Yaqeen Podcast

Why is Surah Tawbah the only surah in the Qur’an without bismillah?

Surah Tawbah is one of the most powerful and hard-hitting chapters of the Qur’an. It opens with a final warning and disavowal, yet it is still called the Surah of Repentance. How can a surah that begins with distance still carry the name of tawbah?

This reflection explores its missing basmalah, its urgent call back to Allah, and the balance between mercy and ultimatum. Surah Tawbah reminds us that while Allah’s mercy is vast, repentance is not meant to be delayed. We do not set the timeline for our return — Allah does.

His mercy is unlimited, but our time is not.

What does it mean to feel “safe” from Allah? These powerful verses from Surah Al-A'raf contrast two states — sleeping at night and playing during the day — and expose a deeper issue: a heedless heart.

This reflection is a wake-up call about spiritual alertness, small sins we take lightly, and how to live with constant awareness of Allah without paranoia — but with purpose. Are we awake… or just moving?

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever fasts one day in the path of Allah, Allah will distance his face from the Fire by seventy years.”

In this khutbah, we reflect on the deeper meaning of this powerful hadith. We explore what it means to build distance from the Fire, why a believer should never feel secure from it, and why no act of fasting is ever small in the sight of Allah.

In Surah Al-An‘am (6:12), Allah says: “He has written mercy upon Himself.” 
And in the hadith qudsi, Allah declares: “O My servants, I have made oppression forbidden for Myself…”

The One with absolute authority chose to write mercy upon Himself and make oppression haram for Himself. What does that mean for us? When you have the upper hand — at home, at work, in leadership — do you hold yourself to a higher standard? Or do you justify your actions because you can? 

A powerful reminder about divine justice, mercy, and not losing yourself.

What does it truly mean to be “rooted in knowledge”? 

The Qur’an praises a special group of believers — but their defining quality may surprise you. This lecture explores the difference between intellectual ego and sincere faith, the danger of twisted interpretations, and why saying “I don’t know” is actually a sign of strength. True knowledge begins with humility and ends with, “We believe in it all.”