The Qur’an. 6236 ayahs. Each one perfectly beautiful in its own way. Each one full of answers, lessons and guidance. We wanted to hear from our readers, so we asked you to share your favourite Ayahs with us.
Here's what you had to say:
- “For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.” -Surah Ash-Sharh [94:6]
I feel like this ayah found me when I was in a really difficult place. And I just heard that one ayah and I felt like wow, whatever surah this is, I want to memorise it. So that I can recite it during prayers when I feel particularly down. So, I keep it close to my heart and only recite it when I feel like I truly need comforting.
- “...the life of this world is nothing but a delusion” -Surah Al-Hadid [57:20]
For me this ayah really puts things into perspective and reminds me not to fall victim to the appeals of worldly things. It helps me remain grounded and remember my true purpose. It teaches me not to get attached to the temporary dunya, whether it be possessions or people, as heavy reliance on anything or anyone other than Allah will only lead to disappointment and heartbreak. Allah is sufficient for me.
3. “Blessed is He who placed in the skies great constellations” -Surah Al-Furqan [25:61]
I remember this verse got me through difficult times. I was mentally drowning, and spent 2 weeks in hospital, but throughout that time this verse never left my lips.
4. “And untie the knot from my tongue” -Surah Taha [20:27]
Musa (AS) asked Allah (SWT) this because he had difficulty in speech. This is one of my favourites because I have difficulty in speech, stuttering etc, so I find it encouraging that one of the prophets had something similar and made du'a for it, so I do the same.
I feel I can look at this ayah for hope.
Having difficulty in speech also becomes a kind of blessing for me because of this. I have yet another reminder of how dependent I am on Allah (SWT) and have more to ask of him in my du’as. And He likes it when we ask Him for things.
5. 'And when My servants ask you about Me, (tell them that) I am near. I answer the call of the caller when he calls on me. So let them answer Me, And have faith in me. That they may be rightly guided.' - Surah Al-Baqarah [2:186]
It gave me hope as I used to think that my prayers weren’t being answered and I always wondered why.
But every time I read this ayah I keep faith in Him as He knows best. It reminds me that He’s there and He answers.
6. "Certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust in Him." -Surah Ali 'Imran [3:159]
It shows the magnitude of Allah (SWT)'s Mercy, who not only promises to ease our worries away with simple trust in Him, but also promises us His Love in return for that. A double beauty! How Merciful a Lord...
7. “Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear” -Surah Al-Baqarah [2:286]
This ayah gives you a sense of hope with whatever struggles you might be going through in life.
8. “So be patient with a beautiful patience,” - Surat Al-Ma`arij [70:5]
I really like this ayah but I can’t find a beautiful way of wording why I love it so much.
9. “So which of the favours of your Lord would you deny?” -Surah Ar-Rahman [55:13]
I love listening to the recitation of Surah ar Rahman. It calms me, allows me to reflect on the abundant blessings I have in life, as well as leaving me in awe at the might of God. This above ayah is my favourite, and is repeated throughout the Surah, constantly reminding us of the favours we have been blessed with. This ayah does not only put life in to perspective for those who are living in hardship, who may feel low, to see the beauty in the little things, but those of us who have so much but forget the one behind our provision.
Its relevance hit me even more whilst visiting Syrian and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon this week. Even though the refugees living in these camps are suffering, they are extremely grateful, still thank God for each and every little thing they have been blessed with, making abundant dua for those of us helping to relieve their hardship. The contrast in our lives and situations are so great, yet the people we met were just like us - shared the same smiles, laughter, hope, hospitality, sadness, and shed the same tears - something that will forever ground me, just like this ayah.
- “And [there are] others who have acknowledged their sins. They had mixed a righteous deed with another that was bad. Perhaps Allah will turn to them in forgiveness. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” - Surah At-Tawbah [9:102]
The two previous ayahs talk about the sahabah and those who follow them in good deeds, and also about the munafiqun (hypocrites). And Allah talks about how he will reward each group justly (i.e. reward one greatly and punish the others).
This ayah tells us that there is a third group, those who do both good and bad deeds, and acknowledge their sins, and it tells us that "perhaps" Allah will forgive them.
When the exegetes interpreted the Qur’an, they said that whenever Allah says "perhaps" it means he definitely will do it. So this third group is guaranteed Allah's forgiveness, and which one of us isn't from this third group?
Some scholars consider this to be the most hopeful ayah in the Qur'an.
- “And the dawn, as it breathes away the darkness.” -Surah At-Takwir [81:18]
We’re so caught up in our lives that we forget, sometimes, that Allah is out there. We forget and don’t realise it’s so easy to remember him.
All you have to do is look. Look at the magnificent trees swaying in the breeze. Hear the birds calling. See the bustle of life around you as everyone goes about their daily life.
And see the sky, above us all, not a single one of us able to conquer it. The great seventh heaven in all its vast glory - the tiny pinpricks of glowing stars, the multitude of cloud shapes, and the perpetual cycle of night into day, day into night.
We weren’t able to witness a lot of ayahs in the Qur'an - so make the most of the ones that we can see. Having faith is about believing in the unseen, but having a physical reminder every now and then is always helpful.
Take a breather and look up.
Find yourself caught in the magnificence of Allah’s creation, and reflect upon the creator himself. Make the use of these winter months - we have a great opportunity to be able to witness, in real time, the dawn as its breath steals the darkness away.
Leave your favourite Ayah in the comments below!
I remember this verse got me through difficult times. I was mentally drowning, and spent 2 weeks in hospital, but throughout that time this verse never left my lips.
4. “And untie the knot from my tongue” -Surah Taha [20:27]
Musa (AS) asked Allah (SWT) this because he had difficulty in speech. This is one of my favourites because I have difficulty in speech, stuttering etc, so I find it encouraging that one of the prophets had something similar and made du'a for it, so I do the same.
I feel I can look at this ayah for hope.
Having difficulty in speech also becomes a kind of blessing for me because of this. I have yet another reminder of how dependent I am on Allah (SWT) and have more to ask of him in my du’as. And He likes it when we ask Him for things.
5. 'And when My servants ask you about Me, (tell them that) I am near. I answer the call of the caller when he calls on me. So let them answer Me, And have faith in me. That they may be rightly guided.' - Surah Al-Baqarah [2:186]
It gave me hope as I used to think that my prayers weren’t being answered and I always wondered why.
But every time I read this ayah I keep faith in Him as He knows best. It reminds me that He’s there and He answers.
6. "Certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust in Him." -Surah Ali 'Imran [3:159]
It shows the magnitude of Allah (SWT)'s Mercy, who not only promises to ease our worries away with simple trust in Him, but also promises us His Love in return for that. A double beauty! How Merciful a Lord...
7. “Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear” -Surah Al-Baqarah [2:286]
This ayah gives you a sense of hope with whatever struggles you might be going through in life.
8. “So be patient with a beautiful patience,” - Surat Al-Ma`arij [70:5]
I really like this ayah but I can’t find a beautiful way of wording why I love it so much.
9. “So which of the favours of your Lord would you deny?” -Surah Ar-Rahman [55:13]
I love listening to the recitation of Surah ar Rahman. It calms me, allows me to reflect on the abundant blessings I have in life, as well as leaving me in awe at the might of God. This above ayah is my favourite, and is repeated throughout the Surah, constantly reminding us of the favours we have been blessed with. This ayah does not only put life in to perspective for those who are living in hardship, who may feel low, to see the beauty in the little things, but those of us who have so much but forget the one behind our provision.
Its relevance hit me even more whilst visiting Syrian and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon this week. Even though the refugees living in these camps are suffering, they are extremely grateful, still thank God for each and every little thing they have been blessed with, making abundant dua for those of us helping to relieve their hardship. The contrast in our lives and situations are so great, yet the people we met were just like us - shared the same smiles, laughter, hope, hospitality, sadness, and shed the same tears - something that will forever ground me, just like this ayah.
