
ALMIGHTY ALLAH
CANNOT LIE
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Some persons
believe that Allah Ta'ala has the power to speak a lie. (Allah
forbid)
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The Aqeeda of
the Ahle Sunnat Wa Jama'at is that Allah Ta'ala does not lie and
He does not possess the power of lying. This is proven by the
Quranic verse: "Whose word is more truthful than that of
Allah". (Part 5, Verse 15)
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Imam Fakhrudeen
Raazi (radi Allahu anhu) said that it is not permissible
upon any Muslim to even think that Allah Ta'ala can speak a lie.
He said that for one to think in this way would remove one from
the folds of Imaan. (Tafseer Kabeer)
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To tell a lie
is a defect for the personality of Allah Ta'ala and for there to
be a defect in the Power of Allah Ta'ala is "Muhaal"
(Totally impossible). (Tafseer Kabeer)
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Allah Ta'ala is
pure from all defects. (Tafseer Baidhawi)
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There is none
more truthful than Allah Ta'ala and for Allah Ta'ala to tell a
lie is impossible. (Tafseer Khazin)
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Any person who
shows Allah Ta'ala to possess a certain quality which is not
worthy of His Being, or to show Allah Ta'ala to have a defect or
impatience, then he is a Kaafir. (Fatawa Alamgiri)
What is Destiny (Taqdir)?
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Within
the Knowledge of Allah Ta'ala, He wrote what was going
to happen in the world and whatever His servants were
going to do.
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Allah
Ta’ala wrote good in some people's fate and wrote bad in
another person's fate.
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He did
not make the person helpless by writing this down, but
wrote down what the servant was going to do.
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An
example of this is that if Allah Ta’ala wrote bad for
Zaid, then it was because He is aware that Zaid is going
to do bad, and if Zaid was to do good, then He would
have written good for Zaid, thus His Writing and His
Knowledge did not make any person compelled.
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After
performing bad deeds you should not say that this
happened because it was Allah Ta'ala's will and
therefore it was in my destiny, but all good things are
done with the Pleasure of Allah Ta'ala and all bad deeds
are done with the pleasure of one's desires.
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To
believe yourself as totally without will or totally
helpless is a misguided belief. The Holy Prophet (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam) has referred to those who do
not believe in Taqdir to be like fire-worshippers of his
Ummah.
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It is
forbidden to discuss or debate the subject of destiny. A
person should only think that they are not helpless like
stones and therefore cannot do anything according to
their will, but actually Allah Ta'ala has given humans
the power to do as they please and the reward and sin is
based upon this power of will. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique
and Hazrat Umar-e-Farooq (radi Allahu anhuma)
were prohibited from discussing Taqdir.
The
Attributes of Almighty Allah
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Allah Ta'ala is
One. There is no one equal to Allah Ta'ala, either in being,
qualities, actions, commands or names. Allah Ta'ala is "Waajibul
Wujood", in other words, His Existence is compulsory. His
destruction is impossible. Allah Ta'ala always was and always will
be. The term used to define the continuous existence of Allah Ta'ala
is "Qadeem". "Qadeem" means "that which always
existed and will always exist".
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Allah Ta'ala is not
dependant upon anyone or anything. The entire universe depends on
Allah Ta'ala.
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Like Allah Ta'ala,
His Qualities are also "Qadeem". With the exception of Allah
Ta'ala and His Qualities, everything else is "Haadith". "Haadith"
means "a creation or that which was created by Allah Ta'ala".
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Any person who says
that Allah Ta'ala's Qualities are "Haadith" or says that any
creation is "Qadeem" is a misled person.
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Allah Ta'ala is
neither anyone's father, not is He anyone's son. Allah Ta'ala does
not have a wife. Anyone who shows Allah Ta'ala to have a father or
for Him to be anyone's son or to prove that Allah Ta'ala has a wife
is a Kaafir (non-believer). If anyone thinks or imagines this to be
possible, then that person he is misled and irreligious.
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Allah Ta'ala is
present and in existence. The term used to define this is "Hai".
Everyone’s life and existence is in the control of Allah Ta'ala. He
gives life and causes death to whomever He pleases.
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It is also not
necessary that everything in the power of Allah Ta'ala should come
into existence even though it is possible for it to come into
existence. An example of this is that if Allah Ta'ala wills, He may
create a mountain made from solid gold, but there is no such
mountain. However, if Allah Ta'ala wishes, then it will exist even
though it does not exist at present.
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Allah Ta'ala is the
possessor of all excellence and all good. Allah Ta'ala is pure and
free of all those things, which have shortages (defects). In other
words, for Him to possess any defect is "Muhaal". "Muhaal"
is "that which will never be possible, that which can never be".
Allah Ta'ala is free from lies, tyranny, ignorance and
shamelessness. These qualities are totally "Muhaal" for Allah
Ta'ala. To accept that Allah Ta'ala has the power to lie is to show
Allah Ta'ala to have a defect and to reject Allah Ta'ala.
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Existence, Power,
Hearing, Seeing, Speech, Knowledge and Intention, etc. are the
Divine Qualities of Allah Ta'ala. The Hearing, Seeing and Speech of
Allah Ta'ala, however, does not depend on ears, eyes or tongue,
since these are all human organs and Allah Ta'ala is free from all
human forms. Allah Ta'ala hears the softest of softest sounds and
sees the smallest of smallest objects. He sees even that which
cannot be seen under the lens of a microscope, but His sight and
Hearing are not only limited to these things. He Sees and Hears
everything.
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Like His other
Qualities, His Speech is also "Qadeem" and not "Haadith".
Whosoever accepts the Quran-e-Azeem to be a creation, according to
Imam-e-Azam Abu Hanifa (radi Allah anhu) and the other Imams
(radi Allah anhum), such a person is a Kaafir (non-believer)
and his infidelity is also proven from the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (radi
Allah anhumul ajma'in).
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Allah Ta'ala's
Speech is free from sound. The Holy Quran that we recite and write
is "Qadeem" and without sound. Our recitation, our writing
and our voice is "Haadith". In other words, our recitation is
"Haadith" and that which we recite is "Qadeem." Our
writing is "Haadith" and that which we have memorised is
"Qadeem."
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The Knowledge of
Allah Ta'ala encompasses everything, be it partial, complete,
existing or non-existing. Allah Ta'ala always knew everything, knows
everything and will always know everything. Objects change, but the
Knowledge of Allah Ta'ala does not change. He has knowledge of the
trouble and the fears of the heart and there is no limit to His
knowledge.
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Allah Ta'ala is
aware of all that which is hidden and apparent. "I'lm-e-Zaati"
(Divine Knowledge) is His unique Quality. Any person who proves
I'lm-e-Zaati, be it hidden or apparent for anyone accept Allah
Ta'ala is a Kaafir (non-believer) since such Divine Knowledge refers
to that which was not given to anyone.
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Allah Ta’ala is the
Creator of everything, be it an object or its actions. He is the One
who gives sustenance. Angels, etc. are only means.
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Allah Ta'ala is
free from space, place, time, shape, movement and stoppage. Allah
Ta'ala is free from everything which is Haadith.
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If Allah Ta'ala
wishes, then He can make small objects large and large objects
small. He gives respect to whom He wills and disgraces whom He
wills. He gives and takes whatever He wishes. Whatever He does is
totally fair and just. He is free and pure of tyranny. He is the
Most Exalted and High. He engulfs everything and nothing engulfs
Him. To give benefit and loss is in His Power. He is the Lord of
everything. He answers the call of the oppressed and He punishes the
tyrants and oppressors.
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Nothing takes place
without His will. He becomes pleased with the good and displeased
with the bad. His Mercy is such that He does not command any work
that is not in the capacity of the servants. Allah Ta'ala is the
Lord. He may do as He pleases and commands whatever He wishes.
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Allah Ta'ala has
promised Jannat (Paradise) to the Muslims, and He has promised
Jahannum (Hell) to the Kufaar because of their disbelief. His
promises never change. With the exception of polytheism (associating
partners with Allah Ta’ala) and infidelity, He may pardon any major
or minor sin as He wishes.
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Allah Ta'ala's
every action consists of great wisdom whether we are aware of it or
not. His actions are not dependent on any reason. He has, with His
knowledge, created on the earth a means for everything.
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Allah Ta'ala has
created eyes to see, ears to hear, fire to burn and water to quench
thirst. If Allah Ta'ala desires, then the eyes may hear, fire may
quench thirst and water may burn. If He does not will, then a person
may have a hundred thousand eyes and still not be able to see a
mountain in bright daylight. There may be a million fires and even
one straw of grass will not burn. An example of the above mentioned
statement is when Hazrat Ibrahim (alaihis salaam) was thrown
into the fire. What a great fire that was which the Kaafirs had
prepared to put him into! The heat of this fire was so intense that
nobody could go near it and they had to use a catapult to throw him
into it. It was then that Allah Ta'ala commanded: "O Fire! Become
cold and peaceful on Ibrahim." The fire immediately became cold
on Hazrat Ibrahim (alaihis salaam).
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To believe that
Allah Ta'ala enquires from someone (His creation) is total Kufr and
against the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Ahadith.
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The Aqeeda of the
Ahle Sunnat Wa Jama'at is that the Knowledge of Unseen which is
possessed by Allah Ta'ala is His Personal Knowledge and He does not
gain it from anyone.
The
Prophets and Messengers of Allah
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Messenger"
or "Rasool" means he who brings the
Message from Allah Ta'ala to the servants.
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A "Prophet"
is he who received the "Wahi"
(Revelation, a Message from Allah Ta'ala) for
the guidance of mankind to show people the path
to Allah Ta'ala.
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Many Prophets and
many Angels are Messengers (Rasools).
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All Prophets were
male. There has never been a Jinn as a Prophet
nor a female Prophet.
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A Prophet becomes
a Prophet who Allah Ta'ala wishes to be or whom
Allah Ta�ala deems fit and a Prophet is born as
a Prophet. A Prophet always stays away from sin
even before becoming a Prophet. He is always
attracted to good. There is never an aspect in a
Prophet that people would hate.
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Those who believe
that they can become a Prophet due to their
effort are Kaafirs (non-believers) and those who
believe that a Prophet's prophecy can be taken
away from him is also a Kaafir.
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A Prophet's walk,
conduct, looks, features, nobility, family,
ways, manner, talk and conversation are all good
and free from faults. A Prophet's intelligence
is complete. A Prophet is the cleverest out of
all people. The highest qualified doctor or
philosopher's intelligence does not reach even a
millionth part of a Prophet's intelligence.
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A Prophet or an
Angel are Ma'soom, meaning they are
completely immune from sin and therefore cannot
commit a sin.
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Except for
Prophets or Angels, if one believes that an
Imaam or a Wali (Saint) are also Ma'soom, then
they are misguided and have deviated from the
right sect. Although there are Imaams and great
Awliya who also do not commit sin, however, if
sometimes they do commit a sin, then according
to Shari�ah, this is not impossible.
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Those who say that
the Message of Allah Ta'ala is sometimes not
passed on by a Prophet due to the fear of people
or some other reason, is a Kaafir.
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Prophets are
better than all creations. In fact, they are
better than those Angels who are Rasools.
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Regardless of how
high a rank of a Wali is, he can never be equal
to a Prophet. Those who show a non-Prophet to be
better than a Prophet are Kaafirs.
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The respect of a
Prophet is compulsory on every individual. The
slightest disrespect of any Prophet is Kufr
(infidelity).
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The Prophets are
just as alive in their graves as they were when
in this world. They eat, drink and go and come
as they wish. They were given death for a moment
and then were brought back to life so that Allah
Ta'ala's promise would be complete. Their lives
are better than those of Martyrs (Shaheeds).
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Allah Ta�ala gave
the Prophets the Knowledge of the Unseen (I�lme-Ghaib).
Every particle of the sky and earth are in front
of the sight of all the Prophets. Therefore,
this knowledge is "Given Knowledge" (Ataayi)
and because Allah Ta'ala's Knowledge is not
given to Him by anyone and, therefore, is "Self
Knowledge" (Zaati).
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Any follower
cannot, due to his will power, piety, worship,
and willingness to follow Allah Ta'ala, be
better than any Prophet.
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Prophets are
always involved in the remembrance of Allah
Ta�ala even while they are sleeping or awake.
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To talk about the
mistakes that have been committed by the
Prophets is Haraam (strictly forbidden), except
for when praying about them in the Holy Quran
and Hadith.
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It is improper and
disrespectful to write abbreviation after the
name of Nabi Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam) or of any Nabi or Rasool. We must
write "sallal laahu alaihi wasallam" or
"alaihis salaam" in full.
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Hazrat Adam
(alaihis salaam) is the first human. He is
also the first Prophet.
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All humans are his
children.
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Allah Ta'ala made
Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) without the
need of a mother or father. He was made from
soil.
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Allah Ta�ala made
him His Caliph. Allah Ta'ala gave him the
knowledge of all things and their names.
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Allah Ta�ala
ordered the Angels to prostrate to Hazrat Adam
(alaihis salaam). All the Angels
performed the prostration except Shaitaan, who
refused and was therefore evicted forever and
became a Kaafir.
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There has come
many Prophets from Hazrat Adam (alaihis
salaam) to our beloved Prophet Hazrat
Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)
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Hazrat Nooh
(Noah), Hazrat Ibrahim (Abraham), Hazrat Moosa
(Moses), Hazrat 'Isa (Jesus) were Mesengers and
also Prophets.
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Some other
Prophets mentioned in the Holy Quran are: Hazrat
Ismaeel, Hazrat Ishaaq, Hazrat Ya'qoob, Hazrat
Yusuf, Hazrat Moosa, Hazrat Haroon, Hazrat
Shu�aib, Hazrat Loot, Hazrat Hood, Hazrat
Dawood, Hazrat Sulaiman, Hazrat Ayoob, Hazrat
Ilyaas, Hazrat Yahya, Hazrat Yunus, Hazrat
Idrees, Hazrat Zulkifl and Hazrat Saaleh
(alaihimus salaam).
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The status of the
Prophets varies from one another. Some are more
superior to others and the most superior of all
the Nabis is Hazrat Muhammadur Rasoolullah
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). The next
most superior is Hazrat Ebrahim Khaleelullah
(alaihis salaam), who is followed by Hazrat
Moosa (alaihis salaam), and then Hazrat
Esa (alaihis salaam), and Hazrat Nooh
(alaihis salaam). These five Ambiya are
known as "Mursaleen Ulul Azm". They are
also superior to all other Prophets.
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Just as our leader
Hazrat Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam) is the greatest of all Prophets,
(without comparison), his Ummah is the greatest
of all the Ummats.
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An exact number of
how many Prophets that have been sent into this
world is not known, but is said to be
approximately 124 000.
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The last of all
Prophets and Messengers and the most virtuous of
all creations is Allah Ta'ala's most beloved -
our Master, Hazrat Ahmad Mujtaba Muhammad
Mustapha (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
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Rasoolullah
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is
Khaatimun Nabiyeen (The Final Prophet).
After the beloved Prophet there has never been
another Prophet nor will there be another
Prophet. Whoever believes that there will be a
Prophet or there has been a Prophet during our
Prophet's era or after or actually believes it
as a possibility of someone obtaining Prophecy
is a Kaafir.
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Allah Ta'ala
created from His Noor (light) our beloved
Prophet, before any other thing.
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The Prophets, the
Angels, the Earth, Skies, Heavens, etc. have all
been created from the ray of the Holy Prophet's
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) light
(Noor).
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Except for Allah
Ta'ala or being equal to Allah Ta'ala, our
beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam) has been given whatever qualities
there are, and whatever excellence exists, by
Allah Ta'ala. In the whole universe, there
cannot be anything or anyone with the same or
greater quality than our beloved Prophet
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
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The Holy Prophet
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the
most virtuous creation and a delegate of Allah
Ta'ala.
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All the Ambiya
(alaihimus salaam) were sent down to a
particular group of people or a particular
nation, but the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam) was sent to the
entire creation.
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The Holy Prophet
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is Mercy
unto the humans, Angels, Jinns, animals and all
the other creations of Almighty Allah and his
special blessings is upon the human beings.
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The Holy Prophet
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is the
Prophet of all the other Prophets and it is a
necessity for everyone to follow the Prophet
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
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Allah Ta'ala has
gifted the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam) with the keys of all Allah
Ta'ala's treasures. All the world and religious
gifts are provided and created by Allah Ta'ala
and shared and given out by our beloved Prophet
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
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Allah Ta'ala gave
our Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)
the unique gift of Me'raj, meaning that Allah
Ta'ala called him above the skies (Arsh) and
showed him His Vision with the Prophet's
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) own eyes.
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The Prophet
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam listened to
Allah Ta'ala's Voice and was given a tour of
Jannat (Paradise), Dozakh (Hell), Arsh (above
the skies) and Kursi (Throne).
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On the Day of
Judgement, our Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam will be the first to perform
intercession, meaning that he will intercede for
people in the Court of Allah Ta'ala.
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There are many
other qualities, too much to mention in this
short section.
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If someone treated
any of the Holy Prophet's (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam) quotations or actions or
deeds or situations as not worthy or looked upon
them with degrading value, then they are
Kaafirs.
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When a Prophet
performs an action that is impossible to perform
to prove his prophecy and it astonishes the
Kaafirs, it is known as a "Maujizaa". For
example, to bring back to life the dead or to
split the moon into two with the movement of the
finger.
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If these types of
actions are performed by a Wali (Friend of Allah
Ta'ala), then it is known as a "Karaamat".
-
If they are
performed by an ordinary person or wrongdoer or
a Kaafir, then it is known as "Istidraj".
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When people see a
Maujizaa, the truth of a Prophet is accepted.
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False liars who
claim to be a Prophet cannot perform these types
of miracles. Allah Ta'ala never gives the false
claimants of Prophethood the power to perform
Maujizaas, otherwise one would not be able to
distinguish the difference between the true
Prophets and false claimants.
The Malaaikah (Angels) of ALLAH
-
-
Angels
are the creation of Allah Ta'ala, made from "Noor"
(Light).
-
Angels
are "Masoom" (sinless). They are pure from all
types of small and large sins.
-
Malaa�ikah are obedient servants of Allah Ta'ala. They
do what Allah Ta'ala commands them.
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They
are countless in number. Only Allah Ta'ala knows how
many Angels there are. Allah Ta�ala has also shown their
exact numbers to his special servants like the Ambiya
(Prophets) and Awliya (Saints).
-
Angels
are neither male nor female.
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They
have been given the strength by Allah Ta'ala to turn
into whatever shape or form they wish, whether it be of
a human or of another creation.
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Allah
Ta'ala has given the Malaa�ikah many types of duties:
some Angels have a fixed duty of taking out the soul,
some to give rain, some have been given the task to
create the face of a child in the mother's womb, some to
write the deeds of an individual, writing our daily
actions, attending Islamic functions like Zikr,
Moulood-un-Nabi (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam),
Urs Shareef, sending Durood and Salaams upon our Nabi
Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), and
taking our Durood and Salaams to him. Some are in the
constant position of Sajdah, Ruku, and Qiyaam and are
busy remembering Almighty Allah Ta'ala all the time,
etc.
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There
is a river in Heaven wherein whenever Jibraeel
(alaihis salaam) submerges his wings and shakes it,
small droplets of water drip from it. From each droplet,
an Angel is created. Indeed, one cannot estimate the
droplets of water that drip from the wings of Hazrat
Jibraeel (alaihis salaam). Why? Simply, because
Hazrat Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) has 600 wings
and each wing is so huge that when it spreads out, it
casts a shadow over the entire sky.
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Hazrat
Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) is the Leader of the
Angels.
-
The
names of the four famous Angels are: Hazrat Jibraeel
(alaihis salaam), Hazrat Mikaaeel (alaihis
salaam), Hazrat Izraeel (alaihis salaam), and
Hazrat Israfeel (alaihis salaam).
-
The
names of a few more Angels are: Kiraaman Khaatibeen,
Munkar and Nakeer, Ridwaan and Maalik.
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To
believe that the Malaa�ikah as "Kadeem" (always
have been in existence or always will be in existence)
or to believe them as the creators is Kufr.
-
The
slightest form of insult for an Angel is also Kufr.
-
Some
people call their enemies or oppressors as "the Angel
of death". To say such things is not allowed and
close to Kufr (infidelity).
-
To
reject the existence of Angels or to say that the
strength of all good is known as Angels and that there
are no such things as Angels are both acts of Kufr.
The Jinnaat
-
The
plural of Jinn is Jinnaat. Jinnaat are the creation of
Allah Ta'ala made from fire.
-
They
are given the power to take whatever shape or form they
wish.
-
The
mischievous and evil one's are called "Shaitaan".
-
They
are like human beings having wisdom and understanding.
-
They
have a soul and a bodily form.
-
There
are male and female Jinnaat.
-
Jinnaat
eat, drink and sleep.
-
They
also have children.
-
Jinnaat
are invisible creation of Allah Ta'ala.
-
Among
the Jinnaat there are Muslims, Mu�min (Believers) and
Kaafirs (Disbelievers).
-
Jinn
and human were created for the worship of Allah Ta'ala.
Allah Ta'ala says in the Holy Quran: "And I have
created the Jinn and the men only for this that they may
worship Me". (Surah Zariyat: 56)
-
The
Jinnat do not live forever. They eventually die.
-
The
Jinnaat used to work at the command of Hazrat Sulaiman
(alaihis salaam). The Masjid-ul-Aqsa, Baitul
Muqaddas, was built by the Jinnaats under the command of
Hazrat Sulaiman (alaihis salaam).
-
The
good deeds performed by Jinnaat will earn them Sawaab
(reward).
-
The
disbelievers among them will go to Hell and the
Believers among them will live nearby Jannat. The
Jinnaat will not live in Jannat, because Jannat is the
estate of Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) and it
will be distributed to his children (human). The Jinnaat
will enter Jannat for Sair (sight-seeing).
-
He who
disbelieves in the existence of Jinnaat becomes a
Kaafir.
Death and the Grave
-
It is a
well-known reality that everyone has to taste death.
Allah Ta'ala says in the Holy Quran: "Every soul
shall have the taste of death". (3:185)
-
The
time of death is fixed for everyone. Every single
person's age is fixed. It cannot increase from its fixed
time nor can it decrease. Nothing can save one from
death. Wherever you are, death will find you out, even
if you are in towers built up high. When the time of
death comes, nothing can delay it.
-
When a
person�s life is ending, Hazrat Izraeel (alaihis
salaam) comes to extract the dying person's soul.
-
The
person dying looks to his left and right and sees Angels
everywhere. The Angels of Mercy come to a Muslim and for
the Kaafirs, the Angels of Punishment appear. At this
time, even the Kaafirs believe the truth about Islam,
but their faith at this time is not counted. This is
because faith is the name of believing the Message of
Allah Ta'ala and his beloved Messenger (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam) without seeing proof. At this time
one sees the Angels and then believes and this is
therefore, not accepted as a Muslim.
-
A
Muslim's soul is taken out with ease and is then taken
with respect by the Angels of Mercy.
-
A
Kaafir's soul is taken out with great pain and the
Angels of Punishment take it with disgrace.
-
After
death, the soul does not go into another body and is
then reborn, but it stays in the world of "Barzakh" till
the Day of Judgement. "Barzakh" means the
interval between death and resurrection.
-
To
believe in reincarnation - that the soul goes into
another human body, or into an animal's body, or into
trees or plants, etc. is wrong and is Kufr.
-
Death
is when the soul comes out of the body.
-
According to the faith and deeds performed by that
person, a different place is fixed for the soul to
remain. It stays in that place until the Day of
Resurrection. Some stay underneath the "Arsh"
(above the skies), some remain at "Aala Illiyyeen"
(the highest point), some remain at the well of Zam Zam,
and some remain in their grave.
-
The
souls of infidels are imprisoned. Some are imprisoned in
the well of "Barhoot", some in "Sajeen"
(the lowest point in Earth), and some at their place of
cremation or burial.
-
In any
situation, the soul does not die nor does it
disintegrate but it remains unchanged. Whatever it's
position and whatever it's state is, it always remains
connected to the body.
-
Those
who believe that the soul can die and disintegrate are a
"Bud Mazhab" (from a deviated sect).
-
If the
body experiences pain, the soul also feels the pain. If
the body is relaxed, then the soul is also relaxed.
-
When
someone visits the grave, the soul sees the person,
recognises him or her and listens to what they are
saying.
-
In
relation to the Muslim's soul, it is stated in the
Hadith Shareef that when a Muslim dies, the soul�s path
is opened and it can go wherever it pleases.
-
The
dead also speaks. Animals, etc. except for normal humans
and Jinn hear its voice.
-
After
burial, the grave tightens up and presses the dead.
-
It
presses the Muslim like a mother holds a child. It
presses the Kaafir (infidel) to the extent of crushing
them, like the left side bones end up on the right side.
-
When
the people leave after burial, the dead hears the
footsteps.
-
At that
time, two Angels called Munkar and Nakeer come ripping
through the earth. Their faces look very fearful and
scary. Their bodies are black in colour. They have green
and black eyes, which are very large in size popping
out, like the Jinn's eyes and they are made of fire.
Their hair is very scary and long from head to toe.
Their teeth are very long with which they rip through
the earth. They wake up the dead shaking and rattling
them.
-
With
great strength with a deep voice, they ask these three
questions:
-
"MAN RABBUKA" meaning "Who is your Lord?"
-
"MAA DEENUKA" meaning "What is your religion?"
-
"MAA KUNTA TAQUL FEE HAJAR RAJL" meaning "What
did you use to say about this person?"
-
If
the dead person is a Muslim, he will reply as
follows:
-
"RABBALLAH" �
"My Lord is Allah."
-
"DEENIL ISLAM" �
"My Religion is Islam."
-
"HUWA RASOOLULLAHE
SALLALHO ALAIHI WASSALLAM" � "This is Allah's
Messenger, He has been embraced with Allah
Ta'ala's Mercy, greetings to him."
-
Now, a
Voice from the skies will be heard saying: "My
servant has said the truth. Lay the tablecloth of
Paradise for him. Give him clothes from Paradise to wear
and open the doors of Paradise (Jannat) for him."
The cool air and the sweet fragrance of Jannat will
continue to come and wherever the eyesight can reach,
the grave will be made wide and large. Angels will say:
"Sleep like a groom sleeps". All this will be for
the good pious Muslims.
-
For the
sinful, there will be punishment according to their
sins.
-
This
punishment will continue for a time. Then from the
prayers of the pious or from "Esaale Sawaab"
(good acts performed by people for the dead's
forgiveness) or from prayers for their forgiveness or
simply from the Mercy of Allah Ta'ala, this punishment
will stop. Then, there will be relaxation.
-
If the
dead is a Kaafir, then he will not be able to answer the
questions and will say "HAA HAA LADRI" meaning "Shame
for I know nothing'". Now a caller will shout:
"He is a liar, lay the table-cloth of fire for him, and
give him clothes of fire to wear and open the doors of
Hell (Dozakh) for him, from which the heat of Hell will
reach him." There will be two Angels allocated to
him to give him punishment and will hit him with great
big hammers. Big scorpions and snakes will also bite
him. All different kinds of punishment will continue
until the Day of Resurrection.
-
The
Prophets will not be asked questions in their graves nor
will their graves tighten.
-
Many
followers will also not be asked the questions, like
those Muslims who die on a Friday or in the month of
Ramadaan.
-
The
situation of relaxation and punishment in the grave is a
fact. This punishment or reward is for both the body and
the soul.
-
Whether
the body disintegrates or burns or mixes in the soil,
it's original parts remains until the Day of
Resurrection. It will receive reward or punishment. On
the Day of Judgement it will be reformed back to a body.
These original parts are actually situated in the spine
and cannot be seen by humans. It also cannot be eaten by
the soil nor can they be burned. These are the seeds of
the body and from these Allah Ta'ala joins the rest of
the parts of the body, which have been spread by either
being turned into ashes or soil and are reformed into
the original body.
-
The
soul then comes back into that body and is presented in
the field of Resurrection. This day is known as
"Hashr".
-
The
questions will be asked at that place at which a person
has been buried or has been left to rot. Punishment will
also occur there. For example, if a tiger has eaten a
person, the questions will be asked inside the tiger's
stomach, and the punishment and reward will also happen
there.
-
A
person who rejects the fact of the punishment and reward
of the grave is a misguided person.
-
The
Prophets, the Awliya (Friends of Allah Ta'ala), the
Shuhada (Martyrs), a Hafiz of the Quran who also acts
upon the instructions of the Holy Quran, a person who
has never committed a sin and those who pray the Durood
Shareef at all times, their bodies are not eaten by the
soil.
-
Those
who say that the Prophet's bodies "have died and
eaten by the soil" is a misguided person, from the
wrong sect, or an evil and an insulting person.
The Coming of Qiyamat and Some Signs
One day the entire world, humans,
animals, Jinns, Angels, earth, skies and whatever that is in them
will come to an end or perish. There will be nothing left except for
Allah Ta'ala. This is known as the coming of Qiyamat. Before the
coming of Qiyamat, there will be some signs that will appear, out of
which, we write some of them here:
-
Khasf
meaning that there will be three places where the earth
will open up and men will be buried alive. One will be
in the west, one in the east and one in Arabia.
-
The
knowledge of religion will disappear, meaning the Ulema
(scholars of religion) will be taken away.
-
There
will be a large exploitation of illiteracy.
-
There
will be great use of alcohol and adultery to such a
shameful extent that it will be as common as donkeys
eating grass.
-
There
will be fewer males and more females. The ratio will be
fifty women compared to one man.
-
There
will be a lot of goods.
-
In
Arabia, there will be green scenery such as green crops,
parks and streams. The streams will open its treasures
and there will be mountains of gold.
-
Men will
listen to their women and not their parents. They will
stay in close contact with their friends and stay away
from their parents.
-
There
will be great use of music.
-
People
will curse their ancestors and speak ill of them.
-
The
wrongdoers and non-capable will be made leaders.
-
Degraded people, who could not find cheap clothing, will
own large mansions.
-
People
will scream and shout in Mosques.
-
To stay
in Islam will be so difficult as it is difficult to hold
hot ash in the hand. Up till the extent that a person
will go the cemetery and wish that they were in that
grave.
-
There
will be no quality in time. A year will be like a month.
A month will be like a week. A week will be like a day.
A day will be like as if an item has caught fire and
quickly turns into ash, meaning time will go very fast.
-
Savage
animals will speak to humans. The point of a whip and
the heel of a shoe will speak and will inform you of
what has happened in the home. In fact, a person's thigh
will speak and inform him of things.
-
The sun
will rise from the west. At this point, the doors of
repentance will close. One can no longer bring faith
into Islam.
-
Except
for the big "Dajjal" (impostor), there will be
thirty other impostors who will all claim to be Prophets
whereas in fact Prophecy has finished. There will be no
other Prophet after our Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustapha
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Out of these
impostors, there have already been some, for example,
Mussailamma Kazzab, Taleeha Bin Khuwild, Asood Ansi,
Mirza Ali Muhammad Baab, Mirza Ali Hussain Baha'ullah,
Mirza Gulam Ahmed Qadyani, etc. and those that are left
will certainly come.
-
Dajjal
will be Kaanaa (one-eyed) person.
-
He will
make Dawaa (claim) to be Allah Ta'ala.
-
On his
head, the letters "K, F, R" (Kaaf, Feh, Reh) will
be written, meaning "Kaafir" (infidel), and this
will be read by all Muslims, but it will not be seen by
the Kaafirs.
-
He will
travel very fast. In forty days he will travel the
entire world except Haramain Sharifain (the two Holy
Mosques in Makkah and Madinah).
-
Within
these forty days, the first day will be the length of
one year, the second day will be the length of one
month, the third will be the length of one week and the
rest will each be twenty-four hours long.
-
His
mischief will be very strong. He will have with him one
garden and one place of fire. He will call these Jannat
and Dozakh and wherever he goes he will take them with
him. His Jannat will really be fire and his Dozakh will
really be a place for rest. He will order people to
believe him to be the lord. Whoever believes him as the
lord, he will put them into his Jannat, and whoever
rejects him, he will throw them into his Dozakh.
-
He will
bring back to life the dead. He will make rainfall. He
will command the land and it will grow crops. He will go
into areas of desolation. The treasures of these areas
will be with him like bees are with flowers. He will
show all kinds of miracles like these, which really will
be nothing but magic and illusions. In reality, there
will be nothing with him and that is why when he
disappears everything will disappear with him and people
with have nothing.
-
When he
will wish to enter Haramain Sharifain, the Angels will
force his face to another direction.
-
He will
have a whole army of Jews with him.
-
There
will be three earthquakes in Madinatul Munawwarah. The
reason for this is that there will be people there
behaving like Muslims but they will be Kufaar and
Munafiqeen and through fear of the earthquakes they will
leave Madinatul Munawwarah and join the army of
Dajjal.
-
After
Dajjal travels the entire world, he will go to Shaam
(Syria).
-
Hazrat
'Isa (alaihis salaam) at that time will descend
from the sky on the East Minaret of the Jaame Masjid in
Damascus during Suboh (morning).
-
The
Iqaamat for Fajr Salaah would have been said.
-
Hazrat
'Isa (alaihis salaam) will command Hazrat Imam
Mahdi to perform the Imaamat. Hazrat Imam Mahdi will
lead the Jamaat in Salaah.
-
The
cursed Dajjal will start melting from the beautiful
fragrance given from Hazrat 'Isa�s (alaihis salaam)
breath, just like salt starts melting with water. The
fragrant smell of Hazrat 'Isa�s (alaihis salaam)
breath will reach as far as one's sight can see.
-
Dajjal
will be on the run. Hazrat 'Isa (alaihis salaam)
will chase after him and throw a Nezah (spear) in
Dajjal's back. Dajjal will be killed.
-
Then
Hazrat 'Isa (alaihis salaam) will break the Salib
(cross) and will kill the Khinzir (pig).
-
All the
remaining Jews and Christians will bring Imaan in Hazrat
'Isa (alaihis salaam). At that time there will
only be one religion in the entire world - the religion
of Islam.
-
Hazrat
'Isa (alaihis salaam) will marry and will have
children.
-
He will
live in this world for forty years and then pass away.
He would be buried in Madinatul Munawwarah, under the
Green Dome next to the Rauzah-e-Anwar.
-
Hazrath
Imam Mahdi will be the descendant of Nabi Muhammad
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). He would be Hassani
Sayyid.
-
He would
be an Imaam and Mujtahid (Jurist entitled to independent
opinion) of his time.
-
The only
place that will be left as Qiyamat draws near when
infidelity will spread to the whole world will be
Haramain Sharifain.
-
All the
Awliya, Abdaal and pious Scholars will migrate to the
Haramain Sharifain.
-
While
the Abdaals will be performing Tawaaf of the Holy Kaaba
in the blessed month of Ramadaan, Hazrath Imam Mahdi
would be present. The Awliya would recognize him and
would want to take Bai'at by him, but the Imam would
refuse. From the Unseen, a Voice would say: "Haaza
Khalifatullah al Mahid fasma'oolahu wa Ati oohu"
meaning, "This is the Khalifah of Allah, Mahdi!
Listen to him and obey him." Then, all will make
Bai'at at his blessed hands.
-
Thereafter, Hazrath Imam Mahdi would take everyone with
him to Shaam (Syria).
-
This is
actually a tribe and they are from the children of Yafis
Bin Nooh (alaihis salaam). They are very large in
number.
-
They
used to cause destruction on earth. They used to come
out in spring and eat all the greenery.
-
They
used to eat humans and also wild beasts, snakes and
scorpions.
-
Hazrat
Zulkarnain (alaihis salaam) made a wall of iron
and enclosed them in it.
-
When
Hazrath �Isa (alaihis salaam) kills Dajjal, then
with the command of Allah Ta'ala, he would take all the
Muslims on Koh-e-Thoor (Mount Sinai).
-
Then
Yajooj Majooj will break the wall, come out and will
create many fasaad (mischief) - robbing, looting,
fighting, killing, etc.
-
With the
Du'a of Hazrath 'Isa (alaihis salaam) Allah
Ta'ala will cause a plague which will cause them to die.
There will be no place left on the earth where their
bodies will not be seen. Allah Ta'ala will send a bird
which will clear their bodies and leave them where ever
Allah Ta'ala commands.
-
Their
spears and shields, etc. will take seven years to be
burnt by the Muslims, after which Allah Ta'ala will send
rain and that will leave the entire earth fresh again.
-
Thereafter, the earth and the skies will be commanded to
open their treasures to the people of the earth. During
this time, one entire congregation will be able to eat
from one single pomegranate and ten people will be able
to sit in the shade of the pomegranate peal.
-
This is
a strange-looking animal that will come out from the
mountain of Safa and will travel the whole world in
great speed.
-
It will
speak clear and fluent Arabic.
-
In it's
hands, it will have the Asaa (stick) of Hazrat Moosa
(alaihis salaam) and the ring of Hazrat Sulaiman
(alaihis salaam).
-
With the
stick, this animal will stamp the foreheads of all
Muslims with a shining mark, and with the ring it will
stamp the foreheads of all the Kaafirs with a dark black
mark. At this point, all Muslims and Kaafirs will be
clearly identified and recognised.
-
The
Muslims will remain as Muslims and will pass away with
Imaan, while the Kaafirs will remain as Kaafirs and pass
away in that condition.
-
After
Hazrat �Isa (alaihis salaam) makes Wafaa'at
(passes away), 40 years will remain for Qiyamat to
occur.
-
A cool
scented wind will blow which will pass from under the
armpits of people.
-
As a
result of this all Muslims will pass away and only the
Kaafirs will remain alive.
-
Qiyamat
will occur on the Kaafirs. In that 40 years, nobody
would have children and nobody�s age will be less than
40 years.
-
There
would be no one to take Allah's Name. The Kaafirs would
be busy in whatever work they would be doing.
-
Allah
Ta'ala will command Hazrat Israfeel (alaihis salaam)
to blow the Sur. Certain people will be busy painting
their walls, while others will be busy eating food, etc.
(engrossed in worldly activities). The sound of the Horn
will first of all be very faint, and then it will start
getting sharper and sharper. People will listen to the
sound with great concentration, and they will become
unconscious and die.
-
Thereafter, the sky, the land, sea, mountain, the Sur
and Hazrat Israfeel (alaihis salaam) and all the
Angels would be Fanaa (destroyed). At that time no one
would be in existence but Allah Ta'ala.
-
After
this, when Allah Ta'ala wishes, He will bring back to
life Hazrat Israfeel (alaihis salaam) and
re-create the Sur, and order Hazrat Israfeel (alaihis
salaam) to blow it again.
-
As soon
as the Sur is blown, all the people from the beginning
to the end, all the Angels, humans, Jinn and animals
will become alive again.
-
The
first to rise will be the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam) with Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique
(radi Allahu anhu) on his right and Hazrat
Umar-e-Farouk (radi Allahu anhu) on his left.
With them will rise all the Muslims of Jannatul Baqi and
Jannatul Ma'laa, the two blessed graveyards of Madina
and Makkah.
-
People
will start coming out of their graves and their
"Aamal-Naama" or "Book of Deeds" will be given to
them in their hands. They will all start going to the
field of Hashr. They will then stand and wait for their
judgement and fate. The ground will be made of copper.
The sun will be glowing in full strength and will be
just above people's heads. With the extreme heat,
people's brains will start boiling and their tongues
will become as dry as thorns and it will drop out of
their mouths. People will perspire tremendously. Some
will perspire till their ankles, some will perspire till
their knees and some till their faces. They will suffer
depending upon their deeds. The perspiration will also
be giving off a foul stench.
-
There
will be great delay just in this position. The day will
be equivalent to fifty thousand years, and half of the
time will go by in this situation.
-
On this
Day of Judgement, no person will be prepared to assist
the next. Parents will not even recognise their own
children. On this day, each person will be for himself.
-
People
will start looking for an intercessor who would be able
to relieve them of this problem and so that a quick
decision could be made. All the people will take advice
and go to Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) first. He
will say them to go to Hazrat Nooh (alaihis salaam),
who will say them to go to Hazrat Ibrahim (alaihis
salaam), who will say them to go to Hazrat Moosa
(alaihis salaam), who will send everybody to Hazrat
'Isa (alaihis salaam). Hazrat 'Isa (alaihis
salaam) will send everybody to our Master Hazrat
Muhammad Mustapha (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
-
When the
people go to our Huzoor (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)
and request him to intercede, our beloved Prophet (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam) will say, "I agree and am
prepared to do this". He will then perform
prostration in the Holy Court of Allah Ta'ala. Allah
Ta'ala will say: "O Muhammad, lift your head, say and
it will be listened, ask and it will be given, and
perform intercession and it will be accepted".
-
Now the
judgement and accounting will begin. The deeds will be
weighed in the "Meezan-e-Amal" or "Scales of
Deed". Your own hands, feet and other parts will give
witness against you. The part of the ground where a
particular action took place will also be prepared to
give witness against you. There will be no friends or
helpers. A father will not help his son, nor will a son
help his father. All the deeds will be unveiled. All the
deeds that have been done will be in front of you. You
will not be able to deny a sin nor will you be able to
find a reward.
-
In this
very difficult and appalling situation, the Beloved of
Allah Ta'ala, Hazrat Muhammad Mustapha (sallal laahu
alaihi wassallam) will help. He will perform
intercession for his believers.
-
The Holy
Prophet's (sallal laahui alaihi wasallam)
intercession will be in many different forms.
-
Many
people, with the intercession of the Holy Prophet
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), will go into Jannat
(Paradise) without being judged.
-
Many
people who should have been in Dozakh (Hell), will be
saved from going into Dozakh with the assistance of the
Holy Prophet's (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)
intercession.
-
Those
sinful Muslims who will have reached Dozakh will come
back out with the assistance of the intercession of the
Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). The
Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) will
also perform intercession for the Jannatis and raise
their grades.
-
The Holy
Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has stated
that seventy thousand people will enter Jannat without
questioning and each one of the seventy thousand will
take another seventy thousand with them, and the latter
will each take three huge groups with them but the
amount per group has not been specified.
-
Except
for the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam),
the rest of the Prophets, the Sahabis (companions of the
Holy Prophet sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the
Ulema (Islamic Scholars), the Awliya (Friends of Allah),
the Shuhadaa (Martyrs), the Huffaz-e-Quran (one who has
learnt the Quran off by heart and follows it's orders)
and the Hujjaz (those who have had their pilgrimage
accepted by Allah Ta'ala) will all also perform
intercession.
-
People
will remind their Ulema of the deeds that are in
connection with them. If someone gave water to an Aalim
to perform Wudhu (ablution) then he will remind him or
of it and ask for intercession in return. They will then
perform intercession for him.
-
This Day
of Qiyamat will be equivalent to fifty thousand years
long. It's difficulties will be too much to withstand,
but it will be made so light for the Prophets, Awliya
and the pious, just as the same time it takes to pray a
Fardh Salaah. For some, it will be even less, equivalent
to a blink of the eyelid the whole day will finish!
-
The
biggest gift that Muslims will be given on that day will
be seeing Allah Ta'ala Himself.
-
Jannat
(Paradise) and Dozakh (Hell) are facts and those who
reject it are Kaafirs. Both Jannat and Dozakh have been
made and are present at the moment. It is not so that
they will be created after the Day of Resurrection.
-
Qiyamat
(the Day of Destruction), Hashr (the Day of
Resurrection), Sawaab (Reward), Azaab (Punishment),
Jannat (Paradise) and Dozakh (Hell) are all true, as
Muslims believe them. Therefore, those who believe them
as facts but have a different definition for them, for
example, to say that "reward" means to be happy when
seeing your good deeds, and "sin" means to be sad when
seeing your bad deeds, and "Hashr" will be only for
souls and not the body, etc. then this is really
rejecting all the above. Therefore, such persons are
rejecters and those who are rejecters are Kaafirs.
-
Qiyamat
will definitely happen and those who reject this belief
are also Kaafirs.
-
Hashr
will be for both the soul and the body. Those who say
that only the souls will wake up and that the body will
not come back to life are also Kaafirs.
-
Whichever soul belonged to whichever body will be
reconnected. It is not true that a new body will be
created and the soul will be put into that new body. If
all the parts of the body after death have been spread
everywhere or have become food for animals, Allah Ta'ala
will join them again and it will come back alive on the
Day of Resurrection.
-
"Hisaab" meaning Judgement or accounting of deeds is
also a fact and those who reject this are also Kaafirs.
The Mizan, Sirat, Hauz-e-Kausar, Maqaam-e-Mahmood, The Liawa'ul Hamd
-
Mizaan is Haq
(truth).
-
It is a scale
that would be used to weigh a person's good and bad deeds.
-
The side on
which your good deeds are, if it weighs more than the bad deeds,
then it will rise in opposite to the scale of the world.
-
Siraat is also
Haq (truth).
-
This is an
extremely narrow bridge. It is the only pathway to Jannat
(Paradise). Siraat is above Jahannam (Hell).
-
It is thinner
than a hair and sharper than a sword.
-
It will take a
journey of 50 000 years to cross and everyone will have to walk
across it.
-
Kaafirs will not
be able to walk across it and will fall into Dozakh (Hell).
-
Muslims will be
able to go across it. Some will go across it as fast as
lighting, some like a gust of wind, and some like the speed of a
fast horse. Some will go across it very slowly. Some will
struggle, shake, tremble, crawl, etc. Depending upon their
deeds, they will go across. If you have good deeds, you will
cross quickly.
-
On the night of
Me'raj, before Huzoor (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)
mounted the Buraaq, he thought of his Ummat (followers) and of
how they were going to cross the Pul Siraat. At that time, Allah
Ta'ala gave glad tidings to our beloved Prophet (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam), "O Beloved, do not worry about your
followers. I will cross them so quickly that they won't know".
On the night of Meeraj, at a place called "Sidratul Muntaha"
(The Heavenly Tree), beyond which even Hazrat Jibraeel (alaihis
salaam) could not advance, Hazrat Jibraeel (alaihis
salaam) requested the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam) to ask Allah Ta'ala permission for him to spread
his wings on Pul Siraat so that when the Ummat is going to cross
it, they would be able to walk on his wings and enter Jannat.
-
Hauz-e-Kausar is
a Pond that has been given to Rasoolullah (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam) as a gift. This is Haq (truth).
-
Its length is
the distance of one month's journey. Its breadth is the same.
-
Its banks
(edges) are made from gold and they have arches made from
pearls.
-
Its base is made
from musk.
-
The water is
whiter than milk, sweeter than honey and scented better than
musk.
-
Whosoever drinks
its water once will never become thirsty again.
-
The utensils for
drinking water from Hauz-e-Kausar are even more than the number
of stars in the sky.
-
Two streams, one
of gold and the other of silver, flow down from Paradise into
the Pond.
-
Allah Ta'ala
will give His beloved, Hazrat Muhammad Mustapha (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam) Maqaam-e-Mahmood (The Place of Praise).
-
This is where
the people from before and after him will praise Nabi Muhammad
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
-
Liwa�ul Hamd is
a Flag which will be given to our Nabi Hazrat Muhammad Mustapha
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) on the Day of Qiyamat.
-
All Muslims from
the time of Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) until Qiyaamat
will be gathered under this flag.
Jannat (Paradise)
and Jahannum (Hell)
-
Jannat is a very
large and very beautiful place.
-
It has been made
by Allah Ta'ala for Muslims.
-
It's walls have
been made of bricks of gold and silver and its cement is made of
musk.
-
The ground is
made of saffron and ambergris (a wax-like substance).
-
Instead of
gravel, there will be diamonds and pearls.
-
There are huge
mansions made of pearls, diamonds and beautiful jewellery to
house the residents of Jannat.
-
There are 100
ranks in Jannat. Each rank is as large in breadth as the sky to
the ground. It's doors are so wide that a fast horse would have
to run seventy years to get from one side to another.
-
There will be so
many gifts in Jannat that you would not dream or think about.
-
There will be
various types of fruits, milk, honey, wine (sweet smelling,
non-alcoholic) and other delicious types of food for the
Jannatis.
-
Jannatis will be
given clothes so beautiful that nobody in this world will have
ever had fate to wear.
-
For assistance,
thousands of "Ghilmaan" or clean, pure servants will be
available and for company, beautiful "Hoors" (princesses)
whose beauty will be so intense that if one Hoor actually looked
towards this world, the people would become unconscious just by
looking at her beauty and shining.
-
No one will feel
sleepy or fall sick in Jannat.
-
No one will be
scared or taste death in Jannat.
-
There would not
be any sort of trouble, difficulty, hardships or suffering but
all kinds of comfort in Jannat.
-
Every wish,
request and desire will be fulfilled in Jannat and the greatest
Ne'mat (blessing) in Jannat is to make Didaar (see) of Allah
Ta'ala.
-
This place has
been made for the Kaafirs (infidels), Munafiqs (hypocrites) and
the sinful and wicked people to live. The Kaafirs will be
imprisoned here forever.
-
This is also a
place where there is complete darkness and strong black fire,
which has no shine to it.
-
It's fire will
continue to get hotter. The fire of Hell is so strong that if a
pinpoint (equal to a tip of a needle) of it was thrown into this
world every single person would die from its heat.
-
If one of the
guards of Hell came to this world, people would all die just by
seeing his frightening face. No one would survive.
-
The Jahannamis
will be given many different types of punishment. Big snakes and
scorpions will bite them. People will have their heads crushed
by big hammers. People will suffer from extreme hunger and
thirst. They will be given a boiling hot oil type of water to
drink and poisonous thorny fruits to eat. When they eat this
fruit it will get stuck in the throat, and to wash it down they
will ask for water and will be given boiling hot water. When
drinking this water, all their insides will break and wash away.
The thirst will be so extreme that when drinking this water the
lips will crumble away.
-
The Kaafirs
will become so helpless from this punishment that they will wish
for death, but death will not come. They will ask for each
other�s advice and go to the guard of Hell, Hazrat Malik. They
will ask him to speak to Allah Ta�ala of their fate. Hazrat
Malik will not reply to them for a thousand years. After a
thousand years, he will reply, "What are you telling me for,
tell Him Whom you have disobeyed". Then for a thousand years
they will call Allah Ta'ala by His Merciful Names, and for a
thousand years He will not reply. After a thousand years, Allah
Ta�ala will reply, "Stay away, remain in Hell, do not talk to
Me". At this time, the Kaafirs will become completely
hopeless of any kind of mercy and will start screaming and
crying like the sound of donkeys. First they will cry with
tears. Then, when the tears finish, they will cry with tears of
blood. There will be big gaping gaps in their cheeks due to the
effects of their crying. The amount of water and pus from crying
will be so much that if boats were put into them, they would
start sailing. The face of Jahannamis will be so bad that if a
Jahannami were brought into this world, all the people would die
by looking at his face and from the foul stench.
-
Finally, for
the Kaafirs, the situation will be such that for every infidel a
coffin will be prepared for them to the length of their height,
and then they will be put into this coffin. Then, it will be set
on fire and it will be locked with a padlock of fire. It will be
then be put inside a larger coffin also made of fire and the gap
between will be set on fire. A padlock with chains made of fire
will also be put around it. It will then be put into another
coffin and then also set on fire and again will be locked with a
lock of fire. All this will be then put into a bonfire. Then all
the infidels will think that they will never be able to
withstand any other heat and that this punishment is above all
punishment. There will always be punishment for them and it will
never end.
-
After all the
Jannatis enter Jannat, only the Jahannamis will be left in
Jahannam forever. At that time, death would be placed in between
Jannat and Dozakh in the form of a ram. Then a voice will call
out to the Jannatis. They would peep with fear thinking that
they would be taken out of Jannat. Then, the voice will call out
to the Jahannamis. They would be happy while peeping thinking
that they would be taken out from Dozakh. Then the voice would
ask them if they recognise it (the ram). All will say, "Yes,
this is death." Then the ram will be slaughtered. The voice
will say, "O Jannatis, you will live forever and will not
die". Then it would say, "O Jahannamis, you will live
forever and will not die". From this, the Jannatis will be
ever happy and the Jahannamis will be very sad
What is Imaan and Kufr?
-
Imaan
is to accept every word of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) as the absolute truth
and to testify whole-heartedly the reality and truth of
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
-
One who
observes the above would be called a Muslim, that is, if
any of his words, actions or conditions does not reject,
insult or falsify Allah Ta�ala and His Rasool (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam).
-
If you
reject one aspect, which you know that to believe is
part of Islam, then this is Kufr. For example, to reject
Qiyamat, Angels, Jannat, Dozakh, Hisab, or not to
believe that Salaah, Saum, Zakaah or Hajj is Fardh
(obligatory) would make one out of the folds of Islam.
-
It is
also Kufr not to believe that the Holy Quran is the
Words of Allah Ta'ala.
-
To
insult the Holy Ka'aba, the Holy Quran, or any of the
Prophets or Angels is also Kufr.
-
To
degrade any of the Sunnats (actions of the Holy Prophet
sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), to make jokes of the
orders of Shari'ah (Islamic law) or to reject or suspect
it untrue any known and recognised aspects of Islam is
also definitely Kufr.
-
To be a
Muslim you have to, together with faith and belief, also
pledge your status as a Muslim.
-
One
must pledge his faith unless there is a difficulty, for
example, you cannot speak, or to speak would mean to
lose your life or would lose a part of the body, then it
is not necessary to pledge your faith with your tongue.
However, it is always best and a means of great reward
not to say anything against Islam even to save your
life.
-
To
perform actions that are signs of Kufr and if you
perform them you will be recognised as a Kaafir. For
example, to wear a "Janeo" (a sacred thread worn
by Hindus), or to have a lock of hair (plats for men)
the same as Buddhists have, or to wear a cross are all
actions of Kufr.
-
For a
person to become a Muslim it is necessary for him or her
to believe Islam as the true religion and not to reject
any of it's necessary aspects. A person should also not
have beliefs contradictory or against the religion's
necessary aspects (Zaroriyaat-e-Deen).
-
A
Muslim must love and respect all those who are the
beloved of Allah Ta�ala and His Rasool (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam) even though that person may be his
enemy.
-
He must
disrespect and hate all those who disrespect and hate
Allah Ta�ala and His Rasool (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam) even if that person may be his beloved
son.
-
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)
states: "One who loves for Allah, hates anyone
because of Allah, spends for Allah and holds back for
Allah, then, indeed, he has completed his Imaan."
-
If the
person does not have the knowledge about all the
religion's necessary aspect, i.e. even if he is a
complete and utter illiterate, he must believe in Islam
and in the Messenger of Islam (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam) and not have any beliefs against the
necessary aspects of Islam (Zarooriyat-e-Deen).
-
Whether
he cannot pray the Kalima (submission into Islam)
properly he is still a Muslim and not a Kaafir.
Therefore, if he misses Salaah, Saum, Hajj, etc. he will
be a grave sinner, but will remain a Muslim. This is
because deeds are not a part of faith.
-
Whatever is without doubt Haraam (forbidden) and to
believe it as Halaal (allowed), and to believe something
Haraam, which is no doubt Halaal, is Kufr, when there is
no suspicion of a particular thing being Halaal or
Haraam or the person knows this.
-
Until
such a time a person does not love and respect the
exalted Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam),
even though that person worships all his life, his
worship is fruitless and rejected.
-
Numerous Jogees, Monks and Hermits take to seclusion and
spend their lives in the Remembrance of Allah Ta�ala.
Some of them even indulge in the Zikr of "La ilaha
illal lah" (There is no god but Allah), but they do
not respect and love Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam). What benefit is such Ibaadah? Allah
Ta�ala states in the Holy Quran: "Whatever deeds they
have performed, I have destroyed them all." (Para 19:
Ruku 1)
-
The
validity of Imaan depends on two important points:
-
Respect for Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam), and
-
To
love him above all creation within the universe.
-
If, at
any time, anybody shows the slightest disrespect for the
station of Sayyiduna Muhammadur Rasoolullah (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam), then there must not remain
an atom of love and respect for that person in your
heart. It can be anybody whom you love and respect, for
example, father, Ustaaz (teacher), children, brother,
Murshid (Spiritual Guide), Molvi, Mufti, Hafez,
lecturer, Imam, or friends, etc.
-
Such a
person should be totally severed from family and
community. His name should cause great discomfort to
you. His knowledge or status should be absolutely
rejected and discarded.
-
If you
accepted or observed silence to his insult to
Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), kept
good friends with him, did not regard him as a wretched
and mean-spirited person, you should check where you
stand in the test of Imaan!
-
Salvation depends on the fact that every single belief
of the Ahle Sunnah Wa Jamaah be so firm that one will
remain firm even if the sky and the earth vanishes.
-
One
must have great fear for his belief at all times. The
Ulema of Islam state that: "One who does not fear
that his Imaan may be taken away, would be stripped of
his Imaan at the time of death."
-
Sayyiduna Umar Faruq (radi Allahu anhu) states:
"If a voice calls out from the sky that all the people
of the earth are forgiven but one, I would fear that the
one would be me, and if the voice calls out that all the
people on earth are dwellers of Hell but one, I will
hope that the one be me." The status of "Khouf"
(Fear) and "Raja" (Hope) must have a balance as
displayed by Sayyiduna Umar Faruq (radi Allahu anhu).
-
Shirk
(Polytheism) is to believe someone else as lord except
Allah Ta'ala or to believe someone else worthy of
worship except Allah Ta'ala. This is the worst type of
Kufr.
-
Except
for Kufr, all other sins are at the will of Allah Ta'ala.
Whatever He wishes, He will forgive.
-
A
Muslim does not become a Kaafir if he commits a large
sin, but remains a Muslim. If he dies without performing
repentance then he will still obtain Jannah, whether it
will be after fulfilling his punishment or gaining
forgiveness. This forgiveness may be obtained at the
Mercy of Allah Ta�ala�s will or from the intercession of
the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
-
Whoever
performs a prayer of forgiveness for a dead Kaafir, or
calls a Kaafir as one who is forgiven or a Jannatee, or
if someone calls a dead Hindu a "Bekanth Baashi"
(Jannatee), are themselves Kaafirs.
Imaamat and
Khilafat
-
There are two types of Imaamats: Imaamat Sugra and
Imaamat Kubra.
-
Imaamat Sugra is the Imaamat that is performed in
Salaah.
-
Imaamat Kubra is in relation to representing the
Messenger of Allah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
-
To
qualify in this category of Imaamat it is necessary
that one has the following criteria: He is a Muslim,
is free (i.e. not a slave), male, sane, adult,
belonging to the tribe of Quraish and one who has
power.
-
It
is not necessary for one to be from the family of
the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam),
i.e. Hashmi, or from the family of Hazrat Ali
(radi Allahu anhu) i.e. Alawi, or to be Ma'soom
(immune from sin). It is also not necessary that one
has to be the most virtuous from their nation.
-
It
is obligatory on all Muslims to obey the Imaam when
his orders are not against the Shari'ah (Islamic
Law) because one cannot follow anybody's orders if
they are against the Shari�ah.
-
An
Imaam should be made only if he is courageous, a
politician and an Islamic scholar (Aalim) or works
with the help of Ulema.
-
A
female or child's Imaamat is not allowed.
The
Khulfa-e-Rashideen
-
After the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam) his true Caliph and related Imaam is
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (radi Allahu anhu).
-
After him in leadership is Hazrat Umar Farooque (radi
Allahu anhu).
-
Hazrat Usman Ghani (radi Allahu anhu) followed him.
-
After him is Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu)
followed by Hazrat Imaam Hasan (radi Allahu anhu).
-
These leaders Khilafat is known as "Raashida"
or "pious" because these great Sahabis (Companions)
gave true representation of the Holy Prophet (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam).
-
The
true pious Khilafat as per the traditions of the
Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)
lasted thirty years, meaning it terminated after six
months of the true Khilafat performed by Hazrat
Imaam Hasan (radi Allahu anhu).
-
Thereafter, the leader of Muslims, Umar bin Abdul
Aziz (radi Allahu anhu) performed the pious
Khilafat, and Hazrat Imaam Mehdi will perform true
Khilafat in the final era.
-
Hazrat Amir Mua'awiya (radi Allahu anhu) was
the first king in Islam.
-
After the Prophets, and out of all of Allah's
creations including Jinn, humans and Angels, the
most virtuous are Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique, then
Hazrat Farouk-e-Azam, then Hazrat Uthman Gani, then
Hazrat Maula Ali (radi Allahu anhum).
-
Whoever believes that Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu
anhu) is more virtuous than Hazrat Abu Bakr (radi
Allahu anhu) or Hazrat Umat Farouk (radi
Allahu anhu), such a person is a misguided
person and from a bad sect.
The Companions of
the Prophet and his Family
-
A
Sahabi (Companion) is that Muslim who has assisted
in the holy court of the Prophet (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam) - in the Holy Prophet's (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam) presence - and has passed
away from this world with faith.
-
All
Sahabis are of praise and are pious. They are also
sincere in their Islamic judgement and in their
Islamic actions. When there is talk of a Sahabi, it
is compulsory that it be with praise.
-
To
have bad beliefs for any of the Sahabis is mis-guidance
and belonging to the wrong sect.
-
To
speak ill of the dignity of Hazrat Amir Mua'awiya,
Hazrat Amr Bin Aas, Hazrat Wahshi (radi Allahu
anhum), etc. is to curse them and this is a
Shi'ite belief.
-
According to Islamic Jurists, to insult Hazrat
Shaikhain (Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Farouk-e-Azam
� radi Allahu anhum) or to reject their
position as Caliphs is infidelity.
-
Regardless of how high a rank a Wali is, they would
never reach the grade of a Sahabi.
-
The
battle between Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu)
and Hazrat Amir Mua'awiya (radi Allahu anhu)
was a mistake in the interpretation of Islamic Law
and, therefore, is not a sin. Therefore, to call
Hazrat Amir Mua'awiya (radi Allahu anhu)
cruel, treacherous, etc., is all strictly forbidden
and not allowed. This is in fact a curse and the
person is a Shi'ite.
-
Even among the Sahaba, some of them are more
excellent in status than others.
-
After the Ambiya, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (radi
Allahu anhu) holds the greatest status, then
Sayyiduna Umar-e-Farouk, Hazrat Usman-e-Ghani and
Hazrat Ali-e-Murtaza (radi Allahu anhum).
-
After these Khulafa-e-Raashideen come the rest of
the Ash-harah Mubasharah (those who were given glad
tidings of Jannah by the Prophet sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam), then Hazrat Hasnain Karimain,
Ashaab-e-Badr and Ashaab-e-Baitur Ridwaan. All of
them will go to Jannah.
-
The
Ahl-e-Bait are the Holy Prophet's (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam) wives and children.
-
To
love the Sahabis and Ahl-e-Bait is to love the Holy
Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
-
Hazraat Hasnain (Imaam Hasan and Hussain � radi
Allahu anhuma) are of the highest grade of
Martyrs. Those who reject any of their Martyrdoms is
a misguided person and from a bad sect.
-
Those who call Hazrat Imaam Hussain (radi Allahu
anhu) a traitor or show Yazid as correct is a
rejected person and a Kharji and therefore rightful
of the Fire of hell. There is no doubt in Yazid
being wrong, however, one is not supposed to call
Yazid a Kaafir or a Muslim, but remain quiet.
-
Those who do not love the Sahabis or Ahl-e-Bait are
misguided and from the wrong sect.
-
To
get involved in the details of disagreements between
the Sahabis is forbidden and strictly forbidden. To
hold them against their mistakes or because of this,
blame them or show them as no longer evident on
faith is not allowed and is against the order of
Allah Ta'ala or His Messenger (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam)
What is Islam
(A) RELIGION OF UNITY
(1) Unity of God
Islam teaches the purest form of Monotheism and regards polytheism as
the deadliest sin. A Muslim addresses GOD by His Personal Name: ALLAH
--- the word "god" and its equivalents in other languages being unstable
in the matter of connotation. Allah, according to Islam, is the One God,
who is Indivisible in Person and Who has no partner: wife, son or
daughter. He is the Matchless and "naught is as His likeness". "He
begetteth not, nor was He begotten". He is the First, the Last, the
Eternal, the Infinite, the Almighty, the Omniscient, the Omnipresent. He
is the Creator, the Nourisher, the Cherisher of all things. He is the
All-just, the Avenger of the wrongs done to the weak and the oppressed,
the Compassionate, the Merciful and Loving, the Guide, the Friend, the
Magnificent, the Glorious, the Beautiful and the True. In short, He is
the Possessor of all Excellence.
Speaking of the
conception of God in Islam, Gibbon, the famous western historian, says:
"The Creed of Hazrat Muhammad is free from the suspicion of Ambiguity
and the Qur’an is a glorious testimony to the unity of God. The Prophet
of Mecca rejected the worship of idols and men, of stars and planets, on
the rational principle that whatever is corruptible must decay and
perish, that whatever is born must die, that whatever rises must set. In
the Author of the universe his rational enthusiasm confessed and adored
an infinite and Eternal Being, without form or place, without issue or
similitude, present to our secret thoughts, existing by the necessity of
His own nature, and deriving from Himself all moral and intellectual
perfections. These sublime truths …are defined with metaphysical
precision by the interpreters of the Qur’an. A philosophic theist might
subscribe to the popular creed of the Muhammadans."
(2) Unity of the Universe
From the Unity of the Creator, according to Islam, proceeds the Unity of
the Universe, i.e., Unity of Creation and Unity of Purpose. In other
words, the Cosmos is a Moral Order.
(3)
Unity of Mankind
Islam regards the whole of mankind as an "organic unity" --- a single
family, and emphatically says that the distinctions on the mundane
plane, the distinctions, namely, of race, colour, language or territory,
cannot form the ground for claims of superiority of one group over the
other. The only distinction that has "value" is that which arises at the
moral and spiritual planes – namely, the distinction of "taqwa", or,
"piety and righteousness".Prof. H.A.R. Gibb, the famous English critic
of Islam says, "…..Islam…..possesses a magnificent tradition of
inter-racial understanding and co-operation. No other society has such a
record of success in uniting in an equality of status, of opportunity
and of endeavour so many and so various races of mankind… If ever the
opposition of the great societies of East is to be replaced by
co-operation, the mediation of Islam is an indispensable condition."
(Whither Islam? p.379).
(4)
Unity of Religion
According to Islam, the human intellect, though a great and powerful
asset, has its natural limits, and, therefore, neither the normative nor
the empirical sciences are capable of leading humanity to a sure
knowledge of ultimate truths and the code of life based upon them. The
only source of sure knowledge open to humanity is, consequently, Divine
Guidance, and that course has been actually open ever since the
beginnings of human life on earth. Allah raised His "Prophets" and
"Messengers" and revealed His Guidance to them for transmission to
humanity. Coming from the same Source, all revealed religions have,
therefore, been one, i.e., ISLAM.
Allah's Prophets and
Messengers continued to come to every country and community to work in
their respective limited fields. Time after time, the revealed Guidance
was either lost or corrupted through human interpolation, and new
Prophets with fresh Dispensations were sent, and humanity continued to
advance from infancy to maturity. At last, when the stage of maturity
was reached – when humanity was practically to become one family ---
instead of sectional Guidance, a perfect, final and abiding Revelation,
addressed to entire mankind and for all time, was granted in the seventh
century of the Christian era. That Revelation, which recapitulates all
former Revelations and thus sets a seal on the Unity of Religion, is
ISLAM; the Scripture which enshrines it is the HOLY QUR’AN; and the
Prophet who brought it is the Leader of Humanity, Hazrat Muhammad (Allah
bless him!).Thus all the Prophets of God, from Adam down to Hazrat Noah,
Hazrat Abraham, Hazrat Moses and Hazrat Jesus (peace be upon them all),
are the Prophets of a Muslim the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be
upon him!) being the Last and Final one, and all the Divine Scriptures
are the Scriptures of a Muslim, though he follows only the Holy Qur’an
because it alone exists in its original purity and it alone contains the
religion of Islam which has been followed by all rightly-guided people
since the day the first human being came into existence.
(5) Unity of Sexes
Differentiation of functions have misled certain cultures of the world
to regard woman as a being who belongs, so to say, to a different and
inferior species: and to meet out to her inhuman treatment accordingly.
Islam emphatically repudiates that notion and teaches that both man and
woman have sprung from the same essence and the same source and
consequently possess the same human status. Their functions and
interests, instead of being antagonistic, are meant to be mplementary.
The natural relation between the sexes, in all its aspects, is
therefore, that of love and harmony, without which no true human
progress can be possible.
(6) Unity of Classes
Islam aims at the creation of a classless society by eliminating all
possible social conflicts (through revolving the different interests).
In the sphere of economics, Islam lays down the principle that wealth
should not be allowed to circulate among the wealthy only, and
envisages, through its laws and institutions, a "Cooperative
Common-wealth of Talents".
In the political
sphere, Islam stands for the "Cooperative Commonwealth of the Pursuers
of Righteousness".
Taken as a whole, the Islamic state is a "welfare state" where
sovereignty belongs to Allah alone and no human being has a right to
govern other human beings except in the name of Allah and according to
His Will, and where nobody, not even the Head of the State, is above the
law. Absolute Justice is the watchword and the Establishment of
Righteousness is the goal.
The merits of Islam’s
social ethics have elicited praise even from the otherwise hostile
critics. For instance:H.G. Wells says: "Islam created a society more
free from widespread cruelty and social oppression than any society that
had ever been in the world before" (Outline of History, p.325).
H.A.R. Gibb says:
"Within the Western world Islam still maintains the balance between
exaggerated opposities. Opposed equally to the anarchy of European
nationalism and the regimentation of Russian communism, it has not yet
succumbed to that obsession with the economic side of life which is
characteristic of present-day Russia alike." (Whither Islam? p.378).
Prof. Louis Massignon
says: "Islam has the merit of standing for a very equalitarian
conception… It occupies an intermediate position between the doctrines
of bourgeois capitalism and Bolshevist communism." (Whither Islam?
p.378).
(7) Unity of Human Activity
Islam conceives of the human personality as a "unity" and consequently
regards the distinction of "secular" and "religious" as unscientific,
irrational and absurd. The life of a Muslim, both in its individual and
social manifestation, is a life lived for God and God alone.
"Islam," says Dudley
Wright, scholar of Comparative Religion, "is no mere creed; it is a life
to be lived. In the Qur’an may be found directions for what are
sometimes termed the minor details of daily life, but which are not
minor when it is considered that life has to be lived for God. The
Muslim lives for God alone. The aim of the Muslim is to become
God-bound, and to endeavour to advance the knowledge of God in all his
undertakings. From the cradle to the grave the true Muslim lives for God
and God alone."
(B)RELIGION OF "SUBMISSION TO THE DIVINE WILL"
The word "Islam" means "submission" and, as a religious term, it
connotes "submission to the Divine Will and Commands". As such, ISLAM is
co-extensive with NATURE. For, everything in Nature submits to the
Divine Will without demur. The only exception is man. He has to choose
"Islam" through his free will and thus to attain his destiny by falling
in line with the rest of God’s Creation.
Goethe, the renowned
poet-philosopher of Germany, says:"Naerrisch, dass jeder in seinem Falle
Seine besomdere Meinung priest! Whenn Islam Gott ergeben heisst, Im
Islam leben und sterben wir alle" viz:"It is lack of understanding that
everyone praises own special opinion;(for) Islam means submission to God
and in Islam we all live and die."
(C) RELIGION OF NATURE
The above statement brings out, and the Holy Qur’an emphasises in clear
terms, that to be a Muslim is to live and grow in accordance with true
human nature and in harmony with the Nature around. Islam, thus, means
conformity to the Natural Law.
(D) RELIGION OF DISCIPLINE
The concepts of Submission to the Divine Will and Conformity to the
Natural Law, when actively realized in human life, give rise to the
healthiest form of ISCIPLINE and Islam is the religion of Discipline par
excellence.
In his famous book;
First and Last Things, H.G. Wells says:
"The aggression, discipline and submission of Muhammadanism makes, I
think,… fine and honourable religion for men. Its spirit, if not its
formulae is abundantly present in our modern world... I have no doubt
that in devotion to a virile… Deity and to the service of His Empire of
stern Law and Order, efficiently upheld, men have found and will find
salvation."The German Orientalist Friedrich Delitzsch admits that the
Muslim shows "owing to his religious surrender to the Will of God an
exemplary patience under misfortune and he bears up under disastrous
accidents with an admirable strength of mind." (Die Welt des Islam,
p.28).
(E)RELIGION OF TRUTH
The concept of "Truth" forms the keynote of Islamic ideology and
pervades the entire universal order presented by Islam. Not only is
"truthfulness" a fundamental value in the elaborate Islamic Moral Code –
a value which forms the foundation-stone of Muslim character, but God
Himself has been mentioned in the Holy Qur’an as "The Truth", or "the
True", the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (God bless him!) as the "Bearer
of Truth", the Qur’an itself as "the Truth", and the abode of the
righteous after death as the "Seat of Truth".
(F) RELIGION OF TEMPERANCE
Islam is the religion of Purity and Temperance par excellence. It
stresses purity not only of the mind and the heart, which certain other
religions also stress, but also of the body, its fundamental principle
being the harmonious development of human personality. Consequently; it
strictly prohibits the use of all drinks and foods which might be
unhealthy and injurious to the body, or the mind or both. Thus its
prohibitive injunctions cover not only all the intoxicants, e.g., wine,
opium, etc., but also those foods which are harmful to healthy human
growth. Ultimately, Islamic Temperance covers all evil thoughts,
feelings and deeds.
(G)RELIGION OF BEAUTY
Unlike certain religions, Islam is not the religion of contempt for the
world, of the negation of any fundamental value. It is positively and
definitely a religion of fulfilment – fulfilment of all the faculties
and positive capabilities with which God has endowed man. Aesthetic
culture, therefore, forms part of Islamic life – of course, governed and
controlled by Islam’s moral and spiritual principles. In Islam the
concept of "Beauty" permeates the entire human activity – nay, the whole
cosmic order, "Allah," says the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be
with him!), "is Beautiful and loves what is beautiful." Beauty in
thought, words and deed, and beauty in all creative activity is the
Islamic ideal.Islam permits the creation of Art, within the limitations
of its spiritual and moral framework. But its motto is not "Art for the
sake of Art" but "Art for the sake of Life", whereby alone a true
blending of spiritual, moral and physical beauty – the rational and
harmonious goal of human life – is achievable.
(H) RELIGION OF REASON
Islam regards Reason as man’s distinctive privilege and God’s noble
gift, and the Holy Qur’an has repeatedly exhorted mankind to employ
Reason in the matters of social and natural phenomena and in
understanding its Message and practicing its Guidance, thus giving to
"personal judgment," its due place in the life of a Muslim."Intellectual
Culture" in general, forms one of the noblest pursuits of human life in
Islam and the acquisition and cultivation of knowledge has been made
obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman.
(I) RELIGION OF THE NEGATION OF SUPERSTITION
Islam is a positively rational religion and stands opposed to the
mystery cults and religions of mysterious dogmas whose acceptance is
generally claimed on the basis of blind faith.
Speaking of the
negation of superstition and the affirmation of Reason in Islam, Godfrey
Higgins says: "No relic, no image, no picture, no mother of God disgrace
his (Hazrat Muhammad’s) religion. No such doctrines as the efficacy of
faith without works, or that of a death-bed repentance, plenary
indulgences, absolution or auricular confession, operate first to
corrupt, then to deliver up his followers into the power of a
priesthood, which would of course be always more corrupt and more
degraded than themselves. No indeed! The adoration of one God, without
mother, or mystery, or pretended miracle, and the acknowledgement that
he, a man, was sent to preach the duty of offering adoration to the
Creator alone, constituted the simple doctrinal part of the religion of
the Unitarian of Arabia." (Apology for Hazrat Muhammad).
(J) RELIGION OF ACTION
Islam stands in sharp contrast with those religions which interpret the
Salvation of man in terms of the acceptance of certain intricate and
inexplicable formulae. Simplicity is its watch-word and rationality its
lifeblood, and as such it gives to both "Faith" and "Action" their due
place. Wherever the Holy Qur’an mentions the problem of human salvation,
it bases it on "right belief" as well as "righteous action", emphasizing
the former as the ground and the latter as the sequence.
(K) RELIGION OF BALANCED PROGRESS
Islamic life is a life of the attainment of "Falah" which means, "The
furrowing out of latent faculties". A Muslim, therefore, has to
continuously strive for progress…. a progress controlled by
righteousness and illumined by Divine Guidance, a progress grounded in
spirituality, a progress balanced and comprehending all aspects of human
life: spiritual, mental, moral, aesthetic and physical.Paying tribute to
the balanced character of Islam and the progress which it inspires, the
famous Orientalist Prof. H. A. R. Gibb says:"Within the Western world,
Islam still maintains the balance between exaggerated opposites...For
the fullest development of its cultural life, particularly of its
spiritual life, Europe cannot do without the forces and capacities which
lie within Islamic society." (Whither Islam? p.378).
(L) RELIGION OF SCIENTIFIC QUEST
While other religions may feel shy of science Islam has made the
scientific quest a religious obligation. The aims of that quest,
however, are not the unbalanced indulgence in physical pleasures and the
tyrannisation over fellowbeings, but the advancement in the love of God
through progress in the knowledge of His works and the service of
humanity through the acquisition of control over the "forces of nature".
Speaking of the role of
Islam as the inaugurator of the modern scientific era, Briffault, the
reputed scholar of the history of civilisation, says:…although there is
not a single aspect of European growth in which the decisive influence
of Islamic culture is not traceable, nowhere is it so clear and
momentous as in the genesis of that power which constitutes the
permanent distinctive force of the modern world and the supreme source
of its victory – natural science and the scientific spirit … The debt of
our science to that of the Arabs does not consist in startling
discoveries of revolutionary theories; science owes a great deal more to
Arab culture, it owes its existence. The ancient world was, as we saw,
pre-scientific. The Astronomy and Mathematics of the Greeks were a
foreign importation never thoroughly acclimatised in Greek culture. The
Greeks systematised, generalised and theorised; but the patient ways of
investigation, the accumulation of positive knowledge, the minute
methods of science, detailed and prolonged observation and experimental
inquiry were altogether alien to Greek temperament... What we call
science arose in Europe as the result of a new spirit of inquiry, of new
methods of investigation, of the method of experiment, observation,
measurement, of the development of Mathematics in a form unknown to the
Greeks. That spirit and those methods were introduced into the European
world by the Arabs… Neither Roger Bacon nor his later namesake has any
title to be credited with having introduced the experimental method.
Roger Bacon was no more than one of the apostles of Muslim science and
method to Christian Europe; and he was never wearied of declaring that
knowledge of Arabic and Arab Science was for his contemporaries the only
way to true knowledge. Discussions as to who was the originator of the
experimental method…are part of the colossal misrepresentation of the
origins of European civilisation. The experimental method of the Arabs
was by Bacon’s time widespread and eagerly cultivated throughout Europe
… Science is the most momentous contribution of Arab civilisation to the
modern world….. It was not science only which brought Europe back to
life. Other and manifold influences from the civilisation of Islam
communicated its first glow to European life. "(Making of Humanity, pp
190-202).H.G. Wells, another great Western authority, had to admit that:
"Through the Arabs it was, and not by the Latin route, that the modern
world received that gift of light and power (i.e., the Scientific
Method)."
Because of its
deep-rooted hostility to Islam, implanted during the Middle Ages, the
West has been very slow in acknowledging the merits of Islam. Admissions
and confessions have, however, been gradually coming forth grudgingly or
ungrudgingly. Thus, as we have seen above, it has been admitted that the
Muslims gave to the West the Scientific Method as well as the scientific
inspiration. But the Muslims themselves received them from the Holy
Qur’an. This fact has also been admitted at last. For instance,
Stanislas Guyard observes: "In the seventh century of our era, the Old
World was in agony. The Arabian conquest infused into it new blood …
Hazrat Muhammad gave them (the Arabs) the Qur’an, which was the starting
point of new culture. " (Encyclopedia des Sciences Religieuses, Tome
IX,p. 501). Challenging the adversaries of Islam and referring to the
Holy Qur’an, Dr. A Bertherand says: "Let them read and meditate on this
great Book: they will find in it, at every passage, constant attack on
idolatry and materialism; they will read that the Prophet incessantly
called the attention and the mediation of his people to the splendid
marvels, to the mysterious phenomena of creation… those who have
followed its counsels have been, as we have described in the course of
this study, the creators of a civilisation which is astounding to this
day." (Contribution des Arabs auprogres des Sciences Medicales, p.
6).Emmanuel Deutsch oberves: "By the aid of the Qur’an the Arabs…came to
Europe to hold up the light to humanity, they alone, while darkness lay
around,…to teach philosophy, medicine, astronomy and the golden art of
song to the West as to the East, to stand at the cradle of modern
science, and to cause us late epigoni for ever to weep over the day when
Granada fell."
(M) RELIGION OF THE SANCTITY OF LABOUR
In Islam, all honest labour is sacred and forms the life-blood of human
progress. "For man is naught but what he strives for," says the Holy
Qur’an, and "the labourer is the beloved of God," says the Holy Prophet
Hazrat Muhammad (God bless him!). Thus "idleness" is a sin and
"industry" is a virtue in Islam.
(N) RELIGION OF THE HIGHEST IDEALISM IN ETHICS
Islam lays the foundation of ethics on "submission to the Divine will"
and gives to humanity the ethical ideal of imitating the Divine
Attributes, even as we have been exhorted by the Holy Prophet Hazrat
Muhammad (God bless him!) who says: "Imbue yourselves with Divine
Attributes."
"The highest form of
religious ethic," observes Sir Richard Gregory, "is that in which the
aim of conduct is complete and implicit obedience to what is conceived
to be the Will of God …(this obedience) may become a joyous and
spontaneous acceptance of a mode of life, such as it is conceived would
be consonant with the nature of God, subject to such limitations of the
flesh as are ineradicable – the ideal of saintliness. Hence arises the
desire for uprightness as end-in-itself; either with a view to reward,
if not in this world, in the next, or pursued selflessly for its own
sake. This concept of religious ethic has led to the highest idealism in
human conduct." (Religion in Science and Civilisation, p. 63).
(O) RELIGION OF PEACE AND GOODWILL
The world "Salam", which means "peace", has close root-affinity with the
word "Islam". Thus the concept of PEACE forms an integral part of the
world ISLAM itself. Indeed, this concept permeates the Islamic religion
through and through. For, God, according to the Holy Qur’an, is As-Salam,
i.e. (the Source of) peace"; a Muslim’s Salutation, which embodies the
ideal of Muslim life, is As-Salam-o -alaikum, i.e., "Peace be unto you";
and the abode of the righteous, towards which the Holy Qur’an invites
humanity, is Dar-us-Salam, i.e., "the Abode of Peace".One of the ideals
of Muslim life, therefore, is the attainment of peace on all fronts ---
peace with self through harmonious self-realisation, peace with fellow
creatures through the maintenance of the basic attitude of Goodwill, and
peace with God through submission to the Divine Will.
(P) RELIGION OF STRUGGLE (JIHAD)
The Islamic concept of Peace is not, however, utopian, For, Islam is a
practical religion par excellence –a religion of Struggle (Jihad) ---
and does not, therefore, prescribe any course of action which is
unnatural or impracticable. Thus, for instance, in international
relations, although basically committed to the promotion of Peace and
Goodwill, Islam does allow the participation of Muslims in war when it
becomes morally inevitable – when no other course remains open for
safeguarding justice, nay, peace itself.The word "Jihad", which has been
maligned much by the evil-minded misrepresenters of Islam in connection
with the wars of Islamic history, means "struggle" and, according to
Islam, it is of two kinds: (1) Struggle for subjugating one’s lower self
to the higher self. This is the higher form of "Jihad" and its function
is purely spiritual: (2) Struggle for defeating the forces of evil on
the collective plane. This is the collective Jihad.The collective Jihad
may, again, be either of a peaceful character, namely, propagation of
Islam and its establishment in the collective life of the people through
preaching and reform, or it may be in the form of war against an
aggressor.
The Islamic permission
of war is basically for defensive purposes. And not only does Islam rule
out all immoral impulses to war but it also lays down a rigid ethics
which in its sublimity and humanness surpasses all other ethics of war
which humanity has ever known.
Says O. Houdas: " … The
Qur’an states: ‘And fight for the cause of God against those who fight
against you; but commit not the injustice of attacking them first;
verily God loveth not the unjust’ – S.II 190…… Jihad had to be waged to
defend Islam against aggression… Once the war was terminated, the
Muslims always displayed a great tolerance towards the conquered
peoples, leaving them their legislation and religious beliefs." (La
Grande Encyclopaedia, Tome 20,p. 1006)."In their wars of conquest," says
E. Alexander Powell, "the Muslims exhibited a degree of toleration which
put many Christian nations to shame." (The Struggle for Power in Moslem
Asia, p. 48).
(Q) RELIGION OF "NO COMPULSION IN CONVERSION"
As regards forcible proselytisation, it has been explicitly banned by
Islam with the Qur’anic declaration: "there is no compulsion in matters
of faith", and the propaganda that Muslims went out into the world with
the sword in one hand and the Qur’an in the other to convert the
non-Muslims forcibly is a pure fabrication. Indeed, it is so utterly
unfounded that even an enemy of Islam like Rev. Dr. O’Leary had to
admit:"History makes it clear that the legend of fanatical Muslims
sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of sword upon
conquered races, is one of the most absurd myths that the historians
have ever repeated". (Islam at the Croos-Roads, page 8).
(R) RELIGION OF BROTHERHOOD
Islam inculcates the love of God’s creation in general and of the human
family, in particular. "The best of you is he who is best to God’s
family (i.e., humanity)," says the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (God
bless him!) Islam regards humanity as ‘one Fraternity inside which it
affirms the existence of the "Islamic Brotherhood", wherein all
distinctions of caste and tribe, race and colour, language and territory
are superseded and obliterated, and which has been allotted the function
of acting as the servant of, and the torch-bearer of Divine Guidance
for, the larger Human Brotherhood.Side by side with the code of conduct
meant to be observed within the circle of Islamic Brotherhood Islam also
gives a definite code of Human Love which relates to the dealings of
Muslims with the larger human society.
"The brotherhood of
Muhammadanism," says Dr. Leither, "is no mere word. All believers are
equal and their own high-priest." (Muhammadanism. P.18).
The Dutch Orientalist Snouck Hurgronje observes: "The ideal of a League
of Human Races has been approached by Islam more nearly than by any
other ideology; for the League of nations founded on Hazrat Muhammad’s
religion takes the principle of the equality of all human race so
seriously as to put other communities to shame." (Muslim World Today).
(S) RELIGION OF SPIRITUAL DEMOCRAY
In the sphere of worship, Islam stands for the establishment of direct
relation between God and human being without the mediation of any
priest. Every Muslim man and woman is, therefore, his or her own priest
or priestess.
It is wrong to regard
the scholars (Ulama) or the leaders (Imams) of congregational prayers in
the mosques as priests. Any good Muslim who knows Islam can lead the
prayers, while the ‘Ulama’ are simply scholars and experts of Islamic
knowledge and merely fulfil a responsibility which rests on the
shoulders of the entire Islamic Brotherhood. For, Islam wants every
Muslim man and woman to be a scholar of its teachings, unlike, for
instance, Hinduism, where those belonging to the caste of Brahmins alone
possess this privilege.Rev.W.Wilson Cash, the famous Christian
missionary and hostile critic of Islam, had to confess: "Islam endowed
its people with a dignity peculiarly its own… Direct access to God makes
one of the strong appeals of Islam" (The Expansion of Islam p. 177).
(T) RELIGION OF HUMAN DIGNITY
Problem of Slavery
By emphasizing freedom as the birthright of all human beings, by
proclaiming human equality without distinctions of caste, colour or
clime, by denying the sin-innate theory and all other theories of the
evil origin of mankind by affirming that the progeny of Adam is the
noblest creation of God, by raising humanity to the status of the
Vicegerency of God on earth, by making imitation of the Divine
Attributes the ethical ideal of mankind, and by pointing out the
conquest of the universe as the human destiny, Islam has established
human dignity on the loftiest pinnacle conceivable.
Humanity was suffering
in various ways because of the wrong notions held by pre-Islamic
cultures and religions about human dignity, when Islam appeared. Cruelty
was being perpetrated in the name of caste, tribe and race, large masses
of humanity had been reduced to the status of serfs, and slavery, which
had been an age-old institution, was being practiced by various races
and peoples of Europe and Asia, including the Arabs, with the sanction
of such scriptures as the Bible and without the least moral compunction.
Islam raised its masculine voice of protest against all those evils and
gave to the world a philosophy and a legislation which has made it the
saviour of the downtrodden and the oppressed for all time.
Among the many
misconceptions spread about Islam by its enemies, one is that which
relates to slavery. For a proper appreciation of the role of Islam in
the abolition of slavery, the reader is referred to the present writer’s
"Islam and Slavery." Here, in this brief brochure, we might confine
ourselves to the brief statement of a fair-minded non-Muslim scholar of
the last century, who said: "His (i.e., Hazrat Muhammad’s) law of
slavery is, ‘If slaves come to you, you shall’ --- not imprison and then
sell by public sale, though no claimant appears, as in the nineteenth
century is the law of Christian England in her provinces, but, ---
‘redeem them, and it is forbidden to you to send them forth’ (Qur’an II,
p.85). And this was a man standing up in the wilds of Arabia in the
seventh century." (Westminster Review no. IX, p. 221).Even the hostile
and biased Dutch critic of Islam, Prof. Snouck Hurgronje, had to say:
"According to the Muhammadan principle, slavery is an institution
destined to disappear."
(U)
RELIGION OF RATIONAL SEX MORALITY
Problem of polygamy
The Islamic view of the fundamental equality of sexes has been already
stated in the section on "Religion of Unity" and an impartial historical
appreciation of the problem proves beyond all doubt that it was "Islam
which removed the bondage in which women were held from the very dawn of
human history and gave them a social standing and legal rights such as
were not granted them in England till many centuries later." (Lady
Evelyn Cobbold, in "Pilgrimage to Mecca"). But the widespread propaganda
of the enemies of Islam in connection with polygamy necessitates a
specific statement in that connection.
In the first instance,
polygamy was not invented by Islam, nor was it made in any way
obligatory. It had existed in pre-Islamic societies since time
immemorial with the sanction of religion and had been practiced even by
those who were accepted as holy personages as for instance, we find in
the Old Testament. There it was governed by no law whatsoever, and so
also it was in the Arabian society at the advent of Islam. What Islam
did was to regulate it and to subject it to such severe restrictions as
to make it prohibitive except in cases of emergency. Indeed, monogamy
has been the ideal and polygamy only an exception in Muslim Society.
This fact is fully borne out by the present as well as the past history
of the Muslims and has been admitted by all fair-minded critics of
Islam. For instance, William Kelly Wright says: "Most Mohammedans in all
ages have had only one wife." (Philosophy of Religion, New York, 1935).
Islam is a natural
religion and it takes a very serious view of sexual vices and social
ills. Consequently, it was very natural for Islam to permit limited and
restricted polygamy for the maintenance of social health in all those
situations where it is the only natural remedy. For instance, when war
alters the natural sex ratio, giving to women preponderance over men,
there are only two alternatives, namely, widespread prostitution or
polygamy. Islam prefers the latter to the former in the interests of
moral health and social wellbeing of womanhood. Similarly, if the first
wife is sterile or suffers from any incurable disease, there are only
two possible alternatives, namely, either the first wife should be
divorced and a fresh wife taken or she may continue in her status
undisturbed along with a second wife. The former course would mean
distressing, spinsterhood for the first wife while the latter course
would provide to her an honourable normal life without temptation to
evil. Polygamy can also become a necessity in a medically incurable case
of the hypersexed male who, in most cases, would look to more than one
woman for the satisfaction of his biological need. In all such cases,
the Islamic permission of polygamy with all its responsibilities and
restrictions would be a definitely healthier course than the
hypocritical adherence to the formal monogamy.
Polyandry (i.e., the
marriage of one woman with several husbands) is not permitted in Islam
because psychologically it is unsound, sociologically it is
impracticable and biologically it is most dangerous for the physical
health of the persons concerned. Certain primitive tribes who practice
polyandry are infected with the plague of venereal diseases.
Speaking on polygamy,
Dr. Annie Besant says: "There is pretended monogamy in the West, but
there is really polygamy without responsibility; the ‘mistress’ is cast
off when the man is weary of her and sinks gradually to be the ‘woman of
the street’, for the first lover has no responsibility for her future,
and she is a hundred times worse off than the sheltered wife and mother
in the polygamous home. When we see thousands of miserable women who
crowed the streets of Western towns during the night, we must surely
feel that it does not lie in western mouth to reproach Islam for
polygamy. It is better for a woman, happier for a woman, more
respectable for a woman, to live in polygamy, united to one man only,
with the legitimate child in her arms, and surrounded with respect, than
to be seduced, cast out into the streets, perhaps with an illegitimate
child outside the pale of law, unsheltered and uncared for, to become
the victim of any passer-by, night after night, rendered incapable of
motherhood, despised of all."Another critic of Western social order
observes: "The law of the state, based upon the dogma of the Church,
which makes it a criminal offence for a man to marry more than one wife,
by that same provision makes it illegal for millions of women to have
husbands or to bear children…It is untrue that monogamy was advocated by
Jesus Christ… whether the question is considered socially, ethically or
religiously, it can be demonstrated that polygamy is not contrary to the
highest standards of civilisation ….. The suggestion offers a practical
remedy for the western problem of the destitute and unwanted female: the
alternative is continued and increased prostitution, concubinage and
distressing spinsterhood" (J.E. Clare McFarlane: Case for Polygamy).
(V) RELIGION OF SALVATION IN THIS LIFE AND THE HEREAFTER
It is the distinctive merit of Islam that it does not concern itself
merely with Salvation beyond the grave—salvation in the Hereafter, but
also gives full consideration to --- in fact, ensures --- human
salvation in this life. For that purpose, it provides comprehensive
Guidance which guarantees moral perfection, social progress, economic
justice and political health – in short, all that is needed for the
practical realisation and attainment of true human happiness in earthly
life and all-round harmonious evolution of humanity.Laura Veccia
Vaglieri says: "A religion which is not content with being a theory
adapted to the aspirations of our human nature, nor with fixing a code
of sublime precepts which may or may not be applied, but which also
provides a code of life, establishes the fundamental principles of our
morality on a systematic and positive base, precisely formulates the
duties of man towards himself and towards others by means of rules which
are capable of evolution and compatible with the widest intellectual
develo-pment, and which gives its laws a Divine sanction, surely
deserves our most profound admiration, as its influence is continual and
salutary on man." (Apologie de L’ Islamisme, p. 88).
(W) RELIGION WITH AUTHENTIC AND PERFECT DIVINE SCRIPTURE
There are three fundamental merits of the Holy Qur’an, the Scripture of
Islam, in which it stands unique among the scriptures of the world. They
are: (1) authenticity of its text: (2) perfection of its literary form;
(3) rational character, comprehensiveness and profoundness of its
guidance. Even a brief discussion of these merits is not possible in the
present introductory sketch. They are, however, so well-established that
even the non-Muslim western scholars, who are always ready to attack
Islam on the slightest pretext had to admit them in forceful
words.Commenting on the beauty of form of the Holy Qur’an Paul Casanova
remarks: "Whenever Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) was asked a miracle as a
proof of the authenticity of his mission, he quoted the composition of
the Qur’an and its incomparable excellence as a proof of its Divine
origin. And, in fact, even for those who are non-Muslims nothing is more
marvelous than its language with such a prehensile plenitude and a
grasping sonority that its simple audition ravished with admiration
those primitive peoples so fond of eloquence! The ampleness of its
syllables with a grandiose cadence and with a remarkable large rhythm
have been of much moment in the conversion of the most hostile and the
most sceptic." (L’ Enseignement de I’Arabe au College de France, Lecon
d’ouverture, April 26, 1909).As regards perfection in matter of guidance
and the authenticity of its text, Laura Veccia Vaglieri observes: "But
besides the perfection of form and method, the Book is also revealed
inimitable by its very substance, for, we read in it, among other
things, previsions or future events and of relations of fact
accomplished since many centuries or which are generally ignored, and
allusions to the most different sciences, religious or profane. On the
whole we find in it a collection of wisdom which can be adopted by the
most intelligent of men, the greatest of philosophers and the most
skillful politicians….. But there is another proof of the Divinity of
the Qur’an: it is the fact that it has been preserved intact through the
ages since the time of its Revelation till the present day. And so it
will always remain, with God’s Will, as long as the universe exists.
Read and re-read through out the Muslim world, this book does not rouse
in the Faithful any weariness; it rather, through repetition, is found
feeling of awe and respect in the one who reads it or listens to it." (Apologie
de L’Islamisme, pp.57-59).
(X) RELIGION WITH THE SIMPLEST CREED
The Islamic creed is as simple as the Islamic ideology is profound. Its
first fundaments are:
(1) SEVEN ARTICLES OF
FAITH
They are: Belief in:
Allah;
Angles;
Divine Scriptures;
Messengers of Allah;
the Hereafter;
the pre-measurement of Good and Evil;
Resurrection after death.
(2)
THE "FIVE PILLARS"
They are:
Declaration of faith in the One-ness of God and in the Divine
Messengership of Hazrat Muhammad: (Peace be upon him) La ilaha Illallah
Muhammadur-Rasulullah;
Obligatory Prayers;
Obligatory Fasts;
Zakat or Poor-tax;
Pilgrimage to Ka’aba at Meccaa by those who possess the means.A
Christian critic of Islam makes the following confession: "Islam had the
power of peacefully conquering the souls by the simplicity of its
theology, the clearness of its dogma and principles, and the definite
number of practices which it demands. In contrast to Christianity which
has been undergoing continuous transformation since its origin, Islam
has remained identical with itself" (Jean Lheureux: Etude sur
L’Islamisme, p. 35).For an appreciation of the Seven Articles and the
Five Pillars, the reader is referred to "The Principles of Islam"
written by His Eminence Muhammad Abdul Aleem Siddiqi and published in
the present series. Here it may be noted, however, that these Seven
Articles and Five Pillars constitute only the "first fundaments", while
the complete ideology of Islam, which shoots off from these fundaments
and which is enshrined in the Holy Qur’an and the Prophetic Traditions,
is so comprehensive as to cover the entire sweep of necessary guidance
on physical, moral, social and spiritual aspects of human life.
(Y) Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) THE PINNACLE OF HUMAN
PERFECTION
A code alone cannot, by its existence as such, inspire mankind to
action. Hence to love the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Allah bless
him!) above all human being and things of the world, to believe in him
as the Most Perfect Embodiment of Human Perfection and as the Absolute
Leader and the Last and the Final Prophet (after whom no new prophet of
any category, zilli, buruzi, tashri’ee, ghairtashri’ee --- shadowy or
real --- is to come), and to follow him as the "Best Example", form the
prerequisite of Islamic Belief.This is the theological status of the
Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be with him) in Islam. As regards
his refulgent personality, that would require volumes even to do bare
justice to it.
It is said that the
best testimony is that which comes from the enemy’s camp. Here,
therefore, we might quote a few statements of the Western scholars of
Islam.Hazrat Muhammad’s (peace be with him) figure was highly majestic,
his complexion and features were extremely handsome, and "he was
gifted", says the renowned Orientalist Lane Poole, "with mighty powers
of imagination, elevation of mind, delicacy and refinement of feeling.
‘He is more modest than a virgin behind her curtain", it was said of
him. He was most indulgent to his inferiors, and would never allow his
awkward little page to be scolded whatever he did. ‘Ten years,’ said
Anas, his servant, ‘was I about the Prophet and he never said as much as
Uff to me.’ He was very affectionate towards his family. One of his boys
died on his breast in the smoky house of the nurse, a blacksmith’s wife.
He was very fond of children; he would stop them in the streets and pat
their little heads. He never struck anyone in his life. The worst
expression he ever made use of in conversation was, ‘what has come to
him? May his forehead be darkened with mud!’ When asked to curse
someone, he replied, ‘I have not been sent to curse but to be a mercy to
mankind.’ He visited the sick, followed any bier he met, accepted the
invitation of a slave to dinner, mended his own clothes, milked the
goats, and waited upon himself, relates summarily another tradition. He
never first withdrew his hand out of another man’s palm, and turned not
before the other had turned.‘He was the most faithful protector of those
he protected, ‘the sweetest and most agreeable in conversation. Those
who saw him were suddenly filled with reverence; those who came near him
loved him; they who described him would say, ‘I have never seen his like
either before or after.’ ‘He was of great taciturnity, but when he spoke
it was with emphasis and deliberation and no one could forget what he
said."He lived with his views in a row of humble cottages separated from
one another by palm branches cemented together with mud. He would kindle
the fire, sweep the floor, and milk the goats himself. The little food
he had was always shared with those who dropped in to partake of it.
Indeed, outside the Prophet’s house was a bench or a gallery on which
were always found a number of poor who lived entirely upon his
generosity, and were hence called ‘people of the bench’. His ordinary
food was dates and water, or barley bread; milk and honey were luxuries
of which he was fond but which he rarely allowed himself. The fare of
the desert seemed most congenial to him even when he was the sovereign
of Arabia…"There is something so tender and womanly, and withal so
heroic, about the man that one is in peril of finding the judgement
unconsciously blinded by the feeling of reverence and well-nigh love
that such a nature inspires. He who, standing alone, braved for years
the hatred of his people, is the same who was never the first to
withdraw his hand from another’s clasp; the beloved of children who
never passed a group of little ones without a smile from his wonderful
eyes and a kind word for them, sounding all the kinder in that
sweet-toned voice. The frank friendship, the noble generosity, the
dauntless courage and hope of the man, all tend to melt criticism into
admiration."He was an enthusiast in that noblest sense when enthusiasm
becomes the salt of the earth, the one thing that keeps men from rotting
whilst they live. Enthusiasm is often used despitefully, because it is
jointed to an unworthy cause or falls upon barren ground and bears no
fruit. So was it not with Hazrat Muhammad (Peace be with him). He was an
enthusiast when enthusiasm was the one thing needed to set the world
aflame, and his enthusiasm was noble for a noble cause. He was one of
those happy few who have attained the supreme joy of making one great
truth their very lifespring. He was the Messenger of the one God, and
never to his life’s end did he forget who he was or the message which
was the marrow of his being. He brought his tidings with a dignity
sprung from the consciousness of his high office together with a most
sweet humility." (Speeches and Table-talk of the Prophet Hazrat
Muhammad, Introduction’ XXVIII – XXX)."The essential sincerity of Hazrat
Muhammad’s (Peace be with him) nature," says Professor Nathaniel
Schmidt, "cannot be questioned; and historical criticism that blinks no
fact, yields nothing to credulity, weighs every testimony, has no
partisan interest, and seeks only the trust, must acknowledge his claim
to belong to that order of Prophets who, whatever the nature of their
psychical experience may have been, in diverse manners, have admonished,
taught, uttered austere and sublime thoughts, laid down principles of
nobler than they found, and devoted themselves fearlessly to their high
calling, being irresistibly impelled to their ministry be a power
within." (The New International Encyclopaedia. Vol. XVI, p. 72).Speaking
of the glorious success which attended the Holy Prophet Hazrat
Muhammad’s (Peace be with him) mission, Caryle observes: "To the Arab
nation Islam was a birth from darkness into light; Arabia first became
alive by means of it. A poor, shepherd people, roaming unnoticed in its
deserts since the creation of the world; a Hero-Prophet was sent down to
them with a word they could believe: see the unnoticed becomes
world-notable, the small has grown worldgreat. Within one century
afterward Arabia is at Granada on this hand, at Delhi on that, glancing
in valuour and splendour and the light of genius, Arabia shines through
long ages over a great section of the world. These Arabs, the man Hazrat
Muhammad, (Peace be with him) and that one century --- is it not as if a
spark had fallen, one spark on what seemed black, unnoticeable sand? But
lo ! the sand proves explosive powder, blazes heaven-high from Delhi to
Granada!" (Heroes and Hero-Worship: Chappter on "Hero as Prophet").O.
Houdas, the French scholar, said half a century ago about the inner
vitality of the Holy Prophet’s Message: "Never has a religion developed
with parallel rapidity. In less than half a century Islam spread from
the banks of the Indus to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, and, if this
movement slowed down, it still persists after fourteen centuries of
existence. After having penetrated in India, in China and Malaysia,
Islam continues its invading march in the African Continent which will
before long become entirely Muslim. Without special missionaries and
without resort to the force of arms, the religion of Hazrat Muhammad
(Peace be with him) has converted the Black Continent, and it is not
without some astonishment to point out the existence in England and
America of small white communities which….. have adopted the Islamic
doctrines and made efforts to propagate them. This invasion of Europe,
hardly visible today, will surely grow." (La Grande Encyclopaedie, Tome
20, article: Islamisme).
(Z) ABSORPTION IN THE LOVE OF GOD THE FINAL GOAL
Cultivation of and absorption in the love of Allah, and the permeation
of the heart with the sweet ecstasy of that love, until a person becomes
virtually incapable of acting against the Divine Commands, is the final
goal, which bestows upon a Muslim "Abiding Life" --- a life of Peace,
Progress and Perfection.
About
the Holy Quran
-
The Holy
Quran is Universal and the most exalted Book.
-
Holy Quran
is a treasure of guidance.
-
The Holy
Quran is a Beacon.
-
The Holy
Quran is a sea of chemistry.
-
The Holy
Quran is the most exalted of all Divine Books.
-
The Holy
Quran is the Law of Almighty Allah.
-
The Holy
Quran is a message of guidance and mercy.
-
The Holy
Quran is the only Book free from doubt.
-
The Holy
Quran is the only Book free from errors.
-
The Holy
Quran is in the Arabic language.
-
The Holy
Quran is not poetry but wisdom.
-
The Holy
Quran is light and brightness.
-
The Holy
Quran is Blessed and Glorious.
-
The Holy
Quran explains everything clearly.
-
The Holy
Quran is complete and comprehensive.
-
The Holy
Quran is a Pure Book.
-
The Holy
Quran is a Revelation from Almighty Allah.
-
The Holy
Quran is Revelation on to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam).
-
The Holy
Quran is Cure and Sustenance.
-
The Holy
Quran is advice to the unaware.
-
The Holy
Quran is not a story but is the Word of Almighty Allah.
-
The Holy
Quran is a Book of Facts.
-
The Holy
Quran is simple and pleasant.
-
The Holy
Quran is the dominator of all Arabic Books.
-
The Holy
Quran is the most truthful Book of all books.
-
The Holy
Quran is the Book of Books.
-
The Holy
Quran is Glorious and Praiseworthy.
-
The Holy
Quran is full of Mercy and Wisdom.
-
The Holy
Quran is exalted and Bountiful.
-
The Holy
Quran is the soul.
-
The Holy
Quran cannot be destroyed.
-
Almighty
Allah has promised to protect the Holy Quran.
-
The Holy
Quran can be memorised by young and old.
-
The Holy
Quran is a Book that is read repeatedly.
-
The verses
of the Holy Quran are like one another.
-
Almighty
Allah knows the reality of the closeness of verses.
-
No man or
creation can bring an equal to the Holy Quran.
-
The Holy
Quran is from always for always.
-
If the Holy
Quran had to be revealed on to a mountain, then the mountain
would be reduced to dust through the fear of Almighty Allah.
-
The Holy
Quran is a trust from Almighty Allah which has been kept
protected by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi
wasallam).
-
To become
Haafiz of the Holy Quran is Fardh-e-Kifaaya (obligatory upon
at least one person).
-
To memorise
as many ayats that are enough for Salaah is Fardh 'Ain
(obligatory on every Muslim).
-
Recitation
of the Holy Quran is a means of gaining reward and blessing.
-
The Holy
Quran will intercede on behalf of its reciter.
-
The Holy
Quran will takes its reader into Jannah with it.
-
A Haafiz of
the Holy Quran will intercede for his family.
-
The parents
of a Haafiz, Qaari and Aalim of the Holy Quran will be
blessed with the Crown of Jannah on the day of Qiyamah.
-
To read the
Holy Quran and forget it is a great sin that is worthy of
punishment.
-
To belittle,
reject, or insult the Holy Quran is Kufr (infidelity).
-
The Holy
Quran is easily forgotten and should thus be protected.
-
To touch the
Holy Quran without Wudhu is disallowed and Haraam.
-
The Holy
Quran should be recited in slow rhythmic tones.
-
A minimum of
ten rewards is given for the recitation of each verse of the
Holy Quran.
-
When
commencing the recitation of the Holy Quran, it is
compulsory to read the Ta'ooz and desirable to read the
Tasmiyah. If the recitation commences with any other Surah,
then to recite Tasmiyah is Sunnah.
-
To recite
the Holy Quran by looking into it is greater than reciting
it from memory.
-
To listen to
the recitation of the Holy Quran is more excellent than
recitation or Nafil.
-
It is
necessary to remain silent and listen when the Holy Quran is
being recited.
-
If groups of
people are reciting Holy Quran, then they should recite
silently.
-
When
learning or teaching the Holy Quran, it is allowed for the
students to read aloud in a group.
-
To respect
and honour the Holy Quran is necessary, but also Fardh.
-
To kiss,
recite, look, carry, listen to or write the verses of the
Holy Quran are all acts of Ibaadat.
-
Nothing
should be kept on the Holy Quran, even if it is a religious
book or a Tasbeeh bead.
-
One should
not sit with one�s feet or back towards the Holy Quran and
neither should one sit higher than the Holy Quran.
-
When pages
of the Holy Quran become brittle, they should not be burnt
but be buried in a safe place.
-
To take an
oath on the Holy Quran is proper but one should refrain from
this.
-
To tell
fortune from the Holy Quran is Makrooh?e?Tahreemi (close to
Haraam).
-
There is
nothing wet and nothing dry that has not been explained in
the Holy Quran.
-
All that
which was in the past Divine books is in the Holy Quran.
-
The Holy
Quran is an existing miracle.
-
Surah Yaseen
is the heart of the Holy Quran.
-
The beauty
of the Holy Quran is Surah Rahmaan.
-
Du�as are
accepted during the time of completing the Holy Quran.
-
The Holy
Quran was revealed 600 years after the Injeel (Original
Bible).
-
The Holy
Quran was revealed according to need.
-
75. The Holy
Quran was revealed over a period of approximately twenty-two
years, two months and fourteen days.
-
The first
verse of the Holy Quran to be revealed was "Iqra Bi Ismi
Rabbikal Lazi" in Laylatul Qadr, in month of Ramadaan in the
Cave of Hira. This took place thirteen and half years
before Hijrat, i.e. on the 14th of August 610 A.D.
-
The Holy
Quran consists of 6 666 verses, 558 Rukus, 114 Surahs and 30
Separas (parts).
-
�Bismillah
hir Rahmaan nir Raheem� appears 114 times in the Holy Quran.
-
�Bismillah�
is written before each Surah in the Holy Quran except in
Surah Tauba, but is also written in Surah Namal.
-
The �Bismillah�
that is written in the beginning of each Surah is not a part
of any Surah but it is part of the Holy Quran and continuous
Ayah.
-
There are 15
Sajda-e-Tilaawah in the Holy Quran, 14 agreed upon and one
that is not agreed upon.
-
On reading
or hearing the Ayat-e-Sajdah, it becomes Waajib on the
reciter and listener to both make Sajda-e-Tilaawah and this
only one Sajdah.
-
Every Ayah
and every Surah of the Holy Quran was recorded in writing on
the command of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam).
-
There were
approximated 40 Sahaba who were responsible for recording
the Holy Quran in writing.
-
The Sahabi
who was responsible for continuously recording the Holy
Quran in writing was Sayyiduna Zaid bin Thaabit (radi Allahu
anhu). He also recited the Holy Quran from what he had
written twice to Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
-
The first
complete copy the Holy Quran was prepared by Sayyiduna Abu
Bakr (radi Allahu anhu), which was later re-copied by
Sayyiduna Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) and sent to various
other places.
-
Rasoolullah
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) set all the Surahs into their
positions except for Surah Anfaal. Surah Anfaal was placed
between Surah A'raaf and Surah Tauba by Hazrat Uthman (radi
Allahu anhu) from his authoritative interpretation. He also
did not write �Bismillah� before Surah Tauba.
-
After Huzoor
(sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) the first Haafiz of the Holy
Quran was Sayyiduna Uthman (radi Allahu anhu).
-
The last
verse, "Al Yauma akmaltu lakum Deenakum ... ", of the Holy
Quran was revealed on the 9th of Zil-Hajj 10 A.H. on a
Friday after Asr Salaah in Arafaat.
-
The present
setting of the Holy Quran is the actual setting as in
Lawh-e-Mahfooz (The Protected Tablet).
-
Ninety nine
names of Almighty Allah are present in the Holy Quran.
-
Twenty six
names of Nabis can be found in the Holy Quran.
-
There are 32
names of the Holy Quran in the Holy Quran.
-
Fourteen
questions of the Ummat-e-Muhammadi have been stated in the
Holy Quran.
-
The word
Imaam appears 12 times in the Holy Quran.
-
Hazrat Moosa�s
(alaihis salaam) name appears on numerous occasions in the
Holy Quran.
-
From amongst
the months, only the name of the month of Ramadaan appears
in the Holy Quran; from the names of the females, only that
of Hazrat Maryam (radi Allahu anha); and from the Sahaba,
only the name of Sayyiduna Zaid bin Haarith (radi Allahu
anhu) is mentioned distinctly in the Holy Quran.
-
The
importance of Du�a has been mentioned more than 70 times in
the Holy Quran.
-
The
importance of Charity has appeared more than 150 times in
the Holy Quran.
-
The
importance of Namaaz is mentioned more than 700 times in the
Holy Quran.
-
The name of
the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) �
�Muhammad� appears 4 times in the Holy Quran and the name
�Ahmad� appears once.
-
The Holy
Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has not been
addressed by his name in the Holy Quran like other Prophets,
but he has been addressed as �Yaa Ayyuhal Muzammil�, �Yaa
Ayyuhal Mudassir�, �Yaseen�, etc.
-
The Holy
Prophet Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has been
addressed by the words �Ya Ayyuhan Nabi� 11 times in the
Holy Quran.
-
There are 29
verses of the Holy Quran that show the finality of the Holy
Prophet Muhammad�s (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)
Prophethood.
-
With
commanding obedience to Almighty Allah and His Rasool (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam), the Holy Quran also commands
obedience to one's parents.
-
The Holy
Quran has referred to man and wife as the garb of one
another.
-
Surah
Faatiha, Surah An'aam, Surah Kahaf, Surah Saba and Surah
Faatir are those five Surahs that commence with �Alhumdulillah�
(Praise be to Almighty Allah), but the complete Surah of
Praise is Surah Faatiha.
-
Four people
first recited the entire Holy Quran in one Rakaat, namely,
Hazrat Uthman (radi Allahu anhu), Hazrat Tameem Daari (radi
Allahu anhu), Hazrat Sa�eed bin Jubair and Hazrat Imam Azam
Abu Hanifa (radi Allahu anhu).
-
Hazrat Imam
Azam Abu Hanifa (radi Allahu anhu) read every Surah of the
Holy Quran in Witr.
-
Nuqtas
(dots) were put in the Holy Quran in the year 86 A.H.
-
The Jazm,
Tashdeed and Madd were placed in the Holy Quran by Khaleel
bin Ahmad Basri.
-
In 143 A.H.
Haj'jaaj bin Yusuf Saqafi placed the signs of Zabr, Zer and
Pesh in the Holy Quran.
-
The signs of
Half, Quarter, etc. were placed in the Holy Quran during the
time of Maamoon Abbasi.
-
Huj'jaaj bin
Yusuf also wrote the names of the Surahs.
-
The first
Arabic calligraphy of the Holy Quran was written by Ya'rib
bin Qahtaan.
-
The first
Sufi commentary of the Holy Quran was by Qushairi and was
called "Lataa'iful Irshaad".
-
There are
more than 1 200 commentaries of the Holy Quran.
-
Hazrat
Sheikh Saadi (radi Allahu anhu) did the first translation of
the Holy Quran in 691 A.H. This was done in the Persian
language.
-
At present,
the Holy Quran has been translated into more than 50
languages.
-
In 883 A.D.,
more than one thousand years ago, the Holy Quran was
translated into the Hindi language on the command of a Hindu
King whose name was Mahrook. He was the King of Kashmir and
Panjab.
-
The first
Latin translation of the Holy Quran was done in 1 543 A.D.
in Switzerland.
-
Martin
Luther did the fist German translation of the Holy Quran.
-
The first
Russian translation of the Holy Quran was published in 1 776
A.D. in Petersburg.
-
The Bengali
translation of the Holy Quran was completed in 1 818 A.D.
and was only of the last part.
-
The first
translation of the Holy Quran was made in 1 941 A.D. in
Hamburg under the name of �Arishul Holy Quran�.
-
There are
more than 300 Urdu translations of the Holy Quran to date.
-
The first
Urdu translation of the Holy Quran was done in 1 774 A.D. by
Shah Rafi'ud'deen.
-
The Holy
Quran is another name for Revelation from Almighty Allah.
-
The Holy
Quran is a miracle of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam).
-
The Holy
Quran is the Character of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam).
-
The Holy
Quran is the constitution for mankind.
-
The Holy
Quran is a History of man and the History of the Universe.
-
The Holy
Quran is the life history of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam).
-
The Holy
Quran is Makki and Madini.
-
The Holy
Quran is the Praise of Almighty Allah and Praise of the
Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
-
The Holy
Quran is a Great Treasure.
-
The Holy
Quran is Knowledge.
-
The Holy
Quran is the Final Book of Almighty Allah, revealed upon the
Final Messenger to the Final Nation.
-
The Holy
Quran is a Word of Almighty Allah.
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