Reflections - An-Nasr

Salam 'alaik...

A few weeks back I attended a study circle session, in which surah An-Nasr was discussed to great length.

Amazing, considering that Surah An-Nasr is one of the shortest, yet the most significant Surah that the Sahabahs (may Allah be pleased with them) will remember, if they were still alive.

Surah An-Nasr (Divine Support)

1. When there comes the help of Allah and the Conquest.
2. And you see that the people enter Allah's religion in crowds.
3. So, glorify the praises of your Lord, and ask His forgiveness. Verily, He is the One Who accepts the repentance and Who forgives.

When Mekkah was finally conquered by the Prophet SAW and his troops, and the people from all over announced their faith in Islam and Allah's Messenger SAW, Rasulullah SAW received this revelation and was told to seek taubat from Allah SWT and praise the Lord.

Reading this surah reminded me about a story that Dr B had told us once; there was a man who told his friend to remind him to instantenously sujud shukur (prayer to be grateful to Allah SWT) when he received a reward.

I find that utterly humbling. Because to always be grateful of what you have is the best gift of life. To me, it's a reminder to always be happy with all that you have and what you don't have, so that you appreciate every single blessing that is being given to you.

Sometimes when I sit down to eat a meal, in the middle of the meal there is a niggling thought in my head: have you praised Allah for this meal?

And I am grateful to always hear of stories about people who are less well-off than me. Because I know then that Allah is reminding me to fulfill my responsibility as a Muslim to give alms. All that He sustains us with are not ours but are due for distribution. Sharing what you have so that others can feel the same happiness as you are, because you want them to feel as happy and blessed as yourself.

Amazingly, this surah also reminds us to attribute our achievements, our winnings to Allah SWT, because He willed for it to happen. It is because of the qualities He has blessed us with that we are able to do certain things, and all of us have our own strengths. Treasure it and make good use of it, for we have to work hard on this Earth. Work hard because there is always evil and misdemeanor happening around us, and we must remind each other, regardless of race, language and religion, to always do good.

Because good is the only way to go for more good to come our way. InsyaAllah.

Wallahua'alam bissawab. May Allah forgive me if I have made any misrepresentations in my writing and may He guide all of us on the straight path and bless us with His love and blessings, in this world and the Hereafter.

Credits/// Tafsir ibn Kathir