Story of Haabil and Qaabil ICN Sisters’ Dars

Some Of the Themes Discussed Importance of obedience Contentment Harms of envy Transgression Anger Repentence

Background Allah allowed Adam to marry his daughters to his sons because of the necessity of such action. They also said that in every pregnancy, Adam was given twins, a male and a female, and he used to give the female of one twin, to the male of the other twin, in marriage. Habil's sister was not beautiful while Qabil's sister was beautiful, resulting in Qabil wanting her for himself, instead of his brother. Adam refused unless they both offer a sacrifice, and he whose sacrifice was accepted, would marry Qabil's sister. Habil's sacrifice was accepted, while Qabil's sacrifice was rejected,

The Story From the Quran وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ ابْنَيْ آدَمَ بِالْحَقِّ إِذْ قَرَّبَا قُرْبَانًا فَتُقُبِّلَ مِنْ أَحَدِهِمَا وَلَمْ يُتَقَبَّلْ مِنَ الْآخَرِ (And recite to them the story of the two sons of Adam in truth;) - what really happened not their versions of it when each offered a sacrifice (to Allâh), it was accepted from the one but not from the other The scholars have said, “When Adam عليه السلام told both of his sons to make a sacrifice, Haabil made the sacrifice of a sheep and was content with whatever Allah would decide. Qaabil sacrificed some produce and concealed within himself, it does not matter if it is accepted from me or not. He will never marry my sister.” The sacrifice of the one who offered the sheep was accepted while the sacrifice of the other ﴿ the twin brother of the beautiful daughter ﴾, which consisted of some produce, was not accepted.

Allah Only Accepts From the People of Taqwa قَالَ لَأَقْتُلَنَّكَ قَالَ إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ the latter said to the former: "I will surely kill you. " the former said: "Verily, Allâh accepts Only from those who are Al- Muttaqûn (the pious) Notice that the action of Qaabil to kill his brother is premeditated ﴿إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ﴾ Verily, Allah accepts only from those who have Taqwa.) who fear Allah in their actions. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Abu Ad-Darda' said, "If I become certain that Allah has accepted even one prayer from me, it will be better for me than this life and all that in it. This is because Allah says, ﴿إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ﴾ Verily, Allah accepts only from the those who have Taqwa.)

What is Taqwa? Taqwa- sometimes we translate is as god consciousness, but it has more meaning than that. Linguistically the word taqwa comes from وقاية which means to protect something from those things that will harm it. According to the shariah, Taqwa is when a person puts a barrier between himself and the anger and displeasure of Allah سبحانه و تعالى and this barrier will protect the person and prevent Allah from being displeased and upset with the person. The ulama say that what it means is when a person sees something which is haraam, sometimes his own nafs,passions and desires maybe calling him to that thing, but he realizes that thing will bring him no benefit to him in this dunya or in the aakhirah he turns away from it because he knows that Allah does not like that thing.

Another Definition of Taqwa Ali رضي الله عنه was asked about Taqwa and he said العمل بالتنزيل و الخوف من الجليل و الرضا بالقليل و الاستعداد ليوم الرحيل Actions according to revelation Fear of the one that is great and magnified (Allah) Contentment with little provision And preparation for the final destination So to recap:Taqwa is to do those things that Allah has commanded and to stay away from those things Allah has prohibited out of hope in his reward and fear of his punishment.

Importance of Taqwa Taqwa is so important that on one of the last occasions when addressing the Sahabah the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم reminded them to have Taqwa of Allah سبحانه و تعالى The Sahabah narrated that the one day the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم gave us a talk and some advice, and it was very powerful eyes were flowing and hearts were trembling we said “it is as if you are giving us some last words of advice, meaning we don’t know how much longer we have with you so advise us, so the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم said أوصيكم بتقوى الله I advise you all to have Taqwa of Allah سبحانه و تعالى

Comprehensive Hadeeth The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم a very beautiful and comprehensive hadeeth. He said قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : اتَّقِ اللهِ حَيْثُمَا كُنْتَ، وَأَتْبِعِ السَّيِّئَةَ الحَسَنَةَ تَمْحُهَا، وَخَالِقِ النَّاسَ بِخُلُقٍ حَسَنٍ. In this hadeeth the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم taught us to be aware of Allah in all circumstances and whereever we are. Whether things are going well for us or we are in difficulty, whether we are in public or alone, we always have to have Taqwa of Allah سبحانه و تعالى In another hadeeth the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم said Have Taqwa of Allah, because that is the key to all good things.

Activity What are some of the characteristics of the people of Taqwa? How do we practically implement Taqwa in our daily lives? What are some of the rewards of the people of Taqwa?

Characteristics of the People of Taqwa الم (1) ذَلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِلْمُتَّقِينَ (2) الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنْفِقُونَ (3) وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ وَبِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ (4) أُولَئِكَ عَلَى هُدًى مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ (5) 1. Alif-Lâm-Mîm. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ân and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings]. 2. This is the Book (the Qur'ân), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqûn [the pious and righteous persons who fear Allâh much (abstain from All kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allâh much (perform All kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)]. 3. who believe In the Ghaib and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and spend out of what we have provided for them [i.e. give Zakât, spend on themselves, their parents, their children, their wives, etc., and also give charity to the poor and also In Allâh's Cause - Jihâd, etc.]. 4. and who believe In (the Qur'ân and the Sunnah) which has been sent down (revealed) to You (Muhammad Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe Wa Sallam) and In [the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), etc.] which were sent down before You and they believe with certainty In the Hereafter. (Resurrection, Recompense of their good and bad deeds, Paradise and Hell, etc.).

Aal-Imran وَسَارِعُوا إِلَى مَغْفِرَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ (133) الَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ فِي السَّرَّاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَالْكَاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعَافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ (134) وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَنْ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّوا عَلَى مَا فَعَلُوا وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ (135) أُولَئِكَ جَزَاؤُهُمْ مَغْفِرَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ وَجَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَامِلِينَ 133. and march forth In the Way (which leads to) Forgiveness from Your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - see V.2:2) those who spend [in Allâh's Cause - deeds of charity, alms, etc.] In prosperity and In adversity, who repress anger, and who Pardon men; Verily, Allâh loves Al-Muhsinûn (the good­doers) and those Who, when they have committed Fahishah (illegal sexual intercourse etc.) or wronged themselves with evil, Remember Allâh and ask Forgiveness for their sins; - and none can forgive sins but Allâh - and do not persist In what (wrong) they have done, while they know.

Characteristics of the People of Taqwa (Summary) Some of the qualities we can derive from the ayaat They have yaqeen in the aakhirah They have belief in the unseen They establish salah They give charity in times of prosperity and adversity They control their anger and emotions They are forgiving They commit mistakes, but when they do they turn to Allah for forgiveness

Rewards of Taqwa Help and support of Allah  وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ (194). and fear Allâh, and know that Allâh is with Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - see V.2:2). Allah’s love فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ 76 Allâh loves those who are Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - see V.2:2). Blessings from the skies and earth وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ الْقُرَى آمَنُوا وَاتَّقَوْا لَفَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ بَرَكَاتٍ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَكِنْ كَذَّبُوا فَأَخَذْنَاهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ (96) 96. and if the people of the Towns had believed and had the Taqwâ (piety), Certainly, we should have opened for them Blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). so we took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes, etc.).

Rewards of Taqwa Continued The ability to distinguish between right and wrong, covering up of faults, and forgiveness of sins يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ تَتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ فُرْقَانًا وَيُكَفِّرْ عَنْكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ (29) 29. O You who believe! if You obey and fear Allâh, He will grant You Furqân a criterion [(to judge between Right and wrong), or (Makhraj, i.e. making a Way for You to get out from Every difficulty)], and will expiate for You Your sins, and forgive you, and Allâh is the Owner of the great Bounty. A way out of any difficulty and Rizq without any restrictions and limitations وَمَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مَخْرَجًا (2) وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ وَمَنْ يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ 2. Whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to him, He will make a Way for Him to get out (from Every difficulty). 3. and He will provide Him from (sources) He never could imagine. and Whosoever puts his trust In Allâh, Then He will suffice Him. 6. Acceptance of actions إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ "Verily, Allâh accepts Only from those who are Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - see V.2:2)."