Angels keep record of your intention too!

It has been related that the angels also record a person's intentions. This is why a person is rewarded for having a good intention and sometimes bad intentions.
Imam Muslim narrated from Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu), who said,
'The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alahi wa-sallam) said, 'Allah says, 'When My slave intends to do an evil action, do not record it. If he does it, then write it down as one say'ah (evil deed). If he intends to do a good deed and does not do it, then write down as one hasanah (good deed), and if he does it, then write it down as ten.'
[Saheeh Muslim (1/117, hadeeth no. 128)]
And in another hadeeth of Bukharee and Muslim,
'The angels says, 'O Lord, Your slave wants to do something bad,' although He (Allah) Knows best about him. So, Allah says, 'Watch him. If he does it then write it down as it is. If he does not do it, then write it down as one hasanah for him, for he is abstaining from it because of Me.'
[Saheeh Muslim (1/117, hadeeth no. 129)]
Narrated Abu Bakrah Ath-Thaqafi (radhi allahu anhu),
'Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alahi wa-sallam) said,
'When two Muslims are engaged in a combat against each other with swords, and one is killed, both are doomed to Hell.' I said, 'O Messenger of Allah! As to the one who kills, it is understandable, but why the other one?' He replied, 'He was eager to kill his opponent.' [Agreed upon]
This Hadeeth leads to the conclusion that one would be punished for such sinful intention for which he has made a firm determination, and for the commitment of which he has adopted necessary measures, even if he doe not succeed in committing it because of certain obstruction. Thus, determination is different from a suggestion from the devil. The latter is excusable while one is accountable for his determination.
[See, Riyadh as-Saliheen]
Taken from As-Sunnah Newsletter - http://www.qsep. com

Grateful for Every Kindness

It was customary for the Arabs in Makkah when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born that they sent their newborn children to some Bedouins where the young ones were breast-fed by wet nurses. They felt that spending the first few years in a desert environment ensured that the child would grow up physically and mentally strong. Indications suggest that Makkah suffered some infectious diseases, and its people felt that children would be spared such diseases in the desert's open air. We have a detailed story of how the young Muhammad ended up with Haleemah, his Bedouin wet nurse. We need only mention that Haleemah and her family were most delighted to have him, feeling that the young child brought some subtle blessing into their life. Hence, after he was weaned, Haleemah begged Aminah, the Prophet's mother, to allow her to keep him for some more time. This was agreed, and most probably Muhammad stayed with Haleemah until he was five years of age.
In normal cases, when a child spends the first few years of life with carers who are not of his own family, living away from his hometown, it is not expected that relations with such carers would be maintained into his adult life without an effort by both parties. Nor would it be expected that he would look at those days of his childhood with tenderness. Most of us remember very little of our early years. Besides, Haleemah and her people lived in the desert, while Muhammad (peace be upon him) spent the rest of his life in Makkah, except for his last ten years when he lived in Madinah. Yet we read that in his adult life, Muhammad showed genuine gratitude to those very people.
Haleemah heard of his marriage to Khadeejah. This took place when Muhammad was 25, according to the most common report, yet he might have been a few years older or younger. She felt that she had to see him and offer her congratulations. After all, she was a mother to him. He welcomed her so warmly and gave her the best reception she could have imagined. He asked her how life was like at her place. She told him that they suffered hardship as the year was one of little rain and scarce provisions. Muhammad was poor, but his wife was rich. It was she who chose him after being very impressed with his character. Now she saw what was to her a new but highly commendable attitude, which is loyalty to those who had done him a kindness. Yet she was aware that Haleemah only breast-fed Muhammad for wages. Nevertheless, she admired Muhammad for such loyalty, and welcomed Haleemah warmly. As Haleemah was about to leave, she was given a very generous gift by the newly married couple: 20 sheep, including a few young and productive ones, as well as a strong mount. Haleemah went back to her people, feeling very proud of a son who has not forgotten her in her hour of need.
Muhammad's meeting with Haleemah took place many years before the start of his prophethood. We take another incident that took place more than 30 years later, when Muhammad (peace be upon him) was 61. The Prophet had just fought a battle against the Hawazin tribe, of which Haleemah's people formed a clan. The Hawazin were soundly defeated and most of their fighting men, as well as many women, were taken prisoner. One of these prisoners, Bijad, who belonged to Haleemah's clan, apparently did something that irritated many Muslims. He was taken to the Prophet together with a group of his own clan, including a woman called Al-Shayma bint Al-Harith. As they were being taken to the Prophet, she was told off by some Muslims. She told them that she was the Prophet's sister through breast-feeding, but they did not believe her.
When Al-Shayma was brought in, she looked intently at the Prophet, trying to remember him as a playmate in their early years. Like all her people, she was extremely tired after running away in battle and falling prisoner. She spoke out to the Prophet: "Messenger of God! I am your sister through breast-feeding; I am Al-Shayma, Haleemah's daughter."
As the Prophet listened to her, he felt he should make sure that she was telling the truth. He asked her to corroborate her claim. She thought hard, then said: "Prophet! Do you remember a day when I had lied on your thigh after having been playing outside our tent, in the Bani Saad's quarter? You then lovingly bit me in my back?" As his companions looked at him, they saw his face beaming, then drops of tears were in his eyes as his memory went so far back to his days of early childhood. He then welcomed Al-Shayma warmly, taking off his upper garment and putting it on the ground for her to sit on. She was so delighted, as she saw the Prophet's companions looking at her with veneration. She stayed with the Prophet for a while, receiving a most kindly treatment. He then told her: "Sister, you can stay with me for as long as you wish, and you will need to complain of nothing. However, if you prefer to go back to your people, I will be generous to you and I will continue to take care of you." She opted to go back to her people. The Prophet bid her farewell, giving her three slaves and a maid, as well as some sheep and money. He continued to inquire after her and send her gifts.
This incident reminded the captives of the Hawazin people of an old relation with the Prophet. Many Hawazin people had converted to Islam. A delegation of them said to him: "Messenger of God, we are your people and your own clan. You know the sort of disaster which has befallen us. We appeal to you to show mercy to us, may God bestow His grace on you." Their spokesman, Zuhayr ibn Sarad, said to the Prophet: "Messenger of God, those women who have fallen captive to you include some who are your aunts and some who were your wet nurses when you were young. Had we been in such a relationship with the king of Ghassan in Syria or the King of Al-Manadhirah in Iraq, and had this sort of disaster befallen us at their hands, we would still have hoped that they would show leniency toward us. You, God's Messenger, are the best to return kindness."
These spokesmen were simply referring to the Prophet being nursed by Haleemah, a woman from a branch of the major tribe of Hawazin. They were saying that every woman in the tribe was the Prophet's aunt or wet nurse. The Prophet did not object to this; nor did he say that only Haleemah took care of him. He felt for them. Then he prevailed on his companions to ensure that they were all set free. Thus, not a single woman or child of the Hawazin was retained as captive.

Duties assigned to the Angels with regards to human beings

An Angel is entrusted with the nutfah
Muslim recorded in his Saheeh that Abu Dharr (radhi allahu anhu) said,
'I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alahi wa-sallam) say,'When forty-two nights are passed, Allah sends an angel to the nutfah (embryo) and he gives it shape, forming its hearing and sight, its skin, flesh and bones. Then he says, 'O Lord, male or female?' Then your Lord decrees whatever He wills and the angel writes it down.'
[Saheeh Muslim (4/2037, hadeeth no. 2645)]
Four Guardian Angels with every son of Adam
'For each (person), there are angels in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the Command of Allah.'
[Soorah ar-Ra'd (13): 11]
Imam Ibn Katheer (rahimahullah) writes in the Tafseer of the above verse,
'Allah states that there are angels who take turns guarding each servant, some by night and some by day. These angels protect each person from harm and accidents. There are also angels who take turns recording the good and evil deeds, some angels do this by day and some by night. There are two angels, one to the right and one to the left of each person, recording the deeds. The angel to the right records the good deeds, while the angel to the left records the evil deeds. There are also two angels that guard and protect each person, one from the back and one from the front. Therefore, there are four angels that surround each person by day and they are replaced by four others at night, two scribes and two guards.
An authentic Hadeeth states, 'Angels take turns around you, some at night and some by day, and all of them assemble together at the time of the Fajr and Asr prayers. Then those who have stayed with you throughout the night ascend to Allah, Who asks them, and He knows the answer better than they about you, 'How have you left My servants?' They reply, 'As we have found them praying, we have left them praying.'
[See, Fath al-Baree (13: 426)]
'So where are those who hold back from attending the Fajr Prayer, sleeping (instead) in their beds and not witnessing this great event every night with the angels of the Most Merciful? ...What benefit has this person who refrains from going to the Fajr Prayer and instead prefers sleep gained from his actions? And what benefit has this person who misses out on attending the Asr Prayer, due to laziness, preferring sleep or some other deed, gained from his actions?
It is stated in the hadeeth, 'Whoever misses the Asr Prayer, it is as if he lost his family and wealth.' And in another hadeeth it states: '…then he has nullified his actions.' This means that he has taken the prayer out of its proper time. So if he takes it out of its proper time, he has missed it.'
[See, al-Eeman bil-Malaaikah wa-Athruhu fi-Hayatil-Ummah by Shaikh Salih al-Fawzan]
It is recorded in al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah of Ibn Katheer (1/54) that a man said to Ali ibn Abi Talib (radhi allahu anhu),
'A group from Muraad want to kill you.' He (Ali) said, 'With every man there are angels guarding him from whatever has not been decreed for him. When the decree comes, they move away from him and let it reach him. Your fixed lifespan (decreed by Allah) is a protection for you.'
Therefore, so long as Allah has decreed that an individual will be safe from harms, these angels will protect and guard him, and no human or any other creature will be able to harm him. However, if Allah desires to bring an end to his appointed time, the angels that constantly surround him withdraw themselves from him because they do not refrain from carrying out His Command.
'He is the Irresistible (Supreme), over His slaves, and He sends guardians over you, until when death approaches one of you, Our messengers (angel of death and his assistants) take his soul, and they never neglect their duty.'
[Soorah al-An'am (6): 61]
Allah says about the angels that are appointed to write down the deeds of every person,
'And indeed We have created man, and We know what his own self whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein. (Remember) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive (each human being), one sitting on the right and one on the left (to note his or her actions). Not a word does he (or she) utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).'
[Soorah Qaaf (50): 16-18]
Allah says in another verse,
'But verily, over you (are appointed angels in charge of mankind) to watch you, Kiraman (honorable) Katibeen writing down (your deeds), They know all that you do.'
[Soorah al-Infitaar (82):10-12]
Thus, angels in charge of recording a person's deeds write down everything that he does in his life from the time he reaches the age of puberty to the time when Allah takes his soul in death.
Hence, on the Day of Judgment, each person will find that his book of deeds contains everything that he said or did,
'And We have fastened every man's deeds to his neck, and on the Day of Resurrection, We shall bring out for him a book which he will find wide open. (It will be said to him), 'Read your book. You yourself are sufficient as a reckoner against you this Day.'
[Soorah al-Isra (17): 13-14]
'…the Book (of one's Record) will be placed (in the right hand for a believer in the Oneness of Allah, and in the left hand for a disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah), and you will see the Mujrimoon (criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.), fearful of that which is (recorded) therein. They will say, 'Woe to us! What sort of Book is this that leaves neither a small thing nor a big thing, but has recorded it with numbers!' And they will find all that they did, placed before them, and your Lord treats no one with injustice.'
[Soorah al-Kahf (18): 49]

Islam and Other Religions

http://www.islamonl ine.net/english/ introducingislam /tolerance/ article04. shtml





[Say: We believe in God, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the Prophets from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another.] (Aal Imran 3:84)


Islam teaches the respect of all beliefs.


As is borne out by this command of God in the Qur’an, Muslims must believe in all the prophets of God previously sent to humanity. This means that they are not permitted to show any disrespect to any prophet or to the religion he taught to his followers. To a Muslim, religious belief must come out of a person’s free choice, as God has also commanded not to use any kind of coercion in the matter of religion:

[Let there be no compulsion in religion, truth stands out clear from error.] (Al-Baqarah 2:256)

It is the conviction of a religion’s adherents, not the compulsion they can impose on others, that establishes its moral force on earth. This was a principle evident in the life and practice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) as well as the Constitution of Madinah which he drew up with the multi-religious community of Madinah.

This document guaranteed the freedom of worship to all religious communities. This was the spirit of the Qur’an that shines into the hearts of all its perceptive readers: the spirit of tolerance and understanding. Allah says in the Qur’an that He has made people into nations and tribes so that they can know and deal with each other in an equal temper of kindness and generosity:

[O humankind! We created you from a single pair of a male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know and deal with each other in kindness (not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God (is he who is) the most righteous of you, and God is Knower, Aware.] (Al-Hujurat 49:13)

The above verse emphasizes the point that in Islam there is no place for intolerance, prejudice, or bigotry based on color, race, nationality or any such considerations. This all-encompassing tolerance of Islam applies to all elements of life and all affairs of Muslims.

The Muslim's acceptance of the Jews and Christians (referred to in the Qur'an as People of the Book) as authentic religious communities is made clear:

[And dispute not with the People of the Book, except with means better (than mere disputation) , unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong and injury.] (Al-`Ankabut 29:46).

This verse tells Muslims that they should take all measures to avoid dispute, anger or other negative feelings between themselves and others.

A Historical Context

In his book, More in Common Than You Think: Bridge Between Islam and Christianity, Dr. William Baker explains how Muslims view the Torah and the New Testament as inspired revelations of God and how Islam neither targeted the Jews nor Judaism.

In his article "The Prophet of Islam and the Jews: Basis of Conduct, Acceptance, Respect and Cooperation" , Fysal Burhan quotes Dr. Baker: "It is a fact of history that when the Jews were being persecuted in Europe during the middle ages they found peace, harmony, and acceptance among the Muslim people of Spain. In fact, this was the era of Jewish history that they themselves refer to as "the golden age."

Marmaduke Pickthall, whose translation of the meanings of the Qur'an remains one of the most popular today, also commented on the subject:

"In Spain under the Umayyads and in Baghdad under the Abbasid Khalifas, Christians and Jews, equally with Muslims, were admitted to the Schools and universities - not only that, but were boarded and lodged in hostels at the cost of the state. When the Moors were driven out of Spain, the Christian conquerors held a terrific persecution of the Jews. Those who were fortunate enough to escape fled, some of them to Morocco and many hundreds to the Turkish empire, where their descendants still live in separate communities, and still speak among themselves an antiquated form of Spanish. The Muslim empire was a refuge for all those who fled from persecution by the Inquisition.

The Western Christians, till the arrival of the Encyclopaedists in the eighteenth century, did not know and did not care to know, what the Muslim believed, nor did the Western Christian seek to know the views of Eastern Christians with regard to them. The Christian Church was already split in two, and in the end, it came to such a pass that the Eastern Christians, as Gibbon shows, preferred Muslim rule, which allowed them to practice their own form of religion and adhere to their peculiar dogmas, to the rule of fellow Christians who would have made them Roman Catholics or wiped them out…

If Europe had known as much of Islam, as Muslims knew of Christendom, in those days, those mad, adventurous, occasionally chivalrous and heroic, but utterly fanatical outbreak known as the Crusades could not have taken place, for they were based on a complete misapprehension…

It was not until the Western nations broke away from their religious law that they became more tolerant; and it was only when the Muslims fell away from their religious law that they declined in tolerance and other evidences of the highest culture. Before the coming of Islam it had never been preached as an essential part of religion." (Madras Lectures on Islam)

The Prophet's Pluralistic Constitution

The Qur’an never claimed to teach a new religion. It consistently contextualized the Prophet Muhammad as being the final messenger in a long line of messengers from Allah confirming the truth of all earlier scriptures. This continuity is clear in the respect the Prophet showed to people of other religions.

Muhammad's mission was to restore the pure religion of Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus. The Islamic view of earlier religions is clear from the following verses of the Qur’an:

[The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah--which We have sent by inspiration to thee (O Muhammad)--and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus… Call (them to the Faith), and stand steadfast as thou art commanded, follow not thou their vain desires; but say: "I believe in whatever Book Allah has sent down; and I am commanded to judge justly between you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord: for us (is the responsibility for) our deeds, and for you for your deeds. There is no contention between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to Him is (our) final goal.] (Ash-Shura 42:13 & 15)

It was in the year 622 CE that the Prophet came to Madinah after a period of thirteen years of preaching Islam to the Quraish tribe in Makkah. In Madinah he found many who were ready to receive him and help him in his mission. At that time, the city of Madinah and its surrounding area was home to many Jewish and Arab tribes. There were also people of various racial and national origins including Romans, Persians and Ethiopians living in Madinah.

Taking into consideration the hopes and aspirations of this community of multi-religious background, the Prophet Muhammad drew up the basic principles of a pluralistic constitution. In addition, it established the rights and equality of every citizen before the law, as well as freedom of religion, trade and speech. The constitution spelled out the political rights and duties of both the Jews and Muslims to protect each other from every threat to their security and to uphold moral conduct and fair dealing.

Part of the constitution reads as follows:

The Jews of Banu `Awf are one nation with the Muslims; the Jews have their religion and the Muslims have theirs, their freedmen and their persons shall be protected except those who behave unjustly or sinfully, for they hurt but themselves and their families. The same applies to the Jews of Banu an-Najjar, Banu al-Harith, Banu Sa'idah, Banu Jusham, Banu al-Aws, Banu Tha'labah, and the Jafnah, clan of the Tha'labah and Banu al-Shua'ibah. Doing good deeds is a protection against sinfulness. …….There is no responsibility except for one's own deeds….This document shall not constitute any protection for the unjust or the wrongdoers.
Whoever goes out to fight or stays at home is safe in the city, unless he has committed an injustice or a crime. God is the protector of whoever honors his commitment to this document, and is God-fearing and so is Muhammad, the Messenger of God. (Ibn Hisham)

The Constitution of Madinah was a historical document authored and dictated by Prophet Muhammad as the law of a land inhabited by different ethnic groups and nationalities. The document secured and promoted cooperation and fraternity among all people of any creed, color, ethnicity, and lineage, and set down the criterion of righteousness as the base of distinction.

A Human Soul

In addition to the legislation that the Prophet laid down in Madinah, he also practiced the spirit of acceptance and respect for those who were different in his daily life. The Prophet used to visit the sick people among the Jews as well as the Muslims; and when on one occasion the funeral procession of a Jew passed before him, he stood up as a sign of respect for the deceased. “Why did you stand up for a Jewish funeral?” he was asked. The Prophet replied: "Is it not a human soul?" (Al-Bukhari)

In this age of racial profiling and targeted killings directed at Muslims this attitude of the Prophet may sound other-worldly.

Works Cited:

Burhan, Fysal. "The Prophet of Islam and the Jews: Basis of Conduct, Acceptance, Respect and Cooperation". last accessed March 26, 2006.

Pickthall, Marmaduke Muhammad. "Madras Lectures on Islam". 1927.

** Professor Shahul Hameed is a consultant to the Discover Islam Section in IslamOnline. net. He also held the position of the President of the Kerala Islamic Mission, Calicut, India. He is the author of three books on Islam published in the Malayalam language. His books are on comparative religion, the status of women, and science and human values.

Mountains

In this article we will speak about the scientific facts that were mentioned in the Quran more than 1400 years ago and how humans have only come to know these facts in the last two centuries thanks to the great evolution of modern technology.
The facts we are going to talk about are what mountains are and what their purpose is.
Up to the 18th century:
In the past mountains were perceived as just a mass on top of the earth’s surface until the beginning of the 18th century when Pierre Buger who was the head of an exhibition to the Andes mountains realized that the gravitational attributes of that area didn’t correlate to the huge mass of the Andes mountains in fact it was much smaller than he had expected.
To make his calculations he used a Plumb bab, Due to his observations he inferred that there must be a huge amount of mass which was invisible to him and he deduced that it must be underneath the mountains.
The beginning of the 19th century:
In the beginning of the 19th century there were many geological surveys done by British geological expeditions in the Indian peninsula.
They discovered irregularities in gravity readings near the Himalayas which were put down as the mystery of India because in their minds it had no logical explanation.
The middle of the 19th century:
This is when Sir George Everest concluded that these irregularities can not have any explanation other than that these huge mountains must have extensions that reach deep inside the earth.
And these extensions either have the same density as the mountains do or are denser.
He came to his conclusions by using:
-Triangulation Techniques.
-Astronomical Techniques.
He performed his calculations on two areas one which was about 153 meters away from any mountains and one that was surrounded by mountains.
-In the year 1865, Sir George Everest made a theory that the surface of the earth is not sufficient to hold the mountains on top of it and he imposed that the surface of the earth and the mountains on top of it are like floating islands on a sea of higher density rocks.
So for mountains to be stable as they are they must have roots inside the higher density area.

Year 1989:
In this year the scientific explanation of Sir George’s theory came from a group of models presented by the American geologist Dutton.
In these models he explained the theory of Isostasy, he had a sink filled with water and he put a group of wooden objects with different heights in the water, He observed that the hidden parts of the floating objects were equal to the seen parts. He called this the state of Hydrostatic balance. This corresponds to the state of the mountains.
-Up to this point everything was still in theory until the stage came when these theories became known facts as scientists are now capable of accurate calculations of what lies beneath the surface of the earth.
The two important facts:
The two important facts that science has reached today about mountains which were unknown thousands of years ago are:
1- Mountains are not just a mass on top of the surface of the earth they have roots inside the earth.
2- The existence of mountains on earth is crucial due to the fact that mountains are what keep the earth stable as it rotates.

The holy Quran:
-The Quran described mountains as pegs that keep the earth balanced.
“Have We not made the earth as a bed, and the mountains as pegs?”
Quran Surah Al Naba’ verse: 6-7

“And He has set firm mountains in the earth so that it would not shake with you”
Quran Surah Al Nahl verse: 15
-As we can see this meaning corresponds to the scientific discoveries, because pegs are used to keep tents down and stable and to perform their job they need to be submitted in the ground.

Figure 1: Mountains have deep roots under the surface of the ground. (Earth, Press and Siever, p. 413.)

Figure 2: Another illustration shows how the mountains are peg-like in shape, due to their deep roots. (Earth Science, Tar buck and Lutgens, p. 158.)

Figure 3: Schematic section. The mountains, like pegs, have deep roots embedded in the ground. (Anatomy of the Earth, Cailleux, p. 220.)

http://factofarabs. com/Mountains. html

My Story: How I Came to Islaam Shariffa Carlo

The story of how I reverted to al-Islam is a story of plans. I made plans; the group I was with made plans, and Allah made plans. And Allah is the Best of Planners. When I was a teenager, I came to the attention of a group of people with a very sinister agenda. They were and probably still are a loose association of individuals who work in government positions but have a special agenda - to destroy Islam. It is not a governmental group that I am aware of, they simply use their positions in the US government to advance their cause.

One member of this group approached me because he saw that I was articulate, motivated and very much the women's rights advocate. He told me that if I studied International Relations with an emphasis in the Middle East, he would guarantee me a job at the American Embassy in Egypt. He wanted me to eventually go there to use my position in the country to talk to Muslim women and encourage the fledgling women's rights movement. I thought this was a great idea. I had seen the Muslim women on TV; I knew they were a poor oppressed group, and I wanted to lead them to the light of 20th century freedom.

With this intention, I went to college and began my education. I studied Quran, hadith and Islamic history. I also studied the ways I could use this information. I learned how to twist the words to say what I wanted them to say. It was a valuable tool. Once I started learning, however, I began to be intrigued by this message. It made sense. That was very scary. Therefore, in order to counteract this effect, I began to take classes in Christianity. I chose to take classes with this one professor on campus because he had a good reputation and he had a Ph.D. in Theology from Harvard University. I felt I was in good hands. I was, but not for the reasons I thought. It turns out that this professor was a Unitarian Christian. He did not believe in the trinity or the divinity of Jesus. In actuality, he believed that Jesus was a prophet.

He proceeded to prove this by taking the Bible from its sources in Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic and show where they were changed. As he did this, he showed the historical events which shaped and followed these changes. By the time I finished this class, my deen had been destroyed, but I was still not ready to accept Islam. As time went on, I continued to study, for myself and for my future career. This took about three years. In this time, I would question Muslims about their beliefs. One of the individuals I questioned was a Muslim brother with the MSA. Alhamdulllah, he saw my interest in the deen, and made it a personal effort to educate me about Islam. May Allah increase his reward. He would give me dawaa at every opportunity which presented itself.

One day, this man contacts me, and he tells me about a group of Muslims who were visiting in town. He wanted me to meet them. I agreed. I went to meet with them after ishaa prayer. I was led to a room with at least 20 men in it. They all made space for me to sit, and I was placed face to face with an elderly Pakistani gentleman. Mashallah, this brother was a very knowledgeable man in matters of Christianity. He and I discussed and argued the varying parts of the Bible and the Quran until the fajr. At this point, after having listened to this wise man tell me what I already knew, based on the class I had taken in Christianity, he did what no other individual had ever done. He invited me to become a Muslim. In the three years I had been searching and researching, no one had ever invited me. I had been taught, argued with and even insulted, but never invited. May Allah guide us all. So when he invited me, it clicked. I realized this was the time. I knew it was the truth, and I had to make a decision. Alhamdulillah, Allah opened my heart, and I said, "Yes. I want to be a Muslim." With that, the man led me in the shahadah - in English and in Arabic. I swear by Allah that when I took the shahadah, I felt the strangest sensation. I felt as if a huge, physical weight had just been lifted off my chest; I gasped for breath as if I were breathing for the first time in my life. Alhamdulillah, Allah had given me a new life - a clean slate - a chance for Jennah, and I pray that I live the rest of my days and die as a Muslim. Ameen.

Source: http://www.islamica wakening. com/viewarticle. php?articleID= 414&

The Biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

1. When was the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) born?

He was born on Monday, 9th Rabi Al Awwal, April 22nd, 571 AC.

2. Where was the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) born?

In Makkah

3. What is the name of the Prophet's father?

Abdullah Ibn Abdul Muttalib.

4. What is the name of the Prophet's mother?

Aminah Bint Wahhab Ibn Abd Manaf Ibn Zahrah.

5. When and where did his (prophet's) father die?

He died in Makkah before Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) was born.

6. What is the name of the Prophet's grandfather?

Abdul Muttalib.

7. What was his granfather's position?

He was the chief of his clan Bani Hashim.

8. What is the Prophet's (p.b.u.h.) lineage up to his fifth ancestor?

He is Muhammad Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul Muttalib Ibn Hashim Ibn Abd Manaf Ibn Qusai Ibn Kilab.

9. Who suckled the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)?

First Thuyeba, the freed slave girl of his uncle Abdul Uzza known as Abu Lahab, then Haleema Bint Abu Dhuaib, best known as Haleema Al Sadiyah.

10. Who named the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)?

Abdul Muttalib.

11. What did Muhammad's (p.b.u.h.) mother name him?

Ahmad.

12. Why did she (the Prophet's mother) choose this name?

Because she saw an angel in a dream calling the new-born baby Ahmad.

13. How old was Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) when his mother died?

Six years old.

14. Where did his mother take him?

She took him to Yathrib (Madinah) to visit her relatives.

15. Where did his mother die?

On her way back to Makkah, she died at Abwa and was buried there.

16. Who brought Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) back to Makkah?

His father's slave girl, Umm Aiman (May Allah be pleased with her).

17. Who took the charge of his care?

His grandfather Abdul Muttalib.

18. How long did The Prophet's grandfather take care of the Prophet Muhammad?

For two years.



19. How was his (Abdul Muttalib's) behavior with Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)?

He loved him very much and preferred him to his own sons.

20. What did Abdul Muttalib foretell about his grandson?

That he would hold a prestigious position.

21. Who took care of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) after the death of Abdul Muttalib?


His uncle Abu Talib.


22. How old was Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) when his grandfather Abdul Muttalib died?

About eight years old.

23. When did Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) travel to Syria and with whom?

He went to Syria with his uncle Abu Talib when he was twelve years old.

24. Who was Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her)?

She was a wealthy merchant of Makkah.

25. Why did she (Khadijah) want to marry Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)?

Because of his truthfulness and good conduct.

26. When did she (Khadijah) marry Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)?

When she was 40 years old.

27. How old was Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) at the time of the marriage?

He was 25.

28. What did he (the Prophet) give her (Khadijah) as Mahr (dowry)?

Twenty camels.

29. Was Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her) a widow?

Yes. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) was her third husband.

30. How was Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) known in the society?

He was known as Al Ameen (Truthful) and Al Sadiq (trustworthy) .

31. Did he get any sort of education?

No, he was illiterate.

32. What should one say when the Prophet's (p.b.u.h.) name is mentioned?

One should say "SALLALLAHO ALAIHE WASALLAM " (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

33. How many times is the name of Muhammad mentioned in the Holy Quran?

Four times.

34. What are the names of the Prophet's (p.b.u.h.) uncles?

They are: Harith, Zubair, Abu Talib, Hamzah (May Allah be pleased with him), Abu Lahab, Ghidaq, Maqwam, Safar and Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him).

35. Did his uncle Abu Talib accept Islam?

No, he died a polytheist.

36. In the New Testament by what name was the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) mentioned?

By the name of Paraclete.

37. What is Kabah?

It is the oldest house of worship on the earth.

38. Who built it?

The Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismael (May Allah be pleased with them).

39. How did Quraish arrange rebuilding of Kabah?

They divided the work among various tribes. Each tribe was responsible for rebuilding a part of it.

40. Who laid the stones?

A Byzantine mason called Baqum.

41. Where did the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) go into seclusion?


To the Cave of Hira.


42. What was the fist stage of the revelation?

True dreams.

43. When did the first revelation come down to him?

On Monday, 21st of Ramadan, at night (August 10th, 610 AC). He was forty years then.

44. Who brought it?

Jibrael.

45. Who were the first to embrace Islam?

Four persons: Khadijah his wife, Zaid Ibn Haritha his freed slave, Ali Ibn Abi Talib his cousin and Abu Bakr his friend (May Allah be pleased with them).

46. Who accepted Islam at the instance of Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him)?

Uthman Ibn Affan, Zubair Ibn Awwam, Abdur Rahman Ibn Awf, Sad Ibn Abi Waqqaas, Talha Ibn Ubaidullah and Saeed Ibn Zaid (Umar's son-in-law) (May Allah be pleased with them).

47. Who were the ladies to accept Islam at first?

Abbas's wife Ummaul Fadl, Abu Bakr's wife Asma Bint Umais, his daughter Asma Bint Abi Bakr and Fatimah Bint Al Khattab Umar's sister (May Allah be pleased with them).

48. How was the Dawah done in the beginning?

It was done in secret.

49. How many people embraced Islam in the early stage?

About forty.

50. How many years did the call in secret continue?

For three years.

51. During this period, where would the Muslims gather secretly?

They would gather secretly in the house of a Muslim called Arqam to learn about Islam and the revelations sent down to the Prophet ( p.b.u.h.).

52. When did the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) start to preach Islam openly?

After three years when he received the revelation to that effect.

53. What was the impact of his public preaching?

The people accepted Islam increasingly.

54. What was the main miracle of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.)?

The Holy Quran.

55. Did the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) perform other miracles?

Yes, the splitting of the moon was one of them.

56. Who was Abu Jahl?

One of the Prophet's (p.b.u.h.) uncles.

57. Name some of the disbelievers of Makkah who supported the Prophet (p.b.u.h.), but did not embrace Islam until the end.

Abu Talib, Mutim Ibn Adi and Abul Bukhtari.

58. How long did Abu Talib protect the Prophet (p.b.u.h)?

For 42 years - from the Prophet's childhood until he himself died.

59. Who was Mutim Ibn Adi?

A chief of Makkah.

60. When did he (Mutim Ibn Adi) give protection to the Prophet (p.b.u.h.)?

When the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) returned from Taif and wanted to enter Makkah.

61. When did he (Mutim Ibn Adi) die?


He was killed in the Battle of Badr.


62. Who was Abul Bukhtari?

He was a poet.

63. How did he (Abul Bukhtari) support the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.)?

He spoke out against the social boycott.

64. What lead the Muslims to emigrate to Abyssinia?

Their growing persecution at the hands of Quraish.

65. Which Surah lead to this emigration?

Surah Az Zumar.

66. When was Abul Bukhtari killed?

In the battle of Badr.

67. Who was then the King of Abyssinia?

The King of Abyssinia, known as Najjashi (the Negus), during the time of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) was As'hama.

68. When did the first group of Muslims leave for Abyssinia?

In Rajab, in the fifth year of Prophethood.

69. How many persons were there in the group?

12 men and 4 women.

70. How were the emigrants received in Abyssinia?

They were received warmly and hospitably.

71. When did the second group of emigrants leave for Abyssinia?

In the fifth year of Prophethood.

72. How many people formed the group?

83 men and 18 women.

73. Name a prominent companion included in this group.

Ja'far Ibn Abi Talib (May Allah be pleased with him).

74. What did Quraish do?

They despatched two envoys to Abyssinia to demand the extradition of the emigrants.

75. How did the King respond?

He refused to extradite the Muslims and assured them of his full protection.

76. When did Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) accept Islam?

At the age of 27.

77. Who was Bilal Ibn Rabah (May Allah be pleased with him)?

He was a slave of Umayyah Ibn Khalaf.

78. What was his (Bilal Ibn Rabah's) origin?

He was of Abyssinian decent.

79. What was the name of Bilal's mother?

Hamama.

80. Who was Yaser (May Allah be pleased with him)?

He was a slave of Abu Jahl.

81. Who was Sumayyah (May Allah be pleased with her)?


She was Yaser's (a slave of Abu Jahl) wife.


82. Who was Ammar (May Allah be pleased with him)?

He was Yaser and Sumayyah's only son.

83. How did Summaya (May Allah be pleased) die?

Abu Jahl murderded her with a bayonet.

84. Who was Zaid Ibn Haritha (May Allah be pleased with him)?

He was a slave.

85. Who purchased him (Zaid Ibn Haritha)?

Khadijah's nephew Hakim Ibn Hizam purchased him and presented him to her.

86. What did Khadijah do with Zaid Bin Haritha?

She presented him to the Prophet who set him free.

87. Did Zaid Bin Haritha want to go to his parents?

No, he preferred to live with the Prophet (p.b.u.h.).

88. To whom was Zaid Bin Haritha married?

To Umma Aiman (May Allah be pleased with her).

89. Who was Ja'far?

He was the elder brother of Ali Ibn Talib (May Allah be pleased with him).

90. Where did he (Ja'far) emigrate?

To Abyssinia.

91. Who was Ali (May Allah be pleased with him)?

He was the son of Abu Talib and cousin of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.).

92. When did Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) accept Islam?

When he was 19.

93. What was he (Ali) called for his bravery?

The "Lion of Allah".

94. Whom did Ali first marry?

He first married the Prophet's (p.b.u.h.) daughter Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her).

95. How many sons did Ali have from her?

Two sons: Hasan and Husain (May Allah be pleased with them).

96. When did Sa'd bn Abi Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) become a Muslim?

When he was 19.

97. Where did Sa'd (May Allah be pleased with him) die?

He died in Al Madinah.

98. What was Sa'd's advice to Muslims?

To stand united.

99. Who was Abu Bakr's father (May Allah be pleased with him) and did he accept Islam?

He was Uthman (May Allah be pleased with him) (Abu Quhafah). Yes, he accepted Islam during the Conquest of Makkah.