Five Words But Endless Meanings

Bismillah
As salaamu alaikum,

Alhamdu leellaahi rabbeel ‘aalameen

I begin today with the second Aya of surat-ul-Fatiha. It is commonly interpreted as ‘Praise be to Allah the Lord of the worlds.’ But this is only part of what it means, which is why I say it is commonly interpreted as, instead of it is commonly translated as. Because the word interpretation means ‘one of many meanings’, whereas a translation is a written or spoken rendering of the meaning of a word, speech, book, or other text, in another language. Which simply cannot be done with the Qur’an. The meanings are limitless, even down to the arabic letters used to make the sounds of the words.

So what else does it mean? Alhamdu leellaahi rabbeel ‘aalameen, Jalalain says that “Alhamdu leellaahi” is an informative sentence meaning ‘all praise belongs to Allah.’ So the essence of praise for a thing or gratitude for a thing is that Allah owns that praise and gratitude.

And what in the heavens or the earth is not owned by Allah? What blessing befalls us but that Allah allowed it to happen? What exists but that Allah created it? What amazingly delicious meal does your mother make for you, but that Allah gave her the ability to make it?

But even with that the choice is still there. Aya 256 Baqara: “There is no forcing in matters of faith.” Allah has shown us the truth. It is clear. We either accept it and believe in it. Or we reject it and disbelieve in it. And those who disbelieve only oppress themselves, aya 254 Baqara.

Those who disbelieve in the meeting with Allah and who don’t take death seriously will inevitably oppress themselves. Why? Because everything we have belongs to Allah and is owned by Allah. So how can we use what Allah has given us to disobey Him, or to disbelieve in Him?

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said what is interpreted as: “A small deed performed consistently is more beloved to Allah than a grand deed that is not consistent.” It is easy to see at least one reason why this is so. Small acts of worship- easy acts of worship- build up our defenses against Shaitan (satan), who has to break down our outer defenses in order to make us disobey our Maker. If we don’t have any outer defenses, small deeds, we will regularly fall into major sins.

So lets build up those defenses. Let us all commit to consistently never doing a small sin again. Just one small thing that is easy to let go of. Some people call others names, some curse, some gossip, and some do other sins/things that they may think insignificant, but when it comes to behavior that Allah does not like, nothing is insignificant. You know the bad things you do and so do the people closest to you. If you can’t think of any small sin that you are willing to give up for the sake of your Creator, Who sustains your life, then ask that person who loves you the most to help you.

I know what I am going to let go of for Allah’s sake, and that is enough. I know that Allah has seen me do wrong, and He will see me when as I try to do right. He is the Helper and the Protector of the faithful. He will help me and He will help you. As long as you are willing to help yourself.

Promise yourself that you will be a better person today than you were yesterday and better person tomorrow than you were today. Don’t be one of those Allah describes in the Qur’an as “the oppressors.” Those who deny good for themselves because they use what Allah has given them to commit sins. Allah gave you feet. Don’t walk to haram (illegal actions). Allah gave you a tongue and a voice. Don’t say bad things. and above all remember that He sees you, He is watching you, and He will help you be better. For He is your Lord and my Lord: “The Lord of the worlds.”