Savor & Soul: Cooking with Islamic Wisdom

Surah Luqman – Ayah 34: 📚 Introduction + Context of Revelation (Shan-e-Nuzool) Surah Luqman – Verse 34 is one of the most profound verses in the Qur’an that highlights Allah’s exclusive knowledge of the unseen (ghayb). 🌟 Context of Revelation: This verse was revealed when the disbelievers of Makkah kept asking Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about: When will the Day of Judgment come? When will it rain? Is the baby in the womb a boy or a girl? What will happen to us tomorrow? In response, Allah revealed this verse, listing five matters that are known only to Him, referred to in Hadith as "Mafātīḥ al-Ghayb" (Keys of the Unseen).  

Surah Al-Quraish – سورة قريش لِإِيلَافِ قُرَيْشٍ To make the Quraish accustomed قریش کو مانوس رکھنے کے لیے إِيلَافِهِمْ رِحْلَةَ الشِّتَاءِ وَالصَّيْفِ Their accustomed security in the caravan of winter and summer ان کے سردی و گرمی کے سفروں کو مانوس رکھنے کے لیے فَلْيَعْبُدُوا رَبَّ هَذَا الْبَيْتِ So let them worship the Lord of this House (Kaaba) پس وہ اس گھر کے رب کی عبادت کریں ٱلَّذِيٓ أَطْعَمَهُم مِّن جُوعٍۢ وَءَامَنَهُم مِّنْ خَوْفٍۢ Who has fed them, [saving them] from hunger and made them safe from fear جس نے انہیں بھوک سے بچا کر کھلایا، اور خوف سے امن بخشا سورۃ القریش – ترجمہ و مختصر تفسیر: اللہ تعالیٰ قریش کو ان نعمتوں کی یاد دہانی کرا رہا ہے جو اس نے انہیں عطا کیں — امن، رزق، اور عزت۔ ان کے تجارتی قافلے سردیوں میں یمن اور گرمیوں میں شام جاتے تھے، اور اللہ نے ان کو یاد دہانی کروارھے ہیں جو اس نے ان کو عطا کی ھوئی ہیں ان نعمتوں کے بدلے میں انہیں چاہئیے کہ وہ صرف اس گھر (کعبہ) کے رب کی عبادت کریں۔ یہ سورۃ ہمیں یاد دلاتی ہے کہ رزق و امن صرف اللہ کے ہاتھ میں ہے، ا...

Story of the People of the Sabbath (Summary ) The People of the Sabbath ( Saturday)were a group from Bani Israel who lived in a town by the sea. Allah had forbidden them to fish on Saturdays (the Sabbath). As a test, Allah made fish appear in abundance only on Saturdays, But not on other days. Instead of obeying, they tried to cheat — they would set traps before Saturday and collect the fish afterwards. Those who broke Allah’s command were punished. Allah said to them: "Be turned into despised apes!" (Qur’an – Surah Al-A‘raf: 163–166) This incident in the Quran teaches an important lesson: defying Allah's commands or trying to outsmart them always leads to a disastrous end. The people of Bani Israel, who were forbidden from fishing on the Sabbath, violated this rule through deceit. They created a pond by diverting the river, causing fish to flow into it on Saturdays. On Sundays, they would catch the fish. Despite repeated warnings, they refused to obey, and as ...

🔰 INTRODUCTION           (Surah At-Tawbah 30 to 32) In these powerful verses, the Qur’an exposes the false beliefs and corrupt practices of previous nations — particularly the Jews and Christians — who deviated from pure monotheism. Instead of worshipping only Allah, they elevated prophets, saints, and religious leaders to divine status. These ayahs are a clear warning and a reminder that Allah’s light (truth and guidance) can never be extinguished, no matter how much the disbelievers try. 📜 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Jews calling Ezra (عزیر) the son of God: While not all Jews believed this, some sects of the Jews in Arabia, especially in Medina, held this belief. Ezra (Uzair عليه السلام) was highly respected for reviving the Torah, and some began to revere him in a way that eventually became shirk (associating partners with Allah). Christians calling Jesus the son of God: This refers to the established Christian belief in the divinity of Jes...

Historical Context In the heart of Madinah, while Muslims struggled with hunger and hardship, the Jewish tribes — who had once been entrusted with the Torah — mocked the believers and said something so blasphemous… “Allah’s hand is tied.” Meaning — God is stingy. God has nothing more to give. (نعوذ بالله) ⚡This was no ordinary insult. They were mocking Allah… doubting His mercy… and twisting divine truth for their pride. This is the nation… that killed the Prophets of Allah… insulted the Almighty… and even dared to say: 'Allah is poor'! Do you know… which sins the Qur’an exposed about them?" They twist the truth… They eat forbidden wealth… Their scholars stay silent… And they dared to say: ‘Allah’s hand is tied!’ But the Qur’an answered them with a curse… Their hatred, corruption, and urebellion were exposed… And Allah declared: ‘We have placed enmity among them… until the Day of Judgment.’ This is not history — this is the eternal truth revealed by Al...

Translation: Surah Al-Ma’idah, Ayah 17: “Certainly they disbelieve who say, ‘Indeed, Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary.’ Say, ‘Then who could prevent Allah at all if He had intended to destroy the Messiah, the son of Mary, or his mother, or everyone on the earth?’ And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them. He creates what He wills, and Allah is over all things competent.” Surah Al-Ma’idah, Ayah 18: “But the Jews and the Christians say, ‘We are the children of Allah and His beloved ones.’ Say, ‘Then why does He punish you for your sins? Rather, you are human beings from among those He has created. He forgives whom He wills, and He punishes whom He wills. And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, and to Him is the [final] destination These verses from Surah Al-Ma’idah address significant theological misconceptions held by Jews and Christians, emphasising Allah’s oneness, justice, and ...

🌟 Introduction & Background: These verses were revealed in Madinah after the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ migrated there. At that time, three major Jewish tribes lived in Madinah: Banu Qaynuqa Banu Nadir Banu Qurayzah These tribes believed themselves to be the chosen people of God, claiming that: Paradise is exclusively for them, Other nations, including Muslims, are not worthy of salvation, They were superior because they had received earlier scriptures. The Qur’an responded to their arrogant claims by exposing the hypocrisy and contradictions in their behavior and beliefs. 📖 Verse-by-Verse Explanation (Surah Al-Baqarah 94–97): 🧩 Verse 94 — "If Paradise is only for you..." “Say: If the home of the Hereafter with Allah is for you alone, and not for others, then wish for death – if you are truthful.” 🔍 Explanation: This verse challenges the Jewish claim that they alone deserve Paradise. The logic is simple: If you’re so sure of your exclusive right to Paradise, ...