Logging life

when you wake up, and at night but what is the meaning of "after the setting of the stars"? And exalt [ Allah ] with praise of your Lord when you arise. And in a part of the night exalt Him and after [the setting of] the stars. [Surah At-Toor : 48:49 . Sahih International translation]

Some of the characteristics of Mutaqqeen: Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and springs, Accepting what their Lord has given them. Indeed, they were before that doers of good.They used to sleep but little of the night, And in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness, And from their properties was [given] the right of the [needy] petitioner and the deprived. [ Surah Ad-Dariyat: 15-19 ] Translation by Sahih International

O ye who believe! Shun much suspicion; for lo! some suspicion is a crime. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Ye abhor that (so abhor the other)! And keep your duty (to Allah). Lo! Allah is Relenting, Merciful. [Surah Al-Hujurat: 12] translated by Pickthall

Making fun of others has reached new levels with the arrival of digital age. Quran tells us not to mock others, defame, or insult each other. O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed: And those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong. [Surah Al-Hujurat : 11] translation by Yusuf Ali

Lot more Muslim lose their lives in Muslim vs. Muslim violence than in violence perpetrated by non-Muslims on them. Still, whenever there is a news of Muslim-Muslim violence it becomes difficult for a Muslim whom to support and whom to oppose. Quran provides some guidance for this dilemma. If two parties among the Believers fall into a quarrel, make ye peace between them : but if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against the other, then fight ye (all) against the one that transgresses until it complies with the command of Allah; but if it complies, then make peace between them with justice, and be fair: for Allah loves those who are fair (and just). The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers ; and fear Allah, that ye may receive Mercy. [Surah Al-Hujurat : 9-10. Translation by Yusuf Ali]

It is so easy to "share" and "retweet" any piece of information. Quran instructs us to be careful and verify. O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful. [Surah Al-Hujurat:6]

Among all the ibadaat , only zikr has no limit to it. But of course what use is zikr if we don't have fikr ? In the following verse there is a warning for those who don't do zikr. Today's age when we have limited free time it is all the more important to take some time out to read Qur'an with meaning and understanding and setting some time apart for zikr and fikr . And whoever turns himself away from the remembrance of the Beneficent Allah, We appoint for him a Shaitan, so he becomes his associate. [ Surah Az-Zukhraf: 46 ]

Regarding births, Allah mentions female before male child but then in the next verse about twin births He first mentions males even though it seems female twin births are more common. To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; He creates what he wills. He gives to whom He wills female [children], and He gives to whom He wills males. Or He makes them [both] males and females, and He renders whom He wills barren. Indeed, He is Knowing and Competent. [ Surah Shuraa : 49-50 ] Not sure if anyone fully understand these verses.

Sahih International : Surah Shoora [ 36:43 ] So whatever thing you have been given - it is but [for] enjoyment of the worldly life. But what is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who have believed and upon their Lord rely. And those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, and when they are angry, they forgive. And those who have responded to their lord and established prayer and whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves, and from what We have provided them, they spend. And those who, when tyranny strikes them, they defend themselves, And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation - his reward is [due] from Allah . Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers. And whoever avenges himself after having been wronged - those have not upon them any cause [for blame]. The cause is only against the ones who wrong the people and tyrannize upon the earth without right. Those will have a painful punishme

When the fuel of so much violence around us is religion then we have to take lead in talking to other faith communities. Muslims are confused about inter-faith dialogues, many take that as an opportunity for giving dawah but the goal should be to develop a better understanding. This verse provides a good basis for Muslims to enter into interfaith dialogues. So to that [religion of Allah ] invite, [O Muhammad], and remain on a right course as you are commanded and do not follow their inclinations but say, "I have believed in what Allah has revealed of the Qur'an, and I have been commanded to do justice among you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. For us are our deeds, and for you your deeds. There is no [need for] argument between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to Him is the [final] destination." [Surah Ash-Shura : 15 Sahih International translation ]

The good deed and the evil deed are not alike. Repel the evil deed with one which is better, then lo! he, between whom and thee there was enmity (will become) as though he was a bosom friend. [ Surah Ha-meem sajda : 36 ] Pickthall translation

Surah Fussilat or Ha-meem Sajdah : 9 -12 http://quran.com/41/9-12 Say, "Do you indeed disbelieve in He who created the earth in two days and attribute to Him equals? That is the Lord of the worlds." And He placed on the earth firmly set mountains over its surface, and He blessed it and determined therein its [creatures'] sustenance in four days without distinction - for [the information] of those who ask. Then He directed Himself to the heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, "Come [into being], willingly or by compulsion." They said, "We have come willingly." And He completed them as seven heavens within two days and inspired in each heaven its command. And We adorned the nearest heaven with lamps and as protection. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.

Islam has come for this world and the next and Allah's help is not just a promise for the hereafter but in this life too. Most surely We help Our messengers, and those who believe, in this world's life and on the day when the witnesses shall stand. [ Surah Mu'min : 51 ] Shakir therefore we are asked to pray for both this life and the hereafter dua : رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

So invoke Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, although the disbelievers dislike it. [ Al-Mu'min : 14] Sahih International and when you do call Allah with sincerety : And your Lord says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible. [ Al-Mu'min : 60] Sahih International

Why do we have so many examples, parables, similitude in Quran? And We have certainly presented for the people in this Qur'an from every [kind of] example - that they might remember. [Az-Zumar: 27] translation: Sahih International

Why do we read Quran and what should be the immediate and long-term impact of its reading on the readers? Quran explains the immediate affect of reading: Allah has sent down the best statement, a Book (this Quran), its parts resembling each other in goodness and truth, oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (when they recite it or hear it). Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah. He Guides therewith whom He pleases and whomever Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide. [Az-Zumar: 23] Muhsin Khan translation.