The surah that I red before is the five first ayah of Surah Luqman. Surah Luqman is delivered in Makkah. It was revealed after Surat As-Saffaat and comes after Surat Ar-Rum in the Qur’an. It consists of 34 ayahs. In this khutbah we will try to explore some messages on this Surah. The purpose of the Surah can be derived from its name, which shows us Luqman’s rearing of his son and advising him as mentioned in the Surah. It is the Surah of child rearing that conveys wonderful methods to raise them according to Allah’s (SWT) Decree. It comprehensively discusses child rearing from a religious and worldly standpoint. It covers 6 aspects 1. Tawheed (Monotheism) of Allah (SWT) 2. Being dutiful to one’s parents 3. The importance of worship and reactivity 4. Understanding the realities of the world 5. Good behavior and manners 6. Planning one’s life SubhanAllah, all of these present in the Surah of only 34 verses. It is an advise to teach this surah to a parent so that they know how to raise and rear their children and to the children so that they know how to do the birrul walidain or doing good things to their parents. In this khutbah, let us 1. Not associating partners with Allah (SWT) This is a theme evident in the entire Surah, because the first principle of child rearing is believing in Allah (SWT) as an only One Lord, the monotheism of Allah and not associating partners with Him. We can see Allah’s Dominion in the universe from his creators that is so wonderful, well-organized and impossible to do by a man. In verse 10, Allah says that He has created the heavens without any pillars that you see, and has set on the earth firm mountains lest it should shake with you . . .” (TMQ, 10:31) There is also a challenge in the following ayah in verse 11. This is the creation of Allah. So show Me that which those (whom you worship) besides Him have created . . .” (TMQ, 11:31) And in verse 27 Allah says, “And if all the trees on the earth were pens and the sea (were ink wherewith to write), with seven seas behind it to add to its (supply), yet the Words of Allah would not be exhausted. Verily, Allah is All Mighty, All-Wise,” (TMQ, 27:31). This ayah is an extraordinary example of using nature, to instruct them about Allah’s (SWT) Knowledge and His span over all creation. Let us observe how Luqman instructs his son in this the Quran “ . . .O my son! Join not in worship others with Allah. Verily joining others in worship with Allah is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed,” (Luqman 12). He begins by severely cautioning his son from the notion of shirk (polytheism), then after two ayahs moves on to a practical lesson as stated in what can be translated as, “ “O my son! If it be (anything) equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Verily, Allah is Subtle (in bringing out that grain), Well-Aware (of its place),” (Luqman 16). The marvel of this ayah makes it particularly suitable as an example that young children can understand. At the same time, the ayah expresses a significant meaning for adults also and conveys the Omnipotence, Extent and Knowledge of Allah (SWT). 2. Being dutiful to one’s parents and informing children of their parents’ munificence, so that they understand the meaning of gratitude, thanking Allah (SWT) and their parents. In surah Luqman verse 14, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years - give thanks to Me (Allah) and to your parents. Unto Me (Allah) is the final destination.” Even though the matter at hand is being dutiful to one’s parents, there is a reminder of not committing polytheism even if it is for the sake of obeying one’s parents. The Qur’an teaches us that the two matters should not collide with one another. In verse 15, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me (Allah) others that of which you have no knowledge, then do not obey them. But Allah tells us also to balance duty towards parents and abandon polytheism in what can be translated as, “but behave with them in the world kindly . . .” (Luqman 15). 3. The importance of worshipping and being positive in life. In surah Luqman verse 17, Luqman told his son that, “O my son! Aqim-As-Salât (perform As-Salât), enjoin (on people) Al-Ma’rouf - (Islâmic Monotheism and all that is good), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief in the Oneness of Allah, polytheism of all kinds and all that is evil and bad). This is a beautiful message that covers two aspects: hablumminallah and hablumminannaas. It reminds us that child rearing is not only securing food, drink, residence, clothes and medicine for children, which are home management matters, but also raising children up on worshipping Allah (SWT). The children should be taught about how to perform As-Salat and to do that at least five times a day. And at the same time, they need to be positive and active in their relation with people of their community, commanding good and forbidding wrong and guiding people to the right path. 4. Understanding the realities of the world Some parents raise their children to be wasteful, excessively spending and depending on their parents’ money. They assume that this is securing for their children all their needs for living in this world. In fact, what is needed is to inform children of the realities of the world and its changing nature. The world will not be eternal for the parents and the children must learn to depend on themselves. Allah (SWT) relates what Luqman says in verse 17 that can be translated as, “. . .and bear with patience whatever befalls you. Verily, these are some of the important commandments (ordered by Allah with no exemption) . . .” 5. Good behavior and manners Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not any arrogant boaster. “ * “And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the braying of the Asses” (TMQ, 18-19:31). It is vital to deal with people politely and courteously down to the smallest details, such as in walking and talking. A person should neither raise his cheek in arrogance, nor demean himself, but he should strike a middle path in walking (walking in a humble and modest way). We should not raise our voice more than is necessary for one to be heard. 6. Defining a goal in life and planning for the future This is evident from Allah’s saying which can be translated as, “And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking” (TMQ, 19:31). This ayah completes the series of manners and good behaviors that Allah (SWT) discusses in the Surah, as it means one should walk around with dignity, without arrogance or haughtiness. “And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking” may also mean that we must have a purpose and goal with each step, so that we don’t live a life with no purpose [another meaning for the Arabic word aqsid is purpose, so the ayah (Waqshid fii masy-yika) could be read as, “And have purpose in your walking”]. Khutbah 2 Dear Brother Muslim, Many instructions are covered in tremendous parental love and feeling. Luqman, the gentle man, instructing his son gently and telling him before each teaching, Yaa bunayya, Yaa bunayya. “My son, my son.” The Surah tells parents to befriend their children and win them over before instructing them. Use friendship to advise them before using stronger Do’s and Don’ts. This makes the Surah truly remarkable as a practical guide in so far as the duty of child rearing is concerned. The Surah concentrates on the dangers of raising children upon blindly following their parents’ belief without understanding it. On one hand, it shows that love and kindness must be the major characteristics of child-parent relationship, so that the child is convinced with the parents’ teachings. On the other hand, it is prohibited for children to follow their parents’ religion [if it is not Islam]. Both the father and the son are responsible for their actions in the life of this world on the Day of Judgment. The father will not benefit his son at all as statedby Allah (SWT) when He says in what can be translated as, “O mankind! Be afraid of your Lord (by keeping your duty to Him and avoiding all evil), and fear a Day when no father can avail aught for his son, nor a son avail aught for his father . . .” (Luqman 33). Thus, it is crucial for each member of the family yo have proper iman (faith), correct a’akidah (principles) and good traits. Just as the Surah starts with monotheism, its ending concentrates on Allah’s (SWT) Knowledge and Power, and the incapability of the created in knowing anything from His Unseen. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Verily Allah, with Him (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour, He sends down the rain, and knows that which is in the wombs. No person knows what he will earn tomorrow, and no person knows in what land he will die. Verily, Allah is All-Knower, All-Aware (of things)” (TMQ, 34:31). There are five hidden spheres of information no one but Allah (SWT) knows: the time of the Day of Judgment, the time of rainfall, the type of fetus before its creation, future events and where each person will die and be buried. Let us remind our self and our family to have faith and belief in Allah (SWT) and His monotheism by knowing all of these 5 hidden spheres of informations as one way to achieve it.
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