An Invitation to Reflect

Reflecting on the Quran’s Verses

The Quran is the final revelation humanity has received from God. Each person therefore has a duty to study this Book and reflect on its contents. God states that the Quran was revealed so that people would ponder its verses:

This is a blessed Book that We have sent down to you [O Prophet] so that they may reflect upon its verses, and so that people of understanding may take heed.Quran — Surah Saad (38:29)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

God emphasises the importance of reflection. The Quran frequently asks questions such as “Will you not reflect?” and speaks of “signs for people who reflect”. Its calls to think and subjects for contemplation are limitless. God invites people to consider the universe’s extraordinary order, the living beings on earth and their perfect systems, the events they experience, the blessings He continually creates, the calamities sent upon unbelievers, Paradise, Hell and eternity. Every subject we reflect on deepens our appreciation of Allah’s omnipotence, wisdom, knowledge, artistry and other attributes.

Allah invites people to reflect on their own creation:

Man says, “Once I am dead, will I be raised to life again?”Does man not remember that We created him beforehand when he was nothing?Quran — Surah Maryam (19:66–67)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

Allah invites people to reflect on the creation of the universe:

Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and earth; the alternation of the night and day; the sailing of the ships in the sea for the benefit of people; the sending down of rain from the sky by Allah, reviving thereby the earth after its death; the spreading of all kinds of creatures therein; the directing of the winds and clouds between the sky and earth – in all these, there are signs[71] for people of understanding.[71] There are two āyāt (signs) leading to belief: Quranic verses and cosmic signs. The signs meant in this verse are cosmic.Quran — Surah Al-Baqara (2:164)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

Allah invites people to reflect on the temporary nature of this world:

She advanced towards him, and he would have advanced towards her, had he not seen a sign from his Lord. This is how We kept evil and shameful acts away from him. Indeed, he was one of Our chosen slaves.Quran — Surah Yusuf (12:24)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

Allah invites people to reflect on the blessings they possess:

It is He Who spread out the earth and placed therein firm mountains and rivers, and created therein fruits of every kind in pairs. He causes the night to cover the day. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who reflect.And on the earth there are neighboring [yet different] tracts of land, and gardens of grapevines, grains and palm trees – some growing in clusters from one root or standing alone. They are all irrigated with the same water, yet We cause some of them to excel others in taste. Indeed, there are signs in this for people of understanding.Quran — Surah Ar-Ra'd (13:3–4)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

Allah invites people to reflect on the fact that the entire universe was created for humanity:

And He has subjected for you all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth; all is from Him. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who reflect.Quran — Surah الجاثية (45:13)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

He causes to grow therewith crops, olives, palm trees, grapevines and all kinds of fruits[6] for you. Indeed, there is a sign in this for people who reflect.[6] It highlight the great wonder that although all these are irrigated with the same water, yet they come in different kinds, tastes, colors and shapes.And He has subjected for you the night and day, the sun and moon, and the stars[7] are made subservient by His command. Indeed, there are signs in this for people of understanding.[7] Stars are crucial for knowing the directions in the darkness of the sea and the land.And He has created for you various kinds of things on earth[8]. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who take heed.[8] Such as animals, minerals, plants and inanimate objects.It is He Who has subjected the sea, so that you may eat from it tender meat and extract ornaments to wear. And you see the ships cleaving their way through its waves[9], so that you may seek His bounty and so that you may give thanks.[9] Another great sign of Allah, that heavy ships and vessels run smoothly on the surface of water without sinking.And He has placed into the earth firm mountains, so it does not tremor with you, and there are rivers[10] and pathways so that you may find your way,[10] Rivers are like bloodlines spreading life in the land; people drink from them along with their livestock, grow crops, and travel through them.and landmarks and the stars by which they find their way[11].[11] With landmarks to find the way during the daytime and with the stars at night.Is then He Who creates equal to one who cannot create? Will you not then take heed?Quran — Surah An-Nahl (16:11–17)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

Allah invites people to reflect on themselves:

Do they not reflect on themselves? Allah did not create the heavens and earth and all that is between them except for a true purpose and for an appointed term, but most people deny the meeting with their Lord.Quran — Surah Ar-Room (30:8)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

Allah invites people to reflect on good values and deeds:

Allah enjoins justice, kindness, and giving relatives[56] [their dues], and He forbids shameful acts, evil deeds and oppression. He exhorts you, so that you may take heed.[56] Degree of kinship: Parents, then offspring, then brothers and sisters, then paternal uncles and aunts, then maternal uncles and aunts, and then other relatives.Quran — Surah An-Nahl (16:90)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

O you who believe, do not enter any house other than your own until you ask permission and greet their dwellers[16]. That is best for you, so that you may take heed.[16] By saying "As-salāmu ‘alaykum" (Peace be with you).Quran — Surah An-Noor (24:27)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

Allah invites people to reflect on the Hereafter, the Hour and the Day of Judgement:

 

Remember Our slaves: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – men of strength and insight.We chose them exclusively for the remembrance of the Final Home.Quran — Surah Saad (38:45–46)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

Are they but waiting for the Hour to come upon them by surprise? Already [some of] its signs have appeared[13]. What good will it do them to take heed when it actually befalls them?[13] Such as the coming of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and the splitting of the moon after the pagans of Makkah challenged the Prophet (ﷺ) which was fulfilled before their eyes, yet they denied that miracle.Quran — Surah Muhammad (47:18)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

Allah invites people to reflect on the living beings He creates:

 

Your Lord inspired the bees, “Make homes in the mountains, the trees, and in the trellises that people put up,Then feed on every kind of fruit and follow the ways that your Lord made easy for you.” There comes out from their bellies a drink[44] of various colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed, there is a sign in this for people who reflect.[44] i.e., honey.Quran — Surah An-Nahl (16:68–69)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

Allah invites people to consider the punishments that might suddenly befall them:

Say, “What do you think[11], if there comes upon you the punishment of Allah or the Hour comes upon you, would you then call upon anyone other than Allah, if you are truthful?”[11] i.e., “Tell me..."Quran — Surah Al-An'aam (6:40)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

Say, “What do you think, if Allah were to take away your hearing and your sight, and seal up your hearts – which god other than Allah could restore them to you?” See how We diversify the signs, yet they still turn away.Say, “What do you think, if the punishment of Allah were to come upon you, suddenly or predictably, who would be destroyed except the wrongdoing people?”Quran — Surah Al-An'aam (6:46–47)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

We gave Moses the Scripture after destroying earlier nations, as an insight for mankind, and a guidance and mercy, so that they may take heed.Quran — Surah Al-Qasas (28:43)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

We have destroyed many like you [O Makkans][21]; is there anyone to take heed?[21] In rejecting Allah's messengers.Quran — Surah Al-Qamar (54:51)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

Allah invites people to reflect on the Quran:

Do they not then ponder on the Qur’an[62]? If it had been from anyone other than Allah, they would have surely found in it many discrepancies.[62] i.e., its words, meanings and directives.Quran — Surah النساء (4:82)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

This is a blessed Book that We have sent down to you [O Prophet] so that they may reflect upon its verses, and so that people of understanding may take heed.Quran — Surah Saad (38:29)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an and diversified its warnings, so that they may fear Allah or it may cause them to take heed.Quran — Surah Taa-Haa (20:113)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

Say [O Prophet], “I do not tell you that I have the treasuries of Allah, nor do I know the unseen, nor do I tell you that I am an angel. I only follow what is revealed to me.” Say, “Is the blind equal to the one who can see[14]? Do you not then contemplate?”[14] The analogy of the blind and the seeing, the dead and the living, is indicating to the disbeliever who is blind of seeing the truth, and the believer who sees it and believes in it.Quran — Surah Al-An'aam (6:50)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

His people argued with him. He said, “Do you argue with me concerning Allah when He has guided me? I do not fear what you associate with Him, [none can harm me] except what my Lord wills. My Lord encompasses everything in His knowledge. Will you not then take heed?Quran — Surah Al-An'aam (6:80)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19

Allah invites people to reflect on death and dreams:

Allah takes away the souls at the time of their death and of those who do not die during their sleep. He withholds the souls of those on whom He has decreed death and releases others until an appointed term. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who reflect.Quran — Surah Az-Zumar (39:42)Source : QuranEnc.com — English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center — v1.0.19