Umi Al-Muradi reported: The verse was revealed, “Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.” (7:199) The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said to the Angel Gabriel, “What does this mean?” Gabriel said, “I do not know until I ask the All-Knowing.” Gabriel returned and he said, “O Muhammad! Verily, Allah the Blessed and Almighty commands you to forgive those who wrong you, to give to those who deprive you, and to maintain relations with those who renounce you.”

Source: Tafsīr Abdul Razzāq 7:199

Grade: Hasan (fair) according to Al-Iraqi

Muhammad ibn Ja’far, may Allah have mercy on him, said, “Allah commanded his Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to have noble character and there is no verse in the Quran more comprehensive about good character than this verse.”

Source: Madārij al-Sālikīn 2/290

عَنْ أُمَيٍّ الْمُرَادِيِّ قَالَ لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ خُذِ الْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْعُرْفِ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْجَاهِلِينَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لِجِبْرِيلَ مَا هَذَا قَالَ لا أَدْرِي حَتَّى أَسْأَلَ الْعَالِمَ قَالَ فَأَتَاهُ جِبْرِيلُ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يَأْمُرُكَ أَنْ تَعْفُوَ عَمَّنْ ظَلَمَكَ وَتُعْطِيَ مَنْ حَرَمَكَ وَتَصِلَ مَنْ قَطَعَكَ

7:199 تفسير القرآن لعبد الرزاق الصنعاني

3/61 المحدث العراقي خلاصة حكم المحدث إسناده أسانيده حسان في تخريج الإحياء

قَالَ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ رحمه الله أَمَرَ اللَّهُ نَبِيَّهُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِمَكَارِمِ الْأَخْلَاقِ وَلَيْسَ فِي الْقُرْآنِ آيَةٌ أَجْمَعُ لِمَكَارِمِ الْأَخْلَاقِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ

2/290 مدارج السالكين

Want to make your children love Islam? Show them how it makes you a loving husband to their mother or a loving wife to their father. You have no idea how much the quality of your marriage impacts the way they view your lifestyle and the lifestyle you're trying to teach them. Omar Suleiman

Arabic translators did far more than just preserve Greek philosophy

https://aeon.co/ideas/arabic-translators-did-far-more-than-just-preserve-greek-philosophy

Fighting for motherhood: The case for valuing one of the most vital members in society

http://www.aimislam.com/fighting-for-motherhood-the-case-for-valuing-one-of-the-most-vital-members-in-society/

Real Love is a Choice

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6039412?

"Of course, you don’t choose who you’re attracted to, but you definitely choose who you fall in love with and (more importantly) who you stay in love with.

Our society places a lot of emphasis on feelings. We are taught that we should always follow our feelings and do whatever makes us happy. But feelings are very fickle and fleeting. Real love, on the other hand, is like the north star in the storms of life; it is constant, sure, and true. Whenever we’re lost and confused we can find strength in the love that we have chosen."

Last week I was having a discussion with a dear brother, in which I mentioned an idea of mine. I told him that I think there is such a thing as oppressing one's creativity and imagination. If all good things are from God, then all good ideas (with sincere intentions) are from Him too. If God has given us the ability to access these ideas, and we don't do anything about them - then surely we are oppressing those ideas. It's just a theory, but the principle stands. Often times we prevent ourselves from doing something good (something that will benefit either you, or people around you (bringing you/others closer to God)) and make a hundred excuses. But you have to be brave and daring to see those good ideas through and trust that God will support you. Even if you fail, it is better to try than to give up before even starting.

Say Bismillah and go for it.

#MondayMotivation

For your Halloween reading pleasure, our social media team has curated a collection of articles on a mysterious "Sultan's palace" in New Orleans, Balkan Vampires as discussed by Ottoman Muftis, and Jinn haunting a town in Oman.

A Harem of Horror?: The "Sultan's Palace," New Orleans
http://www.stambouline.com/2013/09/a-harem-of-horror-sultans-palace-new.html?m=1

Balkan Vampires before Ottoman Courts
http://www.cesnur.org/2009/balkan_vampires.htm

The Jinn of Oman
https://psmag.com/the-jinn-of-oman-6c77689636e7#.ml61pqhjg