Ayahs 243-252 LAST LESSON OF JUZ 2 Ayah 243 Have you reflected on the case of thousands of people who fled their homes for feat of death? Allah said to them “Die” then He gave life again. Surely Allah is Bountiful to the people but most of the people are ungrateful. Preference? Death will come anyway Do not run away from the command of Allah Life & death are in the hands of Allah Ayah 244 O Believers fight in the path of Allah (without fear of death) and bear in mind that Allah Hears and Knows everything. Ayah 245 Who will load to Allah a beautiful loan which Allah will increase many times? Allah alone can decrease and increase wealth. And to Him you all shall return. Ikhlaas No reminding Halal Conditions of a Loan Best Willingly The prophet (s.a.w) said, 'A man said my wealth, my wealth - but really he owned only three parts of the wealth; what he ate until it finished or what he dressed with until it wore out and what he gave out as alms and it ran out(finished) anything other than those is a left over for people.' Spend Acts of Righteousness Spread the Deen of Allah Ayahs 246 – 251 The Story of David and Goliath Main Points: Talut King of Bani Israel fought against Jalut Talut: more knowledge and physical strength To fight against oppression; miracle of the Taboot (chest) Story Continued… • Test: Soldiers will not drink from the river except a handful • Resolution of believers: a small group many times can win over a bigger group • Dawood A.S. killed Jalut and became a King and Prophet LESSONS Unity & Leadership are the pre-requisites to fighting Leadership is granted by Allah; not based on lineage or ‘royal blood’ Believers are put into difficulties until they enter Jannah; Sifting through believers Different types of believers in a group: motivational Rise & Fall of nations; Allah causes one group to fight the other to end injustice REFLECTIONS • To respond to the ayahs • What did you get out of it? • To make an assessment of the universe which you experience • Your response to experiences, opinions, events • Your thoughts & feelings WHY REFLECT? • A way of thinking to explore your learning • An opportunity to gain self-knowledge • A way to achieve clarity and better understanding of what you are learning • A chance to develop and reinforce writing skills • A way of making meaning out of what you study • It’s a command of the Qu’ran! EXAMPLES • I learned that widowed women have to stay waiting for 4 months and 10 days • IS THIS A FACT OR LESSON? • How to turn this into a lesson… • I learned that Allah SWT is so merciful to women that He allows them to have time on their own after their husband passes away so that they are not bothered by questions/emotions of other people Another Example • We should give money as sadaqah because Allah SWT will multiply it for us • FACT OR LESSON? Convert it into a Reflection… • I saw this ayah come to life just the other day when I gave $10 to a masjid fundraiser and the next day I received $100 as an early Eid gift from my grandparents; its amazing to see how Allah SWT increases what we give in this life, and also reserves it for the Hereafter too!