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Salaams !

Here is today's reflection from the Quran:

And give full measure when you measure, and weigh with the straight balance. That is better and more virtuous in the end [Sura Isra, 17:35]

Reflection: To give full measure when you measure, and weigh with the straight balance means to measure honestly rather than cheating people when trading goods and currency by using a balance that falsely overstates or understates the weight of what has been put upon it. It also means in a general way, to barter or exchange goods fairly and honestly so that what is given is equal to what is received.

Why: Trust is the basis of an evolved society. When business is carried out on the basis of trust, transactions are speeded up and less resources are needed for monitoring and accounting. There is a general feeling of security and people can focus on other matters rather than using their energy in constantly looking over their shoulder. In parts of Europe, for example, the entire transit system runs on the basis of trust. You buy your own ticket and only very rarely are random checks made. It is even rarer for those checking to catch someone who has not paid.

The end of the verse says: That is better and more virtuous in the end and better has a broader meaning than for hereafter. In this world too, when we develop a reputation for being honest and trustworthy, our business and work thrive as do our personal relationships.

How: Let us look at our lives and see where we could be cheating the system. Taking more than you paid for or give less than you were paid for are obvious examples.

Less obvious perhaps are the way we spend our time at work for example. Specially those of us who are paid by the hour, how much time do we spend on doing personal emails, on social media etc?

Also less obvious is how we do not give our best, our "full measure" to others and to ourselves. What would it mean for our lives if we were to "give full measure" in all our dealings with others and ourselves?

Possible barriers: Greed, the desire to get something for nothing, a feeling that "someone owes us". These feelings may of course be the result of having being taken advantage of or given short measure and it shows how the cycle of trust and commercial relationships work.

Possible barriers in giving our best to all our dealings and transactions may be lack of focused attention and presence, distractions, busyness, love of comfort over effort.

Ayat in action: Let us reflect upon how we could "give full measure" in our lives.
We can live this verse by becoming mindful of where we may be shortchanging people, organizations or ourselves. And then taking the steps necessary to remedy this as soon as possible. The pricks of conscience are short lived and if not acted upon, they fall silent.

Here are the audio and video links for today.

Wishing you a day full of spiritual up liftment, positivity, purpose and peace.

Warm blessings

Marzia  

Do consider sharing with friends and family. They can sign up for the series using this link

Please scroll down for a list of recommended resources for Quran study and reflection

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Here are various resources to continue studying the Quran. These have been chosen for ease of use, accessibility and relevance to the challenges of modern life

Quran Translations:

Three Translations of The Koran (Al-Qur'an) side by side Kindle Edition (FREE) by Abdullah Yusuf Ali (Translator), M. H. Shakir (Translator), Marmaduke William Pickthall (Translator)

The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary by Seyyed Hossein Nasr and Caner K. Dagli
The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics) by M. A. S. Abdel Haleem

Commentary on the Quran
1)    https://www.al-islam.org/enlightening-commentary-light-holy-quran-vol-1 Various volumes are available online
2)    These websites allow you to search various translations of a single verse. Here are my favourites:
a)    http://quran.al-islam.org
b)    http://www.alim.org/library/quran/surah/arabic/1/ARB
c)    http://corpus.quran.com/translation.jsp

Podcast: Loving and Living the Quran Podcast
Audio lectures on Quranic Surahs and practical spirituality
Subscribe on Itunes:
Listen on Libsyn: http://marziahassan.libsyn.com

Facebook Live sessions on Quran Study

Quran Study Circle

Websites:

Academy for Learning Islam great website for loads of audio and written resources on Quran and spirituality.

Living the Quran – Practical Spirituality for Modern Muslims my website with audio and written material.


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