JUZ THREE
Surah Al-Imran begins in the third juz of the Qur’an and continues into the fourth juz. Hence, it will be the focus of the next two chapters of this book. Surah Al ʿImran was revealed in 3 AH and reflects the political climate of that year. During the third year after Ḥijrah, the Muslims had to deal with delegations of Christians from Najran who wanted to learn about Islam and its stance on Jesus and Mary. They also had to deal with the Jews of Madinah, and most importantly the Battle of Uḥud. All three of these topics flow throughout this surah, giving us a glimpse of the challenges and events of that year.21 This surah addresses the people of the book more than any other surah in the Qur’an due to the high number of interactions that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had with both Jews and Christians during that year.
A beautiful link between Surah al-Baqarah and Surah Al ʿImran is the topic of piety. Surah al-Baqarah focuses on guidance towards piety, while Surah Al ʿImran gives us multiple examples of piety in the families of ʿImran and Zakariyaʾ. Multiple stories are narrated throughout this surah giving us a glimpse of the piety, miracles, prayers, and attitudes of these righteous people.
The surah itself begins with a reminder about the core beliefs of Islam. We are reminded that the Gospel and Torah were revealed as guidance from Allah for those before us. This is followed by stories of those who followed this guidance. Allah begins the surah with this reminder, “He sent down to you the Book with the Truth, confirming what came before it; and He sent down the Torah and the Gospel. Aforetime, as guidance for mankind; and He sent down the Criterion. Those who have rejected God’s signs will have a
severe punishment. God is Mighty, Able to take revenge.”
This is followed by the verse describing the unclear verses of the Qur’an and people’s attitudes towards these verses. The previous surah began with a description of the believers, disbelievers, and hypocrites. We see all three attitudes shown in those who believe in the unclear verses, those who reject them and those who seek to reinterpret them due to a “sickness in the heart”; i.e., hypocrisy. Allah says, “It is He who revealed to you the Book. Some of its verses are definitive; they are the foundation of the Book, and others are nonspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation, they follow the nonspecific part, seeking dissent, and seeking to derive an interpretation. But none knows its interpretation except God and those firmly rooted in knowledge say, “We believe in it; all is from our Lord.” But none recollects except those with understanding.”
This is immediately followed by a beautiful duʿa for guidance, continuing the theme of duʿas for guidance in Surah al-Fatiḥah and the closing verses of Surah al-Baqarah. “Our Lord, do not cause our hearts to swerve after You have guided us, and bestow on us mercy from Your presence; You are the Giver.”
Through the stories of this surah, we are taught the beautiful manners, beliefs, and practices of Islam. We learn that Ibrahim was a Muslim and preached Islam. We learn that Allah provides for whomever He wills without any limits. He provided Mary with fruits that were out of season, and with a miracle child. He provided Zakariyaʾ with a miracle child when he asked Allah for an heir. He can provide for us too in such miraculous ways if we ask with conviction.
The stories of Mary and those around her form the central narrative of this juz. It is worth taking the time to read these stories and reflect on them as they are full of powerful lessons about piety and guidance, showcasing some of the greatest examples in the history of this world.
The juz ends with a beautiful reminder that piety involves spending from that which we love. “You will not attain virtuous conduct until you give of what you cherish. Whatever you give away, God is Aware of it.”28 We will end this chapter with a beautiful story related to this verse.
Upon hearing this verse, Abu Talḥah, a notable Companion of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم donated his most cherished possession, a large date-palm grove with over 600 date palm trees to the service of the poor in the city of Medina. He explained the reasons behind his gift to the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم by saying that the date-palm grove was his most cherished possession and that he hoped that by gifting it to the poor that he would attain the status of true piety in the next life. Upon declaring his gift to those in need, in the presence of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم ,Abu Talḥah returned home to find his wife and child relaxing in the grove. Abu Talḥah immediately informed his wife that he had gifted and endowed the grove to serve the poor of Medina in service of Islam. His wife asked him, “Did you do this in your name only or in our name collectively?” Abu Talḥah replied that he had done so in both of their names. His wife replied, “May God be pleased with you, Abu Talḥah! I was considering the exact same thing after having thought deeply about what to do for the poor in our midst. But I did not have the courage yet to do something about it. May God accept our offering and let us now leave the grove together.” This
dedication of their most valuable real estate for the good of the poor of Medina, in service of Islam, became known as the first act of endowment (waqf) in Islam.
By
Dr. Omar Suleiman & Sh. Ismail Kamdar
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