Surah Al-Isra: (The Night Journey)

• Allah (swt) took Prophet Muhammad (saw) from Masjid Al-Haram to Masjid Al-Aqsa.
• Prior to this… Prophet Muhammad (saw) was having trouble convincing people to believe and follow Allah (swt)’s commands. To be obedient. For 12 years he faced hardships and opposition. He was struggling and felt down.
• Allah (swt) gave him a gift. A huge favor to him.
• Quran is a day-to-day manual.
• Isra- the night journey. During this journey, the Messenger (saw) was shown numerous signs. He was reassured. He was taken on Burraaq. (a creature, not a horse with wings). The speed during this journey of the Burraaq is something we cannot imagine, something we cannot fathom.
• Prophet Muhammad (saw) was given 3 gifts on this journey. 1: the 5 daily prayers (prior to the Isra, Prophet Muhammad (saw) used to pray but not yet the now prescribed “5 daily prayers”) This was truly a gift.* It is a way for us to talk and connect to Allah (swt). 2: the last two concluding ayahs of Surah Al-Baqarah. Angel Gabriel did not come down with these last two ayahs, it was a gift from Allah (swt). It is said that whoever recites these last two ayahs, ” it is enough for him/her”. From his/her worries, problems, grief. Also its enough for worship at night. 3: Forgiveness. That Allah (swt) will forgive those that believe in just Him.
• Prophet Muhammad (saw) met Prophet Abraham (as) during the Isra, who told him to give salaam to your Ummah.
• Prophet Muhammad (saw) was also shown some punishments/bad things. He saw people scratching their faces and chest with copper nails. Angel Gabriel told him that these people are those that at the flesh of others. Meaning they committed Geeba (backbiting) and trampled other people’s honor.
• Bani Israel were told that they will cause corruption twice and reach a degree of great haughtiness.
• If you do good, you do it for yourself. If you do bad, you do it for yourself.
• You suffer in this world from your sins.
• If you repent, Allah (swt) will have mercy on you. But if you return to sin, Allah (swt) will to return to punishment.
• Seek forgiveness, truly. Only then those bad deeds can be changed to good.
• Make dua frequently to be forgiven for sins; past, present and future.
• Everything we do will be accounted for and will be presented to us. Whatever we did will be shown to us. So if you don’t want to see it on that day, don’t do it today! Clean up and keep your record clean!
• Repent for previous sins constantly
• Ayah 16: when Allah (swt) intends to destroy a city, He commands its affluent, but they disobey therein, and so Allah (swt) then destroys in completely.
• Whoever has a goal of Jannah, it is his efforts that are forever appreciated by Allah (swt). Don’t aim for this life, for the temporary. Aim for Jannah, and remember Allah (swt) always.
• Someone who is passionate for Jannah will not rest. He/she will never be satisfied with what he/she has done so far. He/she will continuously strive to do good and more good to reach Jannah.
• We worry about our ranks and status here. In this world. But the ranks of the HereAfter are much greater in difference. We should be aiming for that!
• Best deeds: to perform salah on time, to be good to your parents.
• Say not even a “uff” to your parents. (Ayah 23)
• Each person will be asked about their own deeds. You will be asked about how you spoke to your parents, why you talked back to them, why you yelled at them. Not the other way around.
• Show mercy to parents. Make dua for your parents. The who doesn’t make dua for them, is truly unjust. Allah (swt) teaches us to make dua for them.
• Parents need our duas the most. They will refuse food, money, help etc.
• They need Allah (swt)’s mercy as they age. Be good to your parents, regardless of anything.
• Don’t spend wastefully. (thabdhir). We will be asked about how we earned and how we spent. Wasting money is being the brother of Shaytan
• Don’t be extravagant but don’t be stingy
• Children should not be killed before or after birth, out of fear of poverty. Allah (swt) is the provider for them and for you. Killing them is a great great sin.
• A lustful look can be a form of fornication, or Zinna of the eyes. Guard your eyes. Listening to talk, speech words that are indecent is sinful too. Guard your ears.
• Hearing, sight, and heart all will questioned. Guard your tongue.
• Shaytan is after everyone. All descendants of Adam (as). Even babies and children. Everyone.
• Bell is a musical instrument of shaytan. Because at this time you don’t remember Allah (swt)
• Believers and servants of Allah (swt) are safe from shaytan
• Angels come specifically to listen to the Quran you recite during Fajr salat.
• Say Allah Akbar 100x before the sunrises and before the sunsets. It is equivalent to freeing 100 slaves.
• Allah Akbar 3x each time you elevate during a journey ( Hajj/Umrah)

Surah Al-Kahf: (the Cave)

• This surah is the source of light. Last 10 ayahs save us from Dajjal. Memorize the first 10 ayahs to be safe from Dajjal. Recite it every Friday to have a light illuminated from Friday to the next Friday.
• Fajr is the best time to recite parts of the Quran you have memorized.
• The entire earth has been adorned, beautified and set up as a test for us. The test is to see who does good in the midst of these temptations. Who will get lost in this world of distractions.
• Because everything will eventually come to an end
• There are many stories in this Surah (four stories)
• Story of the People of the Cave: The lessons here are that if you trust Allah (swt) and His commands, then He will open up ways for you that you cannot even imagine.
• In their youth, Allah (swt) protected them, the people of the cave.
• Don’t desire the company of people whose only concerns are worldly.
• Story of the two  men with beautiful rich Gardens: One of the men was arrogant and relied not on Allah (swt), but on his wealth and properties.
• We should remember that the person/people who remember that this world is temporary, they are the successful.
• Be inspired by those who make the effort to please Allah (swt). Be in their company. Don’t get distracted by those who chase this world.
• Be thankful for all the blessings and never compare yourself to others.
• This life is going to come to an end. Sacrifice a little today to have an everlasting reward in the HereAfter.
• Be aware of sins that are insignificant or seem to be small. They will add up on the Day.
• Story of Prophet Musa (as) seeking a knowledgeable man: Musa (as) was asked who has the most knowledge. Musa (as) responded, “Me”(he answered this without pride or arrogance) But Allah (swt) did not like this answer and informed him there is a man who exists, who is more knowledgeable than you, Musa. This man’s name is Khizer.
• So Musa (as) wanted to find this man and seek knowledge from him, and so set out to find him. Musa (as) was told that he would find this man where the two seas meet (junction). He told his servant traveling with him, that he would not give up until finding Khizer.
• At one point the two stopped to rest during their journey. There they forgot their fish and lost it to the sea. Also they realized that they had gone past their destination. So now at this point they are lost, tired and hungry.
• When seeking knowledge, remember Allah (swt) will test you.
• Eventually Musa (as) and his servant found Khizer. Musa (as) asked Khizer humbly if he could follow him around and learn from him. Khizer responded that Musa will not be able to be patient. Musa (as) responded, “if Allah wills, I will be patient and not disobey you.” Khizer accepted and gave a strict no question policy. Khizer made it very clear that Musa (as) should not ask any questions until he tells him he can. And so Khizer and Musa (as) set out.
• They came to a ship, Khizer tore it open. Musa (as) asked: have you tore the ship to drown people. That is a grave thing to have done.
• Khizer responded: No questions.
• prophet Musa (as) apologized for going against Khizer’s no question policy, was forgiven and the two moved on
• Khizer then killed a little boy. Musa (as) asked: you have killed a poor soul for no reason? That’s horrible. Deplorable.
• Khizer responded: I told you, you would not be patient. No questions.