Monday, November 30, 2009

Scientific Miracles of Quran

Qur’an miraculously predicted many inventions of modern science 1429 years ago and all those Qur’anic predictions are flawless. What scientists are proving in modern world is exactly what was told in Qur’an. The miraculous aspects of the Holy Book reflect its credibility and uniqueness.
God has said in the Quran:

“And He has set firm mountains in the earth so that it would not shake with you” (Quran, 16:15)
The modern theory of plate tectonics holds that mountains work as stabilizers for the earth. This knowledge about the role of mountains as stabilizers for the earth has just begun to be understood in the framework of plate tectonics since the late 1960’s.

Science has proved that the earth and the heavens were one connected entity. Then out of this homogeneous ‘smoke,’ they formed and separated from each other. Through Quran Recitation we come to know that Allah said “Have not those who disbelieved known that the heavens and the earth were one connected entity, then We separated them?”

Modern science has proved that all stars have a life cycle. They first lose their shine and then become totally dim. When all stars die or become dim, it means the end of the world, Who taught the Holy Prophet these recently discovered, fascinating and scientific facts? He is the One, God Almighty.

There are many other scientific proofs revealed by Quran which explain Islamic Schools of thought about the mysteries of universe which are still to be found.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Learning Quran Recitation Online

The Quran, the last revealed word of God, is the primary source of every Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all the subjects that concern human beings: wisdom, doctrine, worship, transactions, law, etc., but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures. At the same time, it provides guidelines and detailed teachings for a just society, proper human conduct, and an equitable economic system.

The Qur’an is a surprisingly sophisticated scripture which is the essence of Islam. It advocates monotheism, sodality, love for one another and various methods to improve our beingness in this world. It explains various facts most clearly and makes comments accordingly. Thus, the holy Quran is an important book that challenges the reader to think, ponder and examine for himself. It has the power to convince, motivate and influence.

The Quran Recitation is essential in the life of all Muslims and needs to be passed on to our children right from an early age. The holy Quran has the remedy to all human afflictions. Quran education guides us in all our activities and helps us associate our entire self with God's name and attributes. With Quranic education we can copiously understand that Islam is both a religion as well as a complete way of life.

Quran education made uncomplicated, simple and advantageous in online Islamic Schools. With the right path to Quran education, you can maintain a religion of peace, mercy, forgiveness complete with wisdom and insight. And this can happen only with appropriate guidance from knowledgeable and skillful tutors who can pass on various facets of Quran education to others.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

The Virtue of Animal Sacrifice

In Islamic School of thought animal sacrifice is a symbol of Ibrahim's sacrifice, and to show gratitude towards Allah, Muslims sacrifice an animal during Eid-al-Adha such as a sheep, goat, cow, or camel. This sacrifice is commonly referred to as Udhiya (in Arabic) or Qurbani (in Urdu and Persian).

Through Quran Recitation we find the virtue of sacrifice as;

“The flesh and blood [of your sacrificed animals] does not reach God; it is only your piety that reaches Him. Thus has He subjected them to your service so that you may give glory to God for guiding you. [This is the way of the righteous] and [O Prophet!] give glad tidings to these righteous.” (22:37)

Muslims sacrifice animals in the remembrance of Abraham's sacrifice. For this act of sacrifice Abraham has been cited in the Qur’an as an exemplary vanguard in submission to God alone.

The animal used for sacrifice must be free from any form of illness or disability, including blindness, limping, and malnourishment, and they must meet certain age requirements.

The meat from the animal’s slaughtering is often distributed equally to three groups: one part for the person performing the sacrifice, one part for friends and family, and one part for the poor. This symbolizes our willingness to part with things that are considered valuable to us, while also sharing with those around us and those that are in need.

While it is often suggested that each Muslim perform the slaughter with their own hands, this is not always possible in many Western countries due to many health and safety regulations. Therefore, it is permissible for a sacrifice to be performed by someone else on one's behalf and then having the meat distributed to the poor, as long as one covers the costs of the animal and distribution.

One of the key requirements of the slaughtering process is to pronounce Allah's name before taking the animal's life. By saying "Allah hu Akbar" in Arabic, which translates to "God is Great", we are reminded that life is sacred.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Allah is the Biggest Healer

Being humans we commit good and bad deeds. It is very natural that a person intentionally or unintentionally does some deeds which are not permitted in religion. So we should always ask Allah for guidance and forgiveness as we are advised to do so in Qur’an.

“And your Lord said: “Invoke Me, I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship (i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!” (Ghaafir 40:60)

The life is full of hardships, calamities, twists and turns. Being a Muslim we should have firm belief in Allah that He will always rescue from the mishaps. Through Quran Recitation we can find many verses in which Muslims are advised to as relief through supplication. Hence, belief in Allah is the source of security and peace. And the hearts that are devoid of trust are always far from Allah and are full of fright and confusion.

Supplication is the dearest thing to Allah. It is the way to patience in the cause of Allah. It is a sign of sincere dependence on Allah and keeping away from incapacity and laziness. It is an easy-to-make act of worship and it can be done at all places and times.

the supplicant must be a sincere believer. He should face the qiblah while making the supplication and should be sure that he is in the state of purity. He should raise his hands to Allah. He should be resolute in his supplication, supplicate at the times when invocations are most likely answered and select the supplications that are authentically reported from the Prophet. He should also not forget to make a sadaqah before his supplication. If he can do all these, from Islamic School of thought his supplication will never be rejected.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Why Islamic Schools are Preffered

An Islamic School is a place where children are groomed according to the principles of Islam. The ideal Islamic school must have syllabus conforming to the needs of modern education to compete the world.

The purpose of an Islamic school is essentially to create an environment that reflects an Islamic ideology. It is warm, embracing, encouraging and its decor redirects its inhabitants towards God remembrance and good actions. Students of Islamic schools can better live their life according to the teachings of Islam by understanding the concepts of Qur’an.

The role of an Islamic school teacher is to then produce a wholesome child who carries out his obligations as set out by the precepts of Islam. Teaching of Quran Recitation is the most valuable feature of an Islamic School. Teacher’s directive is to educate a child by giving him or her mannerisms and the etiquette that will serve the child and the community; to ultimately make the child understand the purpose of his life and to provide that child with knowledge that will equip him/her to pursue both worldly gains and most importantly after-life gains. Such a child does not feel coerced, stifled or imprisoned but feels motivated, free and eager.

An essential prerequisite is that religious and secular subjects should be made an indivisible whole. The compartmentalization of religious and secular education, based on a factitious division of life into spiritual and temporal, is not sanctioned by Islam.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Importance of Surah Ikhlas

This surah was revealed in Makkah and it has 4 verses. It is also known as surah al-Ikhlaas. It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) that whoever recites this surah once will get the reward equal to ten times the number of people who have believed in the Islamic teachings.

This surah has many other rewards and its recitation is compared to one third of complete Quran Recitation. Reciting it once is a means of blessings for the reciter, if recited twice then the blessings are also showered upon the children of the reciter. Reciting it thrice brings blessings on the entire family of the reciter. If surah al-Ikhlas is recited 11 times, the reciter will have palaces built for him in Jannah.

In Islamic School of thought, when a person recites this surah 100 times, all his sins for the past 25 years are forgiven (except the sins of killing an innocent person or usurping the property of people). The one who recites it 1000 times will not die unless he sees his place in Jannah.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) once advised a poor person to always say ‘salaam’ when entering his house, even if there was nobody there, and then recite surah at-Tawheed. After a little while, the man became abundantly wealthy.

It is narrated that if a person does not recite this surah in any of his five daily prayers, it is as if he has not prayed. In fact, if a person does not recite this surah in any of his prayers for seven consecutive days, and he dies, it will be as if he died while following the religion of Abu Lahab.

It is makruh to recite this surah in one breath. This surah has numerous other benefits and is a cure for many ailments. It should be recited when travelling or when facing a tyrant ruler.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Worth of Reciting Bismillah

If we were to give an exhaustive account of the benefits of the recitation of “Bismillah…” we would need more than a single volume to do justice to it. Apart from being part of every chapter in the Holy Qur’an (except the chapter of repentance [surah at-tawba]), it is also the most oft repeated verse in the Holy Qur’an.

It is narrated in Tafseere Burhaan that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) has said that when a person recites “Bismillah...” then five thousand ruby palaces are built for him in Jannah Each palace has a thousand chambers made of pearls and in each chamber has seventy thousand thrones of emerald and each throne has seventy thousand carpets made from special fabrics and upon each carpet is seated a Hur-ul-Ein. A person asked for the condition necessary to get this great reward and the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) replied that the person should recite the “Bismillah…” with conviction and understanding. You can judge how many merits complete Quran Recitation may have from this narration.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) has also said that when a believer will have to cross the Pul-e-Siraat on the Day of Judgement, and he will say “Bismillah…” then the flames beneath him will start dying down until Jahannam will cry out, ‘O believer, pass through quickly, your presence is causing my fire to die out !’

In Islamic Schools the first lesson given to a child is to recite “Bismillah” knowing the fact that when a teacher teaches a child to recite “Bismillah…” the child, his parents and the teacher are all guaranteed freedom from hellfire. It is narrated that Prophet Isa (a.s.) was once passing by a graveyard and he saw a grave upon which the Wrath and Punishment of Allah (s.w.t.) was descending, so he quietly walked past. When he passed the same place after some time, he noticed that the Mercy and Blessings of Allah (s.w.t.) was being showered on the same grave. He was surprised at this and asked Allah (s.w.t.) about what has happened and it was revealed to him that the man inside the grave was a sinner and was thus being punished for his sins. When he died, his wife was pregnant and soon gave birth to a son. When the boy grew older, his mother took him to a teacher who taught him to recite “Bismillah…” and I felt that it would not be justice that this man’s son was calling My Name and I was punishing his father in the grave.

It is also mentioned that recitation of “Bismillah…” with a loud voice is from the signs of a true believer. Imam Ali Ridha (a.s.) said that “Bismillah…” is very close to the chosen name of Allah (s.w.t.) [Isma A’adham].