The Quran is full of knowledge, answers to many questions, teachings to get benefited; it is the only truthful guide that a Muslim can use besides the sunnah. There are inspiring stories to show Muslims how to behave when, how to react to the events, how to be good, how to be one of those who earned Allah’s blessing. Especially the prophet stories teach vital lessons that we need to deal with the problems we face in our everyday lives. Each story of a prophet points to different problems and offers inspiring solutions. The prophets showed the best possible way that we can be blessed with Allah’s great mercy, and despite the difficulties faced, they stood firm in their faith with utmost patience and perseverance.
Adam (PBUH)
Adam was the first human, one of the first two that were sent to the world that we have been living on to be tested. He was sent from heaven to the earth because of the devil’s whispers. He did not give up seeking forgiveness and help from Allah, he didn’t quit giving thanks to Allah for what he had, he did not quit following Allah’s rule on earth. He patiently, sincerely looked for ways to have the mercy of Allah. With his life story, he teaches us to have hope and perseverance no matter what. Allah has the greatest Mercy.
He prayed Allah with these beautiful words:
قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْخَٰسِرِينَ , Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.
[Surat Al-A’raf: 23]
Yunus (PBUH)
When Yunus thought that he could not get what he wanted from this city, he left disheartened. After a long journey, he found himself in a big fish’s belly. With his faith and trust in Allah, he could reach the light and his folks back. Yunus (PBUH) reminds us that whenever we feel like surrounded by darkness and seemingly no way out, we can put all our faith in Almighty Allah. He knows what we don’t know, he can do what we can’t.
Yunus had this inspiring prayer:
وَذَا ٱلنُّونِ إِذ ذَّهَبَ مُغَٰضِبًا فَظَنَّ أَن لَّن نَّقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَىٰ فِى ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِ أَن لَّآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنتَ سُبْحَٰنَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ , And [mention] the man of the fish [i.e., Jonah], when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him. And he called out within the darknesses, “There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.” (Al-Anbiya, 87-88)
Ibrahim (PBUH)
Ibrahim’s (PBUH) life was full of hardships and trials.
He found Allah as a result of his long last search. He demolished the idols his folk believed. He looked everywhere to find Allah, he looked at the sky, the sun and the moon. He found Allah in his warm heart.
He had to sacrifice his beloved son, then Allah let him sacrifice a sheep on behalf of his son.
He is thrown into the fire by his folk, Allah turned it to a rose garden.
He had a beautiful prayer that we need to remember often: حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ , Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs. [Surat Al-Imran: 173]
With his inspiring life, he teaches us perseverance, sacrifices and devotion to Allah.
Musa (PBUH)
Musa (PBUH) was born into a country that all the baby boys had to be killed, the magicians and wizards had the biggest power. He had to deal with Pharoah, who was the strongest man on earth at that time. He had to leave his family, his country for years and years. Yet he never gave up believing in Allah, seeking forgiveness from Allah, knowing that Allah was greater than everything, including the Pharoah. Musa had this prayer that we must repeat often:
رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِي يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي
“My Lord, expand for me my breast [with assurance], ease for me my task, and untie the knot from my tongue that they may understand my speech.” (Surat Ta Ha, 20: 25-28)
We repeat the words we chose to begin this article, Quran is full of stories to guide and teach us. Especially the prophet stories are very helpful for getting inspired to solve our daily life problems and teach our kids.
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