Ramadan Mubarak. Today’s Juz’ is Al-Ahqaf [46]:1 – Al-Dhariyat [51]:30. The themes covered in these ayat include (1) the Qur’an’s relationship to the Bible; (2) the punishment of the people of ‘Ad; (3) regulations for war; (4) spiritual advice to the Desert Arabs; (5) admonitions for a just society; and (6) the surety of the end-time resurrection. The selected aya for the day celebrates the unity of the human race. “People, We created you all from a single man and a single woman, and made you into races and tribes so that you should get to know each other. In God’s eyes, the most honored of you are the ones most mindful of Him: God is all knowing, all aware.” (Al-Hujurat [49]:13) All too frequently, people view their ethnic groups as safety zones. They feel comfortable in familiar surroundings and will go to great lengths to preserve and protect their traditions and culture. Of course, there is nothing inherently wrong in ethnic and cultural pride. It is only natural for those connected by blood or geography to feel elated when their group makes significant contributions to the human family. However, the uniqueness of the multiple ethnic groups that comprise the human family should not be seen as excuses to construct rigid walls of separation, but should be opportunities to establish swinging gates of invitation. The truth is, in spite of our geographical location, we all originated from the same primal loins—and ultimately, the same God. As humans “get to know each other” by moving out of their comfort zones, they soon discover that we are more alike than different and some will even learn to look to God—the Source of our unity. A similar sentiment is echoed in the Bible. Listen: “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.” (Acts 17:24-27) Prayer: In the name of God the merciful and compassionate, forgive me for the times I have been so fixated on “my” people that I failed to see the common humanity in the entire human race whom You have created. Grant me the grace to go beyond my comfort zone and share Your love with others, so that they too can accept You as the Lord of “all” life. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.
Posted on: Sat, 03 Aug 2013 13:38:58 +0000
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