Nouman Ali Khan

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan gives a mesmerizing lecture by providing explicit explanations about Ayat from the esteemed Surah Al Baqarah. There is a deep connection between fasting and religion present even at the time of Musa AS who was given the Tawrah after 40 days of fasting. Tawbah to Allah is supreme and there is no need for having a punishment being superimposed on the person if his crime was hidden by Allah SWT. Why was the Tawbah for the Israelites such a difficult proposition? Their defiance to Allah knew no bounds and hence, they faced the wrath of Allah in which a very loud explosion struck them and they died instantly - the whole Banu Israel.  They were brought back to life so that they fully comprehend what had just happened and also to make them aware of Allah the Almighty. Failing to abide by the command of their Prophet Musa AS and their arrogance to have a word with Allah directly and not through Musa AS cost them dearly and they were put in their places most appropriately by Allah SWT.

Answering Interesting Questions - Part 6 - Ramadan 2016

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan gives a mesmerizing lecture on different accounts of the Israelites and what is being reminded to them by Allah SWT and through that, reminding us Muslims of what should be done by us. Firaun had a dream in which he saw a fire emerge from Bayt Al-Maqdis and then the fire entered the houses of Egypt with the exception of the Children of Israel. After the dream, Firaun ordered that every newborn male among the Children of Israel be killed and that the girls be left alone. He also commanded that the Children of Israel be given tasks of hard labor and assigned the most humiliating jobs. Allah SWT says “And in that was a great trial from your Lord,” meaning that although Pharaoh was tormenting them it was in fact a trial from Allah SWT. Allah SWT shares how He saved the Children of Israel from Firaun. When Prophet Musa AS gathered his people to escape the tyranny of Firaun, he and his army chased them. Allah SWT parted the sea, drowned the army of Firaun and saved Musa AS with his people. All of this happened before their eyes. “And saved you,” means: Allah saved the Israelites from Firaun and his army while they were watching them, bringing relief to their hearts and humiliation to their enemy.

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan delves into Ayats 45 and 46 of Surah Al Baqarah. Whenever the Prophet ﷺ was tested he would seek the help of Allah SWT through prayer. Patience means to control oneself at the first sight of the calamity. The Prophet ﷺ termed patience as a blessing. He said no person has been favored more than he who has been given patience. Who are the Patient Ones? Allah SWT tells us that they are the Khashi’een. They are those who have the fear of Allah SWT in their hearts. They do not fret over their problems but rather turn to Allah SWT and speak with Him. Allah SWT further describes them in the next Ayah. They know that they will be gathered before Allah SWT one day. If they don’t turn to Him in this world, then eventually they have to stand before Him on the Day of Judgment. They cannot escape this meeting. In this world, prayer is our meeting with Allah SWT. We should be focused whilst praying and be fully aware of what we are saying and before Whom we are standing. He who stands before Allah SWT in this world will have no fear of standing before Him on the Day of Judgment.

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan delves into Ayat 41 and 42 of the esteemed Surah Al Baqarah. When the Prophet ﷺ informed the people that he was the Messenger of Allah SWT and that his description also appears in the previous Scriptures, the people went to the Jewish Rabbis to confirm if this was indeed true. The Rabbis, instead of telling the truth, made statements that confused the people. They could not distinguish what is right and what is incorrect. They could not ascertain whether they are to follow Prophet Muhammad ﷺ or not. Allah SWT warns the Children of Israel and after them all of us to not conceal the truth. Whatever knowledge of the Deen that we have must be shared with other people for their betterment and progress in the light of Deen. We are in a serious need to reprimand ourselves as to how we are not bothered. People are in need of being guided or they would lose their path and end up in the Hellfire.

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan delves into Ayat number 41 of Surah Al Baqarah that deals with the topic of the Israelites. “And believe in what I have sent down confirming that which is [already] with you, and be not the first to disbelieve in it. And do not exchange My signs for a small price, and fear [only] Me.” This Ayah reminds the children of Israel that the Qur’an which is sent down to Muhammad ﷺ, is a source of glad tidings and contains the Truth from Allah SWT and affirms what was revealed beforehand in the Tawrah and the Injil. It asks the Israelites not to be the first to deny the Qur'an. This Ayat suggests that the man who is the first to deny and disbelieve will not only incur the sin of his own denial but also bear the additional burden of the sin of misleading all those who follow his example and will thus have to undergo a multiple punishments. Several Ayat of the Quran and the hadith of the Prophet SAW emphasize this point.  وَلاَ تَشْتَرُواْ بِآيَـتِي ثَمَنًا قَلِيلاً It means, “Do not substitute faith in My Ayat and belief in My Prophet with the life of this world and its lusts which are minute and bound to end.”

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan delves into Ayats 40 to 42 of the magnificent Surah Al Baqarah that marks the start of a very lengthy discussion about the children of Israel. Ayats 40 - 121 of Surah Al Baqarah are dedicated to this very purpose. Allah SWT reminds the Children of Israel that He did favor them, but they were ungrateful. The favors that Allah SWT has bestowed upon the children of Israel are numerous: The selection of Messengers from among them. The revelation of the Holy Books. Saving them from the agonies of Firaun and his people. So Allah SWT ordered them to remember what He has bestowed upon their forefathers and not to forget His favors. This Ayah contains encouragement, followed by a warning. Allah SWT first called the Children of Israel, using encouragement. Then He warned them so that they might return to the Truth, follow the Messenger ﷺ, follow the prohibitions and commands and believe in its content of the Noble Quran.

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan delves into Ayats from Surah Al Baqarah that shed light on the ending of the story of Adam AS. “But those who refuse to accept this (guidance) and reject Our Signs as false are destined for the Fire where they shall abide forever.” "But those who disbelieve and believe" means those who deny the Ayat of Allah SWT and beliefs of Allah SWT Messengers. "Our Ayat" implies Allah's proofs and evidence of His Lordship and Monotheism and what the Messengers have come with on the face of this earth. Those who disbelieve and believe the Ayat have ibn promised to be the inhabitants of the Hellfire forever and they will not come out of it. Also included in this lecture is an overview of the story of Adam AS or a synopsis of sorts where we are acquainted with some aspects of the story that may have been overlooked or may have been missed before. It makes for a very interesting and engaging listen.

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan delves into Ayats 37 and 38 of Surah Al Baqarah. Iblees had defied the commands of Allah SWT and thus had become one of the disbelievers. He tricked Adam AS and Hawwa AS to eat from the forbidden tree because he resented the fact that because of Prophet Adam AS, Iblees had become one of the disbelievers and was thrown out of Jannah. Adam AS ended up committing the mistake of going against Allah SWT order and as a result, they too were ordered to leave Jannah and live on earth for a temporary period. Prophet Adam AS was sincerely regretful of the mistake he had committed and wanted to ask for forgiveness but was unable to express his regret in words. Allah SWT forgives the sins of whoever repents, thus exhibiting His Kindness and Mercy towards His creation. There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful. Indeed Allah SWT is very Merciful, He forgave Prophet Adam AS and assured that all those who will follow His commandments on earth need not fear except those who disbelieve and deny the Ayat of Allah SWT.

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan delves into Ayat 34 of the magnificent Surah Al Baqarah. Allah SWT honored Adam AS by commanding the angels to prostrate before him. All complied except for Iblees. Iblees had defied the commands of Allah SWT and thus had become one of the disbelievers. He tricked Adam AS and Hawwa AS to eat from the forbidden tree because he resented the fact that because of Prophet Adam AS, Iblees had become one of the disbelievers and was thrown out of Paradise. Adam AS committed the mistake of going against Allah SWT order and, as a result, they too were ordered to leave Paradise and live on earth for a temporary period.  Iblees had disbelief, arrogance, and rebellion, all of which caused him to be expelled from the presence of Allah SWT and His Mercy. This is important and worth emphasizing because in all parts of life, religious or non-religious – Iblees will try to make us follow his example of disobeying Allah SWT out of arrogance against others. So we have to admit that we are weak slaves of Allah SWT who are always dependent upon Him, and there is no strength or power except Allah SWT.