Friday 

Loosely themed around the days of the week on which they were to be broadcast this series really used the Qur'an to illustrate what I was saying, rather than what I was saying being more of a commentary on the Qur'an.

Close to the end of another working week – nearly time for all-day rest - and the day that the Muslim community gathers together for prayer. Even many of those who don’t find too much time for prayer during the rest of the week will come together, stand shoulder to shoulder, and bow before their Creator, remembering the purpose of their lives.

And that purpose requires effort, but the reward for effort is ease, just as hard labour builds muscles up to the point that those muscles make light of hard labour. At the time of Prayer, Muhammad would tell his community  “It is time for rest”. Life is our labour, with our pains and our joys, but our prayer is for rest and remembrance of our purpose.

Qur’an says “Did We not expand your heart for you and lift from you your burden, the burden that weighed down your back? Did We not exalt your fame? So truly with hardship comes ease, truly with hardship comes ease. So when you are empty, labour on, and let your Lord be your Quest.”

After rest it’s back to work and so the cycle of work/rest rhythms continues. We give each day its character by the activities we associate with it, just as a Muslim Friday is associated with prayer, and that weekly rhythm has a yearly counterpoint in annual events such as the fasting month of Ramadhan.

And the rhythms of our lives reflect the rhythms of the Universe around us, and “Who makes the night merge into day and the day merge into night. Who has subjected the sun and the moon, each of them running to a stated term. That is God, your Lord; to Whom belongs the Kingdom.” says Qur’an.

All Merciful God, help us to work and rest in a way that reflects Your Will and enhances our well-being. Help us to remember You during life’s labours and remember You also as we reap life’s rewards. Amen