Monday, November 19, 2007

Some Basic Verses

From: www.quranbookforall.com

In this chapter we will read some verses which I think come under the category of “The basic and fundamental” verses of Quran. These verses form the foundation of this book. Their meaning is very important to our faith and their meaning is very easy to understand. They are for everyone to follow.

1.Salat (Prayer) :

- 2:238 (Habit of prayer): Guard strictly your habit of prayers, especially the middle prayer and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind).

- 2:239 (Prayer during travel): If you fear ( an enemy ) pray on foot or riding. But when you are in security celebrate Allah’s praises in the manner He has taught you.

- 2:2 (firm in prayer): This is the book; in it is guidance surely, without doubt, for those who fear Allah. Who believe in the unseen, are firm in prayer and spend out of what we have provided for them.

- 5:6 (Wuduh): O you who believe when you prepare for prayer wash your faces and your hands (and arms ) to the elbows. Rub your heads (with water) and (wash) your feet to the ankles. If you are in a state of ceremonial impurity bathe your whole body, but if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from privy or in contact with women. And if you find no water then take for yourselves clean sand or earth and rub therewith your faces and hands. Allah does not want to place you in difficulty. But to make you clean and complete His favor to you, so that you may be grateful.

- 11:114 (Prayer timing): And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night. For those things that are good remove those that are evil. That is a reminder for the mindful.

- 20:130 (Time of prayer): Therefore be patient with what they say and then celebrate the praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun, and before it’s setting. You celebrate them for part of the hours of the night and at the sides of the day, so that you may be pleased.

- 2:177 (Steadfast in prayer): Be steadfast in Prayer, and give Zakat fulfill the contracts, which you have made……… Such are the people of truth and God fearing.

2. Zakat (Charity):

-2:110 (Allah records all zakat): And be steadfast in prayer and give zakat, and whatever good you send forth before you, you shall find it with Allah for Allah sees well all that you do.

- 2:273 (Charity for needy) : (Charity is) in the land seeking (for trade and work). The ignorant man thinks that because of their modesty that they are free from want. You shall know them by their (clear) mark. They do not beg repeatedly from everybody. And whatever good you give them, be assured that Allah knows it well.

- 2:274 (Charity every time): Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.

- 2:276 (Increase in deeds of Charity): Allah will deprive Usury of all blessing but will give increase for deeds of charity. He loves not any ungrateful sinner.

- 4:162 (Pay zakat, get reward): But those among them who are well grounded in knowledge and the believers, believe in what has been revealed to you and what was revealed before you. And (Especially) those who establish regular prayer, pay zakat and believe in Allah and the last day. To them shall we soon give a great reward.

- 5:155 (Believers pay zakat): your real friends are (no less then) Allah, his Messenger and the believers, that is those who establish regular Prayer and pay zakat and they bown down humbly (in worship).

- 2:195 (Spend wealth in allah’s way): And spend of your substance (Wealth and possessions in the cause of Allah, and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction. But do good for Allah loves those who do good.

- 2:215 (What to spend in Charity): They ask you what they should spend (in charity). Say: “What wealth you spend that is good, is for parents and relatives and orphans, for those in want, for the wayfarer. And whatever you do that is good, Allah knows it well.

- 2:219 (How much to spend): They ask you how much they are to spend. “Say what is beyond yuour needs.” Thus does Allah make clear to you His signs in order that you may consider.

- 2:254 (Charity before the day): O you who believe! Spend out of (the bounties) we have provided for you before the day comes when no bargaining will avail nor friendship nor intercession. Those who reject faith, they are the wrong doers.

- 2:261 (Charity multiplied): The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn. It grows seven ears and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifolds increase to whom he pleases and Allah cares for all and He knows all things.

- 3:134 (Spend in prosperity and adversity): Those who spend (freely) whether in prosperity or in adversity. Who restrain anger and pardon (all) men, for Allah loves who do good.

- 30:39 (Reward multiplied): That which you lay out for increase in property of (other) people, will have no increase with Allah; but that which you lay out for charity, seeking the support of Allah, it is those who get a reward multiplied.

- 57:18 (Loan to Allah): For those who give in charity men and women, and loan to Allah, a beautiful loan. It shall be increased manifold, and they shall have a generous reward.

- 63:9,10 (Give charity before death): O you who believe let not your riches and your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. If anyone act like this, surely they are the losers. And spend something (in charity) out of the substance which we have bestowed on you, before death should come to any of you and he should say, “O my Lord! Why did you not give me a break for a little while? I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good.

- 64:16 (Benefit of soul): So fear Allah as much as you can. Listen and obey and spend in charity for the benefit of your own souls.

- 9:60 (Charity for whom?): Charity is for the poor and the needy and those employed to administer the (funds). For those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to truth). For those in bondage and in debt, in the cause of Allah and for the wayfarer.

- 92:17 (Self purification): But those most devoted to Allah shall be removed far from it (blazing fire). Those who spend their wealth for increase in self-purification.

3.Saum (Fasting):

- 2:183 (Learn self restrain): O you who believe fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, so that you may learn self restrain.

- 2: 184 (Fasting, not difficult): (Fast) for a fixed number of days but if any of you is ill or on a journey the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later for those who can do it. (With hardship) is a ransom that is feeding of one who is poor. But the one who feeds more of his free will, it is better for him. And it is (still) better for you that you fast, if you only knew (the rewards). Ramadan is the (month) in which was send down the Quran as a guide to mankind, as a clear guidance and judgment. So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you. He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you, and may be you shall be grateful.

- 2:187 (Sexual contact during fasting) : Permitted to you on the night of the fasts, is the approach to your wives. They are your garments and you are their garments. Allah knows what you used to do secretary among yourselves. But He turned to you and forgave you. So now associate with them and seek what Allah has ordered to you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appear to you distinct from its black thread. Then complete your fast till the night appears. But do not associate with your wives while you are in retreat (in Aitqaf) in the mosques. Thus does Allah make clear. His signs to men, (so) that they may learn self restrain.

4. Hajj & Umrah (Pilgrimage)

- 3:96 (Hajj, a duty): The first house appointed for men was at Bakka (Kaba in Makkah), full of blessing and of guidance for all the worlds. In it are clear signs, the station of Abraham. Whoever enters it attains security, pilgrimage to it is a duty men owe to Allah. Those who can afford the journey, but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need for any of His creations.

- 2:197, 198,190,200 (Hajj with right conduct): - For Hajj are the months well known. If anyone undertakes that duty, therein let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj. And whatever good you do, Allah knows it and take a provision for the journey, but the best provision is right conduct, so fear Me, O you that are wise. - It is no crime in you if you seek of the bounty of your Lord (during pilgrimage), then when you pour down from (Mount) Arafat celebrate the praises of Allah at the sacred monument (Muzdallifah). And celebrate his praises as He has directed you, even though before this you want astray. - Then return from the place when it is normal for the huge number (of Hajis) so to do and ask for Allah’s forgiveness for Allah forgives again and again and is Merciful. - So when you have accomplished your rites, celebrate the praises of Allah, as you used to celebrate the praises of your fathers, and even with more heart and soul. There are men who say: “Our Lord! Give us (your bounties) in this world!” But they will have no portion in the Hereafter.

- 2:203 (Leave Mina on 12 or 13th): Remember Allah during the appointed days, but if any one hastens to leave in two days, there is no blame on him, and if anyone stays on, there is no blame on him. If his aim is to do right. Then fear Allah and know that you will surely be gathered to Him.

- 2:196 (Compensations): And complete the Hajj or Umrah, in the service of Allah, but if you are prevented send an offering for sacrifice, such as you may find, and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches the place of sacrifice. And if any of you is ill, or has an ailment in his scalp, in compensation either fast or feed the poor or offer sacrifice. And when you are in peaceful conditions, if anyone wishes to continue the Umrah on to the Hajj, he must make an offering such as he can afford. But if he cannot afford it, he should fast three days during the Hajj and seven days on his return, making ten days in all. This is for those whose household is not in the sacred mosque. And fear Allah and know that Allah is strict in punishment.

5.Enjoin/Implement good, forbid evil

- 3:104 (Invite to good): Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good. Imposing what is right and forbidding what is wrong. They are the ones to attain intense happiness.

- 3:110 (We are best people if…): You are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind. Imposing what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah. If only the people of the book had faith, it was best for them. Among them are some who have faith but most of them are perverted transgressors.

- 9:71 (This duty for men & women): The believers (men and women) are protectors, one of another. They impose what is just and forbid what is evil, they observe regular prayers, pay zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy for Allah is high in power, Wise.

- 9:112 (Properties of Muslims): Those that turn (to Allah) in repentance, that serve Him and praise him, that wander in devotion in the cause of Allah. That bow down and prostrate themselves in prayer. That impose good and forbid evil and observe the limits set by Allah. So proclaim the good news to the believers.

- 22:41 (Properties of Muslims): (They are) those who, if we establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give charity, enjoin the right and forbid wrong. With Allah lie all decisions.

6.Moral Conduct

- 24:30 (Purdah starts at the eyes) - Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze (not to look intensely) and guard their modesty. That will make them more pure and Allah is well aware with all that you do. - Say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty. They should not display their beauty and ornaments except what ordinarily appears. They should cover their bosoms with a veil and not display their beauty except their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, and their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons or their women, or the slaves whom their right hand possesses, or male attendant free of sexual desires or small children who have no carnal knowledge of women. And they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O you believers turn all of you together towards Allah in repentance so that you may be successful.

- 33:59 (Dress for Muslim women outdoors): O Prophet (Mohammad (SAW)) tell your wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when out of doors). That is more convenient, so that they should be known (as such) and not molested, and Allah forgives again and again.

- 23:5 (Muslims guard their modesty): Successful indeed are the believers. Those who are humble in their prayers, who avoid vain (useless) talk, who are active in giving charity, who guard their modesty (that is sexual abuse or sexual perversion).

- 24:33 (Instruction for bachelors): Let those who do not have the means to marry keep themselves (sexually) pure until Allah gives them the means.

- 4:3: (Marriage). Marry women who seem good to you two or three or four in number. However if you fear that you may not be able to act equitably towards all, then marry only one.

- 4:129: You will never be able to deal equitably between your wives, however much you may want.

7.Social Conduct

- 49:11 (Making fun of others): O you who believe let not some men among you laugh at others. It may be that the (latter) are better then the (former). Nor let some women laugh at others, it may be that the (latter) are better then the (former). Nor defame, nor be sarcastic to each other. Nor call each other by nicknames. I will seeming is a name connoting wickedness. And those who do not stop are doing wrong.

- 49:12 (Spying and backbiting on others): O you who believe avoid suspicion as much (as possible). For suspicion in some cases is a sin. Nor spy on each other nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? No you will hate, but fear Allah for Allah forgives again and again and is Merciful.

- 83:1,2,3,4,5 (Cheating others): · Woe to those who deal in fraud. · Those who, when they have to receive by measure from men exact full measure. · But when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due. · Do they not think that they will be raised up? · On a mighty day. · A day when (all) mankind will stand before the Lord of the Worlds.

8.Parents

- 17:23 (Be kind to parents): Your Lord has ordered that you worship none but Him. And that you be kind to parents. Whether one, or both of them, attain old age in your life. Do not say a word of disrespect of them nor be repulsive to them. But address them with respect (and honor).

- 17:24 (Protect your parents): And out of humility lower to them the wing of humility and say “My Lord bestow on them your Mercy as they cherished me in childhood.”

- 29:8 (Be kind to parents):We have commanded man to be kind to his parents. But if they force you to join with Me in worship anything of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them.

- 31:14 (Mother more deserving): And we have enjoined on man to be good to his parents. In a painful effort upon painful effort did his mother bear him. For two years was his weaning, show thanks to Me and to your parents. To Me is your final goal.

- 46:15 (Mother more deserving): We have ordered man to be kind to his parents. In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth. The carrying of the child to his weaning is thirty months. At length, when he reaches the age of full strength and attains forty years, he says, “O My Lord! Grant me that I may be grateful for your favor, which you have bestowed on me and upon both my parents, and that I may do what is morally right with your approval. Be gracious to me in my affairs. Truly have I turned to you and truly did I submit to you in Islam.

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