MUSLIMS AWARENESS

Q uran is the book of guidance for a Muslim’s life. This article is a collection of Quranic verses, Ahadeeth (Prophet’s Saying) and sayings of the salaf (pious people that followed the prophet) on the majesty of Quran, the great virtues for reading and following it. 1. Quran on Quran To begin with, there are many verses in the Quran itself that underscore the majesty of Allah ’s verses and the Quran itself – Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): Say: ‘If the mankind and the jinn were together to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another’ ”[Quran Al-Israa’ 17:88] Had We sent down this Quran on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect. [Quran Al-Hashr 59:21] “This is the Book (the Quran), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqoon [the p...

The message revealed in the Quran has been categorized by scholars in many ways. The following is one categorization by ibn Al-Qayyim - Information about Allâh , His Names, His Attributes, His Actions and His Sayings – which is Tawhîd al-Ma’rifah wal-Ithbât (the Tawhîd of knowledge and affirmation); or It is a call to worship Allâh alone without any partner, and a rejection of whatever is worshipped besides Him – and this is Tawhîd al-Irâdî at-Talabî (the Tawhîd of actions and intentions); or It is a command to obey Him and to comply with His orders and prohibitions – so this is from the rights of Tawhîd and is a completion of it; or It gives information about the people of Tawhîd and how they were treated in this world and how they will be honoured in the Hereafter – and this is the reward for Tawhîd ; or It gives information about the people of Shirk (associating partners along with Allâh) and the punishment they receive in this world and the torment they shal...

“Have you not seen that Allah knows whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth? There is no Najwa (secret counsel) of three, but He is their fourth (with His Knowledge, while He Himself is over the Throne, over the seventh heaven), nor of five but He is their sixth (with His Knowledge), not of less than that or more, but He is with them (with His Knowledge) wherever they may be; and afterwards on the Day of Resurrection, He will inform them of what they did. Verily, Allah is the All-Knower of everything.” [ Surah Mujadila (58: 7)] Reflections from this verse – In this verse Allah the Exalted informs us of His knowledge encompassing all creation, observing it, hearing and seeing every thing and every one, wherever they may be and in whatever condition they may be. This verse while calling our attention to Allah’s Omniscience also helps us form the correct perspective about His (SWT)’s Omnipresence. As Allah’s vision grasps everything, we feel ...

See a photo of the moon setting behind a rocky landscape in the Ansel Adams Wildnerness area by Peter Essick

W e all come across various difficulties in our lives. However, not all of us handle them as effectively as we should. As strategies for getting through life’s problems are rarely formally learned, we are constrained to use trial and error, sometimes leading to suboptimal results. Dealing effectively with our difficulties and problems requires appropriate emotional control, acceptance of realities, charting out a course of action, and finally taking preventive measures to keep future problems at bay. Thus, arming ourselves with the right intellectual, mental, and spiritual strategies to get through these phases can help us achieve successful breakthroughs. Let’s go over those steps in more detail. The Emotional Response An emotional response to a difficulty or calamity is normal and only human. However, emotions have to be managed and channeled appropriately; else they can manifest negatively within our personalities and affect our lives in general. Research , to...

The following hadith by the prophet provides the background of how Makkah and Kaa’ba came into existence. Narrated Ibn ‘Abbâs [On the authority of the Prophet (See Fath Al-Bari, Vol. 7, Page 210)]. “…(Prophet) Ibrâhîm (Abraham) brought her (Hajar) and her son Ismail (Ishmael) while she used to nurse him at her breast, near the Ka‘bah under a tree on the spot of Zamzam, at the highest place in the mosque. During those days there was nobody in Makkah, nor was there any water. So he made them sit over there and placed near them a leather bag containing some dates, and a small water-skin containing some water, and set out homeward. Ismail’s (Ishmael) mother followed him saying, "O Ibrâhîm (Abraham)! Where are you going, leaving us in this valley where there is no person whose company we may enjoy, nor is there anything (to enjoy)?" She repeated that to him many times, but he did not look back at her. Then she asked him, "Has Allâh ordered you to do so?" ...