Parents are amongst the blessings from Allah (The Most High) due to many of their attributes and roles they perform. This article series will end with the attribute of Yaqeen.
What is Yaqeen? How is this expressed via our parents? What parables within the Glorious Quran presents this? What can we learn from the lessons? Yaqeen is the certainty and belief that Allah (The Most High) is in control of All things and is aware of the Unseen as stated in the following verse: “And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record.” [Quran, Surah Al-Anaam (The Cattle) 6:59] Yaqeen is parallel with Imaan (faith), and when there is a form of uncertainty or lack of understanding or reason of what or why something is happening it can ultimately affect the faith of the individual. Therefore, the ability to put trust in Him like unshakeable mountains is what strengthens faith and certainty. Several factors influence the amount of Yaqeen: initial thought, training and the action to maintain it through supplication (Dua). We need to purely think and believe that Allah (The Most High) wants good for us and there is always a pearl of underlying wisdom for every action that we face. When anyone is continuously tested, it is a process of purification, strengthening our relationship with Allah (The Most High) and a sign of love. “Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while Allah has not yet made evident those of you who fight in His cause and made evident those who are steadfast?” [Quran, Surah A-Imran, 3:142] “You will surely be tested in your possessions and yourselves. And you will surely hear from those who were given the Scripture before you and from those who associate others with Allah much abuse. But if you are patient and fear Allah - indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of determination.” [Quran, Surah A-Imran, 3:186] Therefore, we need to have Husan Al-Dhan Bi Allah – a good opinion of Allah (The Most High) for the tests are blessings in disguise. It is something that grows like a seed into a full-grown plant that requires self-analysis, not having doubt and practice. So speak to Allah (The Most High) wholeheartedly and call upon Him. Abu Hurairah (may Allah have mercy upon him) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Call upon Allah with certainty that He will answer you. Know that Allah will not answer the supplication of a heart that is unmindful and distracted.” [Hadith, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 3479] One of the Parables that have an emphasis on Yaqeen is the mother of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) who had to save her son, Moses, from the mass death implemented by the Pharoah. The Pharoah dreamt that one of the Children of Bani Israel would overthrow him and he began to kill every male child. To protect her son, Allah (The Most High) gave her divine instructions as stated in the following verses from the Glorious Quran: “And We inspired to the mother of Moses, "Suckle him; but when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and will make him [one] of the messengers." And the family of Pharaoh picked him up [out of the river] so that he would become to them an enemy and a [cause of] grief. Indeed, Pharaoh and Haman and their soldiers were deliberate sinners. And the wife of Pharaoh said, "[He will be] a comfort of the eye for me and you. Do not kill him; perhaps he may benefit us, or we may adopt him as a son." And they perceived not. And the heart of Moses' mother became empty [of all else]. She was about to disclose [the matter concerning] he had We not bound fast her heart that she would be of the believers. And she said to his sister, "Follow him"; so she watched him from a distance while they perceived not. And We had prevented from him [all] wet nurses before, so she said, "Shall I direct you to a household that will be responsible for him for you while they are to him [for his upbringing] sincere?" So We restored him to his mother that she might be content and not grieve and that she would know that the promise of Allah is true. But most of the people do not know.” [Quran, Surah Al Qasas (The Stories), 28: 7 - 13] The first task requested by Allah (The Most High) is to breastfeed him and to place him into a basket in the river Nile. The element of Yaqeen is paramount here. How can a mother or any human being place a child or any living thing into the river? Many mothers cried about their mass death. However, the yaqeen and faith of the mother of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) is what led her to follow the divine instructions. She knew that Allah (The Most High) is the Most Wise who counselled her that Moses will return and will become a Prophet so she should not be sad nor fear of anything. Allah (The Most High) is the best of planners and in depths of darkness within the tunnel, there is light with His Mercy. Allah (The Most High) sent Moses to the palace of the Pharoah – the mass murderer where his wife, Asiyah (may Allah have mercy upon her) fell in love and wanted to keep baby Moses. His sister, Mariam followed the basket there and; this naturally caused more worry for Moses’ mother but she maintained her Yaqeen by making dua and belief and with His grace, Moses was miraculously breastfed by none other than his mother which reassured her that he was safe. Allah (The Most High) states: “And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.” [Quran, Surah Al-Talaq (The Divorce), 65:3] Another parable to ponder over is the story of Prophet Ibrahim with his son Prophet Ismail (peace be upon them). This time, Prophet Ibrahim had the divine dream of killing his son and naturally he was sad but he also had Yaqeen. And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, "O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think." He said, "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast." [Quran, Surah Al-Saffat (Those who set the ranks), 37:102] This presents the yaqeen in the father and his son where both willingly accepted the will of Allah (The Most High). However, the Shaytan tried to prevent Prophet Ibrahim at three varied points. Just when Ibrahim (peace be upon him) positioned his son and was about to slaughter. Allah (The Most High) said: “O Ibrahim, You have (already) fulfilled the vision. Indeed, this is how We reward the good-doers. That was truly a revealing test. And We ransomed his son with a great sacrifice.” [Quran, Surah Al-Saffat (Those who set the ranks), 37:104-107] Ibrahim opened his eyes and was amazed that the ram was slaughtered instead of his son. This is the sacrifice of the parent and presents the mercy of Allah (The Most High). Ibrahim did not want to slaughter his son but he trusted Allah that there must be underlying wisdom or something good behind it. Moreover, another example of a parable that illustrates Yaqeen is Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him) who prayed for many years for a child. He had Yaqeen that despite being old and his wife barren, there may be a miracle as he observed many miracles upon looking after Maryam (peace be upon her). One day during the Mihrab, the angels announced great news to the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he is to be blessed with Prophet Yahya who would believe in Allah (The Most High), a leader, Prophet of Allah and righteous. He can make the possible impossible. Yahya is derived from the meaning of life. "My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication." “So the angels called him while he was standing in prayer in the chamber, "Indeed, Allah gives you good tidings of John, confirming a word from Allah and [who will be] honourable, abstaining [from women], and a prophet from among the righteous. He said: My Lord! when shall there be a son (born) to me, and old age has already come upon me, and my wife is barren? He said: even thus does Allah what He pleases." [Quran, Surah Al-Imran, 3:38-40] To increase his yaqeen and fulfil the promise, He asked Allah (The Most High) for a sign and was requested not to speak except with gestures for three days. He increased his time in glorifying Allah (The Most High) with dhikr and supplication. He raised his son, Yahya to be for-bearing and righteous and reflected qualities in verse 3:39. This highlights how the believing parent maintained consistency and did not lose hope. He said, "My Lord, make for me a sign." He Said, "Your sign is that you will not [be able to] speak to the people for three days except by gesture. And remember your Lord much and exalt [Him with praise] in the evening and the morning." [Quran, Surah Al-Imran, 3:41] Overall, the attribute of Yaqeen of parents is unmeasurable in our everyday life and even from the parables we can see that the Prophets had parental responsibilities and during trials, they increased in worshipping Allah (The Most High) for guidance and helping their children lead a life of righteousness and try their best to support as much as possible with what they can and what they have. Cherish the blessings of parents wholeheartedly, pre-Ramadan, during Ramadan and beyond inshaAllah! “Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents, and (all) the believers on the Day when the reckoning will be established.” [Quran: Surah Ibrahim, Verse 41]
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