07-29-2012, 11:27 AM
The Tenth Taraaweeh
This Taraaweeh begins from the second quarter of the twelfth para (verse 50
of Surah Hood) and concludes halfway through the 13th para (verse 18 of
Surah Ra’d).
Allaah states, “And to the Aad We sent their brother Hood.”
Just as the people of Hadhrat Nooh (A.S) remained stubborn in
the disbelief, the people of Hadhrat Hood (A.S) did the same.
Instead of listening to the message of Tauheed, the Aad
exclaimed “Who is more powerful than us?” They were
eventually destroyed. The nation of Thamud followed them. When
they refused to accept the message of Hadhrat Saalih (A.S),
Allaah’s punishment destroyed them as well. Mention is then
made of the people of Hadhrat Loot (A.S) who were extremely
lewd and immoral. As a result of their depravity they also
suffered the same fate as their sister nations before them.
Thereafter, Allaah speaks about the preaching of Hadhrat Shu’aib
(A.S) to the people of Madyan and then about the preaching of
Hadhrat Moosa (A.S) to Fir'oun and his people.
After citing all these incidents Allaah says, “Such is the grasp of
your Rabb when He seized a town that is oppressive.
Indeed His grasp is painful and severe.” [verse 102]
Addressing Rasululllaah (sallAllaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam), Allaah
says further, “We narrate to you all the narratives of the
messengers so that your heart may be strengthened
thereby. In these narratives the truth has come to you, as
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well as an advice and reminder for the believers.” [verse
120]
Allaah then concludes the Surah by saying, “To Allaah belongs
the unseen things of the heavens and the earth and unto
Him alone will all matters return. So worship Him and rely
on Him only. Your Rabb is not unaware of what you do.”
[verse 123]
Surah Yusuf follows Surah Hood. Rasululllaah (sallAllaahu-alayhiwa-
sallam) was not aware of the story of Hadhrat Yusuf (A.S), so
the Jews decided to test his prophethood by asking him about
this story. They thought that he would be unable to narrate the
story to them. However, Allaah revealed Surah Yusuf to
Rasululllaah (sallAllaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam), thereby stunning the
Jews with its detailed account.
As a boy, Hadhrat Yusuf (A.S) once saw in a dream that eleven
stars, the sun and the moon were prostrating before him. The
eleven stars denoted his eleven step-brother, while the sun and
moon denoted his parents. When he informed his father Hadhrat
Ya'qoob (A.S) about the dream, his father advised him not to
relate the dream to his brothers because they would then become
his sworn enemies.
His brothers had always been jealous of Hadhrat Yusuf (A.S) and
finally threw him in a well one day, making the excuse to their
father that a wolf had devoured him. Some travellers took him
out of the well and sold him as a slave to the chief minister of
Egypt. The minister’s wife was infatuated with Hadhrat Yusuf
(A.S)’s beauty and attempted to seduce him. It was when he
refused to respond to her charms that she had him imprisoned.
While in prison he accurately interpreted the dreams of two fellow
inmates. When one of them was released, he (after some time)
referred the king’s dream to Hadhrat Yusuf (A.S), who interpreted
it correctly and even provided a solution for the problem at hand.
As a result, Hadhrat Yusuf (A.S) became a trusted advisor to the
king and practically ruled Egypt.
END OF 12TH PARA – START OF 13TH PARA. When a severe drought struck Egypt and the surrounding areas,
Egypt had no shortage of grains because Hadhrat Yusuf (A.S) had
proposed to the king from before that they should keep grains in
store from the previous years. Therefore, people from the
neighbouring areas began to flock to Egypt for food. Amongst
those who arrived in Egypt were the brothers of Hadhrat Yusuf
(A.S). Although they failed to recognise him, he recognised them
and returned their money to them without their knowledge. He
also insisted that they bring their youngest brother along on the
next trip.
When they arrived home and found that their money was
returned to them they said, “Oh our father! What more can
we want? Here are our funds returned to us.” [verse 65] On
the next trip they took their youngest brother along with them.
As they started to return home, Hadhrat Yusuf (A.S) detained his
youngest brother in Egypt on some pretext. Hadhrat Ya'qoob
(A.S) turned blind because of excessive weeping over his lost
child. Allaah says, “His eyes turned white with sorrow.”
[verse 84]
When the brothers returned to Egypt for the third time and
Hadhrat Yusuf (A.S) informed them about who he was, they cast
their gazes down in embarrassment and regret. Hadhrat Yusuf
(A.S) told them, “The fact is that whoever adopts taqwa and
is patient (through adversities), then Allaah surely does not
put to waste the reward of those who do good.” [verse 90]
When the brothers begged his forgiveness, Hadhrat Yusuf (A.S)
displayed exemplary character and put them as ease by saying,
“There shall be no reproach on you today. May Allaah
forgive you. He is the Most Merciful of those who show
mercy.” [verse 92]
Upon the request of Hadhrat Yusuf (A.S), Hadhrat Ya'qoob (A.S)
and his entire family arrived in Egypt. When the family was
reunited, they all fell in prostration before Hadhrat Yusuf (A.S).
Thus, the dream he saw in childhood was realised.
At the end of the Surah Allaah states that there are great lessons
in the narratives of the Ambiya (A.S) for people of understanding.
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Allaah says, “In their narratives there is certainly a lesson
for people of intelligence. This Qur'aan is not a fabricated
tale, but a confirmation to all the scriptures before it, a
detailed explanation of all things, a guidance and a mercy
for the believing folk.” [verse 111]
Surah Ra’d follows Surah Yusuf. This Surah establishes the truth
of the Qur'aan, of Tauheed, Risaalah and Qiyaamah. It also
provides details concerning resurrection. Allaah warns the kuffaar
of severe punishment in the Hereafter, but also states that He
overlooks many sins for which He could well punish people.
Allaah makes it clear that He is Aware of everything that man
does and even has knowledge of what changes take place in the
womb of an expectant mother.
Allaah also emphasises: “Undoubtedly Allaah does not
change the conditions of a nation till they change the
condition within themselves.” [verse 11] Allaah has never
changed the conditions affecting any nation that did not make an
attempt to change their behaviour. Furthermore, Allaah exhorts
man to ward off sins by carrying out good deeds because the
bounties of the Hereafter have been made for the Mu'mineen.
May Allaah grant us the capacity to effect a revolution within our
live styles and make us a means of effecting a favourable change
to our surroundings. May Allaah also grant us the guidance to
carry out good deeds to attain the eternal bliss of Jannah.
Aameen.