Lip Service

Commitment is a promise made with no expectation of return. It is the willingness to make a promise independent of either approval or reciprocity from other people. This takes barter out of the conversation. Our promise is not contingent on the actions of others. As long as our promise is dependent on the actions of others, it is not a commitment; it is a deal, a contract.

Saying no is a stance as useful as a promise. Both offer clarity and the authentic basis to move forward, even if there is no place to go at the moment. Lip service is another story. Nothing kills transformation faster than lip service. The future does not die from opposition; it disappears in the face of lip service.

Lip service sabotages commitment. It offers an empty step forward. It comes in the form of "I'll try." It is an agreement made standing next to the exit door. Whenever someone says they will try hard, agree to think about it, or do the best they can, it is smart to consider that a no. It may not be a final refusal, but at that moment there is no commitment. We can move forward with refusal; we cannot move forward with maybe. Whether it is a response to feeling coerced, a sense of internal obligation, or just a desire to look good, it is really a way to escape the moment and hijacks commitment.

Compiled From:
"Community: The Structure of Belonging" - Peter Block, p. 136, 137

Abomination

"he who slays a soul unless it be (in punishment) for murder or for spreading mischief on earth shall be as if he had slain all mankind; and he who saves a life shall be as if he had given life to all mankind."

The Guidance:

No human being has any right by himself to take human life in retaliation or for causing mischief on this earth. Therefore it is incumbent on every human being that under no circumstances should he be guilty of taking a human life. If anyone has murdered a human being, it is as if he has slain the entire human race.

The Prophet, may God's blessings be on him, has declared murder as the greatest sin only next to polytheism. The Tradition of the Prophet reads: "The greatest sins are to associate something with God and to kill human beings."

In the Quran and the Traditions of the Prophet the word 'soul' (nafs) has been used in general terms without any distinction or particularization. Therefore the injunction to not kill does not refer only to the persons belonging to one's nation, the citizens of one's country, the people of a particular race or religion. The injunction applies to all human beings and the destruction of human life in itself has been prohibited.

The Reason:

The survival of human life depends on everyone respecting other human beings and in contributing actively to the survival and protection of others. Whosoever kills unjustly is thus not merely guilty of doing wrong to one single person, but proves by his act that his heart is devoid of respect for human life and of sympathy for the human species as such. Such a person, therefore, is an enemy of all mankind. This is so because he happens to be possessed of a quality which, were it to become common to all men, would lead to the destruction of the entire human race. The person who helps to preserve the life of even one person, on the other hand, is the protector of the whole of humanity, for he possesses a quality which is indispensable to the survival of mankind.

The Abomination:

The terrorist attacks that have taken place recently are an abomination. We feel great pain and sorrow for the innocent victims of these attacks. We also feel great sorrow for the sake of our religion. Islam has been treated unjustly by these attacks. Islam's global reputation has been severely wounded. We need to fear Allah and not disgrace our religion. The Prophet Muhammad – whom Allah sent as a mercy to all humanity – refrained from causing any harm even to the hypocrites who were plotting against the Muslims while living right in their midst and under his authority. He could have dealt with them easily in any manner he chose – and he chose to show them peace and mercy. He explained: "It will never be said that Muhammad killed his companions."

When will we wake up and see reason? When will we face up to our responsibility towards our religion? When will we start acting like we realize there are 1.5 billion Muslims in the world who share with us this religious identity? Does it make any sense to wipe their faces with mud or disgrace them?

Compiled From:
"Human Rights in Islam" - Sayyid Abul Ala Mawdudi
"Towards Understanding the Quran" - Sayyid Abul Ala Mawdudi, Vol.2, 155-156
"Mumbai - Islam's Reputation is at Stake" - Salman al-Oadah

:::::::::7 Common mistakes usually we make in prayers:::::‏

Listed below are the 7 Common mistakes usually we make in prayers.

Mistake 1: Reciting Surat al-Fatiha fast without pausing after each
verse.

The Prophet (SAW) used to pause after each verse of this surah. (Abu
Dawood)

Mistake 2: Sticking the arms to the sides of the body, in
rukoo' or sujood, and sticking the belly to the thighs in sujood.
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'Let not one of you support
himself on his forearms (in sujood) like the dog. Let him rest on
his palms and keep his elbows away from his body.' (Sahih Muslim) .
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to keep his arms away from his
body during rukoo' and sujood that the whiteness of his armpits
could be seen (Sahih Muslim).

Mistake 3: Gazing upward during prayer.
This may cause loss of concentration. We are commanded to lower our
gaze, and look at the point at which the head rests during sujood.
The Prophet (SAW) warned: 'Let those who raise their gaze up during
prayer stop doing so, or else their sights would not return to them.
i.e. lose their eyesight].' (Muslim)

Mistake 4 : Resting only the tip of the head on the floor during
sujood.

The Prophet (SAW) said: 'I am commanded to prostrate on seven bones
the forehead and the nose, the two hands [palms], the two knees, and
the two feet.' (Sahih Muslim) Applying the above command
necessitates resting the forehead and the nose on the ground during
sujood.

Mistake 5 : Hasty performance of prayer which does not allow
repose and calmness in rukoo' or sujood.
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) saw a man who did not complete his
rukoo' [bowing], and made a very short sujood [prostration] ; he
(SAW) said: 'If this man dies while praying in this manner, he would
die upholding a religion other than the religion of Muhammad.' Abu
Hurairah (RA) said: 'My beloved friend, Muhammad (SAW) forbade me to
perform postures of prayer copying the picking of a rooster;
(signifying fast performance of prayer), moving eyes around like a
fox and the sitting like monkeys ( i.e. to sit on thighs).' (Imam
Ahmad & at-Tayalisi) The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: ' The worst
thief is the one who steals from his own prayer.' People
asked, 'Messenger of Allah! How could one steal from his own
prayer?' He (SAW) said: 'By not completing its rukoo' and sujood.'
(At Tabarani & al-Hakim).To complete rukoo' is to stay in that
posture long enough to recite 'Subhana rabbiyal Adtheem' three
times, SLOWLY, and 'Subhana rabbiyal-a'ala' three times, SLOWLY, in
sujood. He (SAW) also announced: 'He who does not complete his
rukoo' and sujood, his prayer is void.' (Abu Dawood & others)

Mistake 6 : Counting tasbeeh with the left handThe Prophet (SAW)
used to count tasbeeh on the fingers of his right hand after salah.
Ibn Qudamah (RA) said: ' The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used his right
hand for tasbeeh.' (Abu Dawood). The above hadeeth indicates clearly
that the Prophet (SAW) used only one hand for counting tasbeeh. No
Muslim with sound mind would imagine that the Prophet (SAW) used his
left hand for counting tasbeeh. Aa'ishah (RA) said that the Prophet
(SAW) used his left hand only for Istinjaa', or cleaning himself
after responding to the call of nature. He never used it for
tasbeeh. Yasirah (RA) reported: The Prophet (SAW) commanded women to
count tasbeeh on their fingers. The Messenger of Allah (SAW)
said: 'They (the fingers) will be made to speak, and will be
questioned (on the Day of Resurrection. )' (At-Tirmidhi) .. The
above Hadeeth indicates that it is preferable to count tasbeeh on
the fingers of the right hand than to do so on masbahah (rosary).

Mistake 7 : Crossing in front of a praying person.
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) warned: 'Were the one who crosses in
front of a praying person to know the consequences of doing so, he
would have waited for *forty better than to cross in front of him.'
(Sahih Bukhari and Muslim). *The forty in the tradition may be days
months or even years. Allah knows best. Common Errors in Prayer That
MUST Be Avoided.

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)

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

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

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