 Dear viewers, As-salamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Throughout our discussion, within interpretation, commentary of the Holy Quran, Alhamdulillah, we are blessed to be amongst the teachings of Quran and Ahl al-Bayt, alaykum as-salam, and diving into the ocean of the knowledge of Ahl al-Bayt, alaykum as-salam and Quran. In the past four episodes, we had some introductions of how should we approach the Holy Quran and that we are in need of interpretations of Quran based upon the narrations of Ahl al-Bayt, alaykum as-salam. And we are going to emphasize that again, we should only read, not only we should read those interpretations that are based upon the teachings and the narrations of Ahl al-Bayt, alaykum as-salam and that is not based upon people's understanding of the Holy Quran because, as we mentioned within the first couple of episodes, we have been forbidden by Ahl al-Bayt, alaykum as-salam to interpret the Holy Quran by our own understanding. So, inshallah, we want to start. Starting the Quran, we have narrations from Ahl al-Bayt, alaykum as-salam and the verses of Quran that before recitation of the Holy Quran, we should seek protection of Allah against the outcast Satan, where we read Chapter 16, Verse 98, where Allah says, Audhu Billah min al-Shaytan al-Rajim, فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاَستَعْذْ بِالْلَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانَ الْرَجِيمِ When you recite the Quran, seek the protection of Allah against the outcast Satan. And we have narrations that the Rasulullah Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa alayh, anytime that he wanted to recite the Holy Quran, he would recite this verse, Audhu Billah min al-Shaytan al-Rajim, and then he will continue with the recitation of the verses of the Holy Quran. Why is it? Because we should, when we feel danger, we seek protection. When there is no danger, we don't seek protection. When we feel that something might harm us, we try to take protection to not be harmed. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, that he's mentioning, فَإِذَا قَرَأَتَ And when you recite the Quran, we can understand different interpretations, it's been given by different interpreters, that why we are in need and we should recite the Quran, starting with Audhu Billah, seeking protection of Allah against the outcast Satan. Number one, when we approach Quran, we have to purify our hearts and our nefs and our soul. So when we read Quran, we can receive the light of the guidance of the Holy Quran. I'll give you an example, when we have a mirror and we want to see ourselves in the mirror, if it's dusty, we won't be able to see ourselves. First we have to cleanse it, we have to remove the dust in order for us to see ourselves in the mirror. Same thing for the Quran, in order for Quran to guide us and if you remember within the previous episode we said we have to place Quran in front of us and let the Quran to lead us, to take us to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and to heaven. So when we read Quran, we should not come and read Quran with some preconcepted ideas and have some perspectives of this is what I want to learn from Quran and I can see Quran only from this angle. No, I'm purifying my heart, I'm submitting myself to the Quran, leaving Quran, learning Quran to guide me to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and to the right path. So that's, we should recite Awadullah min al shaitan al jim at the beginning of Quran. Some interpretations say that we should recite it at the beginning of the Quran. Some came and they said we understand if I read Quran, is that throughout the reading of Quran while reciting, we have to keep reminding ourselves that we need protection from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala because we're being guided. Quran guides us, Quran guides us to the right path. So we know that we have our number one enemy to be shaitan. He swore to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala that he will come from our right and left and the front and the back and he will try his best to deviate us from the right path. So when we are in the process of reciting Quran and we're reciting Quran, don't you think shaitan will try to attack us from everywhere possible to make our mind go away? To not understand the Quran? To not be guided by the Holy Quran? Definitely. So before reciting Quran and while we're reciting Quran, we need protection of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, we need to seek the protection of Allah against the outcast Satan. We have to keep reminding ourselves, O Allah, help me. O Allah, I feel in danger. We should feel in danger of shaitan trying to deviate us every minute of our life, every second of our life. We should not think, okay, one day Alhamdulillah, shaitan is taking a rest. It's Saturday, it's Friday, it's Sunday. Well, I have reached the age of 50, 60, shaitan leaves, left me alone. No, he doesn't. Shaitan promised, he says, he swore to Allah's honor and dignity, I will deviate them all, except the rest of the burst. So we should feel this danger, that he is trying to deviate us as much as possible. He's putting his best effort. So while we're reading Quran, Quran is guiding us. Quran is leading us, inshallah, we are leading Quran in front to lead us. Shaitan comes from right and left. So we need, while we recite Quran, to seek the protection of Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala. So before we recite, for purification, we need to seek protection of Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, for purification. While we recite Quran, so we make sure to get guidance from the Quran, and we won't be deviated. Because Quran said, these, there are people, if you remember within the previous episode, there are, we read that. He was the one who sent down the book, from the verses of the judges. They are the mother of the book, and others are the similarities. As for those in their hearts, as they sing, they follow the similarities between them, according to their fate, and according to their nature. Allah says, it is He who has sent down to you the book. Part of it are definitive verses, which are the mothers of the book, while others are metaphorical. As for those whose heart is deviant, they pursue what is metaphorical in it, courting temptation, and courting its interpretation. So when we read Quran, if we have not seek protection of Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, within while we recite Quran, we might see a verse that we think, okay, well, I'm gonna act upon this verse, not knowing that this verse might be a mutashabah, or metaphorical. And I start acting about it, and Shaytan says, okay, no, these are muhkamat, these are definitive. So we are in need of Allah's protection before, while, and after recitation of the Holy Quran. That is why Quran says, فَإِذَا قَرَأَتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاَسْتَعَذْ بِاللَّهْ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانَ الرَّجِيمِ When you recite the Quran, seek the protection of Allah against the outcast Satan. So we will not be confused. We will not be misguided, not understanding the Quran, not understanding the verses of the Quran, and coming with our own perception to the Holy Quran. Quran says the same Quran can increase deviance to the disbelievers. And after recitation of the Holy Quran, we need the protection of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala from Shaytan. We came with a purified heart. We read, عَوُذُ بِاللَّهْ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانَ الرَّجِيمِ beginning of Quran. We recite it. So we purified our heart. We came to Quran. While reciting Quran, we have in mind, عَوُذُ بِاللَّهْ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانَ الرَّجِيمِ is not only something that we say verbally, عَوُذُ بِاللَّهْ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانَ الرَّجِيمِ continue. No. It has to come and to be in us. We have to believe that we are in danger and we are in need of Allah's protection. This has to become part of our belief. If we don't feel in danger of Shaytan's deviation, we say عَوُذُ بِاللَّهْ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانَ الرَّجِيمِ and we move on. But if it comes part of our belief, we will take it seriously. O Allah, in every minute of my life, I need your help. O Allah, help me. O Allah, I need to be under your protection every second of my life. O Allah, don't leave me alone, even a glance of an eye. So, we came with a purified heart. Good. Guide start guiding us. While we are reading Quran, inshallah we are reading it with a purified heart and we don't come to it with our perception that this is what I want to gain from Quran to back my point of view and my argument. We don't have that mindset. After recitation of Quran, we finish Sadaqa Allah al-Azim, we put it aside, we make sure what we have read, we make sure what we have understood to stay with us and for us to be able to act upon those verses. Not only we take the Quran, read it and then leave it, don't understand it, what it meant, what it want us to do and what was the action plan of the Holy Quran for you and I. So, if you read Quran, you will be able to use Allah from the Holy Quran before, while and after we should seek the protection of Allah against the outcasts. I seek the protection of Allah from the Holy Quran. Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim, we come to Surat al-Hamd. Before getting to the Bismillah, the first verse of the Holy Quran, we talk a little bit about, inshallah, talk about the chapter itself and its importance. Chapter 15 verse 87, while Allah says, وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَاكَ سَبْعَنْ مِنَ الْمَثَانِ وَالْقُرْانَ الْعَظِيمِ Certainly, we have given you the seven oft-repeated verses and the great Quran. We need to think a little bit, ponder. Allah says, وَقَدْ آتَيْنَاكَ سَبْعَنْ مِنَ الْمَثَانِ that's one of the names of Surat al-Hamd. Surat al-Hamd, one of the names is Al-Hamd. سَبْعَنْ مِنَ الْمَثَانِ another name. أم القرآن another name. أم الكتاب another name. Has different names, this chapter. Has different names. Allah says, We certainly have given you the seven oft-repeated verses on one hand and the great Quran He placed it next to one another. How much value Surat al-Hamd has. That Allah brought it as equal to the Holy Quran completely. So on one scale, Surat al-Hamd and on the other scale, the whole Quran. How much value this Surah has. And we have to pay attention to its meaning and insha'Allah you will see. We definitely have to spend good amount of maybe at least five or six or even seven episodes about, it might go more, about this chapter. How much lessons we can learn, how much action plan we can get from this chapter. Narration from Rasulullah Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa alayhi which also shows us the importance of this chapter. Where Rasulullah says, لجابر يا جابر ألا علمك أفضل سورة أنزلها الله في كتابه The Holy Prophet asks his jabr, one of his companions, do you want me to teach you the best, the greatest chapter that Allah has revealed in his holy book? فقال جابر بلا بأبي أنت وأمي Yes, please. يا رسول الله رسول الله تلم فعلمه الحمد لله أم والكتاب رسول الله taught him Surat al-Hamd to be the greatest chapter revealed within the Holy Quran. ثم قال له يا جابر and the rest of the hadith where he says he has a lengthy hadith هي شفاء من كل داء اللسام يعني الموت You can get cure by recitation of Surat al-Hamd from every illness and diseases except death. If one believes in it and with sincerity and he has removed all the obstacles for the acceptance of the dua and acceptance of the recitation and acceptance of the recitation of the Holy Quran رسول الله says هي شفاء من كل داء It can cure every illness except death. How much importance, how much value this chapter has Surat al-Hamd and also another name that has been mentioned أم والكتاب سب عن من المثاني one of the names أم والكتاب another أم والكتاب why it's been mentioned as أم والكتاب or أم القرآن because in this chapter we read some of the verses talks about oneness of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala the whole Quran it's either about oneness of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala or it's about the day of judgment or it's about Allah's attribute or about guidance or misguidance and who to follow and who not to follow all of this has been summarized within this seven verses of the Holy Quran so some is about Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala unity of Allah oneness of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and his attributes and the second part is also that discusses about قيامة the day of judgment معالي قيامة دين and also talks about guidance and misguidance and the disbelievers and then Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is the creator and all merciful all beneficent so discussion comes that Rasulullah says أم الكتاب كتاب the definition of كتاب means something that has two covers and there are papers in the middle of it so when Rasulullah discusses أم الكتاب and during the time of the Prophet they used to call this also أم الكتاب what we can conclude that during the life of the Prophet or فاتحة الكتاب during the time of the Prophet the book of Quran was compiled as a book وَنَصُلُ اللَّهَ calls it فاتحة الكتاب within our Ahadith or أم الكتاب كتاب has the definition of a book it's not a leaflet it's not skins it's not pages no, كتاب which is very very important this is part of our belief as a twelve verse she insha'Allah of أهل البيت حليوم السلام we believe that Quran was compiled and put together during the time of the Prophet we have a hadith where أم العمير المومين the commander of the faithful stated that I used to Rasulullah used to tell me put this verse here put this verse here this chapter here this chapter here this verse here and Rasulullah was the one who ordered and taught أم العمير المومين the commander of the faithful where the Quran needs to how needs to be compiled and how it should be of his Fatiha to the Kitab this Surat Al-Hamd was not the first chapter which was revealed to the Holy Prophet Surat Al-Alaq verses of the chapter of Al-Alaq was the one who which was revealed upon Rasulullah Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa alaihi so the book of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala was compiled during the time of Rasulullah and we have discussion insha'Allah within this topic insha'Allah we will leave it today next episode but we will conclude with the most important dua'a that we should remember and that will be insha'Allah to ask Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala to hasten may peace be upon our beloved Imam Mahdi ad-dallah ta'ala farajah al-sharee بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم اللهم كل وليك الحجة من الحسان صلواتك عليه وعلى آبائه في هذه الساعة وفي كل ساعة وليين وحافظة وقائدا وناصراء ودليلا وعيناء حتى تسكنه وارضك طوعا وتمتعه فيها طويلا برحمتك يا الرحمن الرحمن