Ahadith referenced from Sahih Bukhari, to present right knowledge of Islam to the knowledge seekers.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Reward for memorizing Qur’aan
A. Praise be to Allaah.
Whoever memorizes Qur’aan and acts upon it, Allaah will reward him and honour him greatly for that, so that he will rise in status in Paradise to a level commensurate with what he memorized of the Book of Allaah.
Al-Tirmidhi (2914) and Abu Dawood (1464) narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“It will be said to the companion of the Qur’aan: Recite and rise in status, recite as you used to recite in the world, for your status will be at the last verse that you recite.” This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 5/218, no. 2240, after which he said:
Note that what is meant by the “companion of the Qur’aan” is the one who memorizes it by heart, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “The one who knows more Qur’aan should lead the people in prayer,” meaning the one who has memorized the most. The differentiation in status in Paradise will depend on how much was memorized in this world, not how much one will recite on that day as some people imagine. This clearly points to the virtue of the hafiz who has memorized the Qur’aan, but that is subject to the condition that he memorizes it for the sake of Allaah, not for worldly purposes or financial gain. Otherwise the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Most of the hypocrites of my ummah are among those who have memorized Qur’aan.”
Concerning the virtue of the hafiz who memorizes the Qur’aan, al-Bukhaari (4937) narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The likeness of the one who reads Qur’aan and memorizes it is that he is with the righteous honourable scribes. The likeness of the one who reads it and tries hard to memorize it even though it is difficult for him, he will have two rewards.”
For the hafiz who has memorized the Qur’aan, praying qiyaam al-layl is easy. And the Qur’aan will intercede for him on the Day of Resurrection, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Fasting and the Qur’aan will intercede for a person on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say, ‘O Lord, I deprived him of food and desires during the day, so let me intercede for him.’ The Qur’aan will say, ‘O Lord I deprived him of his sleep at night, so let me intercede for him.’ Then they will both intercede for him.” Narrated by Ahmad, al-Tabaraani and al-Haakim; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 3882
And Allaah knows best.
It should be noted here that there is a weak (da’eef) hadeeth that is quoted concerning the virtue of memorizing Qur’aan. This hadeeth says, “The bearer of the Qur’aan, if he regards what it permits as halaal and what it forbids as haraam, he will intercede for ten of his family members on the Day of Resurrection, all of whom deserved to enter Hell.” This was narrated by al-Bayhaqi in Shu’ab al-Eemaan (The Branches of Faith) from Jaabir; it was classed as da’eef by al-Albaani in Da’eef al-Jaami’.
Islam Q&A
Ref: http://islamqa.com/en/ref/20803
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The Ten Commandments in the Qur'aan
A. Praise be to Allaah.
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
Relationship between Knowledge and Taqwa
This lofty Ayah indicates that those who possess knowledge about Allah, His Din (Religion), His Glorious Book, and the Sunnah of His Prophet have the most perfect fear of Allah (Glorified be He) among mankind.
Thus, the Ayah means that those who have complete fear of Allah are those who know their Lord through His Names and Attributes and His Great Right and they are aware of His Shari‘ah (Divine Law) and believe in the blessings stored for those who fear Him and the punishment stored for those who forsake and disobey Him.
Hence, because of their profound knowledge about Allah, they are the most fearful and reverential towards Allah; and at the head of them are the prophets and messengers (peace be upon them) and then their succeeding scholars who possess knowledge about Allah and His Din but their fear is in varying degrees.
However, the Ayah does not mean that no one fears Allah except the scholars (those who possess knowledge). All Muslims and believers, male and female, fear Allah, but their fear is in varying degrees and not of the same grade. Therefore, the more the believer possesses knowledge about Allah and comprehends His Din, the greater is their fear of Allah.
If their knowledge is less, so is their understanding and awareness of Allah and His Din and subsequently their fear of Allah. Thus, people are of varying degrees in this matter and so are the scholars as already stated. The more there is knowledge about Din, the greater there is fear of Allah and the less there is knowledge about Din, the less there is fear of Allah.
That is why Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: "Verily, those who believe and do righteous good deeds, they are the best of creatures. Their reward with their Lord is ‘Adn (Eden) Paradise (Gardens of Eternity), underneath which rivers flow. They will abide therein forever, Allâh will be pleased with them, and they with Him. That is for him who fears his Lord." [Surah Al-Baiyyinah, 98: 7-8]
Allah (Exalted be He) also says: "Verily, those who fear their Lord unseen (i.e. they do not see Him, nor His punishment in the Hereafter), theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)." [Surah Al-Mulk, 67: 12]
There are many Ayahs conveying this meaning.
May Allah grant us success!
Ibn Baz Fatwas > Volume 5 > the Tafsir (explanation/exegesis) of the Saying of Allah, the Almighty, "It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allâh."
Friday, July 8, 2011
Which is more sound, Tafseer Ibn Katheer or Tafseer al-Tabari?
A. Praise be to Allaah.
Imam Muhammad ibn Jareer al-Tabari was born in 224 AH and died in 310 AH, at the age of eighty-six, in the region of Tabaristan.
Abu Haamid al-Isfaraayini said: If a traveller were to travel to China in order to obtain it, that would not be too much.
Ibn Khuzaymah said: I have read it from beginning to end and I do not know of anyone on the face of the earth who is more knowledgeable than Ibn Jareer.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said: With regard to the Tafseers that are in circulation among the people, the most sound of them is the Tafseer of Muhammad ibn Jareer al-Tabari, for he mentions the views of the salaf with proven isnaads, and there is no bid’ah (innovation) in it, and he does not transmit reports from dubious sources such as Muqaatil ibn Bukayr and al-Kalbi.
He also said in Muqaddimah fi Usool al-Tafseer (p. 35), concerning the Tafseer of Ibn Jareer:
He relied on the views of three generations of mufassireen among the salaf, namely the Sahaabah, the Taabi’een, and the followers of the Taabi’een, and he quotes their opinions with isnaads going back to them. This is an important feature of his book which is not present in many of the books of Tafseer that are in circulation among us. But this feature does not matter to many ordinary Muslims who are not able to research isnaads and distinguish sound isnaads from weak ones; all they want is to know whether an isnaad is sound or weak by means of a clear and brief statement to that effect.
When he has finished quoting their opinions, he states which he thinks is most likely to be correct, then he describes how he reached that conclusion.
Al-Suyooti (may Allaah have mercy on him) said concerning this Tafseer: Nothing like it has ever been written.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Imam ibn Qudaamah al-Maqdisee (d.620H) on "Belief (Creed) in Allah's Names and Attributes"
- Radd (rejection),
- Ta'weel (distortive interpretation; hidden meaning),
- Tashbeeh (comparison), and
- Tamtheel (representation).
And He says, disprasing the one who seeks the Ta'weel (hidden meaning) of the unclear verses of His revelation.
Thus Allaah has placed the aspect of seeking after the hidden meanings (ta'weel) as a sign of deviation. And He has placed a barrier between them and that which they aspire and He cuts off their ambitions from what they seek after, by saying:
"But no one knows its hidden meanings except Allaah."
"I believe in Allaah and in what has been reported concerning Allaah, upon what was intended by Allaah. And I believe in the Messenger of Allaah and in what has been reported concerning the Messenger of Allaah, upon what was intended by the Messenger of Allaah."
pg. 5-6, Lum'at-ul-'Itiqaad [Sufficiency in Creed] - by Imam ibn Qudaamah al-Maqdisee (d.620H)
Download the Book "Sufficiency in Creed" here.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Oneness of Allaah
Praise be to Allaah.
The entire universe, in the way it is created and the way it is controlled, bears witness to the oneness of Allaah:
“Surely, His is the creation and commandment. Blessed is Allaah, the Lord of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)!"
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-A’raaf 7:54 – interpretation of the meaning]
The creation of the heavens and the earth, the alternation of night and day, the different kinds of inanimate objects, plants and fruits, the creation of humans and animals… all of that indicates that the Almighty Creator is One with no partner or associate:
“That is Allaah, your Lord, the Creator of all things, Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). How then are you turning away (from Allaah, by worshipping others instead of Him)?"
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Ghaafir 40:62 – interpretation of the meaning]
The variety and greatness of these created things, the perfect way in which they are formed, the way in which they are maintained and controlled, all indicate that the Creator is One and that He does as He wills and rules and decides as He wants:
“Allaah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Wakeel (Trustee, Disposer of affairs, Guardian) over all things”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Zumar 39:62 – interpretation of the meaning]
All of the above indicate that this universe has a Creator, that this dominion has a Sovereign, that behind these forms is One Who gives them shape:
“He is Allaah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Hashr 59:24 – interpretation of the meaning]
The soundness of the heavens and the earth, the order of the universe, the harmony among created things, all indicate that the Creator is One, with no partner or associate:
“Had there been therein (in the heavens and the earth) aalihah (gods) besides Allaah, then verily, both would have been ruined. Glorified be Allaah, the Lord of the Throne, (High is He) above all that (evil) they associate with Him!”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Anbiya’ 21:22 – interpretation of the meaning]
These great created things either created themselves – which is impossible – or man created himself then created them – which is also impossible:
“Were they created by nothing? Or were they themselves the creators?
Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, but they have no firm Belief”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Toor 52:35-36 – interpretation of the meaning]
Reason, Revelation and the original state of man (fitrah) all indicate that this universe has One Who brought into being, that these created things have a Creator Who is Ever-Living and Eternal, All-Knowing and All-Aware, Powerful and Almighty, Kind and Most Merciful. He has the Most Beautiful Names and Sublime Attributes and He knows all things. Nothing is beyond His control, and there is nothing like unto Him:
“And your Ilaah (God) is One Ilaah (God — Allaah), Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful"
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Baqarah 2:163 – interpretation of the meaning]
The existence of Allaah is something that is there is no excuse for not knowing. It is the matter of common sense:
“Their Messengers said: What! Can there be a doubt about Allaah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth?”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Ibraaheem 14:10 – interpretation of the meaning]
Allaah has created people with the natural instinct (fitrah) to affirm His Lordship and Oneness, but the shayaateen (devils) came to the sons of Adam and caused them to deviate from their religion.
According to a hadeeth qudsi, “I created all My slaves as haneefs (monotheists), but the shayaateen (devils) came to them and made them deviate from their religion, and they forbade them that which I had permitted to them.”
(Narrated by Muslim, no. 2865)
Among them are those who deny the existence of Allaah, and those who worship the Shaytaan, and those who worship man. And there are those who worship the dinar [money], or fire, or genital organs, or animals. And there are some who associate in worship with Him a stone from the earth or a star in the sky.
These things which are worshipped instead of Allaah, cannot create or provide; they cannot hear or see, or bring benefits or cause harm. So how can they worship them instead of Allaah?
“Are many different lords (gods) better or Allaah, the One, the Irresistible?”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Yoosuf 12:39 – interpretation of the meaning]
Allaah has condemned those who worship these idols which cannot hear, see or think:
“Verily, those whom you call upon besides Allaah are slaves like you. So call upon them and let them answer you if you are truthful.
Have they feet wherewith they walk? Or have they hands wherewith they hold? Or have they eyes wherewith they see? Or have they ears wherewith they hear?”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-A’raaf 7:194-195 – interpretation of the meaning]
“Say (O Muhammad to mankind): ‘How do you worship besides Allaah something which has no power either to harm or benefit you? But it is Allaah Who is the All‑Hearer, All‑Knower”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Maa'idah 5:76 – interpretation of the meaning]
How ignorant man is of his Lord Who created him and provides for him. How he rejects Him and forgets Him, and worships others instead of Him:
“Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Hajj 22:46 – interpretation of the meaning]
Glorified be Allaah far above that which they associate with Him. Praise be to Allaah the Lord of the Worlds:
“Say (O Muhammad): Praise and thanks be to Allaah, and peace be on His slaves whom He has chosen (for His Message)! Is Allaah better, or (all) that you ascribe as partners (to Him)?” (Of course, Allaah is Better).
Is not He (better than your gods) Who created the heavens and the earth, and sends down for you water (rain) from the sky, whereby We cause to grow wonderful gardens full of beauty and delight? It is not in your ability to cause the growth of their trees. Is there any ilaah (god) with Allaah? Nay, but they are a people who ascribe equals (to Him)!
Is not He (better than your gods) Who has made the earth as a fixed abode, and has placed rivers in its midst, and has placed firm mountains therein, and has set a barrier between the two seas (of salt and sweet water)? Is there any ilaah (god) with Allaah? Nay, but most of them know not!
Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls on Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations? Is there any ilaah (god) with Allaah? Little is that you remember!
Is not He (better than your gods) Who guides you in the darkness of the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy (rain)? Is there any ilaah (god) with Allaah? High Exalted be Allaah above all that they associate as partners (to Him)!
Is not He (better than your so‑called gods) Who originates creation, and shall thereafter repeat it, and Who provides for you from heaven and earth? Is there any ilaah (god) with Allaah? Say: ‘Bring forth your proofs, if you are truthful’”
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Naml 27:59-64 – interpretation of the meaning]
From Usool al-Deen al-Islami by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri
Islam QA
Ref: http://islamqa.com/en/ref/13532
Evidence that the Qur'aan is the Word of Allaah
Praise be to Allaah.
Praise be to Allaah Who has made good dear to you; we ask Him to increase you in guidance and faith, and to guide your parents to practise Islam and adhere to its rulings.
With regard to the Quraan and the proof that it is the word of Allaah, these are specious arguments which were put forward out of stubbornness and arrogance by the first kaafirs to whom the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was sent. Allaah refuted what they said in many ways, proving their words to be false and pointing out what was wrong with it. For example:
1- This Quraan is challenge from Allaah to mankind and the jinn to produce anything like it, but they were unable to. Then He challenged them to produce only ten soorahs like it, and they were unable to. Then He challenged them to produce something like the shortest soorah in the Quraan, and they could not do it, even though those who were being challenged were the most eloquent and well-spoken of mankind, and the Quraan was revealed in their language. Yet despite that they stated that they were completely incapable of doing that. This challenge has remained down throughout history, but not one person has been able to produce anything like it. If this were the word of a human being, some people would have been able to produce something like it or close to it.
There is a great deal of evidence for this challenge in the Quraan, for example, the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):
Say: If the mankind and the jinn were together to produce the like of this Quraan, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another;
[Qur'aan: Chapter al-Israa 17:88]
Allaah says, challenging them to produce just ten soorahs:
Or they say, He (Prophet Muhammad) forged it (the Quraan). Say: Bring you then ten forged Soorah (chapters) like unto it, and call whomsoever you can, other than Allaah (to your help), if you speak the truth!
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Hood 11:13 interpretation of the meaning]
Allaah says, challenging them to produce just one soorah:
And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Quraan) to Our slave (Muhammad), then produce a Soorah (chapter) of the like thereof and call your witnesses (supporters and helpers) besides Allaah, if you are truthful
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Baqarah 2:23 interpretation of the meaning]
2- No matter how much knowledge and understanding mankind attains, they will still inevitably make mistakes, forget things or fall short. If the Quraan were not the word of Allaah, there would be some contradictions and shortcomings in it, as Allaah says:
Had it been from other than Allaah, they would surely, have found therein many a contradiction
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Nisa 4:82 interpretation of the meaning]
But it is free from any shortcoming, error or contradiction; indeed, all of it is wisdom, mercy and justice. Whoever thinks that there is any contradiction in it, that is because of his diseased thinking and mistaken understanding; if he refers to the scholars they will explain to him what is correct and clear up the confusion for him, as Allaah says:
Verily, those who disbelieved in the Reminder (i.e. the Quraan) when it came to them (shall receive the punishment). And verily, it is an honourable well fortified respected Book (because it is Allaahs Speech, and He has protected it from corruption).
Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it, (it is) sent down by the All Wise, Worthy of all praise (Allaah)
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Fussilat 41:41-42 interpretation of the meaning]
3- Allaah has guaranteed to preserve this Quraan, and He says:
Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Quraan) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption)
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Hijr 15:9 interpretation of the meaning]
Every letter of it was transmitted by thousands from thousands down throughout history, and not one letter of it was altered. If any person tried to alter anything in it, or add something or take something away, then he would be exposed straight away, because Allaah is the One Who has guaranteed to preserve the Quraan, unlike the case with other divinely-revealed Books which Allaah revealed to the people of a particular Prophet only, and not to all of mankind, so He did not guarantee to preserve them, rather He delegated their preservation to the followers of the Prophets. But they did not preserve them, rather they introduced alterations and changes which distorted most of the meanings. The Quraan, on the other hand, was revealed by Allaah to all of mankind until the end of time, because the Message of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the final message, so the Quraan is preserved in mens hearts and in written form, as is proven by the events of history. How many people have tried to change the aayahs of the Quraan and deceive the Muslims, but they were quickly exposed and their falsehood was discovered, even by Muslim children.
Another of the definitive signs that this Quraan was not produced by the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) but that it came revealed by Allaah to him is the following:
4- The great miracles which the Quraan contains of legislation, rulings, stories and beliefs, which could not be produced by any created being no matter how great his intelligence and level of understanding. No matter how hard people try to promulgate laws to regulate their lives, they can never succeed so long as they are far away from the teachings of the Quraan; the further away they are, the greater their rate of failure. This is something that has been proven by the kuffaar themselves.
5- Reports of matters of the unseen, both past and future, which no human being could speak of independently, no matter how great his knowledge, especially at that time which is regarded as primitive in terms of technology and modern tools. There are many things which had not been discovered yet, and which have only been discovered after lengthy and difficult exploration with the most modern equipment, but Allaah told us about them in the Quraan, and the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) mentioned them, fifteen centuries ago, such as the stages of embryonic development, the nature of the oceans, etc. These things have made some kaafirs state that this could only have come from God, as in the case of the development of the embryo:
Only 60 years ago, researchers confirmed that man does not come into existence all at once, but rather he passes through stages of development one after another. Only 60 years ago, science discovered this one Quraanic fact.
Shaykh al-Zandaani said, we met an American professor, one of the greatest American scientists, whose name was Professor Marshall Johnson, and we told him that it says in the Qur’aan that man is created in stages. When he heard this, he was sitting down, but he stood up and said, Stages? We said, That was in the seventh century CE! This Book came and said, man was created in stages. He said, That is impossible, impossible We told him, Why do you say that? This Book says (interpretation of the meaning):
He creates you in the wombs of your mothers, creation after creation in three veils of darkness
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Zumar 39:6]
What is the matter with you, that [you fear not Allaah (His punishment), and] you hope not for reward (from Allaah or you believe not in His Oneness).
While He has created you in (different) stages
[Qur'aan: Chapter: Nooh 71:14]
Then he sat back down on his chair and after a few moments he said, There are only three possibilities. The first is that Muhammad had a huge microscope through which he managed to study these things and he knew things that the people did not know, and he said these things. The second is that this happened by accident, it was a coincidence. The third is that he was a Messenger from God.
We said, With regard to the first idea, that he had a microscope and other equipment, you know that a microscope needs lenses, and lenses need glass and technical expertise and other equipment. Some of this information can only be discovered with an electron microscope which needs electricity, and electricity needs knowledge which should have been acquired by an earlier generation. It is not possible for this knowledge to have been acquired all at once in a single generation; the previous generation would have had to strive hard in developing science and transmitting it to the next generation, and so on. But for this to be the work of one man, with no one coming before him or after him, either in his own land or the neighbouring lands for the Romans, Persians and Arabs were ignorant and had no such equipment for one man to have all these instruments and tools which he did not pass on to anyone else this is not possible.
He said, Thats right, it would be very difficult.
We said, And for it to have been an accident or coincidence, what would you think if we said that the Quraan did not mention this fact only in one verse but in several verses, and that it did not refer to it in general terms but that it gave details of every stage, saying that in the first stage such and such happens, in the second stage such and such happens, in the third stage and so on. Could that be a coincidence?
When we explained to him all the details of those stages, he said, It is wrong to say that this is an accident! This is well-founded knowledge.
We said, Then how do you explain it?
He said, There is no explanation except that this is revelation from above!
With regard to the many statements in the Quraan concerning the sea, some of these facts were not discovered until very recently, and many of them are still unknown.
For example, these facts were discovered after hundreds of marine stations had been set up, and after images had been taken by satellites. The one who said this was Professor Schroeder, one of the greatest oceanographers in West Germany. He used to say that if science advanced, religion would have to retreat. But when he heard the translation of the verses of the Quraan, he was stunned and said, These could not be the words of a human being.
And Professor Dorjaro, a professor of oceanography, told us of the latest developments on science, when he heard the aayah:
Or (the state of a disbeliever) is like the darkness in a vast deep sea, overwhelmed with waves topped by waves, topped by dark clouds, (layers of) darkness upon darkness: if a man stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it! And he for whom Allaah has not appointed light, for him there is no light
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Noor 24:40 interpretation of the meaning]
He said, In the past, man could not dive to a depth of more than twenty meters because he had no special equipment. But now we can dive to the bottom of the ocean, using modern equipment, and we find intense darkness at a depth of two hundred meters. The aayah says a vast deep sea .
The discoveries in the depths of the sea give us an understanding of the aayah, (layers of) darkness upon darkness. It is known that there are seven colours in the spectrum, including red, yellow, blue, green, orange, etc. When we dive down into the depths of the ocean, these colours disappear one after another, and the disappearance of each colour results in more darkness. Red disappears first, then orange, then yellow the last colour to disappear is blue, at a depth of two hundred meters. Each colour that disappears adds to the darkness until it reaches total darkness.
With regard to the phrase waves topped by waves, it has been proven scientifically that there is a separation between the upper and lower parts of the ocean, and that this separation is filled with waves, as if there are waves on the edge of the dark, lower portion of the sea, which we do not see, and there are waves on the shores of the sea, which we do see. So it is as if there are waves above waves. This is a confirmed scientific fact, hence Professor Dorjaro said concerning these Quraanic verses, that this cannot be human knowledge.
(See al-Adillah al-Maadiyyah ala Wujood-Allaah by Muhammad Mitwalli al-Sharaawi)
And there are very many such examples
6- In the Quraan there are some aayahs which rebuke the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and mention some things to which Allaah drew his attention. Some of them may have been embarrassing for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). But if this Quraan had come from the Messenger of Allaah, there would have been no need for this; if he were to conceal any part of the Quraan, he would have concealed some of these verses which contained rebukes or drew his attention to certain matters which he should not have done, such as the verse in which Allaah says to His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):
But you did hide in yourself (i.e. what Allaah has already made known to you that He will give her to you in marriage) that which Allaah will make manifest, you did fear the people (i.e., their saying that Muhammad married the divorced wife of his manumitted slave) whereas Allaah had a better right that you should fear Him
[Qur'aan: Chapter: al-Ahzaab 33:37 interpretation of the meaning]
After this, can there be any doubt left in the mind of any intelligent person that this Quraan is the word of Allaah, and that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) conveyed that which was revealed to him in full?
Moreover, we tell this person, try it for yourself, read a sound translation of the Quraan and use your mind to ponder these rules and regulations. There is no doubt that any intelligent person who has the power of discernment will see a great difference between these words (of Allaah) and the words of any person on the face of the earth.
We ask Allaah to guide him to Islam, and to make goodness easy for you, and to keep all evil away from you Ameen.
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
Friday, October 8, 2010
[Tafsir Ibn Katheer] Explanation of the verse "You we worship, and You we ask for help from"
The Merit of stating the Object of the Action before the Doer of the Act, and the Merit of these Negations
"You...'', means, we worship You alone and none else, and rely on You alone and none else. This is the perfect form of obedience and the entire religion is implied by these two ideas. Some of the Salaf said, Al-Fatihah is the secret of the Qur'an, while these words are the secret of Al-Fatihah,
Tawhid Al-Uluhiyyah (Oneness in Worship)
Tawhid Ar-Rububiyyah (Oneness in Lordship)
The Summary of Surah Al-Fatihah
The honorable Surah Al-Fatihah contains seven Ayat including the praise and thanks of Allah, glorifying Him and praising Him by mentioning His most Beautiful Names and most high Attributes. It also mentions the Hereafter, which is the Day of Resurrection, and directs Allah's servants to ask of Him, invoking Him and declaring that all power and strength comes from Him. It also calls to the sincerity of the worship of Allah alone, singling Him out in His divinity, believing in His perfection, being free from the need of any partners, having no rivals nor equals. Al-Fatihah directs the believers to invoke Allah to guide them to the straight path, which is the true religion, and to help them remain on that path in this life, and to pass over the actual Sirat (bridge over hell that everyone must pass over) on the Day of Judgment. On that Day, the believers will be directed to the gardens of comfort in the company of the Prophets, the truthful ones, the martyrs and the righteous. Al-Fatihah also encourages performing good deeds, so that the believers will be in the company of the good-doers on the Day of Resurrection. The Surah also warns against following the paths of misguidance, so that one does not end up being gathered with those who indulge in sin, on the Day of Resurrection, including those who have earned the anger and those who were led astray.
Ref: www.qtafsir.com
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
[Tafsir Ibn Katheer] Al-Fatihah and the Prayer
Abu Hurayrah was asked, "﴿When﴾ we stand behind the Imam'' He said, "Read it to yourself, for I heard the Messenger of Allah say,
(Allah, the Exalted, said, `I have divided the prayer (Al-Fatihah) into two halves between Myself and My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for.' If he says,
Allah says, `My servant has praised Me.' When the servant says,
Allah says, `My servant has glorified Me.' When he says,
These are the words of An-Nasa'i, while both Muslim and An-Nasa'i collected the following wording, "A half of it is for Me and a half for My servant, and My servant shall acquire what he asked for.''
Ref: www.qtafsir.com
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Jinn entering human bodies
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Qur'an, Chapter 75: Surah Al-Qiyaamah (The Resurrection)
Friday, June 18, 2010
Qur'an, Chapter 78: Surah An-Naba' (The Great News)
Recitation of the Surah "An-Naba' (The Great News)" by Shaykh Mishary bin Rashed al-Afasy
Below is the English Translation of Surah An-Naba' (Ch. 78) by Sahih International:
Surah 78. Surah An-Naba' (The Great News)
1} About what are they asking one another?
2} About the great news -
3} That over which they are in disagreement.
4} No! They are going to know.
5} Then, no! They are going to know.
6} Have We not made the earth a resting place?
7} And the mountains as stakes?
8} And We created you in pairs
9} And made your sleep [a means for] rest
10} And made the night as clothing
11} And made the day for livelihood
12} And constructed above you seven strong [heavens]
13} And made [therein] a burning lamp
14} And sent down, from the rain clouds, pouring water
15} That We may bring forth thereby grain and vegetation
16} And gardens of entwined growth.
17} Indeed, the Day of Judgement is an appointed time -
18} The Day the Horn is blown and you will come forth in multitudes
19} And the heaven is opened and will become gateways
20} And the mountains are removed and will be [but] a mirage.
21} Indeed, Hell has been lying in wait
22} For the transgressors, a place of return,
23} In which they will remain for ages [unending].
24} They will not taste therein [any] coolness or drink
25} Except scalding water and [foul] purulence -
26} An appropriate recompense.
27} Indeed, they were not expecting an account
28} And denied Our verses with [emphatic] denial.
29} But all things We have enumerated in writing.
30} "So taste [the penalty], and never will We increase you except in torment."
31} Indeed, for the righteous is attainment -
32} Gardens and grapevines
33} And full-breasted [companions] of equal age
34} And a full cup.
35} No ill speech will they hear therein or any falsehood -
36} [As] reward from your Lord, [a generous] gift [made due by] account,
37} [From] the Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the Most Merciful. They possess not from Him [authority for] speech.
38} The Day that the Spirit and the angels will stand in rows, they will not speak except for one whom the Most Merciful permits, and he will say what is correct.
39} That is the True Day; so he who wills may take to his Lord a [way of] return.
40} Indeed, We have warned you of a near punishment on the Day when a man will observe what his hands have put forth and the disbeliever will say, "Oh, I wish that I were dust!"
More the explanation (Tafseer) on the Surah an-Naba', download the book "The Day of Resurrection (Tafseer Soorah an-Nabaa)" at QSEP Website
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Qur'an, Chapter 19: Surah Maryam (Mary)
Recitation of the Quran "Surat Maryam (Mary)" Part 1 with English translation
Recitation of the Quran "Surat Maryam (Mary)" Part 2 with English translation
Recitation of the Quran "Surat Maryam (Mary)" Part 3 with English translation
Below is the English Translation of Surat Maryam (Ch. 19) by Sahih International:
Surah 19. Maryam (Mary)
{1} Kaf, Ha, Ya, 'Ayn, Sad.
{2} [This is] a mention of the mercy of your Lord to His servant Zechariah
{3} When he called to his Lord a private supplication.
{4} He said, "My Lord, indeed my bones have weakened, and my head has filled with white, and never have I been in my supplication to You, my Lord, unhappy.
{5} And indeed, I fear the successors after me, and my wife has been barren, so give me from Yourself an heir
{6} Who will inherit me and inherit from the family of Jacob. And make him, my Lord, pleasing [to You]."
{7} [He was told], "O Zechariah, indeed We give you good tidings of a boy whose name will be John. We have not assigned to any before [this] name."
{8} He said, "My Lord, how will I have a boy when my wife has been barren and I have reached extreme old age?"
{9} [An angel] said, "Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, 'It is easy for Me, for I created you before, while you were nothing.' "
{10} [Zechariah] said, "My Lord, make for me a sign." He said, "Your sign is that you will not speak to the people for three nights, [being] sound."
{11} So he came out to his people from the prayer chamber and signaled to them to exalt [ Allah ] in the morning and afternoon.
{12} [ Allah ] said, "O John, take the Scripture with determination." And We gave him judgement [while yet] a boy
{13} And affection from Us and purity, and he was fearing of Allah
{14} And dutiful to his parents, and he was not a disobedient tyrant.
{15} And peace be upon him the day he was born and the day he dies and the day he is raised alive.
{16} And mention, [O Muúammad], in the Book [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east.
{17} And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then We sent to her Our Angel, and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man.
{18} She said, "Indeed, I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you, [so leave me], if you should be fearing of Allah ."
{19} He said, "I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy."
{20} She said, "How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?"
{21} He said, "Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, 'It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.' "
{22} So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place.
{23} And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, "Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten."
{24} But he called her from below her, "Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream.
{25} And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates.
{26} So eat and drink and be contented. And if you see from among humanity anyone, say, 'Indeed, I have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to [any] man.' "
{27} Then she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, "O Mary, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented.
{28} O sister of Aaron, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste."
{29} So she pointed to him. They said, "How can we speak to one who is in the cradle a child?"
{30} [Jesus] said, "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah . He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet.
{31} And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive
{32} And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant.
{33} And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive."
{34} That is Jesus, the son of Mary - the word of truth about which they are in dispute.
{35} It is not [befitting] for Allah to take a son; exalted is He! When He decrees an affair, He only says to it, "Be," and it is.
{36} [Jesus said], "And indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path."
{37} Then the factions differed [concerning Jesus] from among them, so woe to those who disbelieved - from the scene of a tremendous Day.
{38} How [clearly] they will hear and see the Day they come to Us, but the wrongdoers today are in clear error.
{39} And warn them, [O Muúammad], of the Day of Regret, when the matter will be concluded; and [yet], they are in [a state of] heedlessness, and they do not believe.
{40} Indeed, it is We who will inherit the earth and whoever is on it, and to Us they will be returned.
{41} And mention in the Book [the story of] Abraham. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet.
{42} [Mention] when he said to his father, "O my father, why do you worship that which does not hear and does not see and will not benefit you at all?
{43} O my father, indeed there has come to me of knowledge that which has not come to you, so follow me; I will guide you to an even path.
{44} O my father, do not worship Satan. Indeed Satan has ever been, to the Most Merciful, disobedient.
{45} O my father, indeed I fear that there will touch you a punishment from the Most Merciful so you would be to Satan a companion [in Hellfire]."
{46} [His father] said, "Have you no desire for my gods, O Abraham? If you do not desist, I will surely stone you, so avoid me a prolonged time."
{47} [Abraham] said, "Peace will be upon you. I will ask forgiveness for you of my Lord. Indeed, He is ever gracious to me.
{48} And I will leave you and those you invoke other than Allah and will invoke my Lord. I expect that I will not be in invocation to my Lord unhappy."
{49} So when he had left them and those they worshipped other than Allah, We gave him Isaac and Jacob, and each [of them] We made a prophet.
{50} And We gave them of Our mercy, and we made for them a reputation of high honor.
{51} And mention in the Book, Moses. Indeed, he was chosen, and he was a messenger and a prophet.
{52} And We called him from the side of the mount at [his] right and brought him near, confiding [to him].
{53} And We gave him out of Our mercy his brother Aaron as a prophet.
{54} And mention in the Book, Ishmael. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet.
{55} And he used to enjoin on his people prayer and zakah and was to his Lord pleasing.
{56} And mention in the Book, Idrees. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet.
{57} And We raised him to a high station.
{58} Those were the ones upon whom Allah bestowed favor from among the prophets of the descendants of Adam and of those We carried [in the ship] with Noah, and of the descendants of Abraham and Israel, and of those whom We guided and chose. When the verses of the Most Merciful were recited to them, they fell in prostration and weeping.
{59} But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil -
{60} Except those who repent, believe and do righteousness; for those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged at all.
{61} [Therein are] gardens of perpetual residence which the Most Merciful has promised His servants in the unseen. Indeed, His promise has ever been coming.
{62} They will not hear therein any ill speech - only [greetings of] peace - and they will have their provision therein, morning and afternoon.
{63} That is Paradise, which We give as inheritance to those of Our servants who were fearing of Allah .
{64} [Gabriel said], "And we [angels] descend not except by the order of your Lord. To Him belongs that before us and that behind us and what is in between. And never is your Lord forgetful -
{65} Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them - so worship Him and have patience for His worship. Do you know of any similarity to Him?"
{66} And the disbeliever says, "When I have died, am I going to be brought forth alive?"
{67} Does man not remember that We created him before, while he was nothing?
{68} So by your Lord, We will surely gather them and the devils; then We will bring them to be present around Hell upon their knees.
{69} Then We will surely extract from every sect those of them who were worst against the Most Merciful in insolence.
{70} Then, surely it is We who are most knowing of those most worthy of burning therein.
{71} And there is none of you except he will come to it. This is upon your Lord an inevitability decreed.
{72} Then We will save those who feared Allah and leave the wrongdoers within it, on their knees.
{73} And when Our verses are recited to them as clear evidences, those who disbelieve say to those who believe, "Which of [our] two parties is best in position and best in association?"
{74} And how many a generation have We destroyed before them who were better in possessions and [outward] appearance?
{75} Say, "Whoever is in error - let the Most Merciful extend for him an extension [in wealth and time] until, when they see that which they were promised - either punishment [in this world] or the Hour [of resurrection] - they will come to know who is worst in position and weaker in soldiers."
{76} And Allah increases those who were guided, in guidance, and the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for recourse.
{77} Then, have you seen he who disbelieved in Our verses and said, "I will surely be given wealth and children [in the next life]?"
{78} Has he looked into the unseen, or has he taken from the Most Merciful a promise?
{79} No! We will record what he says and extend for him from the punishment extensively.
{80} And We will inherit him [in] what he mentions, and he will come to Us alone.
{81} And they have taken besides Allah [false] deities that they would be for them [a source of] honor.
{82} No! Those "gods" will deny their worship of them and will be against them opponents [on the Day of Judgement].
{83} Do you not see that We have sent the devils upon the disbelievers, inciting them to [evil] with [constant] incitement?
{84} So be not impatient over them. We only count out to them a [limited] number.
{85} On the Day We will gather the righteous to the Most Merciful as a delegation
{86} And will drive the criminals to Hell in thirst
{87} None will have [power of] intercession except he who had taken from the Most Merciful a covenant.
{88} And they say, "The Most Merciful has taken [for Himself] a son."
{89} You have done an atrocious thing.
{90} The heavens almost rupture therefrom and the earth splits open and the mountains collapse in devastation
{91} That they attribute to the Most Merciful a son.
{92} And it is not appropriate for the Most Merciful that He should take a son.
{93} There is no one in the heavens and earth but that he comes to the Most Merciful as a servant.
{94} He has enumerated them and counted them a [full] counting.
{95} And all of them are coming to Him on the Day of Resurrection alone.
{96} Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - the Most Merciful will appoint for them affection.
{97} So, [O Muúammad], We have only made Qur'an easy in the Arabic language that you may give good tidings thereby to the righteous and warn thereby a hostile people.
{98} And how many have We destroyed before them of generations? Do you perceive of them anyone or hear from them a sound?
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
[Refutation] Qur'an doesn't claim that Earth is Flat, in any way
Earth is NOT Flat (according to the Qur'an)
A) Scientific Proof from the Qur’an that Earth is NOT Flat:
The below verse is sufficient to prove the Earth is not Flat and that it is round/spherical.
He has created the Heavens and the Earth for Truth. He wraps the night up in the day, and wraps the day up in the night. [1]
In the Qur'an, the words used for describing the universe are quite remarkable. The Arabic word which is translated as "to wrap" in the above verse, is "takwir". In English, it means "to make one thing lap over another, folded up as a garment that is laid away." For instance, in Arabic dictionaries this word is used for the action of wrapping one thing around another, in the way that a turban is put on. The information given in the verse about the day and the night wrapping each other up includes accurate information about the shape of the world. This can be true only if the Earth is round. This means that in the Qur'an, which was revealed in the 7th century, the roundness of the world was hinted at. [2]
B) Baseless reasoning of Aroj about Prayer Timetable, for the Earth to be Flat:
In your example, you have used fixed time for the 5 prayers (Salaah) to prove that the earth is flat (using statements of Aroj Ati Matbor, who was not a scholar and has turned out to be an Apostate of Islam). I find your arguments baseless, although your point is of a valid concern. With what you have mentioned in the example, I think the following Saying of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) is sufficient to blow-off Aroj’s theory.
The times of the prayers were mentioned by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in the Hadeeth (Saying of the Prophet (Peace be upon him)):
“The time for Zuhr is from when the sun has passed its zenith and a man’s shadow is equal in length to his height, until the time for ‘Asr comes. The time for ‘Asr lasts until the sun turns yellow. The time for Maghrib lasts until the twilight has faded. The time for ‘Isha’ lasts until midnight. The time for Subh (Fajr) prayer lasts from the beginning of the pre-dawn so long as the sun has not yet started to rise. When the sun starts to rise then stop praying, for it rises between the two horns of the Shaytaan.” [3]
This hadeeth explains the timings of the five daily prayers. As for defining them by the clock, that varies from one city or country to another.
Well, as you can see, the Hadeeth clearly focuses on how to CALCULATE the time based on the set criterion and the part of the day/night for a particular location. So, the time here is not a globally FIXED time (in terms of fixed numeric time, example 1:30pm fixed for all places), but it is relative to meeting the criterions set in the Saying (Hadeeth) with respect to the part of the day/night for a given geographical location. To differentiate the prayer time in the Hadeeth from your Fixed Time, I would call this time as the local PRESCRIBED time (i.e., subject to the Location and the laid conditions in the Hadeeth). So, however rational Aroj’s views may seem to be to a Non-Muslim, it doesn’t carry weight in the eyes of the Person who has Knowledge about Islamic Teaching from authentic sources. And so, there is no way this local PRESCRIBED time (which off course suits the modern day GMT standards) in any way establishes that the Earth is flat; rather is proves that the earth has to be spherical/round, for the Hadeeth to be used for Prayer Timing Calculations.
(For more reading on the Prayer Timetable, you can read the following Rulings at www.islam-qa.com
a. Using a timetable to know the times of prayer:
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/71367b. Times of the five daily prayers:
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/9940 )
C) The Flexibility of offering Salaah for Travelers:
With respect to the second part of your example, which concerns as to how a traveler pursues your globally FIXED time (which should actually be the local PRESCRIBED time) at different locations, this issue is a different subject of Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) all together. We saw the calculation of prayer time in the clarification of the first part of your example; so based on that clarification, the travel issue doesn’t stand as a valid argument for that earth to be flat either.
Let’s elaborate on the Ruling concerning the Traveler’s Prayer, for you to understand how Islam deals with the issue of whether a traveler prayed a specific prayer at one part of the world already, and what he should do when he arrives to the other part of the world where the time for the same prayer has just begun or is soon to begin.
Islam makes offering Salaah very easy for the travelers, i.e. by joining the Salaah of 2 times for convenience. A similar question was posed to 2 scholars below:
Al-Muwaffaq Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Mughni (3/140):
If a person completed two prayers at the time of the earlier one, then the excuse for doing so ceased to exist after he had finished praying, before the time for the later prayer began, that is still sufficient and he does not have to repeat the later prayer when the time for it comes, because his prayer was valid and he discharged his duty to perform it, and that duty no longer applies after that. He discharged his duty at a time when he had an excuse, and it is not invalidated by the fact that the excuse ceases to exist after that. This is like the case of the one who does Tayammum, if he finds water after finishing his prayer (he does not have to repeat it).
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about a traveler who joined Zuhr and ‘Asr at the time of the earlier prayer, although he knew that he would reach his destination before the time of ‘Asr. Is this permissible?
He replied:
Yes, this is permissible, but if he knows or he thinks it most likely that he will arrive before the time for ‘Asr, then it is better for him not to join the prayers, because there is no need to do so.
(For more reading on the Prayer for a Traveler, you can read the following Rulings at www.islam-qa.com
a. A traveller joined two prayers together at the time of the earlier one, then he went back to his city before the time for the later prayer began:
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/22387 )
The above scholarly replies have solved your confusion, beautifully. And if this issue is solved, your baseless claim of Earth is flat as per the Qur’an doesn’t stand a chance.
To conclude, Modern day scientific establishments are not eliminating God, but they are elimininating Models of God. And Qur’an is being proved the word of that Almighty God, “Allah”, who is One and Alone and has no partners with Him.
[1] Qur'an, 39:5
[2] The Scientific Miracles of the Qur’an (www.miraclesofthequran.com)
[3] Narrated by Muslim, 612