BASICS OF ISLAM
- CONTENTS
ISLAM AND MUSLIMS
The arabic word islam means peace, submission, surrender and obedience. The religion is the complete acceptance of the teachings and guidance of God as revealed to His Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
A Muslim is one who belives in God and strives for total reorganization of his life according to His revealed guidance and the sayings of the Prophet. He also works for building human society on the same basis, "Muhammadanism" is a misnomer for Islam and offends its very spirit. The word "Allah" is the proper name of God in Arabic. It is unique term because it has no plural or feminine gender.
CONTINUITY OF MESSAGE
Islam is not a new religion. It is in essence the same message and guidance which Allah revealed to all prophets. The message which was revealed to prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is Islam in its comprehensive, complete and final form.
Back to topMan the Free Agent
Man is the highest creation of God. He is equipped with the potentialites. He is equipped with the highest potentialities. He is left relatively free in his will, action and choice. God has shown him the right path, and the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) provides a perfect example. Man's success and salvation lies in following both. Islam teaches the sanctity of the human personality and confers equal rights upon all without any distinction of race, sex or color.
The law of God, enunciated in the Quran and exemplified in the life of the Prophet is supreme in all cases. It applies equality to the highest and the lowest, the prince and peasant, the ruler and the ruled.
Concept of Worship
Islam does not teach or accept mere ritualism. It empahsizes intention and action. To worship God is to know Him and love Him, to act upon His law in every aspect of life, to enjoin goodness and forbid wrong doing and oppression, to practise charity and justice and to serve Him by serving manking.
Islamic Way of Life
Islam provides definite guidelines for all people to follow in all walks of life. The guidance it gives is comprehensive and includes the social, economic, political, moral and spiritual aspects of life. The Quran reminds man of the purpose of his life on earth, of his duties and obligations towards himself, his birth and kin, his community, his fellow human beings and his creator. Man is given fundamental guidelines about purposeful life and then he is left with the challenge of human existence before him so that he might put these high ideals into practice.
In Islam, man's life is a wholesome, integrated unit and not a collection of fragmented conflicting parts. The sacred and secular are not seperate parts of man; they are united in the nature of being human. The tragedy of secular societies is that they fall to connect the different aspects of life. The secular and the religious, the scientific and the spiritual seem to be in conflict. Islam puts an end to this conflict and brings harmony to man's vision of life.
THE QURAN
The Quran is like no other scripture. The Quran, is a word-for-word record made then and there of the revelations recieved by the Prophet (P.B.U.H) during the twenty-three years of his ministry, not a word has been altered during the past 1400 years. The revelations came as occasion demanded, as the Muslim community and religion developed from infancy to maturity. Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is not the author of the Quran. It is God who is its author. That it is the word of God is affirmed in several places in the Quran. It is relevant to mention here what Maurice Bucaille, the great theologian referred to in chapter I under Revelation has to say. In Divine Revelation there can be neither inaccuracy nor inconsistency. Both these however abound in other scriptures. This has been specially so in matters relation to scientific facts. Whereas in the Quran there are innumerable references to physical and natural sciences all of which are corrected by the present day scientific criteria. And what is more these statements were made at a time (early in the 7th century A.D) when human knowledge was very limited throughout the world, particularly so in the large desert country of Arabia, where the Quranic Revelation came. And so Bucaille draws the irresistible conlclusion that what was established as scientific facts by the highly developed modern science, can only be super-human knowledge at the time it was revealed 1400 years ago. Thus he conlcludes, in all monotheistic religions Quran is the only true record of Divine Revelation.
There can be no other conclusion. Its tone and style throughout are so sublime and so unique that even the greatest Arabic scholars have not been able to achieve a fraction of this sublimity during all the centuries. It is therefore referred to as the Glorious Quran. Says God in the Quran (17/88), "Not all the mankind and Jinns together can produce the like of Quran". It's sublime character apart, as a complete code of spiritual, moral, ethical and social guidance for all humanity, it has no equal. And its clarity and lucidity are superb.
During the life-time of the Prophet (P.B.U.H), the entire Quran was preserved in writing as well as in the memory of a large number of his close associates and followers. After Muhammad's (P.B.U.H) death, during the early campaigns at the time of Khalif Abu Bakr, several of the Hafizes died. (A Hafiz is one who has memorised the whole of Quran) The sagacious Umar, who was to be the next Khalif, then prevailed upon Abu Bakr to have the Qurnaic records collected and compiled into a book form. This was done. The best and well known Hafizes assisted in this great work; Towards the close of his life, the Prophet (P.B.U.H) had indicated the sequence of the Quranic chapters and their verses. Not a single verse was omitted. Later during the time of the third Khalif Usman, many more identical copies were made as there was a great demand for them from the conquered countries. Once of these copies is today in the istanbul museum in Turkey. It is nearly 1400 years now, but not a word has changed despite billions of copies published throught the world during these centuries. It is God's promise in the Quran (15/9) that He will preserve the integrity of the Quran through the ages.
HADITH
Hadith, the teachings, sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H) meticulously reported and collected by his devoted companies, explain and elaborate the Quranic verses.
KALIMA
[To bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad(P.B.U.H) is His messenger to all the human beings till the day of judgement.]
Islam enjoins faith in the Oneness and sovereignty of Allah, which makes man aware of the meaningfulness of the universe and of his place in it. This belief frees him from all fears and superstitions by making him conscious of the presence of the Alimighty Allah and of man's obligation towards Him. This faith must be expressed and tested in action. Faith alone is not enough. Belief in One God requires that we look upon all humanity as one family under the universal Omnipotence of God- the creator and Nourisher of all. Islam rejects the idea of a chosen people making faith in God and good action the only way to heaven. Thus a direct relationship is established with God, without any intercessor.
NAMAAZ
A Muslim's prayer (Namaaz) is a direct communication between him and his creator. He affirm's God's glory and Omnipotence and, at th same time, seeks humbly and earnestly His blessings, guidance, forgiveness and protection. There is no intermediary between him and God. There is therefore no priestly establishment class or caste in Islam, claiming special holiness or special spiritual privilieges. Even in congregational prayers or on ceremonial accasions, any Muslim can lead the former or conduct the latter.
Women are exempted from Namaaz during the menstrual course.
There are four postures in Namaaz, all signify humility.
1. Standing : Head covered, feet a little apart, face to the kaaba, fore-arms one above the ohter on the navel. Women fold their arms on their chest. The Kaaba is the west from india. This position is called Qiyaam.
2. Bending: Keep each palm just above the knee cap, and legs straight. This position is called Ruku.
3. Postrating : Knees on the ground, forehead and the nose touching the ground, arms bent and palms resting on the ground on either side of the head. This is called Sajda.
4. Squatting on the ground aftre each sajda, buttocks resting on the feet in a convenient position and palms on the thighs. This is called the Q'ada.
Namaaz is done five times a day at :
1. Fajar : (Half an hour before sunrise)
2. Zohar : (Early after-noon)
3. Asar : (Late after-noon)
4. Magrib : (Soon after sunset) and
5. Isha : (Between one and half hours after sunset and two and a half hour before sunrise. Normally this is done between two to four after sunset.
Cleanliness of body and clothing is essential before commencing namaaz. If a person has had sexual intercourse or he has come from a long journey or after the menstrual course, he or she should have a complete bath after gargling and rinsing the nostril. Otherwise, a person with normal cleanliness should do what is called wazoo before doing his prayers. Wazoo consists essentially of washing the forearms, face, passing wet hands over the upper portion of the head and over the ears and neck, to remove dust (this is called Masah), and washing the feet. To this add rinsing the mouth and the nostrils, and wazoo is complete, it will be necessary to do wazoo again after any call of nature is answered.
For a Muslim "Cleanliness is next to Godliness"
That is why normally a muslim invariably washes the part after passing the urine.
Back to topThe conditions of Prayer.
The offering of prayer is obligatory to every Muslim, male or female who is :
1. Sane and responsible
2. Relatively mature and in the age of puberity, normally about fourteen (Children should be advised by the parents to start practice at the age of seven and strongly urged at the age of ten)
3. Free from serious sickness, and in the case of women, free from mensturation and confinement due to childbirth and nursing. The maximum period of both is ten and forty days, respectively. In these circumstances women are exempted from prayers completely.
PRAYERS ARE NOT VALID UNTIL THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS ARE FULFILLED.
1. Performing Wazu (ablution).
2. Purity of the whole body, the clothes worn on it and the ground used for prayer from all kinds of dirt and impurity.
3. Dressing properly in such a way as to meet the moral regulations aimed at covering the private parts. For the male, the body should be covered atleast from the navel to the knees. For the female, the whole body should be covered except the face, the hands and the feet. For both, transparent clothes must be avoided.
4. Declaring the intention of prayer (Niyyath) by the both heart and tongue wherever possible.
5. Facing the right direction of "Qibla", the direction of kabah at Mecca. There are many ways to decide the right direction. If a person has no means of telling he should follow his best judgement.
Namaaz of Two Rakaat:
Namaaz is of two kind: One is obligatory (Called Farz); and other super numery (recommended). In form and content both are similar.
After wazoo, stand on one end of the prayer mat facing the Kabaah. Lift each of your palms to the ear, and while doing so say Allaho-Akbar (God is the greatest). Allaho-Akbar is called Takbeer. After saying the takbeer place your forearms on the navel, the right on the left. Then say the following prayer.
(All glory and praise to you, O Allah. Blessed is your name and exalted is Your Majesty. There is none worthy of worship except you)
The prayer is called SANA.
After reading the SANA read the following:
(I Seek refuge of Allah against satan who has been rejected by Him)
Then read the following:
(I begin with the name of Allah, who is most beneficient and merciful). Then read the first sura (Chapter) from the Quran given below. It is called Sura Fatiha or briefly Fatiha. This is an obligatory part of every Namaaz.
(All praise to God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Ruler of the Day of Judgement. O Allah, Thee alone do we worship and of Thee alone do we seek help. Guide us in the path that is right and straight, the path of those on whom Thou has bestowed Thy grace; not of those whose portion is wrath, nor of those who have gone astray).
After reading the above, read a sura from the Quran or any other sura:
(Say, He is Allah the only One to be worshipped, Allah the Eternal and sought by all. He begets not, nor is He begotten, and there is none like Him). This is called SURA-E-IQLAS. If you know any other small sura you may read it, instead. The above sura is by way of an example.
After reading the above the two suras say the takbeer (this time you need not raise your palms to your ears) and get into the posture of RUKU. In this position say thrice the following:-
(Glory to my Lord who is great)
After that stand up saying:
(God has heared me, who has glorified Him)
Follow this by exclaiming:
(Our creator and Cherisher, all praise and thankfulness are to You)
After this say the Takbeer and get into the posture of Sajdah. In this position say the following thrice :
(Glory to my Lord who is most high)
After saying the above, say the takbeer and sit for a second and again say the takbeer and do a second sajdah repeating.
After this say takbeer, stand up and assume the posture of Qiyam. This is the end of the first rakaat, and the beginning of the second in every namaaz.
In namaaz of two Rakaats continue as follows:
Read the Fatiha and second sura and continue the namaaz as in the first rakaat. After the second sajda sit in the posture of Q'ada and read the following which is referred to as Attahiyyat.
(All reverence, all worship, all sanctity are due to Allah. Peace be on you O Prophet and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings. Peace be on us and all the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that is none is deserving of worship except Allah and I also bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and Prophet.)
After the above read the following which is called Darood-e-Ibrahim.
(O Allah I shower your blessings on Muhammed and his descendents as You had showered Your blessings on Ibrahim and his descendents; verily, to You is the praise and the glory.
O Allah I bless Muhammad and his descendents as You had blessed Ibrahim and his descendents; verily, to You is the praise and the glory.)
This is followed by a small prayer:
(Our Lord, give us goodness in this world and in the world hereafter and save us from hell) If you know any of the prayer, you may read that instead. After that turn your face to the right and then to the left each time saying:
(Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah) This is called Salaam.
This ends a two rakaath namaaz. After namaaz (whether of two, three or four rakaaths) you may sit for a little while and pray to Allah in your own words for whether you wish.
FOUR RAKAAT NAMAAZ
Till after you read Attahiyath in the second rakath the form of prayer in the first two rakaats in this namaaz is the same as in the two rakaat namaaz. After reading Attahiyat stand up saying the takbeer and read only the Fatiha and then do the Ruku and Sajdah. After the second sajdah at the end of this (third) rakaat, stand again saying the takbeer and continue the last rakaat. After the second sajdah in this final rakaat sit and read Attihiyyat, Darood-e-Ibrahim and the prayer, and say the salaam turning your face to both sides. This completes the four rakaat namaaz.
THREE RAKAATH NAMAAZ
The mode of this namaaz too is the same. After the second sajda in the third rakaat sit in Q'ada, read the Attahiyyat, Darood-e-Ibrahim and the prayer(Rabbana Atina) and complete the namaaz by saying the salaam. In addtion to these Obligatory (called Farz) prayers, there are super numery prayers which are to be performed in addtion to the farz namaaz. Their mode however is the same. Times When Prayer is Forbidden. The muslim is forbidden to offer either oblgatory or supererogatory prayers at : 1. The time when the sun is rising. 2. The time when the sun is at it's zenith. 3. The time when the sun is setting. 4. The period of menstruation or confinement due to childbirth and nursing. 5. The time of impurity, partial or complete.
NAMAAZ IN A MOSQUE
What was described above is when you do the prayers individually in place other than the mosque. The Farz namaz in a mosque is congregational. One person who is called the Imam leads the prayers. The procedure is somewhat different but the form of the namaaz is the same. (This procedure is also followed when two or more persons do the Farz namaaz together outside a mosque.)
The Imam stands in front, and behind him in straight consecutive rows stand the others. The Imam says the takbeer and others follow, saying the same. Now note carefully. During the Morning (Fajar), Sunset (Maghrib), and the night prayers (Isha), the Imam after reading the SANA, AUZO BILLAH and BISMILLAH to himself, reads the Fatiha and the second sura aloud in the first two rakaats. During the remaining third and fourth rakaats you too read the Fatiha in a low tone. What you do is when the imam reads in the first two rakaats you listen quietly and just say Ameen after sura Fatiha. And when he reads the Fatiha in the third and the fourth rakaats you too read the Fatiha in low tone. The rest is simple. After takbeer by the Imam, you say it too and follow his movements and read in the Ruku, Sajdah and Q'ada what has been described above in the procedure for doing the namaaz. And when he says the salaam you too say the salaam. At the end of the namaaz the imam says a collective prayer to God, and you say Ameen. The Farz namaaz in the Mosque is ended.
JUMA PRAYERS
Of all the prayers done in a mosque, Juma prayers which are held on Fridays are important and should not be missed. After Azan (call to prayer) the congregation individually does four rakaats of Supernumery (Sunnat) namaaz. The form and content or these prayers are the same as in the Farz prayers. After this sunnath namaaz, the Imam delivers a sermon (called Quthba). Then he leads two rakaats of Farz namaaz, after which you may do four plus two rakaats of sunnat namaaz and 2 nafil in the last. With this the Juma prayers which normally take about forty minutes are over.
Here I may add that in Juma prayers, Farz are only two rakaats, namely listening to the Quthba, and doing two rakaat namaaz following the Quthba. The rest are recommened supernumery prayers. Juma prayer replaces the day's Zohar namaaz.
If any namaaz except Juma namaaz is unavoidably missed. It may be done at the next prayer time.
NAMAAZ-E-TARAVIH
During the month of Ramadan, if you fast and go to mosque for Isha namaaz, there is congregational prayer of twenty rakaats done after the two sunnat rakaats. This is called Namaaz-e-Taravih. You will get to know this latter. Also the Wajib namaaz is done with the Imam only during Ramazan month in mosque. At all other times it is done individually.
This is the end of supernuemery prayers. Once again it is impressed on you that if you miss these supernumery prayers due to want of time or any other reason, you are not guilty of any serious lapse. What is important is, you should not miss the Farz namaaz.
They are called Sunnat, Nafil and Wajib. Whether you do these additional prayers or not, Farz namaaz is obligatory. As has been said earlier, there is no difference between the supernumery and Farz namaaz. The number of rakaats and their sequence at the different prayer times are written as follows:
Fajar...............................2 Sunnat and 2 Farz.
Zohar...............................4 Sunnat, 4 Farz and 2 Sunnat and 2 Nafil.
Asar.................................4 Sunnat and 4 Farz.
Maghrib............................3 Farz, 2 Sunnat and 2 Nafil.
Isha.................................4 Sunnat, 4 Farz, 2 Sunnat, 2 Tajbil Viter, 3 Wajibil Viter and 2 Nafil.
Wajib namaaz which is highly recommended, is done on three occasions---on the two Eid days and during Isha Prayer. The latter is a three rakaat namaaz said after the two sunnat prayer. In the third rakaat after sura Fatiha and a second sura say the takbeer and raise your palms to your ears, then fold your arms again on the navel and read a prayer called Qunnooth which is given below. After you read it, say the takbeer, go into ruku and finish the prayer.( If you do not remember this Qunnooth prayer, read the prayer Rabbana Aatina-----which is given earlier while describing two rakaat namaaz.)
(O Allah, we seek Thy aid and Thy forgiveness. We believe in Thee, praise Thee and are grateful to Thee. Keep us away from those who disobey Thee. We worship only Thee. We fear and obey Thee, and strive to obtain Thy grace. Thy punishment is for the unbelievers.)
Eid namaaz is not Farz (obligatory) but is highly recommended (Wajib). It is performed in open maidans to permit large gatherings, and also in mosques. The two occasions are Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha during the year. This namaaz is similar to the everyday namaaz and is described below.
Each of the two Eid prayers has two rakaats which are conducted by an Imam, in the same manner as is done in a regular two rakaat namaaz in a mosque. There is however one difference. In each of the two rakaats three additional takbeers (Allah-o-Akbar) are said, as described below.
In the first rakaat, after the SANA is read following the initial takbeer, the Imam says Allah-o-Akbar loudly, lifts his hands to his ears and drops them to his sides. You too do the same after saying the takbeer. The Imam does this a second time and you follow him. For the third time he says the takbeer, but after that he places his forearms on his navel. You do the same. After this the first rakaat is gone through in the usual manner.
In the second rakaat, only after the Fatiha and the second sura are read by the Imam, are the additional three takbeers said. The Imam says the first takbeer and keeps standing with hands down; you too do the same. This is repeated twice. On the fourth takbeer the entire congregation go into Ruku, and complete the rakaat.
After this, the assembly keep sitting while the Imam delivers a sermon (Qutba) on the significance and importance of the occasion, followed by a prayer. This ends the Eid namaaz. You then meet as many of those assembled as you can, and wish them Eid Mubarak.
This is a prayer for God's mercy on the soul or souls of the dead, usually said in the open front space of a mosque with the coffin also placed there in the view of those who pray.
This namaaz is congregational in which the Imam leads, the rest standing behind him in straight rows. The entire namaaz is done in standing position with arms folded on the navel, and has in it four takbeers. The prayer is simple.
After the first takbeer by the Imam and the rest, the SANA is read softly by all. At the other three takbeers, hands are not raised to the ears, as at the first takbeer, but only the face is lifted a little for a second.
You have already learnt SANA in the chapter on the Namaaz. You have learnt Darood-e-Ibrahim too.
After the Sana is read, the Imam and the rest say the second takbeer, after which Darood-e-Ibrahim is read in soft tone by every one.
Then follows the third takbeer and the following prayer is said by every one in a soft tone:
(O Allah forgive the deceased. Forgive our living and the dead, men and women, young and old, male and female, and those present and those that are absent. Merciful God, grant us life and death in Islam)
If you do not remember this prayer in Arabic, then say its substance with the utmost sincerity in any language you know best.
After the above prayer follows the final takbeer. A second later the Imam and the rest say the salaam turning their faces to either side.
(God's mercy and peace be on you)
This ends namaaz-e-Janaza. You may then follow the coffin to the burial ceremony.
This namaaz is not Farz (obligatory) prayer, but is an important on for a Muslim. To every one of us comes this ends. It is therefore good to keep in mind that we too after death need the earnest prayers of the living. When you see a coffin being carried, say the salaam to the one inside it, and if possible help in carrying it to a short distance. Also when you pass a graveyard, do nt fail to say the salaam to the denizens of the grave.
1. When a person is travelling with the intention of proceeding 48 miles or over from his home, he should shorten the obligatory prayers of four rakaats to two each. The curtailnment is applicable to the Noon (Zohar) prayer, the Mid-aftrenoon (Asar) prayer and the evening (Isha) prayer. The early morning (Fajr) and the sunset (Maghrib) payers remain unchanged.
2. This advantage remains effective even after the traveller arrives at his destination, if he does not intend to prolong his stay there for 15 days or more. Otherwise, he or she should offer the reducible prayer in their original complete number of Rakaats.
3. While travelling under these circumstances, he or she is exempted from all super numery prayers (Sunnat) except the two sunnath rakaats of Fajr and the Witr which follows the Isha prayers.
When one writes on Prophet Muhammad's (P.B.U.H) life and teachings, one is on from ground of history- not on mystery and miracle, fable and folkiore clouding the reality, as has been the case with the earlier Prophets and religious teachers.
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was born in the year 570 A.D at Makka in the family of the Quraish which was highly respected throughout the Arabia as they were the custodians of the kaaba. As his father died before his birth and his mother six years later, he came under his grandfather's gaurdianship. When the latter died two years later, his uncle Abu Talib became his guardian.
His early years were uneventful which were spent away from Makka in the care of his foster-mother, as was the custom then in respectable Makkan families. From his young age he was closely associated with his uncle whom he accompanied on business trips to Syria and other places, which helped to broaden his mind and understanding. He was always very correct and honest in his dealings, ever helpful to others, young and old extremely trustworthy so that he came to be known early as Al Amin, The Trustworthy. Impressed by his excellent character and behaviou, Khadija, a well-to-do widow of a noble family, invited him to marry her, which he did. He was then twenty five and Kadija some years older. It was a happy marriage. She bore him four daughters, and one son Khasim, who died in infancy. The well known Fatima was their youngest daughter. He was a devoted husband and a loving father though he had other wives after Khadija's death, only one, Maria bore him a son Ibrahim who too died in infancy. His youngest wife was Aisha an accomplished lady, the daughter of Abu Bakar who later became the first Khalifa.
In the cavalcade of world history the sublime figure of his wonderful person towers so high above all others that they appear to be dwarfs when contrasted with him. None of them possessed a genius capable of making a deep impression on more than one or two aspects of human life. Some are brilliant theoreticians but are lacking when it comes to practical action. Some are men of action but with little knowledge. Some are renowed as statesman only, others are masters of strategy. Others again have devoted their energies to ethical and spiritual problems but have ignored economics and politics. In short, one comes across heroes who are expert in one walk of life only.
He is the only example where all the excellences have been blended into one personality. He is a philosopher and a seer as well as a living embodiment of his own teachings. He is a great statesman as well as a military genius. He is a legislator and also a teacher of morals. He is a spiritual luminary as well as a relgious guide. His vision penetrates every aspect of life. His orders and commandments cover a vast field from the regulation of international relations down to the habits of everyday life like eating, drinking and personal hygiene. On the foundations of his philosophy he established a civilisation and a culture without the slightest trace of flaw, deficiency or incompleteness. Can anyone point to another example of such a perfect and all-round personlality ?
Most of the famous personalities of the world are said to be the products of their environment. But his case is unique. His environment seems to have played no part in the making of his personality. At most one might accept in the light of Hegel's philosophy of history or Marx's historical materialism that the time and environment demanded the emergence of a leader who could create a nation and build and empire. But Hegelian or Marxist philosophy cannot explain how such an environment could produce a man whose mission was to teach the highest morals, to purify humanity and to wipe out prejudice and superstition, who looked beyond the artificial compartments of race and nation-state who laid the foundations of a moral, spiritual, cultural and political superstructure for the good for the whole world, who practically, not theoretically placed business transactions, civics, politics and international relations on moral grounds and produced such a balanced synthesis between worldly life and spiritual advancement that even to this day it is considered a masterpiece of wisdom and foresight. Can any one honestly call such a person a product of the all-pervading darkness of Arabia ?
Primarily the word Zakath means purity and cleanliness. Islam uses this very word for the act of setting aside a portion of your wealth for the needy and poor. This is very significant for it means that it is by giving to others your wealth is purified. And, along with it your own self (Nafs), too.
These are seven as given below :
Being a Muslim, Being in possession of the Nisaab, (Nisaab is the minimum limit of wealth or property on which zakath becomes payable. The person having that much of wealth or property is called Sahib (possessor of ) Nisaab.
The Nisaab's being surplus to one's legitimate needs and requirements. Being free from debt ie; Zakath is a charge on Net wealth. Passing of a complete year over the wealth; Sanity, and Maturity-----Not being Minor.
Nisaab of some kinds of wealth is as below:
Silver : 200 dirhams or 52 1/2 tolas (595 grams)
Gold : 7 1/2 tolas (85 grams)
1. There is no zakath on the house which is in the personal use of the owner, no matter how costly or valuable it be.
2. There is no zakath on Pearls, rubies and other diamonds.
3. The machinery used in factory, its building furniture, stationary, etc are exempted from zakath.
4. Costly and rare articles kept by a person as a hobby are not subject to zakath; if, however, they are kept as trade goods, zakath is payable on them just as it is on other merchandise.
5. If a person possesses a motor cycle, a car, or a bus as a personal conveyance, there is no zakath on it.
6. There is no zakath on bicycle, rickshaws, taxis, buses, trucks, furniture, crockery, etc which are given on hire, but if the profits amount up to the Nisaab and a year passess over them, zakath will become obligatory.
7. Rented houses and shops ar exempt from zakath.
8. No zakath is due on wearing clothes, blankets, bed, pen, things of daily use in the house etc. Whether their cost and value.
1. Parents, Grand-parents and others in the line of ascent.
2. Children, Grand-children and others in the line of descent.
3. Spouse of any indiviual.
* Apart from these relations, it is not only lawful, but preferable and praise worthy to give zakath to all other relatives.
4. Well to do people who posses Nisaab
It is not lawful for a wealthy person to accept zakath, unless he belongs to one of the following categories.
(a). The fighter in the way of Allah.
(b). The collector of Zakath.
(c). The debtor.
(d). The person who purchases charity goods from the recipient with his money.
(e). The rich person who has a poor neighbour, and the poor neighbour presents the charity goods recieved by him to the rich neighbour as a gift.
6. Non -Muslim.
7. People of the family of the Holy Prophet (Bani Hashim) which includes the following
(a). Children of Hazrath 'Abbas,
(b). Children of Hazrath Harith
(c). Children of Hazrath Abu Talib.
Hajj is the pilgrimage to Makkah, obligatory on all Muslims, atleast once in their life-time, means and health permitting. It is a religious duty. About two thousand five hundred years before the birth of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.H.U), a great prophet called Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail built under Allah's command the First house of worship of the One God, at Makkah, which is in Arabia. It was a simple four walled stone structure and was called Kaaba. Gradually during succeeding centuries this House of God's worship became the house of idol worship, and continued to be so till Muhammad's (P.B.U.H) time. The Prophet however started preaching Islam from the Kaaba, and in due course cleansed it of all idols. And ever since, it has been the spiritual centre for the Muslims who come from all over the world, irrespective of colour or race, meet here on equal terms in the month of Zul Hajj of the Islamic Calender, and pray to God. Thus Hajj is a great spiritual experience. This is the occasion for celebrating all over the world in the Eid commonly known as Bakrid. The correct name is Eid-ul-Azha.
Jihad is part of the overall defence of Islam, Jihad means to struggle to the utmost of one's capacity. A man who exerts himself physically or mentally or spends his wealth in the way of Allah is indeed engaged in Jihad. But in the language of the Shari'ah this word is use particularly for a war that is waged solely in the name of Allah against those who practice oppression as enemies of Islam.
This supreme sacrifice of life devolves on all Muslims. If however a section of Muslims offer themselves for the Jihad, the community as a whole is absolved of its responsibility. But if none comes forward, everybody is guilty. This concession vanishes for the citizens of an Islamic state when it is attacked by a non-muslim power. In that case everybody must come forward for the Jihad. If the country attacked has not enough strength to fight back, then it is the religous duty of the neighbouring Muslim countries to help her; if even they fall, then the Muslims of the whole world must fight the common enemy. In all such cases, JIhad is as much a primary duty of the Muslims concerned as are the daily prayers or fasting. One who shirks it is a sinner. His very claim to belong a Muslim is doubtful, He is Hypocrite whose 'Ibadath and prayers are a shame, worthless, hollow show of devotion'.
Man's entire way of thinking has been transferred in modern times and in conveying the message of Islam in the modern world, this transformation must be taken fully into account. It would be extremely regrettable if Islam -- a completely scientific religion were presented to the world in unscientific terms by preachers who were not themselves abreast of the latest developments. Their efforts to convince thier more scientific minded contemporaries would be wasted, and any short comings in their method of presentation would be attributed to Islam itself. This kind of failure is something which must be sedulously gaurded against by any would be "Dayee" (Missionary).
It was during the decades and centuries that followed the original dispenstion of all religious, that the great bulk of the religous moral and social precepts as we have them today, have been added to or written by different persons-- Except in the case of Islam. Where right at the beginning a complete code of human conduct in all spheres was revealed. Amongst all the religions of the world, only Islam was the greatest in phasis late on duties towards, and service to fellow human beings, right at the beginning of this unque dispensation. There is no other original scripture comparable to Quran. There are also the prophet's teachings based on the Quran. Both these are the solid base of muslim ethics. In Islam mere abstract belief has no moral value on meaning, if it is not followed by right conduct. There is no compromise on this. What is right conduct is clearly stated in the page of the Quran.
a) Love and respect for parents and their care at all times. This is imphasised repeatedly in the Quran, and is the first injunction in the muslim code of conduct. When ask about paradise, the prophet said "Paradise is under the feet of the Mother" this saying applies equally to one's father too. The Quran repeatedly lays emphasis on reverence and care for parents. And in Sura (31/14) God particularly "Show gratitude to me and to thy parents; to me is the final goal"
b) Keeping contracts and promises and fulfilling all obligations.
c) Honest and correct accounting of the properties of wards, orphans and widows.
d) Charity and help, you should not be advetsied and never be a matter for reproach.
e) They should be neither niggardlines nor waste.
f) Faslehood, hypocracy and envy to be completed eschewed.
g) Divorce: For the first time in the history or marital relations, the unrestricted practice and harsh manner or divorce, prevalent before the advent of Islam, were replaced by very humane regulations for making divorced women's lot easy.
h) No testator can withhold or deny the right of heirs.
i) Intoxicants and gambling, two great evils, to be strictly avoided.
j) Hospitality, social properties and personal courtesies to be observed on all occasions. The result has been the Muslims amongst all people excel in this respect.
k) Acquisition of knowledge at any cost or trouble.
l) Respect for other religions, a fact which the non-muslims, except the well-informed amongst them, deliberately choose to forget or suppress. Quran injunction is clear: "There is no compulsion in religion". And in the chpter Al-Kafirun God directs Muhammad (P.B.U.H) to say the unbelievers--"Unto you your religion and unto me my religion". Do not wrangle with other over matters pertaining to religious observances.
m) Courtesy, kindness and help to neighbours on all occasions.
n) Do not slander women; and do not talk ill of persons behind them.
o) Do justice between man and man. Fail not in giving correct weight and measure.
p) The following four foods are prohibited:
1) Blood 2) An animal that has died of itself (ie; carrion) 3) Flesh of swine 4) That on which the name of other than God has been pronounced before killed for purpose of food.
The fourth prohibition includes fruits, food and drink offered to idols and images.
There are many other excellent precepts but the those that are described above give an idea of the islamic code of conduct and way of life, which lead to full development of individuals and nations, and which fuse faith, worship and day-to-day life into a harmonious whole.
Lay down the animal paralled with the direction of the Qibla and utter the following prayer first:
[Behold I have turned my face earnestly towards Him Who originated the heavens and the earth and i am not polytheists. Behold, my salat, mine offering, my living and mine dying are all for God, Lord of the worlds. No partners hath He, concerning this i have been bidden and i am the Muslims O God!(i offer this) to you and You gave it to me.]
After reciting the prayer say Bismillahi Allahu Akbar.
[In the name of Allah Who is Great]
and cut the throat of the animal with a sharp edged knife. Having performed the slaughter, read this prayer:
[God! Accept this sacrifice offered by me as Thou accepted the sacrifice offered by Thy friend Abraham and that offered by Thy loved Muhammad. May peace and blessings descend upon both.]
Although it is permissible to let someone else perform the slaughter of your sacrificial animal, yet it is better if you perform this act with your own hands. While you perform slaughter, try to think and feel in the same way as you express through the words you utter at the time of sacrificing the animal ie: all that we have got belongs to Allah and it is all to be spent in His way only. The act of sacrificing the animal in His name is in submission to His will and if ever required we shall be grateful to Him that He conferred upon us the honour of martydom by affording us an opportunity to shed our blood in His name.
Prayer for Mercy and Forgiveness:
[Our Lord ! We have wronged ourselves. If Thou forgive us not and have not mercy on us surely we are of the lost.]
No doubt unless God absolves man of his sins and showers endless Mercy on him, man will go to ruin.
Prayer for Grace in both the worlds:
[Our Lord ! Give unto us in the world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good and guard us from the doom of the fire]
Prayer for Favorable turn of Events:
[Our Lord! Give mercy from Thy presence and shape for us right conduct in our plight]
Prayer for Salvation:
[Our Lord ! We believe therefore forgive us and have mercy on us for Thou at best of all who show mercy.]
Prayer for grant of satisfaction and peace in the familly:
[ Our Lord ! Vouchsafe us comfort of our wives and of our offspring, and make us patterns for (all) those tho ward off (evil).] In other words, grant us such a pure noble life that the pious should take us as model and emulate our example.
Prayer for parents:
[ Our Lord ! Forgive me and my parents and the belivers on the day when the acconts is cast.]
Prayer for Protection from trials and tribulations:
[ Our Lord ! Condemn us not if we forget or err; Our Lord ! Lay not on us such a burden as Thou didst lay on those before us: Our Lord ! impose not on us that which we have not the strength to bear: Pardon us, absolve us and have mercy on us. Thou art our protector give us victory over the disbelieving folk]
Prayer for getting rid of the disbelievers' domination:
[ In Allah we put trust. Our Lord! Oh, make us not a lure for the wrongdoing folk. And of Thy mercy, save us from the folk that disbelieve.]
[Allah ! There is no God save Him, the Alive, the Eternal. Neither slumber nor sleep overtaketh Him. Unto HIm belongeth whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that intercedeth with Him save by HIs leave? He knoweth that which is in front of them and that which is behind them while they encompass nothing of His knowledge save what He will. His throne includeth the heavens and the earth and he is never weary of preserving them. He is the sublime, the Tremendous.]
Prayers to be offered in the morning and evening:
[In the name of God by virtue of Whose name naught in the heaven nor earth doth hurt and He is the Hearer the Knower.]
[O God! Behold, i beg of Thee peace in this world and the hereafter. O God! Behold, i beg of Thee forgiveness and safety in my faith, in my world, in mine household and in my wealth. O God! protect me from my front and from my rear, from my right and from my left also from above me; and i seek refuge in Thee lest i be surprised from beneath me !]
Prayer for lethargy and Cowardice:
[O God! Behold, I seek in Thee from anxiety and grief, from inability and sltoh, from faint heartedness, and niggardliness, from the burden of indebtedness and the domination of men.]
Prayer for Attainment of respect among the people:
[O Allah! make me patient and thankful to Thee, and make me small in my own eyes, but great in other peoples eyes.]
Prayer for holding firm to Islam:
[O Allah! maintain my faith in Islam, while i am standing or while i am sitting or while i am lying and let not the enemy, the eviouspass sarcastic remarks about me.]
[My Lord there is no other God except you, Pure and Perfect. It is me who is at fault, a sinner. Lord forgive me.]
[Our Lord pardon us, take the evil out of us. Lord you are the only most merciful erasing our sins.]
[Our Lord you are the generous in forgiveness. You love forgiving. O Lord pardon us all.]
[O Lord let us see the truth, and let us follow it. And let us see the falsehood as such and let us keep away from it.]
[Our Lord make the future of all of us good in every respect. And keep us away from loss of this world and the hereafter]
[My Lord! beg Pardon of all my sins and beg peace and prosperity ever lasting in this world and the next life and access into Paradise and finally salvation from Hell.]
[Our Lord grant us the best of your blessings in this worldly life and also in the next life after death. Lord save us from the Hell. Let us enter the Paradise with the pious, O Mighty, O Great pardoner, O Cherisher and the sustainer of the worlds, the seen and the unseen.]
PRAYER AFTER TAKING MEALS
[Praise be to Allah who has given us food and drink and has made us his obedient slaves.]
PRAYER BEFORE RIDING VEHICLE
[Glorified be He Who hath subdued these unto us, and we were not capable (of subduing them)]
ON REACHING THE DESTINATION
[My Lord bless my stay here you are the only one who makes our stay most safest ]
1.BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS PARENTS:
[Be good to parents and to kindered and to orphans and the needy, and speak kindly to mankind; and establish Prayer and pay the poor due.]
[Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none save Him and (that ye show) kindness to parents.
[If one of them or both of them attain old age with thee, say not "Fie" unto them, nor repulse them, but speak unto them a gracious word.]
[And lower unto them the wing of submission through mercy, and say; My Lord ! Have mercy on them both as they did care for me when i was little.]
[Your Lord is Best Aware of what is in your minds; if ye are righteous then surely He is ever Forgiving unto those who turn(unto Him)]
THE PEOPLE WHOM ALLAH LIKE:
[And do good, surely Allah loveth those who do good.]
[Surely Allah loveth those who turn (unto Him in repentance) and He loveth those who keep themselves clean.]
[He who fulfilleth his pledge and wardeth off (evil, let him know that ) surely Allah loveth those who ward off (evil)]
[Allah loveth the stead fast.]
[Surely Allah loveth those who do good deeds.]
[Surely Allah loveth the equitable.]
[And (know that ) surely Allah is with those who ward off (evil)]
[Surely the Mercy of Allah is nigh unto good.]
[Allah wasteth not the reward of the good.]
[(As for) Those who strive towards Us, of a certainity. We do guide them on Our paths; and of a certainty Allah is with the good.]
[Surely Allah loveth those who put (their) trust (in Him).]
3. WHEN THE PARENTS CAN BE DISOBEYED:
[We have enjoyed on man kindness to parents; but if they strive to make thee join with Me that of which thou hast no knowledge then obey them not. Unto Me is your return and I shall tell you what ye used to do.]
4. SLANDER AND DEFAMATION
[Woe unto everly slanderer (and) defamer !
5. SPYING AND BACK-BITING.
[And spy not, neither backbite one another, would one of you eat the flesh of his dead brother ? Ye abhor that. And fear Allah; surely Allah is Relenting, Merciful.]
6. MUSLIM'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS INDECENCIES
[And draw not nigh to lewid things whether open or concealed.]
7. SIN THAT SHALL NEVER BE PARDONED
[Surely Allah forgiveth not that a partner should be ascribed unto Him. He forgiveth (all) save that to whom He will. Whose ascribeth partners to Allah, he hath indeed invented a tremendous sin.]
8. WHY ARE MUSLIMS HEADING FOR RUIN
[Whatever of misfortune striketh you, it is what your right hands have earned. And He forgiveth much.]
[O men! Your rebellion is only against yourselves. (Ye have) enjoyment of the life of the world, then unto Us is your return and We shall proclaim unto you what ye use to do.]
[Surely those who oppose Allah and His Messengers they will be among the lowest.]
[And we prepared for the unjust and grievious chastisement.]
[Then woe unto those hearts are hardened against remembrance of Allah! such are in plain error.]
[And be not ye as those who forget Allah. therefore He caused them to forget their souls. Such are the evil doers.]
[And how many a community revolted against the Ordinances of its Lord and His messengers, and We called it to a stem account and punishedit with dire punishment. So that is tasted the ill effects of its conduct, and the consequence of its conduct was loss.]
[The wandering Arabs say: We believe. Say (unto them O Prophet !): Ye believe not, but rather say "We submit", for the faith hath not yet entered into your hearts. Yet, if Ye obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not withhold from you aught of (the reward of) your deeds. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.]
[The withdraw from him who fleeth from our memberance and desireth bat the life of the world. Such is thier sum of knowledge. Lo! thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayethm and He is Best Aware of who goeth right.]
[Allah taseth not a soul beyond its scope. Fot it (is only) that which it hath earned, and which it hath deserved.]
HOW CAN MUSLIMS SAVE THEMSELVES FROM RUIN
[O Ye who believe ! come, all of you, unto submission (unto Him), and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Surely he is an open enemy for you.]
[And follow the better(guidance) of that which is revealed unto you from your Lord, before Allah's punishment overtaketh you while you are unaware (of it)]
[Say : O My slaves who have been prodigal to their own hurt! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, certainly Allah forgiveth all sins, Certainly. He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.]
SHOULD CHARITY BE OPEN OR HIDDEN:
[If ye make public your almsgiving, it is well, but if ye hide it and give it to the poor it will be better for you and will alone of some of your ill deeds. Allah is informed of that which ye do.]
SOCIAL ETIQUETTE FOR MUSLIMS
[O ye who believe ! when it is said unto you, make room in assembles, then do make room; Allah will make way for you (Hereafter), and when it is said, come up Higher, go up Higher. Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who knowledge, to high ranks. Allah is informed of what ye do.]
[Thy raiment purify. And pollution shun.]
WHO IS HYPOCRITE
[The hypocrite, both men and women proceed one from another. They enjoin the wrong, and they forbid the right and they with-hold their hands (from spending for the cause of Allah) They forgot Allah, so He hath forgotten them. Surely the hypocites, they rea the transgressors.]
CONSEQUENCE OF MALIGNING
[And those who harm believing men and believing women undeservedly they bear the guilt of slander and manifest sin.]
1. The declaration of faith : (Kalima)
To bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His messenger to all the human beings till the day of judgement. The Prophethood of Muhammad (P.B.U.H) obliges the muslims to follow his exemplary life as a model.
2. Prayers (Namaaz): Daily prayers are offered five times a day as a duty towards Allah. They strengthen and enliven the belief in Allah and inspire man to a higher morality. They purify the heart and prevent temptation towards wrong doings and evils.
3. Fasting During the month of Ramadan(Roza): The muslims during the month of Ramadan not only abstain from food, drink, and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset, but also from evil intention and desires. It teaches love, sincerity and devotion. It develops a sound social conscience, patience, unselfishness and will power.
4. Zakat: To pay annually 2.5% of one's net wealth on which a year has been passed as a religious duty and purifying sum to be spent on poorer sections of the community.
5. Pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj) : It is to be performed once in a lifetime. If one can afford it financially and physically.
Besides these pillars every action which is done with the awareness that it fullfills the will of Allah is also considered an act of worship.
Beyond Envisage... |
