Kamis, 25 Juni 2009

How to Read the Qur'an


The Qur'an is the Word of Allah,The Almighty.Nobody,not even the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),has the right to change,add or delete one word of the Qur'an.The arrangement of the Qur'an into chapters and verses has been done in accordance to the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

If one remembers that the Qur'an was communicated to the Prophet (PBUH) over a period of twenty-three years,a little at a time,it becomes plain that it should be read in the same way that demands meditation,understanding and observance.The Qur'an is the Word of Allah addressed to man to be a guide for his conduct for all time to come.its basic purpose is to instruct and to teach.The Qur'an is not a history book,nor a biography,nor a collection os sayings.So,the way of reading the Qur'an must reflect how it explains and illustrates the basic principles in various ways,and in an infinite variety.Thus,the more we study the Qur'an in the light of our growing knowledge of the world,and of man,and of Allah's purpose,the more truthful facts await us in the unfolding of its meanings.

We find many passages in Qur'an which describe its origin,its purpose and its style.These passages give comprehensive answers to the basic and ever-occurring question of life.They show the greatness and glory of Allah's words in a way that no other book has provided for so many people,over so long a span of time.The Qur'an - also referred to as The Book of Allah (Kitab ul-Allah) Speech of Allah (Kalam ul-Allah) The Message ( Al Tliikr),and The Criterion (Al Furqan) - is the speech of Allah in the Arabic language,communicated to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by the Glorious and Trustworthy Spirit,The Angel Gabriel.

Its message is conveyed in an easy language that expalins matters clearly,in a consistent way and with no contradictions.None of its language and no part of the Qur'an can be imitated by men,they are unable to produce even few sentences like those found in the Qur'an,whether in content or expression.So the Qur'an as we read it today is exactly the same as it was received by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).Allah guards its purity and addresses it to all mankind,to be a guide in this world and to give glad tidings of the Next World to those who follow a righteous way of life.

PERFORMANCE OF PRAYER


After the worshipper has performed his ablution he is ready for Prayer.When the time of Prayer comes,it is good practice,after the Traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),to say the Prayer call (Athan) The caller stands facing the Qiblah (the direction of the Ka'bah at Makkah),raising both hands to his ears,and says,in a loud voice,the following:
1. (Allah is the Greatest), (repeat four times)
2. (I bear witness that there is no Allah but the One Allah), (repeat twice).
3. (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah), (repeat twice).
4. (Come fast to prayer), (repeat twice,turning the face to right).
5. (Come fast to success), (repeat twice,turning the face to the left).
6. (Allah is the Greatest), (repeat twice).
7. (There is no Allah but the One and True Allah), (once).

When the Call ii made for the Dawn Prayer,the caller adds one sentence right after part (5) above.The sentence added is; (Prayer is better than sleep), (repeat twice).Then the caller continues with parts (6) and (7),This exception is made for Dawn prayer only because it is the time when people are asleep and in need for reminder of Prayer.

When this Call is uttered,the worshippers get ready for Prayer and startit with an announcement called (Iqamah).The sentences here are the same as those of the Athan,except that the Iqamah is said in a faster and less audible voice and right after part (5) this sentence should be said twice: (prayer is to start).Then part (6) and (7) should fallow till the end as usual.

Ater the worshipper has finished the ablution and after the Athan and Iqamah are said,the Prayer starts as follows:
1. The Dawn Prayer : In this Prayer two units (Rak'ah) are offered first as supererogatory (Sunnah).These are followed by two other units as obligatory (Fard).Both the same way except that,when declaring the intention,one has to distinguish between the two.The obligatory units may be performed in an audible or low voice.
2. The Noon Prayer : This consists of four units as Sunnah followed by four units as Fard,and then two others ass Sunnah,all of which are in a low voice.
3. The Mid-Afternoon Prayer : It consists of four units as Sunnah followed by four others as fard.These are performed in the same way as the Noon Prayer in a low voice.
4. The Sunset Prayer : It consists of three units as Fard followed by two as Sunnah.It may be said in the first two units with a low or audible voice,the third unit is in a low voice.
5. The Evening Prayer ; It consists of four units as Fard,two as Sunnah and three as Witr,which are higher than Sunnah and lower than Fard.

The Sunnah Prayers are not required from a person who has missed some Fard Prayers.Instead,he must make up for what he has missed and offer the obligatory Prayers.Also the Sunnah Prayers are not required ,if the due time person misses any Prayer and wanats to make up for it,he has to offer the Fard only.

If a worshipper does not know how to say his whole Prayers in the Arabic version,he may use any other language he knows if it can express the same meaning ,but this has to be avoided as far as possible.The Fard Prayer is much more preferable when offered in a congregation led by an Imanm.The cogregation is best when held in a mosque,.but it may be held in other places.


Extended for Al Azhar Book First Year.

Jumat, 19 Juni 2009

BELIEF IN DIVINE DESTINY

A true Muslim believes in Divine Destiny (Qada and Qadar) which means the belief in Destiny and Allah's Timeless Knowlegde.It aslo means belief in His Power to determine and execute His determination.Allah is not indifferent to this world nor is He neutral to it.His Knowledge and Power are in action at all times to keep order in His dominion and maintain command over His creation.

It is the belief that Allah has predetermined things according to His limitless Knowledge,Power and Wisdom.He willed things,aand then brought them into existence according to His Knowledge.Their happening does not change anything in Allah's knowledge.Allah is Wise,Just,and Loving and whatever He does must be for the good,although we may fail sometimesto understanding it fully.

This does not make man fatalistic or helpless.It simply draws the line between what is mithin God's Knowledge and what is man's responsibility.Because we are,by nature finite and limited,we have only a finite and limited degree of power and freedom.We cannot do everything,and He Graciously holds us responsible only for the things we do.The things we cannot do,or the things which He Himself does are not in the realm of our,responsibility.He is Just,and has given us limited power to match our finite nature and limited responsibility.

On the other hand,the Timeless Knowledge and Power of Allah execute His commands,do not prevent us from making our own plans in our own limited sphere of power.On the contrary,He exhorts us to think,plan and make sound choices,but if things do not happen the way we plan,we should not lose faith or surrender ourselves to mental stress and shattering worries.we should try again and again and if the results are not satisfactory,then we know we have tried our best,and the final decision is with Allah.

We should have strong faith in Allah and accept whatever He does because our knowledge is limited and our thinking is based on human consideration,where as His Knowledge is limitless and His Commands are Supreme.Muslim call this article of faith Divine Destiny (Qada and Qadar),which-simply means that the Divine Decree of Allah anticipates events and that events take place according to the Divine Knowledge of Allah.




extracted from Al Azhar Book Fist Year