shout (or helper) for them (to hear their cry for help) nor will they be saved.
44. Unless it be a mercy from Us, and as an enjoyment for a while.
45. And when it is said to them: “Beware of that which is before you (worldly torments), and that which is behind you (torments in the Hereafter), in order that you may receive Mercy (i.e. if you believe in Allah’s Religion – Islamic Monotheism, and avoid polytheism, and obey Allah with righteous deeds).
46. And never came an Ayah from among the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord to them, but they did turn away from it.
47. And when it is said to them: “Spend of that with which Allah has provided you,” those who disbelieve say to those who believe: “Shall we feed those whom, if Allah willed, He (Himself) would have fed? You are only in a plain error.”
48. And they say: “When will this promise (i.e. Resurrection) be fulfilled, if you are truthful?”
49. They await only but a single Saihah (shout, etc.), which will seize them while they are disputing!
50. Then they will not be able to make bequest, nor they will return to their family.
51. And the Trumpet will be blown (i.e. the second blowing) and behold! From the graves they will come out quickly to their Lord.
52. They will say: “Woe to us! Who has raised us up from our place of sleep.” (It will be said to them): “This is what the Most Beneficent (Allah) had promised, and the Messengers spoke truth!”
53. It will be but a single Saihah (shout, etc.), so behold! They will all be brought up before Us!
54. This Day (Day of Resurrection), none will be wronged in anything, nor will you be requited anything except that which you used to do.
55. Verily, the dwellers of the Paradise, that Day, will be busy in joyful things.
56. They and their wives will be in pleasant shade, reclining on thrones.
57. They will have therein fruits (of all kinds) and all that they ask for.
58. (It will be said to them): Salamun (peace be on you), a Word from the Lord (Allah), Most Merciful.
59. (It will be said): “And O you Al–Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, disbelievers in the Islamic Monotheism, wicked evil ones, etc.)! Get you apart this Day (from the believers).
60. Did I not ordain for you, O Children of Adam, that you should not worship Shaitan (Satan). Verily, he is a plain enemy to you.
61. And that you should worship Me [Alone Islamic Monotheism, and set up not rivals, associate-gods with Me]. That is a Straight Path.
62. And indeed he (Satan) did lead astray a great multitude of you. Did you not, then, understand?
63. This is Hell which you were promised!
64. Burn therein this Day, for that you used to disbelieve.
65. This Day, We shall seal up their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their legs will bear witness to what they used to earn. (It is said that one’s left thigh will be the first to bear the witness). [Tafsir At–Tabari, Vol. 22, Page 24]
66. And if it had been Our Will, We would surely have wiped out (blinded) their eyes, so that they would struggle for the Path, how then would they see?
67. And if it had been Our Will, We could have transformed them (into animals or lifeless objects) in their places. Then they should have been unable to go forward (move about) nor they could have turned back. [As it happened with the Jews see Verse 7:166 The Qur’an].
68. And he whom We grant long life, We reverse him in creation (weakness after strength). Will they not then understand?
69. And We have not taught him (Muhammad ) poetry, nor is it meet for him. This is only a Reminder and a plain Qur’an.
70. That he or it (Muhammad or the Qur’an) may give warning to him who is living (a healthy minded the believer), and that Word (charge) may be justified against the disbelievers (dead, as they reject the warnings).
71. Do they not see that We have created for them of what Our Hands have created, the cattle, so that they are their owners.
72. And We have subdued them unto them so that some of them they have for riding and some they eat.
73. And they have (other) benefits from them (besides), and they get (milk) to drink, will they not then be grateful?
74. And they have taken besides Allah aliha (gods), hoping that they might be helped (by those so called gods).
75. They cannot help them, but they will be brought forward as a troop against those who worshipped them (at the time of Reckoning).
76. So let not their speech, then, grieve you (O Muhammad ). Verily, We know what they conceal and what they reveal.
77. Does not man see that We have created him from Nutfah (mixed male and female discharge semen drops). Yet behold! He (stands forth) as an open opponent.
78. And he puts forth for Us a parable, and forgets his own creation. He says: “Who will give life to these bones when they have rotted away and became dust?”
79. Say: (O Muhammad ) “He will give life to them Who created them for the first time! And He is the All-Knower of every creation!”
80. He, Who produces for you fire out of the green tree, when behold! You kindle therewith.
81. Is not He, Who created the heavens and the earth Able to create the like of them? Yes, indeed! He is the All-Knowing Supreme Creator.
82. Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, “Be!” and it is!
83. So Glorified is He and Exalted above all that they associate with Him, and in Whose Hands is the dominion of all things, and to Him you shall be returned.
Surah Al Rahman 55
Bism Illah Al Rahman Al Raheem
1. The Most Beneficent (Allah)!
2. Has taught (you mankind) the Qur’an (by His Mercy).
3. He created man.
4. He taught him eloquent speech.
5. The sun and the moon run on their fixed courses (exactly) calculated with measured out stages for each (for reckoning, etc.).
6. And the herbs (or stars) and the trees both prostrate.
7. And the heaven He has raised high, and He has set up the Balance.
8. In order that you may not transgress (due) balance.
9. And observe the weight with equity and do not make the balance deficient.
10. And the earth He has put for the creatures.
11. Therein are fruits, date-palms producing sheathed fruit-stalks (enclosing dates).
12. And also corn, with (its) leaves and stalk for fodder, and sweet-scented plants.
13. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
14. He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the clay of pottery.
15. And the jinns did He create from a smokeless flame of fire.
16. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
17. (He is) the Lord of the two easts (places of sunrise during early summer and early winter) and the Lord of the two wests (places of sunset during early summer and early winter).
18. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
19. He has let loosed the two seas (the salt water and the sweet) meeting together.
20. Between them is a barrier which none of them can transgress.
21. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
22. Out of them both come out pearl and coral.
23. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
24. And His are the ships going and coming in the seas, like mountains.
25. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
26. Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish.
27. And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will abide forever.
28. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
29. Whosoever is in the heavens and on earth begs of Him (its needs from Him). Every day He has a matter to bring forth (such as giving honour to some, disgrace to some, life to some, death to some, etc.)!
30. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
31. We shall attend to you, O you two classes (jinns and men)!
32. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
33. O assembly of jinns and men! If you have power to pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, then pass (them)! But you will never be able to pass them, except with authority (from Allah)!
34. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
35. There will be sent against you both, smokeless flames of fire and (molten) brass, and you will not be able to defend yourselves.
36. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
37. Then when the heaven is rent asunder, and it becomes rosy or red like red-oil, or red hide.
38. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
39. So on that Day no question will be asked of man or jinn as to his sin, (because they have already been known from their faces either white or black).
40. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
41. The Mujrimun (polytheists, criminals, sinners, etc.) will be known by their marks (black faces), and they will be seized by their forelocks and their feet.
42. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
43. This is Hell which the Mujrimun (polytheists, criminals, sinners, etc.) denied.
44. They will go between it (Hell) and the boiling hot water!
45. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
46. But for him who [the true believer of Islamic Monotheism who performs all the duties ordained by Allah and His Messenger Muhammad , and keeps away (abstain) from all kinds of sin and evil deeds prohibited in Islam and] fears the standing before his Lord, there will be two Gardens (i.e. in Paradise).
47. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
48. With spreading branches;
49. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
50. In them (both) will be two springs flowing (free)
51. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
52. In them (both) will be every kind of fruit in pairs.
53. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
54. Reclining upon the couches lined with silk brocade, and the fruits of the two Gardens will be near at hand.
55. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
56. Wherein both will be those (maidens) restraining their glances upon their husbands, whom no man or jinn yatmithhunna (has opened their hymens with sexual intercourse) before them.
57. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
58. (In beauty) they are like rubies and coral.
59. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
60. Is there any reward for good other than good?
61. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
62. And besides these two, there are two other Gardens (i.e. in Paradise).
63. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
64. Dark green (in colour).
65. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
66. In them (both) will be two springs gushing forth water.
67. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
68. In them (both) will be fruits, and date- palms and pomegranates.
69. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
70. Therein (gardens) will be fair (wives) good and beautiful;
71. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
72. Houris (beautiful, fair females) restrained in pavilions;
73. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
74. Whom no man or jinn yatmithhunna (has opened their hymens with sexual intercourse) before them.
75. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
76. Reclining on green cushions and rich beautiful mattresses.
77. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?
78. Blessed be the Name of your Lord (Allah), the Owner of Majesty and Honour.
Surah Al Fajr 89
Bism Illah Al Rahman Al Raheem
1. By the dawn;
2. By the ten nights (i.e. the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah),
3. And by the even and the odd (of all the creations of Allah).
4. And by the night when it departs.
5. There is indeed in them (the above oaths) sufficient proofs for men of understanding (and that, they should avoid all kinds of sins and disbeliefs, etc.)!
6. Did you (O Muhammad ( )) not see (thought) how your Lord dealt with ‘Ad (people)?
7. Who were very tall like lofty pillars,
8. The like of which were not created in the land?
9. And (with) Thamud (people), who cut (hewed) out rocks in the valley (to make dwellings)?
10. And (with) Fir’aun (Pharaoh), who had pegs (who used to torture men by binding them to pegs)?
11. Who did transgress beyond bounds in the lands (in the disobedience of Allah).
12. And made therein much mischief.
13. So your Lord poured on them different kinds of severe torment.
14. Verily, your Lord is Ever Watchful (over them).
15. As for man, when his Lord tries him by giving him honour and gifts, then he says (puffed up): “My Lord has honoured me.”
16. But when He tries him, by straitening his means of life, he says: “My Lord has humiliated me!”
17. Nay! But you treat not the orphans with kindness and generosity (i.e. you neither treat them well, nor give them their exact right of inheritance)!
18. And urge not on the feeding of AlMiskin (the poor)!
19. And you devour inheritance all with greed,
20. And you love wealth with much love!
21. Nay! When the earth is ground to powder,
22. And your Lord comes with the angels in rows,
23. And Hell will be brought near that Day. On that Day will man remember, but how will that remembrance (then) avail him?
24. He will say: “Alas! Would that I had sent forth (good deeds) for (this) my life!”
25. So on that Day, none will punish as He will punish.
26. And none will bind as He will bind.
27. (It will be said to the pious): “O (you) the one in (complete) rest and satisfaction!
28. “Come back to your Lord, Well-pleased (yourself) and well-pleasing unto Him!
29. “Enter you, then, among My honoured slaves,
30. “And enter you My Paradise!”