09: Remembrance & Supplication – Renewal by the Book: Quran Tafsir Based on Imam Ghazali’s Ihya – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

In this lesson, Shaykh Faraz looks at the key verses in the Quran corresponding to the ninth chapter of Imam Ghazali’s Ihya: Remembrance and Supplication. He highlights the verses 151-153 from Surah Al-Baqarah, which detail the importance and virtue of the remembrance of Allah.

كَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا فِيكُمْ رَسُولاً مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْكُمْ آيَاتِنَا وَيُزَكِّيكُمْ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُم مَّا لَمْ تَكُونُواْ تَعْلَمُونَ

“Just as We have sent among you a messenger of your own who recites to you Our revelations, purify you, and teach you the Scripture and Wisdom; and to teach you what you did not know”

This verse outlines the gift that Allah has bestowed upon us and that is the gift of guidance.

فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُواْ لِي وَلاَ تَكْفُرُونِ

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اسْتَعِينُواْ بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلاةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ

“So remember me and I will remember you; be thankful to Me and never ungrateful. You who believe, seek help through steadfastness and prayer, for God is with the steadfast.”

The consequence of the gift that Allah has bestowed upon us is that we must engage in His remembrance and in thankfulness of Him. The sunnah of the Prophet, peace be upon him, is balanced on two pillars that are the foundation of it: to remember Allah and to be thankful.

In addition, Shaykh Faraz highlights the role of the Prophet, peace be upon him, as mentioned in verse 151: to convey revelation, to purify you (and that is the purpose of revelation), explains to you the revelation and teaches you wisdom (and that is the sunnah).

Shaykh Faraz explains that true remembrance is for your heart to be conscious of Allah without being attached to anything else and the reward for that is that Allah will grant you spiritual openings. Ultimately, this remembrance should stem from your love for Him.

In summary, Shaykh Faraz reminds us to keep our tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah. If you would like to read more on this topic you can read the Imam Ibn Rajab’s: The Compendium of Knowledge and Wisdom.

Resource: Tafsir al-Qushayri
http://www.greattafsirs.com/Books/lataif.pdf

In this series Shaykh Faraz will be looking at points of reflection from key verses in the Quran. The series will follow the thematic order of Imam Ghazali’s Ihya Ulum al-Din (Renewing the Religious Sciences). The aim is to connect the key verses of guidance from the Book of Allah with the blueprint of renewal, the Ihya, so that we experience a renewal by The Book.

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