Page by Page - Shaykh Ahsan Hanif

In this lesson of Sūrah Ibrāhīm (verses 19–22) Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Ḥanīf explores how Allah reminds humanity of His supreme power and ability to replace one creation with another, a truth that leaves no room for arrogance or disbelief. The verses then shift to the Day of Judgement, where the weak and the arrogant will face one another in regret, realising that worldly alliances offer no escape from Allah’s decree. Finally, Shayṭān’s speech exposes his deception and disassociates him from those who followed him, affirming that every soul bears the consequence of its own choice.

In this lesson of Sūrah Ibrāhīm (verses 13–18), Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Ḥanīf reflects on how Allah describes the defiance of those who opposed His messengers and reminds us that Allah’s decree is always supreme. The arrogant rejecters of truth opposed their messengers, threatening them, plotting against them, and denying the signs of Allāh. Yet Allāh’s decree always prevails. The oppressors were destroyed, their homes reduced to ruins, and their deeds turned to ashes scattered by the wind, worthless before their Lord. Through these verses, Allāh warns against pride and disbelief, while promising safety and honour to the believers who stand firm in faith. It is a clear reminder of the fate of tyranny and the triumph of steadfast hearts rooted in īmān.

In this lesson of Sūrah Ibrāhīm (verses 5–12), Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Ḥanīf explains how Allāh reminds us of His immense favours through the story of Mūsā (ʿalayhi al-salām) and the Children of Israel - being saved from Pharaoh’s tyranny, the promise of increase for gratitude, and the severe warning for ingratitude. The verses also recount the response of past nations to their messengers: rejecting clear proofs, clinging to the false worship of their forefathers, and doubting the One who created the heavens and the earth. The messengers in turn affirmed their human nature, their dependence upon Allāh’s permission, and their absolute reliance (tawakkul) and patience in the face of harm. These āyāt highlight the timeless lessons of shukr, sabr, and tawakkul upon Allāh.

In this lesson of Sūrah Ibrāhīm (verses 1–4), Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Ḥanīf explains how the Qur’ān was revealed to bring humanity from layers of darkness into the light of faith, by the permission of Allāh, the Exalted in Might and Praiseworthy. These verses emphasise Allāh’s complete ownership of the heavens and the earth, and warn of severe punishment for those who prefer the fleeting pleasures of this world over the Hereafter, and who mislead others from His path. The passage also highlights a universal principle of da‘wah: every messenger was sent speaking the language of his people, making the truth clear, with guidance and misguidance ultimately in the hands of Allāh, the All-Wise.

In this lesson of Sūrah Ar-Raʿd (35–43), Shaykh Dr. Aḥsan Ḥanīf closes the sūrah with a powerful contrast between the eternal reward of Paradise for the righteous and the Fire awaiting the disbelievers. The verses reaffirm the Prophet’s ﷺ mission: to worship and call solely to Allāh without compromise, regardless of opposition. Revelation is shown to be clear, purposeful, and bound by Allāh’s will, with every decree written in the Master Record. The passage reminds that messengers before faced denial, yet Allāh’s promise always prevailed, for He alone determines outcomes. The sūrah concludes with a decisive declaration: the Prophet ﷺ is indeed a true messenger, with Allāh Himself as Witness and His Book as proof.