Asiah Abdul Latif
 
 
 

The Beneficial Dawn

Sura 113: Daybreak (Al-Falaq) In the name of God Most Gracious, Most Merciful Say "I seek refuge in the Lord of Daybreak. From the evils among His creations. From the evils of darkness as it falls. From the evils of the troublemakers. From the evils of the envious when they envy."  
 

Our Lord of daybreak 'splits the sky into dawn' (6:96) separating the start of day from the end of the 'brooding night' (93:2). Our Lord decreed for us to mark our rise from sleep with the dawn prayer. Even the mountains and our shadows glorify their Lord at sunrise (38:18 and 13:15). And we are encouraged to rise early for the month of Ramadhan whereby those who witness this month shall fast therein. We may eat and drink only until the white thread of light shows clearly from the black thread at dawn (17:78).

Indeed, the most ideal life schedule for us humans is to rest in the night and to rise at dawn as He designed. 'He caused peaceful slumber to overtake you and pacify you ... reassured your hearts and strengthened your foothold (8:11).'
'GOD puts the souls to death when the end of their life comes, and also at the time of sleep. Thus, He takes some back during their sleep, while others are allowed to continue living until the end of their predetermined interim. This should provide lessons for people who reflect (39:42).'

'We appointed you sleep for a rest. We appointed night for a garment. And We appointed day for a livelihood (78:10 to12).' 'We rendered the night and the day two signs. We made the night dark, and the day lighted, that you may seek provisions from your Lord therein. This also establishes for you a timing system, and the means of calculation. We thus explain everything in detail (17:12).' Similarly, 'He is the One who designed the night to be a cover, and for you to sleep and rest, and the day He appointed for a rising (25:47).' The essence of these ayaats is again mentioned in 10:67, 27:86 & 40:61.

'We created the human being to work hard... and being one of those who believe, and exhorting one another to be steadfast, and exhorting one another to be kind (90:4 & 17).' We need to maintain righteousness always. He 'knows even the smallest of your actions during the day.....(6:60)'. Thus, in the course of earning our daily bread, we are prohibited from illicit means. 'Those who charge usury are in the same position as those controlled by the devil's influence.'

This is because they claim that usury is the same as commerce. However, GOD permits commerce, and prohibits usury.... As for those who persist in usury, they incur Hell, wherein they abide forever (2:275)'. 'You shall give full measure when you trade, and weigh equitably. This is better and more righteous (17:35).' In 2:188 & 4:29, we are told not to consume each other's properties illicitly. And in the story of David (38:23 to 25), we learn not to combine properties as it may create injustice. And certainly, we are forbidden from monetary gains through religion (5:62 to 63, 23:72 & 34:47).

Nevertheless, we should not be distracted by our business or trade from commemorating God (24:37). We are enjoined to spend more time with believers, to priorities our brothers and sisters in faith. 'You shall force yourself to be with those who worship their Lord at morning and evening, seeking Him alone. Do not turn your eyes away from them, seeking the vanities of this world. Nor shall you obey one whose heart We rendered oblivious to our message; one who pursues his own desires and whose priorities are confused (18:28).

Among the characteristics of believers are 'those who show patience, firmness and self-control; who are true (in word and deed), who worship devoutly, who spend (in the way of God) and who pray for forgiveness (51:17-18).' 'They are steadfast, truthful, submitting, charitable and mediators at dawn (3.1 7).' 'At dawn, they prayed for forgiveness (51:18).'

We are told in 17:78 that dawn is the best time for Quran reading. 'You shall recite the Quran at dawn as reciting the Quran at dawn is witnessed.' 'So glorify GOD both in your evening hour and your morning (30:171.' 'Proclaim your Lord's praise before the rising of the sun and before its setting (20:130).'

So let us refrain from being among Lot's people who were doomed. They were asleep at dawn when Lot's family was saved (54:34). God annihilated them later in the morning with devastating rocks. And let us refrain from joining the owners of the garden who swore that they will harvest it in the morning. They were so absolutely sure. A passing (storm) from your Lord passed by it while they were asleep. By morning, it was barren. They called on each other. That from then on, none of them would be poor. They were so absolutely sure of their harvest. But when they saw it, they said, "We were so wrong!

Now, we have nothing! (68:17 to 27)". 'Did the people of today's communities guarantee that our retribution would not come to them in the forenoon while they play? (7:98).

Let us forsake our beds at dawn, brothers and sisters, as 'the only people who truly believe in our revelations are those who believe and obey upon hearing them. They glorify and praise their Lord, without any arrogance. Their sides readily forsake their beds, in order to worship their Lord, out of reverence and hope, and from our provisions to them, they give. You have no idea how much joy and happiness are waiting for you as a reward for your (righteous) works. (32:15 to 17).'
 

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