Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

[Quran 50:40] During the night you shall meditate on His name, and after prostrating.

[Quran 6:13] To Him belongs everything that dwells in the night and the day. He is the Hearer, the Knower.

[Quran 28:73] It is mercy from Him that He created for you the night and the day in order to rest (during the night), then seek His provisions (during the day), that you may be appreciative.


Is darkness something to be feared? In Sura 113, we seek refuge in God from the evils of darkness as it falls. Yet, there is great beauty in a dark night--the stars that fill the sky, making constellations like Orion and the Big Dipper that we can recognize and appreciate. Phenomenon like the Northern Lights can only be seen in a dark sky. The quiet of night, as traffic and other noises slow down, gives us time to meditate and commemorate God. So, while there may be evil in darkness, we know that God is in full control and can protect us. If we worship and hold fast to God, we don't need to fear a thing.

God uses darkness and light as allegories for our guidance (Quran 2:257). So, we should stay away from that darkness, that blinding of our hearts to God's great blessing of guidance and light. But the darkness of the night, like the light during the day, is part of God's system on this earth (Quran 28:71-72). We can enjoy it and be appreciative of it.


References:
Reflections on Night and Day, https://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/2019/mar/page2.html
Be Appreciative, https://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/2019/feb/page1.html

Peace.