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- Muhammad - The Messenger of Allah Al Olonzo (2011) Contents: Brief Life of Prophet Muhammad Marriage of Muhammad Battle of Badr Battle of Ohud Battle of Khandaq Treaty of Hodaibiya Battle of Khyber Fall of Makka Treaty with Christians Last pilgrimage Death of the Prophet Pen and Paper Incident Sayings of Holy Muhammad - Brief Life of Prophet Muhammad Born in Makka on 17th Rabiul Awwal about 53 years before Hijra. The year of his birth was called “Amul Feel” due to the invasion of the Kaba by Abraha the viceroy of the Abysinian King. Since the forces of Abraha arrived on elephants which are “Feel” in Arabic, the Arabs called this the Year of the Elephant. According to the Christian Calendar it was 571 AD. The Roman Empire was in decline, the Capital was transferred from Rome to Constantinople and the whole of Europe was divided into little kingdoms fighting among each other. On the Eastern side The Sasanid Empire of the Persians was also in decline. This was the world scene when a boy was born to the most renowned family of the Qoraish, the Banu Hashim. His father was Abdullah son of Abdul Muttalib and his mother was Amena daughter of Wahb. As a baby he was sent to the nearby Baduin Tribe where a lady called Halima nursed him. Muhammad was born an orphan as his father Abdullah died a few months before his birth. His grand father Abdul Muttalib looked after the boy. Abdul Muttalib died when Muhammad was only 8 years old and then his uncle Abu Talib the father of Ali, took over the upbringing of his nephew. His first journey outside Arabia was to the northern parts of Syria with the trading caravan of his uncle Abu Talib. During one such journey an old Christian monk called Bohaira met the trading caravan and saw young Muhammad who was about 14 years old at that time. The old monk told Abu Talib to look after the boy well, “for very soon his enemies will try to hurt him”. The monk also told Abu Talib that he saw unusual signs in the boy who will grow up into someone very important. Muhammad remained with his uncle’s family until the age of 25. It was due to his honesty and straight forward manner that he was successful in trading and became known to many traders in Makka . Marriage of Muhammad One of the leading trading families in those days was the family of Khadija a widow who was looking for an honest young man to look after her business affairs. Muhammad took Khadija's caravan party to Syria and various other places and was a great success. Khadija was impressed and asked him for marriage. Although being much older then Muhammad, (she was 40 years old), the marriage was agreed upon by both families and Muhammad’s uncle Abu Talib read the Khutba of marriage and performed the marriage ceremony according to the Ibrahimic traditions: “Praises be for Allah who was the God of Ibrahim who worshipped one God and a muslim. I am the descendent of Ibrahim and have remained on the same religion of One God. May Allah keep this purity among the descendents of Ibrahim for ever”. After this Khutba Abu Talib completed the marriage ceremony between Muhammad and Khadija. Muhammad moved to her house and the partnership from trading to partnership in life began in earnest. A baby daughter was born to Khadija within a few years after the marriage. She was named Fatima. Khadija had two daughters from her earlier marriage, which ended in widowhood. So the three daughters, two from Khadija’s earlier marriages and one from Muhammad grew up together in the same house. History mentions another boy growing up in Muhammad’s house. He was Ali, Abu Talib’s son. Ali was born in the year 600 AD when Muhammad was 30 years old. Fatima’s birth was recorded some five year’s later. So the difference of ages between Fatima and Ali was about 5 years. Muhammad treated Ali like a son and took him everywhere he went. Ibn Hisham writes that Muhammad began to meditate more and more. He would leave the town of Makka to the nearby hill called Jabal el Noor. There was a cave at the top of the hill and Muhammad would climb the mountain and sit in the cave to meditate. Sometimes he would stay there for days. Many times Ali accompanied him. One such story tells us that on one occasion Muhammad did not return for 3 or 4 days and Abu Talib was concerned. His son Ali was also with him. They had taken some food with them. So the searching party from Makka went to the mountain looking for the two. When they reached the top and entered the cave they found Muhammad and Ali meditating together, safe and sound. Abu Talib asked Muhammad what did he do there. Muhammad told his uncle that he and Ali were engaged in meditating about the creator of the universe, the God of Ibrahim and Ismael This meditation continued until one day a voice was heard inside the cave. It said, “Read”. Muhammad replied what shall I read. The voice said, “Read in the name of thy Lord”. He was Angel Gabril who told Muhammad that he was ordained by Allah to be the Messenger of Allah and to preach this “Deen” to the people. This was the first revelation that came over Muhammad when he was told to begin his preaching of the Quran to Makkans. Muhammad came home and told Khadija about this who immediately accepted him as the Messenger of God. She also said that her uncle Warqa had told her that Muhammad had the signs of a great Messenger. When the news of this first revelation of Verse from the Quran had reached Warqa through Khadija he told her, “Didn’t I tell you that this husband of yours was the Messenger of God”. Ali was living with Muhammad and had also accompanied him to the Mountain of Hira, and had also experienced the revelation with Muhammad. He had no doubts who Muhammad was and was the first to acknowledge him as the Messenger of Allah. Khadija among the women, their daughter Fatima and the two daughters from Khadija’s earlier marriage. All acknowledged Muhammad as the Messenger of Allah. Muhammad used to enter the Kaba and pray there with Khadija and Ali. The story was mentioned by Ibn Hisham: 'One day these three were praying while Abbas son of Abdul Muttalib, Muhammad’s uncle was sitting on the nearby hill and watching. A trader from Yemen was sitting with Abbas. He asked Abbas who were these three people praying in a strange man. The woman was Muhammad’s wife Khadija and the boy was Abu Talib’s son Ali. “they follow some strange ‘deen’ which we are not familiar with yet,” was Abbas’s reply. Muhammad said that “Lailaha Illallah” means that there is no god, only Allah that Muhammad is His messenger, and that all men are born equal. He taught against idolatry, and against social injustices of the time. In the beginning this preaching of One God went on secretly. Zaid and Abu Bakr were the other two who accepted Islam. The slave community of Makka began to accept this because they liked the tone of equality of all human beings. But once they accepted the faith they became steadfast never to go back to their adulatory even after suffering torture by their masters. Muhammad preached Islam secretly for 3 years but only a few people were converted to Islam. At the end of the 3rd year Allah told Muhammad to “invite your own family and clan and announce to them that you are preaching Islam.” Muhammad asked Ali to prepare some food. Some bread, meat and milk was brought in. Over 40 heads of the Tribes of Qoraish were invited. They came, ate food then before Muhammad was able to say anything they all dispersed. So the next day Muhammad Invited them again and immediately after food Muhammad announced, “I am the Messenger of Allah and my message is of peace and surrender to One God, any one who helps me in this work will be my Deputy and will be my successor after me.” Ali who was only 13 years old stood up and told Muhammad he will help him in his work. Muhammad asked Ali to sit down and repeated the same announcement three times and all three times Ali stood alone. In the end Muhammad announced that Ali would be his deputy and successor after him. One head of the tribesmen laughed at this and one even told Abu Talib, father of Ali that “now you should obey your son.” Now that this religion came out in the open the Qoraish of Makka became openly hostile. In the beginning they thought that the whole thing was a joke, but gradually when it became serious, they were angry and became openly hostile. For the people of Makka and towns like Taif, this was a very strange religion. They disliked it so much that first they persecuted the muslims, then organised a boycott of Muhammad and his whole family of Banu Hashim. They banished him from Makka and the whole family lived in the Hills and mountains around Makka. The place became known as Shoibe Abu Talib, As Abu Talib as Head of the Clan of Banu Hashim protected the family while they were in exile. For three years the family suffered hunger and great poverty. The Leaders of Quraish had written down on a peace of goatskin that Banu Hashim shall never return to the city until Muhammad denounces his single god religion. At the end of three years Muhammad told his uncle Abu Talib to go to Makka and tell the Makkans that the peace of skin on which the agreement was written was no more. As it was sealed and was kept inside the Kaaba and no one was allowed to enter the place, they were surprised. The leaders said that if Muhammad was right and the argues no more, then they will lift the siege of Banu Hashim and let them return to the city. The Kaaba was opened, the sealed box was opened and the peace of parchment on which the agreement was written was found to be consumed by insects. When they saw this they agreed to liftthe siege and allowed the family of Banu Hashim to return to the City. Little had they realised that the news of this miraculous knowledge of Muhammad about the disappearance of the parchment, had a great effect on the people of Makka and they began to accept Islam. After this event many more Makkans were accepting Islam readily, especially the poor class of Makka who accepted Islam in earnest. But with this conversion, the feudal lords of Makka had increased their hostility towards new converts, punishing them and torturing them so much so that in the end Muhammad told them to migrate to another land. Habasha (Abysiniya) was the nearest country across the seas where they could hope to be safe. So the first migration began and about 83 new muslims under the leadership of Ali’s elder brother Jafar son of Abu Talib, migrated to Habasha. Until that time Jaafer was the main writer of the revelation (Wahii) with 2 other companions named Abdullah ibn Masud and Obay ibn Kaba. Masab ibn Omair was also an early convert to Islam and a writer of the Revelation. He was sent to Yathrib to teach Quraan to the people early there who had shown a great interest in this new creed. Ali, after his elder brother Jafar’s departure to Habasha became the head among the writers of the Revelation. Ali continued with the writing of the Revelation up to the last Verse of the Holy Quran. This was revealed after the Khutba of the Holy Prophet at Ghadir-e-Khum on 18th of Zilhijja 10th Hijri. This verse is in Sura 5 (Maeda) v3 which says that “This day I have perfected your Deen for you, and I have completed my blessings on you, and I have approved Islam for your Deen.” Seventy days after the event, the Holy Prophet passed away. Islam was spreading rapidly, Muhammad’s uncle Hamza entered the fold of Islam which gave great strength to the new creed. It was at this time that Omar ibn Khattab also came to accept Islam. After Muhammad’s return from the Shoab Abi Talib to the normal city life of Makka, Islam had start to spread rapidly under the protection of Muhammad’s uncle Abu Talib. But Allah had other plans. Abu Talib and Khadija both died within one year which was a sad blow to the family. The Hostility of the Qoraish had taken a dangerous trend especially after the death of Abu Talib. Abu Lahab and Abu Sofyan who were the leaders of the hostile group against Islam made plans to end Muhammad’s life. They thought of a scheme where if one person from each tribe of Qoraish surrounded Muhammad’s house, entered the house in the morning and killed him then the blame would be on all tribes and Banu Hashim would not be able to take revenge. Allah told the Prophet of this scheme and instructed him to leave the city of Makka and migrate to Yathrib. Muhammad asked Ali to sleep in his bed to deceive the enemy. Ali asked “ will this save your life,” Muhammad said yes, it will save my life. Ali replied, “then I have no hesitation in sleeping in your bed disguised as you.” While Ali slept in Muhammad’s bed, Muhammad himself left the house undetected by the enemy who had surrounded his house with open swords. Abubakr was with the Prophet, when they left Makka from the southern exit and hid in a cave a few miles away. While they were inside the cave a spider weaved a web on the entrance to the cave to give an impression that no one had entered the cave. Meanwhile in Makka the enemy with open swords entered Muhammad’s house in order to kill him, but found Ali sleeping soundly. They asked Ali, where was Muhammad to which Ali replied, “have you entrusted him to me?” The enemy left disappointed, but realised that Muhammad must have gone to Yathrib. They tried to follow the tracks with the help of professional trackers and reached the cave of Thaur where these two were sitting inside. But the spider’s web deceived them and they all came back disappointed. Muhammad reached Yathrib, the town some 400 kilometres north of Makka and the converts there named the city as ‘the city of the Prophet’ (Madinatun Nabi). Ever since then the town has been known as Madina. The date of this migration was 26th July 623 AD and under the new Islamic Calendar, the first year of the Hijra. Ali stayed in Makka to give back to the owners all the valuables which the people of Makka had deposited with Muhammad for safe keeping. After three days when this important task was completed Ali set out for Madina and arrived there a week later. Muhammad waited for him at the outskirts of the town and entered the town with the whole family. The People of Madina helped Muhammad settle in this new place. Their help was appreciated so much so that they were called Ansars, the Helpers, while those who came from Makka were called Muhajiroon, the migrants. On orders from Allah, Muhammad brought Muhajirs and Ansars together by making each Ansar a brother to a Muhajir. This way they shared each others property like brothers. Muhammad took Ali as his brother in faith, although Ali was his cousin in relation to blood. (Sirat by Ibn Hisham). Muhammad’s daughter Fatima was about l 9 years old and there were many suitors, but whenever somebody asked Muhammad for Fatima’s hand in marriage he kept quiet. One day Ali came to the mosque and asked for Fatima’s hand in marriage. Muhammad replied, "Yes, this has been ordained by Allah." He asked, "What property do you have," to which Ali replied, "not much." He had a sword, a horse and a protective shield. Muhammad said, "sell the shield, because you will need the horse and the sword for the protection of Islam." Ali sold his shield for 200 Dirhams, brought the money to Muhammad who added another 200 Dirhams over it and asked his companions to buy household goods to set up home for the newly weds. He then read the Khutba and finalised the marriage of Ali and Fatima. This was in the First year of the Hijra. This was a simple Islamic marriage which should be copied by all muslims instead of spending lavish amounts of money and huge dowries to cripple the parents economically forever. As Islam was the religion of peace and surrender to the Will of God, aggression had been forbidden. In spite of various attacks on the newly converted muslim community in Madina, Muhammad had forbidden all retaliation. News came from Makka that all those who left Makka had lost their property. The Makkans had taken all they had left behind. Muhammad’s uncle Hamza asked Muhammad to fight with the Kuffars of Makka but he did not agree. In the end when news came that the Makkans were marching towards Madina to fight Muhammad and his newly converted muslim community, the Verses came down on Muhammad to stand up and defend your “Deen”, but do not exceed the limits. In other words you can only defend, aggression was totally forbidden. (2: 173) The Battle of Badr In the 2nd year of Hijra, 624 AD, 'The Battle of Badr' took place. The Makkans marched towards Madina with 1000 soldiers. Muhammad with his army of 313 men came out of Madina. Badr is situated some 10 miles south of Madina and 240 miles north of Makka. The Makkans travelled all the way to Madina to defeat Islam. The Muslims had no choice but to defend Islam. Hamza, Ali Obaida came out of the Muslim side in single combat with the chiefs of Makka who were all slain. The battle ensued and at the end of the day the Makkans were defeated with 70 dead, while very few muslims were killed. Those Makkans who were taken captive were told that if they could teach muslims to read and write, they would live freely in the city and be provided with food and shelter. This was a clear direction that gaining knowledge was the first priority in Islam. The Battle of Ohud In the 3rd year of Hijra, ‘The Battle of Ohud’ took place. The Makkans did not like their defeat in Badr and began their preparations in earnest. They came with 3000 men to fight Islam. Muhammad heard the news and came out of Madina with 700 men. Muhammad arranged his small army in such a way that the mountain was behind them. Some 30 archers from the army were strategically placed in an opening in the mountain to protect the muslims from any attack from behind. Initially the Makkans were no match for the valour of the muslim soldiers and they began to run away. Newly converted Muslim soldiers prematurely thought they had won the war, so they began to take possession of the booty of war. When the 30 archers saw this, they left their strategic mountain pass to join the others. Khalid Ibne Walid saw this opening and cleverly attacked from behind on the person of the Prophet himself. It was Ali and a few other true companions of the Prophet that saved the day and saved the life of the Prophet. The Prophet was himself injured by a stone. Khalid bin Walid shouted ‘Muhammad is killed’, upon which hearing this, many companions began to run away in panic. The wounded Prophet was left in the battlefield with only Ali, Hamza, Abu Dajjana and Zakwan to defend him. These brave warriors fought fiercely and during this encounter Hamza was killed by a spear wound inflicted by the Slave of Abu Sofian’s wife Hind. Zakwan and Abu Dajjana lay wounded and Ali was left alone to defend the Holy Prophet. Ali had received 16 wounds during this battle. He picked up the Holy Prophet while he was surrounded by the enemy and with Khalid shouting to finish the Prophet off for good. Ali fought against them, killing two of them, which led the others to run away. Ali boldly lifted the Holy Prophet and carried him to the mountain and safety. Ali kept shouting, “ the Holy Prophet is alive” so that the muslims who ran away might come back. Those muslims who had not run far returned and saw the wounded Prophet and his daughter Fatima attending to his wounds. They took heart and began to fight the enemy under the command of Ali and drove them away. The victory was gained. The Prophet returned to Madina and declared three days of mourning for his uncle Hamza. The Holy Prophet told people that Angel Gabril who said that there is no braver youth than Ali and no better sword than Zilfiqar applauded Ali’s bravery. (Details of this battle can be read in the History of Tabari, Waqidi and Abul Fida). The Battle of Khandaq The Battle of Khandaq: 4th year of Hijra, 626 AD: At the end of the battle of Ohud when Abu Sofian was unable to hurt the Holy Prophet, he returned to Makka after promising that he will come back next year and will take revenge for the defeats of Badr and Ohud. This time it was not only the non believers of Makka who were with him. He had also taken the help of the Jews of Madina to defeat Islam for ever. The Jewish tribes of Madina promised to help in two ways, one to send soldiers to fight in the battlefield and two to create fear among the women and children who were left in the town unprotected. The Prophet’s companion Salman Farsi suggested that the muslims must dig a moat on the unprotected side of the town. The muslims took this advice and the moat was ready within 3 days in which the Prophet himself took part. When the enemy forces arrived at the scene they were unable to enter the city due to the newly dug moat and they stayed on the outer side. But one of their most famous soldier's named Amr bin Abd Wud jumped the moat with his horse and challenged the muslims to fight with him. When The Prophet asked his bravest to go and fight Amr none of them was eager to come out. Omar ibn Khattab even suggested that this man was so brave that he fought one thousand men alone and defeated them. Ali was eager as ever to fight this man and he came out with the blessings of the Holy Prophet who said, ‘Today the whole faith has come out to fight the whole infidelity. ”Ali was able to kill the enemy soon and when the Prophet saw Ali victorious he uttered the words “Verily one blow of Ali’s sword on the day of Khadaq is superior to the worship of all beings until the Day of Judgement.” Amr was killed, but the battle was not over. Armies of non believers were on the other side of the ditch while the muslims were inside the city almost besieged without any provisions. After a while with the prayers of the Holy Prophet a storm blew up that frightened the army of the non believers and they ran away never to come back again. Treaty of Hodaibiya After the battles of Badr, Ohud and Khandaq the infidels of Makka avoided any further military ventures. The Prophet decided to perform Umra in the 6th year of Hijra (628 AD) As the muslims approached Makka, the infidels of Makka did not like this and stopped the muslims entering Makka. Seeing them bent on aggression, the apostle of God agreed to a treaty with the Makkans. Imam Ali wisely drafted it. The terms outwardly looked humiliating to muslims that if a muslim was taken captive by the infidels he will not be returned but if an infidel comes to the hands of the muslims he will be released immediately. When the Holy Prophet signed the treaty, Umar ibn Khattab disliked it so much that he uttered the words,” I have never doubted about the Prophethood of Muhammad this much as I did today.” He questioned the Prophet about this humiliating agreement to which the Prophet replied, "I am the Messenger of Allah and all my acts are on the orders from Allah." But it is evident that this deviation from the path of the Prophet was later to become an acceptable norm rather then an off the cuff event. Later you will see how this misconceived habit of contradicting the infallible Prophet of Islam created divisions within the religion itself. Those who followed Ali, as the follower of Prophet’s Sunna, became the partisan of Ali. Others followed Omar ibn Khattab. (see Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al Kholafa) The Battle of Khyber The Jews of Madina ever since their treachery during the battle of Khandaq, were always on the look out for some mischief to hurt Islam. This mischief mongering increased so much so that they were banished from the city to live outside Madina. They had extensive lands and had built strong fortresses where most of the jewish community lived. The fort of Khyber was a strong fort built of stone with an iron gate. It was the strong hold of the jews who invaded muslim lands and villages around the area. They killed muslims and looted their property. Warnings were given to the Jews of Khyber to stop their mischievous deeds but they did not bother even to acknowledge their misdeeds. The Holy Prophet proceeded to stop this problem for the muslims. Muslim forces encamped outside this fort. It was in the month of Muharram in the 7th year of Hijra. On the First day Abubakr led the muslim forces to fight the Jews. The Jews came out of the fort. A furious battle was fought; muslims could not break the Jews onslaught and retreated back to their camp. The Next day Omar ibn Khattab took the flag and tried to defeat the Jewish forces without success. That night the Prophet announced,” Tomorrow I will give the flag of Islam to a man who is brave and does not run away from the battlefield, he loves Allah and the Prophet of Allah and Allah and His Prophet love him.” The Next day, after morning prayers the Prophet called for Ali and gave the Flag in his hands. Ali holding the flag in his hand went towards the fort. Noticing that only one man was coming towards the fort the Jews did not come out in the open field. Reaching the gates of the fort Ali fixed the pole on a hard stone slab. Noticing the fixing of the flag on a hard stone, a Jew who was a learned scholar, asked from the top of the wall, " Who are you? ”Ali replied, “I am Ali son of Abu Talib.” Hearing the name the learned scholar turned towards his people and told them, “I have read in the sacred bothat a man of this name will defeat you." In accordance with the convention of the Arabs, Ali announced his challenge and demanded the bravest of them to come out and fight him in single combat. Merhub, one of the brave and skilled warriors came out and was killed by Ali in one blow. His brother Anter came out and he was also killed in a single blow of Ali’s sword Zulfiqar. Once these brothers were killed Ali went towards the iron gates and brought them down. Once the gates were open muslims entered the fort and soon the Jews were defeated. This was a great victory for muslims, for the Jews were a mischievous lot and had been giving a lot of trouble to muslims of Madina and those living around. Most of the Jewish land came into the muslims hands. It was at this time that a Palm orchard called Fadak also came into the muslim hands. The Prophet of Islam took this orchard for himself and later gave it to his daughter Fatima. The battle of Khyber was a turning point in the defeat of the Jews of the Province of Hejaz and victory for Islam. Fall of Makka On the 10th of Ramazan 8th year of Hijra the Holy Prophet left Madina for Makka with a large number of his companions. On arrival at Makka the Prophet met no resistance. The people of Makka were so overawed that they did not come out, and most of them for fear of their lives hid themselves in their houses. Prophet’s uncle Abbas Ibne Abdul Muttalib took Abu Sofian to the Holy Prophet. The Holy Prophet asked him, “ Has the time not come for you to verify the truth of accepting Allah and my Prophethood.” Abu Sofian replied, "For that my heart still wavers." Abbas hearing this reply said loudly, "woe to you, be quick in accepting Islam or you might be killed.” Thereupon Abu Sofian verified that Muhammad was the Prophet of Allah and recited the Kalema. His son Moawiya also came in the fold of Islam at this time together with other children of Abu Sofian. The Holy Prophet then declared that any one who enters Abu Sofian’s house would be safe. Holy Prophet then entered the Kaba and began to demolish all the 364 idols perched inside the Holy shrine. The biggest one was Hubul and to destroy that idol The Prophet asked Ali to climb over his shoulders and bring the idol down to the ground. This way the Kaba was cleared of the idols and was purified in the same manner as Holy Prophet’s ancestor Ibrahim did in the beginning when he built the Shrine for the service of one God and none else. After the bloodless victory of Makka, the battle of Hunain took place in which Ali was the main champion who had defeated the non-believers and most of the tribes around Makka accepted Islam. The battle of Tabuk took place in the same year when Prophet went to the North of Madina. In this battle he did not take Ali with him. Instead he appointed Ali as the leader in Madina while the Prophet was away. Some mischievous persons told Ali that he was left with women and children rather then fighting with the Prophet. When Ali enquired this from the Prophet he replied,” would you not prefer the state of affair as it was between Moses and his brother Aaron, except that there will not be a Nabi after me. What the Holy Prophet meant that by leaving Ali inside the city of Madina as his deputy, The Prophet was setting the example of Moses when he left Aron in his place and left for Mount Sinai. This Hadith is called Hadith-e-Manzelat which clearly declares that Ali was to become Prophet’s successor after him.(see Saheehe Bukhari Kitab el Ahlulbayt, Also Soyuti Kitab al Khulafa) The Treaty with the Christians of Najran The 9th year of Hijra was of great importance because of the treaty with the Christians of Najran, This treaty is regarded of vital importance because it was the result neither of war nor of any discussion but ended in Mubahela between the Holy Prophet and the Christians of Najran. (This means cursing each other). The Christians of Najran were unhappy because of the rapid spread of Islam in the land of Arabs. They wished to discuss this matter with the Prophet and arrived in Madina. The Christians who had a continuous dialogue with the Prophet for three days selected few learned scholars. It started on Saturday, when Sunday arrived and they asked to leave to go outside the city to pray the Prophet told them to stay and pray inside the Mosque of the Prophet which they did to their surprise. Prophet of Islam was setting the example that there is freedom of worship in Islam for all who believe in God. After their Sunday service their discussion continued. They were unable to arrive on any mutual understanding. The sticking point was the claim by the Christians of the divinity of Jesus Christ as the son of God. The Holy Prophet told them, “ The birth of Jesus Christ is similar to the birth of Adam. Allah created Adam without father and mother while Jesus was born without a father and from his mother only. None of the two was the son of God. This is the truth, for you accept the creation of Adam without parents yet do not claim him to be of divine essence. Why then do you deviate from this truth." When they did not agree on this point revelation from Allah came on the Prophet. (3:61) The Verse reads like this.” If you are not prepared to accept the truth after the fact that you have failed in your arguments, Say, Come now, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, our Selves and Your Selves, then let us humbly pray and so lay God’s curse upon the ones who lie.” The next morning the Holy Prophet emerged from his house with his closest family. He held the hand of Imam Hasan walking beside him, held Imam Hussain in his arms, followed by his daughter Fatima. Ali followed her. He came and stood with this family in front of the Christian Bishops who also came forward to perform the Mubahela. The chief of the Christians was Bishop Abul Harris. When he saw this small family of the Prophet he turned towards his fellow christians and told them,” do not indulge in Mubahela with this family, for I am observing such pious faces that if they would order the mountain to come to them the mountain shall move towards them. It is therefore prudent to make treaty with them rather than confrontation of this spiritual imminence. They asked the Prophet for peace and it was accepted. The Holy Prophet extended the hand of friendship towards them, a treaty was signed and both parties left on friendly terms. The last pilgrimage On the 25th Zeeqad of the 10th year of Hijra the Holy Prophet left Madina for a pilgrimage to the Holy Kaba at Makka. This was to be the last pilgrimage of the Holy Prophet. A very large number of people were with him who performed this last pilgrimage with the Prophet. At the mount of Arafat the Prophet gave his last sermon and came out of Makka towards Madina. Half way through their route the caravan arrived at a place called Ghadeer-e-Khum. It was 18th of Zilhijja 10th year of Hijra. The Prophet stopped there and made a general announcement to stop all those pilgrims with him. When all companions were assembled at the place the Prophet announced, “ Know all my followers that I am about to leave this mundane world. I am leaving behind two valuable things for your future guidance. One is the Book of Allah and the other is my Ahlulbayt, which is my family. If you follow these two you will never be misled." After this the Holy Prophet took Ali by his hand, raised him up so that all can see him. The Prophet said, “ Do you accept that my Self is above your Selves. When all the companions replied in unison, "Yes, O Prophet of God, we accept, "then he announced that who ever accepted him as his master, then Ali is to be their master. "O’ God, be witness that I have passed your message as thou have ordered. Those who have love for Ali will have love for me and those who will love me will love Allah." After this Kutba the Prophet arrived back in Madina at the end of the month of Zilhijja. The Death of the Holy Prophet In the month of Safar 11 Hijra, the Holy Prophet fell ill. Most of this time was spent in house of Ayesha from where he would come out to the mosque and lead the prayers. One day he was very ill so he asked Ayesha to call Ali for prayers. She called her father Abu Bakr instead and asked him to lead the prayers. While Abu Bakr was leading the prayers The Prophet woke up. When he realised who was leading the prayers, he came out of the house with the help of his uncle Abbas and his Moazzin Bilal, stood in front of Abu Bakr and lead the prayers. From there the Prophet returned to the House of his daughter Fatima where he stayed until the last day of his life. Pen and Paper Incident It is narrated in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim that Ibn Abbas narrated: When the Holy Prophet was seriously ill, and all of us were around him, he opened his eyes and said, bring me pen and paper so that I may write something, which shall always guide you and shall keep you on the Right Path and shall save you from being astray. Hearing these words from the lips of the Holy Prophet, Omar said, "Ur- Rajulo la -Yahjur”, meaning this man was talking which makes no sense, he is uttering rubbish. ”Hasbona Kitab Allah, the Book of God is sufficient for us.” This gave rise to a dispute among the companions. Some were of the opinion that as the Holy Prophet was to be obeyed at all times and under all circumstances a pen and paper should be provided to him, while some of them were on the side of Omar. The hot discussion on that point between the companions gave rise to noise and the Holy Prophet angrily told them to go away from his presence and leave him alone.” Whenever Ibn Abbas, who was the most profound scholar and commentator of the Holy Quran and the most reliable narrator of the traditions, remembered the event of the day, he used to weep and would say, “Alas, what an unfortunate day it was when the Holy Prophet demanded that a pen and paper be provided to him and there arose a dispute among his companions and they made such a noise that the Holy Prophet told them to get away from him and leave him alone.” The Holy Prophet asked Ali to come close to him. Ali came and observing the ailing condition of the Holy Prophet raised his head and placed it on his own chest. The Prophet passed away while his head was resting on the chest of Ali. The news of the death of the Holy Prophet spread quickly among the companions. All of them came out of their house weeping and crying loudly. Umar was very upset. He took his sword out and demanded that nobody should say that the Prophet was dead. Then he took Abu Bakr away from the place to a house outside Madina called Saqifa Bani Saida. Many companions went with them. While Ali and most of the Bani Hashim stayed in the house of the Holy Prophet while Ali prepared for his burial. Tthe funeral bath to the Holy Prophet was given by Ali, assisted by his uncle Abbas and many other relatives. The Holy Prophet laid to rest on the night of Wednesday. He was 63 years of age. He was buried in the house of his daughter Fatimah that was annexed to the Mosque of the Prophet. - Sayings (Traditions) of the Holy Prophet 1. "Seek knowledge even if it were in China." It was knowledge of good from evil, which made man worthy of getting the great job of the vice-regency of God on earth. Knowledge has given man superiority over more powerful creatures. It is self evident that nations, which had more knowledge, acquired greater power. The above tradition stresses the need of acquiring knowledge even if one has to travel long distances. 2. "Masses follow the religion of their rulers.” A deep study of history surely reveals the truth of this proverbial saying. Christianity was going through a very hard time until Constantine the great made it a state religion of the Roman Empire. After acquiring this status Christianity spread throughout the Empire like bush fire. More or less the same thing happened in the East when Islam became the religion of the ruling class. Even now in this age of so called individual freedom and a democratic life style, in most countries force is used to subdue and subjugate the people who dare to defy the policy of the ruling classes. This clearly means that a just and guided ruler is essential for the up lifts of the people as a whole, hence the need of the presence of an Imam to guide them. 3, “Refrain from slanderous situations. People say that such and such a person associates with thieves, he must be a thief himself. A wise man keeps himself away from such situations.” 4. “Actions are determined by their intentions.” Saying prayers while your mind is somewhere else is worthless." 5. "To associate with a learned man for an hour is better than the company of a worshipper for seventy years." 6. “A man asked the Holy Prophet during the battle of Badr, “What is Deen”. The Prophet replied, Belief in One God and service of the people.” ----

Sacred Sayings

--

Sacred Words from Holy Beings

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Fatimah

Fātimah bint Muhammad az-Zahrā' (605 or 615 - 632 AD) was the daughter of Muhammad and Khadījah. Among her titles include: "az-Zahrā" (meaning, "the Shining One"), "Umm-ul-Abīhā" (meaning, "Mother of her Father"), and "Sayyidat-un-Nisā il-‘Ālamīn" (meaning, "Leader of the Women of the Universe").

Sourced--

· First thy neighbour, and there after your own house.

oFascinating Discourses of the 14 Infallibles

· God has required us (the Ahlul Bayt) to be obeyed for the sake of protection of the Ummah (community) and Imāmat (leadership); and our leadership is obligatory to protect against disunity.

Rivers of Light, vol.29, p.233

· And (Allah set) the subordination and obedience of us (the houshold of the Prophet (saww)) for the security of society's system, and our Imāmat as a safety from seggregation and disunity.

oAyan al-Shī‘ah, vol.1, p.316

· Oh Muslims! Is my inheritance usurped? Oh son of Abu Quhafa (Abu Bakr), is it in the Book of Allah that you inherit your father and I do not inherit my father? Surely you have done a strange thing! Did you intendedly desert the Book of Allah and turned your back on it? Allah said: "And Solomon was David's heir." (27:16); and said about John son of Zechariah: "Grant me from Thyself an heir, who should inherit me and inherit from the children of Jacob." (19:5-6) and said: "And the possessors of relationships are nearer to each other in the ordinance of Allah." (8:75), and He said: "Allah enjoins you concerning your children: The male shall have the equal of the portion of two females." (4:11), and He said: "Bequest is prescribed for you when death approaches one of you, if he leaves behind wealth for parents and near relatives." (2:180). You claimed that I have no position, and no inheritance from my father, and there is no kinship between us. So did Allah distinguish you with a verse, from which He excluded my father? Or do you say: people of two religions do not inherit each other? Am I and my father not of one religion? Or are you more aware of the Qur’an than my father and my cousin? So, here it is before you! Take it with its noseband and saddle! It shall dispute with you on the Day of Punishment; what a fair judge Allah is, the master (of the inheritance) is Muhammad, and the appointment is the Day of Resurrection. At the time of the Hour the wrongdoers shall lose, and it shall not benefit you to regret then! For every Message, there is a time limit, and ye shall know to whom a punishment that will confound him comes, and upon whom a lasting doom will fall.

Rivers of Light, vol.29, p.216 ; al-Tabarsi, al-Ihtijāj, vol.1, p.132-141

· I have been hired by Allah to get a wage, which if the space between the Earth and sky is filled up with pearls, still (the wage) would be more than it, for each of the questions I may answer you. Therefore, I deserve it that I must not feel tired or exhausted (in answering your questions).

Rivers of Light, vol.2, p.3

Religious Wisdom

· Allah made the faith for you as a purity from polytheism (and unbelief).

oAyan al-Shī‘ah, vol.1, p.316

· Service (is) the cause of your getting distant from pride.

oAyan al-Shī‘ah, vol.1, p.316

· Alms (is) for the purity of your soul, and flourishment and expansion of your sustenence.

oAyan al-Shī‘ah, vol.1, p.316

· Fasting (is) for the maintainance and firmness of your sincerity.

oAyan al-Shī‘ah, vol.1, p.316

· Allah set Hajj for the consolidation and reinforcement of the religion.

oAyan al-Shī‘ah, vol.1, p.316

· Allah executed and rendered justice for the sake of putting together and harmonization of the hearts.

oAyan al-Shī‘ah, vol.1, p.316

· (Allah rendered) patience as a help for getting reward.

oAyan al-Shī‘ah, vol.1, p.316

· Commanding goodness and forbiding to do evil (are) for the amendment and correction of society and the common folks.

oAyan al-Shī‘ah, vol.1, p.316

· And (Allah made) the kindness to parents as a protectional (shield) to His wrath and displeasure.

oAyan al-Shī‘ah, vol.1, p.316

· Allah made joining and connecting with the kinship and cognation, the cause of lengthening of life.

oAyan al-Shī‘ah, vol.1, p.316

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Ali

Ali bin Abu-Talib (c. 600 - 661) was the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, as well as being the first Shī‘ah Imām and fourth Sunni Caliph. Ali was revered for his knowledge and wisdom, and also for his eloquence as an orator and a poet.

· Fear only the will of God and you will have no cause to fear anyone else.

o[1]

· The best companion and helper is admirable morals.

Rivers of Light, vol.77, p.149.

· There are so many highly esteemed ones who became miserable and humiliated just because of their bad temper and morals; and humble people who have attained eminence and the highest honors because of good temper and morals.

Rivers of Light, vol.71, p.396.

· The weakest man is the one who is able to correct his moral defects, but doesn't take action.

oHusayn al-Nuri al-Tabarsi, Mustadrak al-Wasā'il, vol.11, p.324.

· He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, while he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere.

oAs quoted in "Considerations By the Way" in Conduct of Life by Ralph Waldo Emerson

oVariant translation: Believe me, a thousand friends suffice thee not; In a single enemy thou hast more than enough.

· A friend cannot be considered a friend unless he is tested on three occasions: in time of need, behind your back, and after your death.

oNahj ul-Balāgha.

· Two things cause people to be destroyed: fear of poverty and seeking superiority through pride.

Rivers of Light, vol.72, p.39.

The way of governance

Nahj ul Balagha Letter 53.

· These are the orders issued by the creature of Allah, Ali, the son Abu Taalib (a) to Maalik, the son of Ashtar when he appointed Maalik as the Governor of Egypt to collect Zakat there, to combat the enemies of Islam and Egypt, to work for the welfare of its people and to look after its prosperity.

· Do not feel ashamed to forgive and forget. Do not hurry over punishments and do not be pleased and do not be proud of your power to punish. Do not get angry and lose your temper quickly over the mistakes and failures of those over whom you rule. On the contrary, be patient and sympathetic with them. Anger and desire of vengeance are not going to be of much help to you in your administration. Never say to yourself, "I am their Lord, their ruler and all in all over them and that I must be obeyed submissively and humbly" because such a thought will unbalance your mind, will make you vain and arrogant, will weaken your faith in religion and will make you seek support of any power other than that of Allah . If you ever feel any pride or vanity on account of your sway and rule over your subjects then think of the supreme sway and rule of the Lord over the Universe, the extent of His creations, the supremacy of His Might and Glory, His Power to do things which you cannot even dream of doing and His control over you which is more dominating than that which you can ever achieve over anything around you. Such thoughts will cure your mental weakness, will keep you away from vanity and rebellion (against Allah), will reduce your arrogance and haughtiness and will take you back to the sanity which you had foolishly deserted... Try carefully to realize that a ruler can create goodwill in the minds of his subjects and can make them faithful and sincere to him only when he is kind and considerate to them, when he reduces their troubles, when he does not oppress them and when he never asks for things which are beyond their power. These are the principles which you should keep in mind and act upon".

· Awaken your heart to kindness and mercy for the people and love and tenderness for them. Never, never act with them like a predatory beast which seeks to be satiated by devouring them, for the people fall into two categories: they are either your brethren in faith or your kindred in creation ... Do not ever say, 'I have been given authority' or 'My command should be obeyed.' Because it corrupts the heart, consumes one's faith, and invites calamities.

[Part of the famous epistle to Malik al-Ashtar.]


Regarding Knowledge; Wisdom

General

· There is no capital more useful than intellect and wisdom, and there is no indigence more injurious than ignorance and unawareness.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.198

oVariant translation: There is no wealth like knowledge, no poverty like ignorance.

· There is no knowledge and science like pondering and thought; and there is no prosperity and advancement like knowledge and science.

Rivers of Light, vol.1, p.179

· Associating with the wise and the knowledgeable people adds to the prestige of a person.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.6.

· An alert and learned man will take advice from any event.

Rivers of Light, vol.1, p.160.

· There are three signs of a knowledgeable person: knowledge, forbearance and silence.

Rivers of Light, vol.2, p.59.

Religious

· When wisdom reaches the acme of perfection it, will suppress the vicious instincts and injurious desires.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.6.

· To whatever extent a person's knowledge increases, his attention will be turned more towards his soul.

oHusayn al-Nuri al-Tabarsi, Mustadrak al-Wasā'il, vol.11, p.323.

· Allah, the Exalted, gave the angels intellect without desires, He gave the animals desires without intellect, and He gave both to the sons of Adam. So a man whose intellect prevails over his desires is better than the angels, whilst a man whose desire prevails over his intellect is worse than the animals.

Rivers of Light, vol.60, p.299, no.5.

Regarding the Qur'an

· Recitation of the Qur'an without contemplation and thought is futile.

Rivers of Light, vol.92, p.211.

· Reciter and listener of the Qur'an are alike in prize and reward.

oHusayn al-Nuri al-Tabarsi, Mustadrak al-Wasā'il, vol.4, p.261.

· Understanding the knowledge and wisdom of the Qur'an is by far, higher than memorizing.

o Al Kafi, vol.4, p.418.

· The one from among the Muslims who recites the Qur'an but in the end finds his way to hell, is considerd to be among those that have taken the word of Allah in jest.

Rivers of Light, vol.92, p.182.

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Hasan ibn Ali

Hasan ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib ‎(625 - 670 AD) was the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, the son of ‘Alī and Fātimah, as well as the second Twelver Shī‘ah Imām.

Regarding Knowledge

· If you cannot teach knowledge, than you should teach your intuition.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.111

· Thought, meditation and pondering is the life of clear sighted people

Rivers of Light, vol.72, p.115

· Both the abodes (this world and the Hereafter) are grasped by the intellect, and whoever is deprived of the intellect is deprived of them both.

oal-Irbili, Kashf al-Ghamma, vol.3, p.197

General Quotes

· The heart that is empty of doubt is the cleanest of hearts.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.109

· Nothing sweetens life like a pleasant disposition.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.111

Religious-based Quotes

· I wonder at those who think about their body's food, but do not think about their soul's food. They keep away disturbing food from their belly, but fill up their hearts with destructive subjects.

oShaykh ‘Abbās Qummi, Safīnatul Bihār, Article of Taste

· Am I not the proof (Hujjat) of the Almighty, being his remembrance upon his creatures? Did not the Holy Prophet of Islam (saww) say, "Hasan and Husayn are two Leaders (Imāms), whether they are sitting or standing"? If I had not done this work (signed the peace treaty), nobody from amongst the Shī‘as would have remained in this world, and everybody would have been killed and annihilated.

oShaykh al-Sadūq, Ilal al-Shara'i, vol.1, p.211

· I am among Ahlul Bayt, whom God has made obligatory on all Muslims to love. He, the Blessed and Most High, has said: "I do not ask of you any reward for it except love for (my) kin; and whoever earns good, We will give him more of good" [Qur'an, 42:23]. Therefore, earning good is showing love for us, Ahlul Bayt.

oShia source: al-Fadhl ibn al-Hasan al-Tabrisi, Majma‘ al-Bayān, vol.9, p.29

oSunni sources: Ibn Hajar Al-Haythami, Al-Sawā'iq al-Muhriqah, p.101 ; Ali ibn Abu Bakr al-Haythami, Majma‘ al-Zawa'id, vol.9, p.146 ; al-Hakim, al-Mustadrak ‘alā al-Sahihain, vol.3, p.172

· Shaykh al-Mufīd, Kitāb al-Irshād, p.279-289:

o(About the death of his father, ‘Alī): There has died tonight a man who was the first among the early (Muslims) in (good) actions. Nor did any later (Muslims) attain his level in (good) actions. He used to fight alongside the Apostle of God, may Allah bless him and his family, and protect him with his own life. The Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family, used to send him forward with his standard while Gabriel supported him on his right and Michael supported him on his left. He would not return until God brought victory through his hands. He, peace be on him, has died on this the night - on which Jesus, son of Mary, was taken up (to Heaven), on which Joshua, son of Nūn, the testamentary trustee (wasi) of Moses, peace be on him, died. He has left behind him no gold nor silver, except seven hundred dirhams of his stipend (ata'), with which he was intending to buy a servant for his family.

·

oI am the (grand) son of the one who brought the good news (Bashīr). I am the (grand) son of the warner (Nadhīr). I am the (grand) son of the man who, with God's permission, summoned (the people) to God. I am the (grand) son of the light which shone out (to the world). I am of the House, from whom God has "sent away abomination" and whom God has "purified thoroughly" [Qur'an, 33:33]. I am of the House for whom God has required love in his Book, when God, the Most High, said: "Say: I do not ask you for any reward except love for (my) kin; Whoever earns good, will increase good for himself [Qur'an, 42:23]." The good is love for us, the House.

·

oI have not become one who bears malice to any Muslims, nor one who wishes evil or misfortune for him. Indeed what you dislike about unity is better for you than what you like about division. I see what is better for you, better than you see for yourselves. Therefore do not oppose my commands and do not reject my judgement. May God forgive both me and you, and may He guide me and you to that in which there is love and satisfaction.

·

oOh you who mention Ali, I am al-Hasan and Ali was my father. You are Mu'āwiyah, and your father was Sakhr (Abu Sufyan). My mother was Fātimah and your mother was Hind. My grandfather was the Apostle of God and your grandfather was Harb. My grandmother was Khadījah and your grandmother was Futayla. May God curse him who tries to reduce our reputation and to diminish our nobility; (you are the one) who does evil against our antiquity and yet (you are the one) who has been ahead of us in unbelief and hypocrisy.

·

o(On his death-bed): My brother (Husayn), I am leaving you and joining my Lord. I have been given poison to drink and have spewed my liver into a basin. I am aware of the person who poisoned me and from where I have been made a subject to this deceitful action. I will oppose him before God, the Mighty and High. Therefore by the right I have with regard to you, say nothing about that and wait for what God, the Mighty and High, will decide concerning me. When I have died, shut my eyes, wash me and shroud me. Then carry me on my bier to the grave of my grandfather, the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family, so that I may renew my covenant with him. After that take me to the grave of my grandmother, Fatima daughter of Asad, may God be pleased with her, and bury me there. My brother, the people will think that you intend to bury me with the Apostle of God, may God bless him and his family. For that reason, they will gather to prevent you from doing it. I swear by God that you should not shed even your blood into the cupping-glass in (carrying out) my command.

--

Husayn ibn Ali

Husayn ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib ‎(626 - 680 AD) was the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, the son of ‘Alī and Fātimah, as well as the third Shī‘ah Imām.

Regarding the Advent of Karbalā

· Yazid is a transgressor, a drunkard, killer of innocent people and an open sinner, we will never give our allegiances to the likes of him.

·

oIbn A'tham al-Kufi, Al-Futuh, vol.5, p.18-19

· I never revolted in vain, as a rebel or as a tyrant, but I rose seeking reformation for the nation of my grandfather Muhammad. I intend to enjoin good and forbid evil, to act according to the traditions of my grandfather, and my father ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib.

Rivers of Light, vol.44, p.329

· Oh people, the Messenger of God said: Whoever sees an aggressive tyrant that legalizes the forbiddens of God, breeches divine laws, opposes the tradition of the Prophet, oppresses the worshippers of God, and does not concede his opposition to God in word or in deed, surely Allah will place that tyrant (in the Hell) where he deserves.

oKhawarazmi, Maqtal al-Husayn, vol.1, p.234

· Never will be salvaged the people who win the consent of the creature, at the cost of the dissatisfaction of the creator.

oKhawarazmi, Maqtal al-Husayn, vol.1, p.234

· Our enemy is the enemy of my grandfather, Muhammad.

oal-Shahid al-Tustari, Ihqaqul-Haq, vol.11, p.592

· Oh God! Surely you know that whatever we did was not a competition to gain worldly positions and not for the worthless physical attractions of the world. But to show the signs of religious ways and to remove corruption from your lands, so that the oppressed feel secured and act according to your traditions and rules.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.239

Regarding Wisdom

· Receiving education nurtures human wisdom.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.128

· Increase of experiences, increases the wisdom of mankind.

Rivers of Light, vol.78 p.128

· Wisdom will not be complete except by following the truth.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.127

· Among the signs of a learned man is criticising his own words and being informed of various viewpoints.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.119

· Two signs of learned person are: acceptance of other people's criticism, and being knowledgeable about the angles and dimensions of rhetoric and debate.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.252

· The wise one does not speak to one whom he fears he shall be belied, he does not ask anyone of anything if he fears he shall not give, and he does not repose hope on one whom he does not trust.

oRayhānatur Rasūl, p.55

General Quotes

· People are slaves to the world, and as long as they live favorable and comfortable lives, they are loyal to religious principles. However, at hard times, the times of trials, true religious people are scarce.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.117

· One who reveals your faults to you like a mirror is your true friend, and one who flatters you and covers up your faults is your enemy.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.128

· Death with honor is better than a life of degradation.

Rivers of Light, vol.44 p.192

· Associating with corrupt people makes you subject to suspicion.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.122

· The most generous person is the one who offers help to those who do not expect him to help.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.121

· Tolerance is man’s ornament, keeping promises is a sign of nobility, and bonding with others is a grace.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.122

· When you are frustrated and do not know a way out, only flexibility and moderation towards difficulties will save you.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.128

Religious-based Quotes

· Anybody who would like to have a long life and make his subsistence expanded, should pay visits to his own relatives.

Rivers of Light, vol.74, p.91

· One who pursues a goal through sinful ways, will ironically distance himself from that goal, and will approach what he was afraid of.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.120

· Honor and dignity of man is only in virtue and piety.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.128

· If one does not have these five things there is no good in him: intellect, religion, etiquette, shame and good manners.

oRayhānatur Rasūl, p.55

· Whoever seeks the satisfaction of people through disobedience of God, then God subjects him to people.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.126

· Those who worship God for the hope of gaining, they’re not real worshippers, they’re merchants. Those who worship God out of fear (of punishment), they’re slaves. And those who worship God to be grateful towards their creator, they are the free people, and their worship is a real one.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.117

--

Ali Zayn al-Abidin

‘Alī ibn Husayn Zaynul ‘Ābidīn (658 - 713 AD) was the fourth Twelver Shī‘ah Imām. He was the son of Husayn ibn ‘Alī and was the great-grandson of Muhammad. He is known to both Sunni and Shī‘ah Muslims as Zaynul ‘Ābidīn (Jewel of the Worshippers) and only to Shī‘as as Imām Sajjād (The prostrating Imām).

General Quotes

· If people realize the value of science and knowledge, they will sacrifice themselves for earning it.

Rivers of Light, vol.1, p.183

· I wonder at him who shows haughtiness and vainglory, while he was as a sperm yesterday and will be a carrion tomorrow.

oBalāghat al-Imām Zayn al-‘Ābidīn, p.27 ; Mirza Muhammad Taqi Lisan al-Mulk Sipihr, Nāsikh al-Tawārikh, vol.1, p.484

· There was no day like the Day of al-Husayn, when thirty thousand men advanced against him (while) they claimed that they belonged to this community, and that they (wanted) to seek proximity to Allah, the Great and Almighty, through (shedding) his blood. He (al-Husayn) reminded them of Allah, but they did not learn (from him) till they killed him out of (their) oppression and aggression.

Rivers of Light, vol.9, p.147

· Surely, I have never brought to mind the martyrdom of the children of Fātimah (A.S.) except that I have been choked with tears due to it.

Rivers of Light, vol.46, p.109

Religious Wisdom

· I assure (you) before my Lord, that he who begs without neediness, will some day begs out of neediness.

oWasail al Shia, vol.6, p.305

· (The position of) patience in faith is like that of the head in the body, and he who has no patience has no faith.

o Al Kafi, vol.2, p.89

· The dearest among you to God (the High), is the one whose deeds and behavior are better than others.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.136

· Anybody who performs his necessary duties that God has obliged him perform, he himself will be one of the best worshippers of all.

oWasail al Shia, vol.11, p.206

· Be aware that the most detested person in the presence of God, is the one who accepts an Imam as a leader, but doesn't follow him in action.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.287

· To what extent you can, avoid bad deeds, even if everybody takes you as the agent of bad deeds.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.161

--

Muhammad al-Baqir

Muhammad ibn ‘Alī al-Bāqir (676 - 743 AD) was the fifth Twelver Shī‘ah Imām, grandson of Husayn, and second generation grandson of Muhammad. He was given the title "Baqir al-‘Ulūm" ("revealer / splitter of knowledge and wisdom"), due to his ample knowledge of religion and his enthusiasm to teach to other people. Muhammad al-Baqir became a teacher, and he is remembered for his knowledge in both religious and judicial matters. His son, Jafar al-Sadiq was also a student of his.

General Quotes

· Take the good speech from whoever said it even if his practice was not accordingly.

Rivers of Light, vol.75, p.170

· The parable of a man greedy of this world is the parable of the silk worm: the more it winds the thread round itself the farther it becomes from salvation, until it dies of grief.

o Al Kafi - Book of Faith and Infidelity, vol.3, p.202; vol.2, p.316

· Being sociable and affable with people brings kindness and friendship.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.306

· There is no strength higher than overcoming carnal desire.

Rivers of Light, vol.75, p.165

Regarding Knowledge; Wisdom

General

· Learn knowledge and science from him who teaches it, even if he doesn't practice what he preaches.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.299

· There is no pain worse than ignorance and lack of intellegence.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.165

· Opposition of one's desires is the sign of the highest level of wisdom in a human being.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.164

Religious

· On the Day of Judgement, God will interrogate people according to the wisdom he has granted them.

Rivers of Light, vol.1, p.106

· Knowledge and science is the fruit of paradise; in times of threat it is one's ally, in exile it keeps one company, and in solitude it is one's intimate friend and companion.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.55

· The person who teaches one chapter of guidance to the people will have a reward similar to all those who would act upon it, and nothing would be lessened or subtracted from the reward of those who practise it; and the one who teaches a chapter of misguidance, he will have the burden similar to each one who acts upon it, and nothing will be lessened from their burden of sin.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.297

Religious Wisdom

· Consider the world as an abode where in you have dropped down for an hour, then you have got to leave it and go ahead; or (suppose it is) like the wealth which you lay hands upon in a dream and become over-joyed and glad. Then you wake up to find yourself empty handed.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.287

· Whoevers tongue utters the truth, his practise becomes purified; and the one whose intention is decent and good, his sustenance increases; and whoever adopts good attitude and decent behavior with his family, his life span lengthens.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.295

· Three things destroy a man: considering his own deeds to be really great, forgetting the sins that have been committed, considering his own opinion to be the highest.

oAl Khisaal. vol.1, p.112

· Fasting is a shield against (hell) fire. Charity and dole remove and finish sin, as does the remembrance of God in the midnight.

o Al Kafi, vol.2, p.23

· The scholar whose knowledge is made use of and benefited from, is worthier and more virtuous than seventy thousand worshippers and adorers.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.294

· By Allah no one is our Shī‘ah except that he has piety for God and obeys him. They (the Shī‘ah) are not known and recognized except for their humility, modesty, fear of God, trustworthiness, plenty of remembrance of God, fasting, service, kindness to the parents, looking after the poor neighbours and afflicted people, mentioning them with nothing except goodness and beneficence; and they are the trustees for their tribes in all the affairs.

o Al Kafi, vol.2, p.84

· Beware of sluggishness, annoyance and impatience, since they are the keys of all the evils. The person who commits sluggishness and slackness never at all discharges any rights (obligations); and the one who gets annoyed and restless, does never at all remain patient over the right (God's decree on him).

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.295

· Indeed, the most terrifically sorry of all the people on the day of resurrection, will be the servant who defines and shows the way of justice to the people, while he himself opposes it.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.298

· Goodness to parents, and paying visits to ones own relatives, will ease the accounting on the Day of Judgement.

Rivers of Light, vol.74, p.86

· Indeed, when a man earns wealth from a haraam (prohibited source) - neither Hajj, nor Umra, nor strengthening of his blood kinship, is ever at all accepted or approved. By God, Almighty.

Rivers of Light, vol.75, p.375

· Indeed, faithful is the one who - when pleased and glad, his pleasure does not make him enter into sin and falsehood; and when unhappy and angry, his anger does not oust him from the world of righteousness; and when he gains power, his power does not make him commit excess, nor opression, nor make him go for a thing upon which he does not have any right.

o Al Kafi, vol.2, p.234

· There is no servant except that there exists a white spot upon his heart. So when he commits a sin, a black spot arises into that white spot. Then when he repents, this black spot moves away. But if he continues on committing sins, the blackness of this spot increases till such time that it overwhelms and overrides the whiteness. When the whiteness is all covered over (by the blackness), the owner of it (the heart) does never at all return towards beneficence and goodness. And This is what God means when he says: "Nay! rather, what they used to do has become like a rust upon their hearts." (Qur'an, 83:14)

o Al Kafi, vol.73, p.332

· The person who loves for the sake of God, and detests and despises for the sake of God, and gives for the sake of God, is among those whose faith has achieved completion.

o Al Kafi, vol.2, p.124

· There are three hinges out of the completion of values, of this world and the here-after:

o1) Forgiving the one who has committed excess and aggression against you.

o2) Joining the one who cuts off relations and ties with you.

o3) Forbearance and tolerance for the one who committed a folly, and showed poor behavior and misconducts towards you.

Ibn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.293

· I admonish you regarding five things:

o1) If you are wronged, do not commit wrong doing to others;

o2) If you are betrayed, do not betray anyone;

o3) If you are called a liar, do not be furious;

o4) If you are praised, do not be jubilant;

o5) If you are criticised, do not fret and think of what is said in criticism - if you find in yourself what is criticised about you, then you are falling down in the eyes of God; when you are furious about the truth, it is a much greater calamity then your falling down in the eyes of the people. And if you are opposite of what is said (in criticism) about you, then it is a merit you acquired without having to tire yourself in obtaining it.

Rivers of Light, vol.75, p.162

Unsourced

· Our followers are of three kinds: one who follows us but depends on others; one who is like a glass involved in his own reflections; but the best are those who are like gold, the more they suffer the more they shine.

· There is no drop more loved by God than a teardrop that falls in the dark of the night from fear of God, meant solely for Him and no one else.

--

Ja'far al-Sadiq

Ja‘far ibn Muhammad as-Sādiq (702 – 765 AD), was a theologian, jurist as well as the sixth Twelver and Mustaali Shī‘ah Imām, and the fifth Nizari Imam. His rulings are the basis of the Ja‘farī school of Shī‘ah jurisprudence (fiqh); but he is well respected by both Shī‘as and Sunnis. He is the direct descendant of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islām.

General Quotes

· Be careful to have truthful friends and try to obtain them, for they are your support when you are in welfare, and your advocator when you have misfortune.

Rivers of Light, vol.74, p.187

· Immorality and surliness makes the human's life miserable and bitter.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.392

· There are three things that signify the magnanimity of a person: good temper, patience, and to avoid aggressive gaze.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.232

· Whenever the mind of a person is rectified, he becomes strong and powerful in appearance.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.208

· Paying visits to ones own relatives prolongs the life of a person and prevents poverty and indigence.

Rivers of Light, vol.74, p.58

· The person who is aware of the present situations of his time, will never get involved with falsifying and wrongdoing.

o Al Kafi, vol.1, p.31

· Having the foresight to plan to earn a living, is half of the peace and leisure in life.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.204

Regarding Knowledge; Wisdom

General

· One who does not use his intelligence will not succeed and one who does not use his knowledge will have no intellect. One who understands will attain nobility and excellence, and one who is tolerant will triumph. Knowledge is a shield (against evil), truth begets honour and ignorance disgrace, understanding is distinction, generosity is salvation and good manners command love and respect.

o Al Kafi - The Book of Intellect and Ignorance.

· A learned person among ignorant people, is like a live person among the dead.

oShaykh al-Mufīd, Al-Amali, p.40

· To acquire knowledge is neccessary at all times.

Rivers of Light, vol.1, p.172

· Write knowledge since you can’t memorize unless with writing. Heart confides to the written.

Rivers of Light, vol.1, p.202

· Everything has its tax and the tax of knowledge is to teach its people.

oEighth Infallible Sayings: Golden sayings of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (AS)

· Being cheerful and affable with people is by itself half of wisdom.

Rivers of Light, vol.76, p.60

· It makes no sense at all if people consider the one who lacks knowledge and science as a prosperous person.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.382

· The person who associates with scholars, will have his reputation exalted.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.202

· There are two kinds of scholars: those who act on their knowledge, these are the saved ones; and those who do not put into practise what they know, these are led to their downfall.

o Al Kafi, vol.1, p.55

· Precision, accuracy and pondering in wisdom and sciences, will nourish and develop a person's brain.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.247

Religious

· Seek Knowledge and adorn it with forbearance and dignity. Be humble to those whom you teach and to those from whom you learn. Don't be tyrannical in your teaching conduct, for you will forfeit that to which you are entitled to (the reward) on account of it.

o Al Kafi - The Book of the Merits of Knowledge.

Religous Wisdom

· The believers have four signs: good humor, tactfulness, kind heartedness and openhandedness

oWasail al Shia, vol.6, p.321

· A sin that accelerates death and annihilation of man is breaking off paying visits to one's own relatives.

Rivers of Light, vol.74, p.94

· My words are the words of my father, and the words of my father are the words of my grandfather, and the words of my grandfather are the words of my great-grandfathers - Hasan and Husayn; and their words are the words of Ali, and the words of Ali are the words of the Prophet of Allah; and the words of the Prophet are the words of Allah.

o Al Kafi - The Book of Intellect and Ignorance. Ch.17

· The basis of religion is our affection for the household of the holy Prophet.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.183

· Everything has a foundation, and the foundation of Islām is our affection for the household of our Prophet.

o Al Kafi, vol.3, p.77

· As for ‘Alī ibn Husayn (a), he cried over Husayn (a) for twenty years (after the tragedy of Karbalā); never would any food be placed before him except that he would begin to weep.

Rivers of Light, vol.46, p.108

· God has appionted to the grave of Imām Husayn (a), four thousand anguished and grief-stricken angels, who weep over him (and shall continue to do so) up until the Day of Judgment.

oJa‘far ibn Muhammad ibn Qulawayh, Kāmil al-Ziyarat, p.119

· Seventy thousand angels worship near the grave of Imām Husayn (a). The prayer (salah) of one of them, is equal to a thousand prayers of mankind. The reward of this prayer is for the visitors of Imām Husayn's (a) grave. The curse of God, His angels and all mankind is forever upon the killers of Imām Husayn (a).

oJa‘far ibn Muhammad ibn Qulawayh, Kāmil al-Ziyarat, ch.42, p.393

· The one who visits the grave of Imām Husayn (a) knowing his right (of Imāmat), then it is as if he has done the Ziyārat of God on the ‘Arsh (throne).

oJa‘far ibn Muhammad ibn Qulawayh, Kāmil al-Ziyarat, ch.71, p.192

--

Musa al-Kadhim

Mūsā ibn Ja‘far al-Kādhim (746 - 799 AD) was the seventh Twelver Shī‘ah Imām. He was the son of Ja‘far as-Sādiq and was the fifth generation grandson of Muhammad.

General

· Cheerfulness and good nature, purge hatred and rancour.

o Al Kafi, vol.3, p.162

· Anger is the key to any evil.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.416

· The likeness of this world is as the water of the sea - however much a thirsty person drinks from it, his thirst increases so much so that the water kills him.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.311

Regarding Knowledge; Wisdom

General

· Human beings have not been given anything higher than wisdom and intellect.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.419

· Learn sciences which offer you both your corrective destinies and corrective threats.

oal-Nuri, Mustadrak al‑Wasā'il, vol.12, pg.166

· Silence is a great wisdom.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.414

· Association with a learned one in the slums, is by far better than sitting with an ignorant person on sumptuous and luxurious carpets.

o Al Kafi, vol.1, p.48

Religious

· The sleep of a wise man is far better than the worship of an ignorant one during the night.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.419

· Consultation with a wise advisor is a blessing, grace, guidance and success.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.420

Religious Wisdom

· The most reasonable way of blessings and honesties will be obtained through opposing sensuality.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.421

· Everything has a tax, and the tax for the bodies is recommended fasting.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.425

· A believer is as the two pans of a scale, that whenever his faith increases his afflictions increase.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.432

· The best means by which a slave seeks proximity to God after recognising Him, is praying, benevolence to the parents, and abandonment of envy, self-conceit and vaunting.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.412

· Save yourself from the wrath of Allah (swt), and do not abandon speaking the truth, even though it (apparently) causes your destruction. Know that truth does not lead into your annihilation; rather it is a saviour. Always let go of the untruth; even though it (apparently) saves you. Untruth is never a saviour, and it eventually leads into annihilation.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.408

· When the fifth from my offspring disappears, then, I adjure you by Allah to watch for your religion so that no one would take it away from you. Without doubt, there shall be an occultation for the holder of this matter, until such time that (most) people who believe in his Imāmat would leave their belief. Verily this (occultation) is but a test by Allah, the Glorious, for his creation.

Rivers of Light, vol.52, p.113 ;  Al Kafi, vol.1, p.336 ; al-Tūsī, Kitāb al-Ghayba, p.337

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Ali al-Rida

‘Alī ibn Mūsā ar-Ridhā (765 - 818 AD) (Arabic: علي بن موسى الرضا‎ ) was the eighth Twelver Shī‘ah Imām. He was the son of Mūsā al-Kādhim and was the sixth generation grandson of Muhammad.

General Quotes

· The rank of the eldest brother is like that of father.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.335

· Every curiosity is in need of the curiosity of speech.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.335

· Time will come when one's safety lies in ten things: nine of which are in staying aloof from men, and the tenth in staying silent.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.446-450

· The best wealth is the one by which the honour of man is protected.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.352

· The miserly one is never restful; the envious is never pleased; the grumbler is never loyal; the liar has no conscience.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.446-450

· A trustworthy person does not betray you, but you consider the betrayer to be trustworthy.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.335

Regarding Knowledge; Wisdom

General

· The most valuable stage of wisdom is the stage of self-consciousness.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.352

· Wisdom and intellect is every man's friend, ignorance and illiteracy are his enemies.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.467

· Everyone's friend is his reason; his enemy is his ignorance.

o Al Kafi, vol.1, p.11 ; Wasā'il al-Shī‘ah, vol.1, p.161

· Knowledge and science are the coffers and caches to the treasures of Perfection; and the only access to them is to ask and question.

o‘Uyūn al-Akbar, vol.2, p.28

· Silence is a door among the doors of wisdom - indeed, silence begets and attracts love, it is the proof of all the beneficiences.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.355

· Some signs of understanding are: clemency, knowledge, and silence. Silence is one of the doors to wisdom. It brings about love and is evidence for all good.

o Al Kafi, vol.2, p.124

· Silence is one of the gates to wisdom.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.523

Religious

· For the Devil, the presence of learned one is by far more painful than a thousand worshipers.

Rivers of Light, vol.2, p.16

· A Muslim will never get tired and bored of educating himself throughout his life.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.467

· One who offers (suggests) what he doesn't know, will be under the curse of the angels of the heavens and the earth.

Rivers of Light, vol.2, p.116

Religious Wisdom

· Assisting the weak is better for you than your act of charity.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.446-450

· The worst of men is he who stops his contributions to charity, eats by himself, and whips his slave.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.335

· Worship is not the abundance of prayer and fasting; rather it is the abundance of reflecting on the affairs of God, the Great and Almighty.

oTabatabaei, Al-Mīzān, vol.8, p.369 ; Wasail al Shia vol.11, p.16

· Man is not worshipful unless he is clement.

o Al Kafi, vol.2, p.113

· He who reckons his own soul is successful; he who is heedless of it is unsuccessful.

o Al Kafi, vol.2, p.111

· Reason is a free gift from God and politeness is acquisition. He who undertakes politeness has power over it. He who undertakes reason increases (himself) through that nothing but ignorance.

o Al Kafi, vol.1, p.23

· He who takes himself to account gets benefitted, and the one who gets negligent and careless about himself bears loss. The one who fears (Allah) becomes peaceful, and the one who takes lesson becomes most clear sighted and discerning. He who becomes most clear sighted, understands; and he who understands and comprehends becomes knowledgeable and informed.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.352

· The one for whom the day of ‘Āshūrā is a day of tragedy, grief and weeping, Allah The Mighty, The Glorious, shall make the Day of Judgment, a day of joy and happiness for him.

Rivers of Light, vol.44, p.284

--

Muhammad al-Taqi

Muhammad ibn ‘Alī at-Taqī al-Jawād (811 - 835 AD) was the ninth Twelver Shī‘ah Imām. He was the son of ‘Alī ar-Ridhā and was the seventh generation grandson of Muhammad.

General

· Modesty is the decoration of poverty, thanks-giving is the decoration of affluence and wealth. Patience and endurance are the ornaments and decorations of calamities and distress. Humility is the decoration of lineage, and eloquence is the decoration of speech. Committing to memory is the decoration of tradition (hadīth), and bowing the shoulders is the decoration of knowledge. Decency and good morale is the decoration of the mind, and a smiling face is the decoration of munifence and generiosity. Not boasting of doing favours is the decoration of good deeds, and humility is the decoration of service. Spending less is the decoration of contentment, and abondoning the meaningless and unnecessary things is the decoration of abstention and fear of God.

oal-Shahid al-Tustari, Ihqaqul-Haq, vol.12, p.434

· The honour of a person lies in his needlessness from the people.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.365

· The one who conceals the (way of) prosperity and progress from you, has done enimity to you.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.364

· If the ignorant keeps silent, people would not differ.

oal-Shahid al-Tustari, Ihqaqul-Haq, vol.12, p.432

· The lapse of time uncovers hidden secrets.

oMisnad al-Imām al-Jawād, p.245

Regarding Knowledge; Wisdom

General

· Forebearence is the dress of a scholar, so do not get yourself undressed of it.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.362

· The one who acts without knowledge, destroys and ruins more than he rectifies.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.364

Religious

· Meeting and visiting brothers, even if little, causes the development and maturity of intellects.

oMisnad al-Imām al-Jawād, p.242

Religious Wisdom

· The boon and benevolence which is not thanked for, is like the sin which is not forgiven.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.365

· The one who commits aggression and tyranny, and the one who helps him upon it, and the one who is pleased over it - all are party and participants in it.

oal-Shahid al-Tustari, Ihqaqul-Haq, vol.12, p.432

· The one who attended a matter and disliked it, is as the one who was absent; and whoever was not present in an affair yet was pleased with it, is as the one who witnessed it.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.479

· Take patience as your pillow, hug poverty, discard lusts, oppose your desires and know that you are seen by God, so look at how you are.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.479

· The increase of blessing is not interrupted by God, unless thanksgiving is interrupted by the slaves.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.480

· Our upriser is The Mahdi, who should be waited for in his absence, and obeyed in his appearance. He is the third of my sons.

oMisnad al-Imām al-Jawād, p.131

· When the divine decree descends, the human being is cornered.

oMisnad al-Imām al-Jawād, p.244

· Three things take the slave to God's pleasure:

o1) Increase in seeking forgiveness

o2) Gentleness

o3) Increased charity giving

Misnad al-Imām al-Jawād, p.247

· Whoever has three things will never regret:

o1) Refraining from haste

o2) Consulting (with others)

o3) And depending upon God when making decisions

Misnad al-Imām al-Jawād, p.247

--

Ali al-Hadi

‘Alī ibn Muhammad al-Hādī an-Naqī (828 - 868 AD) was the tenth Twelver Shī‘ah Imām. He was the son of Muhammad al-Taqī and was the eighth generation grandson of Muhammad.

General

· The world is like a market; one community reaps benefit in it while another one faces loss.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.368

· The one who is pleased with himself (his own state; condition), those displeased and angry with him shall get abundant in number.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.368

· Poverty is the self's greed and increased despair.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.368

· Arrogance causes enmity.

o Misnad, Imam Al Hadi, p.302

· Compensate for the regret and negligence in previous works by working hard in the future.

o Misnad, Imam Al Hadi, p.304

· Don't ever give up precaution and farsightedness before attempting any work, and remember the result of negligence and nonchalance.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.370

Regarding Knowledge; Wisdom

General

· Wisdom doesn't affect corrupt hearts.

o Misnad, Imam Al Hadi, p.304

· Both professor and student share in the pursuit of excellence and perfection.

Rivers of Light, vol.50, p.179

· Indeed, both the scholar and the student share the prosperity.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.367

· The ignorant (one) is the captive of his tongue.

o Misnad, Imam Al Hadi, p.304

Religious

· The value and rank of a learned man is more than his knowledge.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.3

Religious Wisdom

· The one who performs a deed and his heart does not believe in that deed, Allah will not accept any of his practices - but that it be along with the sincerity of intention.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.473

· Jealousy is the cause of erosion of good deeds, as well as the attracter of chastisement.

oMuhsin al-Amīn, ‘Ayān ush-Shī‘ah, vol.2, p.39

· Envy destroys good deeds

o Misnad, Imam Al Hadi, p.302

· The torturing and testing of parents, is followed by shortage (of sustenance), and being driven towards belittlement and humiliation.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.369

· A parents' dissatisfaction causes poverty and leads to humiliation.

o Misnad, Imam Al Hadi, p.303

· Mind the time when you would be lying before your family members, and there would be no physician to stop it (death), and no friend to benefit you.

oMuhsin al-Amīn, ‘Ayān ush-Shī‘ah, vol.2, p.39

· Poverty and adversity is the cause of the soul’s rebellion, revolt, and the gravity of dismay.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.368

· The one who thinks he is obliged to commit sin has attributed the responsibility of his sin towards Allah; has accused Him of cruelty; excess upon His servants.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.482

· Whenever a time comes that the justice overwhelms and overcomes cruelty, it is prohibited to form negative conjectures and opinions about anyone, except when one knows it about him. But whenever a time comes that cruelty and oppression overwhelms the (quantum of) justice, then one must not have good opinions about the beneficence of a person, till such time he knows it(for sure).

oMuhsin al-Amīn, ‘Ayān ush-Shī‘ah, vol.2, p.39

· The person who obeys the unique God, will not fear the anger of the creatures of God.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.10

· God has some areas where he likes to be supplicated in, and the prayer of the supplicator is accepted (in those areas); the sanctuary of Husayn (a.s.) is one of these.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.510

--

Hasan al-Askari

Hasan ibn ‘Alī al-‘Askarī (846 - 874 AD) was the eleventh Twelver Shī‘ah Imām. He was the son of ‘Alī an-Naqī and was the ninth generation grandson of Muhammad.

General

· It is sufficient for your morality, not to involve yourself with the things you do not approve of in others.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.377

· There is a limit to caution and farsightedness; if one goes beyond the limit, fear and wretchedness will result.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.364

· Know that coyness has a certain extent and if exceeded, shall turn to weakness; generosity has a certain extent and if exceeded, shall become wasting; economy has a certain extent and if exceeded, shall be stinginess; and courage has a certain extent, which if exceeded, becomes recklessness.

oNuzhat an-Nadhir fī Tanbīh al-Khawatir, p.50-51

· The most temperate of persons is the one who controls hismself, and in doubtful events is self-contained.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.373

· Everyone reaps what he sows.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.338

· Beauty of the face is the outward charm of a human being, and the beauty of soul is his inner charm.

Rivers of Light, vol.1, p.95

Religious Wisdom

· The most pious of people is the one who fulfills his religious precepts, and the most devout of the people is the one who avoids illegitimate acts.

oIbn Shu’ba al-Harrani, Tuhaf al-'Uqul, p.519

· Whoever sows good shall harvest happiness, and whoever sows evil shall harvest regret.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.338

· Your daily subsistence which has been assured by God, should not prevent you from rising in obedience and performing your duties.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.374

· Allah has imposed fasting so that the wealthy might suffer hunger and be kind to the poor.

oal-Shaykh al-Sadūq, Man lā Yahdharul Faqīh, vol.2, p.43

· Whoever is given good, Allah has given him that, and whoever is saved from an evil Allah has saved him from it.

Rivers of Light, vol.78, p.338

--

Qur'an

The Qur'an (also Quran, Koran, Alcoran) is the holy book of Islam.

Muslim tradition holds that the Qur'an is a message of Allah, delivered through Muhammad ibn Abdullah as revealed to him by the angel Jabreel (Gabriel) over a period of 23 years. It consists of 114 suras (chapters) with a total of 6,236 ayats (verses) that were rendered in Arabic, and all attempts at translation into other languages are deemed inadequate to proper transmission. The Qur'an includes stories of many of the people and events of the Jewish and Christian traditions although differing in both substance and detail. Well-known Biblical characters such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mary, and John the Baptist are mentioned in the Qur'an as prophets sent by Allah (guiding Muslims to the right path), and in roles that are often different than those portrayed in the Jewish and Christian doctrines.

The Opening

· In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;
Most Gracious, Most Merciful;
Master of the Day of Judgment.
Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.
Show us the straight way,
The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.

The Holy Qur'an

Surah 2:2-7 - “This Divine Writ – let there be no doubt about it – is [meant to be] a guidance for all the God-conscious who believe in [the existence of] that which is beyond the reach of human perception, and are constant in prayer, and spend on others out of what We provide for them as sustenance; and who believe in that which has been bestowed from on high upon thee, [O Prophet,] as well as in that which was bestowed before thy time: for it is they who in their innermost are certain of the life to come!...Behold, as for those who are bent on denying the truth – it is all one to them whether thou warnest them or dost not warn them: they will not believe. God has sealed their hearts and their hearing, and over their eyes is a veil  ; and awesome suffering awaits them.”
Surah 14:1 - "A divine writ [is this - a revelation] which we have bestowed upon thee from on high in order that thou might bring forth all mankind, by their Sustainer's leave, out of the depths of darkness into the light: onto the way that leads to the Almighty, the One to whom all praise is due - to God, unto whom all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth belongs."

Allah (God)

· “All praise is due to God alone, the Sustainer of all the worlds…Guide us the straight way – the way of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed Thy blessings, not of those who have been condemned [by Thee], nor of those who go astray!”

oQur'an 1:2

Surah 2:115 - “And God’s is the east and the west: and wherever you turn, there is God’s countenance. Behold, God is infinite, all-knowing…His is all that is in the heavens and on earth; all things devoutly obey His will. The Originator is He of the heavens and the earth: and when He wills a thing to be, He but says unto it, “Be” – and it is.”
Surah 2:186 - “And if My servants ask thee about Me – behold, I am near; I respond to the call of him who calls, whenever he calls unto Me: let them, then, respond unto Me, and believe in Me, so that they might follow the right way.”

God's Presence

Surah 2:164 - “Verily, in the creation of the heavens and of the earth, and the succession of night and day: and in the ships that speed through the sea with what is useful to man: and in the waters which God sends down from the sky, giving life thereby to the earth after it had been lifeless, and causing all manner of living creatures to multiply thereon: and in the change of the winds, and the clouds that run their appointed courses between sky and earth: [in all this] there are messages indeed for people who use their reason.”
Surah 33:70 - “Be careful of Allah and speak the right word.”

· [Shakir translation]; Translated by w: Barack Obama in his w: A New Beginning speech as "Be conscious of God and speak always the truth."

The Spirit of Islam

Surah 2:177 -“True piety does not consist in turning your faces to the east or the west – but truly pious is he who believes in God, and the Last Day, and the angels, and revelation, and the prophets; and spends his substance – however much he himself may cherish it – upon his near of kin, and the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer , and the beggars, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage  ; and is constant in prayer, and renders the purifying dues; and [truly pious are] they who keep their promises whenever they promise, and are patient in misfortune and hardship and in time of peril: it is they that have proved themselves true, and it is they, they who are conscious of God.”

Prophets

Surah 3:84 - "Say: We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, 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 among them, and to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam)."

· [Yusuf Ali translation]

Issa (Jesus)

Surah 3:55 - "Behold! Allah said: O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: Then shall ye all return unto me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute."

· [Yusuf Ali translation]

Other Faiths

Surah 2:38-2:39 - "We said: Go down

Other Faiths

Surah 2:38-2:39 - "We said: Go down, all of you, from hence; but verily there cometh unto you from Me a guidance; and whoso followeth My guidance, there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. But they who disbelieve, and deny Our revelations, such are rightful Peoples of the Fire [of Hell]. They will abide therein."
Surah 2:62 - “Verily, those who have attained to faith [in this divine writ], as well as those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Christians, and the Sabians – all who believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds – shall have their reward with their Sustainer; and no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve.”
Surah 2:111 - “And they claim, “None shall ever enter paradise unless he be a Jew” – or, “a Christian”. Such are their wishful beliefs! Say: “Produce an evidence for what you are claiming, if what you say is true! Yea, indeed: everyone who surrenders his whole being to God, and is a doer of good withal, shall have his reward with his Sustainer; and all such need have no fear, and neither shall they grieve.”
Surah 48:29 - "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves." (Sahih International)

War

Surah 9:29 - “Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture as believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, and forbid not that which Allah hath forbidden by His messenger, and follow not the Religion of Truth, until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low.”
Surah 9:5 - “Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. And if one of the idolaters seek protection from you, grant him protection till he hears the word of Allah, then make him attain his place of safety; this is because they are a people who do not know. ”
Context for Surah 9:5 (Al-Taubah Surah 9: 1 – 5) - The first point that needs to be considered is the opening of Surah Al-Taubah. The opening of the Surah may be translated as:
“A declaration of the dissolution of agreements from God and His messenger to the idolaters with whom you have made [no-war] agreements. Thus, you [O polytheists] may freely traverse in the land for four months, but know that you shall not escape God’s judgment and that God shall surely humble the unbelievers. A proclamation [should be made] to these people from God and His messenger on the day of Hajj-e-Akbar, [declaring] that God and His messenger are no longer under any obligation toward these polytheists. If you repent, [O polytheists,] it shall be better for you but if you turn your backs [paying no heed], then know that you shall not be able to escape God’s judgment. Give these rejecters the glad tidings of a painful punishment, except those polytheists who have not dishonored their treaties with you and have not aided anyone against you. With these, fulfill your treaties till the appointed term. Indeed, God loves the righteous. When the sacred months are over, slay the polytheists wherever you find them. Arrest them, besiege them and lie in ambush for them.”
The Qur’an further says:
“How can there be any responsibility of these agreements on God and His messenger, except those with whom you made agreements at the Sacred Mosque? Thus, so long as they uphold their part of the treaty, you should uphold yours. Indeed God loves the righteous.” (Al-Taubah 9: 7)
A close look at the above verses shall suffice as evidence to the fact that the directive, “Arrest them, besiege them and lie in ambush for them” is given against those polytheists with whom the Muslims, under the leadership of the Prophet (pbuh), had entered into an agreement and who had disregarded this agreement and aided others against the Muslims. Obviously, these qualities cannot be generalized on all the polytheists of the world.
The Qur’an further says:
“Will you not fight against those who have broken their oaths and have conspired to banush the messenger? They were the first to attack you.” (Al-Taubah 9: 12)
Thus, a further qualification of those against whom the directive is given is that besides breaking their oaths with the Muslims, they conspired to banush the Prophet (pbuh) and were the first to attack the Muslims. It is obvious that the referred directive implies to take action against a particular people. It cannot be generalized to the whole world and to all times to come.

Talk:Qur'an

Fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, harass them, lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war. Qur’an:9:5

The Believers fight in Allah’s Cause, they slay and are slain, kill and are killed. Qur’an:9:112

Fight those who do not believe until they all surrender, paying the protective tax in submission. Qur’an:9:29

Fight them until all opposition ends and all submit to Allah. Qur’an:8:39

So fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief [non-Muslims]) and all submit to the religion of Allah alone (in the whole world). Qur’an:8:39

Fight them and Allah will punish them by your hands, lay them low, and cover them with shame. He will help you over them. Qur’an:9:14

Believers, what is the matter with you, that when you are asked to go forth and fight in Allah’s Cause you cling to the earth? Do you prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? Unless you go forth, He will afflict and punish you with a painful doom, and put others in your place. Qur’an:9:38

Fight the unbelievers around you, and let them find harshness in you. Qur’an:9:123

The Messenger and those who believe with him, strive hard and fight with their wealth and lives in Allah’s Cause. Qur’an:9:88

O Prophet, urge the faithful to fight. If there are twenty among you with determination they will vanquish two hundred; if there are a hundred then they will slaughter a thousand unbelievers, for the infidels are a people devoid of understanding. Qur’an:8:65

The revelation of the scripture is from Allah, The Mighty, The Wise. Qur’an:45:2

And He has set firm mountains in the earth so that it would not shake with you. Qur’an:16:15

Have you not seen how God makes the clouds move gently, then joins them together, then makes them into a stack, and then you see the rain come out of it. Qur’an: 24:43

Qur'an on Christianity

(Note: All translations of the Qur'an are those of Yusuf Ali and Marmaduke Pickthall unless otherwise noted. The Qur'an and thus the quotes contained on this page make use of the majestic plural.)

Translation by Yusuf Ali:
¹³⁶Say ye: "We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to Allah (in Islam)."

Translation by Pickthall:
¹³⁶Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered.

Sura 2:136

Translation by Yusuf Ali:
⁴⁶And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah.

Translation by Pickthall:
⁴⁶And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him in the Torah, and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah - a guidance and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil).

Sura 5:46

Translation by Yusuf Ali:
⁴⁸To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute;

Translation by Pickthall:
⁴⁸And unto thee have We revealed the Scripture with the truth, confirming whatever Scripture was before it, and a watcher over it. So judge between them by that which Allah hath revealed, and follow not their desires away from the truth which hath come unto thee. For each We have appointed a divine law and a traced-out way. Had Allah willed He could have made you one community. But that He may try you by that which He hath given you (He hath made you as ye are). So vie one with another in good works. Unto Allah ye will all return, and He will then inform you of that wherein ye differ.

Sura 5:48

Translation by Yusuf Ali:
⁵⁵Behold! Allah said: "O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: Then shall ye all return unto me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute.

Translation by Pickthall:
⁵⁵(And remember) when Allah said: O Jesus! Lo! I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me, and am cleansing thee of those who disbelieve and am setting those who follow thee above those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then unto Me ye will (all) return, and I shall judge between you as to that wherein ye used to differ.

Surah 3:55

Translation by Yusuf Ali:
¹⁵⁵(They have incurred divine displeasure): In that they broke their covenant; that they rejected the signs of Allah; that they slew the Messengers in defiance of right; that they said, "Our hearts are the wrappings (which preserve Allah's Word; We need no more)";- Nay, Allah hath set the seal on their hearts for their blasphemy, and little is it they believe;-
¹⁵⁶That they rejected Faith; that they uttered against Mary a grave false charge;
¹⁵⁷ That they said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah";- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not:-
¹⁵⁸ Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise;-
¹⁵⁹And there is none of the People of the Book but must believe in him before his death; and on the Day of Judgment he will be a witness against them;-

Translation by Pickthall:
¹⁵⁵Then because of their breaking of their covenant, and their disbelieving in the revelations of Allah, and their slaying of the prophets wrongfully, and their saying: Our hearts are hardened - Nay, but Allah set a seal upon them for their disbelief, so that they believe not save a few -
¹⁵⁶ And because of their disbelief and of their speaking against Mary a tremendous calumny;
¹⁵⁷And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger - they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain.
¹⁵⁸But Allah took him up unto Himself. Allah was ever Mighty, Wise.
¹⁵⁹There is not one of the People of the Scripture but will believe in him before his death, and on the Day of Resurrection he will be a witness against them -

Sura 4:155–159

Translation by Yusuf Ali:
¹⁷¹O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His messengers. Say not "Trinity" : desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah: Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs.

Translation by Pickthall:
¹⁷¹O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah save the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not "Three" - Cease! (it is) better for you! - Allah is only One Allah. Far is it removed from His Transcendent Majesty that He should have a son. His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And Allah is sufficient as Defender.

Sura 4:171

Translation by Yusuf Ali:
⁷²They do blaspheme who say: "Allah is Christ the son of Mary." But said Christ: "O Children of Israel! worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Whoever joins other gods with Allah,- Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help.
⁷³They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them.

Translation by Pickthall:
⁷²They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary. The Messiah (himself) said: O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Lo! whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah, for him Allah hath forbidden paradise. His abode is the Fire. For evil-doers there will be no helpers.
⁷³They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the third of three; when there is no Allah save the One Allah. If they desist not from so saying a painful doom will fall on those of them who disbelieve.

Sura 5:72–73

Translation by Yusuf Ali:
¹¹⁶And behold! Allah will say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah'?" He will say: "Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart, Thou I know not what is in Thine. For Thou knowest in full all that is hidden.

Translation by Pickthall:
¹¹⁶And when Allah saith: O Jesus, son of Mary! Didst thou say unto mankind: Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah? he saith: Be glorified! It was not mine to utter that to which I had no right. If I used to say it, then Thou knewest it. Thou knowest what is in my mind, and I know not what is in Thy Mind. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Knower of Things Hidden?

Sura 5:116

Translation by Yusuf Ali:
¹⁶Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East.
¹⁷She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent her our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects.
¹⁸She said: "I seek refuge from thee to (Allah) Most Gracious: (come not near) if thou dost fear Allah."
¹⁹He said: "Nay, I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son.
²⁰She said: "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?"
²¹He said: "So (it will be): Thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us':It is a matter (so) decreed."
²²So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place.

Translation by Pickthall:
¹⁶And make mention of Mary in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East,
¹⁷And had chosen seclusion from them. Then We sent unto her Our Spirit and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man.
¹⁸She said: Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art Allah-fearing.
¹⁹He said: I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a faultless son.
²⁰She said: How can I have a son when no mortal hath touched me, neither have I been unchaste?
²¹He said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me. And (it will be) that We may make of him a revelation for mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is a thing ordained.
²²And she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place.

Sura 19:16–22

Note: This relates the Christian Annunciation from the angel Gabriel

Translation by Yusuf Ali:
²⁷At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said: "O Mary! truly an amazing thing hast thou brought!"
²⁸"O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a man of evil, nor thy mother a woman unchaste!"
²⁹But she pointed to the babe. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?"
³⁰He said: "I am indeed a servant of Allah: He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet;
³¹"And He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live;
³²"(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable;
³³"So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)"!
³⁴Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute.
³⁵It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! when He determines a matter, He only says to it, "Be", and it is.
³⁶Verily Allah is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a Way that is straight.
³⁷But the sects differ among themselves: and woe to the unbelievers because of the (coming) Judgment of a Momentous Day!
³⁸How plainly will they see and hear, the Day that they will appear before Us! but the unjust today are in error manifest!
³⁹But warn them of the Day of Distress, when the matter will be determined: for (behold,) they are negligent and they do not believe!

Translation by Pickthall:
²⁷Then she brought him to her own folk, carrying him. They said: O Mary! Thou hast come with an amazing thing.
²⁸O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man nor was thy mother a harlot.
²⁹Then she pointed to him. They said: How can we talk to one who is in the cradle, a young boy?
³⁰He spake: Lo! I am the slave of Allah. He hath given me the Scripture and hath appointed me a Prophet,
³¹And hath made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and hath enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving so long as I remain alive,
³²And (hath made me) dutiful toward her who bore me, and hath not made me arrogant, unblest.
³³Peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!
³⁴Such was Jesus, son of Mary: (this is) a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt.
³⁵It befitteth not (the Majesty of) Allah that He should take unto Himself a son. Glory be to Him! When He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is.
³⁶And lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So serve Him. That is the right path.
³⁷The sects among them differ: but woe unto the disbelievers from the meeting of an awful Day.
³⁸See and hear them on the Day they come unto Us! yet the evil-doers are to-day in error manifest.
³⁹And warn them of the Day of anguish when the case hath been decided. Now they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not.

Sura 19:27–39

Note: The whole of Sura Maryam (Mary) is on Christian subjects, including Yahya (John the Baptist), Maryām (the Virgin Mary), and Isa (Jesus).

Translation by Yusuf Ali:
⁶And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of Allah (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving Glad Tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad." But when he came to them with Clear Signs, they said, "this is evident sorcery!"

Translation by Pickthall:
⁶And when Jesus son of Mary said: O Children of Israel! Lo! I am the messenger of Allah unto you, confirming that which was (revealed) before me in the Torah, and bringing good tidings of a messenger who cometh after me, whose name is the Praised One. Yet when he hath come unto them with clear proofs, they say: This is mere magic.

Sura 61:6

Translation by Yusuf Ali:
¹Say: He is Allah, the One and Only;
²Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;
³He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;
⁴And there is none like unto Him.

Translation by Pickthall:
¹Say: He is Allah, the One!
²Allah, the eternally Besought of all!
³He begetteth not nor was begotten.
⁴And there is none comparable unto Him.

Maulana Muhammad Ali:
¹Say: He, Allah, is One.
²Allah is He on Whom all depend.
³He begets not, nor is He begotten.
⁴And none is like Him.

Sura 112:1–4

Christianity on Islam

“The Church regards with esteem also the Moslems. They adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself; merciful and all- powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has spoken to men; they take pains to submit wholeheartedly to even His inscrutable decrees, just as Abraham, with whom the faith of Islam takes pleasure in linking itself, submitted to God. Though they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they revere Him as a prophet. They also honor Mary, His virgin Mother; at times they even call on her with devotion. In addition, they await the day of judgment when God will render their deserts to all those who have been raised up from the dead. Finally, they value the moral life and worship God especially through prayer, almsgiving and fasting.”

Pope Paul VI, Second Vatican Council, Declaratio de Ecclesiae Habitudine ad Religiones Non-Christianas Nostra Aetate, October 28, 1965, Holy See.

Qur'an on infidels

The Quran has many verses on Kafir, those who reject faith. The term "infidel" is often used synonymously and is assumed to encompass Christians and Jews; however, this is not the case — in Islamic theology, Christians and Jews are known as ′Ahl al-Kitāb, People of the Book.

Other topics

Aging

· It is Allah who creates you and takes your souls at death; and of you there are some who are sent back to a feeble age, so that they know nothing after having known (much): for Allah is All-Knowing, All-Powerful.

oSura 16:70 [Yusuf Ali translation]

Charity

Surah 2:110 - “And be constant in prayer, and render the purifying dues; for, whatever good deed you send ahead for your own selves, you shall find it with God: behold, God sees all that you do.”
Surah 2:261 - “The parable of those who spend their possessions for the sake of God is that of a grain out of which grow seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains: for God grants manifold increase unto whom He wills; and God is infinite, all-knowing. They who spend their possessions for the sake of God and do not thereafter mar their spending by stressing their own benevolence and hurting [the feelings of the needy] shall have their reward with their Sustainer, and no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve. A kind word and the veiling of another’s want is better than a charitable deed followed by hurt. O you who have attained to faith! Do not deprive your charitable deeds of all their worth by stressing your own benevolence and hurting [the feelings of the needy], as does he who spends his wealth only to be seen and praised by men, and believes not in God and the Last Day….Such as these shall have no gain whatever from all their [good] works: for God does not guide people who refuse to acknowledge the truth. And the parable of those who spend their possessions out of a longing to please God, and out of their own inner certainty, is that of a garden on high, fertile ground: a rainstorm smites it, and thereupon it brings forth its fruit twofold; and if no rainstorm smites it, soft rain [falls upon it]. And God sees all that you do.”
Surah 2:267 - “O you who have attained to faith! Spend on others out of the good things which you may have acquired, and out of that which We bring forth for you from the earth; and choose not for your spending the bad things which you yourselves would not accept without averting your eyes in disdain...Satan threatens you with the prospect of poverty and bids you to be niggardly, whereas God promises you His forgiveness and bounty…If you do deeds of charity openly, it is well; but if you bestow it upon the needy in secret, it will be even better for you, and it will atone for some of your bad deeds…And whatever good you may spend on others is for your own good, provided that you spend only out of a longing for God’s countenance; for whatever good you may spend will be repaid unto you in full, and you shall not be wronged…Those who spend their possessions [for the sake of God] by night and by day, secretly and openly, shall have their reward with their Sustainer, and no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve.”
Surah 6:160 - “Whoever shall come [before God] with a good deed will gain ten times the like thereof; but whoever shall come with an evil deed will be requited with no more than the like thereof; and none shall be wronged.”

Christianity

· See Quran on Christianity

Comfort

· By the morning hours and by the night when it is stillest, thy Lord hath not forsaken thee nor doth He hate thee; and verily the latter portion will be better for thee than the former, and verily thy Lord will give unto thee so that thou wilt be content. Did He not find thee an orphan and protect (thee)? Did He not find thee wandering and direct (thee)? Did He not find thee destitute and enrich (thee)? Therefore the orphan oppress not; therefore the beggar drive not away; therefore of the bounty of thy Lord be thy discourse.

oSura 93

Freedom of Religion

· There is no compulsion in religion.

oSura 2:256

· Say : O ye that reject Faith! I worship not that which ye worship, Nor will ye worship that which I worship. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship, Nor will ye worship that which I worship. To you be your Way, and to me mine.

oSura 109:1-6

Interest (Usury)

· Those who devour usury will not stand except as stand one whom the Evil one by his touch Hath driven to madness. That is because they say: "Trade is like usury," but Allah hath permitted trade and forbidden usury. Those who after receiving direction from their Lord, desist, shall be pardoned for the past; their case is for Allah (to judge); but those who repeat (The offence) are companions of the Fire: They will abide therein (for ever).

·

oThe Qur'an, Sura 2:275 (The Cow, سورة البقرة), See also: Islamic banking

Life

· By the declining day, man is a state of loss, save those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance.

oSura 103

· As for those who disbelieved, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert. The thirsty one thinks it to be water until he comes up to it, he finds it to be nothing; but he finds Allah with him, Who will pay him his due.

oSura 24:39

Death

· Every soul shall have a taste of death: And only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of Life): For the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception.

oSura 3:185 [Yusuf Ali translation]

Surah 2:180 - “It is ordained for you, when death approaches any of you and he is leaving behind much wealth, to make bequests in favor of his parents and [other] near of kin in accordance with what is fair: this is binding on all who are conscious of God.”

Day of Judgment

· Surely they think it to be far off, and We see it nigh: on the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper, and the mountains shall be as tufts of wool, and friend shall not ask of friend (though) they shall be made to see each other.

oSura 70:6-11

· When the sun is overthrown, and when the stars fall, and when the camels big with young are abandoned, and when the wild beasts are herded together, and when the seas rise, and when souls are reunited, and when the girl-child that was buried alive is asked for what sin she was slain, and when the pages are laid open, and when the sky is torn away, and when hell is lighted, and when the Garden is brought nigh, (then) every soul will know what it hath made ready.

oSura 81:1-14

Disbelievers

· See Quran on infidels

History and Science

· All living things are made from water

o"and we have made of water everything living" Sura 21:30

· Homosexual acts are condemned as unnatural.

oThe Qur'an, Sura 7:80–81

· Humans created from a single man.

oThe Qur'an, Sura 7:189

· Joseph saw in a dream eleven planets.

oThe Qur'an, Sura 12:4

· Till, when he reached the setting-place of the sun, he found it setting in a muddy spring, and found a people thereabout. We said: O Dhu'l-Qarneyn! Either punish or show them kindness.Marmaduke Pickthall. And

· Till, when he reached the rising-place of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We had appointed no shelter therefrom.Marmaduke Pickthall.

· And:

oThe Qur'an, Sura 18:86,90

· Quoted from the Pharoah of Moses

· Now surely I shall cut off your hands and your feet alternately, and I shall crucify you on the trunks of palm trees, and ye shall know for certain which of us hath sterner and more lasting punishment.Marmaduke Pickthall. [Crucifixion was a Roman form of punishment. This account suggests that Crucifixion, in one form or another, was practiced very early on in Ancient Egypt[1]

oThe Qur'an, Sura 20:71

· Is not He (best) Who made the earth a fixed abode, and placed rivers in the folds thereof, and placed firm hills therein, and hath set a barrier between the two seas? Is there any Allah beside Allah? Nay, but most of them know not!Marmaduke Pickthall.

· Fixed abode does not suggest that planet earth is stationary! It merely states that the surface of the earth, as perceived by living creatures, is firm and stable, and therefore, habitable.

oThe Qur'an, Sura 27:61

· "The sun runneth on unto a resting-place for him."

oThe Qur'an, Sura 36:38

· Then He ordained them seven heavens in two Days and inspired in each heaven its mandate; and We decked the nether heaven with lamps, and rendered it inviolable. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Knower. Marmaduke Pickthall

oThe Qur'an, Sura 41:12

· Who hath created seven heavens in harmony. Thou (Muhammad) canst see no fault in the Beneficent One's creation; then look again: Canst thou see any rifts? Marmaduke Pickthall

oThe Qur'an, Sura 67:3

· And verily We have beautified the world's heaven with lamps, and We have made them missiles for the devils, and for them We have prepared the doom of flame.Marmaduke Pickthall

oThe Qur'an, Sura 67:5

· And the earth with the mountains shall be lifted up and crushed with one crash.Marmaduke Pickthall

oThe Qur'an, Sura 69:14

· And hath made the moon a light therein, and made the sun a lamp. [The Qur'an calls the sun a lamp, since it produces its own light, but calls the moon a light, because it merely reflects light from the sun]

oThe Qur'an, Sura 71:16

· Someday the stars will fall.

oThe Qur'an, Sura 81:2

· Humans are formed from "a gushing fluid" that issues "from between the loins and the ribs."

· The Qur'an, Sura 86:5–7

Peace

· Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loveth not transgressors.

oSura 2:190

· For that cause We decreed for the Children of Israel that whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoso saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind.

oSura 5:32

· But if the enemy Incline towards peace, Do thou (also) incline Towards peace, and trust In God.

oSura 8:61

· We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another.

oSura 49:13

· Say : O ye that reject Faith! I worship not that which ye worship, Nor will ye worship that which I worship. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship, Nor will ye worship that which I worship. To you be your Way, and to me mine.

oSura 109:1-6

----

Muhammad

Muhammad (c. April 570 – 8 June 632), [ or Mohammed, Muhammed ]

Full name: Muhammad Ibn `Abd Allāh Ibn `Abd al-Muttalib, was a trader, political, military, and religious leader. Muslim religious belief holds that he is the Seal of the prophets, and that the Qur'an is the message of Allah revealed to him by the angel Jibreel (Gabriel).

Quotes

Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever has not kindness has not faith.

As quoted in Al-Islam‎ (1926) by Khwajah Kamal al-Din, p. 47

Variant translations:

Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever hath not kindness hath not faith.

As quoted in Prabuddha Bharata : or Awakened India, Vol. 44 (1939) published by Advaita Ashrama, p. 84.

Kindness is a mark of faith and whoever has no kindness has no faith.

As quoted in Islamic Terrorism? (2004) by Syed Manal Shah Alquadri, p. 14.

Final sermon

O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I don't know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have right over you. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. You know that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly.

Even as the fingers of the two hands are equal, so are human beings equal to one another. No one has any right, nor any preference to claim over another. You are brothers.

Sunni Hadith

All doings are built on intentions,and every man will be rewarded or punished (for his work) according to his intention

Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim ^{[citation needed]}

Destroying Kabaa stone by stone, is less evil than killing a single Muslim...

Narrated by An-Nasaie and At-Termithi ^{[citation needed]}

By Him in Whose Hand my soul is I was about to order for collecting fire-wood (fuel) and then order Someone to pronounce the Adhan for the prayer and then order someone to lead the prayer then I would go from behind and burn the houses of men who did not present themselves for the (compulsory congregational) prayer. By Him, in Whose Hands my soul is, if anyone of them had known that he would get a bone covered with good meat or two (small) pieces of meat present in between two ribs, he would have turned up for the 'Isha' prayer.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 001, Book 011, Hadith Number 617.

Narrated Salim bin 'Abdullah: My father said that Allah's Messenger said, "Bilal pronounces Adhan (call to pray) at night, so keep on eating and drinking (Sahur)till Ibn Umm Maktum pronounces Adhan." Salim added, "he was a blind man who would not pronounce the adhan un less he was told that the day had dawned."

Faith (belief) consists of more than sixty branches (i.e. parts). And Haya (This term "Haya" covers a large number of concepts which are to be taken together; amongst them are self respect, modesty, bashfulness, and scruple, etc.) is a part of faith.

Bukhari 1:8

Surely, there is no advantage (preference) for an Arab over an aajami (non-Arab), nor a non-Arab over an Arab, nor a white over a black, except by piousness and good deeds.

·        

Narrated by Imam Ahmad ^{[citation needed]}

O people! Your God is one and your forefather (Adam) is one. An Arab is not better than a non-Arab and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab, and a red (i.e. white tinged with red) person is not better than a black person and a black person is not better than a red person, except in piety.

Narrated in Mosnad Ahmad, #22978

Whoever killed "Muaahadan" a confederate (a term used in Islamic state to refer to non-Muslim citizens), will not smell Paradise. And its scent can be smelled from a distance of forty years (a term in Arabic means "far distance").

Narrated By An-Nasaie ^{[citation needed]}

Whoever possesses the following three qualities will have the sweetness (delight) of faith:

1. The one to whom Allah and His Apostle becomes dearer than anything else

2. Who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah's sake

3. Who hates to revert to Atheism (disbelief) as he hates to be thrown into the fire.

Bukhari 1:15

Allah's Apostle [Muhammad (peace be upon him)] said, "The deeds of anyone of you will not save you (from the fire [of hell])." They asked, "Even you (will not be saved by your deeds), O Allah's Apostle?" He said, "No, even I (will not be saved) unless and until Allah bestows His mercy on me. Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your target (Paradise).

Sahih Bukhari 8:76:470.

The ink of scholars (used in writing) is weighed on the Day of Judgement with the blood of martyrs and the ink of scholars outweighs the blood of martyrs.

As quoted in Al-Jaami' al-Saghîr by Imam al-Suyuti, where it is declared a "weak Hadith".

Variant translations:

The ink of the scholar is holier than the blood of the martyr.

The Islamic Review, Vol. 22 (1934), p. 105, edited by Khwajah Kamal al-Din

The ink of scholars will be weighed in the scale with the blood of martyrs.

As quoted in Knowledge of God in Classical Sufism: Foundations of Islamic Mystical Theology (2004) by John Renard

A Muslim asked: "Oh Apostle of God, who are your kin whom you have ordered us to obey?" He replied, "Ali (blessings and peace be upon him), Fatimah (blessings be upon her), and her two sons."

al-Suyuti, Dur al-Manthur, vol.7, p.7 ; ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tafsir al-Tabari, vol.5, p.16 ; al-Fakhr al-Razi, al-Tafsir, vol.7, p.406 ; ibn Hajar al-Haythami, al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, p.102 ; Muhibbuddin al-Tabari, Dhakha‘ir al-Uqba, p.25 ; al-Shablanji, Nur al-Absar, p.100.

A prostitute was forgiven by Allah, because, passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allah forgave her because of that.

Bukhari 4:538 This is an extraordinary hadith, because following the Sunnah of Muhammad (peace be upon him), prostitutes can be extremely despised figures among most Muslims, yet it expresses the idea that even someone working in one of the most despised of professions, in showing mercy to an animal, can merit the forgiveness of Allah, and the wise.

While a man was walking along a road, he became very thirsty and found a well. He lowered himself into the well, drank, and came out. Then [he saw] a dog protruding its tongue out with thirst. The man said: "This dog has become exhausted from thirst in the same way as I." He lowered himself into the well again and filled his shoe with water. He gave the dog some water to drink. He thanked God, and [his sins were] forgiven. The Prophet was then asked: "Is there a reward for us in our animals?" He said: "There is a reward in every living thing."

Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 104

The Messenger of Allah said, "Verily, Allah has revealed to me that you should adopt humility. So that no one may wrong another and no one may be disdainful and haughty towards another."

Riyadh-us-Salaheen, Compiled By Al-Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya bin Sharaf An-Nawawi Ad-Dimashqi, Chapter 279, Hadith 1589 [1]

Allah’s Messenger kissed Al-Hasan ibn `Ali while Al-Aqra` ibn Habis At-Tamim was sitting with him . Al-Aqra` said, "I have ten children and have never kissed one of them." The Prophet cast a look at him and said, "Whoever is not merciful to others will not be treated mercifully."

Al-Bukhari ^{[citation needed]}

Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to people.

Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 9, #473

Narrater Abu Hurairah. Allah's Apostle said, "Anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbor, and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should entertain his guest generously and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet.

Sahih Bukhari 8:73:47(Previous Reference for link only. Correct Ref: Bukhari Vol.8 Book78 Hadith6018)

Avoid cruelty and injustice for, on the Day of Judgment, the same will turn into several darknesses; and guard yourselves against miserliness; for this has ruined nations who lived before you.

Riyadh-us-Salaheen, Hadith 203

By his good character, a believer will attain the degree of one who prays during the night and fasts during the day.

Abu Dawood, Hadith 2233

...Do not betray, do not be excessive, do not kill a newborn child.

Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1731, and Al-Tirmizi, #1408.

Do not turn away a poor man...even if all you can give is half a date. If you love the poor and bring them near you...God will bring you near Him on the Day of Resurrection.

Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1376

(Each one) of you should save himself from the fire by giving even half of a date (in charity). And if you do not find a half date, then (by saying) a pleasant word (to your brethren).

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 394

Fear Allah and treat your children [small or grown] fairly (with equal justice).

Al-Bukhari and Muslim ^{[citation needed]}

Five kinds of animals are mischief-doers and can be killed even in the Sanctuary: They are the rat, the scorpion, the kite, the crow and the rabid dog.

Hadith - Bukhari 4:531, Narrated by 'Aisha

"God does not judge you according to your bodies and appearances, but He looks into your hearts and observes your deeds."

Narrated Abu Hurairah: A man came to Allah's Messenger and said, "Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man said. "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man further said, "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man asked for the fourth time, "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your father."

Sahih al-Bukhari, 8:2

Abu Huraira reported that a person came to Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said: Who among the people is most deserving of a fine treatment from my hand? He said: Your mother. He again said: Then who (is the next one)? He said: Again it is your mother (who deserves the best treatment from you). He said: Then who (is the next one)? He (the Holy Prophet) said: Again, it is your mother. He (again) said: Then who? Thereupon he said: Then it is your father.

Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, Book 032, Number 6180 [2]

"Happy is the man who avoids dissension, but how fine is the man who is afflicted and shows endurance."

Sunah of Abu Dawood, Hadith 1996

"He who builds a masjid in the way of Allah, God will build a house for him in the paradise."

Sahih Muslim, Nr. 828; muslim-canada.org

He who has been a ruler over ten people will be brought shackled on the Day of Resurrection, until the justice (by which he ruled) loosens his chains or tyranny brings him to destruction.

Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1037

"I and the person who looks after an orphan and provides for him, will be in Paradise like this," — putting his index and middle fingers together.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 8 Book 73 Number 34

I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for."

Narrated by 'Umar bin Al-Khattab: Sahih Al-Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 1, Number 1

In the name of God, I put my trust in God. O God, I seek refuge in Thee lest I stray or be led astray or cause injustice or suffer injustice or do wrong or have wrong done to me!

Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 2, Number 67b.

It is better for a leader to make a mistake in forgiving than to make a mistake in punishing.

Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1011

It is a fine thing when a believer praises and thanks God if good comes to him, and praises God and shows endurance if smitten by affliction. The believer is rewarded for (every good action), even for the morsel he raises to his wife's mouth.

Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 537

It is better for any of you to carry a load of firewood on his own back than to beg from someone else.

Riyadh-Us-Saleheen, Chapter 59, hadith 540

Narrated by Abu Qatadah: "The Messenger of Allah came towards us while carrying Umamah the daughter of Abi Al-`As (the Prophet’s granddaughter) over his shoulder. He prayed, and when he wanted to bow, he put her down, and when he stood up he lifted her up."

Al-Bukhari ^{[citation needed]}

Narrated Umm Khalid: I (the daughter of Khalid ibn Said) went to Allah’s Messenger with my father and I was wearing a yellow shirt. Allah’s Messenger said, "Sanah, Sanah!" (`Abdullah, the narrator, said that sanah meant "good" in the Ethiopian language). I then started playing with the seal of prophethood (between the Prophet’s shoulders) and my father rebuked me harshly for that. Allah’s Messenger said, "Leave her." The Prophet, then, invoked Allah to grant her a long life thrice.

Al-Bukhari ^{[citation needed]}

People, beware of injustice, for injustice shall be darkness on the Day of Judgment.

Narrated in Mosnad Ahmad, #5798, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2447.

"I am the laughing killer."

Tafsir Ibn Kathir, [3]

Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded.

Sahih Bukhari 1:2:38(This, as well most other Bukhari reference are incorrect. The correct Hadith in respect to the reference is as follws:

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven." )

Righteousness is good morality, and wrongdoing is that which wavers in your soul and which you dislike people finding out about.

An-Nawawi's "Forty Hadith," Hadith 27

Seven kinds of people will be sheltered under the shade of God on the Day of Judgment...They are: a just ruler, a young man who passed his youth in the worship and service of God...one whose heart is attached to the mosque...two people who love each other for the sake of God...a man who is invited to sin...but declines, saying 'I fear God'...one who spends his charity in secret, without making a show...and one who remembers God in solitude so that his eyes overflow.

Riyadh-us-Salaheen, Hadith 376

Sometimes I enter prayer and I intend to prolong it, but then I hear a child crying, and I shorten my prayer thinking of the distress of the child's mother.

Fiqh us-Sunnah, Volume 2, Number 51b

The Prophet said, "(It happens that) I start the prayer intending to prolong it, but on hearing the cries of a child, I shorten the prayer because I know that the cries of the child will incite its mother’s passions."

Al-Bukhari ^{[citation needed]}

The best among you are those who are best to their wives.

Narrated in Ibn Majah, #1978, and Al-Tirmizi, #3895.

The example of a believer is like a fresh tender plant; from whichever direction the wind blows, it bends the plant. But when the wind dies down, (it) straightens up again.

Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 4, Number 1

The first cases to be adjudicated between people on the Day of Judgment will be those of bloodshed [killing and injuring]

Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1678, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6533.

The first to be summoned to Paradise on the Day of Resurrection will be those who praise God in prosperity and adversity.

Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 730

There is a reward for kindness to every living animal or human.

Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2244, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2466.

"What is the best type of Jihad [struggle]?" He answered: "Speaking truth before a tyrannical ruler."

Riyadh us-Saleheen Volume 1:195

Whoever killed a person having a treaty with the Muslims, shall not smell the smell of Paradise though its smell is perceived from a distance of forty years.

Sahih Bukhari 4:53:391

Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: A woman was punished because she had kept a cat tied until it died, and (as a punishment of this offence) she was thrown into Hell. She had not provided it with food or drink, and had not freed her so that she could eat the insects of the earth.

Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, Book 026, Number 5570 [4]

Verily Allah has enjoined goodness to everything; so when you kill, kill in a good way and when you slaughter, slaughter in a good way. So every one of you should sharpen his knife, and let the slaughtered animal die comfortably.

Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, Book 021, Number 4810 [5]

Allah's Apostle said: "I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight against the people until they testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle, and offer the prayers perfectly and give the obligatory charity, so if they perform a that, then they save their lives an property from me except for Islamic laws and then their reckoning (accounts) will be done by Allah."

Narrated by Ibn Umar, in Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 2, Number 24

Allah's Apostle said, "The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say. "O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him."

Narrated by Abu Huraira, in Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 177

Allah's Apostle said, "I have been sent with the shortest expressions bearing the widest meanings, and I have been made victorious with terror (cast in the hearts of the enemy), and while I was sleeping, the keys of the treasures of the world were brought to me and put in my hand." Abu Huraira added: Allah's Apostle has left the world and now you, people, are bringing out those treasures (i.e. the Prophet did not benefit by them).

Narrated in Abu Huraira, in Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 220

Some Zanadiqa (atheists) were brought to 'Ali and he burnt them. The news of this event, reached Ibn 'Abbas who said, "If I had been in his place, I would not have burnt them, as Allah's Apostle forbade it, saying, 'Do not punish anybody with Allah's punishment (fire).' I would have killed them according to the statement of Allah's Apostle, 'Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.'"

Narrated in 'Ikrima, in Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 84, Number 57

Allah's Apostle called: "War is deceit".

Narrated Abu Huraira, in Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 268

The Prophet passed by me at a place called Al-Abwa or Waddan, and was asked whether it was permissible to attack the pagan warriors at night with the probability of exposing their women and children to danger. The Prophet replied, "They (i.e. women and children) are from them (i.e. pagans)." I also heard the Prophet saying, "The institution of Hima is invalid except for Allah and His Apostle."

Narrated As-Sab bin Jaththama, in Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 256

The Prophet said, "Who is ready to kill Ka'b bin Al-Ashraf who has really hurt Allah and His Apostle?" Muhammad bin Maslama said, "O Allah's Apostle! Do you like me to kill him?" He replied in the affirmative. So, Muhammad bin Maslama went to him (i.e. Ka'b) and said, "This person (i.e. the Prophet) has put us to task and asked us for charity." Ka'b replied, "By Allah, you will get tired of him." Muhammad said to him, "We have followed him, so we dislike to leave him till we see the end of his affair." Muhammad bin Maslama went on talking to him in this way till he got the chance to kill him.

Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah, in Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 270

When the last moment of the life of Allah's Apostle came, he started putting his 'Khamisa' on his face and when he felt hot and short of breath he took it off his face and said, "May Allah curse the Jews and Christians for they built the places of worship at the graves of their Prophets." The Prophet was warning (Muslims) of what those had done.

Narrated 'Aisha and 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas, in Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 8, Number 427

The Prophet said, "Nobody who dies and finds good from Allah (in the hereafter) would wish to come back to this world even if he were given the whole world and whatever is in it, except the martyr who, on seeing the superiority of martyrdom, would like to come back to the world and get killed again (in Allah's cause). The Prophet said, "A single endeavor (of fighting) in Allah's cause in the afternoon or in the forenoon is better than all the world and whatever is in it. A place in Paradise as small as the bow or lash of one of you is better than all the world and whatever is in it. And if a houri from Paradise appeared to the people of the earth, she would fill the space between Heaven and the Earth with light and pleasant scent and her head cover is better than the world and whatever is in it."

Narrated Anas bin Malik, in Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 53

A man came to Allah's Apostle and said, "Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad (in reward)." He replied, "I do not find such a deed." Then he added, "Can you, while the Muslim fighter is in the battle-field, enter your mosque to perform prayers without cease and fast and never break your fast?" The man said, "But who can do that?" Abu- Huraira added, "The Mujahid (i.e. Muslim fighter) is rewarded even for the footsteps of his horse while it wanders about (for grazing) tied in a long rope."

Narrated Abu Huraira, in Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 44

The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: If you find anyone doing as Lot's people did, kill the one who does it, and the one to whom it is done.

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas, in AbuDawud, Book 38, Number 4447

On 'Id ul Fitr or 'Id ul Adha Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) went out to the Musalla. After finishing the prayer, he delivered the sermon and ordered the people to give alms. He said, "O people! Give alms." Then he went towards the women and said. "O women! Give alms, for I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-Fire were you (women)." The women asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What is the reason for it?" He replied, "O women! You curse frequently, and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. O women, some of you can lead a cautious wiseman astray." Then he left. And when he reached his house, Zainab, the wife of Ibn Masud, came and asked permission to enter. It was said, "O Allah's Apostle! It is Zainab." He asked, 'Which Zainab?" The reply was that she was the wife of Ibn Mas'ub. He said, "Yes, allow her to enter." And she was admitted. Then she said, "O Prophet of Allah! Today you ordered people to give alms and I had an ornament and intended to give it as alms, but Ibn Masud said that he and his children deserved it more than anybody else." The Prophet replied, "Ibn Masud had spoken the truth. Your husband and your children had more right to it than anybody else."

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri, in Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 24, Number 541

The things which annual prayer were mentioned before me (and those were): a dog, a donkey and a woman. I said, "You have compared us (women) to donkeys and dogs. By Allah! I saw the Prophet praying while I used to lie in (my) bed between him and the Qibla. Whenever I was in need of something, I disliked to sit and trouble the Prophet. So, I would slip away by the side of his feet."

Narrated 'Aisha, in Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 9, Number 493

Allah's Apostle said, "Know that Paradise is under the shades of swords."

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abi Aufa, in Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 73

Allah's Apostle said, "In Paradise there is a pavilion made of a single hollow pearl sixty miles wide, in each corner of which there are wives who will not see those in the other corners; and the believers will visit and enjoy them. And there are two gardens, the utensils and contents of which are made of silver; and two other gardens, the utensils and contents of which are made of so-and-so (i.e. gold) and nothing will prevent the people staying in the Garden of Eden from seeing their Lord except the curtain of Majesty over His Face."

Narrated Abdullah bin Qais, in Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 60, Number 402

Allah's Apostle said, "You should listen to and obey, your ruler even if he was an Ethiopian (black) slave whose head looks like a raisin."

Narrated Anas bin Malik, in Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 89, Number 256

Allah's Apostle said, "There is no Zakat either on a horse or a slave belonging to a Muslim"

Narrated Abu Huraira, in Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 24, Number 542

A man came to the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) and said: I have found a woman of rank and beauty, but she does not give birth to children. Should I marry her? He said: No. He came again to him, but he prohibited him. He came to him third time, and he (the Prophet) said: Marry women who are loving and very prolific, for I shall outnumber the peoples by you.

Narrated Ma'qil ibn Yasar, in AbuDawud, Book 11, Number 2045

The Prophet said, "By Him in Whose Hands my life is! Were it not for some men amongst the believers who dislike to be left behind me and whom I cannot provide with means of conveyance, I would certainly never remain behind any Sariya' (army-unit) setting out in Allah's Cause. By Him in Whose Hands my life is! I would love to be martyred in Allah's Cause and then get resurrected and then get martyred, and then get resurrected again and then get martyred and then get resurrected again and then get martyred.

Narrated Abu Huraira, in Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 54

It has been reported from Sulaiman b. Buraid through his father that when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) appointed anyone as leader of an army or detachment he would especially exhort him to fear Allah and to be good to the Muslims who were with him. He would say: Fight in the name of Allah and in the way of Allah. Fight against those who disbelieve in Allah. Make a holy war, do not embezzle the spoils; do not break your pledge; and do not mutilate (the dead) bodies; do not kill the children. When you meet your enemies who are polytheists, invite them to three courses of action. If they respond to any one of these, you also accept it and withold yourself from doing them any harm. Invite them to (accept) Islam; if they respond to you, accept it from them and desist from fighting against them. Then invite them to migrate from their lands to the land of Muhairs and inform them that, if they do so, they shall have all the privileges and obligations of the Muhajirs. If they refuse to migrate, tell them that they will have the status of Bedouin Muilims and will be subjected to the Commands of Allah like other Muslims, but they will not get any share from the spoils of war or Fai' except when they actually fight with the Muslims (against the disbelievers). If they refuse to accept Islam, demand from them the Jizya. If they agree to pay, accept it from them and hold off your hands. If they refuse to pay the tax, seek Allah's help and fight them. When you lay siege to a fort and the besieged appeal to you for protection in the name of Allah and His Prophet, do not accord to them the guarantee of Allah and His Prophet, but accord to them your own guarantee and the guarantee of your companions for it is a lesser sin that the security given by you or your companions be disregarded than that the security granted in the name of Allah and His Prophet be violated When you besiege a fort and the besieged want you to let them out in accordance with Allah's Command, do not let them come out in accordance with His Command, but do so at your (own) command, for you do not know whether or not you will be able to carry out Allah's behest with regard to them.

Sahih Muslim, Book 019, Number 4294

It has been narrated by 'Umar b. al-Khattib that he heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) say: I will expel the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula and will not leave any but Muslim.

Sahih Muslim, Book 019, Number 4366

Allah's Apostle said, "Say Amen' when the Imam says "Ghair-il-maghdubi 'alaihim wala-ddal-lin; not the path of those who earn Your Anger (such as Jews) nor of those who go astray (such as Christians); all the past sins of the person whose saying (of Amin) coincides with that of the angels, will be forgiven.

Narrated Abu Huraira, in Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 12, Number 749

It is narrated on the authority of 'Abdullah b. Umar that the Messenger of Allah observed: O womenfolk, you should give charity and ask much forgiveness for I saw you in bulk amongst the dwellers of Hell. A wise lady among them said: Why is it, Messenger of Allah, that our folk is in bulk in Hell? Upon this the Holy Prophet observed: You curse too much and are ungrateful to your spouses. I have seen none lacking in common sense and failing in religion but (at the same time) robbing the wisdom of the wise, besides you. Upon this the woman remarked: What is wrong with our common sense and with religion? He (the Holy Prophet) observed: Your lack of common sense (can be well judged from the fact) that the evidence of two women is equal to one man, that is a proof of the lack of common sense, and you spend some nights (and days) in which you do not offer prayer and in the month of Ramadan (during the days) you do not observe fast, that is a failing in religion. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Abu Tahir with this chain of transmitters.

Sahih Muslim, Book 001, Number 0142

The Prophet said, "Isn't the witness of a woman equal to half of that of a man?" The women said, "Yes." He said, "This is because of the deficiency of a woman's mind."

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri, in Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 48, Number 826

I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "The example of a Mujahid in Allah's Cause-- and Allah knows better who really strives in His Cause----is like a person who fasts and prays continuously. Allah guarantees that He will admit the Mujahid in His Cause into Paradise if he is killed, otherwise He will return him to his home safely with rewards and war booty."

Narrated Abu Huraira, in Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 46

Allah's Apostle used to say, "None has the right to be worshipped except Allah Alone (Who) honored His Warriors and made His Slave victorious, and He (Alone) defeated the (infidel) clans; so there is nothing after Him.

Narrated Abu Huraira, in Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 59, Number 440

When the tribe of Bani Quraiza was ready to accept Sad's judgment, Allah's Apostle sent for Sad who was near to him. Sad came, riding a donkey and when he came near, Allah's Apostle said (to the Ansar), "Stand up for your leader." Then Sad came and sat beside Allah's Apostle who said to him. "These people are ready to accept your judgment." Sad said, "I give the judgment that their warriors should be killed and their children and women should be taken as prisoners." The Prophet then remarked, "O Sad! You have judged amongst them with (or similar to) the judgment of the King Allah."

Narrated Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri, in Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 280

I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "The Jews will fight with you, and you will be given victory over them so that a stone will say, 'O Muslim! There is a Jew behind me; kill him!' "

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar, in Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 56, Number 791

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The last hour would not come unless the Muslims will fight against the Jews and the Muslims would kill them until the Jews would hide themselves behind a stone or a tree and a stone or a tree would say: Muslim, or the servant of Allah, there is a Jew behind me; come and kill him; but the tree Gharqad would not say, for it is the tree of the Jews.

Sahih Muslim, Book 041, Number 6985

Allah's Apostle said, "I have been ordered to fight the people till they say: 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.' And if they say so, pray like our prayers, face our Qibla and slaughter as we slaughter, then their blood and property will be sacred to us and we will not interfere with them except legally and their reckoning will be with Allah." Narrated Maimun ibn Siyah that he asked Anas bin Malik, "O Abu Hamza! What makes the life and property of a person sacred?" He replied, "Whoever says, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah', faces our Qibla during the prayers, prays like us and eats our slaughtered animal, then he is a Muslim, and has got the same rights and obligations as other Muslims have."

Narrated Anas bin Malik, in Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 8, Number 387

The Prophet said, "He who has a slave-girl and teaches her good manners and improves her education and then manumits and marries her, will get a double reward; and any slave who observes Allah's right and his master's right will get a double reward."

Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ashari, in Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 46, Number 723

The Prophet said, "O 'Abdur-Rahman! Do not seek to be a ruler, for if you are given authority on your demand then you will be held responsible for it, but if you are given it without asking (for it), then you will be helped (by Allah) in it. If you ever take an oath to do something and later on you find that something else is better, then you should expiate your oath and do what is better."

Narrated 'Abdur-Rahman bin Samura, in Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 89, Number 260

Jabir b. Abdillah reported that once he was on an expedition with the Prophet salla Allahu ʿalayhi wa sallam, and when they were close to the city of Madinah, he sped on his mount. The Prophet salla Allahu ʿalayhi wa sallam asked him why he was in such a hurry to return home. Jabir replied, “I am recently married!” The Prophet salla Allahu ʿalayhi wa sallam asked, “To an older lady or a younger one?” [the Arabic could also read: “To a widow or a virgin?”], to which he replied, “A widow.”The Prophet salla Allahu ʿalayhi wa sallam said, “But why didn’t you marry a younger girl, so that you could play with her, and she could play with you, and you could make her laugh, and she could make you laugh?”He said, “O Messenger of Allah! My father died a martyr at Uhud, leaving behind daughters, so I did not wish to marry a young girl like them, but rather an older one who could take care of them and look after them.” The Prophet salla Allahu ʿalayhi wa salam replied, “You have made the correct choice.”Jabir continues, “So when we were about to enter the city, the Prophet salla Allahu ʿalayhi wa sallam said to me, "Slow down, and enter at night, so that she who has not combed may comb her hair, and she who has not shaved may shave her private area." Then he said to me, "When you enter upon her, then be wise and gentle.”

Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah [Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim, with various wordings, in their two Sahihs]

When I got married, Allah's Apostle said to me, "What type of lady have you married?" I replied, "I have married a matron' He said, "Why, don't you have a liking for the virgins and for fondling them?" Jabir also said: Allah's Apostle said, "Why didn't you marry a young girl so that you might play with her and she with you?

Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah, in Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 62, Number 17

Allah's Apostle said, "The superiority of 'Aisha over other women is like the superiority of Tharid to other meals."

Narrated Anas bin Malik, in Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 57, Number 114

I used to look down upon those ladies who had given themselves to Allah's Apostle and I used to say, "Can a lady give herself (to a man)?" But when Allah revealed: "You (O Muhammad) can postpone (the turn of) whom you will of them (your wives), and you may receive any of them whom you will; and there is no blame on you if you invite one whose turn you have set aside (temporarily).' (33.51) I said (to the Prophet), "I feel that your Lord hastens in fulfilling your wishes and desires."

Narrated Aisha, in Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 60, Number 311

The Prophet said, "I have been given five things which were not given to any one else before me.

Allah made me victorious by awe, (by His frightening my enemies) for a distance of one month's journey.

The earth has been made for me (and for my followers) a place for praying and a thing to perform Tayammum, therefore anyone of my followers can pray wherever the time of a prayer is due.

The war booty has been made Halal (lawful) for me yet it was not lawful for anyone else before me.

I have been given the right of intercession (on the Day of Resurrection).

Every Prophet used to be sent to his nation only but I have been sent to all mankind.

·        

Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah, in Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 7, Number 331

The Prophet said "None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind."

Narrated Anas, in Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 2, Number 15

Allah's Apostle said, "O Aisha! This is Gabriel sending his greetings to you." I said, "Peace, and Allah's Mercy be on him." 'Aisha added: The Prophet used to see things which we used not to see.

Narrated 'Aisha, in Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 220

The Prophet said, "A group of Israelites were lost. Nobody knows what they did. But I do not see them except that they were cursed and changed into rats, for if you put the milk of a she-camel in front of a rat, it will not drink it, but if the milk of a sheep is put in front of it, it will drink it." I told this to Ka'b who asked me, "Did you hear it from the Prophet ?" I said, "Yes." Ka'b asked me the same question several times.; I said to Ka'b. "Do I read the Torah? (i.e. I tell you this from the Prophet.)"

Narrated Abu Huraira, in Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 54, Number 524

A man from Bani Aslam came to Allah's Apostle while he was in the mosque and called (the Prophet ) saying, "O Allah's Apostle! I have committed illegal sexual intercourse." On that the Prophet turned his face from him to the other side, whereupon the man moved to the side towards which the Prophet had turned his face, and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I have committed illegal sexual intercourse." The Prophet turned his face (from him) to the other side whereupon the man moved to the side towards which the Prophet had turned his face, and repeated his statement. The Prophet turned his face (from him) to the other side again. The man moved again (and repeated his statement) for the fourth time. So when the man had given witness four times against himself, the Prophet called him and said, "Are you insane?" He replied, "No." The Prophet then said (to his companions), "Go and stone him to death." The man was a married one. Jabir bin 'Abdullah Al-Ansari said: I was one of those who stoned him. We stoned him at the Musalla ('Id praying place) in Medina. When the stones hit him with their sharp edges, he fled, but we caught him at Al-Harra and stoned him till he died.

Narrated Abu Huraira Sahih Bukhari 7:63:196

A bedouin came and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Judge between us according to Allah's Laws." His opponent got up and said, "He is right. Judge between us according to Allah's Laws." The bedouin said, "My son was a laborer working for this man, and he committed illegal sexual intercourse with his wife. The people told me that my son should be stoned to death; so, in lieu of that, I paid a ransom of one hundred sheep and a slave girl to save my son. Then I asked the learned scholars who said, "Your son has to be lashed one-hundred lashes and has to be exiled for one year." The Prophet said, "No doubt I will judge between you according to Allah's Laws. The slave-girl and the sheep are to go back to you, and your son will get a hundred lashes and one year exile." He then addressed somebody, "O Unais! go to the wife of this (man) and stone her to death" So, Unais went and stoned her to death.

Narrated Abu Huraira and Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani Sahih Bukhari 3:49:860

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Let there be the curse of Allah upon the thief who steals an egg and his hand is cut off, and steals a rope and his hand is cut off.

Sahih Muslim 17:4185

Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: If he is intoxicated, flog him; again if he is intoxicated, flog him; again if he is intoxicated, flog him if he does it again a fourth time, kill him. AbuDawud said: And there is a similar tradition of Umar ibn AbuSalamah, from his father, on the authority of AbuHurayrah, from the Prophet (peace be upon him): If he drinks wine, flog him if he does it so again, a fourth time, kill him..

Abu Dawud 38:4469

The Prophet said, "No prayer is harder for the hypocrites than the Fajr and the 'Isha' prayers and if they knew the reward for these prayers at their respective times, they would certainly present themselves (in the mosques) even if they had to crawl." The Prophet added, "Certainly I decided to order the Mu'adh-dhin (call-maker) to pronounce Iqama and order a man to lead the prayer and then take a fire flame to burn all those who had not left their houses so far for the prayer along with their houses."

Narrated Abu Huraira Sahih Bukhari 1:11:626

Um Habiba and Um Salama mentioned about a church they had seen in Ethiopia in which there were pictures. They told the Prophet about it, on which he said, "If any religious man dies amongst those people they would build a place of worship at his grave and make these pictures in it. They will be the worst creature in the sight of Allah on the Day of Resurrection."

Narrated 'Aisha (the wife of the Prophet) Sahih Bukhari 1:8:419

That he heard the Prophet saying, "It is not permissible for a man to be alone with a woman, and no lady should travel except with a Muhram (i.e. her husband or a person whom she cannot marry in any case for ever; e.g. her father, brother, etc.)." Then a man got up and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I have enlisted in the army for such-and-such Ghazwa and my wife is proceeding for Hajj." Allah's Apostle said, "Go, and perform the Hajj with your wife."

Narrated Ibn Abbas Volume 4, Book 52, Number 250

The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: A man will not be asked as to why he beat his wife.

Narrated Umar ibn al-Khattab Book 11, Number 2142

Shi'ite Hadith

The one who recites the Qur’an and the one who listens to it have an equal share in the reward.

Mustadrakul Wasa’il, Volume 1, Page 293

The best of those amongst you is the one who learns the Qur’an and then teaches it to others.

Al-Amali of Shaykh at-Tusi, Volume 1, Page 5

Everything in existence prays for the forgiveness of the person who teaches the Qur’an - even the fish in the sea.

Usulul Kafi, Volume 3, Page 301

These hearts rust just as iron rusts; and indeed they are polished through the recitation of the Qur’an.

Irshadul Qulub; Page 78

In his last testament to ‘Ali (peace be upon him), the Messenger of Allah (blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) told him: "O’ ‘Ali! I advice you to recite the Qur’an in every state (which you may find yourself in)."

Man La Yahdhuruhul Faqih, Volume 4, Page 188

Nothing is harder for Satan to bear than a person who recites the Qur’an by looking at the pages (of the Qur’an).

Thawabul A’mal, Page 231

Brighten up your houses through the recitation of the Qur’an, and do not make them (your homes) like graves, similar to what the Jews and Christians have done (by not performing the prayers and worship of God in their house and limiting this to the Synagogues and Churches).

Usulul Kafi, Volume 2, Page 610

One who recites ten verses (ayat) of the Qur’an every night will not be counted amongst the negligent ones (Ghafilin); and one who recites fifty verses (ayat) will be written as those who remember Allah (Dhakirin); and one who recites one hundred verses (ayat) will be written down as the obedient and worshipper of Allah (Qanitin).

Thawabul A’mal, Page 232

I advise you to recite the Qur’an and remember Allah much, for surely the Qur’an will remember you (do your dhikr) in the Heavens and it will be a Divine Light (nur) for you on the Earth.

Al-Khisal, Page 525

The superiority of the Qur’an over the rest of words, is like the superiority of Allah over His creations.

Mustadrak al-Wasa’il, Volume 4, Page 237

Whoever recites the first four verses of Suratul Baqarah, Ayatul Kursi (verse 255 of Suratul Baqarah) along with the two verses which follow it (verses 256 and 257 up to ‘Wa Hum Fiha Khalidun’), and the last three verses (of this same Surah) will not see any bad or sorrow in his life or his wealth; Satan will not come near him; and he will not forget the Qur’an.

Thawabul A’mal, Page 234

For every thing there is an embellishment (or a decoration), and the embellishment of the Qur’an is a good voice.

Biharul Anwar, Volume 92, Page 190

Surely this Qur’an is the rope of Allah, and a manifest Light (nur), and a beneficial cure. Therefore, busy yourselves with the recitation of it, for Allah - The Mighty and Glorious – grants the reward of ten good deeds to you for every letter which is recited.

Biharul Anwar, Volume 92, Page 19

Whenever the waves of calamities encompass you like the dark night, seek refuge with the Qur’an - for it is an intercessor whose intercession will be accepted. One who takes it as a guide, Allah will lead that person into Heaven; and whoever disregards it or goes against it, will be lead into the Hell fire.

Fadhlul Qur’an, Page 599

Recite the Qur’an in such a way that your hearts develop a love for it and your skin becomes softened by it. However as soon as your hearts become indifferent to it (meaning that the Qur’an has no effect on you), then stop reciting it.

Mustadrakul Wasa’il, Volume 4, Page 239

One who listens to the Qur’an (while it is being recited) will be kept away from the evils of this world; and one who recites the Qur’an will be kept away from the trials of the hereafter. And the person who listens to even one verse of the book of Allah - this is better (for him) than possessing a mansion of gold.

Biharul Anwar, Volume 92, Page 19

The number of levels (stages) in Heaven is (equivalent to) the number of verses in the Qur’an (6236). Thus, when a reciter of the Qur’an enters into Heaven, it will be said to him: ‘Go up one level for every verse that you can recite.’ Thus, no one will be in a higher level than the one who has memorized the entire Qur’an.

Biharul Anwar, Volume 92, Page 22

If you want ease and success in this world, the death of a martyr, to be saved on the Day of Loss, a shade on the Day of the burning Qiyamat, and guidance on the Day of going astray, then take lessons from the Qur’an. Surely it is the word of the Merciful, a protection from the Satan, and one of the most weightiest of things for the scale of (good) deeds (on the Day of Judgement).

Jami’ul Akhbar, Page 78

Surely the recitation of the Qur’an is an atonement for the sins, a covering (protection) from the Hell Fire, and a safety from the punishment. Mercy will descend upon the reciter, the Angels will seek forgiveness for him, Heaven will long for that person, and his Master (Allah) will be pleased with him.

Biharul Anwar, Volume 93, Page 17

The people of the Qur’an (those who recite and those who memorize the Qur’an) will be in the highest level (in Heaven) from amongst all of the people with the exception of the Prophets and Messengers. Thus, do not seek to degrade the people of the Qur’an, nor take away their rights, for surely they have been given a high rank by Allah.

Thawabul A’mal, Page 224

Place a portion (of goodness) from the Qur’an in your homes, for surely ease will come to the people of that house in which the Qur’an is read, goodness will increase, and the inhabitants (of that house) will be given excess bounties.

Wasa’ilush Shi’a, Volume 4, Page 85

The first thing that Allah made obligatory upon my Ummah was the five prayers; and the first thing from their acts of worship that shall be taken up will be the five prayers; and the first thing that they will be questioned about will be the five prayers.

Kanzul `Ummal, Volume 7, Tradition 18859

One who adheres to the five (daily) prayers diligently, they shall be a means of illumination and salvation for him on the Day of Judgment.

Kanzul `Ummal, Volume 7, Tradition 18862

The prayer of a person is (in reality) a light in his heart, so whoever desires, can illuminate his heart (by means of prayers).

Kanzul `Ummal, Volume7, Tradition 18973

The prayer is one of the (primary) dictates of religion, in it lies the pleasure of the Lord, the Mighty and the Glorious, and it is the conduct of the Prophets.

Biharul Anwar, Volume 82, Page 231

The prayer is the standard of Islam. Whosoever loves prayers, and observes their limits, timings and methods, is a true believer.

Kanzul `Ummal, Volume 7, Tradition 18870

For every thing there is a face and the face of your religion is prayers. So see to it that none from amongst you damages and disfigures the face of his religion.

Biharul Anwar, Volume 82, Page 209

Whenever the time of each prayer arrives, an Angel announces to the people: (O’ People!) Stand up and extinguish, with prayers, the fire which you have set alight for yourselves.

Biharul Anwar, Volume 82, Page 209

The position of prayers with respect to religion is similar to that of the head with respect to the body.

Kanzul `Ummal, Volume 7, Tradition 18972

The example of the five (daily) prayers is like that of a clear-water river flowing in front of your houses in which a person washes himself five times a day – cleansing him from all dirt.

Kanzul `Ummal, Volume 7, Tradition 18931

The most beloved of deeds in the eyes of Allah are: offering prayers at the stipulated times; (then) goodness and kindness towards parents; (and then) Jihad in the way of Allah.

Kanzul `Ummal, Volume 7, Tradition 18897

One who considers the prayers to be insignificant and trivial is not from me. By Allah! He shall never come close to me at the pool of Kauthar.

Biharul Anwar, Volume 82, Page 224

Do not destroy your prayers for verily one who destroys his prayers shall be resurrected in the company of Qarun, Haman and Fir`awn.

Biharul Anwar, Volume 82, Page 202

Prayer is the pillar of your religion and one who intentionally forsakes his prayer has destroyed his religion. And one who does not guard the times of the prayers, shall be made to enter ‘Wayl’, which is a valley in Hell, as Allah, the Exalted, has said: "So woe to the praying ones, who are unmindful of their prayers."

Biharul Anwar,Volume 82, Page 202

Do not abandon your prayers intentionally for surely the obligations of Allah and His Messenger cease to cover one who forsakes his prayers intentionally.

Kanzul `Ummal, Volume 7, Tradition 19096

If a person abandons his prayer such that he neither desires its rewards nor fears its chastisement, for such a person I do not care if he dies a Jew, a Christian or a Magian.

Biharul Anwar, Volume 82, Page 202

"The good deeds of one who, without any appropriate excuse does not offer his prayer until its time passes away, are annulled." He then said: "The divide between a believer and disbelief is the abandonment of prayers."

Biharul Anwar, Volume 82, Page 202

The name of one who forsakes his prayer intentionally is written upon The door of Hell from which he shall (eventually) enter.

Kanzul `Ummal, Volume 7, Tradition 19090

A hopeful sinner is closer to the mercy of Allah than a hopeless worshipper.

Mizan al-hikma, Volume 10, Page 504, Tradition 7109

A person who circumambulates this House (the Ka’bah) seven times and performs the two Rak’at Salat (of Tawaaf) in the best form possible will have his sins forgiven.

Biharul Anwar, Volume 96, Page 49

Surely Allah has chosen four cities from amongst all others, just as He, the Noble and Grand has said (in the Noble Qur’an): "I swear by ‘the fig’ and ‘the olive’ and the ‘Mountain of Sinai’ and by this protected city." ‘The fig’ is the city of Madinah; ‘The olive’ is the city of Baitul Maqdas (in Jerusalem); ‘The Mountain of Sinai’ is Kufah; and the protected city is Makkah."

Biharul Anwar, Volume 96, Page 77

Perform the tawaaf of the House and rub your hand over the Corner which has the Hajr al-Aswad because this is the right hand of Allah on His Earth which He shakes with His creations.

Biharul Anwar, Volume 96, Page 202

The water of Zamzam is a cure for whatever (ailment) it is taken for.

Biharul Anwar, Volume 96, Page 245

The greatest sin of a person who goes to ‘Arafat and then leaves is to think that he has not been forgiven of his sins.

Biharul Anwar, Volume 96, Page 248

A person seeing (visiting) my grave deserves my intercession. And a person who visits me after my death is like a person who visited me during my lifetime.

Biharul Anwar, Volume 96, Page 334

Walimah is only in five occasions: in the ‘Urs, Khurs, ‘Idhar, Wikar and the Rikaz – ‘Urs is when a person gets married; and Khurs is when a child is born; and ‘Idhar is on the circumcision of a baby boy; and Wikar is when a person purchases a house; and Rikaz is when a person returns from Hajj.

Biharul Anwar, Volume 96, Page 384

The person who seeks knowledge while in his youth is similar to the act of inscribing something upon a rock; while the person who seeks knowledge while he is old is similar to the act of writing something upon the water.

Biharul Anwar, Volume 1, Page 222

A person shall arrive on the Day of Judgement and shall be in possession of good deeds in the measure of vastly accumulated clouds or towering mountains. (Witnessing them) he shall ask: ‘Oh My Lord! How can these be for me when I have not performed them?’ God shall reply: ‘This is your knowledge that you had taught and conveyed to the people, and which was acted upon after you had died.’

Biharul Anwar, Volume 2, Page 18

(On the Day of Judgment, a group would be seen in the most excellent and honourable of states. They would be asked if they were of the Angels or of the Prophets. In reply they would state): "We are‑neither Angels nor Prophets but of the indigent ones from the ummah of Muhammad (S.A.W.)". They would then be asked: "How then did you achieve this lofty and honourable status?" They would reply: "We did not perform very many good deeds nor did we pass all the days in a state of fasting or all the nights in a state of worship but yes, we used to offer our (daily) prayers (regularly) and whenever we used to hear the mention of Muhammad (S.A.W.), tears would roll down our cheeks".

Mustadrak al‑Wasail, vol 10, pg. 318

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Analysis of Muhammad by non-muslims:

Jules Masserman, as quoted in "Who Were Histories Great Leaders?" in TIME magazine (15 July 1974):

“Leaders must fulfill three functions — provide for the well-being of the led, provide a social organization in which people feel relatively secure, and provide them with one set of beliefs. People like Pasteur and Salk are leaders in the first sense. People like Gandhi and Confucius, on one hand, and Alexander, Caesar and Hitler on the other, are leaders in the second and perhaps the third sense. Jesus and Buddha belong in the third category alone. Perhaps the greatest leader of all times was Mohammed, who combined all three functions. To a lesser degree, Moses did the same.”

French Historian says:

“Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images; the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is Muhammad. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he? “ [Alphonse de Lamartine, Histoire de la Turquie (1854), Vol. II, pp. 276-277]

“The personality of Muhammad, it is most difficult to get into the whole truth of it. Only a glimpse of it I can catch. What a dramatic succession of picturesque scenes. There is Muhammad the Prophet. There is Muhammad the Warrior; Muhammad the Businessman; Muhammad the Statesman; Muhammad the Orator; Muhammad the Reformer; Muhammad the Refuge of Orphans; Muhammad the Protector of Slaves; Muhammad the Emancipator of Women; Muhammad the Judge; Muhammad the Saint. All in all these magnificent roles, in all these departments of human activities, he is alike a hero.” [K. S. Ramakrishna Rao, in Muhammad the Prophet of Islam (1979)]

“Head of the State as well as of the Church, he was Caesar and Pope in one; but he was Pope without the Pope's pretensions, and Caesar without the legions of Caesar. Without a standing army, without a bodyguard, without a palace, without a fixed revenue, if ever any man had the right to say that he ruled by a right Divine, it was Mohammed.” [Reginald Bosworth Smith, in "Mohammedanism and Christianity" (7 March 1874), published in Mohammed and Mohammedanism (1889), p. 289]

“I have studied him — the wonderful man, and in my opinion far from being an Anti-Christ he must be called the Saviour of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much-needed peace and happiness.” [George Bernard Shaw, as quoted in The Genuine Islam, Singapore, Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936]

“He spoke in the market and other public places. Most of those who heard him laughed at what he told them; but some poor people and a few slaves believed him and adopted the new religion. Others said he was a dreamer and a fool.
Mohammed, however, paid no heed to the insults he received. He went on telling about the appearance of Gabriel and preaching the doctrines which he said the angel had ordered him to teach the people.” [John Henry Haaren, in Famous Men of the Middle Ages (1904)]

“My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential person may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels. It is probable that the relative influence of Muhammad on Islam has been larger than the combined influence of Jesus Christ and St. Paul on Christianity. Furthermore, Muhammad (unlike Jesus) was a secular as well as religious leader. In fact, as the driving force behind the Arab conquests, he may well rank as the most influential political leader of all time. It is this unparalleled combination of secular and religious influence, which I feel, entitles Muhammad to be considered the most influential single figure in human history.” [Michael H. Hart, who in his book The 100 : A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History (1978) placed Muhammad in the first position, p. 33]

“He is a prophet and not a poet and therefore his Koran is to be seen as Divine Law, and not as a book of a human being made for education or entertainment.” [Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Noten und Abhandlungen zum Weststlichen Dvan, WA I, 7, 32]

“I wanted to know the best of one who holds today undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind ... I became more than convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle. When I closed the 2nd volume (of the prophet's biography), I was sorry there was not more for me to read of the great life.” [Mahatma Gandhi, speaking on the character of Muhammad in Young India.]

“Four years after the death of Justinian, A.D. 569, was born in Mecca, in Arabia, the man Muhammad, who of all men, has exercised the greatest influence upon the human race. To be the religious head of many empires, to guide the daily life of one-third of the human race, may perhaps justify the title of a Messenger of God.” [Dr. William Draper, M.D. L.L.D. in "History of Intellectual Development of Europe" (1876)]

“It is impossible for anyone who studies the life and character of the great Prophet of Arabia, who knew how he taught and how he lived, to feel anything but reverence for that mighty Prophet, one of the great messengers of the Supreme. And although in what I put to you I shall say many things which may be familiar to many, yet I myself feel, whenever I reread them, a new way of admiration, a new sense of reverence for that mighty Arabian teacher.” [Annie Besant, in "The Life and Teachings of Mohammad (1932), p. 4.]

“In little more than a year he was actually the spiritual, nominal and temporal ruler of Medina, with his hands on the lever that was to shake the world.” [John Austin, in "Muhammad the Prophet of Allah" in T.P.'s and Cassel's Weekly (24 September 1927)]

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Quran

The above observation makes the hypothesis advanced by those who see Muhammad as the author of the Qur'an untenable. How could a man, from being illiterate, become the most important author, in terms of literary merits, in the whole of Arabic literature? How could he then pronounce truths of a scientific nature that no other human being could possibly have developed at that time, and all this without once making the slightest error in his pronouncement on the subject?"

Maurice Bucaille, THE BIBLE, THE QUR'AN AND SCIENCE, 1978, p. 125.

A totally objective examination of it [the Qur'an] in the light of modern knowledge, leads us to recognize the agreement between the two, as has been already noted on repeated occasions. It makes us deem it quite unthinkable for a man of Muhammad's time to have been the author of such statements on account of the state of knowledge in his day. Such considerations are part of what gives the Qur'anic Revelation its unique place, and forces the impartial scientist to admit his inability to provide an explanation which calls solely upon materialistic reasoning."

Maurice Bucaille, THE QUR'AN AND MODERN SCIENCE, 1981, p. 18

The Qur'an cannot be translated. ...The book is here rendered almost literally and every effort has been made to choose befitting language. But the result is not the Glorious Qur'an, that inimitable symphony, the very sounds of which move men to tears and ecstasy. It is only an attempt to present the meaning of the Qur'an — and peradventure something of the charm in English. It can never take the place of the Qur'an in Arabic, nor is it meant to do so...

Marmaduke Pickthall in the Translator's Foreword to his translation of the Qur'an (1930)

In making the present attempt to improve on the performance of my predecessors, and to produce something which might be accepted as echoing however faintly the sublime rhetoric of the Arabic Koran, I have been at pains to study the intricate and richly varied rhythms which - apart from the message itself - constitute the Koran's undeniable claim to rank amongst the greatest literary masterpieces of mankind... This very characteristic feature has been almost totally ignored by previous translators; it is therefore not surprising that what they have wrought sounds dull and flat indeed in comparison with the splendidly decorated original.

Arthur J. Arberry, THE KORAN INTERPRETED, London: Oxford University Press, 1964, p. x

However often we turn to it [the Qur'an] at first disgusting us each time afresh, it soon attracts, astounds, and in the end enforces our reverence... Its style, in accordance with its contents and aim is stern, grand, terrible — ever and anon truly sublime — Thus this book will go on exercising through all ages a most potent influence.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, quoted in Dictionary of Islam (1895), by T.P. Hughes, p. 526

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Islam

Islam is a Abrahamic religion originating with prophet Muhammad, a 7th century Arab, and centered on the religious text known as the Qur'an. It is the second-largest religion in the world today, with an estimated 1.5 billion adherents, spread across the globe, known as Muslims. Linguistically, Islam means submission, referring to the total surrender of one's self to God (Allah), and a Muslim is "one who submits to God".

In Mohammedanism the limited principle of the Jews is expanded into universality and thereby overcome. Here, God is no longer, as with the Asiatics, contemplated as existent in immediately sensuous mode but is apprehended as the one infinite sublime Power beyond all the multiplicity of the world. Mohammedanism is, therefore, in the strictest sense of the world, the religion of sublimity.

Hegel, Philosophy of Mind

[Source: wikiquote.org]

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