Islam: The Essentials (Pelican Books)

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Certainly, this belief in Muhammad’s greatness is sourced in what Muslims take to be God’s Words in the Qur’an where the Prophet is described as a “role model,” possessing “sublime character,” being a “mercy to all the worlds,” a “guiding-light,” a “blessing,” a “warner,” and more. He was not satiated, even with barley-bread, for three consecutive days, until the day he met his Lord, not because of poverty, or avarice, but because he always preferred others over himself. In the study of world religions, you will usually find that Islam as we know it today to be listed as one of the newest religions and certainly the youngest of the so-called Abrahamic Faiths (after Judaism and Christianity). From a purely historical perspective, there is good reason for this. The Prophet Muhammad, who history sees as the founder of Islam, is a relatively more recent figure (d.632) which makes Islam, from this perspective, only 1,448 years old. From the perspective of sacred history, however, as Muslims would understand it from their reading of the Qur’anic worldview, Islam is the oldest religion even predating the creation of human beings. Muslims view Islam as the primordial religion of the universe. If this sounds too metaphysical, simply consider the meaning of Islam – willing surrender to and harmony with God’s Will, meaning divine teachings and preferences.

The making of the Muslim world - New Statesman The making of the Muslim world - New Statesman

The sunnah is the normative and collective understanding of the Prophet’s Way. The sunnah is not determined by individual hadith (reports), but rather by the collective body of ahadith and then further interpretation and explanation of religious scholars who determine the sunnah from these reports. Muslims seek to follow the sunnah, not individual hadith on their own. What Makes a Hadith? The marriage contract documents are recorded with the masjid and registered with local government, thus fulfilling the civil obligations of the marriage. Without this, the marriage would not be recognised under the law of the country you reside and the legal rights of the spouse, such as inheritance, couples and later their children rights would not be valid. Perhaps the most impactful way in which the Prophet Muhammad’s path ( sunnah) is known and preserved is through the lived example of pious – and sometimes even not so pious – Muslims. Scholars and sages are especially looked to as inheritors of the sunnah. But, following the sunnah is one of the foremost concerns of any believing Muslim. However, it is considered legitimate by the Twelver Shia sect, which is predominant in Iran and constitutes 90% of India’s Shia population. In Iran, the word mut’ah is only from time to time utilized and this practice is called ‘sigah’. The rules for sigah are fixed for eg- the contract for temporary marriage can be attracted for one hour to 99 years; it can’t be for an indeterminate period. This provision distinguishes mut’a from nikah or lasting marriage, which has no time limit. However, just like in nikah, in sigah too, the bride must get some monetary benefit.It is a form of Islamic divorce which is instant in nature. It allows any Muslim man to legally divorce his wife by stating the word “ Talaaq ” three times in oral, written, or more recently, electronic form. This is prevalent among the Muslims in India, especially among the adherents Hanafi school of Islam. This is also known as “Triple Talaaq” and has been a subject to debate and controversy. Charity ( Zakah): Thisis an annual charity given to the poor. Muslims must give 2.5% of their yearly savings to help the poor, the needy, and the oppressed. Charity is one of the vital sources of social welfare in Islam, encouraging a just society where everyone’s basic needs are provided for.

Islam: The Essentials by Tariq Ramadan | Goodreads

The biography of Muhammad is known as seerah. The earliest written seerah was penned 150 years after the passing of the Prophet – a heavy collection of all the oral traditions that existed about Muhammad from Muslim and non-Muslim sources. A shorter version of that initial biography was written some 50 years later. The seerah does not possess the same rigor as hadith when it comes to verifying the historical accuracy or authenticity of stories and traditions. As such, there are key details in the biography of the Prophet that are debated in terms of historical accuracy to this day. New books of seerah continue to be written every year that draw on past works, but also offer new lessons from the Prophetic life or revisions to historical accounts. The Walima gives family members and friends the opportunity to congratulate the happy couple: the bride is congratulated by the women around her and by her family and friends; The Qur’an is meant to be understood in context. Historical context of events and circumstances during the life of the Prophet and early community as well as textual context that takes the totality of the message into consideration are both essential. Taking a single verse out of context from the rest of the Qur’an or misapplying statements from a specific historical moment can lead to serious misinterpretations. Is it not time for believers to humble their hearts to the remembrance of God and the Truth that has been revealed?” (Quran, 57:16)AlMaghrib Online presents classic AlMaghrib courses in engaging on-demand video modules recorded in a professional studio with 400+ hours of post-production experts. The dynamic team of professionals worked tirelessly to deliver an unprecedented online learning experience. To preserve the accuracy and sanctity of the revelations as the Prophet Muhammad received them, the Qur’an is only considered the Qur’an if it is in Arabic. Thus, anytime the Qur’an is used for ritual worship purposes like prayer it should be in Arabic. The intricacies of Arabic grammar and richness of meanings are often lost in translation. But translations do exist in English and many other languages and are very helpful for non-Arabic speaking Muslims or curious souls (although one should always be wary of inaccurate translations such as N.J. Dawood’s Penguin translation or the Noble Qur’an translated by Mohsin Khan). There is a high level of literary value in the Qur’an that becomes lost in accurate, yet awkwardly stilted translations. Often even non-Arabic speakers who hear recitations of the Qur’an are impressed and moved by its beautiful and enchanting rhyme and rhythm, and many non-Muslim Arabic speakers recognize the level of mastery in the language of the Qur’an. Praise be to Allah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger). Yaa ayyuha’lladheena aamanu-ttaqu’Llaaha haqqa tuqaatihi wa laa tamootunna illaa wa antum muslimoon Students of Lawsikho courses regularly produce writing assignments and work on practical exercises as a part of their coursework and develop themselves in real-life practical skills.

Islam Essentials | IslamFYI: An Educational Resource on Islam

One of the most commonly cited narratives on the character of Muhammad that offers a summary of who the Prophet was and continues to be for millions is the following:

Oneness of God

Then We revealed to you [Muhammad], ‘Follow the creed of Abraham, a man of pure faith who was not an idolater.’” (Quran, 16:123) The Quran: A Message of Peace and Guidance from God But, beyond the constant reminder of the Qur’an as to who the Prophet Muhammad is, there is also the collective memory and imagination of Muslims that have been passed down from one generation to the next for fourteen centuries through stories and sayings. These traditions are written down, but even more powerfully they continue to be orally transmitted from teacher-to-student and parent-to-children in formal and informal religious settings. Salah (salat) occurs five times a day, and offers five different opportunities for remembrance of Allah SWT and our purpose in this life to worship Him.