Weekly Rays of Guidance

Extracting wisdoms, lessons and guidance from verses of the Noble Quran and Beautiful sayings of our beloved Prophet ﷺ. Each weekly lesson will be an average of 2/3 Minutes and in simple, easy and summarised language. Surely there is no better guidance for navigating our daily lives than The Quran and Sunnah. These short bite-size lessons provide an opportunity to reflect on the divine wisdom, understand key teachings, and implement them in practical ways. A beacon of light in testing times, enriching hearts and minds with profound insights and meaningful reminders.

Lessons

[Click the relevant link to view]

– Weekly Lesson 1: The Importance of having a sincere Intention

– Weekly Lesson 2: Actions are judged according to their Intentions

– Weekly Lesson 3: True Success is for those who purify themselves

– Weekly Lesson 4: Hold firm to Istighfaar [Seeking forgiveness]

– Weekly Lesson 5: Pure consumption results in pure deeds

– Weekly Lesson 6: Valleys full of gold?

– Weekly Lesson 7: Hasten towards goodness

– Weekly Lesson 8: All affairs are good for a believer

– Weekly Lesson 9: The Heavens and Earth don’t weep for the evil!

– [More lessons coming weekly Insha-Allah]

Weekly Lesson 1 – The Importance of having a sincere Intention

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Read time: 2 Minutes

وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓا۟ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ

Translation: And they were not commanded except to worship Allāh, [being] sincere to Him in religion.

[Surah Bayyinah – 98:5]

Wisdoms and lessons

Being sincere in worship. All our acts of worship should be done only for Allah.
The Arabic for sincerity is Ikhlas which means to remove everything from the heart except Allah.
We are forbidden from doing acts of worship for fame, boasting or any worldly gain.
Our purpose of creation is to worship Allah.
Religion comprises all matters. Hence even in our worldly matters we should be sincere. [e.g – being sincere in giving advice or being sincere when doing business].

Summary

It is vital that all our acts of worship such as Salah, Zakah, and giving charity are all done for Almighty Allah. Even in worldly matters we should be sincere.

Also another subtle point mentioned by Imam Alusi in his book ‘Ruhul Ma’ani’ under this verse is that, our purpose in creation is to worship Allah. The Akhirah [next life] should be our main focus in life and the world as a means to reach our main purpose.

Weekly Lesson 2 – Actions are judged according to thier Intentions

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Read time: 2 Minutes

عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ

[1 صحيح البخاري كتاب بدء الوحى باب كَيْفَ كَانَ بَدْءُ الْوَحْىِ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم]

Translation: Umar ibn al-Khattab reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, actions are only with intentions

Sahih al-Bukhari: Book of Revelation (Kitab Bad’ al-Wahy), Hadith Number 1

[Note: Above hadith is only part of a lengthy hadith and not the entire wording]

Lessons

Both our inner and outer should be pure, hence having a pure intention and performing pure deeds.
Sincerity is essential in our deeds to be accepted.
A wordly action such as eating or sleeping can also become reward with the right intention.
Relecting on our intentions and ensuring it is done only for the pleasure of Allah.
Our actions – good or bad – are being recorded and will be weighed on the day of judgment.

Summary

The main theme of this Hadith is to have a sincere intention in our actions and intentions. Which is everything we do and intend to do is for the pleasure of Almighty Allah.

Implementing righteous actions for worldly benefit will not bring any reward in the Akhirah [hereafter]. Such as seeking religious knowledge for worldly gain.

Finally we will be rewarded for a good [firm] intention, even if for some reason we do not carry it out.

Weekly Lesson 3 – True Success is for those who purify themselves

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Read time: 3 Minutes

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ ١٤

Translation: Successful indeed are those who purify themselves

[al-Quran – 87:14]

The word Tazakah [تَزَكَّىٰ] is derived from ‘zakah’ which literally means ‘to purify’ and ‘to grow’. [Extracted from Ma’riful Quran and others]
Success as defined by Allah is those who enter Jannah, which is – the eternal life. [Extracted from Tafsir al-Qurtubi]
Internal purity is to purify the soul from Shirk, false beliefs, sins and bad character. Also performing deeds sincerely for Allah and refraining from Riya [boasting] and deficiency. [Extracted from Tafsir Tabari, Ibn Kathir, al-Qurtubi and others]
Some commentators suggest that this verse refers to the payment of Sadaqatul Fitr. [Extracted from Tafsir al-Qurtubi]

Summary

In order to achieve ‘true success’ which is eternal life in paradise, then one must attain internal purity and external purity, which is purity of faith, character and righteous actions. [Summarised from Ma’riful Quran and others]

Purification [تَزَكَّىٰ] is mentioned before ‘Dhikr’ and ‘Salah’ [which is the next verse] because the foundation of all good actions is purification [sincere intention for the sake of Allah]. Once the soul is purified then the light of guidance will shine forth and become a means of blessings and benefit. [Extracted from Tahrir wa Tanwir]

We should ask Allah for the purification of our soul and refrain from boasting as Allah says:

وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُۥ مَا زَكَىٰ مِنكُم مِّنْ أَحَدٍ أَبَدًۭا وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُزَكِّى مَن يَشَآءُ [٢١]

‘Had it not been for the grace of Allah upon you, and His mercy, not a single person from you would have ever attained purity. But Allah purifies whomsoever He wills.‘ [24:21]

Weekly Lesson 4 – Hold firm to Istighfaar [Seeking forgiveness]

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Read time: 3 Minutes

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ ‏ “‏والله إني لأستغفر الله وأتوب إليه في اليوم أكثر من سبعين مرة ‏”

[‏رواه البخاري]

Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu anhu) reported:

I heard The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying: “By Allah, I seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times a day.“

[Sahih al-Bukhari: 6307]

Lessons:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to perpetually seek forgiveness, despite being free from sin. Teaching his nation the importance of holding firm to Istighfaar and seeking repentance [Tawbah].
The humility of The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) despite being the best of creation, thus we should always display humility at all times.
Seeking forgiveness for the time spent without the remembrance of Allah [Dhikr]. This is because when there is no Dhikr then this is a cause [Sabab] of negligence which could result in sin.

Summary

It was the noble practice of The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to seek forgiveness despite being free from sin. So how much more do we need to seek forgiveness for our shortcomings?

One of the most praiseworthy times to seek forgiveness is the last portion of the night as mentioned in the divine scriptures.

Finally, we have not worshiped Allah the way he deserves to be worshiped, so forgiveness should be sought for our deficiency.

مَا قَدَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِۦٓ ۗ ٧٤

They have not appraised Allāh with true appraisal. [22:74]

References:

رياض الصالحين, النَّوَوِي (ت ٦٧٦)
دليل الفالحين لطرق رياض الصالحين, ابن علان الصديقى (ت ١٠٥٧)
شرح حديث لبيك اللهم لبيك, ابن رجب الحنبلي (ت ٧٩٥)

Weekly Lesson 5 – Pure consumption results in pure deeds

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Read time: 2 Minutes

يَا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوا مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا ۖ إِنِّي بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ

“O Messengers, eat from the good (lawful) things and act righteously. Indeed, I am Knowing of what you do.”

* This command applies to the followers of the Ambiyaa as well, not just the Prophets [عليهم السلام].

Surah Al-Mu’minun (23:51)

Lessons

The importance of eating pure [Halal] food.
Pure consumption and sustenance leads to righteous actions.
Unlawful consumption and sustenance leads to sinful actions and unanswered supplications.
The strong connection between the body and the soul. The food we eat has a direct impact on our spiritual and physical well-being. Hence, the reason why eating halal has been mentioned before doing righteous actions.

Summary

In this one verse, we learn how to become successful in this world and the next [Akhirah]*. Which is living a ‘pure’ life, results in being successful not only in this world, but the Akhirah also.

* [This verse comes within the broader context of Surah Al-Mu’minun, which emphasises the qualities of successful believers].

Acceptance of our deeds is based on pure consumption and pure sustenance.

In conclusion, one must eat from Halal [lawful] food, avoid unlawful food and even be cautious of doubtful sources.

Weekly Lesson 6 – Valleys full of gold?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Read time: 2 Minutes

وعن أَنَسٍ رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ “‏ لو أن لابن آدم وادياً من ذهب أحب أن يكون له واديان، ولن يملأ فاه إلا التراب، ويتوب الله على من تاب‏”‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق

عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏

Anas Ibn Malik (رضي الله عنهما) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “If a son of Adam were to own a valley full of gold, he would desire to have two. Nothing can fill his mouth except the earth (of the grave). Allah turns with mercy to him who turns to Him in repentance“.

Lessons

Human nature’s tendency to go after the world and the love of amassing ever-greater wealth.
Condemnation of pursuing the world and its adornments.
A believer’s main concern is doing righteous actions for the Akhirah [Hereafter] and not being preoccupied with this world and its adornments.
Contentment is not found in material possesion, rather in being pleased with what Allah has provided you.
Inevitability of Death. The Hadith reminds us that this world is temporary and will come to an end.

Summary

The nature of humans is to desire more and more of the world. This desire will continue until a person leaves this world, except for the one who makes the Akhirah his main concern. Allah says regarding this state:

أَلْهَىٰكُمُ ٱلتَّكَاثُرُ[١] حَتَّىٰ زُرْتُمُ ٱلْمَقَابِرَ[٢]

Rivalry in amassing [wealth] has made you negligent [heedless of fulfilling Allah’s command]. [and this rivalry will continue making you negligent] until you reach the graves [when you die]. [It is only when a person dies that he realises the futility of amassing wealth because none of it will benefit him in the Akhirah].

[Surah Takaathur: 1-2]

Finally a mention of repentance is made in this hadith, anyone who makes sincere repentance, has remorse and makes a sincere intention not to commit the sin, will be forgiven.

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَٰسِعُ ٱلْمَغْفِرَةِ

“Indeed, your Lord is vast in forgiveness.”

* Note: Engaging in business is commendable, provided it adheres to divine guidelines and does not hinder you from fulfilling Allah’s commands. For detailed guidance, visit: https://deenwaypoint.com/guidelines-to-businessmen/

Hadith References:

[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab (Chapter): Kitab al-Riqaq (The Book of Heart-Melting Traditions), Baab (Heading): Bab ma yuttaqa min fitnat al-mal (Chapter on What Should Be Feared Regarding the Trial of Wealth), Hadith Number: 6439]

[Sahih Muslim, Kitab (Chapter): Kitab al-Zakat (The Book of Charity), Baab (Heading): Bab al-hath ‘ala al-sadaqah wa karahiyat al-shuhh (Chapter on Encouragement to Give Charity and the Dislike of Stinginess), Hadith Number: 1048]

* This hadith has also been narrated by Abdullah Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما), see: Sahih Bukhari, Ar-Riqaq, Hadith Number: 6436]

Scholary References:

رياض الصالحين, النَّوَوِي (ت ٦٧٦)
دليل الفالحين لطرق رياض الصالحين, ابن علان الصديقى (ت ١٠٥٧)
زاد المسلم فيما اتفق عليه البخاري ومسلم – المالكي الشنقيطي (ت 1362)

Weekly Lesson 7 – Hasten towards goodness

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Read time: 2 Minutes

وَسَارِعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍۢ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ

“And hasten towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for those mindful ˹of Allah˺.”

Lessons

Seeking forgiveness from Allah [ٱسْتِغْفَار] should be a priority in life. The word “hasten” (وَسَارِعُوا) implies urgency, reminding us not to delay repentance or acts that lead to Allah’s mercy.
Taqwa (righteousness and piety) is the key to attaining Paradise. This requires living a life conscious of Allah, avoiding sins, and fulfilling our duties.
The verse places forgiveness before Paradise, teaching that purification of the soul through repentance is necessary before we can attain the eternal reward.
The verse provides hope, as it calls upon everyone to seek Allah’s forgiveness and aspire for His mercy, regardless of their past mistakes.

Summary

This verse is a call to action, that we should diligently fulfill Allah’s commands, such as establishing Salah, and consistently engage in righteous deeds. These righteous actions serve as a pathway to earning Allah’s mercy, and it is through His mercy alone that we can attain Jannah.

The immense vastness of Jannah is beyond human comprehension and known only to Allah, as highlighted in Tafsir Qurtubi.

There are numerous supplications for seeking forgiveness, among which Sayyid al-Istighfar (the master of all invocations for forgiveness) holds a special status. You can read this powerful supplication here: Compilation of Supplications – Sayyid al-Istighfar.

Quranic Verse Reference

Surah Aal-e-Imran (3:133)

وَسَارِعُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ وَٱلۡأَرۡضُ أُعِدَّتۡ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

“And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous (متقين).”

Scholarly References

تفسير الطبري — الإمام محمد بن جرير الطبري (ت 310 هـ)
تفسير القرطبي — الإمام أبو عبد الله محمد بن أحمد القرطبي (ت 671 هـ)
تفسير ابن كثير — الإمام إسماعيل بن عمر بن كثير (ت 774 هـ)
تفسير الآلوسي — الإمام شهاب الدين محمود الألوسي (ت 1270 هـ)

Weekly Lesson 8 – All affairs are good for a believer

عَنْ صُهَيْبٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَجَبًا لِأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ خَيْرٌ وَلَيْسَ ذَاكَ لِأَحَدٍ إِلَّا لِلْمُؤْمِنِ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ

صحيح مسلم كتاب الزهد والرقائق باب المؤمن أمره كله خير

Suhayb reported: The Messenger of Allāh, peace and blessings be upon him, said “Wondrous is the affair of a believer, as there is good for him in every matter; this is not the case for anyone but a believer. If he experiences pleasure, he thanks Allāh and it is good for him. If he experiences harm, he shows patience and it is good for him.”

Lessons

The special virtue of faith [Imān]. Whether in ease or hardship, a believer’s life is beneficial.
Whatever Allāh decrees is ultimately good for the believer. His heart remains content in all circumstances, ensuring that he is always surrounded by goodness and blessings.
Gratitude can be expressed for both spiritual blessings, such as knowledge and the ability to obey Allāh, as well as worldly blessings, like wealth, children, and good health.
Exhibiting patience during hardships is a defining trait of a believer. Whoever remains patient with the decree of Allāh will find goodness in all his affairs. [Allāh will forgive his sins, multiply his rewards, and elevate his ranks].

Summary

Gratitude in times of ease and patience in times of hardship are both noble qualities. Each serves as a means of earning rewards in this life and the Hereafter, making all affairs good for the believer. Thus, regardless of the circumstance—whether ease or difficulty—it becomes a source of goodness.

Finally, this hadith teaches an optimistic outlook—seeing every moment as an opportunity to grow closer to Allāh, either through gratitude or patience.

Regarding gratitude, Allāh says: “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor].“ (Surah Ibrahim 14:7)

Regarding patience, Allāh says: “Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without measure.“ (Surah Az-Zumar 39:10)

Quranic References

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ

(Surah Ibrahim 14:7)

“And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed: ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny [My favors], indeed, My punishment is severe.”

إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّـٰبِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍۢ

(Surah Az-Zumar 39:10)

Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without measure.”

Hadith Reference

Sahih Muslim, Kitaab (Book): كتاب الزهد والرقائق (The Book of Zuhd and Softening of Hearts), Baab (Chapter): باب المؤمن أمره كله خير (The Chapter: The Affair of the Believer is All Good), Hadith Number: 2999 (According to the Dar al-Ma‘rifah numbering).

[This hadith is narrated by Suhaib ibn Sinan (رضي الله عنه) and is found in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2999].

Scholarly References

المفهم لما أشكل من تلخيص كتاب مسلم, أبو العباس أحمد بن عمر بن إبراهيم القرطبي (٥٧٨ – ٦٥٦ هـ), دار ابن كثير، دمشق – بيروت,ص ٦٣٠/٦

رياض الصالحين, النَّوَوِي (ت ٦٧٦)

دليل الفالحين لطرق رياض الصالحين, ابن علان الصديقى (ت ١٠٥٧)

Weekly Lesson 9 – The Heavens and Earth don’t weep for the evil!

فَمَا بَكَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ مُنظَرِينَ

“Neither heaven nor earth wept over them, nor was their fate delayed.“

[44:29]

Lessons

The verse highlights that when a people reject the truth and persist in their disobedience, they become isolated from divine mercy. No one, not even the heavens or the earth, weeps for them.
In contrast, this verse implies that the righteous are mourned by creation itself. This suggests that righteous deeds and belief carry a value that resonates even with the heavens and the earth.
The phrase “neither the heavens nor the earth wept for them” also teaches that the world does not stop or lose anything significant when the wicked perish. Their existence does not leave a void, as they have brought no benefit to creation.