07-31-2012, 08:00 PM
The Twelfth Taraaweeh
This Taraaweeh begins from the last quarter of the 14th para (from verse 90
of Surah Nahl) and terminates at the end of the 15th para (verse 74 of Surah
Kahaf).
This Taraaweeh commences with the verse “Verily Allaah
instructs justice, good and giving to relatives. And Allaah
forbids from lewdness, evil and oppression. He advises you
so that you may take heed.” Allaah also commands people to
fulfil their pledges and their oaths, and not to accept bribes.
Allaah promises all Mu'mineen men and women who carry out
good deeds that He will grant them a pure and comfortable life in
this world and full reward for their deeds in the Hereafter.
Thereafter, Allaah instructs the Muslims that they should always
seek refuge with Allaah from Shaytaan when they commence
recitation of the Qur'aan. Allaah also advises, “Call to the path
of your Rabb with wisdom and good counsel; and dispute
with them (the kuffaar) in a manner that is best.” [surah
Nahl, verse 125] At the end of the Surah Allaah tells Rasululllaah
(sallAllaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) that he should not be grieved
about what his opposition does because Allaah will certainly
assist him to overcome all the hurdles they place before him.
END OF 14TH PARA – START OF 15TH PARA.
Surah Bani Israa'eel follows Surah Nahl as the 17th Surah of the
Qur'aan. Allaah took Rasululllaah (sallAllaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam)
on the miraculous journey of Mi’raaj, when Allaah showed him
great signs of His power. It was on this journey that Allaah made
the five daily salaah compulsory on all Muslims. This blessed urah also contains the 14 guidelines whereby the life of a
Muslim can be most fulfilling. These are:
1. Worship Allaah only.
2. Treat parents kindly.
3. Fulfil the rights of relatives, the poor and travellers.
4. Never be wasteful.
5. If you cannot be of assistance to a person in need, inform
him kindly.
6. Be neither miserly nor extravagant, but choose a path
between the two.
7. Never kill your children for fear of poverty.
8. Never even draw close to fornication.
9. Never slay a person without warrant.
10. Never misuse the wealth of an orphan.
11. Always keep your word.
12. Never cheat in weight and measure.
13. Never talk about anything that you have not verified.
14. Never walk with pride.
The Tahajjud salaah is made compulsory for Rasululllaah
(sallAllaahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) in this Surah. Allaah also
announces: “Say, ‘The truth has arrived and falsehood has
vanished. Indeed, falsehood was bound to disappear.”
[verse 81]
Thereafter Allaah speaks about Hadhrat Moosa (A.S), his
miracles, and his preaching to Fir'oun. The eventual destruction
of Fir'oun is also mentioned. Allaah says further, “We have
revealed it (the Qur'aan) with the truth, and with the truth
did it come.” [verse 105]. Awe-struck by the grandeur of the
Qur'aan, men of knowledge fall prostrate when they hear the
Qur'aan and the Qur'aan increases their humility.
The very last verse of the Surah declares, “Say, ‘All praise is
for Allaah, Who has not taken a child, has no partner in
sovereignty and does not require an assistant due to any
weakness. And declare His greatness in abundance.” [verse
111]
36
Surah Kahaf follows Surah Bani Israa'eel. The part of Surah Kahaf
which is recited in this Taraaweeh includes the incident of the
men of the cave and Hadhrat Moosa (A.S)’s meeting with Hadhrat
Khidr (A.S). The “men of the cave” were a group of young men
who grew weary of the depravity around them and decided to
leave their town. Since the only shelter they could find outside
their town was a cave, they entered it. Allaah cast them all into a
deep sleep that lasted approximately three hundred years. During
this period their dog lay watch at the mouth of the cave and the
evil and corruption that existed in their town gave way to a
decent government of Mu'mineen. By the time they woke up,
everything had changed and it was not long after they learnt
about the situation that they all passed away in the very same
cave. They will now only awaken for the Day of Qiyaamah.
This Surah also makes mention of the wisdom in Allaah’s system
of control, which he showed Hadhrat Moosa (A.S) via Hadhrat
Khidr (A.S). As the two travelled, Hadhrat Khidr (A.S) damaged
the boat of some poor people, killed an innocent looking young
boy, and bolstered a falling wall of some people who behaved
inhospitably to them. Hadhrat Moosa (A.S) was unable to bear
with these acts and objected to each of them. Finally, Hadhrat
Khidr (A.S) explained to him that Allaah has commanded each
act and that there was good in every act even though they
appeared to be dreadful.
Allaah also declares in the Surah: “We have undoubtedly
expounded all types of subjects in the Qur'aan for people.
Man has always been the worst disputant.” [verse 54]. Man
has always contested what Allaah has revealed to His Ambiya
(A.S) and refuses to accept it. The Qur'aan contains the most
upright and ethical teachings so that people with understanding
may ponder over these and take a lesson from them. Amongst
these teachings are the incidents of the men of the cave and of
Hadhrat Moosa (A.S). May Allaah grant us a deep insight and
understanding. Aameen.
END OF 15TH PARA – START OF 16TH PARA.