Surah Al Imran 1-92

Surah three is a Madinan surah, titled Al Imran, the family of Imran. "Allah did choose Adam, Nuh, the family of Ibrahim and the family of Imran above all people". Al Imran is similar to Surah Baqarah as it makes special reference to the People of the Book as well as discussing the birth of Maryam and of Isa (Peace be upon them both). It shows the belief of Muslims in Maryam and Isa and how Maryam has been chosen to be the best of the women of the world. Muslims believe in all the Prophets from Adam to Muhammed. The beauty of this surah is the description of Maryam. The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said Maryam is the leading women of Paradise. Muslims should share this belief to appreciate the common beliefs. Surah Al Imran also addresses the lessons that resulted from the Battles of Badr and Uhud. This was revealed in four parts; verse 1-32 were revealed shortly after the Battle of Badr (in the Second year of the Hijri calendar), followed by verses 64-120. Verse 121 to 200 were received a few years later after the Battle of Uhud. This was then followed a few years later by the final piece, verses 33-63.

The Muslims were successful in the Battle of Badr but when Surah Al Imran was revealed, shortly after the battle, much of the same tensions between the faiths remained. On the occasion of the Battle of Badr, some of the People of the Book compromised their fundamental principles of faith to join with the idolaters against the Muslims. These actions continued after the Battle of Badr as well. The Companions slept in their armor during this period and stood guard at night in case of sudden attacks.

The Muslims of Medina were required to exercise a great deal of patience, determination, and endurance through this period. Al Imran is revealed during this time of threats, attacks, and violation of the established treaties. It was reminding the Muslims that the Qur'an is not a contradiction of the previous revelations, rather a confirmation of them. Musa, Isa and Muhammed have not called their people to different paths but to the same path. Allah warns us that excessive wealth and power can easily lead individuals and nations away from Allah. He repeats this many times in Surah Al Imran, the first mention being verse 10, "Those who reject Faith, neither their possessions nor their progeny will avail them aught against Allah; they are themselves but fuel for the Fire". This verse is very relevant to Muslims today as we go through these times of financial strain, we must evaluate if our focus is only for worldly possessions or are we striving for nearness to Allah All Mighty.

It was in overlooking the Qur'an as a confirmation of the faiths before Islam, that Allah revealed verse 25, "What will they do when We gather them all together upon a day in which there is no doubt, when every soul will be given what it earned with no injustice whatsoever?" Allah (swt) makes it clear, with this verse and many others throughout the Qur'an, that no person or group of people is better than the other except in good works and behavior. Why then do we as Muslims see a person as more or less because of their race, ethnicity, social status, means, or any other reason? As Allah has honored us with another Ramadan, we must strive to overcome the injustices we commit amongst ourselves. If we actively open our hearts and make an effort to befriend someone who we believe to be of different status than us, the result will only be a strengthen of brotherhood and nearness to the Creator of all of mankind. Verse 70 and 71 of Surah Imran indicate that Allah (swt) is holding people responsible for following the guidance of Allah in His book, "People of the Book! Why do you deny God's revelations when you are witnesses to their veracity? Why do you confound the true with the false and hide the truth knowingly?"

Say: "We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) Given to Moses, Jesus, and the Prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah do we Bow our will (in Islam)." This verse shows the emphasis that the Qur'an places on the unity of the Message. Muslims feel attachment to all of the Prophets of Allah, as they are all a part of the Islamic heritage. They came with one message, the message of Peace.

Ramadan is a time of reflection and also a time for sacrrifice. In verse 93 Allah says: "By no means shall ye attain righteousness unless you give freely of that which you love; and whatever you give, of the truth Allah knoweth it well." In Ramadan we sacrifice our food, drink, wealth, and time to gain Allah's pleasure and to strive towards righteousness but the test of giving requires that we ask ourselves, "Are we giving of the things that we love?" The poor and the needy are not people in far off lands, there are many amongst us even in such a prosperous and affluent community. If we give to them are we giving the best of what we have or are we only sacrificing the leftovers that we no longer want? As we share with others this month, we must remember that attaining Allah's pleasure comes sacrificing those things that are not always the easiest to separate from ourselves. May Allah open our hearts to giving to others what He has given to us and May He help us to remember that no believer loses out of sacrificing in His name.