Juz 16- Juz Gems
And Say A Gentle Word...
Tonight our mashaayikh will recite the rest of Surat al-Kahf, Surat Maryam, and Surat Taha to conclude the 16th juz of the Qur’an. I pray that Allah blesses us to continue this series for more Ramadans to come since it is so difficult choosing only a single portion of the juz to be highlighted! Tonight’s juz gem reflects a conversation that Allah has with His prophet, Musa (as) in Surat Taha:
وَاصْطَنَعْتُكَ لِنَفْسِي ﴿٤١﴾ اذْهَبْ أَنتَ وَأَخُوكَ بِآيَاتِي وَلَا تَنِيَا فِي ذِكْرِي ﴿٤٢﴾ اذْهَبَا إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُ طَغَىٰ ﴿٤٣﴾ فَقُولَا لَهُ قَوْلًا لَّيِّنًا لَّعَلَّهُ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوْ يَخْشَىٰ ﴿٤٤﴾ قَالَا رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا نَخَافُ أَن يَفْرُطَ عَلَيْنَا أَوْ أَن يَطْغَىٰ ﴿٤٥﴾ قَالَ لَا تَخَافَا ۖ إِنَّنِي مَعَكُمَا أَسْمَعُ وَأَرَىٰ ﴿٤٦﴾
“And I have selected you for My service. Go forth, you and your brother, with My signs and never falter in remembering Me. Go, both of you, to Pharaoh, for he has truly transgressed all bounds. Speak to him gently, so perhaps he may be mindful of Me or fearful of My punishment. They both pleaded, “Our Lord! We fear that he may be quick to harm us or act tyrannically. [Allah] said, "Fear not. Indeed, I am with you both; I hear and I see,” (Surat Taha, verses 41-46).
One cannot help but feel the warmth and care Allah (swt) is expressing to Musa and Haroon. “I have chosen you for myself.” “Do not fear, I am with you both- I hear and I see.” Imagine constantly feeling this warm embrace as you are guided throughout life. Allah (swt) continues to encourage and never disparages Musa (as) as fear overtakes him when he is commanded to approach Pharaoh. Musa, rightfully so, has a lot to be fearful of when approaching Pharoah. He knows how evil Pharoah is, how he will stop at nothing to torture and kill anyone who gets in his way. Musa is also a fugitive, having accidentally killed someone and is now expected to free the entire nation of Bani Israel from the clutches of an oppressive, disillusioned tyrant.
Allah commands Musa to approach Pharoah, who claims himself to be the highest lord, with a gentle word. One can only imagine the type of restraint required to achieve such an elevated status. When we have an argument with a friend, family member, or coworker, we find it very difficult to remain objective and restrain our emotions. And yet, Musa not only is commanded to be level headed, but he is also told to take it to the highest degree and speak a gentle word. This is the highest level of ihsan one can aspire to and reminds me of the following verse found in Surat Fussilat:
وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ۚادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ ﴿٣٤﴾
“And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend,” (Surat Fussilat, aya 34).
May we constantly feel the warm embrace of our Lord, truly convinced that He sees and hears all that we go through. May He elevate us in our ability to restrain our tongues and shower us with His constant love, support, and sustenance! Ameen.