Whatis: Quran

Assalamu alaykum,

What is the Quran? Allah describes in it Surah 39, verse 23

اللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابًا مُّتَشَابِهًا مَّثَانِيَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَى ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ هُدَى اللَّهِ يَهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ يَشَاء وَمَن يُضْلِلْ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ (39:23) 39:23 (Asad) God bestows from on high the best of all teachings in the shape of a divine writ fully consistent within itself, repeating each statement [of the truth] in manifold forms [a divine writ] whereat shiver the skins of all who of their Sustainer stand in awe: [but] in the end their skins and their hearts do soften at the remembrance of [the grace of] God. Such is God’s guidance: He guides therewith him that wills [to be guided] whereas he whom God lets go astray can never find any guide

The verse starts with ALLAH - an emphatic start to the verse. It is the best of content and best of form. The verses are extremely effective and moving. Even the disbelievers were moved and affected by it.

Quran appears 66 times in the Quran. "Quran" means, to read.

5 main names used for the Qur'an:

• Qur'an (the recited)
• al-Kitab (the book) see 21:10
• al-Furqan (the distinguisher) see 25: 1
• al-Dhikr (the praised) see 15: 9
• al-Tanzeel (the sent down).see 26: 192

Other references to the Qur'an are by such words as nur (light), huda (guidance), rahma (mercy), majid (glorious), mubarak (blessed), bashir (announcer), nadhir (warner), etc.

All these names reflect one of the various aspects of the revealed word of Allah.

The scholars have spent years researching and compiling the sciences of the Quran. Some of topics covered are, the revelation, the transmission of Oral and written Quran, the mushaf of Uthman (r.a), the Quran script, vocabulary, literary forms and styles, recitals, etc.


Source: Intro to Quranic Sciences - SunniPath

*This post is written for Mission Ramadan Challenge!

Summer Projects

Summer Discovery Project - Realize the truth–about the creation and the Creator.

‘Bags for Orphan’ Campaign - Start your ‘Back to School’ shopping with a ‘Bag for Orphan’.

Summer Guide for Muslim Parents - includes a list of teaching aids, and games.

Month of Rajab's here!!

When the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) sighted the moon of Rajab (two months before Ramadan) he used to pray to Allah in the following words:

اَللّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِى رَجَبَ وَ شَعْبَانَ وَ بَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَان

Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Sha’ban wa ballighna Ramadan

O Allah! Make the months of Rajab and Sha’ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan (i.e. prolong our life up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings)

[Narrated by at-Tabarani and Ahmad]

Abu Bakr Warraq (May Allah be pleased with him) said,

‘Rajab is a month of cultivation, Shaban is month of irrigating the fields, and the month of Ramadhan is a month of reaping and harvesting.

Jazak Allah alhidayastudent for the reminder

from Ibn Juzayy's Tafseer

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"Hamd (praise) is more general and inclusive than shukr (thanks or gratitude), because thanks and gratitude are only a recompense for a favour, whereas hamd is both a recompense like thanks and is also spontaneous praise. Similarly, shukr may be more general and inclusive than hamd, because praise is expressed by the tongue, and thanks is expressed by tongue, heart and limbs"

If you understand the universal nature of hamd you will know that your saying "al-hamdu lillah" requires praise of Him for His majesty, vastness, unity, might, bestowal of favours, knowledge, ability and power, wisdom and other attributes, and that it encompasses the meanings of His ninety-nine beautiful names, and that it requires thanking Him and praising Him for every favour He has given and mercy He has bestowed upon all His creation in this world and the next. What a word [it is] which gathers together that which volumes find difficult to express, and the intellects of created beings concur upon as being unable to enumerate! Let it suffice you that Allah made it the beginning of His Book and the conclusion of the supplication of the people of the Garden 1

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Continue reading here..

listen to it.
Ye ankhay khusk hai
inhe rona nahi aata
Sulagte daag hai dil par
jinhe dhona nahi aata

These eyes are dry,

O Lord, knowing not how to weep

Festering spots in the heart

that can’t be cleansed out

A good friend sent me this link to more nasheeds: muziq.net . Jazak Allah Aisha!

Travel time

CNN discusses "Why some don't like to take vacations"

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The reasons vary, from having too few vacation days available to lacking money for travel. But in some cases, it seems, many people just aren't getting into the habit of getting away.

A recent study by Orbitz, the online travel company, found a drop in the number of people taking three-week or two-week vacations and an increase in those taking a week or less. One-third of respondents said they took five or fewer days of vacation in the past year

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As Muslims, we are asked to travel, and see for ourselves, the blessings of Allah - Reflect upon them, as they are signs of Allah's existence and His favors upon us. We are also asked to learn from history - by looking at what remained of people who lived before us. It should remind us that life is a journey, not a destination. That the wrong doers are indeed punished. That the Truth wins. The have-not's should not just remind us to thank the Almighty for blessing us, but also reiterate the importance of charity.


Now that we are ready to go on a vacation...don't know where to go on vacation? Consider The Ozzies - top seven wonders of the world. The author has traveled to a number of countries in the last couple of years. So he has an authority on the subject

Songs of Innocence

From Sh Faraz's Seeker Digest:




Can I sing my songs of innocence
To you my precious child as you lay on your bed
With your sleepy eyes and your heavy head
Pressed in dream in peace till morning comes again

I will sing my songs of innocence
I will sing my songs of innocence

Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu
Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu

Can I sing my songs of innocence
As I watch you sleeping, what may lie ahead
So many the roads that before you spread,
Take away my child to the beloved friend.
Need a life of truth and innocence
The way of sunnah, the path of the Prophet
Let your words be echoes of his sentences
Let your deeds be shadows of his radiance.

Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu
Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu

And though the world sometimes feels cold and hard
And you may feel like you are wandering alone
Do not fear
Do not grieve
In Allah, place your belief
In His remembrance your heart will find its’ peace.

Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu
Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu

And I gaze at you in wonderment
How your heart is filled with innocence
You’ll never know the joy you bring to me
How your touch and smile dispel my every grief
May you never lose your innocence
With life’s bittersweet experience
And when the time comes, remember this
Wisdom is the re finding of innocence

Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu
Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu

Now you’re breathing easy
I must call an end
I have sung my song of innocence
And if our paths should never cross again
May gods peace and mercy upon you descend
We will meet at the gathering of innocence
At al Kausar, the fountain of abundance
By the Prophet’s hand, may our thirst be quenched
We will be with him and we will be content

Sallal lauhu allaihi wa alayhi
Peace and blessings on him and his family
And all who follow in his blessed way
You and I my child may we among them be
You and I my child may we among them be

Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu
Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu

Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu
Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu

Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu
Sing a song of love and innocence
Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu

Ya Allah
Will you help me find my way back home
Ya Allah
Will you fill my heart with innocence
May I come to you in innocence
Let me sing my song of innocence

Jalwa e Jaana - Junaid Jamshed

I love this nasheed!

In the footsteps of the Prophet - Review

Seven days - 215 pages, filled with history, lessons, and reflections. I read Tariq Ramadan's In the footsteps of the Prophet, and was asked to share my views about it. So, Bismillah..

The audience is wide. The book doesn't assume any previous knowledge. It briefly, but clearly explains Muslim terms that are needed in the context, and also avoids using any Arabic words. Having said that the book is not just written for non-Muslims. The book also speaks to the Muslims, in terms of the spiritual lessons and reflections.

The content of the book is a biography that tells the story of a life but emphasizes decisions, revelations, and the spiritual and emotional lessons therein. Tariq Ramadan has skipped many details in the life of Prophet (peace be upon him), but this is acceptable, considering the book is sub-titled "Lessons form the Life of Muhammad"

Simple lessons we can learn from the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) are very often overlooked. But Ramadan has brought out some very subtle and salient points. For instance when they were "building a trench around Medinah in preparation for battle, the Prophet (peace be upon him) who worked alongside his companions was said to have at times invoked God, at others sang, recited poetry and everyone else joined alongside. It’s such a small seemingly insignificant detail, but as if to deliberately break the mold of the ever so serious harsh personality (some believers may aspire to.) The actions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) were measured to demonstrate a lesson, to encourage, and to nurture goodwill and fraternity among the community. " [quoting from Lightness]
“Through the invocations, poems, and songs, the Prophet enabled the women and men in his community- beyond their communion in faith and ritual prayer- to commune through the voicing of emotions and the musicality of hearts articulating their belonging to a common expression of the self, a collective imagination, and a culture.”

Other lessons pointed out in the book include humbleness - humbling ourselves in front of the "One". Allah commanded us to learn, but at the same time accept the fact that we won't know it all.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was an orphan, Allah sheltered him. For the rest of the life, the Prophet was generous with the poor and needy. "..spiritual teaching emanating from these is valid for each human being: never forget one's past, one's trials, one's environment and origin, and to turn one's experience into a positive teaching for one self and for others. Muhammad's past, the One reminds him, is a school from which he must draw useful, practical, and concrete knowledge to benefit those whose lives and hardships he has shared, since he knows from his own experience, better than anyone else, what they feel and endure." [Page 12]

Tariq Ramadan teaches of the Prophet's generosity, love for his Companions, forgiving and humble nature. He also reminds the reader that following the Prophet's teaching doesn't just apply to the essential acts of worship - the teachings are broader than that. We can learn from every aspect of the Prophet's life - including mundane aspects like the way he treated his wives ["conversed with her, and expressed his love and tenderness" Page 119.. "he never hesitated to take the time to confide in the women around him" Page 159], how he loved children ["their innocence, gentleness, and ability to be present in the moment.....played with them, reaching towards their innocence, which is in its essence the expression of permanent prayer to God” Page - 213] and his instruction to his companion about not wasting water and respecting nature [page 202].

Ramadan concludes with a note to remind us the most essential of the Prophet's teaching: "The Messenger may have left the human world, but he has taught us never to forget Him, the Supreme Refuge, the Witness, the Most Near" [Page 216].

Overall, the book is a light-read. A good read for all Muslims, and non-Muslims alike.

From "In the Footsteps of the Prophet"

"In the ensuing years, young Muhammad [saws] became a shepherd to earn his living, looking after the flocks on the outskirts of Mecca. He later mentioned this experience to his Companions, portraying it as a common feature characteristic of prophets: "There was no prophet who was not a shepherd.' He was asked: 'And you too, Messenger of God?' He answered; 'And myself as well' " [Hadith reported by al-Bukhari - Volume 4, Book 55, Number 618]

As a shepherd, young Muhammad learned solitude, patience, contemplation, and watchfulness. Such qualities were necessary to all prophets to carry out their missions among their people. He also acquired a deep sense of independence in his life and work, which enabled him to be most successful in the trader's calling he was soon to take up."

Review of the book

Buy the book

Faslon Ko Takalluf, Pretentious Distances

I came across a blog that translate a urdu nasheed into english.

Listen to it @ Aswat-Al-Islam

Lyrics in urdu, with translation

Faslon ko takalluf hai hum se agar,
hum bhi bebas nahin besahara nahi.

Khud unhi ko pukarengey hum door se
Raaste mein agar paon tak jayengey } 2

Distances, if pretentious to us,
Neither we helpless, nor despairing.

We ourselves shall beseech Him,
En route, if our feet be weary.

Hum Madine mein tanha nikal jayengey
Aur galiyon mein kus dun batak jayengey 2

Hum wahan jakey wapas nahin ayengey
Doond te doondte log tak jayengey 2

We companionless, shall enter Madina,
We shall in streets, be deliberately lost.

Having reached, return we shall not,
In search for us, weary folk shall grow.

Jaise hi sabz Gumbad nazar ayega
Bandagi ka kareena badal jaye ga 2

Sar juka ne ki fursat miley gi kisey
Khud hi palkon se sajdey tapak jayengey 2

Whence the green Minaret is sighted,
The flower of slave-hood shall change.

Who shall have the opportunity to bow?
Of themselves shall from eyes prostrations drip

Naamey Aaka jahan bhi liya jayega
Zikr unka jahan bhi kiya jayega 2

Noor hi noor seeno mein bhar jayega
Sari mehfil mein jalwe lapak jayegey 2

The liege-lord’s name wherever shall be mentioned,
His remembrance wherever shall be made,

Naught but light shall fill the breasts,
Majesties shall leap the entire gathering.

Eh Madiny ke zahi KHuda ke liye
Daastaan ne safar mujko yumad suna 2

Baat bhar jayegi dil tarap jayega
Mere mohtat aasoo chalak jayege 2

O sojourner of Madina! For God’s sake,
The journey’s epic do not describe.

The matter shall exceed, the heart left bereaved,
My cautious tears shall flow forth.

Unki chashme karam ko hai iski khabar
Kis musafir ko hai kitna shaukey safar 2

Hum ko Iqbal jab bhi ijazat mili,
Hum bhi Aaka ke darbar tak jayegeney 2

His generous vision has knowledge of,
Which traveler to travel how greatly aspires.

Iqbal! Whenever granted permission,
We too shall visit the court of the liege-lord.

Faslon ko takalluf hai hum se agar,
hum bhi bebas nahin besahara nahi.

Khud unhi ko pukarengey hum door se
raaste mein agar paon tak jayengey

Distances, if pretentious to us,
Neither helpless, nor are we despairing.

We ourselves shall beseech Him,
En route, if our feet be weary.

Asmaa Al-Husna ~ The 99 Beautiful Names of Allah (SWT)

ZA said to me today, what better way to learn about Allah swt, other than learning His names: Read here: 99 names

Listen to it here

my mum is amazing

She wakes early in the morning with a smile
And she holds my head up high:
"Don’t you ever let anybody put you down -
‘Coz you are my little angel"

Then she makes something warm for me to drink -
‘Coz it’s cold out there, she thinks
Then she walks me to school - yes, I ain’t no fool
I just think my mum is amazing

Chorus
She makes me feel -
Like I can do anything
And when she’s with me
There’s nowhere else I’d rather be

After school, she’s waiting by the gate
I’m so happy that I just can’t wait -
To get home to tell her how my day went
Eat the yummy food only my mum makes

Then I wind her up ‘coz I don’t want to bath
And we run around the house with a laugh
No matter what I say, she gets her way
I think my mum is amazing

(Chorus)

In the evening, she tucks me into bed
And I wrap my arms around her head
Then she tells me a tale of a girl far away -
Who one day became a princess

I’m so happy - I don’t want her to leave
So she lies in bed with me
As I close my eyes, how lucky am I -
To have a mum that’s so amazing

(Chorus)

Then I wake up in the morning - she’s not there
And I realise she never was
And I’m still here in this lonely orphanage -
With so many just like me

And as my dreams begin to fade
I try hard to look forward to my day
But there’s a pain in my heart that’s a craving:
How I wish I had a mum that’s amazing
Would be amazing