Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford

Generations passed one after another, each one delivering the trust of religion to the
next one. Ayahs refer to Isma’il (AS), and Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as,
“And he used to enjoin on his family and his people As-Salat (the prayers) and
the Zakat and his Lord was pleased with him.” (TMQ, 19:55).
It is made clear that each generation delivered the message to the one coming after.
The Ayahs refer also to Musa (AS) (Moses) and highlight the same meaning, as Allah
(SWT) says what can be translated as, “And We granted him his brother Harun
(Aaron), (also) a Prophet, out of Our Mercy.” (TMQ, 19:53).
After mentioning all these bright examples, the Ayahs make a wonderful comment so
as to praise those who bequeath the lantern of religion to their children. Allah (SWT)
says what can be translated as, “Those were they unto whom Allah bestowed His
Grace from among the Prophets, of the offspring of Adam, and of those whom
We carried (in the ship) with Nuh (Noah), and of the offspring of Ibrahim and
Israel, and from among those whom We guided and chose. When the Verses of
the Most Gracious (Allah) were recited unto them, they fell down prostrate and
weeping.” (TMQ, 19:58).
Inheriting the lantern of religion through generations was a rule for all Prophets (May
Allah be pleased with them all) since Allah (SWT) appointed Adam as successor on
earth. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “of the offspring of Adam”
(TMQ, 19:58). Unfortunately, they were succeeded by generations who cared only
for raising their children to fulfill desires and accumulate riches. They did not
contemplate Surat Maryam in the Holy Qur’an, and they never considered the
importance of bequeathing religion to their children. Thus, their children did not care
about praying and followed the path of desire. Allah (SWT) says what can be
translated as, “Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up As-
Salat [i.e. made their Salat to be lost, either by not offering them or by not
offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times] and
have followed lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell.” (TMQ, 19:59).
Dear brother in Islam, determine which path you would like to follow together with
your family. With whom would you like to be resurrected is it with those “whom
Allah bestowed His Grace” (TMQ, 16:58), or with those “who have given up As-
Salat [i.e. made their Salat to be lost, either by not offering them or by not
offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times] and
have followed lusts.” (TMQ, 19:59).
If you belong to the first category, you will be happy because Allah (SWT) says what
can be translated as, “Such is the Paradise which We shall give as an inheritance
to those of Our slaves who have been Al-Muttaqun” (TMQ, 19:63). As the reward
is similar to the work done, if your children inherit religion from you, then you will
inherit Paradise together with them.
Beware of being one of them
If you belong to the second category, beware of Allah’s (SWT) warning. Allah (SWT)
says what can be translated as, “Have you seen him who disbelieved in Our Ayat