Quran is the source of glory and happiness for the Ummah - I

Praise be to Allaah Who Revealed His Noble Book in the best style and
Impressed hearts with its good wording and eloquent compositions. He
Revealed it in the form of clear verses, Segmented it into Surahs and
verses, Arranged it in the best way with His Extensive Wisdom and
Composed it in the greatest way with the most eloquent words and
sublime structure. Blessings and peace be upon the Prophetto whom the
Quran was revealed to warn and remind. Allaah Revealed the Quran to
his noble heart and this alleviated his hardship and expanded his
breast. Also, blessings and peace be on the Prophet'sfamily and
Companions from among the Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar.
Despite technical advancement, the prosperity of industries and
inventions and the new world order, the world today is failing with
all its organizations, institutions and innovations to bring happiness
to humankind or provide it with security and comfort. Here are the
ratios of the disease of the age; anxiety and depression, increasing
day after day. Here are also the ratios of poverty, ignorance, hunger,
killing, suicide as well as the collapse of values, principles and
morals multiplying year after year.
Villa Spaza, a Spanish scientist, said, "All the amazing discoveries
of the West are neither able to prevent even one tear nor to make even
one human smile..."
Alexis Carrel said, "Modern civilization does not suit us …. Although
it was established through our contributions, it does not suit us. We
are indeed unhappy people because we have morally and mentally
deteriorated."
The same applies to some of those who are called Muslims. They have
their wealth, positions and dreams, though they live in worries,
anxiety and pain. What is the solution? What is the refuge? It is the
Quran!
The Quran is the source of glory and happiness for the Ummah, the
basis of knowledge, action and tranquility, and the spring of
steadfastness at the time of conflicting ideas and changing concepts.
It is the fortified dam in facing temptations, allegations and
desires.
At such a time, all of us need the Quran to strengthen our faith and
certainty so that we keep steadfast before such desires and
challenges.
Each Muslim needs the Quran to reassure him when he feels alienated,
soothe him when he is afflicted with a disaster, create hope in him
when he is distressed or suffers from despair of the Mercy of Allaah
and warn and frighten him when he is overcome with fancies and lusts.
O Muslims, nation of the Quran, there is neither steadfastness, nor
affection for the self, nor relief for the soul, nor fulfillment of a
promise nor security from a punishment nor firmness of belief nor
continuity of one's good mention unless one moves with all his
feelings, sentiments, heart and body to the Book of Allaah, the Noble
Quran through recitation, reflection, learning and acting accordingly.
This key actually opens the locks of the heart. The Quran is the key
of the hearts. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}Then do they not
reflect upon the Quran, or are there locks upon ]their[ hearts?{]Quran
47: 24[
O Muslim, you should read the Quran with your heart first before your
tongue to find:
Purity of meanings which quench your thirst from the water of
eloquence, gentleness where you smell the breeze of the garden as well
as words when they are strict, they are like waves of the overflowing
seas and when they are lenient, they are the breaths of the life to
come.
The Quran is the source of lighting the heart as well as life and
remedy for souls. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}O mankind,
there has to come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for
what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers. Say,
"In the Bounty of Allaah and in His Mercy - in that let them rejoice;
it is better than what they accumulate."{
]Quran 10: 57-58[
The Quran achieves happiness for the human, spreads security and
tranquility and provides glory, prosperity and safety. All this is
achieved through the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophetwho said:"I
have left among you two things you will never go astray as long as you
hold fast to them: the Book of Allaah and my Sunnah."]Al-Albaani:
Hasan[
Brothers and sisters, we do not need to clarify a fact which is known
to friends and confirmed by enemies. We do not need to clarify this
fact which the believers believed in and the opponents admitted. We do
not need to assert that the Noble Quran is a sublime summit and a high
peak in eloquence and fluency. The masters of eloquence failed to
bring anything like the Quran. We do not need to repeat this whenever
we talk about our Quran. It is enough for us in terms of glory and
honor that the Quran is the Words of Allaah.
We hear many of those who try to prove the strength of eloquence and
effectiveness in the Quran for the enemies. Had we been truthful with
ourselves, we would have wondered: What is the effect of the Quran on
our souls? What is the effect of its eloquence on our hearts? Is this
not poof against us that we are away from the Quran and therefore we
are weak? Where are we from the Quran; the light of our hearts, the
constitution of our lives, the Favor of Allaah and His greatest Bounty
over us?
We are often in dire need of those who remind us, admonish us, soften
our hearts and help us to stay always on the straight path, with
neither exaggeration nor negligence.
There are moderate souls which accept, are disciplined and even become
happy and demand this reminder. Contrary to this, there is another
type of Muslim who is far away from the Islamic etiquettes and morals.
They are even away from dedicating worship to Allaah and doing what
befits the Majesty of Allaah of love, exaltation, submission and
surrender. Such people need strong alerts and admonishments which put
an end to their heedlessness and take them out of their deviation.
There are no stronger alerts than the alerts of the Noble Quran which
greatly influenced the Arabs, not only due to its inimitable style but
also due to its alerts, prohibitions as well as the way of narrating
stories in all its Surahs.
Have such people heard the verse in which Allaah The Almighty Says
)what means(:}O you who have believed, do not take your fathers or
your brothers as allies if they have preferred disbelief over belief.
And whoever does so among you - then it is those who are the
wrongdoers.{]Quran 9: 23[
Have such people read in the Quran the verse in which Allaah The
Almighty Says )what means(:}Say, ]O Muhammad[, "If your fathers, your
sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have
obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which
you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allaah and His Messenger
and Jihaad in His Cause, then wait until Allaah Executes His command.
And Allaah Does not Guide the defiantly disobedient people."{]Quran 9:
24[
When one of the leaders of the Quraysh heard the Messenger of
Allaahreciting the verse in which Allaah The Almighty Says )what
means(:}But if they turn away, then say, "I have warned you of a
thunderbolt like the thunderbolt ]that struck[ 'Aad and
Thamood.{]Quran 41: 13[, he begged him to stop the recitation.
The Prophetstrictly warned against returning to the morals of the
pre-Islamic era saying:"The example of the one who helps his people
with falsehood is like a camel that fell into a well and it moves its
tail but can not get out."]Al-Albaani: Saheeh[
He also said:"I am seizing your waistbands and trying to pull you away
from the Fire but you are trying to get away from me."]Muslim[
Why are those who are enslaved by traditions and vain pretensions and
their words and deeds have become so far from Islam, not frankly told
that their status is due to weakness of faith and keeping away from
reflecting on the verses of the Quran? Actually, the Quranic stories
and examples as well as the sayings of the Prophethave a wonderful
effect on reforming and deterring the soul and putting it on the
straight path. O people of the Quran, when will we realize that
civilization and advancement do not contradict adherence to religion?
When will we realize that the Quran is a light and guidance for the
Muslims?
It is really astonishing! Why do we quickly respond to the enemies
when they dictate that advancement can not be attained unless one
abandons Islam? Could we not be civilized while we are praying and
fasting? Could we not be civilized while we are straight and
righteous?
I wonder in astonishment; is the condition of civilization and
advancement to disobey Allaah and contradict His commands? If it is
so, then this is the real backwardness. This is actually backwardness
to the ages of ignorance, Shirk, darkness and worshipping desires and
the idols of fancy! Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}Indeed,
this Quran 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 17: 9[
Is this the effect of ignorance about the Quran? Or is it shame to
follow the truth of Islam? Or it is the effect of desires and lusts
and surrender? O people of the Quran, the Quran calls to progress in
all fields; all worldly and religiously matters. Nevertheless, it is
the type of progress which is controlled by the noble Quranic
etiquettes and divine teachings. Non-Muslim scientists and wise people
wondered about the Noble Quran which preceded them to reflection and
advancement by hundreds of years. This is happening at a time when
many Muslims have deserted the Quran.
To be continued...

Quran is the source of glory and happiness for the Ummah - II

Desertion of the Quran and its types:
First: Desertion of hearing, believing and listening to the Quran. You
find some Muslims today listening to all radio stations and becoming
addicted to songs and vain talk. Nevertheless, when one suddenly hears
the Quran, he turns off the radio. We seek refuge in Allaah from loss.
Second: Desertion of referring judgment to the Quran in all rulings of
religion )major or minor(. Some people refer judgment in disputes and
quarrels to man-made laws or tribal traditions and customs.
Third: Desertion of reflection, understanding and knowing what is
meant by Allaah. There are many who recite the Quran while the Quran
curses them.
Fourth: Desertion of seeking remedy and recovery from all diseases in
the Quran. A person may resort to all means of recovery except the
Quran, out of negligence and desertion.
Fifth: Desertion of applying it and not paying attention to what has
been described as lawful or unlawful by the Quran, even if the person
recites it and believes in it.
Dear readers, with the great Quran we have been taken from darkness to
light and with deserting it, we are taken back to darkness.
With the Quran, we were the best nation brought to mankind and by
deserting it, we return to the life of humility and disgrace.
With the Quran the Ummah reached the peak of virtues and glory and by
deserting it, it falls into the abyss of vices and rejection.
There is no wonder, for the earth had indeed witnessed a great birth
by the revelation of the Quran to Muhammad. The Quran showered the
earth with its light and revived it. The Quran was revealed to the
Arabs. Although they were eloquent, they felt weak before the great
perfection of the Quran. They, therefore, surrendered to its
eloquence, their hearts were attached to it and their souls were
attracted to the inimitability of the Quran.
Where is the effect of the Quran on the souls of the contemporary
people? Some Muslims make a barrier between themselves and the Quran
and, therefore, they no longer listen to it. Even, they made a barrier
between them and all types of goodness. They are like those who put
their fingers in their ears in order not to hear the truth. One thinks
that when he hears, he will not be excused and he will no longer enjoy
his lusts and desires. Such a poor person does not know that perhaps
he hears even one verse or Hadeeth and this will be the reason for him
to gain freedom. Such a person has a captured heart and the capture of
hearts is a greater matter than the capture of the physical body.
There are many who are captives of desires and lusts, and therefore
they do not taste the sweetness of faith or the pleasure of reading
the Quran.
Perhaps listening to goodness saves you and grants your soul eternal
happiness. Hence, you have to open your heart. Allaah Has Given you
ears to hear; so, do not block them. He Has also Given you a mind to
think; so, do not make it heedless by following fancy. Here is the
example of At-Tufayl ibn 'Aamir Ad-Dawsi, May Allaah Be Pleased with
him, who came to Makkah at the beginning of Islam. The people of the
Quraysh warned him against meeting the Messenger of Allaah. They said
to him: "Muhammad separated our community and disunited us. His words
are like magic. So, you should avoid him lest he should afflict you as
well as your people in the same way as he did with us." At-Tufayl, May
Allaah Be Pleased with him, said: "They continued warning me until I
decided neither to hear anything from him nor to talk to him. Finally,
I decided to put cotton in my ears in order not to hear him. In the
morning, I went to the Ka'bah and there was the Messenger of
Allaahstanding for prayer. I stood near him and Allaah Made me hear
some of what he was saying. I heard good words and therefore I blamed
myself and said: "I am a seasoned man and poet and I can distinguish
between good and evil. By Allaah, I will hear from him. If he is
right, I will accept from him; otherwise, I will avoid him." Then he
removed the cotton from his ears and heard the best words from him. He
then said: "I have never heard better or fairer words." The words of
the Quran, therefore, were the reason behind his happiness in the two
worlds when he opened his hearing and mind before them. They greatly
influenced his soul and warm whispers penetrated deeply within his
mind and heart bearing the guidance of the Quran. Allaah The Almighty
Says )what means(:}]This is[ a blessed Book which We Have Revealed to
you, ]O Muhammad[, that they might reflect upon its verses and that
those of understanding would be reminded.{]Quran 38: 29[
Here is also the example of another man who was a tyrant during the
pre-Islamic era and harsh with the weak Muslims at that time. He heard
the verses in which Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}Ta, Ha. We
Have not Sent down to you the Quran that you be distressed………Indeed, I
Am Allaah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish
prayer for My remembrance.{]Quran 20: 1-14[
These verses broke the barriers of Shirk in his heart and melted the
rocks of ignorance. Therefore, he said: "It does not befit The One Who
Says that to worship others beside Him." That man became when he
walked in a road, the devil would walk in another road. He is
Al-Faarooq, 'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, May Allaah Be Pleased with him, the
second Caliph for Muslims. Allaah The Almighty Exalted the religion of
Islam with 'Umar, May Allaah Be Pleased with him.
The Quran introduced a distinguished generation from the Companions,
May Allaah Be Pleased with them, throughout the history of Islam, even
throughout the history of all humanity. This was not only because the
Messenger of Allaahwas among them, as some may think. Had it been only
for that, the message of Islam as well as the Islamic call would have
ended with the death of the Messenger of Allaah. Rather, there was
another reason that the Companions, May Allaah Be Pleased with them,
drunk from the spring of the Quran, adjusted themselves with it and
absorbed it, although there were different cultures at that time.
Another reason which urged the Companions, May Allaah Be Pleased with
them, to reach such an extent of virtuousness and nobility is that
they used to read the Quran in order to implement it within themselves
as well as within the communities in which they lived. They were like
soldiers who receive orders in the battlefield.
O nation of the Quran, know that the Quran does not grant its
treasures except for those who come to it with that spirit, the spirit
of response and implementation. When the verse of prohibiting wine was
revealed, a man walked in the streets of Al-Madeenah to announce that
wine has been forbidden. What happened thereafter? Each one who had a
cup of wine in his hand threw it away.
Even, each one who had the cup of wine on his lips spilled it out.
Those who had jars of wine spilled them, in response and obedience to
the Command of Allaah.
We ask Allaah to Make us obedient to Him and quickly respond to Him.
We also ask Him to Grant us understanding of the Quran, contemplating
it and acting accordingly!

The Quran is the Speech of Allah

The Noble Quran is the eternal miracle of Prophet Muhammad, sallAllahu
'alayhi wa sallam, because all the miracles of the prophets, May Allah
Exalt his mention, ended with their death, except our Prophet,
sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam, whose miracle is still preserved. This
everlasting miracle is The Book of Allah and His Revealed Speech
that}Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind
it{]Quran 41:42[
Allah The Almighty Confirms this fact, when He Says )what means(:
•}And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant
him protection so that he may hear the Words of Allah.{]Quran 9:6[
•}Those who remained behind will say when you set out toward the war
booty to take it, "Let us follow you." They wish to change the Words
of Allah.{]Quran 48:15[
Those two verses prove that the Quran is the Words and Speech of Allah
The Almighty that He Has Revealed to His Prophet Muhammad, sallAllahu
'alayhi wa sallam. Jaabir ibn 'Abdullaah, May Allah Be pleased with
him, reported that the Prophet, sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam, used to
invite people to Islam during the Hajj season and would say,"Who are
willing to give me asylum so that I can convey the Speech of my Lord,
for the Quraysh have prevented me from conveying the Speech of my
Lord."]At-Tirmithi and Ahmad[
Hence, the Quran is the Speech of Allah as unanimously agreed upon by
all Muslims.
This fact is supported by several logical and tangible evidences
including the following:
- The polytheists failed to produce a single verse, let alone a single
Soorah, let alone a whole book like the Quran despite the fact that
they were utterly determined and extremely motivated to oppose and
falsify the call of the Prophet, sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam.
Furthermore, we must remember that they were the masters of the Arabic
language, in which the Quran was revealed. Certainly, this constitutes
a definitive proof that the Quran is the Speech of Allah The Lord of
The Worlds, not that of humans.
- The Quran foretold many matters of the unseen and made several
prophecies that were all fulfilled exactly as they were foretold. For
example, the Persians defeated the Byzantines in one of their battles
and the Quran recorded this defeat foretelling that the Byzantines
would defeat the Persians within three to nine years and this is what
actually happened. Allah The Exalted Says )what means(:}The Byzantines
have been defeated * In the nearest land. But they, after their
defeat, will overcome. * Within three to nine years.{]Quran 30: 2-4[
- The Quran includes many miraculous scientific facts that were only
discovered fourteen centuries later. For example, the Quran told us
about a barrier separating the salty water from the fresh water not to
mix with each other. Allah The Exalted Says )what means(:}He Released
the two seas, meeting ]side by side[; * Between them is a barrier ]so[
neither of them transgresses.{]Quran 55:19,20[
After about fourteen centuries, modern science confirmed this scientific fact.
- When one reads the Book of Allah, he goes into a state of peace and
tranquility unlike the human speeches or writings. Allah The Exalted
Says )what means(:}Those who have believed and whose hearts are
assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the
remembrance of Allah hearts are assured."{]Quran 13:28[
- The Quran is also a cure and it expels the devils when it is
recited. Allah The Almighty Said )what means(:}And We send down of the
Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers...{]Quran
17:82[
Of course, it is almost impossible to list all the evidences that
prove that the Quran is the Speech of Allah in this article; however,
we will conclude with the words of Al-Waleed ibn Al-Mugheerah, who was
one of the senior leaders of the polytheists of Quraysh, about the
Quran. He said, "What can I say? Whether it is about prose or poetry,
or the poems of the Jinns, I possess greater knowledge than any other
man. By God! The words spoken by this man can not be compared with any
of the others. By God, his words possess a charming sweetness and a
particular beauty. The branches of his speech are laden with fruit
while its roots are firmly entrenched in the soil from whence it
proceeds. It is superior to all other discourses, and it is not
possible for any other discourse to show it in poor light. For a
surety it will conquer anything that comes under its own influence!"
]Al-Haakim and Al-Bayhaqi[
This is the Quran, the Speech of Allah that has been challenging
humankind and proving its inability to produce something to its effect
as to its eloquence, wise judgments, and authentic news. The challenge
is still raised, and the inability of mankind to face that challenge
remains. Thus, the Quran will remain the everlasting Argument of Allah
The Almighty against all opponents and disbelievers.

** Dought & clear, - Are the five daily prayersmentioned in the Qur’aan?.

** The Holy Qur'an, Surah 30: Al Rum 17 "SO (GIVE) GLORY TO ALLAH,
WHEN YE REACH EVENTIDE AND WHEN YE RISE IN THE MORNING;" 18 "YEA,TO
HIM BE PRAISE, IN THE HEAVENS AND ON EARTH; AND IN THE LATE AFTERNOON
AND WHEN THE DAY BEGINS TO DECLINE." These verses only mention four
prayers,but yet Muslims pray five times a day (plus Sunnah). Why does
it not state the fifth prayer? PS. I'am a practicig Muslim (Inshallah)
and I'am in no way trying to prove the Qur'an wrong.
Praise be to Allaah.
In the Tafseer of this aayah, it is reported that Ibn 'Abbaas (may
Allaah be pleased with him) said: "The five daily prayers are
(mentioned) in the Qur'aan." He was asked, "Where?" He said, "Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):'So glorify Allaah when you come
up to the evening'is maghrib and 'isha';'and when you enter the
morning'is fajr; 'in the afternoon'is 'asr; and'the time when the day
begins to decline'is zuhr." Other mufassireen, such as al-Dahhaak and
Sa'eed ibn Jubayr said the same thing.
Some of the mufassireen said that these aayat mention only four of the
prayers; 'isha' is not mentioned here, but it is mentioned in Soorat
Hood, where Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):"… and in some
hours of the night…" [Hood 11:114]
Most of the mufassireen are of the first opinion. Al-Nahhaas (may
Allaah have mercy on him) said: "The scholars of Tafseer say that the
aayah (interpretation of the meaning):'So glorify Allaah when you come
up to the evening and when you enter the morning…' [al-Room
30:17]refers to the prayers."
Imaam al-Jassaas (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: "Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):'… The prayer is enjoined on the
believers at fixed times [mawqootan].' [al-Nisa' 4:103].It was
reported that 'Abd-Allaah ibn Mas'ood said: '[Mawqootanmeans that]
Salaah has an appointed time just as Hajj does.' It was reported that
Ibn 'Abbaas, Mujaahid and 'Atiyyah said [thatmawqootanmeans] 'It is
obligatory'… The word'mawqootan'means that it is obligatory at certain
times. The times are referred to in general terms in this aayah and
are explained elsewhere in the Book, without defining precisely when
those times start and end – that was explained in detail by the
Messenger of Allaah(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). What
Allaah mentioned about the times of the prayers in His Book is
(interpretation of the meaning):"Perform al-Salaah from mid-day till
the darkness of the night and recite the Qur'aan in the early dawn…"
[al-Isra' 17:78].Mujaahid reported from Ibn 'Abbaas: "'Mid-day'means
when the sun has passed its zenith for salaat al-zuhr, and'the
darkness of the night'means the beginning of the night, for salaat
al-maghrib." It was also reported from Ibn 'Umar that mid-day meant
the zenith… Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):"And perform
al-salaahat the two ends of the day and in some parts of the night"
[Hood 11:114].'Amr reported from al-Hasan that'the two ends of the
day'means fajr at the first end and zuhr and 'asr at the other;'some
parts of thenight'means maghrib and 'isha'. So according to this
opinion the aayah refers to all five prayers…. Layth reported from
al-Hakam from Abu 'Ayyaad that Ibn 'Abbaas said: "This aayah mentions
all five prayers together.'So glorify Allaah when you come up to the
evening' refers to maghrib and 'isha','and when you enter the
morning'refers to fajr,'in the afternoon'is 'asr; and'the time when
the day begins to decline'is zuhr." Something similar was also
reported from al-Hasan.
Abu Razeen reported from Ibn 'Abbaas: "'…and glorify the praises of
your Lord before the rising of the sun and before (its) setting' [Qaaf
50:39 – interpretation of the meaning]refers to the prescribed
prayers.'… and glorify the praises of your Lord before the rising of
the sun, and before its setting, and during some of the hours of the
night, and at the sides of the day,that you may become pleased with
the reward which Allaah shall give you.' [Ta-Ha 20:130 –
interpretation of the meaning]This aayah also includes the times of
the prayers. All of these aayaat mention the times of the prayers."
Ahkaam al-Qur'aanby al-Jassaas,Baab Mawaaqeet al-Salaah.
What you should also know is that the Qur'aan does not contain details
of all the rules. The Qur'aan mentions many rules, but it also tells
us that the Sunnah is a source of evidence in which many rules are
mentioned in detail that are not mentioned in the Qur'aan. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meanings):
"… and We have also sent down to you (O Muhammad) the reminder and the
advice (the Qur'aan), that you may explain clearly to men what is sent
down to them and that they may give thought." [al-Nahl 16:44]
"… and whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it…" [al-Hashr 59:7]
The Prophet(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "I have
been given the Qur'aan and something like it with it…" (Reported by
Imaam Ahmad, 16546; this is a saheeh hadeeth). Whether the rules were
narrated in the Qur'aan or in the Sunnah, all of it is true and right,
and all of it has one source, which is the wahy or revelation from the
Lord of the Worlds.