Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as: “And in no way did We send (even)
before you, except men to whom We revealed. “So ask the population of the
Remembrance, in case you (i.e. the pagan Arabs) do not know. With clear
evidences and the Scriptures, (i.e., the Zubur, pl, of Zabûr, usually understood to
be the psalms) and We have sent down to you (i.e. the Prophet) the
Remembrance that you may make evident to mankind what has been sent down
(ever since) and that possibly they would meditate”, (TMQ, 16:43-44).
Have you written among the blessings that Allah (SWT) has bestowed upon us
sending Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) How about the revelation of the Ever-Glorious
Qur’an that has the ayahs we read and live Have you ever thought of applying the
Qur’an and the Prophet’s sunnah with the intention of thanking Allah (SWT) for those
two grand blessings
Whatever blessing you have, it is from Allah
After a list of successive blessings comes a core and conclusive ayah to comment;
Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And whatever favor you have, (then)
it is from Allah …” (TMQ, 16:53). This ayah draws our attention to the fact that
recognizing Allah’s blessings is a step towards thanking The Creator for the blessing,
which is contingent on gratitude; and gratitude in turn is the guarantee for the
continuance of blessings. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And as your
Lord has notified (you), “Indeed in case you thank (Him), indeed I will definitely
increase you …” (TMQ, 14:7).
If man would trace back everything in his life to its origin, he would find that he
actually possesses nothing that is originally his; starting with his basic needs like
clothes, food, and drink, to the latest in modern technologies, such as space shuttles,
computers, and cars. They all are based on the raw material that Allah (SWT) makes
available to us and are also products of the human mind, which in turn is the greatest
blessing He had bestowed upon us.
The misuse of blessings
Once again, the surah warns against the abuse of blessings, this time, describing a
group of people who pray only when in tribulation, then turn to polytheism when in
good times (ayahs 53-55); how would their destiny wind out Allah (SWT) says what
can be translated as, “That they may disbelieve in what We have brought them.
So enjoy (this life); then eventually you will know” (TMQ, 16:55).
In such case, Allah’s blessing turns into some sort of introduction to a well-deserved
retribution, “So enjoy (this life) …”. Thus, if you find Allah’s blessings upon you
are incessantly increasing while you are negligent in thanking Him or in using them in
good deeds, then beware that you will pay for this eventually.
Of the most horrific manifestation of the abuse of blessings is wa’d al-banat (burying
female children alive); Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And when one
of them is given the tidings of (the birth) of a female, his face lingers blackened
and he is ever-repressed (with sorrow) (58) He hides himself from (Literally:
overlays himself beyond) (the sight) of the people because of the odious tidings