How to memorize the Holy Quran, some best methods

Some advice for those who want to read the Quran in Arabic *esp. new Muslims*

Abu Muqatil’s story:

“When I converted to Islam, learning prayer was such a struggle. For me praying in a language I did not understand was almost unthinkable. “How could I have prayed to Allah, when I did not know what was I saying?” – many times I was thinking. But, knowing that we must say our prayers in Arabic, I have memorized al-Fatiha and 2 other short surahs from the Holy Quran. Alhamdulillah, I have done that. I have memorized and learned how to pray in Arabic, and learned the translation of it also. It took me many years to touch Quran in Arabic language. Translation was easier to read, to understand, to cherish…… but only 2 years ago, I made a major step in trying to read Quran in the Arabic language. Today, I can read Quran (1st grade level) only thanks to Allah (subhanna wa ta’ala) who gave me courage to try and succeed in this task, even when I never thought that it would be possible.

First I got the Holy Quran with transliteration and tried to read it while learning the Arabic letters. That has worked very well, but after 2 ayahs I was drained from energy. Reading a whole page like that took me 1 hour at least. Masha Allah I have tried it.

Secondly I used CD and reading ayah, by ayah in Arabic (following the speaker) was the best way for me Masha Allah. I have tried to read Quran every day for at least 5 min. Sometimes I would read 60 ayahs/day, sometimes only 10, but Alhamdu Lillah I have complated reading my recitation in Arabic over some time. The best time to read like that is eather after Fajr prayer (when you are not tired yet), or anytime after prayers (even if it’s only for 2-3 min.) Before you know it insha Allah you would fishing Quran, and be so satisfied with your accomplishment. Therefore, new Muslims, or Muslims, who don’t know arabic language, small reading per day goes a long way, and on top of that Allah will reward you double for you trying to read in Quran, even if you are making mistakes.

Another recommendation is to learn one word of Quran (with meaning) per day. Insha Allah within a year, you would have know 365 words from the Quran. And that would become an easy way to recognize the words while reading Holy Quran and wanting to learn more Insha Allah. So, if you are a Muslim like myself, who struggles while reading Quran in arabic langauge, don’t stop trying and Allah will reward you for your efforts many times more Insha Allah.”

Yusuf’s story:

I used a similar method to learn how to understand the Quran. I read the translation while listening to a slow, clear recitor (Mahmood Khalil al-Husary, in my case)

It might be hard to follow along with the recitor at first, especially if you don’t know any Arabic you will probably lose your place, but within a very short time, insha Allah, you will connect Arabic words with thier English meanings.

Like for example, you will keep hearing the word “jannaat” and read the word “gardens” in the translation in the same time, memorizing words like that.

I used the Khan & Hilali translation of the Quran when I read along, but I think the Saheeh Internation translation is probably a lot simpler and easier to read.

This method worked very for me, alhamdulillah, before I did it I would listen to Quran without understanding barely any of it, now I understand about 70-90% when I listen to Quran.

Recitation of The Holy Qur’aan

Recitation of The Holy Qur’aan

(TILAWATUL QUR’AN)

It is highly recommended to recite or read Al-Qur’an, the final word of Allah (SWT), at all times, at least completing it twice in a year. The reports from the companions show how some of them completed Al-Qur’an in five days, some in four while others in three days. Imam An-Nawawi (raa) said: “The speed must depend on the condition and situation of the person and what he or she does for a living.” The recitation of Al-Qur’an should not be the reason to become slacked in your other responsibilities. The speed of your recitation must be regulated by the ability to understand, because Al-Qur’an encourages the reciter to ponder about what he or she reads. Allah states: “Here is a Book which We have sent down unto thee, full of blessings, that they may meditate on its signs, and that men of understanding may receive admonition.” (Al-Qur’an, 38:29)

This verse indicates that Al-Qur’an was revealed for the maximum encyclopedic benefit, mercy, and guidance to the human race. That is why He (SWT) described it as blessed, (mubarak). These blessings can be realized to the fullest only if the reader meditates and thinks through its divine words, containing layers of insights and wisdom and life-long experiences of the human race – of how to live a better life both spiritually and materially -which can never be found in any other book.

In a hadith by ‘Aishah (raa), reported by Al-Bayhaqi, she said: “The house in which Al-Qur’an is recited is seen by the heavenly world as the stars are seen by the earthly world.” This hadith indicates some of the meritorious aspects of this most authenticated book of Allah. The home in which its residents recite this book is illuminated as brightly as a star on the face of the earth, and is visible in outer space.

As a preparation for reading, it is recommended to have cleanliness, (taharah), by making wudu before settling down to recite Al-Qur’an. for the recitation of Al-Qur’an is worship, ‘ebadah, namely the best form of remembrance of Allah (dhikir). The Messenger of Allah (saas) disliked making dhikir without cleanliness. Allah (SWT) states in Al-Qur’an: “And that is indeed a mighty adjuration, if you but knew. That this is indeed a Qur’an most honorable, in a book well-guarded, which none shall touch but those who are clean.” (Al-Qur’an 56:76-79).

It is not a sin, however, to read without wudu if you are unclean from minor impurities that entail wudu before prayer. If you feel like using the restroom for urination, passing wind, etc., stop and go relieve yourself completely, and make Wudu then return to resume your reading. If you are defiled from major impurities, that is, the ones which entail complete bath, (ghusl), it is prohibited to read Al-Qur’an during the state of defilement, the agents of which include discharge of semen, sexual intercourse, bleeding as a result of childbirth, and menstruation. However, it is allowed for these people to look in Al-Qur’an while not holding it, and they may read it with their eyes and their hearts, but not recite it. [Note: one shouldn't encourage reading Qur'an in a state of defilement, but rather encourage Ghusl first.]

The place you choose to sit to recite Al-Qur’an should be clean from any filth or bad odor. This is why it is prohibited to read it the restroom. While reading the Qur’an, it is recommended to face the direction of Al-Qiblah.

The reciters are commanded to say, I seek refuge, “Ta’awudh“, that is, putting a distance between themselves and Satan (Shaytan) by seeking refuge in Allah (SWT) from the rejected enemy, the reason being Satan dislikes to see a servant in communication with Allah. If you do not seek refuge, he may come to distract, confuse, and induce you to doubt. Allah (SWT) says: “When you do read Al-Qur’an, seek Allah’s protection from Satan, the rejected.” (Al-Qur’an 16:98) In the event that you are interrupted during reading, it is advisable to repeat ta’awwudh before you resume. As for the phrase of ta’awwudh, the following is reported:

A`uwudhu billah (As-Sa mee’u, Al-’Aleem) iminash Shaitan ir Rajeem.

I seek refuge with Allah (The All Hearing, The All-Knowing) from Satan, the rejected.

The majority of scholars recommend that it be said aloud, especially if there is an audience.

In Islam we are commanded to start every act, spiritual or non-spiritual, big or small, with Basmalah, that is: “Bis mil llahir-Rahmanir-Raheem” (In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.) The reason is to seek Allah’s blessings for the action you are about to embark on. Undoubtedly, no deed is more deserving or worthy of Basmalah than the ‘ebadah of reading Al-Qur’an. With the revelation of Bismillahir-Rahmanir Raheem, Allah has educated His Messenger (saas) to make it an unceasing habit of saying Bismillah before reading and before every act.

Basmalah is one of the unique aspects of Al-Qur’an as every chapter (surah), except Surah Nine (Tawbah) commences with this most profound statement. It is prearranged as an incomplete statement to be completed, or filled in, if you will, by the servant. For instance, if you want to read, it becomes: I read in the Name of Allah… if you want to eat, it becomes: I eat in the Name of Allah… That is what we mean by an incomplete statement to be completed by the doer.

If you can read Al-Qur’an in the Arabic language, it is preferred to recite with the basic rules of tajweed, including rules of chanting (al-ghunnah), prolongations (al-madd), assimilation (al-idghaam), etc. In a report by Bukhari, Anas bin Malik (raa) was asked to describe the way of the Messenger of Allah (saas) in reciting Al-Qur’an. Anas said the Messenger of Allah (saas) used to recite with tarteel, chanting, prolonging his long vowels. Anas (raa) gave a demonstration by reciting ‘Bismillah‘ to show how the Messenger (saas) recited it, prolonging the sublime word, Allah, Ar-Rahman, and Ar-Raheem.’”

It is, however, undesirable to read with excessive speed. Reading a part of Al-Qur’an, (juzh), slowly, so as to think through what you read, is preferred to reading double the ordinary speed without pondering. The former way is more respectful, and is in accord with the aims of the Lawgiver, than hastily reading through the Book absent-mindedly.

It is recommended to beautify your recital with a pleasant voice. In a hadith by Ibn Hibban (raa), the Messenger of Allah (saas) has been reported as saying: “Beautify the recitation of your Qur’an with your voices.” But you should not exaggerate to the point that the phonics, morphology, or syntax are distorted or altered. Reciting Al-Qur’an with mistakes, (lahn) is not synonymous with chanting or a pleasing voice. Also, one’s recitation should not sound like singing.

I mentioned earlier that it is sunnah to seek to comprehend what you read. The following are some of the ways one should go about tadabur, or pondering through what he reads. The simplest thing is to think out the meaning of the words so as to get a better insight to their meaning and massage.

If the verse contains commands and prohibitions you should immediately decide to accept or restrain from them. But if it is something you have failed in the past to do, you should seek forgiveness and intend to do it in the future. In the event that the verse contains mercy, you should feel happy and request it, or if it contains wrath, you should seek refuge in Allah. If the verse glorifies Allah, you should glorify Him.

In the book of Muslim, Huzaifah bin Yaman is reported as saying: “I prayed behind the Messenger of Allah (saas) one night. He opened his recitation after Al-Fatihah with chapter Al-Baqarah, the Cow. Coming to the end of it, he followed it with the chapter An-Nisa, the Women. Coming to its end, he followed it with Chapter Al-’Emran, the Family of Emran). He read them consecutively and when he came to a verse that contained glorification of Allah, he glorified, or a question, he asked, or seeking refuge he sought refuge.”

It is sunnah to say takbeer from Chapter Ad-Duha, 93 to the end An-Nas, Chapter 114. The sunnah is to pause at the end of Chapter 93 then say Takbeer. If you are completing Al-Qur’an, you do likewise at the end of each surah, chapter, until An-Nas. The sunnah was started after the first revelation was received and after the period of Fatrah, during which revelation was cut off form the Prophet (saas), and the Makkans were saying Allah had forsaken Muhammad. When Ad-Duha was revealed, the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest).

As to what one should say: You may say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest), or La Illaha illallah, wallahu Akbar, (There is no deity but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest).

The sunnah recommends prostrating at the end of every sajdah (prostration verse). There are 15 such verses in Al-Qur’an. They are in chapters: Al-A`araaf, (7:206); Ar-Ra’ad, (13:15); An-Nahl, (16:49); Al-Isra, (17:107); Maryam, (19:58); Al-Hajj, (22:18 and 22:77); Al-Furqan, (25:60); An-Naml, (27:77); As-Sajdah, (32:15); Saad, (38:24); Fussilat, (41:37); An-Najm, (53:62); Al-Insiqaq, (84:21); and Al-’Alaq, (96:19).

Now there is the question about what is the best time to read or recite Al-Qur’an. The best time by far is reciting during Salaat, then night-time reading, especially the latter part of it. The best time of day is after Subh (Morning Prayer). The best or preferred days are the days of ‘Arafah, Fridays, Mondays, and Thursdays. The best ten days are the last ten of Ramadan and first ten days of the month, Zul-Hijjah. Of the months, Ramadan is the best.

The preferred day to start Al-Qur’an is Friday, and the best day to complete it is Thursday. The best hour to complete it is the first part of the day or night. For, according to Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqaas (raa), if the completion is in the first part of the night, the angels will pray for you until morning, and if it is early in the morning they will pray for you until evening. Fasting is recommended on the day of completion.

It is recommended to start again after each completion of Al-Qur’an. In a hadith reported by Tirmidhi (raa), the Messenger of Allah (saas) has been reported as saying: “The best deeds in the sight of Allah are the deeds of the one who completes Qur’an and resumes again, the one who reads Al-Qur’an from the beginning to the end, and whenever he finishes he resumes again.”

It is undesirable to stop reading to converse or talk to someone, laugh or play or look at something that takes away your attention, unless there is a valid reason, as has been reported by Al-Bukhari, by the way of Ibn ‘Umar (raa).

zakirnaik

thetrinity (this is a .divx file renamed as .doc, so download and rename it as .divx to play with divx player)

Basics of Islam

Basics of Islam PART 1

Written By Mufti Jalal-Ud-Din Ahmad Amjadi
Translated by Haji Saleem Ghisa Rizvi
Prepared by Molvi Kaleem Raza

Q) Who are you?
A) I am a Muslim

Q) Who do you call a Muslim?
A) Those who believe in one Allah and believes that Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam is the messenger of Allah and believes that the Holy Quran is the book of Allah
Q) What is the name of your religion?
A) Islam
Q) What is the message of Islam (Kalima)?
A) La ilaha illallaho Muhammadur Rasoolallah’ This is Called the first Kalima (Kalima Tayyab)
Q) What is the meaning of this Kalima?
A) There is no-one worthy of worship except Allah, Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam is the messenger of Allah
Q) Who is Allah?
A) Allah created humans, the sun, moon and every singe creation.
Q) What do you call someone who does not believe in Allah?
A) Whoever does not believe in Allah is an infidel (Kafir)
Q) What do you call someone who associates someone equal to or partner with Allah?
A) We call them Mushrik and Kafir (polytheist) and infidel)
Q) What is wrong in being a Kafir or Mushrik?
A) Allah will always be unhappy with a Kafir or Mushrik and after death they will remain in the fire or hell forever.
Q) Will Kafirs or Mushriks never go to paradise?
A) No, never, they will remain in hell for eternity.
Q) Who is Muhammad Sallallhu Alaihe Wasallam?
A) He is the messenger and Prophet of Allah Ta’ala. He is the highest ranking Prophet of all prophets. He is the greatest Prophet. We are all his followers, we are from his Ummat and he is our Prophet
Q) Where was our Prophet born?
A) He was born on the 12 th of Rabbi-ul-Awwal (approx.20 th April 571 ad.)
Q) What is the name of the Holy Prophet’s father?
A) It is Hazrat Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him)
Q) What is the name of our Holy Prophet’s mother?
A) It is Hazrat Amina (may Allah be pleased with her)
Q) What is the names of our Holy Prophet ‘s grandparents?
A) Our Holy Prophet’s grandfather’s name was Abdul Muttallib and his grandmother’s name (Maternal) was Wahub.
Q) How many years did our Holy Prophet stay alive?
A) After our Holy Prophet passes away, by the power of Allah he is still alive in his holy shrine. His presence in the world was 63 and 10 years In Madinah.
Q) On what date did our Holy Prophet pass away?
A) Our Holy Prophet Passed away from in front of the human eyes on the 12 th of Rabbi-ul Awwal (Approx. June 12 th 632ad…)
Q) Where is our Holy Prophet’s Holy Shrine?
A) It is in Madina Sharif , Which is approximately 300 km away from Makkah Sharif.
Q) How is it known that Muhammad Sallallhu Alaihe Wasallam is the Prophet of Allah Ta’ala?
A) It is proven by the fact that, our Holy Prophet called people towards Islam, he performed many miracles and he gave such knowledge of the unseen (llm-e-ghaib) which can only be given by none other than a Prophet of Allah.
Q) What do you call a person who does not believe in Muhammad Sallallhu Alaihe Wasallam as a Prophet?
A) he/she is a Kafir (Infidel)
Q) What if someone believes in Allah Ta’ala but does not believe in the Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallhu Alaihe Wasallam?
A) The person is also a Kafir.
Q) What is the reason for believing in the Holy Prophet?
A) The reason for believing in him is that he is a true Prophet sent by Allah Ta’ala believe in this, believe in every word of our Holy Prophet, love him and never disrespect or speak or think badly about him.
Q) What is the Holy Quran?
A) The Holy Quran is the book of Allah.
Q) How do we know that the Holy Quran is Allah’s book?
A) There has never been a book that someone could create which was anything like the Holy Quran this then proves that the Holy Quran is the book of Allah. If the Holy Quran had been written and created by someone other than Allah then it would have been easy to create something similar, which of course has not been possible.
Q) Who was the Holy Quran revealed to?
A) It was revealed to our Holy Prophet, MUHAMMAD Sallallaho Alaihe ‘Wasallam.
Q) Was the Holy Quran Revealed all at once, or in parts?
A) It was revealed bit by bit according to the need of the people.
Q) Over how long a period was the Holy Quran Revealed?
A) It was Revealed over 23 years.
Q) How was the Holy Quran Revealed?
A) Hazrat Jibraeel Alaiyhissallaam revealed, chapter and versed to our Holy Prophet, by the grace of almighty Allah. Our Holy Prophet memorized these passages and repeated them to the people. These people then memorized these passages and wrote then down.
Q) What is preached in the Holy Quran?
A) Everything is in the Holy Quran, i.e. regarding everything in all walks of life and the hereafter.
Q) Why was the Holy Quran Revealed?
A) To show people the right way in life. So people can recognise Allah almighty and his Holy Prophet and so that they can live life in a pure way.
Q) Who is Hazrat Jibraeel Alaiyhissalaam?
A) He is an angel who brought messages (wahi) from Allah Almighty to the Prophets.
Q) What are Angels?
A) They are created from light (Noor), by Almighty Allah; they are neither male or female. They don’t eat or drink. They worship Allah constantly. (Non Stop)
Q) Why are human created?
A) They are created to worship Almighty Allah.
Q) How do Muslims worship Allah?
A) They worship Allah in the following ways:
1) They pray Namaz (Salat)
2) They fast during the month of Ramadan.
3) Rich Muslim offer Zakat (charity) Muslim.
4) They perform pilgrimage (hajj)
Q) What is the best from of worshop?
A) Namaz (Salat) is the best form of worship.
Q) What is Namaz (Salat)?
A) Namaz (Salat) is a form of worshiping Allah Almighty which is performed a certain way. A person praying Namaz, stands facing Qibla (Holy Ka’aba) they recite verses from the Holy Quran and bow down before Allah. They praise Allah, and they pray Durood (blessings) for our Holy Prophet.
Q) How many times a day do we pray Namaz?
A) Namaz is prayed five times a day.
Q) What are the names for these five Namaz?
A) Fajr, Zohr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha.
Q) When is the Fajr Namaz preyed?
A) From the break of dawn until the beginning of sunrise
Q) When Zohr Namaz prayed?
A) Zohr Namaz is prayed from after midday until the beginning time of Asr Namaz.
Q) When is Asr Namaz prayed?
A) Asr Namaz is prayed from late-afternoon until sunset.
Q) When is Maghrib Namaz prayed?
A) Maghrib Namaz is prayed from sunset, upto a maximum of One and Quarter hours.
Q) When is Isha Namaz prayed?
A) Isha Namaz is prayed after Maghrib time has lapsed upto the beginning of Fajr time.
Q) What is the process called when one washes their hands, face, feet and pass water over their hair?
A) This process is called WUZU (Ablution)
Q) How is Wuzu performed?
A) Wuzu is performed in the following way:
I) Pray Bismillah then perform Miswak (a five inch wooden stick) by rubbing over your teeth if this is not available then use your index finger.
ii) Wash both hands up to your wrists three times (first right then left)
iii) Then perform a gargle by washing your mouth out three times (using your right hand).
iv) Then pass water into your nose with your left hand little finger in right nostril and left hand thumb in left nostril, this is done three times.
v) Wash your face thoroughly by gathering water in both your palms (form a cup) and start at top of your forehead where hair has the bottom of our chin, this is also done three times.
vi) Wash your right arm up to and including your elbow, and ensure water passes through your fingers and pass your arms and not the other way round. Perform three times and do same to your left arm three times.
vii) Perform masah (wiping) by wetting your fingers on both hands and then using three fingers (small, next and middle) on the both hands rub over your hair from forehead to back of neck. Use your index finger in each hand to clean your ears (right finger to clean right ear and left finger to clean the left ear). Use your thumbs to clean back of your ears. Clean each side of your neck by passing the back of your hand over it. This Masah is only done ONCE.
ix) Wash you feet upto and including the ankles making sure that water passes every gap between your toes. Perform this three times with right and then left.
x) Look up to the sky and pray ASHHADUAN LA’ILA HA ILLALLAHO MUHAMMAD-DUR’RASOOLULLAH and the lnna Anzalna surat .
Q) What is the purpose of Wuzu?
A) The purpose of Wuzu is to ensure that you clean all parts mentioned, and it is important that you get plenty of water over the parts that you are washing.
Q) If a part of your body, that you are washing whilst doing Wuzu gets wet, but water does not drip from that, then does that Wuzu count?
A) No, if this happens Wuzu will not count. As well as wetting certain parts of your body (which have been mentioned) water must drip from those parts.
Q) At the time of Namaz, a man stands and calls people to prayer, what is this called?
A) This called the Azaan.
Q) What is the method of praying the Azaan?
A) Azaan is performed in the following manner after performing ablution (Wuzu). The person praying Azaan stands in a high place facing the Qibla putting both index fingers in the ears (right ear, left index finger in left ear) and praying in a loud and clear voice.
Q) What is the dua prayed after hearing the Azaan?
A) ALLAHUMMA RABBA HAA’ZIHID DA’WATT’IT TAA’MATEH WA SALAATIL QAA’IMAH TIH AATE SAYYEDINA MUHAMMADNIL WASEELATA WALFAZEELATH WADARAJATR RAFEEATAH WAB’AS HO MAKAAMU M M AHMOODA’NILAZIH WA’ATTAHO WARZUKNA SHAFA’ATAHO YAWMAL QIYAAMAT’E INNAKA LATUKHLIFUL MI’AAD.
Click here for Dua of Azan for Audio and Arabic text
Q) A short while after Azaan, people pray something else in loud
voice, what is this called?
A) This is called Tasweeb and Salat.
Q) What are the words prayed for Tasweeb and Salat?
A) There are no specific words which have been Islamic law. One can pray any words which are appropriate. These days the Durood Sharif is used quite commonly.
Q) Before the Namaz commences, one man stands in the first row and prays something in loud voice. What is this called?
A) The words of Takbeer are exactly the same as the words used in Azaan.
There is only on slight difference and that is after HAAYAA ALAL FALAAH the words QUDQAAMATIS SALAAT are prayed twice in addition.
Q) When listening to the Takbeer should a person be sat down or stood up?
A) Takbeer should be listened to whi8lst sitting down, but when the person praying HAYYA ALAL FALAAH, then everyone should stand.
Q) What do you call a parson who prays the Azaan?
A) He is called a Mu’azzin.
Q) What do you call a person who prays the Takbeer?
A) He is called the Mukabbir.
Q) What do you call someone who prays Namaz on their own?
A) They are called a Munfarid (alone)
Q) When everyone prays Namaz together what is this called?
A) When people who pray Namaz together this is called Jamaat.
Q) What do you call the person who leads the Namaz?
A) The person who leads the Namaz is called an Imam.
Q) What is the name given to those who pray behind the Imam?
A) They are called Muqtadee.
Q) What is the name given to the position when you stand up from Rukooh?
A) It is called Quwmah.
Q) What is the name given to the sitting position when you come out from sijdah?
A) The sitting position in between the Sijdahs is called jalsa and the sitting position when praying Attahiyat is called Qaida.
Q) Should Bismillah be prayed before Attahiyat?
A) No.
Q) Should the Muktadee pray Ta’awwuz and Tasmeeh when he is praying behind the Imam?
A) The Muktadeeh should only pray Sanah, when he is hehind the Imam and then remain silent. He should not pray Ta’awwuz or Tasmeeh; neither should he pray Surah Fatiha or any other Surat.
Q) Should the Muktadeeh pray ‘Sami Allaho liman hamidah’ when rising from Rukooh?
A) No, but he should pray Rabbana lakal hamd’ after rising from Rukooh.
Q) After Namaz, what do people pray whilst counting on their fingers?
A) They pray, Subhanallah 33 times, Allhamdolillah 33 times and Allaho Akbar 34 times. There is a lot of sawab (reward) for praying this.

  Basics of Islam

Part 2:

Q. What is the religion of Islam?
A. Islam is that path upon which Allah can be recognized.

Q. How can a person find this path?
A. This path can be found by means of the messengers of Allah
Q. How many pillars of Islam are there?
A. There are five pillars of Islam.
Q. what are these?
A. they are as follows
1. To state “Kalima Shahadat” by the tongue and accept it by heart.
2. To perform Namaz
3. To give Zakat.
4. To fast in the month of Ramadan.
5. To perform hajj.
Q. What is the “Kalima shahadat” and what does it mean?
A. This is Kalima Shahadat:
“Ash hado al la ila ha illAllah o wahdaho la sharika lahoo wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan ab du hu wa Rasooluh”.
Meaning:” I bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is his beloved servant and messenger.”
Q. If person prays the Kalima Shahadat by his tongue but does not believe it in his heart then is that person a Muslim?
A. A person like this is never a Muslim.
Q. What is ‘Iman’?
A. To believe all the things brought by our Prophet Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam from Allah is called Imaan.
Q. How many things should a Muslim believe in; which are compulsory?
A. There are seven things to believe in, these are mentioned in “Imaan Mufassal”
Amanto billahi wamala ikatihee wakutoobihi wa rusoolihi walyawmil akhiri wal qadri khayrihi washarrihi minAllah I Ta’ala walba’si ba’dal maut”
“I have believe in Allah, his Angels, his Books, his Messengers, on the day of judgment, and that goodness and non good things of destiny are all from Allah, and I also believe in being raised from the dead by Allah”.
Q. What is kufr?
A. To disbelieve in any of the things that are compulsory to believe in Islam.

Allah

Q. Regarding to Allah what should we believe?
A. Allah is one, pure, and clean from all defects. He is the only one worthy of worship. He has no beginning nor does he have an end. He has no partner.
The earth, sky, stars, sun, everything was created by him alone, and he is the master of all things. He has the ability to make a person rich or poor. He gives things life and death by his command. He is pure from and relations e.g. Father, mother, son, daughter, etc. He does face or body nothing is like Him, he is free from any position or place.
Q. Can we say Allah Miya?
A. No Allah miya should not be said.
Q. Who’s names are “Khaliq, Razzaq, Rahman”?
A. These names are all of Allah
Q. If people have names such as “Abdul Haq or Abdul Razzaq or Abdur Rahman or Abdul Qayyum can we call these people by names such as “Haq, Razzaq, Rahman, Qayyum ?
A. To do this is Haram (strictly forbidden)

The Angels of Allah

Q. What are angels?
A. Like mankind, angels are a. creation of Allah , but they are made of light. They are not of man or women. They do not eat or drink. They perform all the duties that Allah has given them.
Some angels write down a person’s good and bad dead in their graves; and some angels take Durood Sharif to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
Q) What are the names of those angels who write down our good and bad deeds?
A. They are called “Kiraman and Katibeen”.
Q. What do we call them angels who ask questions to the dead in their graves?
A. They are called “Munkar and Nakeer”
Q. How many angels are there?
A. There are countless angels of Allah. The total amounts of angels are know by Allah and by revelation his Prophet (peace be upon him) but there are four popular angels.
Q. Can you name these four angels?
A. 1.”Hazrat Jibraeel” (Peace be on him) who passes the messages of Allah to his messengers.
2. “Hazrat Israfeel” (peace be on him) who is blow the horn on the day of judgment.
3. “Hazrat Mikaeel” (peace be on him)
who is controlling the rainfall and sending wealth.
4. “Hazrat Izraeel” (peace on him) who has a duty of taking out souls of living things.

THE BOOKS OF ALLAH

Q. How many books are there of Allah?
A. Allah has sent down a great deal of books the larger books were called Kitabs, and the smaller books were called Sahigas. However, there four very popular Kitabs.
Q. What are thes4e four Kitabs Called and upon whom were they revealed to?
A. 1. Tauret, revealed to Hazrat Musa (peace be upon him)
2. Zaboor, revealed to Hazrat Da’ud (peace be upon him)
3. Injeel, revealed to Hazrat Eisa (peace be upon him)
4. Quran, revealed to Hazrat Mohammad Mustafa Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam
Q. Are these books still available today?
A. All the books are available. However, apart form the Holy Quran the rest have been altered and tampered by the Jews and Christians and the originals cannot be obtained.
Q. Has the Holy Quran been tampered with?
A. No, definitely not. it is unaltered from the time of the Holy Prophet and will remain so, until the day of Qayamat.
Q. How can there be no change in the Holy Quran?
A. Because Allah has taken sole responsibility to protect it, no person can alter it.
Q. How many Sahifas have been revealed and to which messengers?
A. The total amount of Sahifas (booklets) are only known by Allah and by revealing, his Prophet. However some Sahifas were revealed to Hazrat Adam (peace be on him) some to Hazrat Shees(peace be on him) some to Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be on him) apart from these, there are still others too.

Rasool and Nabi (Messengers and Prophets)

Q. Who are Rasool and Nabi?
A. Rasool and Nabi are the beloved servants of Allah, and they are human. Allah has sent them down for the guidance of the people. They preach the command of Allah to His people. They show miracles and speak of things unseen (ghaib) they never lie, and are pure from all sins.
Q. Are angels Nabis too?
A. No. Nabis are human beings only.
Q. How many Nabis are there?
A. More or less than 124.000 or more or less 224.000. The correct number is known to Allah and by his showing our Holy Prophet (peace be upon him.)
Q. Who was the first Prophet?
A. Hazrat Adam (peace be upon him)
Q. Who was the last Prophet?
A. Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (peace be on him)
Q. Are there going to be any Nabis now?
A. There will be no Nabi now. This is because our holy Prophet (peace be upon him) is the seal of the prophets. If a person doubts this, then he is a Kafir
Q. Who is the highest ranked, of the Rasools?
A. The most highest ranked of all the Rasools and Nabis is our Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him). After Allah, he has the highest rank.
Q. Can we write (S.A.W) after the name of a Prophet?
A. The full Durood, peace be upon him should be written, to write (p.b.u.h.) (s.a.w.) Etc. is Haram.

Part 3:

Qayamat

Q. Which day do we call Qayamt?
A. Qayamat is the day when all man, animals, earth, skies, mountain, everything will be destroyed. Only Allah will remain.
Q. How will everything be destroyed?
A. Hazrat Israfeel (peace be on him) will blow the soor. From the sound of it everybody, everything will be destroyed, Even Hazrat Israfeel and his horn will be destroyed.
Q. What is a soor?
A Soor is a thing similar to that of a horn of an animal.
Q. When will Qayamat come?
A. The correct time for Qayamat is known by Allah and his showing, the Prophet (peace be upon him). All we know is that it will be upon the 10th of moharram, and that the day will be a Friday. However our Prophet (peace be upon him) has given us a great deal of sings for Qayamat. By seeing these signs the near time of Qayamat can be known.
Q. Can you mention a few signs of Qayamat?
A. There will be a great deal of sins done. People will openly do Haram acts, people will be cruel to there parents and be friendly with others, rich people will find it difficult to give Zakat, the knowledge of Islam will be studied for worldly luxuries, there will be a great increase in dance and music, bad people will be the leaders of the public, the once poorest people will be living in massive buildings and will have money, there will be massive earthquakes.

Taqdeer (Destiny)

Q. What is Taqdeer (Destiny)?
A. What ever happens in this world and what good or bad, people do. Allah has written this down from the very beginning. This is Taqdeer.
Q. Does this mean that whatever Allah has written down, is compulsory for us to do?
A. No! Allah has already written down what we are going to do. If bad deeds were written in a person’s destiny, this is because he/she will do sins in this world. If he/she was going to do good deeds then reward would be written down in his destiny.

Rising after being dead

Q. What do we mean by “rising after dead”?
A. After the day of Qayamat, when everything will be destroyed. When Allah wishes he will create Hazrat Israfeel and his horn. When the horn is blown the second time everything will be raised, and they will go to the field of Hashr. There will be an account for every person for their good and bad deeds and they will be rewarded according to this, i.e. Good people will go to Jannat (paradise), and bad people will go to Jahannum (hell).
Q. If every person believes in everything in Iman –Mufassal by his tongue and heart but does not perform Namaz, Roza, Zakat, or Hajj is he still counted as a Muslim?
A. He is a Muslim but such a person is a grave sinner, and against the command of Allah. Such a person is Fasiq and Fajir (wrongdoer)
Q. If a person prays Namaz, Fasts etc. And believes everything of Iman-Mufassal but is insulting and be rude to the Prophet (peace be upon him) is this person a Muslim?
A. No! Such a person is a Kafir (infidel) and murtad (apostate)
Q. If a person does not insult the Prophet but purposely believes that those who insult the Prophet are Muslim. Is such a Person regarded as a Muslim?
A. No! This person too is a Kafir and Murtad (renegade)

Chapter of action

Namaz

Q. What things are necessary before starting Namaz?
A. Before starting Namaz seven conditions need to be fulfilled.
Q. What are these seven conditions?
A. 1. The body has to be clean.
2. The clothes have to be clean.
3. The place of praying Namaz has to be clean.
4. Satr-e-awrat(covering the body)
5. It should be the time of praying Namaz
6. To face the Qibla.
7. To make the niyat (intention) for Namaz. These seven things are called “sharait-e-namaz”

The first necessary condition of Namaz

Q. What do we mean by keeping the body clean?
A. There should be no sign of ‘Najasat Haqiqiya’, or ‘Najasat Hukmi’
Q. How many types of impurities (Najasats) are there?
A. There are two types of impurities, one is ‘Najasat Haqiqiya’ and the other one is Najasat Hukmi.
Q. What is Najasat Haqiqiya?
A. This is an impurity which can be seen directly e.g. Urine, blood etc.
Q. What is Najasat Hukmi?
A. This is an impurity which cannot be seen directly, but is known because of the Islamic law, e.g. Those situations which makes it compulsory for a person to perform bathing or Wuzu.
There are two types of Najasat Hukmi,
1. Hadath-e-Asgar. (Small)
2. Hadath-e-Akbar. (large)
Q. How does the body become clean from hadath-e-Asgar?
A. When person performs Wuzu.

Wuzu

Q. What is Wuzu?
A. To wash both hands up till the wrists
To wash the mouth.
To wash the inside of the nose.
To wash the whole face.
To wash both arms including the elbows
To wipe the head with wet hands (masah).
To wash both feet up to the ankles. This is called Wuzu
Q. Are all the these things necessary in Wuzu?
A. No. Only those things are necessary which we call Farz (compulsory). If a Farz is missed then Wuzu will not be made some things are Sunnat. If the Sunnat is missed then Wuzu is still performed. But if you do these Sunnats then the reward will be given and the reward would be greater.
Q. How many Farz (compulsory) are there in Wuzu?
A. There are four Farz of Wuzu
1. To wash the face, from the point where the hair starts to grow till the bottom of the chin, and from one earlobe to the other.
2. To wash both arms including the elbows.
3. To wipe your wet hands over one quarter of your head.
4. To wash both feet including the ankles.
Q. How many Sunnats are there in Wuzu?
A. There are sixteen Sunnats in Wuzu,
1 To perform niyyat (intention)for Wuzu
2 To say Bismillah
3 To wash both hands up to the wrists three times.
4 To perform miswaak (clean teeth via a stick)
5 To gargle three times by using the right hand.
6 To suck up water into the nose by using the right hand.
7 To clean the nose by using the left hand.
8 To pass fingers through the beard.
9 To pass the fingers through each other and through the toes.
10 To wash each part three times.
11 To pass the wet hand over the full head.
12 To wipe the outside of the ears.
13 To perform Wuzu in order.
14 To wipe those hairs of the beard which are outside the borings of the face.
15 To wash the parts of Wuzu one after the other. In other words before on part becomes dry wash the other
16 To stay away from those things which are Makrooh (disliked)
Q. How many Mustahabs (preferable) are there in Wuzu?
A. There are sixty five Mustahabs in Wuzu which are stated in the book Bahar-e-Shariat.
Q. What is Makrooh?
A. Makrooh are those things, which make Wuzu acceptable but incomplete.
Q. How many things are Makrooh in Wuzu?
A. There are 21 things that are Makrooh in Wuzu,
1 To perform Wuzu with water left over from another Wuzu.
2 To sit on an impure place during Wuzu.
3 To run the water of Wuzu on the impure place.
4 To perform Wuzu inside a Masque (Jamaat Khana)
5 To run the drops of water from the parts of Wuzu in to the bucket to water used.
6 To put mucus from the nose and mouth into the bucket of water used.
7 To spit or pour water from the nose or mouth in the direction of the Qibla.
8 To talk about worldly things without reason.
9 To use more water than necessary.
10 To use so little water that the Sunnats of Wuzu cannot be performed.
11 To splash water on to the face.
12 To blow when pouring water on to the face.
13 To wash the face by using one hand.
14 To wipe the throat with the hands.
15 To gargle or suck water into the nose by using the left hand.
16 To clean the nose by using the right hand
17 To have a container etc. Only for yourself.
18 To wipe the head three times each time washing the hands
19 To dry the parts of Wuzu (but this can be done in cold weather)
20 To do Wuzu by using water which has been warmed by the sun.
21 To deliberately miss a Sunnat.
Q. What things break Wuzu?
A. 1 To excrete
2 To pass urine.
3 For anything to come out of the urinal or anal passage.
4 To pass wind.
5 For blood or puss to come out and flow from a part of the body.
6 To vomit (a mouthful), food, water, or mucus.
7 To sleep in such a way that the joints of the body become loose.
8 To fall unconscious
9 To become mentally disabled.
10 To faint.
11 To be drunk in anything in such a way that it is difficult to wake properly.
12 To laugh loudly during Namaz in such a way that the people around you listen when you are performing any Namaz which has Rukooh and Sajda.
13 For water to run form a hurting eye.

Ghusl (bathing)

Q. How can we clean our body from Hadath-e-Akbar?
A. By performing ghusl, the body can become pure from Hadath-e-Akbar.
Q. What is ghusl?
A. To bathe is called Ghusl.
The Islamic way is to perform the intention of ghusl first.
Then:
Wash both hands to the wrist three times.
Wash the private parts of the body.
Wash any najast Haqiqiya (e.g. Urine) from any part of the body.
do wuzu like you do for Namaz but do not wash your feet. If you are on a bench etc. Then wash your feet as well.
Then massage water on your body like you massage oil.
Then pass water three times on your right shoulder.
Then pass water three times on your left shoulder.
Then pass water on your head and whole of the body three times
wipe your hand on the whole body. After ghusl, and drying, quickly put back on your clothes.
Q. How many Farz are there in ghusl?
A. There are three Farz in ghusl
1. To perform gargle i.e. To clean the mouth out thoroughly.
2. To wash the inside of the nose thoroughly.
3. To wash the whole body so that not a hair point is left dry.
Q. How many Sunnats are there in ghusl?
A. The Sunnats are ghusl are as follows;
1 To perform the intention of ghusl.
2 To wash both hands up to the wrists three times.
3 To wash the private parts of the body.
4 To wash those places on which there is Najasat (impurity).
5 To perform wuzu like Namaz.
6 To massage water up the body like oil.
7 To pour the water on the right shoulder then the left and then the head and after that pour water all over the body three times.
8 To pass the hands over the whole body and message the body.
9 Not to face the Qibla when performing ghusl. If performing ghusl you wear clothes then it is acceptable.
10 To perform ghusl in a place where you cannot be seen.
11 When performing ghusl you should not talk.
12 Not to pray anything.
13 It is Sunnat for the women to sit and do ghusl.
14 To get dressed quickly after ghusl.

 

Read Holy Quran: QuranSharif.info

Read islamic Articles: QuranSunnat.com

Basics of Islam

Basics of Islam PART 1

Written By Mufti Jalal-Ud-Din Ahmad Amjadi
Translated by Haji Saleem Ghisa Rizvi
Prepared by Molvi Kaleem Raza

Q) Who are you?
A) I am a Muslim

Q) Who do you call a Muslim?
A) Those who believe in one Allah and believes that Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam is the messenger of Allah and believes that the Holy Quran is the book of Allah
Q) What is the name of your religion?
A) Islam
Q) What is the message of Islam (Kalima)?
A) La ilaha illallaho Muhammadur Rasoolallah’ This is Called the first Kalima (Kalima Tayyab)
Q) What is the meaning of this Kalima?
A) There is no-one worthy of worship except Allah, Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam is the messenger of Allah
Q) Who is Allah?
A) Allah created humans, the sun, moon and every singe creation.
Q) What do you call someone who does not believe in Allah?
A) Whoever does not believe in Allah is an infidel (Kafir)
Q) What do you call someone who associates someone equal to or partner with Allah?
A) We call them Mushrik and Kafir (polytheist) and infidel)
Q) What is wrong in being a Kafir or Mushrik?
A) Allah will always be unhappy with a Kafir or Mushrik and after death they will remain in the fire or hell forever.
Q) Will Kafirs or Mushriks never go to paradise?
A) No, never, they will remain in hell for eternity.
Q) Who is Muhammad Sallallhu Alaihe Wasallam?
A) He is the messenger and Prophet of Allah Ta’ala. He is the highest ranking Prophet of all prophets. He is the greatest Prophet. We are all his followers, we are from his Ummat and he is our Prophet
Q) Where was our Prophet born?
A) He was born on the 12 th of Rabbi-ul-Awwal (approx.20 th April 571 ad.)
Q) What is the name of the Holy Prophet’s father?
A) It is Hazrat Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him)
Q) What is the name of our Holy Prophet’s mother?
A) It is Hazrat Amina (may Allah be pleased with her)
Q) What is the names of our Holy Prophet ‘s grandparents?
A) Our Holy Prophet’s grandfather’s name was Abdul Muttallib and his grandmother’s name (Maternal) was Wahub.
Q) How many years did our Holy Prophet stay alive?
A) After our Holy Prophet passes away, by the power of Allah he is still alive in his holy shrine. His presence in the world was 63 and 10 years In Madinah.
Q) On what date did our Holy Prophet pass away?
A) Our Holy Prophet Passed away from in front of the human eyes on the 12 th of Rabbi-ul Awwal (Approx. June 12 th 632ad…)
Q) Where is our Holy Prophet’s Holy Shrine?
A) It is in Madina Sharif , Which is approximately 300 km away from Makkah Sharif.
Q) How is it known that Muhammad Sallallhu Alaihe Wasallam is the Prophet of Allah Ta’ala?
A) It is proven by the fact that, our Holy Prophet called people towards Islam, he performed many miracles and he gave such knowledge of the unseen (llm-e-ghaib) which can only be given by none other than a Prophet of Allah.
Q) What do you call a person who does not believe in Muhammad Sallallhu Alaihe Wasallam as a Prophet?
A) he/she is a Kafir (Infidel)
Q) What if someone believes in Allah Ta’ala but does not believe in the Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallhu Alaihe Wasallam?
A) The person is also a Kafir.
Q) What is the reason for believing in the Holy Prophet?
A) The reason for believing in him is that he is a true Prophet sent by Allah Ta’ala believe in this, believe in every word of our Holy Prophet, love him and never disrespect or speak or think badly about him.
Q) What is the Holy Quran?
A) The Holy Quran is the book of Allah.
Q) How do we know that the Holy Quran is Allah’s book?
A) There has never been a book that someone could create which was anything like the Holy Quran this then proves that the Holy Quran is the book of Allah. If the Holy Quran had been written and created by someone other than Allah then it would have been easy to create something similar, which of course has not been possible.
Q) Who was the Holy Quran revealed to?
A) It was revealed to our Holy Prophet, MUHAMMAD Sallallaho Alaihe ‘Wasallam.
Q) Was the Holy Quran Revealed all at once, or in parts?
A) It was revealed bit by bit according to the need of the people.
Q) Over how long a period was the Holy Quran Revealed?
A) It was Revealed over 23 years.
Q) How was the Holy Quran Revealed?
A) Hazrat Jibraeel Alaiyhissallaam revealed, chapter and versed to our Holy Prophet, by the grace of almighty Allah. Our Holy Prophet memorized these passages and repeated them to the people. These people then memorized these passages and wrote then down.
Q) What is preached in the Holy Quran?
A) Everything is in the Holy Quran, i.e. regarding everything in all walks of life and the hereafter.
Q) Why was the Holy Quran Revealed?
A) To show people the right way in life. So people can recognise Allah almighty and his Holy Prophet and so that they can live life in a pure way.
Q) Who is Hazrat Jibraeel Alaiyhissalaam?
A) He is an angel who brought messages (wahi) from Allah Almighty to the Prophets.
Q) What are Angels?
A) They are created from light (Noor), by Almighty Allah; they are neither male or female. They don’t eat or drink. They worship Allah constantly. (Non Stop)
Q) Why are human created?
A) They are created to worship Almighty Allah.
Q) How do Muslims worship Allah?
A) They worship Allah in the following ways:
1) They pray Namaz (Salat)
2) They fast during the month of Ramadan.
3) Rich Muslim offer Zakat (charity) Muslim.
4) They perform pilgrimage (hajj)
Q) What is the best from of worshop?
A) Namaz (Salat) is the best form of worship.
Q) What is Namaz (Salat)?
A) Namaz (Salat) is a form of worshiping Allah Almighty which is performed a certain way. A person praying Namaz, stands facing Qibla (Holy Ka’aba) they recite verses from the Holy Quran and bow down before Allah. They praise Allah, and they pray Durood (blessings) for our Holy Prophet.
Q) How many times a day do we pray Namaz?
A) Namaz is prayed five times a day.
Q) What are the names for these five Namaz?
A) Fajr, Zohr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha.
Q) When is the Fajr Namaz preyed?
A) From the break of dawn until the beginning of sunrise
Q) When Zohr Namaz prayed?
A) Zohr Namaz is prayed from after midday until the beginning time of Asr Namaz.
Q) When is Asr Namaz prayed?
A) Asr Namaz is prayed from late-afternoon until sunset.
Q) When is Maghrib Namaz prayed?
A) Maghrib Namaz is prayed from sunset, upto a maximum of One and Quarter hours.
Q) When is Isha Namaz prayed?
A) Isha Namaz is prayed after Maghrib time has lapsed upto the beginning of Fajr time.
Q) What is the process called when one washes their hands, face, feet and pass water over their hair?
A) This process is called WUZU (Ablution)
Q) How is Wuzu performed?
A) Wuzu is performed in the following way:
I) Pray Bismillah then perform Miswak (a five inch wooden stick) by rubbing over your teeth if this is not available then use your index finger.
ii) Wash both hands up to your wrists three times (first right then left)
iii) Then perform a gargle by washing your mouth out three times (using your right hand).
iv) Then pass water into your nose with your left hand little finger in right nostril and left hand thumb in left nostril, this is done three times.
v) Wash your face thoroughly by gathering water in both your palms (form a cup) and start at top of your forehead where hair has the bottom of our chin, this is also done three times.
vi) Wash your right arm up to and including your elbow, and ensure water passes through your fingers and pass your arms and not the other way round. Perform three times and do same to your left arm three times.
vii) Perform masah (wiping) by wetting your fingers on both hands and then using three fingers (small, next and middle) on the both hands rub over your hair from forehead to back of neck. Use your index finger in each hand to clean your ears (right finger to clean right ear and left finger to clean the left ear). Use your thumbs to clean back of your ears. Clean each side of your neck by passing the back of your hand over it. This Masah is only done ONCE.
ix) Wash you feet upto and including the ankles making sure that water passes every gap between your toes. Perform this three times with right and then left.
x) Look up to the sky and pray ASHHADUAN LA’ILA HA ILLALLAHO MUHAMMAD-DUR’RASOOLULLAH and the lnna Anzalna surat .
Q) What is the purpose of Wuzu?
A) The purpose of Wuzu is to ensure that you clean all parts mentioned, and it is important that you get plenty of water over the parts that you are washing.
Q) If a part of your body, that you are washing whilst doing Wuzu gets wet, but water does not drip from that, then does that Wuzu count?
A) No, if this happens Wuzu will not count. As well as wetting certain parts of your body (which have been mentioned) water must drip from those parts.
Q) At the time of Namaz, a man stands and calls people to prayer, what is this called?
A) This called the Azaan.
Q) What is the method of praying the Azaan?
A) Azaan is performed in the following manner after performing ablution (Wuzu). The person praying Azaan stands in a high place facing the Qibla putting both index fingers in the ears (right ear, left index finger in left ear) and praying in a loud and clear voice.
Q) What is the dua prayed after hearing the Azaan?
A) ALLAHUMMA RABBA HAA’ZIHID DA’WATT’IT TAA’MATEH WA SALAATIL QAA’IMAH TIH AATE SAYYEDINA MUHAMMADNIL WASEELATA WALFAZEELATH WADARAJATR RAFEEATAH WAB’AS HO MAKAAMU M M AHMOODA’NILAZIH WA’ATTAHO WARZUKNA SHAFA’ATAHO YAWMAL QIYAAMAT’E INNAKA LATUKHLIFUL MI’AAD.
Click here for Dua of Azan for Audio and Arabic text
Q) A short while after Azaan, people pray something else in loud
voice, what is this called?
A) This is called Tasweeb and Salat.
Q) What are the words prayed for Tasweeb and Salat?
A) There are no specific words which have been Islamic law. One can pray any words which are appropriate. These days the Durood Sharif is used quite commonly.
Q) Before the Namaz commences, one man stands in the first row and prays something in loud voice. What is this called?
A) The words of Takbeer are exactly the same as the words used in Azaan.
There is only on slight difference and that is after HAAYAA ALAL FALAAH the words QUDQAAMATIS SALAAT are prayed twice in addition.
Q) When listening to the Takbeer should a person be sat down or stood up?
A) Takbeer should be listened to whi8lst sitting down, but when the person praying HAYYA ALAL FALAAH, then everyone should stand.
Q) What do you call a parson who prays the Azaan?
A) He is called a Mu’azzin.
Q) What do you call a person who prays the Takbeer?
A) He is called the Mukabbir.
Q) What do you call someone who prays Namaz on their own?
A) They are called a Munfarid (alone)
Q) When everyone prays Namaz together what is this called?
A) When people who pray Namaz together this is called Jamaat.
Q) What do you call the person who leads the Namaz?
A) The person who leads the Namaz is called an Imam.
Q) What is the name given to those who pray behind the Imam?
A) They are called Muqtadee.
Q) What is the name given to the position when you stand up from Rukooh?
A) It is called Quwmah.
Q) What is the name given to the sitting position when you come out from sijdah?
A) The sitting position in between the Sijdahs is called jalsa and the sitting position when praying Attahiyat is called Qaida.
Q) Should Bismillah be prayed before Attahiyat?
A) No.
Q) Should the Muktadee pray Ta’awwuz and Tasmeeh when he is praying behind the Imam?
A) The Muktadeeh should only pray Sanah, when he is hehind the Imam and then remain silent. He should not pray Ta’awwuz or Tasmeeh; neither should he pray Surah Fatiha or any other Surat.
Q) Should the Muktadeeh pray ‘Sami Allaho liman hamidah’ when rising from Rukooh?
A) No, but he should pray Rabbana lakal hamd’ after rising from Rukooh.
Q) After Namaz, what do people pray whilst counting on their fingers?
A) They pray, Subhanallah 33 times, Allhamdolillah 33 times and Allaho Akbar 34 times. There is a lot of sawab (reward) for praying this.

 

Part 2:

Q. What is the religion of Islam?
A. Islam is that path upon which Allah can be recognized.

Q. How can a person find this path?
A. This path can be found by means of the messengers of Allah
Q. How many pillars of Islam are there?
A. There are five pillars of Islam.
Q. what are these?
A. they are as follows
1. To state “Kalima Shahadat” by the tongue and accept it by heart.
2. To perform Namaz
3. To give Zakat.
4. To fast in the month of Ramadan.
5. To perform hajj.
Q. What is the “Kalima shahadat” and what does it mean?
A. This is Kalima Shahadat:
“Ash hado al la ila ha illAllah o wahdaho la sharika lahoo wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan ab du hu wa Rasooluh”.
Meaning:” I bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is his beloved servant and messenger.”
Q. If person prays the Kalima Shahadat by his tongue but does not believe it in his heart then is that person a Muslim?
A. A person like this is never a Muslim.
Q. What is ‘Iman’?
A. To believe all the things brought by our Prophet Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam from Allah is called Imaan.
Q. How many things should a Muslim believe in; which are compulsory?
A. There are seven things to believe in, these are mentioned in “Imaan Mufassal”
Amanto billahi wamala ikatihee wakutoobihi wa rusoolihi walyawmil akhiri wal qadri khayrihi washarrihi minAllah I Ta’ala walba’si ba’dal maut”
“I have believe in Allah, his Angels, his Books, his Messengers, on the day of judgment, and that goodness and non good things of destiny are all from Allah, and I also believe in being raised from the dead by Allah”.
Q. What is kufr?
A. To disbelieve in any of the things that are compulsory to believe in Islam.

Allah

Q. Regarding to Allah what should we believe?
A. Allah is one, pure, and clean from all defects. He is the only one worthy of worship. He has no beginning nor does he have an end. He has no partner.
The earth, sky, stars, sun, everything was created by him alone, and he is the master of all things. He has the ability to make a person rich or poor. He gives things life and death by his command. He is pure from and relations e.g. Father, mother, son, daughter, etc. He does face or body nothing is like Him, he is free from any position or place.
Q. Can we say Allah Miya?
A. No Allah miya should not be said.
Q. Who’s names are “Khaliq, Razzaq, Rahman”?
A. These names are all of Allah
Q. If people have names such as “Abdul Haq or Abdul Razzaq or Abdur Rahman or Abdul Qayyum can we call these people by names such as “Haq, Razzaq, Rahman, Qayyum ?
A. To do this is Haram (strictly forbidden)

The Angels of Allah

Q. What are angels?
A. Like mankind, angels are a. creation of Allah , but they are made of light. They are not of man or women. They do not eat or drink. They perform all the duties that Allah has given them.
Some angels write down a person’s good and bad dead in their graves; and some angels take Durood Sharif to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
Q) What are the names of those angels who write down our good and bad deeds?
A. They are called “Kiraman and Katibeen”.
Q. What do we call them angels who ask questions to the dead in their graves?
A. They are called “Munkar and Nakeer”
Q. How many angels are there?
A. There are countless angels of Allah. The total amounts of angels are know by Allah and by revelation his Prophet (peace be upon him) but there are four popular angels.
Q. Can you name these four angels?
A. 1.”Hazrat Jibraeel” (Peace be on him) who passes the messages of Allah to his messengers.
2. “Hazrat Israfeel” (peace be on him) who is blow the horn on the day of judgment.
3. “Hazrat Mikaeel” (peace be on him)
who is controlling the rainfall and sending wealth.
4. “Hazrat Izraeel” (peace on him) who has a duty of taking out souls of living things.

THE BOOKS OF ALLAH

Q. How many books are there of Allah?
A. Allah has sent down a great deal of books the larger books were called Kitabs, and the smaller books were called Sahigas. However, there four very popular Kitabs.
Q. What are thes4e four Kitabs Called and upon whom were they revealed to?
A. 1. Tauret, revealed to Hazrat Musa (peace be upon him)
2. Zaboor, revealed to Hazrat Da’ud (peace be upon him)
3. Injeel, revealed to Hazrat Eisa (peace be upon him)
4. Quran, revealed to Hazrat Mohammad Mustafa Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam
Q. Are these books still available today?
A. All the books are available. However, apart form the Holy Quran the rest have been altered and tampered by the Jews and Christians and the originals cannot be obtained.
Q. Has the Holy Quran been tampered with?
A. No, definitely not. it is unaltered from the time of the Holy Prophet and will remain so, until the day of Qayamat.
Q. How can there be no change in the Holy Quran?
A. Because Allah has taken sole responsibility to protect it, no person can alter it.
Q. How many Sahifas have been revealed and to which messengers?
A. The total amount of Sahifas (booklets) are only known by Allah and by revealing, his Prophet. However some Sahifas were revealed to Hazrat Adam (peace be on him) some to Hazrat Shees(peace be on him) some to Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be on him) apart from these, there are still others too.

Rasool and Nabi (Messengers and Prophets)

Q. Who are Rasool and Nabi?
A. Rasool and Nabi are the beloved servants of Allah, and they are human. Allah has sent them down for the guidance of the people. They preach the command of Allah to His people. They show miracles and speak of things unseen (ghaib) they never lie, and are pure from all sins.
Q. Are angels Nabis too?
A. No. Nabis are human beings only.
Q. How many Nabis are there?
A. More or less than 124.000 or more or less 224.000. The correct number is known to Allah and by his showing our Holy Prophet (peace be upon him.)
Q. Who was the first Prophet?
A. Hazrat Adam (peace be upon him)
Q. Who was the last Prophet?
A. Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (peace be on him)
Q. Are there going to be any Nabis now?
A. There will be no Nabi now. This is because our holy Prophet (peace be upon him) is the seal of the prophets. If a person doubts this, then he is a Kafir
Q. Who is the highest ranked, of the Rasools?
A. The most highest ranked of all the Rasools and Nabis is our Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him). After Allah, he has the highest rank.
Q. Can we write (S.A.W) after the name of a Prophet?
A. The full Durood, peace be upon him should be written, to write (p.b.u.h.) (s.a.w.) Etc. is Haram.

Part 3:

Qayamat

Q. Which day do we call Qayamt?
A. Qayamat is the day when all man, animals, earth, skies, mountain, everything will be destroyed. Only Allah will remain.
Q. How will everything be destroyed?
A. Hazrat Israfeel (peace be on him) will blow the soor. From the sound of it everybody, everything will be destroyed, Even Hazrat Israfeel and his horn will be destroyed.
Q. What is a soor?
A Soor is a thing similar to that of a horn of an animal.
Q. When will Qayamat come?
A. The correct time for Qayamat is known by Allah and his showing, the Prophet (peace be upon him). All we know is that it will be upon the 10th of moharram, and that the day will be a Friday. However our Prophet (peace be upon him) has given us a great deal of sings for Qayamat. By seeing these signs the near time of Qayamat can be known.
Q. Can you mention a few signs of Qayamat?
A. There will be a great deal of sins done. People will openly do Haram acts, people will be cruel to there parents and be friendly with others, rich people will find it difficult to give Zakat, the knowledge of Islam will be studied for worldly luxuries, there will be a great increase in dance and music, bad people will be the leaders of the public, the once poorest people will be living in massive buildings and will have money, there will be massive earthquakes.

Taqdeer (Destiny)

Q. What is Taqdeer (Destiny)?
A. What ever happens in this world and what good or bad, people do. Allah has written this down from the very beginning. This is Taqdeer.
Q. Does this mean that whatever Allah has written down, is compulsory for us to do?
A. No! Allah has already written down what we are going to do. If bad deeds were written in a person’s destiny, this is because he/she will do sins in this world. If he/she was going to do good deeds then reward would be written down in his destiny.

Rising after being dead

Q. What do we mean by “rising after dead”?
A. After the day of Qayamat, when everything will be destroyed. When Allah wishes he will create Hazrat Israfeel and his horn. When the horn is blown the second time everything will be raised, and they will go to the field of Hashr. There will be an account for every person for their good and bad deeds and they will be rewarded according to this, i.e. Good people will go to Jannat (paradise), and bad people will go to Jahannum (hell).
Q. If every person believes in everything in Iman –Mufassal by his tongue and heart but does not perform Namaz, Roza, Zakat, or Hajj is he still counted as a Muslim?
A. He is a Muslim but such a person is a grave sinner, and against the command of Allah. Such a person is Fasiq and Fajir (wrongdoer)
Q. If a person prays Namaz, Fasts etc. And believes everything of Iman-Mufassal but is insulting and be rude to the Prophet (peace be upon him) is this person a Muslim?
A. No! Such a person is a Kafir (infidel) and murtad (apostate)
Q. If a person does not insult the Prophet but purposely believes that those who insult the Prophet are Muslim. Is such a Person regarded as a Muslim?
A. No! This person too is a Kafir and Murtad (renegade)

Chapter of action

Namaz

Q. What things are necessary before starting Namaz?
A. Before starting Namaz seven conditions need to be fulfilled.
Q. What are these seven conditions?
A. 1. The body has to be clean.
2. The clothes have to be clean.
3. The place of praying Namaz has to be clean.
4. Satr-e-awrat(covering the body)
5. It should be the time of praying Namaz
6. To face the Qibla.
7. To make the niyat (intention) for Namaz. These seven things are called “sharait-e-namaz”

The first necessary condition of Namaz

Q. What do we mean by keeping the body clean?
A. There should be no sign of ‘Najasat Haqiqiya’, or ‘Najasat Hukmi’
Q. How many types of impurities (Najasats) are there?
A. There are two types of impurities, one is ‘Najasat Haqiqiya’ and the other one is Najasat Hukmi.
Q. What is Najasat Haqiqiya?
A. This is an impurity which can be seen directly e.g. Urine, blood etc.
Q. What is Najasat Hukmi?
A. This is an impurity which cannot be seen directly, but is known because of the Islamic law, e.g. Those situations which makes it compulsory for a person to perform bathing or Wuzu.
There are two types of Najasat Hukmi,
1. Hadath-e-Asgar. (Small)
2. Hadath-e-Akbar. (large)
Q. How does the body become clean from hadath-e-Asgar?
A. When person performs Wuzu.

Wuzu

Q. What is Wuzu?
A. To wash both hands up till the wrists
To wash the mouth.
To wash the inside of the nose.
To wash the whole face.
To wash both arms including the elbows
To wipe the head with wet hands (masah).
To wash both feet up to the ankles. This is called Wuzu
Q. Are all the these things necessary in Wuzu?
A. No. Only those things are necessary which we call Farz (compulsory). If a Farz is missed then Wuzu will not be made some things are Sunnat. If the Sunnat is missed then Wuzu is still performed. But if you do these Sunnats then the reward will be given and the reward would be greater.
Q. How many Farz (compulsory) are there in Wuzu?
A. There are four Farz of Wuzu
1. To wash the face, from the point where the hair starts to grow till the bottom of the chin, and from one earlobe to the other.
2. To wash both arms including the elbows.
3. To wipe your wet hands over one quarter of your head.
4. To wash both feet including the ankles.
Q. How many Sunnats are there in Wuzu?
A. There are sixteen Sunnats in Wuzu,
1 To perform niyyat (intention)for Wuzu
2 To say Bismillah
3 To wash both hands up to the wrists three times.
4 To perform miswaak (clean teeth via a stick)
5 To gargle three times by using the right hand.
6 To suck up water into the nose by using the right hand.
7 To clean the nose by using the left hand.
8 To pass fingers through the beard.
9 To pass the fingers through each other and through the toes.
10 To wash each part three times.
11 To pass the wet hand over the full head.
12 To wipe the outside of the ears.
13 To perform Wuzu in order.
14 To wipe those hairs of the beard which are outside the borings of the face.
15 To wash the parts of Wuzu one after the other. In other words before on part becomes dry wash the other
16 To stay away from those things which are Makrooh (disliked)
Q. How many Mustahabs (preferable) are there in Wuzu?
A. There are sixty five Mustahabs in Wuzu which are stated in the book Bahar-e-Shariat.
Q. What is Makrooh?
A. Makrooh are those things, which make Wuzu acceptable but incomplete.
Q. How many things are Makrooh in Wuzu?
A. There are 21 things that are Makrooh in Wuzu,
1 To perform Wuzu with water left over from another Wuzu.
2 To sit on an impure place during Wuzu.
3 To run the water of Wuzu on the impure place.
4 To perform Wuzu inside a Masque (Jamaat Khana)
5 To run the drops of water from the parts of Wuzu in to the bucket to water used.
6 To put mucus from the nose and mouth into the bucket of water used.
7 To spit or pour water from the nose or mouth in the direction of the Qibla.
8 To talk about worldly things without reason.
9 To use more water than necessary.
10 To use so little water that the Sunnats of Wuzu cannot be performed.
11 To splash water on to the face.
12 To blow when pouring water on to the face.
13 To wash the face by using one hand.
14 To wipe the throat with the hands.
15 To gargle or suck water into the nose by using the left hand.
16 To clean the nose by using the right hand
17 To have a container etc. Only for yourself.
18 To wipe the head three times each time washing the hands
19 To dry the parts of Wuzu (but this can be done in cold weather)
20 To do Wuzu by using water which has been warmed by the sun.
21 To deliberately miss a Sunnat.
Q. What things break Wuzu?
A. 1 To excrete
2 To pass urine.
3 For anything to come out of the urinal or anal passage.
4 To pass wind.
5 For blood or puss to come out and flow from a part of the body.
6 To vomit (a mouthful), food, water, or mucus.
7 To sleep in such a way that the joints of the body become loose.
8 To fall unconscious
9 To become mentally disabled.
10 To faint.
11 To be drunk in anything in such a way that it is difficult to wake properly.
12 To laugh loudly during Namaz in such a way that the people around you listen when you are performing any Namaz which has Rukooh and Sajda.
13 For water to run form a hurting eye.

Ghusl (bathing)

Q. How can we clean our body from Hadath-e-Akbar?
A. By performing ghusl, the body can become pure from Hadath-e-Akbar.
Q. What is ghusl?
A. To bathe is called Ghusl.
The Islamic way is to perform the intention of ghusl first.
Then:
Wash both hands to the wrist three times.
Wash the private parts of the body.
Wash any najast Haqiqiya (e.g. Urine) from any part of the body.
do wuzu like you do for Namaz but do not wash your feet. If you are on a bench etc. Then wash your feet as well.
Then massage water on your body like you massage oil.
Then pass water three times on your right shoulder.
Then pass water three times on your left shoulder.
Then pass water on your head and whole of the body three times
wipe your hand on the whole body. After ghusl, and drying, quickly put back on your clothes.
Q. How many Farz are there in ghusl?
A. There are three Farz in ghusl
1. To perform gargle i.e. To clean the mouth out thoroughly.
2. To wash the inside of the nose thoroughly.
3. To wash the whole body so that not a hair point is left dry.
Q. How many Sunnats are there in ghusl?
A. The Sunnats are ghusl are as follows;
1 To perform the intention of ghusl.
2 To wash both hands up to the wrists three times.
3 To wash the private parts of the body.
4 To wash those places on which there is Najasat (impurity).
5 To perform wuzu like Namaz.
6 To massage water up the body like oil.
7 To pour the water on the right shoulder then the left and then the head and after that pour water all over the body three times.
8 To pass the hands over the whole body and message the body.
9 Not to face the Qibla when performing ghusl. If performing ghusl you wear clothes then it is acceptable.
10 To perform ghusl in a place where you cannot be seen.
11 When performing ghusl you should not talk.
12 Not to pray anything.
13 It is Sunnat for the women to sit and do ghusl.
14 To get dressed quickly after ghusl.

Reaping the Benefits of Ramadan

In the month of Ramadan it is very important that we spent a few moments to understand some of the wisdom and lessons that we can learn from this month of fasting.

Unfortunately, many Muslims come in to this month and they are as a companion of the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Let it not be that the day that you fast and the day that you break fast be equal." Meaning, one’s behavior, attitude and outlook are the same whether one fasts or not, i.e. fasting has no effect upon that person. This is why we need to reflect on some of these lessons.

LESSON 1: Gaining Taqwaa

Allah legislated fasting for gaining Taqwaa, "O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it has been prescribed upon those before you, so that you may attain taqwaa." (meaning of Soraatul Baqarah (2):183) Taqwaa in this case means to make a shield between oneself and Allaah’s anger and Hellfire. So we should ask ourselves, when we break our fasts, ‘Has this fasting day made us fear Allah more? Has it resulted that we want to protect ourselves from the hellfire or not?

LESSON 2: Drawing closer to Allah

This is achieved by reciting and reflecting on Al-Qur’aan during night and day, attending the taraaweeh prayers, remembering Allah, sitting in circles of knowledge and, for those who can, making `umrah. Also for those who can, making I`tikaaf (seclusion) in the last ten nights of Ramadan, so as to leave all worldly pursuits and seclude oneself in a masjid just thinking of Allah, so as to bring oneself closer to Allah (SWT). When one sins, one feels distant from Allah. That is why one might find it heard to read the Qur’aan and come to the masjid. However, the obedient worshipper feels closer to Allah and wants to worship Allah more, because he is not shy from his sins.

LESSON 3: Acquiring patience and strong will

Allah has mentioned patience more than seventy times in the Qur’aan and has commanded patience in more than sixteen ways in His Book. So when one fasts, and gives up one’s food and drink, and one’s marital sexual relations for those hours, one learns restraint and patience. This Ummah needs man and women that are strong willed, who can stand upon the Sunnah and the Book of Allah and not waver in front of the enemies of Allah. We do not need emotional people, who just raise slogans and shout, but when the time comes to stand upon something firm, they cannot do so, they waver.

LESSON 4: Striving for Ihsaan (righteousness and sincerity) and staying away from riyaa’ (showing off)

Ihsaan means to worship Allah as if one seeks Him, and even though one does not see Him, He sees all. Hasan al-Basree said, "By Allah, in the last twenty years, I have not said a word or taken something with my hand or refrained to take something with my hand or stepped forth or stepped back, except that I have thought before I have done any action, ‘Does Allah love this action? Is Allah pleased with this action?’ So when one is fasting, one should gain this quality of watching oneself and also staying away from riyaa’ (showing off). That is why Allah said in a hadeeth qudsee, "Fasting is for Me and I reward it." (al-Bukhaaree) Allah singles out fasting from all other types of worship saying, "Fasting is for Me", because no one knows whether you are fasting or not, except Allah. For example, when one is praying or giving charity or making tawaaaf, one can be seen by the people, so one might do the action seeking the praise of the people. Sufyaan ath-Thawree used to spend the nights and the days crying and the people used to ask him, "Why do you cry, is it due to the fear of Allah? He said, ‘No.’ They said, "Is it due to the fear of the Hellfire?" He said, ‘No. It is not the fear of Hellfire that makes me cry, what makes me cry is that I have been worshipping Allah all these years and doing scholarly teaching, and I am not certain that my intentions are purely for Allah.’"

LESSON 5: Refinement of manners, especially those related to truthfulness and discharging trusts.

The Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "Whoever does not abandon falsehood in word and action, then Allah (SWT) has no need that he should heave his food and drink." (al-Bukhaaree) What we learn from this, is that we must pay attention to the purification of our manners. The Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "was sent to perfect good manners." (Maalik) So we must check ourselves, are we following the behavior of the Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him)? For example: Do we give salaam to those we don’t know and those we do know? Do we follow the manners of Islam, by telling the truth and only telling the truth? Are we sincere? Are we merciful to the creation?

LESSON 6: Recognizing that one can change for the better

The Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "Every son of Adam sins and the best of the sinners are those who repent." (Ibn Maajah) Allah provides many opportunities to repent to Him and seek His forgiveness. If one was disobedient they can become obedient.

LESSON 7: Being more charitable

Ibn `Abbas said, "The Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) was the most charitable amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Jibreel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month…" (al-Bukhaaree) The Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, without nothing being reduced from the fasting person’s reward." (at-Tirmidhee)

LESSON 8: Sensing the unity of the Muslims

The Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "…Those of you who will live after me will see many differences. Then you must cling to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Khalifas. Hold fast to it and stick to it." (Abu Dawood) In this month we sense that there is a possibility for unity, because we all fast together, we break fast together, we all worship Allah together, and we pray Salaatul-`Eid together. Therefore we sense that the unity of Muslims is possible. It is possible for Muslims to be a single body, but this will only be achieved when obedience is only to Allah and His Messenger.

LESSON 9: Learning discipline

The Prophet (ma Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) made us adhere to discipline and strictness, strictness that does not lead to fanaticism or going outside the bounds that Allah has laid down. One cannot knowingly break the fast before the sunset, as this will not be accepted by Allah. Muslims should learn to be very strict in their lives, because they are people of an important message, which they mold their lives around.

LESSON 10: Teaching the young to worship Allah

It was the practice of the people of Madina, that during the fast of `Ashura (which is now a recommended fast of one day) to get their children to fast with them. When the children would cry of hunger and thirst, their parents would distract their attention by giving them some sort of toy to play with. The children would break their fast with their parents. (as mentioned in al-Bukhaaree).

So the young should be brought to the masjid and they should pray with their parents, so that they are able to get into the habit of becoming worshippers of Allah. If one does not encourage children to fast when they are young, they will find it very difficult to fast for thirty days at the age of puberty. This is why the Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "Command your children to pray at the age of seven and beat them at the age of ten (if they do not pray." (Haakim)

LESSON 11: Caring
for one’s health

Fasting has many medical benefits and it teaches Muslims to take care of their health and too build strong bodies. The Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "A strong believer is better and is more beloved to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone." (Muslim)

Source:
http://members.home.net/muslims/ramadan/benefits.htm

Ramzan Mubarak 2008

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) Sermon on welcoming the month of Ramadhan

 

O People! The month of Allah (Ramadhan) has approached you with His mercy and blessings. This is the month that is the best of all months in the estimation of Allah. Its days are the best among the days; its nights are the best among the nights. Its hours are the best among the hours.

This is a month in which he has invited you. You have been, in this month, selected as the recipients of the honors of Allah, the Merciful. In this holy month, when you breathe, it has the Sawab/thawab (heavenly reward) of ‘Tasbeeh’ (the praise of Allah on rosary beads), and your sleep has the thawab of worship.

Your good deeds are accepted in this month. So are your invocations. Therefore, you must invoke your Lord, in right earnest, with hearts that are free from sins and evils, that Allah may bless you, observe fast, in this month, and recite the Holy Quran.

Verily! The person who may not receive the mercy and benevolence of Allah in this month must be very unfortunate having an end as bad (in the Hereafter). While fasting, remember the hunger and thirst of tomorrow in Qiyamat. Give alms to the poor and the needy. Pay respects to your elders.

Have pity on those younger than you and be kind towards your relatives and kinsmen. Guard your tongues against unworthy words, and your eyes from such scenes that are not worth seeing (forbidden) and your ears from such sounds that should not be heard by you.

Be kind to orphans so that when your children become orphans they also may be treated with kindness. Do invoke that Allah may forgive your sins. Do raise your hands at the time of Salat (Prayers), as it is the best time for asking His mercy. When we invoke at such times, we are answered by Him, when we call Him, He responds, and when we ask for anything, it is accepted by Him.

O People! You have made your conscience the slave of your desires; make it free by invoking Him for Istighfar (repentance/forgiveness). Your back is breaking under the heavy load of your sins, so prostrate before Him for long intervals and make it lighter.

Do understand fully well that Allah has promised in the name of His Majesty and Honor that He will not take to task such people who fast and offer Salat in this month and perform ’sajda’ (prostration), and will guard their bodies against the Fire of Hell on the Day of Judgment.

O People! If anybody amongst you arranges for the Iftar (food for the ending of the fast) of any believer, then Allah will give him a reward as if he has set free a slave. He will forgive his minor sins.

Then the companions of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "But everybody amongst us does not have the means to do so?"

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) told them: – Keep yourself away from the Fire of Hell, by inviting for ‘Iftar’, though it may consist of only half a date or simply with water if you have nothing else. O People! Anybody who may cultivate good manners in this month will walk over the ‘Siraat’ (Bridge) in ‘Qiyamat’, though his feet may be shaking.

Anybody who in this month may take light work from his servants (male or female), Allah will make easy his accounting on the Day of Judgment.

Anybody who does not tease others in this month, Allah will keep him safe from His wrath in Qiyamat. Anybody, who respects and treats an orphan with kindness in this month, Allah shall look at him with dignity in Qiyamat. Anybody who treats well his kinsmen, in this month, Allah will bestow His mercy on him in Qiyamat, while anybody who maltreats his kinsmen in this month, Allah will keep him away from His mercy, in Qiyamat.

Whoever offers ‘Sunnat’ (Recommended) prayers in this month, Allah will give him a certificate of freedom from Hell. Whosoever offers one ‘Wajib’ Salat in this month, for him the Angels will write the rewards of 70 such prayers, which were offered by him in any other months.

Whosoever recites repeatedly ‘Salat and salam (Salawat)’ on me, Allah will keep the scales of his deeds heavy, when in Qiyamat the scales of others will be tending towards lightness.

 

Whosoever recites in this month only one ‘Ayat’ (verse of the Holy Quran), he will be rewarded in a manner as if he had recited the full Holy Quran in the other months.

O People! The Gates of Paradise remain opened in this month. Do invoke that the gates may not be closed on you, while the Gates of Hell are closed. Do invoke that these gates may never be opened. During this month Shaytan (Saten) is imprisoned so ask your Lord not to let him have power over you.

IMPORTANCE OF DUROOD SHAREEF (Salawat): What an Angel can’t do?

Shaikh Abul Futuh Razi narrates from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) that: He the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, "On the night of Isra and Miraj (Shab-E-Meraj) when I ascended to the heavens, I saw an Angel who had a thousand hands. On each of his hands there were a thousand fingers, and he was counting something on them.

I asked Jibreel (pbuh) as to who that Angel was, and what was he counting? Jibreel (pbuh) replied that the Angel had been appointed by Allah to count the drops of rain, so that it may be known as to how many drops have fallen down to the earth.

I turned towards the Angel and asked him, "Do you know the total amount of the raindrops which have fallen down on the earth from the day Allah created this world till now"?

To which he replied, "O Prophet of Allah! I swear by my Lord who has chosen you (as a blessing) for mankind, verily I know the total amount of raindrops fallen on the earth till now. Even to the extent that how many drops have fallen in the wilds, in the prosperous lands, in the gardens, and also in the cemetery."

Then I told him that I was very much surprised by the power of his mind and intellect and the ability to remember, to which he replied, "O Prophet of Allah! Verily this ability to count proves futile when I try to count only one thing." I asked him as to what calculation was that. He replied, "When people of your Ummah gather at one place and send Salawat (Salat and salam) upon you, it is beyond my ability and capacity to count the rewards for it."

Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) Teachings about the Month of Ramadhan

Shawwal, the believers will be told to count their rewards… These rewards, I swear by God, could not be compared with material rewards of money".

Yes, all these blessings are awarded by the blessing of the Holy Quran in the month of Ramadhan. But it is man who unties the devils by committing sins. It is he who opens the gates of Hell which Allah has closed.

The Prince of the Faithful Imam Ali (A.S) said: "I asked Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) what are the best deeds in the month of Ramadhan, and he (saw) answered: "The best deeds are to deter oneself from doing what Allah made unlawful" and he (saw) cried: I asked him what he was crying for and he explained: "I am crying about what is going to happen to you in this month. I can almost visualize you praying to your God, when the most evil man in the history of mankind will stake you with his sword… The Prince of the Faithful then asked: "Would this ensure the safety and the wellbeing of my religion" To this Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) answered: "Yes it would, but who ever kills you will be killing me, and who hates you hates me, and who offends you is offending me. You are to me, in the same position as myself. Your soul is my soul, and your body is my body."

May Allah bestow on us his blessings and guide us to fast the month of Ramadhan praying to Him and reciting His holy book.

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Signs of fearing Allah

Faqih [Abu Layth Samarqandi] (Rahimullah) says, the fear of Allah is shown through five things:
Tongue – Because of the fear of Allah it stops from lies, evil-speaking, backbiting and unnecessary talking and engages in Tilawat and Zikr.
Stomach – A person puts only Halal food in his stomach and saves it from Haram, and even Halal enters just as much as necessary.
Eye – It dislikes Haram and looks at Halal as well only for admonition, not because of desires.
Hand – It stops from all these actions that Allah dislikes, it’s actions are only for the sake of Allah’s pleasure.
Foot – It doesn’t take a step towards the things including Allah’s disobedience, but runs for the pleasure of Allah.
Heart – In the Allah-fearing heart in the place of hatred, envy and jealousy is love, friendliness, humanity and respect.
Ikhlas – Someone fearing Allah keeps on exploring Ikhlas to avoid that Ikhlas missing somewhere causes all the actions to get wasted.

For people like this the Qur’an says,

“The Hereafter, in the sight of thy Lord is for the Righteous [Muttaqeen].” (43:35)

“Verily for the God-conscious [Muttaqeen] there is supreme fulfilment in store.” (78:31)

“As to the Righteous [Muttaqeen] (they will be) in a position of Security.” (44:51)

“Not one of you but will pass over it: this is, with thy Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished. But We shall save those who guarded against evil, and We shall leave the wrong-doers therein, (humbled) to their knees.” (19:71-72)

[”Tanbihul Ghafileen” by Faqih Abu Layth Samarqandi (Rahimullah Ta’ala)]

Time is less, so do as many good deeds as you can!

Time is less, so do as many good deeds as you can!