Juz 6- Juz Gems
Tonight is the 6th night of Ramadan and our imaams will be reciting from Surat al-Ma’ida. Surat al-Ma’ida is the last major surah to be revealed that completes the legal system of Islam. In it, one finds legislation regarding the type of food that is permissible, how to perform wudu, the sanctity of human life, and distinguishing Muslims as having their own legal system vis-a-vis the People of the Book. One of the most honorable verses bestowed upon the ummah of Muhammad (sas) is highlighted below:
...الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا ۚ
This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion, (Surat al Mai’da, a portion of verse 3).
This verse is so distinguished that it even caught the eye of a Jew living in Arabia at that time. Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab: Once a Jew said to me, "O the chief of believers! There is a verse in your Holy Book Which is read by all of you (Muslims), and had it been revealed to us, we would have taken that day on which it was revealed as a day of celebration." 'Umar bin Al-Khattab asked, "Which is that verse?" The Jew replied, "This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, And have chosen for you Islam as your religion." (5:3) 'Umar replied,"No doubt, we know when and where this verse was revealed to the Prophet. It was Friday and the Prophet was standing at 'Arafa,” (Sahih Bukhari).
From a very young age, human beings are constantly pursuing guidance. A child looks at her mother to see whether or not it is safe to approach something novel and new. A teenager may rebel to establish his own identity, and yet the guidance of his parents constantly rings in his ears. A doctor goes through several years of residency under the guidance of experienced doctors before she becomes an attending. Now, imagine the beautiful gift Allah has bestowed upon us by completing Islam for us. Allah has perfected our “deen” which comes from the root word daan, meaning “to submit.” This way of life is spelled out so clearly in our religion- from the way we should speak to what we should eat.
There are times in our lives where we may feel like what has been made haraam restricts us. It stops us from what we perceive to be “living our best life.” Rest assured that everything that Allah has deemed haraam including alcohol, drugs, illicit relations outside of marriage, is done as a true mercy for us in order that we may live a purpose-driven, fulfilling life vying for the favor and pleasure of our Creator and Sustainer.
We often take it for granted that we have this perfect system readily available to us. This perfect system took 23 years of revelation, lost lives, broken hearts, loss of a homeland, ultimate sacrifices, and eventual success to be realized and achieved. Learning and engrossing ourselves in the seerah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (sas) helps provide that link that truly makes us feel proud of our Islamic identity.
May we continue to live up to the favor Allah has bestowed upon us and actively try to appreciate the blessing of Islam; a complete and total way of life.