Reflecting on the Holy Qur’an New to Islam 18th January 2012 : Reflecting on the Holy Qur’an New to Islam 18 th January 2012
The Holy Qur’an : The Holy Qur’an القرآن الكريم Al Qur’an is the name given to the Holy Book of the Muslims Muslims believe that the Holy Qur’an is the literal word of Allah swt – as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) and relayed to His Companions (May Allah swt be pleased with them all).
The Holy Qur’an : The Holy Qur’an القرآن الكريم Root word is Qaraa’a – which means ‘To Read/To Recite’ A Similar word from the same root is Istiqraa which means ‘To Investigate/Examine/Explore’
The Holy Qur’an : The Holy Qur’an The word Qur'an itself can be found in the scriptures: "We do relate unto you the most beautiful stories, in that We reveal to thee this (portion of the) Qur'an: Before this thou too was among those who knew it not." (Yusuf, 12:3) "Nay this is a glorious Qur'an (inscribed) in a tablet preserved". (Al- Buruj , 85:21-22)
The Holy Qur’an : The Holy Qur’an The Qur’an has been referred to by other different names in the Holy Book. al- Nur the light (7:157) al- H ukm the judgment (13:37) al- D hikr the reminder (15:9) al- K itab the book/scripture (21:10) al- F urqan the criterion (25:1) al- T anzil the revelation (26:192)
The Holy Qur’an : The Holy Qur’an The name of the book is often followed by a descriptive title: M ubarak (blessing ) M ussadiq (confirmation of truth ) M ubin ( clarifying) H akim ( wisdom) Majeed (majestic/glorious) Kareem (noble/honoured)
The Revelation : The Revelation The name of the book is often followed by a descriptive title: M ubarak (blessing ) M ussadiq (confirmation of truth ) M ubin ( clarifying) Hakeem ( wisdom) Majeed (majestic/glorious) Kareem (noble/honoured)
The Holy Qur’an : The Holy Qur’an 114 Chapters or Surah’s revealed over a period of 23 years Each chapter is divided into verses, or lines referred to as ‘Ayah’ (s) or ‘ Ayat ’(p) There are a total of 6,236 verses in the Holy Qur’an The longest Surah is Surah al Al Baqarah (The Cow) – 286 verses The shortest are Surah Al Kawthar (Abundance) – 3 verses and Surah al ‘ Asr (Time) – 3 verses
The Holy Qur’an : The Holy Qur’an 114 Chapters or Surah’s revealed over a period of 23 years Each chapter is divided into verses, or lines referred to as ‘Ayah’ (s) or ‘ Ayat ’(p) There are a total of 6,236 verses in the Holy Qur’an The longest Surah is Surah al Al Baqarah (The Cow) – 286 verses The shortest are Surah Al Kawthar (Abundance) – 3 verses and Surah al ‘ Asr (Time) – 3 verses
The Holy Qur’an : The Holy Qur’an These Surahs (chapters) of the Holy Qur’an are often divided into 30 roughly equal parts, or ‘ Juz ’ These Juz are intended to make it easy to complete the recitation of the whole Qur’an within a month – also to set oneself goals etc
The Holy Qur’an : The Holy Qur’an The Holy Qur’an was revealed piece by piece over the course of just under 23 years These Surahs are also labelled as either Makkan or Madani surahs – either revealed in the Prophet’s ( pbuh ) time in Makka or in Madina The first Ayahs to be revealed were the first five verses from Surah Alaq The last to be revealed were from Surah al Ma’idah
PowerPoint Presentation :
Some interesting facts… : Some interesting facts… There are many factual points of interest: The word for ‘Day’ is mentioned 365 times The word ‘Man’ and the word ‘Woman’ each occur 23 times Surah al Baqarah – middle ayah - "Thus have We made of you an Ummah , Justly balanced, that you might be witnesses over the nations .” (2 : 143) The Qur’an also may refer to creation events such as the Big Bang - Do those who do not believe not see that the heavens and the earth were joined together and then We seperated them and that We made from water every living thing? So will they not believe? (Qur'an, 21:30)
Reflecting on Revelation…. : Reflecting on Revelation…. “Had We sent down this Qur’an. on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect.” [ Al- Hashr 59:21] “Truly, We did offer the trust to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it. But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust and ignorant.” [ Al- Ahzaab 33:72 ]
Reflecting on Revelation…. : Reflecting on Revelation…. “Verily, We shall send down to you a heavy Word.” [ Al- Muzzammil 73:5] “And if there had been a Qur’an. with which mountains could be moved or the earth could be cloven asunder or the dead could be made to speak (it would not have been other than this Qur’an.)…” [ Ar-Ra’d 13:31 ]
Reflecting on Revelation…. : Reflecting on Revelation…. “Ha Meem . A Revelation from Allah, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful. A Book whose verses are explained in detail – A Qur’an. in Arabic for a people who reflect. Giving glad tidings and warnings. But most of them turn away so they listen not…” [ Al- Fussilat 41:2-5 ]
Reflecting on Revelation…. : Reflecting on Revelation…. “There has not been a single Prophet except that Allah gave him miracles because of which people believed in him. I have been given (as a miracle) the Inspiration which Allah revealed to me (i.e. the Qur’an.).” [Al- Bukhari ]
Reflecting on Revelation…. : Reflecting on Revelation…. The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet replied, “I do not know how to read. The Prophet added, “The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied, ‘I do not know how to read.’ Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read but again I replied, ‘I do not know how to read (or what shall I read)?’ Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said, ‘Read in the name of your Lord, who has created (all that exists) has created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous.” (96.1, 96.2, 96.3) (Narrated by Aisha ( ra ) Sahih Bukhari )
Reflecting on Revelation…. : Reflecting on Revelation…. Aisha ( ra ) relates - Al- Harith bin Hisham asked Allah's Apostle "O Allah's Apostle! How is the Divine Inspiration revealed to you?" Allah's Apostle replied, "Sometimes it is (revealed) like the ringing of a bell, this form of Inspiration is the hardest of all and then this state passes off after I have grasped what is inspired . Sometimes the Angel comes in the form of a man and talks to me and I grasp whatever he says." 'Aisha added: Verily I saw the Prophet being inspired Divinely on a very cold day and noticed the Sweat dropping from his forehead (as the Inspiration was over).
Reflecting on Revelation…. : Reflecting on Revelation…. Zayd ibn Thabit said, "Allah sent down revelation on His Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, while his thigh was resting on my thigh and it became so heavy that I was afraid that it would bruise my thigh."
Reflecting on Revelation…. : Reflecting on Revelation…. "Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an ? If it had been from [ anyone] other than Allah , they would have found within it much contradiction." [Quran: Surah Nisaa 4:82] "Indeed the Qur’an guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward." [Quran : Surah al Israa 17:9]
So….what does this mean for us? : So….what does this mean for us? At the very beginning of the Qur’an – we ask for help: “Show us the straight path, the path of those who you are pleased with – not the path of those earn your displeasure, or of those who have gone astray” (Surah al Fatihah )
So….what does this mean for us? : So….what does this mean for us? Allah swt replies to this in the first few ayat of Surah al Baqarah : “That is the book – in which there is no doubt. A guidance for those who are Muttaqun . Those who believe in what is unseen, and who establish the Prayer and who spend from what We have provided for them. Those who believe in what has been sent to you and what was sent before you and who have certainty in the hereafter. They are upon guidance from their Lord and they are those who are Muflihoon (successful ones)
A book of guidance : A book of guidance The Qur’an is the literal word of Allah swt . As it states itself it is a guidance for us. The Qur’an contains many stories, rules, warnings and encouragement for us It is our primary source of Islamic Law and for the guidance we need to live as Muslims
A Benefit : A Benefit The Qur’an itself will benefit us greatly Reading the Qur’an – even when you struggle is considered an act of worship The following are some selected Ahadith on the Excellence of the Qur’an….
The Excellence of the Qur’an : The Excellence of the Qur’an “The best of you is one who learns the Qur’an and teaches it” (Ahmad) “Whoever reads a letter of the Qur’an will have ten rewards, and I do not say that ‘ Alif-Lam’Mim ’ is one letter, but rather that ‘ Alif ’ is one letter, ‘Lam’ is one letter and ‘ Mim ’ is one letter. ( Tirmidhi )
The Excellence of the Qur’an : The Excellence of the Qur’an “The expert reader will be among the noble scribes of the angels and the one who stutters and for whom it is difficult will have double the reward” ( Bukhari and Muslim amongst others) “The Qur’an will be an intercessor and a mediator – a confirmed advocate. Whoever places it in front of him will be led to the garden and whoever puts it behind his back, it will drive him to the fire” ( Ibn Hibban and Bayhaqi )
The Excellence of the Qur’an : The Excellence of the Qur’an “Read the Qur’an, for Allah swt will not punish a heart that contains the Qur’an” ( Tamam ar Razi ) “And the Messenger will say: “O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Qur’an.” [ Al- Furqaan 25:30 ]
Islamic Studies Trust in association with Solas Foundation, New to Islam, SPMA, and SISOC present: : Islamic Studies Trust in association with Solas Foundation, New to Islam, SPMA, and SISOC present: **********************Virtues Tour 2012 ********************* Friday 3rd of February 2012 6.30pm - 10.00pm @ Kabana Restaurant, 64 Seaward St Glasgow G41 1HJ Tickets are £5 and can be purchased through NTI or by contacting: Mobile-07886 221 334 or 07815 176 630 Email- events@islamicstudiestrust.com or info@newtoislam.co.uk ............................................................................................. We are blessed with beautiful line up of speakers: Shaykh AbdulKarim Yahya (USA) Shaykh Yahya Rhodus (USA) Shaykh Ibrahim Osi-Efa (UK) We will also inshallah be joined by: Sabah Arbili – Calligrapher, Amir Sulaiman – Poet, Mustafa Davis – Film Maker all to be confirmed
JazakAllah for coming. Please Make Du’a for us and for each other for Allah swt to strengthen our hearts and improve our condition. May Allah swt send peace and blessings upon the Prophet (pbuh), His family and His Companions. : JazakAllah for coming. Please Make Du’a for us and for each other for Allah swt to strengthen our hearts and improve our condition . May Allah swt send peace and blessings upon the Prophet ( pbuh ), His family and His Companions.
The Holy Qur’an : The Holy Qur’an Al Qur’an is the name given to the Holy Book of the Muslims Muslims believe that the Holy Qur’an is the literal word of Allah swt – as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) and relayed to His Companions (May Allah swt be pleased with them all).