The Power of Words
As we have entered the holy month of Ramadan, the month of the Qur’an, we seek to fully appreciate all the gifts Ramadan has to offer—and, indeed, they are abundant. We also pray for divine outpourings of mercy, forgiveness, and liberation from the torment of hellfire. Among the many gifts promised for the believers, one of the greatest gifts to the ummah is the Book of Allah. From its many blessings, we find light, healing, guidance, and dua, or supplication.
Juz’ 3 of the Qur’an comprises Madinan surahs, making it a significant section positioned at the beginning of the Qur’an. Madinan surahs are those revealed at least a decade after the onset of revelation, specifically following the hijrah—the holy migration of our beloved Prophet Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم from his birthplace of Mecca to Madinah, which, with his illuminating presence صلى الله عليه وسلم became the “City of Light”. As we begin The Book, gifts continue to be given throughout.
The third juz comprises portions of Surah Al-Baqarah, from verse 253 to verse 92 of Surah Aal-Imran. These two surahs are referred to as the “two lights,” which will provide shade to their people on the Day of Resurrection, just as two clouds or two lines of flying birds. It contains significant verses emphasizing the power of prayer and the relationship between believers and their Creator.
The greatest verse in the Qur’an, Ayat al-Kursi (2:255), lies within this juz, :
“God: there is no god but Him, the Ever Living, the Ever Watchful. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. All that is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Him. Who is there that can intercede with Him except by His leave? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, but they do not comprehend any of His knowledge except what He wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth; it does not weary Him to preserve them both. He is the Most High, the Tremendous.”
This verse is often recited for protection and is specifically recommended to be read after each obligatory prayer, serving as a protection from one prayer to the next. It emphasizes the supremacy of Allah, describing His knowledge, sovereignty, and control over the heavens and the earth. It reminds believers to seek refuge in Allah through prayer, and acknowledge His unlimited authority. Additionally, it is highly encouraged to read before sleeping, with the promise that the one who does so will receive divine protection throughout the night until waking. What a tremendous gift!
Verse 8 from Aal-Imran emphasizes the importance of true guidance. It is from Allah.
Verses 2:285-2:286 in Surah Al-Baqarah provide a beautiful reflection on the comprehensive nature of faith and prayer. “The Messenger believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, as do the faithful. They all believe in God, His angels, His scriptures, and His messengers. ‘We make no distinction between any of His messengers,’ they say, ‘We hear and obey. Grant us Your forgiveness, our Lord. To You we all return!’ God does not burden any soul with more than it can bear: each gains whatever good it has done, and suffers its bad. ‘Lord, do not take us to task if we forget or make mistakes. Lord, do not burden us as You burdened those before us. Lord, do not burden us with more than we have strength to bear. Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy on us. You are our Protector, so help us against the disbelievers.”
Believers profess their belief in Allah, His angels, His scriptures, and His messengers; upon them be peace. These verses, which were given to the Noble Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم during his heavenly ascension, emphasize that Allah will not burden us beyond our capacity. They conclude with a heartfelt prayer, seeking Allah’s forgiveness and mercy. This prayer encapsulates believers’ humility and dependence on their Creator.
It has been narrated in authentic hadith, whoever recites these two verses before sleeping the verses will suffice them. Allahu Akbar! We have not been told “suffice from what”, but we know Allah is sufficient for us. In addition to the five daily prayers, the ending of al-Baqarah is another beautiful gift that has been given on that wondrous journey. These verses are not only gifts, rather they are a means of metaphysical protection. “Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us. Grant us Your mercy: You are the Ever Giving.” Verse 8 from Aal-Imran emphasizes the importance of true guidance. It is from Allah. Within this short verse lies a plea for protection from straying away from the truth. It serves as a reminder for believers to pray for steadfastness in faith and guidance to follow the right path. It is also a reality check that we must continually ask for guidance even if we feel we are guided. May Allah protect our hearts from deviating.
Dua, is the essence of worship—an all-encompassing worship for the Arabic and non-Arabic speaker, the broken, the mother, the father, the convert, and lifelong believers.
In the few verses mentioned, a central theme emerges: reliance on Allah through dua, both day and night. We learn that words have power. Dua, is the essence of worship—an all-encompassing worship for the Arabic and non-Arabic speaker, the broken, the mother, the father, the convert, and lifelong believers. It is the hope that we will be able to make this Ramadan a month of transformation. Indeed, hearts and lives can be irrevocably transformed through the spoken word, as evidenced by the simple utterance of the shahadah by those who embrace Islam.
From Ayat al-Kursi to the supplications at the end of Surah Al-Baqarah and verse 8 of Surah Aal-Imran, Juz’ 3 offers believers an easy way to turn to Allah in prayer. These verses invite us to express gratitude, seek protection, ask for forgiveness, and implore guidance to navigate life’s complexities. These verses emphasize the transformative power of prayer on the spiritual journey. Dua will foster a deeper and more meaningful connection with Allah.
“Your Lord says, ‘Call on Me and I will answer you; those who are too proud to serve Me will enter Hell humiliated.’” (Ghafir -60) This serves as a reminder of the importance of humility in seeking Allah’s guidance and mercy through prayer.
In closing, I remind myself and all who read it to accept, appreciate, and use these gifts every day. “We have made it easy to learn lessons from the Quran: will anyone take heed?” (Surah al-Q̈amar 54:17)
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Originally from New Jersey and a graduate of Rutgers University, where she double-majored in psychology and biology, Kiashe Pugh converted to Islam in 1990, transitioning from Christianity. Since then, she has resided in various countries around the world.
During her extensive time abroad, Kiashe dedicated herself to the pursuit of traditional Islamic knowledge, studying under esteemed scholars. In 2003, she achieved the esteemed accreditation in formal Quranic recitation under the tutelage of the renowned Quranic scholar, Shaykh Abu Hasan al Kurdi, in Damascus, Syria.
Returning to the United States in 2013 after nearly two decades abroad, Kiashe’s commitment to humanitarian service flourished. She became actively involved with a multinational humanitarian organization, channeling her passion for service into impactful initiatives. Drawing upon her background in Islamic studies, Kiashe engages in education endeavors, particularly focusing on mentoring and teaching both youth and adults. She is actively involved with Rabata, Inc., an international women’s educational non-profit, where she serves as Vice Chair of the Board. Within Rabata, Kiashe plays a pivotal role in teaching and mentoring through various programs, including Ribaat, RabaTEENS, and Dragonflies youth programs. Additionally, Kiashe serves as an instructor with Hafsa Quran Society and the Sakina Institute, further enriching the lives of her students through her expertise and dedication to Islamic education.
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