Virtues of Surah Qaf - Shaykh Abdul Hadi

Khutbah Opening

إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ نَحْمَدُهُ وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ وَنَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللَّهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابُ اللَّهِ وَخَيْرَ الْهَدْيِ هَدْيُ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَشَرَّ الْأُمُورِ مُحْدَثَاتُهَا وَكُلَّ مُحْدَثَةٍ بِدْعَةٌ وَكُلَّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ وَكُلَّ ضَلَالَةٍ فِي النَّارِ

Allah says, seeking refuge in Him from Shaytan the accursed, in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful:

The Quran: A Book of Guidance

Brothers and sisters, Allah revealed Qur'an-e-Majeed as a book of guidance for all mankind upon His last and final messenger Muhammad صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ. And Qur'an-e-Majeed is a strong connection for mankind to our Creator, Allah, خَالِقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ. There are many topics covered in Qur'an-e-Majeed and each and every one of them is important.

The main focus is on aqeedah, and the subject of aqeedah — faith, our belief — is crucial to understand. When we read Qur'an-e-Majeed with understanding, we will find three points repeatedly mentioned within the issues of aqeedah:

First, Tawheed — the oneness of Allah. Second, Prophethood — Risalah. And third, Qiyamah — the Day of Judgment, the Day of Resurrection, the Akhirah. And the Akhirah is very important — it makes someone feel his responsibilities and realise his purpose of life: why we are here, why Allah created us all.

The Importance of Surah Qaf

The last messenger, Rasulullah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ, used to read one particular surah in the sermons of Jumu'ah as well as in major gatherings — Surah Qaf, Chapter 50. Remember this, brothers, because Surah Qaf is very important, to the extent that one companion, Umm Hisham bint Harithah, said that she learned this surah through listening to the recitation of the noble Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. Our Prophet used to recite this surah in the sermon of Jumu'ah.

As it was narrated in Sahih Muslim and Abu Dawood from Umm Hisham bint Harithah, she said: "I did not take Surah Qaf and the Glorious Qur'an except from the tongue of the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. He would recite it every Friday on the pulpit when he addressed the people."

(Sahih Muslim, Book 7, Hadith 1899; Sunan Abu Dawood, Book 3, Hadith 1100)

Let us consider the importance of this surah and the lessons we can learn from it. The main subject of Surah Qaf is the Akhirah — the Day of Judgment and the Resurrection. If we understand this, then our life can be controlled and balanced accordingly.

For the people of Jahiliyyah before Islam, as well as a large majority of people nowadays, this was and still is the major concern: how is it possible to have life after death for accountability? Who is going to ask us? Where is Jannah? Where is Jahannam? This is a concern nowadays as well for many brothers and sisters.

We all have limited time in this life and we are going to die. Death is an absolute reality — we will all face death, regardless of belief, faith, or background. Everybody is going to die. But the difference between a believer and a non-believer is: what will happen after death? We believe that we are accountable to Allah, and according to what we have done in this life, we will be rewarded with Jannah or punished in the hellfire. May Allah protect us all from the punishment of hellfire.

Therefore it is important for us to understand that this life is like an amanah — a trust given by Allah, the Creator, for a great purpose. We have to spend this life as commanded by Allah, because we are answerable to Allah Almighty for our words and our actions. So we must fulfil our duties in the best way possible.

Seven Key Lessons from Surah Qaf

1. Life Is a Short Journey

The first point: life is a short journey from birth to death, and the time of death is fixed by Allah. Whenever the fixed time from Allah reaches us, death will catch us — wherever we are, whatever circumstances we are in. Death comes to all: the young, the old, male, female, rich, poor. Everybody is going to die.

2. True Success Is in the Hereafter

The second point: the greatest and real success is for the one who will be successful on the Day of Judgment. We all have a concept of success — we want to be successful, but according to our own understanding, our own desires, our own background. But the real success according to Qur'an-e-Majeed is the one who will be successful in the Akhirah, the Day of Judgment. That is considered the truly successful person.

But this success cannot be achieved through desires or ambitions alone. It can only be achieved through two conditions: Iman and Amal-e-Saleh. If we miss one of them, we cannot achieve that success which is the real success. There are two requirements: strong Iman and true Amal-e-Saleh — righteous deeds according to the teaching of the Quran and the Sunnah of Rasulullah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ.

3. Visiting the Graveyard

The third point: the Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ used to encourage us to visit the graveyard for two reasons. He said:

(Sahih Muslim, Book 11, Hadith 2260)

"I used to forbid you from visiting the graves, but visit them, for they remind you of the Hereafter." The first reason: when we visit the graveyard, to make du'a for those who have passed away from our brothers and sisters — du'a of forgiveness, because they have died and they cannot do anything for themselves, but we can ask Allah to forgive them.

The second reason: to learn a lesson for ourselves. To remember that we too shall die. Visiting the grave should be a reminder for us all. Sooner or later, this is our fate — we also will be buried. If you go and stand nearby a grave and think for a while that he is your brother or your friend, you used to play with him, but now he has been buried — and the same destination awaits us all. This will be a source of reminder for us.

4. The Fate of Previous Nations

The fourth point: in this particular surah, Allah mentions the names of many individuals and nations — the nation of Nuh, Aad, Thamud, Fir'aun, the people of Ar-Rass, the brothers of Lut, the people of Al-Aykah, and the people of Tubba'. Many of them rejected the message. Many of them were arrogant — they refused to believe in the Day of Judgment. They said: "Who will punish us? Who will ask us?" And because of this, they treated this life as the only life. And even because of this belief, they rejected the prophet of their time.

If you read Qur'an-e-Majeed, especially this surah, you can find this. Many rejected prophets, engaged in evil practices and useless activities. The punishment of Allah came upon them in this life. And what will happen in the Hereafter is even more grievous. So when we read the stories of previous nations, we have to learn for ourselves. We have to ask: why were they punished? And how were they punished? To take a reminder for ourselves.

5. The Record of Deeds

The fifth point in this surah: the record of our deeds — a'mal — whatever we are saying or doing, our words and our actions are on the record. This is the duty of angels appointed by Allah. They are honourable angels and they cannot add or reduce anything from the original record. The record will be prepared exactly as it is, without adding or reducing anything. And we will stand to answer to Allah.

If you read Surah Al-Kahf, especially verse 49, you will find this. When a person looks at that record, he will say: whatever I did, whatever I said, it is all on the record. Now I have to face this. I have to answer to Allah about my words, about my practices — what I did, how I did it, whom I intended to please: was it Allah, or was there some other purpose?

Because Allah is Alim al-Ghayb — the Knower of the Unseen — we cannot cheat with Him. As I said, there are two basic conditions if we want to be successful: our Iman should be strong — we have to believe in the oneness of Allah as it should be — and then our practices should be according to the teaching of Qur'an-e-Majeed and the Sunnah of Rasulullah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ. Otherwise, whatever label you use for yourself, no one will gain success in the Hereafter merely on account of a title.

This is the basic condition: Iman first, and then practice. And similar for us all — we have to believe in Allah as He should be believed in, and then our practice should be according to the teaching of the Quran and the Sunnah of Rasulullah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ. Nowadays, many Muslims are saying something but without practice. They are claiming something but without proof or evidence. They talk very much, but they do not show their commitment through action.

We are saying many things — that we love Islam, we love Allah and Qur'an-e-Majeed and the Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ — but we are not ready to implement this in our practical life, in our daily life. We can say whatever we want to people, but we cannot deceive Allah, because He is Alim al-Ghayb. He knows the unseen and is aware of what is going on in our hearts and minds.

6. The Quran Is the Criterion

The sixth point: the solution described in this surah is that we remind ourselves and each other by Qur'an-e-Majeed. If you want to understand what is right and what is wrong, what I can do and what I cannot — who is the criterion? Me? You? A scholar? An Imam? A Pir Sahib? A Shaykh Sahib? No one. The criterion is Qur'an-e-Majeed and the Sunnah of Rasulullah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ.

The Quran is the book of guidance to remove the darkness of Jahiliyyah and to bring light into our life. Therefore, we need to make this book the book of guidance in our practical life — by reading, understanding, and implementing it.

And the real success is for the person who fears Allah on the Day of Judgment. As Allah says in this surah:

If you are alone in your bedroom, for example, in your own home — then you have to apply this rule: do we fear Allah or not? In front of people, you can pretend. But when you are alone, you fear Allah and you have taqwa of Allah. Because on the Day of Judgment, as Allah says:

Whatever you earn in this dunya, and also your family — they are not going to benefit you after death. On the Day of Judgment, the thing which will benefit you is your own belief and your own practice. So by obeying what Allah has said and what the Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ has said, we must follow this.

7. What Benefits Us After Death

There are certain things which benefit us in the grave and on the Day of Judgment. This is point number seven, and it is also very important. The Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said:

(Sahih Muslim, Book 13, Hadith 4005)

After death, in the grave and on the Day of Judgment, there are some things which will benefit us and from which we will get reward from Allah. The first is Sadaqah Jariyah — ongoing charity. Investment in the way of Allah, such as the construction of a masjid, providing clean water for those who are in need, and spreading true knowledge. As long as these remain, the person who carried out these actions will get reward even after death — in the grave and on the Day of Judgment.

Like, for example, this masjid — we don't know how many brothers and sisters participated in its construction, as well as many other masajid. But as long as it remains, they will get their reward as well. And if you provide clean water — just like a tube well — not only for human beings, but for animals and birds as well, as long as they drink a single drop of water from it, you will get reward even after death.

And also beneficial knowledge — if you cannot teach someone directly, but for example you purchase a useful booklet of supplications, perhaps for less than one pound, and give it as a donation or gift to your friend or family members — do you know the benefit of that booklet? As long as he reads from it, you will also get reward for it. So all of these will benefit us after death.

But my brothers and sisters, the condition is that we have to wake up. We have to invest something — investment to get benefit after death, investment to get benefit in the grave, investment to get benefit on the Day of Judgment.

Surah Al-Mulk and Protection from the Punishment of the Grave

The recitation of Quran is equally rewardable and a source of protection from the punishment of the grave. As we know from the historical background of Surah Al-Mulk — which is a very small surah — it is a very strong source of protection from the Adhab Al-Qabr and a strong source of protection from the punishment of hellfire. Such a small surah, but a massive reward, if we read it with care.

Causes of Punishment in the Grave

Another very important point, my brothers, about the punishment of the grave. There are certain reasons a person is punished. Do you know what they are? One of them, as the Prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said, is backbiting — one of the main reasons for the punishment in the grave. And look at our community and society. Brothers are using their tongues without understanding. Whatever we are saying will be on the record. And backbiting is such a serious thing.

And also, another example for the punishment in the grave: a person who does not care about cleanliness and tahara — purification and cleanliness — who does not clean or purify himself. We may consider this a very small thing, but it is one of the major reasons for punishment in the grave. So we have to be careful. We should not consider this as something small or not worth worrying about. No — this will be very significant on the Day of Judgment as well. So we have to be careful.

Closing Reminder

Dear brothers, the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ used to read Surah Qaf a great deal in his Friday sermons. This is from the Sunnah of the Chosen One صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ — to remind people and to wake them up from sleep and from heedlessness.

Because this surah contains lessons and lessons, especially regarding death, resurrection, and the Hereafter. Regarding the graves, it is a lesson and a reminder for every heedless servant. As for those who deny the Hereafter and the resurrection — how was the journey of those before us? How many nations were there? As is mentioned in this surah: the people of Nuh, the people of Ar-Rass, Thamud, Aad, Fir'aun, the brothers of Lut, the people of Al-Aykah, and the people of Tubba' — all of them denied the Messengers, and so their return was far from them.

Because they used to say: "If we die and become dust, that is a far return." Allah says: their reckoning has come near to the people, and they are in a state of heedlessness. Did we ask ourselves about the graves and those who have passed away, upon whom we send blessings? Where are they going? What are their conditions? What will be done to them? What will be their fate?

Allah says:

"Say: Indeed, the death from which you flee — it will surely meet you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the seen, and He will inform you of what you used to do." Pay attention to this.

May Allah give us tawfiq and the ability to understand the teaching of the Quran and the Sunnah of Rasulullah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ and to follow the best.

Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, send blessings upon him and salutations of peace.

Du'a