What do IKEA furniture, LEGOs and nature have in common? Ustadh Michael Wolfender explains how they can help us appreciate and understand Allah’s Design, including how Allah references in Surah At-Tariq the falling of rain and evaporation (86:11). As the school year concludes, Ustadh Michael encourages students and each of us to value our time together and not individually in front of screens. Connect with Allah’s Book and His Guidance. Interested in learning to understand and pronounce the final surahs of the Holy Qur’an correctly? Good Tree Academy students help with just that at quranconnection.org/learn Support the show (http://www.goodtreeacademy.org/donate?id=pd)

Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy

Appreciating Allah’s Design and the Purpose of His Book

Ustadh Michael Wolfender has words of encouragement for Good Tree Academy students to spend their summer building on what they’ve learned this school year from Allah’s Book. The Qur’an is Allah’s Book with benefits from reciting its verses. It is the final revelation from Allah complete with His Words. The Qur’an brings humans from darkness to light. The Qur’an is a cure and protection and it makes you a better person. Listen as Ustadh Michael shares the story of an early accepter of Islam, how the Qur’an brought him to light and why Islam’s own enemies could not help but to seek listening to the Qur’an. Support the show (http://www.goodtreeacademy.org/donate?id=pd)

The Dividends of Spending Time with The Qur’an

Ustadh  Michael Wolfender reminds us how angels will visit us when it is our time to return to Allah. It can be a time to be happy to see and meet them, especially if you’ve taken advantage of seven times when angels pray for you:When you are eating suhoor, the pre-dawn meal prior to fasting, angels mention you to Allah based on your intention, as Allah says fasting is between Him and His believer. Arrive early to be in the first row at the masjidSit after salah and remember Allah as angels will ask Allah to forgive you and have mercy on youWhen you teach others good things, angels and all the animals on earth make dua for youWhen you make dua for someone who is not with you, Allah appoints an angel to say ‘ameen’ so your request on behalf of another applies to you, tooWhen you spend for the sake of Allah, Allah returns what you spendWhen you make wudu before going to sleep, an angel is as close as hugging you all night; if you wake up, the angel asks Allah for your protection and forgivenessSupport the show (http://www.goodtreeacademy.org/donate?id=pd)

7 Ways to Receive Protection from Angels

Ustadh Michael Wolfender recites from five surahs in the Holy Qur’an where Allah explains, among other aspects of angels, the protection He provided the delivery of His Book by Angel Gabriel.  Al-Qadr (97 The Power) discusses the one night every year in the last third of Ramadan when Allah floods the earth with angels and why this night carries the power of 1000 months. Even Angel Gabriel descends on earth that night, though his mission of delivering the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is complete. One of the attributes of Allah of which He is known by is Al Lateef, The Subtle. Brother Michael explains that developing a relationship with Allah helps you understand this attribute, for instance, in how Allah helps you see what is subtle. And Brother Michael provides some examples of how this applies to angels in our presence. He shares a story of a hospitalized man who spoke to angels and their conversation with him to understand that those afflicted with ailments who get angry about that are suffering punishment from Allah. Those who are patient with their ailments receive the reward of it being an expiation. When you are content with Allah, it raises your degrees of favor with Him. Ustadh Michael shares the story of the Battle of Badr where Allah sent angels to aid His believers fighting in His Cause, though they were triply outnumbered. And finally, Ustadh Michael shares how you can talk with angels in each daily prayer. These lessons help us understand the value of seeing the Night of Power in the last ten nights of Ramadan.Support the show (http://www.goodtreeacademy.org/donate?id=pd)

Unseen but not Unreal: Preparing for the Annual Visit from Angels

Ustadh Michael Wolfender uses surahs Ar-Ra’d (13 The Thunder) and Ibrahim (14 Abraham) and their explanations to help teach the unending value of learning to seek and understand Allah, as this brings true relaxation and peace. All of the messengers Allah sent delivered the same message that Allah is our Provider, place your trust in Him and that He controls all. Our job is to worship and please Allah. Verses 32 - 34 of Surah Ibrahim describe Allah and His Might with some examples including rain, fruits, ships, rivers, the sun and moon, day and night; including there are countless blessings we cannot complete enumerating. Ustadh Michael emphasizes the power of dua, asking of and remembering Allah as when you please Allah, He gives you more. Surah Ibrahim memorializes how prophet Ibrahim (as) made a dua asking Allah to ensure his descendants were consistent in worship: “My Lord! Make me and those ˹believers˺ of my descendants keep up prayer. Our Lord! Accept my prayers.” (14:40)Ayah 7 of Surah Ibrahim includes the guarantee of how remembering Allah ensures He provides more: “And ˹remember˺ when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more. But if you are ungrateful, surely My punishment is severe.’”Allah guarantees the best for His believers, including paradise where angels will visit you. And finally, Surah Ibrahim contains the verse for which Good Tree Academy is named: “Do you not see how Allah coSupport the show (http://www.goodtreeacademy.org/donate?id=pd)

Learning to Seek and Understand Our Creator

The Muslim lunar calendar means Ramadan moves back about 10 days every year. Ramadan is a month where Muslims fast, staying away from food and drink during the daytime as primary items per Allah’s Command. When you are strong enough to stay away from food and drink during the daytime, you realize you have the power to stay away from what you&apos;re not supposed to do and to withhold yourself from something you really want. The most successful Ramadans begin with a plan, which correlates to taking action in life. Science has underscored the benefits of fasting though there is no determination on the best way to achieve this - other than the Guidance Allah provides in Surah Al-Baqarah (2 The Cow) where Allah details that fasting is for a prescribed period of the month of Ramadan. More importantly than physical benefits of fasting is the spiritual connection and mental  resilience fasting develops. Allah says fasting is between Him and His worshipper. No one needs to know you are fasting. Allah is pleased with efforts His believers take in His Way, including rewarding happiness for the advent of the month of fasting. Support the show (http://www.goodtreeacademy.org/donate?id=pd)

How Ramadan Makes You a Better Person

Guest khateeb Hammad Qasim Siddiqui describes why Allah created each of us imperfect, prone to error. This creates our opportunity to ask for His Forgiveness and understand how close He is to each of us. In Surah Al-Furqan (25 The Criterion): Allah says: “Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (25:70)A key to closeness to Allah is through dua or asking of Him. Start dua by praising Allah and thanking Him for the blessings He provides. Brother Hammad concludes with an example of how sincerity in dua can result in Allah changing sins to good deeds, resulting in the reward of entry into paradise.Support the show (http://www.goodtreeacademy.org/donate?id=pd)

Asking for Forgiveness and its Bounty

Allah explains the significance of the month of Ramadan starting in the second surah of the Holy Qur’an: "Ramaḍân is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard ˹to distinguish between right and wrong˺. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful. When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺."" (Al Baqarah 2:185 - 186)We learn the Qur’an was sent down in the month of Ramadan and when His servants ask, Allah is near and answers those who ask of Him. Ustadh Michael Wolfender hares four surahs showing the power of Ramadan we can&apos;t see with our own eyes.The first is Al-Qadr (97 The Power) where Allah explains sending down the entire Qur&apos;an to the lowest heaven on Laylatul Qadr, known as the Night of Power and thus this night is better than a thousand months. It is also annually when all angels visit earth including angel Gibreel. Laylatul Qadr began the year Gibreel came to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ with the first five verses of the Qur’an from Surah Al-’Alaq (96 The Clot). This occurred in a cave on Mount Hira and angel Gibreel continued to deliver revelation over the course of 23 years. The second is Ad-Dukhan (44 The Smoke) which Allah begins: "By the clear Book! Indeed, We sent it down on a blessed night, for We always warn ˹against evil˺. On that night every matter of wisdom is ordained by a command from Us, for We have always sent ˹messengers˺ as a mercy from your Lord. He ˹alone˺ is truly the All-Hearing, All-Knowing —  the Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything in between, if only you had sure faith.” (44:2-7) The blessed night referred to here is Laylatul Qadr, thought to be one of the odd nights in the last ten during Ramadan. This night is when Allah sends HIs Decrees for the coming year. It is on this particular night Muslims search for to seek Mercy from our Master as he hears those who ask and understands how we feel inside. Support the show (http://www.goodtreeacademy.org/donate?id=pd)

The Power of Ramadan

There are seven surahs in the Holy Qu’ran referred to as the ‘musabeehat’ in Arabic. They start with phrases of glorification of Our Creator. They were revealed by Allah to bring comfort and relief to His Believers. The first is Surat Al-A&apos;la (87 The Most High), This surah brought so much comfort of Prophet Muhammad that he often recited it in jummuah, the Friday congregation, and the Eid clebration prayers. Glorifying Allah reminds us of His Perfection and this world is not perfect. This brings peace to believe in and seek to understand Allah’s Perfection, including in all that He creates and decrees. The second surah, Al-Isra (17 The Night Journey), was revealed in what is referred to as The Year of Sadness, when Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ wife, uncle and son, who were all beloved relatives to him, returned to Allah. It was during this time that Allah provided His prophet ﷺ the miraculous journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and ascended him ﷺ to heaven to receive gifts including the command for daily prayers and the two verses of Surat Al-Baqarah (2 The Cow). Muslims partake of these gifts daily in worship, glorifying Allah when bowing and prostrating. Allah begins Surah Al-Isra: “Glory be to the One Who took His servant ˹Muḥammad˺ by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” Glorifying Our Creator brings believers ease. The Qur’an is a cure from disease and harm. In the 82nd verse of Surah Al-Isra, Allah says: وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مَا هُوَ شِفَآءٌۭ وَرَحْمَةٌۭ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًۭا the first part of which translates as: “We send down the Quran as a healing and mercy for the believers.” Other surahs in the musabeehat Allah sent during times of Islam’s early revelation to ease the hardships His believers faced, including a seige from 300 soldiers. With the right intention, actions and asking of Allah, relief comes. In this situation, the Muslims dug a trench and Allah sent a sandstorm which caused the soldiers to retreat. Remembering Allah’s Perfection brings peace, comfort and strength. Completing our look at these surahs:The beginning of Al-Hadid (57 The Iron), Al-Hashr (59 The Exile) and As-Saf (61 The Ranks) all start with:  “Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth glorifies Allah. For He is the Almighty, All-Wise.”Al-Hashr ends with: “He is Allah: the Creator, the Inventor, the Shaper. He ˹alone˺ has the Most Beautiful Names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth ˹constantly˺ glorifies Him. And He is the Almighty, All-Wise.”Al-Jumu&apos;ah (62 The Congregation, Friday) begins with: “Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth ˹constantly˺ glorifies Allah—the King, the Most Holy, the Almighty, the All-Wise.”At-Taghabun (64 The Mutual Delusion) “Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth ˹constantly˺ glorifies Allah. The kingdom is His, and all praise is for Him. For He is Most Capable of everything.”Support the show (http://www.goodtreeacademy.org/donate?id=pd)

In hardship, call on Allah

Ustadh Michael Wolfender recites from Surah Quraysh (106 Quraysh) where Allah acknowledges the blessings He provided people in Mecca at the time of Islam’s onset. These blessings included a variety of food and safety in a desert. However, when humans get used to blessings as normal, they forget these favors indeed are blessings from Our Creator. This can even lead to, as in the case for the Quraysh, disbelieving in the Signs of Allah by not being thankful to Him. This angers Allah.So we should remember Allah and thank Him for the blessings He provides. Or He may take away these blessings, as its own harsh reminder. This was the case in Texas’ recent winter storm. Snow took away electricity, literal power, in the state. Of course, many take the blessing of having electricity as normal. Ustadh Michael reminds it is a blessing that Allah took away this blessing of normality. Normality can breed forgetfulness. Removing this normality can also breed thankfulness to Allah. We need reminders of the Blessings from Allah. Say bismillah (“in the name of Allah”) before eating. After a meal, say Alhamdulillah (“all praise and thanks is due to Allah”).Ustadh Michael references Surah 56 Al Waqiah where Allah points out His Blessings in verses 63 – 72: ”Have you not considered what you sow? Is it you who cause it to grow, or is it We Who do so? If We willed, We could simply reduce this ˹harvest˺ to chaff, leaving you to lament, “We have truly suffered a ˹great˺ loss. In fact, we have been deprived ˹of our livelihood˺.” Have you considered the water you drink? Is it you who bring it down from the clouds, or is it We Who do so? If We willed, We could make it salty. Will you not then give thanks? Have you considered the fire you kindle? Is it you who produce its trees, or is it We Who do so?”Food, water and heat are Blessings from Allah. Not complaining is showing gratitude for Allah and to Him. Asking Allah (making dua) is showing gratitude in asking Him to return His Favors, such as life without a pandemic. Maintaining a school environment such as Good Tree Academy is a blessing. Being able to pray, worship Allah and bow down before Him is a blessing. Many don’t have or partake of these blessings. We should be grateful for and look for the blessings Allah provides and not complain. Patience and gratitude are traits of those who are successful, earning Allah’s Greatest Reward of eternity in His Paradise.Support the show (http://www.goodtreeacademy.org/donate?id=pd)

Lessons from Surah Al-Waqi'ah (56 The Inevitable): Gratitude in Depravity

Imam Ilir Aliji shares guidance from Surah Yusuf (12 Joseph) on interaction between children and parents.Support the show (http://www.goodtreeacademy.org/donate?id=pd)

Parenting Advice from Surah Yusuf

Surah Al-Anam (The Cattle ) is the sixth chapter of the Qur&apos;an with 165 verses which were revealed all at once. Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares two verses or ayah from the Holy Qur&apos;an which ultimately underscore the peace of Islam in its appropriate practice. Translations of the two ayah from Arabic are: "Indeed, Allah is the One Who causes seeds and fruit stones to sprout. He brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living. That is Allah! How can you then be deluded ˹from the truth˺?" (6:95)"Whoever Allah wills to guide, He opens their heart to Islam. But whoever He wills to leave astray, He makes their chest tight and constricted as if they were climbing up into the sky. This is how Allah dooms those who disbelieve." (6:125)Looking at the beginning of 6:95, we learn Allah as Our Creator is The One who opens seeds and causes soft saplings to grow. In the same way, Allah can open a believer&apos;s chest as true power is in being soft, not harsh. Power is in submitting to the Commands of Allah which allows the believer to be relaxed. In 6:125, Ustadh Michael uses the example of a hot air balloon and how the lighter air inside causes it to rise. Being guided in Islam provides relief, similar to how deep breathing provides relaxation. In doing this, you feel your chest expand when taking deep breaths. Islam is submitting to Allah to acheive peace. Without this relaxation, one&apos;s chest feels squeezed with worldly concerns, worries and fears. Using this same literal technique of breathing to expand your chest allows a believer to breathe when reciting the first chapter of the Noble Qur&apos;an, Al Fatihah, to feel the connection in daily prayer. This draws a wave of relaxation throughout the body, expanding your chest as a believer submitting to Allah. Relaxation triggers hormones allowing your brain to be relaxed. Recite surah Al-Fatiha slowly. When you recite Qur&apos;an slowly, you feel relaxed.Support the show (http://www.goodtreeacademy.org/donate?id=pd)

Lessons from 2 Verses in Surah Al-An'am (6 The Cattle)

Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares the story of early Muslims provided safety from persecution by migrating to Africa and examples of early believers in Islam who were black. Piety and character is what we should value in our fellow humans, not the color of their skin.Support the show (http://www.goodtreeacademy.org/donate?id=pd)

Islam’s View of Racial Equality

Ustadh Michael Wolfender was looking for the beauty of the Qur’an and shares how he found its power, in particular while listening to Surat ‘Abasa (80 He Frowned). Allah trains your heart to be touched by the Qur'an when you seek to only worship Him. Whoever who has a heart who wants to know Allah is the best. This is a premise in Surat ‘Abasa referencing the blind man who is now memorialized in the Qur’an. Allah made him famous due to his dedication to learn about Him. And the lesson Allah taught his prophet ﷺ brought him to tears. Allah cares about the heart which is eager to learn. This will raise your rank with Allah and He is The Loving. We can learn from the Signs of Allah. Everything in creation is a Sign of Allah and this can draw you closer to Him.Support the show (http://www.goodtreeacademy.org/donate?id=pd)

The Power of the Qur’an

All of Allah’s messengers came with the same message: worship Allah alone. Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares four lessons from a contemporary of Jesus, John the Baptist, and their correlation to the fifth ayat of Surat Al-Bayyinah (98 The Clear Proof): “... even though they were only commanded to worship Allah ˹alone˺ with sincere devotion to Him in all uprightness, establish prayer, and pay alms-tax. That is the upright Way.” (98:5) What are these lessons from Allah’s prophet? Don’t worship other than Allah alone, giving charity can save you, angels love the smell of those who are fasting and when you remember Allah, it is your own fortress you build of safety. Further, John the Baptist advised the importance of connecting your heart in prayer and focusing your mind, praying as if Allah is in front of you listening to each word and answering each of your requests. Support the show (http://www.goodtreeacademy.org/donate?id=pd)

Remember 4 Lessons from John the Baptist (Prophet Yahya)

Making Allah's guidance meaningful for everyone is part of the mission of Good Tree Academy, an Islamic school with Pre-K to high school curriculum in learning Arabic, Qur'an and equivalent core curriculum to local public schools. Qur'an Connection seeks to share guidance for everyone seeking it. Support our project at www.goodtreeacademy.org/donate?id=pd

hubhopper

Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy

hubhopper