Juz 25 Reflections and Notes By Na’Aisha MalikaB
As the days swiftly go by in sync with the ebb and tide of the ocean and the moon, our dearest, calm friend of the year, Ramadan, shall be leaving soon. Juz 25 put me in a deep state of contemplation and reflection. I know we all love attending the pre-Ramadan gatherings, the lectures, the crowded Jumuah Khutbahs, and the delicious and well-decorated Iftars. The season is here to rejoice, to embrace the blessings, to give the most charity, and be the friendliest during this time. However, as I’ve sat down and read this Juz 25 deeply, I am reminded of the seriousness of the “end of days.”
“He is the one who sends down rain even after men have given up all hope and scatters his mercy far and wide.” 42:28 There are turbulent times happening on nearly all continents on this planet, volcanoes erupting, genocide, war, horrific scandals, wildlife extinction, and so much more happening. Yet simultaneously, across the globe, we can still find newborn babies opening their eyes for the first time, marriages happening, children running with capricious, happy energy, and horses racing with exuberance in the wild. Allah swt, Al Khaliq, the Fashioner, is the divine orchestrator. Everything is in balance, even when the masses of the world scream out the worst, there is always an opposite reality that reminds us to be hopeful and have faith in his ultimate decree.
Allah swt repeatedly calls us to remember how he creates and destroys. How can he bring “a barren and desolate earth…and eventually send down rain and…blessings” 41:39? It is often said that rain and other precipitation can bring blessings; so pray in the rain, hail, and snow. Ask Allah swt for what you need, dream of, and want! Allah swt can rejuvenate and revitalize anything! The land, the earth, oceans, wildlife, and people! Who are we to assume that life is over?
Allah swt repeatedly calls us to remember how he creates and destroys. How can he bring “a barren and desolate earth…and eventually send down rain and…blessings” 41:39? It is often said that rain and other precipitation can bring blessings; so pray in the rain, hail, and snow. Ask Allah swt for what you need, dream of, and want! Allah swt can rejuvenate and revitalize anything! The land, the earth, oceans, wildlife, and people! Who are we to assume that life is over? Despite what the news is telling us, how the meteorologists predict global warming, which is occurring, Allah swt still has the final say. We are to see the signs before us and take heed of them. All while continuing to live our best mission on this earth and seek the bounty and the blessings during our divinely calculated timing on this planet.
I am also called to remember our constant need for Allah swt, as very fickle and mortal humans. We constantly beg and plead to Allah for help, for our dreams to be fulfilled, for that du’a to be answered, for the wrongs to be righted, and even for small, mundane things like having a “great” day. Every single week and month, we are in constant need, beseeching and asking our creator Allah swt, despite our iniquities and fallacies to give us more time, more forgiveness and to pardon us. Allah swt loves it when we call out to him, and we are often given humbling circumstances that return us to him swiftly. Sometimes that’s a rock bottom situation that pushes us to the floor. Dear readers, do you recall ever facing a gut-wrenching life change that forced you to remember who is greater than all that we are enduring: God, Allah swt? I sure can name quite a few instances. Yet, for this day, every day, Allah swt has continued to give me life, vitality, and a quest for more learning, laughter, and love on my earthly journey.
“Man does not wear of asking for good things, but if ill touches him he gives up all hope and is lost in despair.” 41:49 So I implore you to remember that Allah swt has the final say, but know that your powerful du’a can shift the Qad’r that is divinely yours. Don’t let this Ramadan pass without taking at least one of these blessed days to reflect, redirect and rejuvenate your soul. I’m immensely grateful to have more opportunities to serve my community and be the best to my family and friends. The only time we have is the present moment. May Allah increase us in faith, joy, love and healing this month of Ramadan and grant you a sacred and spectacular Eid celebration, inshaAllah.
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Na’Aisha MalikaB is an experienced doula and multidisciplinary artist skilled in writing, painting, drawing, photography, and fashion design. She studied English Literature, earning a B.A. at Agnes Scott College in Atlanta.
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