Download muqith.wordpress.com SURAH AL QALAM: PART 1 (VERSES 1

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SURAH AL QALAM: PART 1 (VERSES 1-7)
1. Why did Allah name this Surah “Al Qalam”?
It is to reveal the importance of Pen and writing.
2. Why did the disbelievers name-call the Prophet and claim he was crazy?
The Prophet was calling people towards the worship of Allah and the belief in the Hereafter.
The disbelievers could not find any fault with the Qur’an. Since they were bent on denying
the truthful message of the Qur’an, they labelled the Prophet as being crazy.
3. The word “khuluq” in ayah 4 includes many meanings embedded in it. Infer the most
important akhlaq, or manners, that were found in the character of Prophet
Muhammad.
Truthfulness, honesty, integrity and well behaviour were the most important aspects of the
character of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
4. What was the first thing Allah created? And what did He order it to do?
First there was only Allah in the empty space with nothing. Second, Allah created water with
His throne above the water. Third, Allah created the pen and the preserved tablet, and ordered
it to write everything that will happen until the Day of Judgement.
5. What were some of the slanders the disbelievers used to spread about the Prophet?
That he was mad and behaving in a crazy manner.
6. In what way does Allah praise Prophet Muhammad in the beginning of this Surah?
Allah said: ‫ق َع ِظ ٍيم‬
ٍ ُ‫َوإِنَّكَ لَعَلى ُخل‬
“(O Muhammad!) Certainly you have a great character”. (68: 4)
7. What was one of the main missions of Prophet Muhammad? Support your answer
with a hadeeth.
‫إنما بعثت ألتمم مكارم األخالق‬
“I was only sent to complete the best manners and moral character”.
8. “Having a good character is very important in Islam”. Write if you agree or disagree
with the statement. Support you answer with ayaat and ahadeeth.
Given the nature of Islam, there is no question of disagreeing on this matter. Good character
is a part and parcel of one’s faith.
Rasoolullah said, “There is nothing heavier on the scale of the believer on the Day of
Judgement than good character, and Allah hates the bad mannered, vulgar person”.
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In the Qur’an, wherever Allah mentions about eemaan He immediately mentions about
amilus saalihaat also. This suffices to say that having good character is an integral part of a
Muslim’s faith.
SURAH AL QALAM: PART 2 (VERSES 8-16)
1. Why is committing a kabeerah a dangerous behaviour?
Committing a kabeerah harms one’s faith, erodes trust, spoils reputations, fosters hatred and creates
mistrust in a person as well as the society he lives in.
2. What is the difference between gheebah and nameemah?
While both are among the kabeerah, gheebah is to backbite in that one mentions about a Muslim in
any way that is hurtful or disliked by him even if the matter is true. Nameemah is to indulge in
gossiping which spreads distrust and disrespect within the community. Lie and falsehood form a part
of nameemah.
3. What is the Islamic rule on gheebah? Support your answer with an ayah, and a hadeeth.
‫ض ُك ْم بَ ْعضًا أَيُحِ بُّ أ َ َحدُ ُك ْم أ َ ْن يَأ ْ ُك َل لَحْ َم أَخِ ي ِه َم ْيتًا‬
ُ ‫َوال يَ ْغتَبْ بَ ْع‬
“And do not let some of you backbite others. Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead
brother?” (49: 12)
About gheebah, Rasoolullah said that it is “to mention your brother in any way that is hurtful or
disliked by him”.
4. What is the Islamic rule on nameemah? Support your answer with an ayah and a hadeeth.
‫ين‬
ٍ ‫َوال تُطِ ْع ُك َّل َحالفٍ َم ِه‬
َّ ‫از َم‬
‫شاءٍ بِنَمِ يم‬
ٍ ‫َه َّم‬
“And do not obey any worthless person who swears or lies; He is always insulting people, going
around spreading rumours and gossip” (68: 11-12)
Rasoolullah said, “A person who spreads gossip will not enter Paradise”.
5. “Compromising one’s religion is dangerous behaviour”. Explain Allah’s and the Prophet’s
guidance on this.
Allah says, “Do not listen to the disbelievers. They would love it if you compromise (your religion)
and they compromise (theirs)”. According to this ayah, a Muslim must hold strong to his or her faith
and not leave it all. Allah only accepts Islam as His true and final religion. Rasoolullah and his
companions did not give in at any cost either to relax or to compromise on religion. They would rather
face torture and trouble than willing to compromise on one’s religion!
6. Can someone add new worship or ritual to Islam? Why or why not?
This is strictly not allowed in Islam. Islam is a complete religion. It doesn’t need any addition nor any
deletion. Rasoolullah said, “He who innovates something in matters of our religion that is not of it,
will have it rejected”.
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ZAKAH: THE THIRD PILLAR OF ISLAM
1. Why do you think Zakah was given this particular name? Allah could have named it
tax!
When you use the word ‘zakah’ it motivates the giver to share his wealth with the poor and
thereby get purified. People hate being taxed!
2. Why do you think Allah didn’t require zakah on houses we live in, cars we use,
jewelry we wear, equipment we run in our factories and businesses?
These are basic necessities of life. They do not amount to extravagance. Had Zakah been
required on these things, then it would have been injustice to people!
3. Why did Allah require that we should keep the money subject to zakah for at least a
year before we pay zakah on it?
If we are told to pay zakah every week or every month, it would be cruel and taxing on us!
Compulsory sharing of wealth in the form of zakah has been made essential in Islam once
every year so that a Muslim willingly shares part of his annual savings without feeling any
burden.
4. What is the meaning of Zakah in Arabic language?
It means purity and growth. This means that observing zakah will purify and bless the wealth
and the zakah-giver.
5. Describe the concept of wealth in Islam?
* As everything belongs to Allah, money also belongs to Allah.
* Money is very important for everyday living. Islam encourages Muslims to work hard to
earn money for their livelihood and discourages laziness and begging.
* Islam wants us to use money wisely, avoid wasting it, and to share it with others.
* Islam prohibits greed and love for wealth through voluntary sadaqah and compulsory
zakah.
* Muslims are required to earn wealth through halal means and spend it in a halal way.
6. When was zakah prescribed to Muslims?
In the second year of hijrah.
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7. Who should receive zakah?
Eight categories of people are entitled to receive zakah:
1. The poor (faqeer or fuqaraa)
2. The needy (miskeen or masakeen)
3. Those who work to collect zakah
4. Those inclined towards Islam or new Muslims
5. Slaves and captives
6. The debtors
7. In the way of Allah (fee sabeelillah)
8. The helpless and stranded travellers.
8. What is the difference between faqeer and miskeen?
A faqeer is the one who is poor but then he depends and openly seeks help from people.
A miskeen is also the one who is poor but then he is shy of asking and embarrassed to seek
help from others.
9. On what types of wealth do Muslims pay zakah?
1. Money (gold, silver, cash, bonds, stocks etc.)
2. Business inventory
3. Crops
4. Cattle (sheep, cows, goats, camels)
5. Treasures
6. Minerals and metals.
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HAYAA: MODESTY, SHYNESS AND HONOUR TOGETHER
1. Define hayaa.
Hayaa comes from the Arabic word, hayah, which means “life”. In English, it can be
translated as modesty, shyness, self-respect, bashfulness, shame or honour.
Where there is no modesty, there is no Islamic life!
2. Describe the relation between hayaa and imaan.
“Hayaa is a part of Imaan”. What more is needed to explain the connection!
Hayaa and Imaan are two companions that go together. If one is missing, the other is also
lacking too. He who lacks hayaa misses an essential part of Imaan and therefore his imaan
will be incomplete!
3. Describe three virtues of hayaa. Support your answer with ayaat and ahadeeth.
1. Allah loves hayaa: Rasoolulllah said, “Surely Allah has hayaa and is the Protector.
He loves hayaa and people who cover each others’ faults”
2. Hayaa only brings good and nothing else: Rasoolullah said, “Hayaa doesn’t not
bring anything except good”
3. Hayaa leads to Jannah: Rasoolullah said, “Hayaa comes from Imaan and Imaan
leads to Paradise”.
4. Explain how the society will be without the virtue of hayaa. Support your answer
with ahadeeth.
People today are willing to anything because they have lost the sense of shame and modesty
in them. Today’s movies, television shows, advertising media, magazines, pornography even
in newspapers and children’s books reveal how rotten the society has become!
Proof is this hadeeth of Rasoolullah: Among the things that people have found them from the
words of the previous prophets was: ‘If you feel no shame, then do as you wish’.
5. There are many norms and lifestyles that people can take as normal, although they
contradict the virtue of hayaa in Islam. Select one of those negative lifestyles and write
how you will try to avoid it.
Dressing is one area which has greatly affected the lifestyle in the modern world. Wearing
revealing, see-through and semi-nude dresses has become common these days.
A Muslim can easily avoid these negative lifestyles by adopting decent hijab and Islamic
etiquettes of dressing. A Muslim’s dress must be modest according to Islamic teachings.
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6. Technology made it more challenging to observe hayaa in modern days”. Discuss
whether you agree or disagree with this statement, then list things a Muslim should do
to counter this dilemma if you agree with the statement.
Yes, it is absolutely true that modern science and technology has brought challenging issues
in front of Muslims to observe hayaa. For example, when a Muslim boy or girl watches
television or reads a newspaper, hardly he or she can escape the obscenity depicted in
advertisements. A Muslim must try his best to counter this by lowering his gaze or by
turning his attention towards something positive.
Remembrance of Allah helps a lot in overcoming satanic temptations.
KHALID IBN AL WALEED EMBRACES ISLAM
1. There were a few matters that encouraged Khalid ibn al Waleed to become Muslim. Based
on Khalid’s story, what things would encourage people to accept Islam?
* Having positive opinion about Islam
* Personality of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
* Respect and curiosity towards Muslims
* Influence of Islam on knowledge and wisdom.
* Closeness with practising Muslims
* Dawah in stages
2. Suppose that your brother is not a Muslim. How would you feel about that and what
would you do to help your brother to become a Muslim?
I will feel sorry for my brother and would do my level best to attract him towards Islam. I
will follow Islamic teachings and will be very nice to him. I will talk to him about Islam
whenever he is calm and listening. I will also make du’aa to Allah to guide him towards
Islam.
3. What made Khalid an enemy of Islam in the early days of Islam?
Khalid lived a life of luxury, riding horses and fighting with his sword right from his
childhood. He was not prepared to give up luxury. Moreover he was influenced by idolatry.
4. Who was Khalid’s brother?
Al Waleed ibn al Waleed was Khalid’s brother.
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5. What made Khalid’s brother contact Khalid and encourage him to embrace Islam?
The Prophet’s words in appreciation of Khalid motivated his brother to contact and
encourage Khalid to embrace Islam. The Prophet said, “If Khalid came to us as a Muslim, we
would have welcomed him. No one who has a mind like Khalid would let Islam escape him”.
6. At what battle did Khalid fight the Muslims?
At the Battle of Uhud, Khalid fought against the Muslims.
7. What nickname did the Prophet give Khalid?
Saifullah, the Sword of Allah, was the title given to Khalid ibn al Waleed by Rasoolullah.
SALATUL JANAZAH
1. What are the similarities and the differences between Salatul Janazah and regular
prayer are done. Create a table to illustrate your answer.
2. Define the following terms:
a) Qeerat: Huge rewards akin to a huge mountain
b) Kafan: Clean piece of white cloth wrapped over the dead body
c) Ghusul: Giving a wash to a dead body
3. What should Muslims do if one among them dies?
If a Muslim dies, he must first be given a ghusul. Then his body must be wrapped with kafan
and taken to the masjid for offering Salatul Janazah. After this, the body must be buried
respectfully in a Muslim cemetery.
4. How is Salatul Janazah performed?
With four takbeers, the entire prayer is offered standing.
With the right niyyah or intention, the Imaam and the followers offer the prayer.
After the first takbeer, Surah al Fatihah is recited.
After the second takbeer, Darood Ibraheem is recited.
After the third takbeer, a special du’aa of forgiveness is recited.
And after the fourth takbeer, the prayer is ended with Tasleem by saying Assalamu Alaikum
wa rahmatullah once turning to the right and again turning to the left.
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5. On whom did the Prophet refuse to pray Salatul Janazah?
The Prophet, peace be upon him, refused to pray Salatul Janazah for two categories of
people:
a) those who committed suicide, and
b) those who died in debt until it was paid on their behalf.
6. List five unacceptable practices that unfortunately sometimes occur during funerals.
1) Screaming and yelling
2) Hitting oneself
3) Building a structure or tomb on the grave
4) Spending too much on the funeral arrangements
5) Paying someone to read the Qur’an
DEATH: THE GATE TO THE UNSEEN WORLD
1. Which is more frightening: death or the consequences of committing the major sin of
disbelief in God? Explain your answer.
The consequences of death is more frightening. The Qur’an describes the torment of the Day
of Judgement in a way that makes a person extremely terrified.
2. Why is it important to learn about death?
It keeps a person mindful of Allah and be conscious of his deeds.
3. What is death?
Death is simply the end of life in this world.
4. What is the real reason people die?
Every man’s death is certain. And when man’s predestined lifespan on earth gets over, Allah
wants them to die.
5. What should you say when a loved one passes away?
We should say “Inna lil-laahi wa inna ilaihi raji’oon”, which means ‘certainly we belong to
Allah, and we return back to him”.
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6. What should a Muslim do when he or she experiences harsh situations and thinks
that death might be better than life?
A Muslim must have faith and trust in Allah. He must think that Allah knows what is best for
him. As Allah alone can remove difficulties and give ease, a Muslim must have patience and
always seek His protection and help. For there is none to protect except Allah!
7. Describe how death happens to believers.
The Angel of Death will extract soul from the believer’s body with ease so that a true
believer dies in peace.
8. Describe how death happens to disbelievers.
The Angel of Death will extract soul from the disbeliever’s body with difficulty so that he
experiences a painful death.
THE PROPHETS OF ISLAM
1. What does Islam teach about Prophets? Quote two verses from the Qur’an.
‫“ ولكل أمة رسول‬Indeed for every nation there is a Messenger”
‫“ إنا أرسلناك بالحق بشيرا ونذيرا وإن من أمة إال خالفيها نذير‬Indeed We have sent with you the truth
conveying to people Our good tidings and warnings. And there is no nation, which has not
been sent a warning”
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