Sunday, November 30, 2008

100 Question Answers "Qur'an"‏

  • Q) What is the meaning of the word "Qur'an"?
    A) That which is Read.
  • 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) Who revealed the Qur'an?
    A) Allah revealed the Qur'an
  • 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) Which is the book which is read most?
    A) The Qur'an
  • 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) Who is the first 'Haafiz' of the Qur'an?
    A) Prophet Muhammed (Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam)
  • 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 the Qur'an compiled by Usman (Radhiallahu Anhu), how many and where are they 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) Besides the body of Pharaoh, what is that thing which is kept as an admonishing example for future generations to come?
    A )Noah's Ark.
  • Q) After the wreckage of Prophet Noah's Ark, which is its place of rest mentioned in the Qur'an?
    A) Cave of Judi.
  • 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) Which was the agreement that was titled Fath-hum-Mubeen' without fighting a battle?
    A) Treaty of Hudaibiya.
  • 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 Holy Book of Non-Muslims the Qur'an mentioned repeatedly?
    A) In the Holy Book of Sikh Community-Granth Saheb.
  • Q) In which year were the vowels inserted in the Qur'an?
    A) 43 Hijri.
  • Q) Who were the first serious students of the Qur'an?
  • A) As-haabus Suffah.
  • 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) By what name did the Qur'an address those noble and pious people who were selected by Allah to convey His message to mankind?
    A) Nabi (Prophet) and Rasool (Messenger).
  • 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) What according to the Qur'an is the root cause of the evil?
    A) Alcohol.
  • Q) What are the two most important types of kinds of Aayaaths (Verses) found in the Qur'an?
    A) Muhakamaat and Muthashabihaath.
  • 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.
  • Q) What was the age of Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) when the Qur'an was first revealed to him through aeel (Alaihis-salaam)?
    A) 40 Years
  • Q) How long did Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) receive the revelation of the Qur'an in Makkah?
    A) 13 Years.
  • Q) How long did Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) receive the revelation of the Qur'an in Madinah?
    A) 10 Years.
  • Q) Where was the first Surah revealed?
    A) In Makkah.
  • Q) Where was the last Surah revealed?
    A)In Madinah.
  • Q) How many years did it take for the complete revelation of the Qur'an?
    A) 22 years, 5 months and 14 days.
  • Q) Which Surah (Chapter) of the Qur'an is to be read compulsorily in each raka'at of the Sallat (Namaaz)?
    A) Surah-al-Fatihah.
  • Q) Which is the Surah, which Allah taught as a Du'a(Prayer)?
    A) Surah-al-Fatihah.
  • Q) What is the reason of keeping Surah-al-Fatihah in the beginning of the Qur'an?
    A) It is the door to the Qur'an
  • Q) What is the Surah (Chapter) revealed completely and found first place in the Qur'an?
    A) Surah-al-Fatihah.
  • Q) Who was the only lady whose personal name is found in the Qur'an?
    A) Bibi Mariam (Alaihis-salaam).
  • Q) In which Surah (Chapter) of the Qur'an do you find maximum instructions?
    A) Surah-al-Baqarah.
  • Q) When and Where did the Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and Jibraeel (Alaihis-salaam) meet for the second time?
    A) On Friday,18th Ramadan,in the Cave of Hira.
  • Q) What was the interval between the first and the second revelation?
    A) 2 years and six months.
  • Q) Which is the Surah (Chapter) that does start without Bismillah?
  • A) Surah-al-Taubah or Bara'ath.
  • Q) In which Surah (Chapter) of the Qur'an is Bismillah repeated twice?
    A) Surah-al Naml.
  • Q) How many Surahs (Chapters) in the Qur'an have the titles named after different Prophets?
    A) 6 Surahs (Chapters)
  • Q) How many Surahs (Chapters) in the Qur'an have the titles named after different Prophets?
    A) 6 Surahs (Chapters)
    1- Surah-al-Yunus. 2- Surah-al-Hood. 3- Surah-al-Yusuf. 4- Surah-al-Ibraheem. 5- Surah-al-Nuh. 6- Surah-al-Muhammed.
  • Q) In which part of the Qur'an do you find 'Ayat-ul-Kursi' (Verse of the Throne)?
    A) In the beginning of the third Part. (Chapter 2-55)
  • Q) How many different names of Allah are mentioned in the Qur'an?
    A) 99.
  • Q) Who were the three non-prophets whose names are mentioned with due respect in the Qur'an?
    A) Luqman, Aziz of Egypt and Zulqarnain.
  • Q) At the time Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu) how many companions had compiled the Qur'an in the form of a book?
    A) 75 companions.
  • Q) Which is that only book which is completely memorized by millions of people in the world?
    A) Al-Qur'an.
  • Q) What did the Jinns who heard a few Aayaaths (Verses) of the Qur'an say to each other?
    A) We have heard a unique discourse which shows the right path, verily we believe in it.
  • Q) Which are the most popular transalations of the Qur'an in English?
    A) Transalation by Muhammed Marmaduke Pickthall and by Allama Yusuf Ali.
  • Q) Into how many languages of the world has the Holy Qur'an been transalated?
    A) Nearly 103 languages.
  • Q) Who was the first transalator of the Holy Qur'an into Urdu?
    A) Moulana Shah Rafiuddin Muhaddis Dehlavi.
  • Q) What will be our condition on 'The day of the Judgement' according to the Qur'an?
    A) Everybody will be in a state of anxiety.
  • Q) Who was the Prophet mentioned in the Qur'an whose three generations were prophets?
    A) Ibraheem (Alaihis-salaam).
  • Q) What is that book which abolished all old rules and regulations?
    A) Al-Qur'an.
  • Q) What does the Qur'an say about property and wealth?
    A) They are tests of one's faith.
  • Q) According to the Qur'an who is "khaatamun Nabiyyeen" (the last of the Prophets)?
    A) Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)
  • Q) What is the name of the book that tells us clearly about the reality of the beginning and the end of the world?
    A) Al-Qur'an.
  • Q) In the Qur'an what other name is given to the city of Makkah?
    A) Bakkah and Baladul Ameen.
  • Q) According to the Qur'an what other name is given to the city of Madinah?
    A) Yathrib.
  • Q) Whose Generation is known as "Bani Israeel" according to the Qur'an?
    A) The generation of Prophet Yaqoob (Alaihis salaam) who is alsoknown as Israeel.
  • Q) Which are the 5 mosques that are mentioned in the Qur'an?
    A) 1- Masjid-ul-Haram. 2- Masjid-ul-Zirar. 3- Masjid-ul-Nabawi. 4- Masjid-ul-Aqsa. 5- Masjid Quba.
  • Q) Which are the 4 angels that are mentioned in the Qur'an?
    A) 1- Jibraeel Ameen. (Alaihis salaam) 2- Meekaeel. (Alaihis salaam) 3- Haroot. (Alaihis salaam) 4- Root.(Alaihis alaam)
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    Friday, November 28, 2008

    Inner Voices

    Due heed must be paid to small voices (or inner voices) that sometimes challenge the interpretations offered by those who are considered to be speaking authoritatively. Many Muslims have a strong internal conviction that God is just and fair, and that any Quranic interpretation that conflicts with their sense of justice and fairness, even if it is considered authoritative, demands, at the very least, further scrutiny. To this end, stories like the following can encourage ordinary Muslims to feel confident enough to voice their reservations or discomfort with certain interpretations of the Quran.

    Zaynab bint Muayqib was a woman of Madina, who, along with thousands of others, went out to attend the funerals of two great men - one a religious scholar and one a poet - who died on the same day at the beginning of the second century of Islam. Zaynab was among a large group of women who were gathering behind one of the coffins. A prominent Sayyid, Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Ali ("al Baqir" - who would be identified by the Shiites as their fifth "Imam"), tried to approach the coffin. Blocked by the crowds of women who would not part to let him through, Abu Jafar began to snap his cloak at them saying, "Enough, you companions of Joseph!"

    In response to Abu Jafar's insult, Zaynab called out, "O son of the Messenger of God, you are correct that we are the companions of Joseph - and we treated him better than you!" After the funeral was over, Abu Jafar sent someone to bring Zaynab to him. The narrator of the story says that Zaynab arrived "as though she were a spark of fire." Abu Jafar asked what she had meant when she said that "(We) women are better than (you) men." Zaynab responded to him: "We women, O son of the Messenger of God, invited (Joseph) to the delights of food and drink, and to enjoy and be comfortable. But you men threw him in the well, sold him for a miserable price and locked him in prison - so which of us was more tender and kind to him?"

    When Abu Jafar used the Quran to dismiss the women who got in his way, Zaynab knew this was not fair. Her knowledge was not based on an academic study of the Quran, nor on the claim that she had any special spiritual status that gave her unique insight to the meanings of the Quran. Zaynab, rather, had confidence in her intuitive sense of fairness which allowed her to tell Abu Jafar how she perceived misogyny in his words (for his part, Abu Jafar is said to have expressed admiration at Zaynab's spirited defense). As a woman, Zaynab also had a different perspective than Abu Jafar on the Quranic story of Joseph. In her eyes, the story clearly shows a male propensity for violence and acquiring power at any cost.

    Compiled From:
    "The Story of the Qur'an: Its History and Place in Muslim Life" - Ingrid Mattson, pp. 226-228

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    Greatness through Gratefulness

    There is much more to gratitude and Shukr (thankfulness) in Islam than a mere “Thank You” that our ears have become so used to ignoring. Discover how you can be more thankful to Allah and His creation.

    1. Say “Al-hamdulillah” (All thanks and praise belongs to Allah) often: A constant utterance of this phrase reminds you of the source of all blessings and happiness in this life. This practice of attributing all good actions to Allah keeps you humble and content and has a positive effect on your relations with people.

    Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, has instructed us to say “Al-hamdulillah” on daily basis: “Allah is pleased with His servant if, when he eats something he thanks Allah for it, and when he drinks something he thanks Allah for it” (Muslim).

    2. Recite and memorize the Duas of Prophet Muhammad: The most natural and beautiful way to thank Allah is the words of the Prophet himself.

    The Prophet told Muadh, “By Allah, I love you, so do not forget to say at the end of every prayer, ‘O Allah, help me to remember You and to give thanks to You and to worship You well’” (Ahmad and At-Tirmidhî).

    3. Use and display Allah’s blessings moderately: Part of being grateful to Allah is to look presentable and clean, and spend money on yourself with moderation.

    Abul-Akhwas narrated that his father said: “I came to the Messenger of Allah looking dishevelled and scruffy. He asked me, ‘Do you have any possessions?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He asked me what sort, and I told him, ‘I have all sorts. Allah has given me camels, horses, slaves and sheep.’ The Prophet said: ‘If Allah has given you all of that then let Him see His blessing on you.’”

    4. Thank people for littlest things: People like to be appreciated for little favours they do for us, which often get ignored in our busy routines. When was the last time you thanked your little son for taking care of simple chore for you? Has your husband heard a compliment from you lately?

    Take the time to thank them for their thoughtfulness. As the Prophet stated, “The one who does not give thanks for a small blessing will not give thanks for a great blessing, and the one who does not give thanks to people will not give thanks to Allah” (Abu Dunya).

    Compiled From:
    "18 Ways to Achieve Greatness through Gratefulness" - Taha Ghayyur

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    Equal Footing

    "For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward."

    Initially, Quranic verses used only the masculine plural form to refer to the women and men in the new faith community. For years, "believers" (al-muminun), and "the truthful" (as-sadiqun), either referred specifically to men or to the men and women who constituted the Prophet's first Companions. Once, a woman (or several, according to the different traditions) asked the Prophet why women were not explicitly mentioned in the revealed message. The Book - which, while revealing a universal message, also included responses to the questions asked by the Men around the Prophet - was later to mention women and men distinctively, as in the above verse.

    This evolution of the message is part of divine teaching in the process of revelation carried out over twenty-three years: the faithful are thus led to evolve in their understanding of things and critically reconsider some of their cultural or social practices. The status of women, who were sometimes killed at birth because of the shame they might bring, was to be reformed in stages, as verses were revealed.

    It thus appeared more and more clearly that the Quran's message and the Prophet's attitude were apt to free women from the cultural shackles of Arab tribes and clans and from the practices of the time. The Creator addresses women as being on an equal footing with men, their status as beings and believers is the same as men's, and the requirements of worship are absolutely identical.

    Compiled From:
    "Radical Reform: Islamic Ethics and Liberation" - Tariq Ramadan, pp. 209, 210

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    Sunday, November 23, 2008

    Waters of Divine Knowledge

    What is the origin or source of a sense of "universal goodness" or "universal truth" in an individual? If it is true that God created human beings with an innate sense of right and wrong (fitra), it is also true that the Quran and the Sunna teach that this inner sense can be corrupted by persisting in sin, and that one can easily be led astray by one's selfish desires. It is for this reason that revelation is a theological necessity - to help guide us back to what is right. But how do we attain a true understanding of revelation if we are already emotionally and spiritually wounded people?

    If we reflect upon the story of Hajar (wife of Abraham, peace be upon them) we find a way out of this dilemma. The spiritual matriarch of Islam shows us that we must first trust in God, and then struggle, using all means God has given us, to find the pure waters of Divine knowledge. Hajar found the holy water only because she was confident that God would provide for her, and then exerted all her energy and resources to find her provisions.

    Thus, in the first place, we must use all the intellectual resources God has given us to attempt to understand the true meaning of the Quran. God gave Hajar two legs which she used to run back and forth between the mountains, and two eyes with which she looked for a source of water. God gave Muslims, individually and collectively, sight, hearing, and intellect to put at the service of studying the linguistic and historical context of the Quran. It is impossible for any one individual to master all these aspects of Quranic learning, even in a lifetime of study. A serious effort to understand the Quran, therefore, necessarily includes a deep engagement with the extensive scholarly tradition of Islam.

    The second necessary condition for understanding revelation is the proper intention - to sincerely wish to be guided by God. This does not mean that non-Muslims and even atheists cannot contribute to the factual body of knowledge useful to contextualizing the Quran; but you cannot attain what you do not set out to find. The meaning of the revelation can only be accessed by those who believe that ultimate meaning is beyond the limited understanding of any human being and who sincerely turn to the Quran for the purpose of finding that meaning. However, attaining the state of humility that is characteristic of a sincere intention is not easy. How many individuals are confident of the purity of their intentions and the soundness of their hearts, yet clearly are deceiving themselves?

    Compiled From:
    "The Story of the Qur'an: Its History and Place in Muslim Life" - Ingrid Mattson, pp. 229-231

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    The Inner Power

    Intention is the first step in the rational method of developing our innate power of free will, because it is intimately related to our freedom of choice and action and as such forms the very basis of our accountability. Intention is an inner power that abhors imposition of any limitation on its freedom.

    One's intention is an integral part of one's life and no other man, however powerful, has any power whatsoever over another person's intention. The last resort of a Muslim when he is overwhelmed by difficulties is to save himself from the displeasure of Allah, the Exalted, by submitting his every intention to Allah.

    In a sound hadith we read that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "Whoever among you sees an evil should try to change it with his hands. If he is not able to do so, then with his tongue, and if he is unable to do even that, then with his heart, and this is the weakest form of faith." [Ahmad, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasai, Majah]

    By understanding and following this psychological or inner mode of behaviour, a Muslim is able to achieve two things. He can:

    1) Hold fast to the strong unbreakable rope of Allah, and
    2) Preserve his freedom of choice and abide by his cherished beliefs.

    Compiled From:
    "Freedom and Responsibility in Quranic Perspective" - Hasan Al-Anani, pp, 170, 171

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    Overindulgence

    "The unbelievers shall one day be brought before the fire of hell and be told, 'You have squandered away the good things in your worldly life and enjoyed them to the full and today you shall be rewarded with ignominious punishment...'"

    It is reported by Ibn Atiyyah that this verse had left a strong impression on Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second Caliph. As the head of an expanding Muslim state Umar was a model of simplicity and austerity. On entering Syria with the victorious Muslim army, he was greeted by the leader of the expedition, Khalid ibn al-Walid, who offered him a sumptuous meal. His immediate response was: "If this is what we eat, what about the destitute Muslims who died without having had their fill of barley bread?"

    Khalid replied: "They shall have Paradise!" Umar, it was said, broke down crying, saying that in that case the poor Muslims were the winners!

    It is true to say that God does not forbid the enjoyment of the good and lawful things, but seeking luxury and affluence could lead to a life of extravagance and overindulgence resulting in preoccupation with one's pleasures and desires and negligence of one's duties and responsibilities.

    Compiled From:
    "A Thematic Commentary on The Quran" - Muhammad al-Ghazali, pp. 559, 560

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    Faith

    Faith means believing in something you can't see. It comes in all varieties. you can have faith in yourself, faith in others, or faith that through hard work good things will happen. For example, you have faith that by cutting out junk food and exercising you will lose weight. Faith causes you to act. Without it, there's nothing to hope for.

    There's yet another kind of faith that's increasingly important to many teens - faith in spiritual things.

    Did you know that your brain is hard-wired to connect spiritually? Babies yearn to be held and teenagers hunger for meaning and spirituality. At least that was the conclusion of 33 experts from the nonpartisan Commision on Children at Risk, which researched why kids today are in crisis. In their report, "Hard-wired to Connect," they concluded that our brains are yearning for spiritual meaning, and listed spiritual and religious development as one of the ten marks of an ideal community. Interesting, huh?

    Of course, everyone believes differently and that's okay. But study after study has shown that faith or religious involvement of some sort can build self-worth in teens. Why's that? Faith can:

    • help you connect to something bigger than yourself
    • provide you with standards to live by
    • help you overcome negative peer pressure
    • give you a sense of identity and belonging

    Compiled From:
    "The 6 Most Important Decisions You'll Ever Make" - Sean Covey, p. 280

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    Ten Days of Righteous Deeds

    Even for those not performing the pilgrimage, Hajj, the first ten days of this month are considered very sacred and a time for increased reflection, seeking Allah's forgiveness, doing good and various other forms of worship.

    Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him) has said about the first ten days of Dhul Hijja: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He said, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing (Bukhari).

    While any good deed done for the sake of Allah according to the way He approves will be rewarded immensely during the first ten days, Insha Allah, some of the more specific actions mentioned in the Traditions of the Prophet are as follows:

    1. Fasting

    In terms of fasting, it is particularly encouraged to fast on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijja, known in Arabic as Yawm Arafa. The Prophet used to fast on this day (al Nisai and Abu Dawud). Fasting on this day will expiate a Muslim's sins for two years.

    2. Zikar

    The verbal remembrance of Allah is another meritorious act during these first ten days of Zul Hijjah. The Prophet upon him) encouraged Muslims to recite a lot of Tasbeeh ("Subhan-Allaah"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah") and Takbeer ("Allahu akbar") during this time.

    The Takbeer may include the words "Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah; wa Allahu akbar wa Lillahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise)," as well as other phrases.

    Men are encouraged to recite these phrases out loud and women quietly.

    3. Sacrifice

    One of the good deeds that will bring a person closer to Allah during these ten days is offering a sacrifice, by choosing a high-quality animal and fattening it, spending money for the sake of Allah.

    4. Sincere repentance

    One of the most important things to do during these ten days is to repent sincerely to Allah and to give up all kinds of disobedience and sin. This means more than just a verbal expression of sorrow for past misdeeds. It also requires a firm resolution to avoid making the same mistakes in the future by giving up bad habits and behavior while sincerely turning to Allah.

    Generally, all good deeds are rewarded highly at this blessed time. These actions include praying, reading Quran, making Dua (supplication), giving in charity and being good to our families.

    Compiled From:
    "The first 10 days of Zul Hijjah: why they matter" - SoundVision.com
    "Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah" - Salih Al Munajjid

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    Window of Hope

    "It is those who do not believe in the life to come who are suffering torment as they have gone far in error."

    The torment may refer to their punishment in the life to come. Since it will inevitably overtake them, then it is as if they are already in it, just like they have gone irremediably into error.

    But the statement may be understood in a different way, which suggests that those who do not believe in the life to come live in torment just as they live in error. This is a profound statement. A person who spends his life without belief in a second life suffers mental torment, as he lives without hope of justice, fair reward or compensation for what happens in his life.

    Indeed human life is full of situations and trials which man cannot face properly unless he looks up with hope for justice and reward for good action and punishment for those who do evil. There are things that one cannot do or bear without looking up to God, hoping to earn His pleasure in the life to come, when nothing large or small is overlooked. Whoever is deprived of this window of hope, which brings comfort and satisfaction, undoubtedly lives in torment as well as in error. Such a person suffers all this in the present life, before suffering punishment in the hereafter for his misdeeds which brought about his present life's suffering.

    Compiled From:
    "In The Shade of The Quran" - Sayyid Qutb, Vol. 14, p. 139

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    Thursday, November 13, 2008

    Ways to increase your Eiman..!!

    1. Pray in the last third of the night.
    2. Go to Fajr and Isha in congregation.
    3. Say Adhkaar in the morning and evening.
    4. Remember Death often.
    5. Contemplate over the creation of Allah and how vast and beatiful his creation is.
    6. Gain some knowledge of the Deen daily.
    7. Remember the purpose of life
    8. Fast Voluntarily
    9. Pray as if it is your last prayer
    10. Read Quran
    11. Give sadaqa
    12. Do dhikr
    13. Listen to Quran recitation
    14. Read Seerah/Listen to lectures about it (esp by Shaykh Anwar al Awlaki)
    15. Read about the sahabah/Listen to lectures about them
    16. Say often, "Laa ilaha illa Allah".
    17. When you have gained knowledege, inform others of it
    18. Try to go to regular circles to have discussions about Islam
    19. Smile for the sake of Allah
    20. Reading Surah Khaf with deep thought and understanding, until it awakens u to the dajaalic system that we live in.
    21. Alaways think about allah, thinking is a faridah in islam
    22. Learn about science in light of Quran and Islam.
    23. Call friends and tell them you love them for the sake of Allah.
    24. Protect ourselves from Shaitan
    25. Make sincere Dua 4 the Ummah
    26. Try to help others as much as you can
    27. Make reading Qur'an regular
    28. Read certain surahs at specific times, i.e. Surah Mulk at night
    29. Thank Allah(swt) witthin your heart everday till the day you die , then thank him yourself for everything ! Allah hu akbar
    30. Make Dua' for your bother/sister
    31. Love for your brother what you love for yourself
    32. Discuss Islamic matters with believing brothers/sisters - share knowledge, educate each other
    33. Choose obedience over disobedience
    34. Uttering "Inna Lillahi wa inna Ileyhi raji'oon - To Allah we belong and to Allah we return" whenever you are afflicted with anything whether it be small or big.
    Allah(SWT) says: "Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives and the fruits (of your toil) but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Those who, when misfortune strikes them, say: 'Indeed we belong to Allah and to Him is our return. Those are the ones upon whom are blessings and mercy from their Lord and it is those who are rightly guided." [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 155]
    The Prophet (peace be upon him)said:"No fatigue, illness, anxiety, sorrow, harm or sadness afflicts any Muslim, even to the extent of a thorn pricking him, without Allah wiping out his sins by it." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]
    35. Look at how complex our bodies are (circulatory system, nervous system, etc), and realize that only Allah (SWT) could have made something like that.
    36. Love for your brother what you love for yourself
    37. Smile, make people happy.

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