by Rami Mahmoud Elsawah
A.L.M.
This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah.
Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them;
And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee, and sent before thy time, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter.
They are on (true) guidance, from their Lord, and it is these who will prosper. (Al-Baqarah 1-5)
May Allah make us of those who will prosper.
as Salaamu Alaikum
Ameen.
Taken from 'Way to the Quran' by Khurram Murrad
"As you come to the Qur'an, you come to a new world. No other venture in your life can be so momentous and crucial, so blissful and rewarding, as your journey to and through the Qur'an.
It is a journey that will take you through the endless joys and riches of the words that your Creator and Lord has sent to you and all mankind. Here you will find a world of untold treasures of knowledge and wisdom to guide you on the pathways of life, to mould your thoughts and actions. In it you will find deep insights to enrich you and steer you along the right course. From it you will receive a radiant light to illumine the deeper reaches of your soul. Here you will encounter profound emotions, a warmth to melt your heart and bring tears running down your cheeks.
It is crucial for you because, as you travel through the Qur'an, at every step you will be summoned to choose, and to commit to Allah. To read the Qur'an is nothing less than to live the Qur'an willingly, sincerely, devotedly, and totally. The outcome of your entire life depends on how you heed the call given by God. The journey is therefore decisive for your existence, for mankind, for the future of human civilization.
A hundred new worlds lie in its verses.
Whole centuries are involved in its moments.
Know, then, that it is the Qur'an, and only the Qur'an, which can lead you on and on to success and glory in this-world and in the world-to-come."
Was Salaam
it's been so long since i've written for or read hidaya. anything exciting happen?
[nothing could've happened without "fire"]
o, BTW:
the Islamic Society of Rutgers University
"Nasihah"
a fundraiser for Islamic Day School, East Orange, NJ
http://www.thesunnah.org
with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, Masjid At-Taqwa, Brooklyn, NY
and Imam Isam Rajab, Islamic Center of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
http://www.islamnm.org
Busch Campus Center
MPR
7 PM
this wednesday, 2/23
Directions and more information can be found at http://muslims.rutgers.edu
Oh, why don't we just put it up?
from NJ Turnpike - Take Exit 9. Go to 18 N. take the exit for "Busch Campus." continue along the road until you get to the traffic circle. make the first right out of the circle. follow the road until you see "Busch Campus Center" on a big red sign on the left. Parking is on your right.
from GSP - take the Turnpike. someone else please post more comprehensive directions if they know of them.
on February 19, 2005 4:29 PMYou know what I find AMAZING and sooooooooo mindblowingly meaningful about the first few verses of surah Baqarah?
That it comes right after the dua for guidance that the believer makes in surah Fatihah. We ask to be guided on the straight path and Allah, Glorious and Exalted, says ok so here is a book that will guide you to it.
So freaking cool. MashaAllah.
SubhaanAllah Rami, what an original post.
Ameen to your du'a.
Ditto to
"So freaking cool. MashaAllah."
To Justujo's comment:
You're right, it IS interesting (to use a neutral word) that these verses come right after Surah Fatiha ...
However, the compilation of the Quran, if I have this correct, was done by man. So ... are you saying that it's amazing then, that this Surah was listed, by man, after Surah Fatiha? Because although Surah Fatiha was the first complete Surah that was revealed to mankind, do we know if these verses of Surah Baqarah were next?
Please try to answer teh question in two ways, if you feel the response would be differnt in the following two scenarios: 1) if you're responding to a non-muslim, 2) if you're responding to a muslim.
I'd love to see responses from otehrs too, hopefully from Talal, Gillete, Rami and Saima atleast? Thanks and I look forward to these replies.
P.S - If you'd rather respond to me personally, let me know and I'll give you my email address.
on February 22, 2005 6:39 PMAssalamuAlaikum,
You raised a great question. I used to wonder about that a lot before I started learning more about the science of quran and hadith compilation. There truly exists exquisite scholarship in these areas that is really not given its due in the West. This is a quick answer to your question by one of my favorite muftis:
"How was the Qur'an compiled?"
Answered by Shaykh Abdurrahman ibn Yusuf
Question:
I wanted to know was the entire Qur’an compiled before the Prophet’s death or after by the khalifas. What I mean by compiled is the ordering of the surahs. Before the Prophet’s death (Allah bless him & give him peace), did the sahabas know that the #1 surah is fatiha and #2 is suratul baqara and so forth? Or was this order established by the khalifas like during Uthman (Allah be pleased with him) time?
Answer:
Assalamu alaykum
In the name of Allah the inspirer of truth
The order of the verses in each chapter of the Qur’an was divinely inspired, even though they were revealed portion by portion as the need arose over a 23 year period.
The Messenger of Allah (upon him be peace) would instruct the scribes to place each verse in its proper place as they were revealed.
It is related by Imam Ahmad and the authors of the Sunans on the authority of Uthman radhiyallahu anhu, "When a chapter was revealed of the Qur’an that had a number of verses, the Messenger of Allah would call one of the scribes and say, "Place these verses in the chapter which states such and such…" Hence, from this and other narrations it is understood that not only was the arrangement of the verses divinely inspired, so were the chapters according to many scholars. (Fath al-Bari, Bab ta’lif al-Qur’an).
Although there is agreement concerning the arrangement of the verses being divinely inspired, there is a difference of opinion concerning the order of the chapters. The stronger opinion seems to be that the arrangement of many chapters was also divinely inspired, although some chapters were placed through the ijtihad [inference] of the Companions. For instance, it is reported that the Companions placed Surat al-Tawba after Surat al-Anfal, through their own deliberation, as they did have any information concerning this from the Messenger (upon him be peace).
A good English work on the sciences of the Qur’an is, Approach to the Qur’anic Sciences by Shaykh Mufti Taqi Uthmani. An abridged version of it is found in the beginning of the Ma`arif al-Qur’an [a Qur’anic tafsir in Urdu, which is available in English translation as well]. Well worth reading.
Wassalam
Abdurrahman ibn Yusuf
http://www.sunnipath.com/resources/Questions/qa00000877.aspx
As for the other part of your question regarding whether my answer would differ depending upon the deen of the person I was speaking to, I dont think it would.
I personally believe that everything about the Quran was divinely inspired and that EVEN IF the surah order were a result of the ijtihad of the sahaabah, we can rest assured that that ijtihad was made by those who had been promised paradise, had been directly 'trained' by our Rasool, and who had been told by our Rasool that they had correct understanding of the Quran (ie. Ibn Abbas). I dont believe that this (meaning the origin of surah order) is something that would stand in the way of a person's acceptance of Islam or be a reason to be doubtful of the Quran. The fact of the matter is that *'qualified'* ijtihads are necessary and have been necessary historically--they are an asset and a source of strength and versatility, alhamdulillah.
I think the problem is that we live in a time and society where it is so fashionable and 'praiseworthy' to doubt everything and everyone, that people have lost trust in the very people who were the greatest transmitters and preservers of our blessed deen to have existed and who our Prophet (SAW) had entrusted with the task of teaching it to others. If it had not been for the sahaabah and the destiny that Allah, Glorious and Exalted, had allotted them, we would neither have a Quran today nor any Hadith. There is something to be said for respecting and trusting those who the most enlightened man of all creation trusted and respected.
on February 23, 2005 1:24 AMhttp://www.thewaytotruth.org/companions/inquran.html
THE COMPANIONS IN THE QUR’AN
Ibn Hazm voices the opinion of many leading scholars: ‘All of the Companions will enter Paradise’.1 It is possible to find proofs in the Qur’an testifying to the truth of this opinion.
The Qur’an describes the Companions in the last verse of the sura al-Fath, as follows:
Muhammad is the Messenger of God. Those who are with him are hard against the unbelievers [they are implacable before them], merciful one to another. [They kept so long vigils that] you see them bowing, prostrating, seeking blessing, bounty (of forgiveness and Paradise) and good pleasure (of God). Their mark is on their faces, the trace of prostration. That is their likeness in the Torah, and their likeness in the Gospel: as a seed that puts forth its shoot, and strengthens it, and it grows strong and rises straight upon its stalk, pleasing the sowers, that through them it may enrage the unbelievers. God has promised those of them who believe and do deeds of righteousness forgiveness and a mighty wage [He will reward them in Paradise with the things that neither eyes will ever have seen nor ears heard]. (48:29)
The Qur’an again, describes them:
The Outstrippers, the first of the Emigrants and the Helpers, and those who followed them in good-doing - God is well- pleased with them and they are well-pleased with Him; and He has prepared for them gardens underneath which rivers flow, therein to dwell forever; that is the mighty triumph. (al-Tawba, 9.100)
Abu Hurayra never missed the discourse of God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings. He was always with him and stayed in the antechamber of the Prophet’s Mosque. He suffered hunger almost all the time. Once he went to God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, and told him that he had eaten nothing for days. Abu Talha took him as a guest but unfortunately there was little in his house to eat. However, he said to his wife, Umm Sulaym, ‘Get the children to sleep early at night, and put on the table whatever is in the house to eat. When we sit at the table, put out the candle pretending to make its light brighter. No one sees in the dark whether one is really eating or not. I will act as if I am eating, and thus our guest can satisfy his hunger.’
After the dawn prayer, God’s Messenger turned to them and smiled, saying: What did you do at that night? This verse was revealed concerning you:
Those who made their dwelling in the abode [Madina], and in belief, before them [the Emigrants] love whoever has emigrated to them, not finding in their breasts any need for what they have been given, and preferring others above themselves, even though poverty be their portion. Whoever is guarded against the avarice of his own soul, those - they are the prosperous. (Al-Hashr, 59.9)2
Again, we read in the Qur’an concerning the Companions:
God was well-pleased with the believers when they were swearing fealty to you under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down peace, calm and tranquility upon them, and rewarded them with a nigh victory. (al-Fath, 48.18)
The Companions swore many oaths of allegiance to God’s Messenger that they would do their utmost to protect him and carry, by God’s Will, Islam to ultimate victory. They kept their promise at the cost of all their belongings and lives. Most of them were martyred in the battles either during the life of the Prophet himself or in conveying Islam as far as possible during the reigns of succeeding Caliphs. It is still possible to find in almost every part of Muslim lands tombs where several Companions are buried. Also, they brought up numerous scholars in the fields of religious knowledge - jurisprudence, Tradition, Qur’-anic interpretation, and also in social sciences like history and the biography of the Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings. In the words of the Qur’an,
Among the believers are men who were true to their covenant with God; some of them have fulfilled their vow by death, and some are still awaiting, and they have not changed in the least. (al-Ahzab, 33.23)
1. I. Hajar, 1.10.
2. Bukhari, “Tafsir,” 59/6.
http://www.thewaytotruth.org/companions/inhadith.html
THE COMPANIONS IN HADITH
Besides the Qur’an, the Prophet himself, upon him be peace and blessings, praised the Companions and warned Muslims against attacks and insulting words about them. For example:
Bukhari, Muslim and other Traditionists relate from Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri that God’s Messenger warned:
Do not curse my Companions! Do not curse my Companions! I swear by Him in Whose hand my life is that, even if one among you had as much gold as Mount Uhud and spent it in the way of God, this would not be equal in reward to a few handfuls of them or even to half of that.1
This is certainly so because they accepted Islam and preached and protected it when circumstances were most severe. Besides, according to the rule ‘the cause is like the doer’, the reward gained by all Muslims so far and yet to come until the Last Day has been, and will be, added to the record of the Companions, without, of course, diminishing anything from the reward of the doers themselves. Had it not been for the efforts of the Companions to spread Islam, to convey it to the peoples of the world, no one could have the possibility of knowing of Islam, and, therefore, being Muslim. So, all the Muslims coming after the Companions should feel indebted to the Companions and, rather than thinking of criticizing them, should pray for them as the Qur’an teaches us to:
As for those who came after them, they say, Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in belief, and put not into our hearts any rancor towards those who believe. Our Lord, surely You are the All-Gentle, the All-Compassionate. (al-Hashr, 59.10)
Tirmidhi and Ibn Hibban quote ‘Abdullah ibn Mughaffal that God’s Messenger warned:
Oh God, Oh God! Refrain from using bad language about my Companions! Oh God, Oh God! Refrain from using bad language about my Companions! Do not make them the target of your attacks after me! Whoever loves them, loves them on account of his love of me; whoever hates them, hates them on account of his hatred of me. He who hurts them, has hurt me, and he who hurts me, has hurt God, he who hurts God, God will punish him.2
Imam Muslim relates in his Sahih that God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, declared:
The stars are means of security for the heaven, [that is, the heaven is maintained because of the delicate order among the stars]. When the stars are scattered [when that order collapses], what was promised for the heaven befalls it [i.e. the final destruction of the universe]. I am the means of security for my Companions [my Companions will continue to live in peace and security as long as I am alive]. When I leave the world, what was promised for my Companions will befall them. My Companions are means of security for my nation (Ummah). When my Companions leave the world, what was promised for my Ummah will befall them [they will be exposed to many misfortunes and calamities].3
As recorded in authentic books of Tradition, including Bukhari and Muslim, God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, declared:
The best of people are those living in my time. Then come those who follow them, and then come those who follow them. Those will be followed by a generation whose witness is sometimes true, sometimes false.4
The time of the Companions and the two succeeding generations was the time of truthfulness. People of great righteousness and scholars of utmost exactitude appeared among those first three generations of Islam. Among the later generations were many who told lies and perjured themselves in order to reinforce false beliefs or for worldly aims. It was natural for liars, for members of heterodox sects (as it is for biased Orientalists and their blind followers in the Muslim world), to lie against the Companions and the pure Imams of the two generations succeeding them. For the Companions and those Imams were strongholds of Islam, and strengthened its pillars.
In his Hilyat al-Awliya’, Abu Nu‘aym quotes ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar as saying:
Whoever desires to follow a straight path, should follow the path of those who passed away. They are the Companions of Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings. They are the best among his Ummah, the purest in heart, the deepest in knowledge, and the farthest from false display of piety. They are a community whom God chose for the company of His Prophet and the conveyance of His religion. Try to be like them in conduct and follow their way. They are the Companions of Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings. I swear by God, the Lord of the Ka‘ba, that they were on true guidance.5
As recorded by Tabarani and Ibn al-Athir, ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud, who was among the first to embrace Islam in Makka and sent to Kufa as a teacher by ‘Umar, said:
God looked at the hearts of His true servants and chose Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, to send to His creatures as a Messenger. Then, He looked at the hearts of people and chose his Companions as the helpers of His religion and the viziers of His Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings.6
Ibn Mas‘ud also said concerning the Companions.
You may excel the Companions of God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, in fasting, praying and in striving to worship God better. Yet they are better than you. For they give no heed to the world and are most desirous of the Hereafter.7
O God, bestow blessings and peace an our Master Muhammad, who said: “My Companions are like the stars; whichever of them you follow, you will be rightly guided. The best of the ages is my age.”-and on his family and Companions.
Glory be to You! We have no knowledge save what You have taught us. Surely you are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
1. Bukhari, “Fada’il al-Ashab,” 5; Muslim, “Fada’il al-Sahaba,” 221.
2. Tirmidhi, “Manaqib,” 58; I. Hibban, 9.189; I. Hanbal, 5.57.
3. Muslim, “Fada’il al-Sahaba,” 207.
4. Muslim, “Fada’il al-Sahaba,” 212; Bukhari, “Fada’il al-Ashab,” 1.
5. Abu Nu‘aym, Hilya, 1.305.
6. Abu Nu‘aym, Hilya, 1.375.
7. Ibid., 1.135.
btw, I am REALLY glad 'somebody' brought this issue up. MashaAllah. :)
on February 23, 2005 1:34 AMAsalaam Aleikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatu,
An AMAZING website that I ran into a few years ago.
www.nicheoftruth.org
There is just an absolute wealth of information on this site..you can even check out islamic baby names/prohibited names.
I recommend everyone go to the "Responses to the criticism against Qu'ran" section
http://nicheoftruth.org/pages/responses_home.htm
there are lots of good answers there
waslaam aleikum warahmatullah wabarakatu
on February 23, 2005 10:34 AMUMUNNAA SEPU AKA I LOVE THIS VERY PAGFE SO KEEP IT UP.ASALAMALEKU.
on August 4, 2005 4:44 AMAllah speaks truth, wa ameen.
on October 18, 2005 12:09 AM"And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee, and sent before thy time, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter.
wa allatheena yu'minoona bi maa unzila ilayka wa maa unzila min qablika wa bi al aakhirati hun yukeenoona, oola|ika 'alaa hudaan min rabbihim wa oolaa|ika humu al mufli'hoona.
"And they who have certainty and security with what is sent down to thee and what was sent down before thee...."
on October 18, 2005 12:12 AM