A Little About ISLAM
The Holy Quran
Revelation of Holy Quran
The Holy Quran was not revealed at once, but it took a period of 22 years, 5 months and 14 days. The first message of A2llah delivered by Hazrat /Gabriel (AS) to the Prophet (PBUH) was the five verses of Surah Al-‘Alaq in cave Hira. In this Surah Allah says:
In the name of the Lord and Cherisher
Who created ----
Created man, out of
A (mere) clot.
Of congealed bolld.
Proclaim! And thy Lord
Is most Bountiful –
He who taught
(The use of) the Pen, --
Taught man that which he knew not.
After that there was an interval or break (fatra), extending over some two and half years. The second revelation came in the form of Surah Al-Muddaththir (Ayat 2).
In order of revelation the last Ayat of the Holy Quran is
Today I have perfected your religion for you. (Surah Al Maida Ayat 4).
Recitation of the Holy Quran is the best mode of remembering Allah. In this connection The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said:
The best among you is the person who reads the Holy Quran and educates others in the Quranic teachings.
In an other Hadith Hazrat Ali quoted.
The Holy Quran is a strong cord of Allah.
INTRODUCTION OF THE HOLY QURAN
It is the holy book of Muslims, revealed on Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), through arch angel Hazrat Gabriel (AS) in 22 years, 5 months and 14 days. It consists of 30 paras (parts), 114 surahs (chapters), 6666ayats, 105684 words and 3236700 letters. These contain material on civil and military law as well as religious beliefs. In other words we can say that the Holy Quran is not consisting upon the fundamental laws for Muslims but it also contains laws for all humanity till the Day of Resurrection.
The Holy Quran advocates the worship of one god i.e. Allah. It explains how the followers should pray, how they should conduct business, how marriages should be held and how wars should be fought. It forbids such evils as drinking, swearing, gambling, the worship of graven images, the belief in the other gods that Allah. In short it described that entire organization of life.
The Quran, unlike other religious scriptures, directly addresses the common man. In several places in its verses it states explicitly that it is a book of Gospel before it (3:3,4; 6:91), and in particular for the Muslims and the believers (3: 138; 2;97 10:57; 16:64; 16:89; 16:102; 27:2; 27:77 and 41:44)
The Quran throughout aims is to inspire the common man to adopt a life infused within Divine ideals. It is not to be considered as hand book for some class of priests and clergyman but is to be regarded as a general invitation for all mankind.
SURAHS OF HOLY QURAN
|
First revealed Surah in
Order of Revelation |
Al - Alaq |
|
First Surah of the
Holy Quran |
Al – Fatiah |
|
Last Surah |
Al – Nas |
|
Longest Surah |
Al – Baqarah |
|
Shortest Surah |
Al – Kausar |
|
Longest Ayat |
Aaital Kursi |
|
Surah that not Begins with Bismillaha |
Surah Tauba |
|
No of Makki Surah |
87 |
|
No of Madni Surah |
27 |
|
No of Manazil |
7 |
|
No of Rakus |
558 |
|
Sajdas |
14 |
|
No. of ayats |
6666 |
TRANSLATION OF THE HOLY QURAN
1st Translated in Latin in 1123 but the same could not be published until 1543. 1st Urdu Translation was rendered by Shah Rafiuddin in 1776.
Names of Prophets in the Holy Quran
|
1 |
Hazrat Adam (AS) |
14 |
Hazrat Nuh (AS) |
|
2 |
Hazrat Alyas (AS) |
15 |
Hazrat Saleh (AS) |
|
3 |
Hazrat Ayyub (AS) |
16 |
Hazrat Shuaib (AS) |
|
4 |
Hazrat Daud (AS) |
17 |
Hazrat Sulaiman (AS) |
|
5 |
Hazrat Essa (AS) |
18 |
Hazrat Yahya (AS) |
|
6 |
Hazrat Haroon (AS) |
19 |
Hazrat Yaqoob (AS) |
|
7 |
Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) |
20 |
Hazrat Yousaf (AS) |
|
8 |
Hazrat Idrees (AS) |
21 |
Hazrat Yoonus (AS) |
|
9 |
Hazrat Ismail (AS) |
22 |
Hazrat Zakariya (AS) |
|
10 |
Hazrat Ishaque (AS) |
23 |
Hazrat Zulkiffil (AS) |
|
11 |
Hazrat Lut (AS) |
24 |
Hazrat Hood (AS) |
|
12 |
Hazrat Moosa (AS) |
25 |
Hazrat Uzair (AS) |
|
13 |
Hazrat Muhammad (AS) |
26 |
Hazrat Yasa (AS) |
First Prophet of God: Hazrat Adam (AS)
Last Prophet of God: Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)
Surahs on the names of Prophets
1. Surah Ibrahim
2. Surah Hood
3. Surah Muhammad
4. Surah Yunas
5. Surah Nuh
6. Surah Yousuf
Names of the Angels
- Hazrat Gabriel
- Hazrat Mekail
- Hazrat Israfeel
- Hazrat Izrael
- Raad
- Haroot
- Maroot
Name of the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad’s (PBUH) companion in Holy Quran
Hazrat Zaid bin Harith (Surah Ahzab).
Name of the Surahs whooly revealed for a woman
Surah Maryam.
Mosques & other sacred buildings
Al-Aqsa, Al-Haram, Zarar and Qaba.
Revealed Books
1. Al-Quran (revealed to Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)).
2. Injeel (Bible) revealed to Hazrat Essa (AS).
3. Torah revealed to Hazrat Musa (AS).
4. Zabur revealed to Hazrat Daud (AS).
Revealed religions with their books.
1. Islam Al-Quran
2. Jewish Torah
3. Christianity Injeel.
Other Sources of Islamic Laws
Hadith: The Collected & tabulated tradition concerning the deeds and words of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). These form the second source of Islamic law and doctrine, after the Holy Quran.
There are six collection of Hadith which are regarded the main body of Islam as authentic or sahih, named the Sahih Bukhari, Muslim, Tarmizi, Ibn-e-Maja, Ibn-e-Daud and Nasai. Some others for instance, Mouta Imam Malik, and Masnad Imam Ahmad son of Imam Hambal rank almost as high.
(1). Sahih Bukhari: It was compiled by Imam Bukhari in 9th century, in 16 years. He collected six lakh ahadith, but only 7275 have been quoted in his book.
(2) . Sahih Muslim: It was compiled by Muslim bin Alhajjaj Al-Qashiri in 15 years. He collected 12000 ahadith but only 434 have been quoted in his said book.
(3). Jam-i-Trimazi: It was compiled by Abu Isa Muhammad bin Musa. He quoted 3956 ahadith.
(4) Sunnan-Abu-Daud: It was compiled by Abu Daud Suleman bin Al-Ashhat Al-Sajistani and included 4800 ahadith in his book.
(5) Sunan Abi Maja: It was compiled by Hafiz Abu Abdullah Muhammad bin Yazid Qazveeni and he included 4000 ahadith in his book.
(6) Sunnan-i-Nisai: It was compiled by Abu Abdur Rahman bin Shuaib and he quoted 5761 ahadith.
Other Books Of Ahadith
1. Mishkat-UL-Masabin (Muhammad bin Abdullah Tabraizi)
2. Sunan Dar-I-Qutni (Imam Abu Al Hasan Ali Dar Qutni).
3. Sunan Hakam (Imam Muhammad Hakam).
4. Sunan Bahiqi (Imam Abu Bakar Ahmad Al Hussain Bahiqi).
5. Mouta Imam Malik (Imam Malik bin Anas).
6. Sunan-i-Darmi (Imam Abu Muhammad Abdullah bin Abdur Rehman Darmi).
IJMA
Literally it means agreeing upon any subject, but in religious term it menas, endorsement by universal consent of practices and belief not referred by the Holy Quran and the Sunnah.
It is the third basic source of Islamic law after, Quran and Sunnah.
QAYYAS (fourth source of Islamic law)
It consists in applying some text if the case can be demonstrated to be governed by the reason of the rule underlying it although the language may not apply. This is the reasoning by analogy. There is a Hadith of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) which may be mentioned here. When Maaz bin Jabal was appointed as governor of Yemen, the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) questioned him to know how he would conduct himself and this is what he said, “if the Quran and Sunnah do not gibe guidance to the purpose then I shall follow my own reason
IJTIHAD:
It is an Arabic word which literally means exerting oneself to the utmost or to the best of one’s ability and Ijthad is applicable to a jurist exerting the faculties of his mind to the utmost for the purpose of forming an opinion in the light of Islamic Principles in case of law where the shariah is silent.
Prophetood Of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)
Islam recognizes Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) as the last and the greatest of prophets.
The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) as the last and the greatest of Prophets.
The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) was born at Makkah on 12th Rabi-UL-Awwal, corresponding to 22nd April 571 AD. His family can be traced back to Hazrat Ibrahim (AS).
The Prophet’s (PBUH) father name was Hazrat Adbullah (RA), grand-father’s Hazrat Abdul Muttalib (RA) and mother Hazrat Amina respectively. Before the birth of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) his fathere died and he was brought up by Hazrat Halima Saadia and then his mother. On his mother’s death, at the age of only six the Holy Prophet (PBUH)passed into the hands of his grandfather Hazrat Abdul Muttalib (RA). When his grandfather died the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was only eight years old.
Afterwards he was brought up by his beloved uncle Abu Talib. At the age 12 his uncle took him to Syria with a trading caravan. On the way to Syria, a Christian friar Bahaira saw Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and said that he was the greatest prophet of all times, this trade mission broadened the Knowledge of Prophet (PBUH).
He took part in the war, fought between the Quraish and Qais tribes, at the age of only 15 years. He also participated as a member in the treaty of Halfal Fazool.
As he was honest and trustworthy trader therefore a wealthy widow Hazrat Khodaija (40) sent him on a trading mission to Syria where he sold here merchandise at a good profit and retuned home with riches, all of which he handed over to her. Due to this very reason she married with the Holy Prophet (PBUH), when he was only 25 years old. Hazrat Khodaija (RA) bore him tow sons and four daughters. The sons died in infancy. His youngest daughter Hazrat Fatima (RA) was married to his cousin Hazrat Ali. His second and third daughters Hazrat Ruqayya (RA) and Hazrat Umm-e-Kalthoom (RA) were married to Hazrat Usman (RA). When in the year 605 AD the local clans decided to renovate the historic building of Ka’aba, a dispute arose during the replacing of Hajr-i-Aswad (black stone). It threatened to plunge the different clans of the Quraish into war, but he averted the war by his wisdom, while saying that all the clans should join in lifting and placing it in the Ka’aba.
At the age of 40, he received first revelation in Cave Hira, a cave situated some three miles from Makkah.
Qutubuddin Azize writes in his book. The Prophet of peace and Humanity:”
“On a fateful day, the angel Gabriel appeared before him and asked him to recite the name of the Allah almighty, the Lord of the Heavens find the Creator of the Earth and all mankind. Shocked by the suddenness and glory of the divine revelation, the Prophet (PBUH) hurried to his, loving wife, Khodaija and told her what had happened in the cave of Hira. She was convinced that it was an angelic visitation and a command form Allah that he was henceforth to be His Prophet on earth, entrusted with a divine mission to spread His words to the farthest corners of the globe. Thus a noble housewife and a righteous woman became the first convert to Islam and a believer I the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH).
The angel Gabriel visited the Prophet (PBUH) many a time and revealed to him the words of Allah in the shape of Holy Quran.
For a year or two he preached among his immediate friends and relatives and made several converts. However when Prophet’s (PBUH) uncle and others began to persecute the Prophet (PBUH) and his followers, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was invited by the people of Madina, therefore he along with his companions migrated to Madina. Hijri calendar began with Prophet’s (PBUH) historic journey to Madina. After reaching Madina. After reaching Madina he constructed the Masjid-I-Nabwi and began reaching the Allah’s message to his followers.
Although the Makkans were blood thirsty foe of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), however Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) well behaved with them and said go, you are free. In other words he gave them general amnesty.
After that he performed Hajj with 1, 24,000 companions.
In 11 Hijri he seriously fell ill and breathed his last.
Wives of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) married with the following women. They are called
Ummahat-UL-Momineen.
|
1 |
Hazrat Khodaija (RA) |
7 |
Hazrat Safia (RA) |
|
2 |
Hazrat Sowdah (RA) |
8 |
Hazrat Maimuna (RA) |
|
3 |
Hazrat Ayesha (RA) |
9 |
Hazrat Maria Qubtiya (RA) |
|
4 |
Hazrat Hifsa (RA) |
10 |
|
|
5 |
Hazrat Zainab bint Hajash (RA) |
11 |
|
|
6 |
Hazrat Umm-e-Habiba (RA) |
|
|
The Prophet’s (PBUH) first marriage took place with Hazrat Khodaija (RA) at the age of 25 years. At that time Hazrat Khodaija (RA) was 40 years old.
SONS
1. Hazrat Qasim (RA)
2. Hazrat Ibrahim (RA)
3. Hazrat Tahir (RA)
All of them died in their infancy and in the presence of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Daughters
1. Hazrat Fatima (RA)
2. Hazrat Zainab (RA)
3. Hazrat Ruqqayya (RA)
4. Hazrat Umme-e-Kalthoom (RA)
Adopted Son
Hazrat Zaid ibn Haris was adopted son of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Last Sermon of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)
The Holy Prophet (PBUH)delivered this sermon on the 9th day of ZIL Hajj 10 AH in Arafat.
“O People! Lend me an attentive ear, for I know no whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today”.
“O People! Just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your lord, and that he will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to let usury (RIBA) therefore all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived”.
“O People! It is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over to you. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friend with anyone of whom you do not approve as well as never to commit adultery”.
“O People! Listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayer’s (relet), fasting during the month of Ramadan and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford it. You know that every Muslim is brother of another Muslim. You are all equal. No body has superiority over other except by piety and good action. Remember one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds to beware do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone”.
“O! People! No Prophet or apostle will come after me and no faith will be born. Reason well, therefore. O People! Understand my words which I convey to you I leave behind me tow things, the Quran and my Sunnah and if you follow there you will never go astray”.
“All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and these to other again, and may the last ones understand my words letter that whose who listen to me directly. Be my witness O Allah! That I have conveyed your message to your people”.
KHULAFA-E-RASHIDEEN
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (RA)
(573-634 AD) Period of Khalafat (632-634) about 27 months
Life long companion of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). First caliph of Islam and Hazrat Muhammad’s (PBUH) father-in-law. He was born at Makkah. He was the first person who embraced Islam. He accompanied the Holy Prophet (PBUH) on his flight to Madina. Married his daughter Hazrat Ayesha (RA) with the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
With the Holy Prophet (PBUH), formed a golden chapter of history of Islam. He always stood with the Holy Prophet (PBUH) through thick and thin without caring for opposition of the enemies of Islam. His sacrifices for the cause of Islam were biggest of all embracing Islam and endorsing what the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said on all occasions. After becoming the first caliph, he ran administration in the best way that became a precedent for the rulers to come.
By the dint of courage of conviction and honesty of purpose, he was able to deal with any situation, whether it was the danger of apostasy or any other. He after embracing Islam moulded his life strictly in accordance with the life style of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
He proved vigorous ruler, adding Mesopotamia (Iraq) to the Muslim world.
His period of Khalafat was two year and three months.
Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) (581-644 AD)
Period of Khalafat (634 – 644), about 10.5 years
Second caliph and companion of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). He was born at Makkah. His father’s name was Khatab. He embraced Islam at the age of 27. Before embracing Islam he was a violent opponent of new faith. After is conversion he, not only became one of the most ardent champions of Islam but also ablest adviser to the Holy Prophet (PBUH). In 634 AD he succeeded Hazrat Abu Bakr as the second caliph of Islam. During his caliphate (634-644 AD), Syria, Palestine, Egypt and Iran were conquered by the Arabs.
He continued the frugal and scrupulously just manner of rule of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA). The mosque Omar at Jerusalem is attributed to him.
He is credited to create the administrative system of the Muslim empire, established the office of Qazi, set fixed taxes.
In the Fajar prayers the words As SALATO KHAIRUM MINAN NAUM were added by him. Also he established Baitul Ma’al and introduced Islamic calendar. The system of Traveeh prayers also started by him. He accompanied with the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in all the holy wars. He was martyred by a Persian Abu Lulu. His period of Khalafat was about ten years, five months and 21 days.
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