HOLY QURAN

The word Quran literally means “to read” and the most readable book through-out in the world is the Holy Quran . The Holy Qur’an – The Book of Guidance 
 Allah Almighty revealed the Quran through angel Jibrael Amin (Alihis salam) to the last prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the cave of Hira on Liala tul Qadr (the night of power) and Allah himself took the responsibility to keep the Holy Quran Safe and sound for the mankind till the Day of Judgment.

 Information About Qur’an:

Q) Where was the Qur”an revealed first?
A) In the cave of Hira (Makkah)

Q) On which night was the Qur”an first revealed?
A) Lailatul-Qadr (Night of the Power)

Q) Through whom was the Qur”an revealed?
A) Through Angel Jibraeel (Alaihis-Salaam)

Q) To whom was the Qur”an revealed?
A) To the last Prophet Muhammed (Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam)

Q) Who took the responsibility of keeping the Qur”an safe?
A) Allah himself

Q) What are the conditions for holding or touching the Qur”an?
A) One has to be clean and to be with wudhu (ablution)

Q) What is the topic of the Qur”an?
A) Man

Q) What are the other names of the Qur”an according to the Qur”an itself?
A) Al-Furqaan, Al-Kitaab, Al-Zikr, Al-Noor, Al-Huda

Q) How many Makki Surahs (chapters) are there in the Qur”an?
A) 86

Q) How many Madani Surahs (chapters) are there in the Qur”an?
A) 28

Q) How many Manzils (stages) are there in the Qur”an?
A)7

Q) How many Paara or Juz (parts) are there in the Qur”an?
A) 30

Q) How many Surahs (chapters) are there in the Qur”an?
A) 114

Q) How many Rukoo (paragraphs) are there in the Qur”an?
A) 540

Q) How many Aayaath (verses) are there in the Qur”an?
A) 6666

Q) How many times is the word ”Allah” repeated in the Qur”an?
A) 2698

Q) How many different types of Aayaath (verses) are there in the Qur”an?
A) 10

Q) At the time of the death of Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) how many Huffaz were there?
A) 22

Q) How many Aayaaths (verses) on Sajda (prostation) are there in the Qur”an?
A) 14

Q) In which Paara (part) and Surah (chapter) do you find the first verse about Sajda (prostation)?
A) The 9th Paara, 7th Chapter-Surah-al-Araaf, Verse206

Q) How many times has the Qur”an stressed about Salaat or Namaaz (prayer)?
A) 700 times

Q) How many times has the Qur”an emphasized on alms or charity?
A) 150

Q) How many times in the Qur”an, is the Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) addressed as Yaa-Aiyu-Han-Nabi?
A)11 times

Q) Where in the Qur”an has Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) been named ”Ahmed”?
A)Paara 28, Surah Saff, Ayath 6

Q) How many times has the name of Rasool-ullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) been mentioned in the Qur”an?
A) Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) – 4 times Ahmed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) – 1 time.

Q) Name the Prophet whose name is mentioned and discussed most in the Qur”an?
A) Moosa (Alahis-Salaam)

Q) Who were the Kaathibe-Wahi (copyists of the revelations) of the Qur”an?
A) Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu), Usman (Radhiallahu Anhu), Ali (Radhiallahu Anhu), Zaid Bin Harith (Radhiallahu Anhu) And Abdullah bin Masood (Radhiallahu Anhu)

Q) Who was the first person who counted the Aayaath (verses) of the Qur”an?
A) Ayesha (Radhiallahu Anha)

Q) On whose advice did Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu) decide to compile the Qur”an?
A) Omer Farooq (Radhiallahu Anhu)

Q) On whose order was the Qur”an compiled completely in written form?
A) Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu)

Q) Who confined the recitation of the Qur”an on the style of the Quraysh tribe?
A) Usman (Radhiallahu Anhu)

Q) Out of the copies of ey at present?
A) Only 2 copies. One in Tashkent and the other in Istanbul.

Q) Which Surah of the Qur”an was Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) reciting while praying, that Hazrat Jabeer Bin Muth”im Listened to and embraced Islam?
A) Surah Thoor

Q) Which was that Surah of the Qur”an which the Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had recited when one of his enemies Utba after listening to it fell in Sajda (prostation)?
A) The first five Ayaaths of Ham-Meem-Sajda

Q) Which is the first and the most ancient Mosque according to the Qur”an?
A) Kaaba.

Q) In Qur”an mankind is divided into two groups. Which are those two groups?
A) Believers and disbelievers.

Q) Who is the man about whom, Allah has said in the Qur”an that his body is kept as an admonishing example for future generations to come?
A) Fir”aun. (Pharaoh)

Q) In the Qur”an the name of which companion of Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is mentioned?
A) Zaid Bin Harith.

Q) Who is the relative of the Prophet Muahmmed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) whose name is mentioned in the Qur”an?
A) Abu Lahab

Q) In the Qur”an there is a mention of a Prophet who has been called by his mother”s name. Who was he?
A) Jesus Prophet (Isa Alahis salaam) is mentioned as bin Maryam.

Q) What are the different names used for Satan or Devil in the Qur”an?
A) Iblees and Ash-Shaitaan.

Q) Which category of creature does the Qur”an put ”Iblees” into?
A) Jinn.

Q) What were those worships and prayers that were ordered by Allah to the community of Bani Israeel and which were continued by the Muslim Ummah also?
A) Salaat and Zakaat. (Al-Baqarah:43)

Q) The Qur”an repeatedly warns of a certain day. Can you say which day it is?
A) Youmal Qiyamah. (Doomsday)

Q) Who were those people with whom Allah was pleased and they were pleased with Him, as mentioned in the Qur”an?
A) Companions of Prophet Muhammed. (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)

Q) In which year were the vowels inserted in the Qur”an?
A) 43 Hijri.

Q) Which is the first Residential University where the faculty of the Qur”an was established for the first time?
A) Masjid-e-Nabvi. Mosque of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)

Q) What type of a person does the Qur”an want to make?
A) A Momin.

Q) What is the scale or measure of one”s dignity according to the Qur”an?
A) Thaqwa. (Piety)

Q) Which is the longest Surah (Chapter) in the Qur”an?
A) Surah-al-Baqarah.

Q) Which is the smallest Surah in the Qur”an?
A) Surah-al-Kausar.

The Major Sins in Islam:

01. Associating anything with Allah
02. Murder
03. Practising magic
04. Not Praying
05. Not paying Zakat
06. Not fasting on a Day of Ramadan without excuse
07. Not performing Hajj, while being able to do so
08. Disrespect to parents
09. Abandoning relatives
10. Fornication and Adultery
11. Homosexuality(sodomy)
12. Interest(Riba)
13. Wrongfully consuming the property of an orphan
14. Lying about Allah and His Messenger
15. Running away from the battlefield
16. A leader’s deceiving his people and being unjust to them
17. Pride and arrogance
18. Bearing false witness
19. Drinking Khamr (wine)
20. Gambling
21. Slandering chaste women
22. Stealing from the spoils of war
23. Stealing
24. Highway Robbery
25. Taking false oath
26. Oppression
27. Illegal gain
28. Consuming wealth acquired unlawfully
29. Committing suicide
30. Frequent lying
31. Judging unjustly
32. Giving and Accepting bribes
33. Woman’s imitating man and man’s imitating woman
34. Being cuckold
35. Marrying a divorced woman in order to make her lawful for the husband
36. Not protecting oneself from urine
37. Showing-off
38. Learning knowledge of the religion for the sake of this world and concealing that knowledge
39. Bertrayal of trust
40. Recounting favours
41. Denying Allah’s Decree
42. Listening (to) people’s private conversations
43. Carrying tales
44. Cursing
45. Breaking contracts
46. Believing in fortune-tellers and astrologers
47. A woman’s bad conduct towards her husband
48. Making statues and pictures
49. Lamenting, wailing, tearing the clothing, and doing other things of this sort when an affliction befalls
50. Treating others unjustly
51. Overbearing conduct toward the wife, the servant, the weak, and animals
52. Offending one’s neighbour
53. Offending and abusing Muslims
54. Offending people and having an arrogant attitude toward them
55. Trailing one’s garment in pride
56. Men’s wearing silk and gold
57. A slave’s running away from his master
58. Slaughtering an animal which has been dedicated to anyone other than Allah
59. To knowingly ascribe one’s paternity to a father other than one’s own
60. Arguing and disputing violently
61. Witholding excess water
62. Giving short weight or measure
63. Feeling secure from Allah’s Plan
64. Offending Allah’s righteous friends
65. Not praying in congregation but praying alone without an excuse
66. Persistently missing Friday Prayers without any excuse
67. Unsurping the rights of the heir through bequests
68. Deceiving and plotting evil
69. Spying for the enemy of the Muslims
70. Cursing or insulting any of the Companions of Allah’s Messenger

Responsibilities of a Muslim – Muslim’s Manners and Duties according to Quran and Hadith

Muslim:

 

 Islam is a religion of peace. A Muslim is a person who follows the religion of Islam.

Responsibilities of  Muslims:

 

• Responsibilities towards Allah, All-Mighty

Allah is the Creator of all that exists. We, as His creatures, are obligated to worship and believe in Him based on the teachings of Islam; otherwise it (our belief or worship) will be not accepted and will be of no avail.

Allah, All-Mighty says in the Holy Qur’an, “Say: He is Allah, the One and Only! Allah, the eternal, Absolute! He begetter not nor is He begotten, and there is none like unto Him.” (Holy Qur’an, 112)

We believe in Him and whatever He commanded us to believe in: His Names and Attributes, His angels, His books revealed to prophets, His prophets and messengers, the Day of Resurrection and everything concerning it, and faith in Qada and Qadar (decree and predestination by Allah).

•  Responsibilities towards Oneself

Man is created in his mother’s womb without knowledge, not free to choose his own shape and attributes. Allah, All-Mighty, says “…enguard yourselves against the fire prepared for disbelievers, whose fuel is of men and stones.” (Holy Qur’an, 2:24)

Allah says: “…and be not cast by your own hands to ruin…” (Holy Qur’an, 2:195) Surely, man will give account to The Creator regarding himself. 

•  Responsibilities towards Other People

Man has social character. Life is based on interaction and communication between people; they share many things, and together they form the family and society.

Human rights have a very high status in Islam.  The true Muslim is distinguished by loving his friends and brothers for the sake of Allah.

• Preaching

The importance of Dawah has been emphasized many times in the Qur’an:

You are the best nation raised up for humankind. You enjoin righteousness, forbid corruption and you believe in Allah.
Quran , Sura 3 (Al-Imran), ayah 110

Let there arise among you a group inviting to all that is good, enjoining righteousness and forbidding evil. Those are the successful ones.
Quran , Sura 3 (Al-Imran), ayah 104

Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good preaching.
Quran , Sura 16 (An-Nahl), ayah 125

Five Religious Duties of a Muslim:

• Faith – Shahada
• Prayer – Salah
• Almsgiving – Zakat
• Fasting – Siam
• pilgrimage to Makkah – Hajj

The Importance of Islamic Studies for Muslims – Muslim’s Responsibilities

 Importance of Studies  in Islam:

Islam is the religion of peace, and it is one of the most sacred and trustworthy religions, which has given us guidance in every aspect of life. Islam has given us education with knowledge which has no limits. The Holy Quran is the most sacred book of Allah revealed on Prophet Muhammad (SAW), for the upliftment guidance and enriched messages to the humanity.

Islam attaches such great importance to knowledge and education. When the Quran began to be revealed, the first word of its first verse was ‘Iqra’ that is, read.

Islamic Studies is one of the best systems of education, which makes an ethical groomed person with all the qualities, which he/she should have as a human being.

Importance of Holy Qur’an in our Life:

Quran is the Holy book that has been granted to Muslims from ALLAH. It contains the words of ALLAH, which are the teachings of Islam. For this purpose Quran and Islam are highly related to each other. Quran reading and Quran learning is very necessary for the Muslims in order to follow the right path. Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet (PBUH) by ALLAH. The teachings of Quran are the guidelines for the Muslims to lead a blessed life.

Quran reading and Quran learning guides the Muslims to live in peace, respect each other and follow the righteous path. For every Muslim, the importance of Quran cannot be denied. Teachings of Quran guide the Muslims that how to pray and please ALLAH. Islam is based on certain rules and laws and Quran learning can only demonstrate these laws to the Muslims. Quran and Islam are essential for each other. None of the Muslims can lead his life without the Holy book.  As stated by ALLAH “We have revealed to you the book which clarifies every matter.”

Being a Muslim, Quran reading and Quran learning is our foremost duty. The teachings of Quran do let us know the way of living adapted by our Prophet and His companions. The teachings of Quran allow Muslims to understand the goal of their life. For Muslims, the Holy Quran is the book of advice and wisdom. They should perform Quran reading regularly and keep the guidelines in their heart. The guidance should be taken for improving their lives so that they can be called true Muslims.

Allah says in Quran:

Surah Al-Zumr, ayah 9 reveals: “Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know?” Surah Al-Baqarah, ayah 269 reveals: “Allah grants wisdom to whom He pleases and to whom wisdom is granted indeed he receives an overflowing benefit.”

According to Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (S) said: A single scholar of religion is more formidable against shaytaan than a thousand devout persons.

May Allah increase our Knowledge. Ameen..

Islamic Festival Eid ul Azha – Rituals and Sunnah of Eid Prayer

Eid al’Azha
Eid al’Azha also called the Feast of the Sacrifice, the “Major Festival”, the “Greater Eid”, Baqr’Eid  is the second of two religious holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide each year. It honors the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his promised son, Ishmael (Ismail)a, as an act of submission to God’s command, before God then intervened, through his angel Jibra’il and informs him that his sacrifice has already been accepted. The meat from the sacrificed animal is preferred to be divided into three parts. The family retains one third of the share; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbors; and the remaining third is given to the poor and needy.

In the lunar-based Islamic calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah and lasts for four days. In the international (Gregorian) calendar, the dates vary from year to year, drifting approximately 11 days earlier each year.

Eid al-Adha is the latter of the two Eid holidays, the former being Eid al-Fitr. The basis for the observance comes from the 196th ayah (verse) of Al-Baqara, the second sura of the Quran. The word “Eid” appears once in Al-Ma’ida, the fifth sura of the Quran, with the meaning “solemn festival”.

Like Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha begins with a Sunnah prayer of two rakats followed by a sermon (khutbah). Eid al-Adha celebrations start after the descent of the Hujjaj, the pilgrims performing the Hajj, from Mount Arafat, a hill east of Mecca. Eid sacrifice may take place until sunset on the 13th day of Dhu al-Hijjah. The days of Eid have been singled out in the Hadith as “days of remembrance”. The takbir (days) of Tashriq are from the Fajr prayer of the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah up to the Asr prayer of the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah (5 days and 4 nights). This equals 23 prayers: 5 on the 9th–12th, which equals 20, and 3 on the 13th.

Eid prayers

Muslims go to the mosque to pray the prayer of the Eid.

When is it performed

The Eid al-Adha prayer is performed any time after the sun completely rises up to just before the entering of Zuhr time, on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah. In the event of a force majeure (e.g. natural disaster), the prayer may be delayed to the 11th of Dhu al-Hijjah and then to the 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah.

The Sunnah of preparation

In keeping with the tradition of Muhammad, Muslims are encouraged to prepare themselves for the occasion of Eid. Below is a list of things Muslims are recommended to do in preparation for the Eid al-Adha festival:

• Make wudhu (ablution) and offer Salat al-Fajr (the pre-sunrise prayer).

• Prepare for personal cleanliness—take care of details of clothing, etc.

• Dress up, putting on new or best clothes available.

Rituals of the Eid prayers

The scholars differed concerning the ruling on Eid prayers. There are three scholarly points of view:

That Eid prayer is Sunnah mu’akkadah (recommended). This is the view of Malik ibn Anas and Al-Shafi‘i.

That it is a Fard Kifaya (communal obligation). This is the view of Abū Ḥanīfa.

That it is Wajib on all Muslim men (a duty for each Muslim and is obligatory for men); those who do not do it with no excuse are considered sinners. This is the view of Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and was also narrated from Abū Ḥanīfa.

Eid prayers must be offered in congregation. It consists of two rakats (units) with seven Takbirs in the first Raka’ah and five Takbirs in the second Raka’ah. For Sunni Muslims, Salat al-Eid differs from the five daily canonical prayers in that no adhan (call to prayer) or iqama (call) is pronounced for the two Eid prayers. The salat (prayer) is then followed by the khutbah, or sermon, by the Imam.

At the conclusion of the prayers and sermon, Muslims embrace and exchange greetings with one other (Eid Mubarak), give gifts (Eidi) to children, and visit one another. Many Muslims also take this opportunity to invite their non-Muslim friends, neighbours, co-workers and classmates to their Eid festivities to better acquaint them about Islam and Muslim culture.

The Takbir and other rituals

The Takbir is recited from the dawn of the ninth of Dhu al-Hijjah to the thirteenth, and consists of:

Allāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar الله أكبر الله أكبر
lā ilāha illā Allāh لا إله إلا الله
WAllāhu akbar, Allāhu akbar الله أكبر الله أكبر
wa li-illāhil-hamd ولله الحمد
God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest,
There is no deity but God
God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest
and to God goes all praise

Verses of The Holy Quran – Quotes and Verses from The Holy Quran

A beautiful collection of  Islamic quotes and verses from Quran in English.

“My Lord! Forgive me and have mercy for you are the most merciful” (23:118)

“O Mankind we created you from a single (pair) of a male and female, and you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other” (49:13)

“Our Lord, do not make our hearts swerve aside after You have guided us. And give us mercy from You. (Surah Al’Imran 8)

“Whosoever killed a person, it shall be as he had killed all mankind” (5:33)

“And let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful” (An;Nur: 24:22)

“The worldly life is only an illusion” (59:20)

“If you give thanks, I will give you more” (Surah’Ibrahim)

“My success is only by Allah” (11:88)

“And whosoever keeps his duty to Allah, He makes matters easy for him” (65:04)

“Indeed Mankind is violent in the love of wealth” (100:08)

“Not so, All who submit themselves completely to Allah and are good-doers will find their reward with their Lord. They will feel no fear and know no sorrow” (Al’Baqara,112)

“Hold tight to the Rope of Allah, together and be not divided” (3:103)

Our Prophet (P.B.U.H) was sent as a mercy for All

Our Prophet (P.B.U.H) was sent as a mercy for All.
Prophet (P.B.U.H) was even merciful to animals .
Some incidents in his life would highlight this element of Mercy in the teachings of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) .
1) Prophet SAW came across a camel crying and howling due to thirst and hunger , he strictly advised the owner to look after his camel for the of being deprived of food and water on the day of judgement .

2) Prophet Saw was amongst his companions and he noticed a bird flying around violently as if in distress . He inquired what the cause was and a companion got up and said that he had taken out the nestlings from the bird’s nest .
Prophet was very annoyed and immediately ordered him to but them back saying cant you see how restless the mother bird was …
But today some beast humans abduct some mothers children for their lust of money…
3) Prophet (P.B.U.H) had camped up at a place while his journey when he saw a fire lit some distance away . He asked why the fire had been set ?
Was told that their was an anthill which was put to fire with the feeling that the ants might disturb us .
Prohet SAW told ,
” to burn and punish with fire is only the right of the creator of fire ”

4) Prophet SAW narrated the story of a traveller of Bani Israel who got down a well when he got thirsty . When he had climbed back he saw a thirsty dog panting with thirst . The traveller had mercy on the dog got down the well and brought out water in his leather shoe to let the dog drink to quench his thirst. .
Allah merciful liked the act of mercy to the extent that he rewarded the man with Jannah !
Allah help us develop the trait of Mercy so that we get Allah’s mercy on the Day of Judgement
Aameen