Ramadān Qur’an Gem 28 {88:21-22}: ”Reminding Others”

Bismillah

Reminding Others

So remind (فَذَكِّرۡ) — you (Muhammad Salallahu Aleyhi Wasallam) are only a one who reminds. You are not a dictator (مُصَيۡطِرٍ) over them.

{Surat Al-Ghaashiyah 88: Verse 21-22}

• “Fazakkir” (so remind) – Notice that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’aala) didn’t say “Fazakkirhum” (remind them). Whether somebody is listening or not, just continue reminding others – that’s the job. Don’t worry about what effect it has on people. Perhaps there will be an effect, perhaps not, or maybe the effect will occur much, much later. Abu Sufyan (Radiyallahu Anhu) was a staunch enemy of Islam but became a Muslim a lot later by the will of Allah.

• “You are not a مُصَيۡطِرٍ” – مُصَيۡطِرmeans someone who is placed diligently in charge over someone. This ayat illustrates that our beloved Rasulallah (Salallahu Aleyhi Wasallam) was so worried about the disbelievers; that he wanted to guard or pull them into Islam out of desperation. But Allah says that he (Salallahu Aleyhi Wasallam) cannot force anyone to Belief, but the Reminder is enough {Surat Qaf 50: Verse 45}.

• We sometimes underestimate the power of reminders. There are times when we listen to khutbah or speeches and we say: “Man, I’ve heard this already!” If that happens, remind ourselves that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’aala) Himself says that reminders will benefit us, even if we know it already.

• Take an easy example: You know you have an exam coming, but you’re busy playing games. A concerned friend comes & says: “Dude, you’d better study”. That reminder sinks in, so you stop playing and start studying. You knew a lot earlier that you had to study, but the reminder still benefits you.

• This ayat also hits home to many of us when doing Islamic work. The work of da’wah is boiled down to the work of reminding others. So even if the number of attendees of your Islamic class or event was bad, or your Facebook posts have minimal or zero like, don’t be sad! Continue to remind others with wisdom and good akhlaq. And we leave the results to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’aala)

May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’aala) keep us sincere & grant barakah in all our efforts. -theidealmuslimah.com