In the weekly Exploring the Qur'an class at SeekersHub Toronto (www.SeekersHub.org), Shaykh Faraz Rabbani covered the Qualities of the Servants of the All-Merciful from Surat al-Furqan (25.63-77), on Friday, August 31, 2012. This was based on the recommendation of Imam Afroz Ali, who touched upon these verses the week before.

These verses mention 11 key qualities of true righteous believers--who seek Allah's Mercy and are manifestations of mercy and virtue in their lives. This qualities are:

(1) Humility. (2) Forbearance. (3) Night Worship. (4) Fear. (5) Leaving Excess & Remissness. (6) Leaving Wrong: Shirk, Zina, Killing. (7) Repentance. (8) Leaving Lying. (9) Overlooking Other’s Errors. (10) Accepting Admonition. (11) Turning to Allah [Qurtubi, al-Jami` li Ahkam al-Qur'an]

Some gems shared by Shaykh Faraz in the class:

On humility: "Those that 'tread lightly on earth' do so through their character and in conduct. They don't harm anything--not even an atom."

On avoiding excess (israf): "Excess is using anything beyond benefit or need. Thus, it is understood from the sunna that if you're not driving the car, turn it off; don't use more water than needed in your wudu… always consider how much is enough, and don't go beyond."

On repentance: "One could have sinned their whole life but then repents and worships for two years... they will be as if they spent their whole life in worship... it all depends on intentions... ask for a lot but then strive for it"

On avoiding witnessing the wrong in gatherings: "If you can't stop slander or defend the person, then change the subject…"

With such practical advice, Shaykh Faraz combined classical commentary with useful contextualizing of the teachings.

The Exploring the Qur'an class is held weekly on Fridays, 7.30-9.00pm, and concludes with a communal potluck dinner. All are welcome. Young and old, single and with family. See: SeekersHub Programs: www.seekershub.org/programs