Aqīdati - The Islamic Creed for Beginners PDF

Mashhoor Muhammad AlSuhaibi  By Mashhoor Muhammad AlSuhaibi ©The Islamic Center of Al-Jamah Dist., 2016 King Fahd National Library Cataloging-in-Publication Data AlSuhaibi, Mashhoor Muhammad My Belief: The Islamic Creed for Beginners. / Mashhoor Muhammad AlSuhaibi – Jeddah, 201...

Mashhoor Muhammad AlSuhaibi  By Mashhoor Muhammad AlSuhaibi ©The Islamic Center of Al-Jamah Dist., 2016 King Fahd National Library Cataloging-in-Publication Data AlSuhaibi, Mashhoor Muhammad My Belief: The Islamic Creed for Beginners. / Mashhoor Muhammad AlSuhaibi – Jeddah, 2016 47p ; 12cm ISBN: 978-603-02-1842-4 1-Prayer - Islam 2-Faith (Islam) I- Title 252.2 dc 1437/8901 L.D. no. 1437/8901 ISBN: 978-603-02-1842-4 Aqīdati – The Islamic Creed for Beginners By Mashhoor Muhammad AlSuhaibi Email: [email protected] Jeddah, KSA  The Pillars of Īmān Contents Symbols......................................................................................................................................3 Preface.......................................................................................................................................4 UNIT 1.........................................................................................................................................5 Pillars of Īmān (Belief)...............................................................................................................6 The Proofs for the Six Pillars of Īmān (Belief)...........................................................................7 Belief in Allāh the Exalted.........................................................................................................8 Allāh - The All-Provider .............................................................................................8 To believe in Allāh the Exalted means...........................................................................9 Allāh - The Creator ....................................................................................................9 How do we know that Allāh  exists?.........................................................................9 Allāh - The All-Hearing ............................................................................................10 Reflect upon the following great verses of the Qur’ān..............................................10 Belief in the Angels..................................................................................................................11 To believe in the Angels means...................................................................................11 Amongst the well-known angels and their duties.......................................................12 Belief in the Books...................................................................................................................13 The Proofs for this.......................................................................................................13 To believe in the Books of Allāh  means..................................................................13 Some of the Books and who were they revealed to...................................................13 The Jews and Christians had tampered with the Books revealed to them.................14 Belief in the Messengers.........................................................................................................15 The Proofs for this.......................................................................................................15 Allāh  has favored some of the Prophets over others.............................................16 To believe in the Messengers means..........................................................................16 Do you really love Allāh ?........................................................................................17 Belief in the Hereafter.............................................................................................................18 The disbelievers questioned the resurrection............................................................18 Belief in Predestination...........................................................................................................20 The Qadar is known through its four levels................................................................20 Misconceptions...........................................................................................................21 1  The Pillars of Īmān UNIT 1 Test Yourself................................................................................................................22 UNIT 2.......................................................................................................................................29 Pillars of Islām..........................................................................................................................30 The Proof for the Five Pillars of Islām.....................................................................................31 The Two Testimonies - Ash-Shahadatān................................................................................32 To testify that “Lā ilāha illal-lāh”................................................................................32 The meaning of worship - Ibādah...............................................................................32 Be aware of the following invalidators of “Lā ilāha illal-lāh”.....................................32 The ruling of the disbelievers and those who commit an invalidator of Islām..........32 To testify that Muhammad  is Rasu-lul-lāh (The Messenger of Allāh)...................33 The Way to Paradise....................................................................................................33 The two conditions for accepting Ibādah....................................................................33 Establishing Prayer - As-Salāh.................................................................................................34 The Conditions of As-Salāh.........................................................................................34 A Muslim Must Perform 5 Daily Prayers....................................................................35 Paying Obligatory Charity - Zakāh..........................................................................................36 The Conditions of Zakāh..............................................................................................36 Why give Zakāh?........................................................................................................36 The Zakāt Items..........................................................................................................37 Fasting Ramadān.....................................................................................................................38 What is Fasting?..........................................................................................................38 Who Must Fast?..........................................................................................................38 Why do we Fast?.........................................................................................................39 Fasting Virtues.............................................................................................................39 Pilgrimage - Hajj.......................................................................................................................40 Who Must Perform Hajj?............................................................................................40 Hajj Virtues.................................................................................................................40 UNIT 2 Test Yourself................................................................................................................43 2  The Pillars of Īmān Symbols Meaning – Transliteration To whom belongs Might and Majesty  Azza wa Jal  Allāh’s blessing and peace be upon him Salal-lāhu alihi wa sal-lam  Peace be upon him Alaihis-Salām  May Allāh be pleased with him Radiyal-lāhu Anhu  May Allāh be pleased with them Radiyal-lāhu Anhum 3  The Pillars of Īmān Preface A ll praises are due to Allāh, we praise Him seek His help and forgiveness; and Allāh’s peace and blessing be upon His Prophet Muhammad. Man was created in this life for a purpose; and Allāh  had clearly guided him to that purpose. That's why Messengers were sent through time to convey His noble message to mankind. Allāh the Exalted said: (And I (Allāh) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone) ) (The Noble Qur’ān 51:56) It is incumbent upon every human being to follow Allāh's  final revelation and to attain and apply the teachings preached by the seal of all Prophets Muhammad . The way to achieve all that is knowledge. That's why Allāh  abundantly praised those who go along this path and spare their time seeking it. Allāh the Exalted said: (Allāh will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge. And Allāh is Well-Acquainted with what you do.) (The Noble Qur’ān 58:11) Narrated by Abu Hurairah  that the Prophet  said: (Whoever traverses a path seeking knowledge, Allāh  shall ease, for him, through it a way to paradise) (Muslim) Narrated by Mua'wiah ibn Abi Sufyan  that the Prophet  said: (Whoever Allāh  wants good for, He grants him understanding of the deen (religion)) (Al-Bukhārī and Muslim) The most noble of all knowledge is the Qur’ān; following its guidance; abiding to its teachings; mastering reading it; and reflecting upon its eloquently profound rhetoric and meaning. Allāh the Exalted said: ((This is) a Book (the Qur’ān) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember.) (The Noble Qur’ān 38:29) Narrated by Othman ibn Affān  that the Prophet  said: (The best amongst you are those who have learnt the Qur’ān and taught it.) (Al-Bukhārī) After the noble Qur’ān comes the knowledge of the Sunnah (the teachings of Prophet Muhammad ); learning his biography and following him in belief, worship, manners and etiquette. Allāh the Exalted said: (There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allāh an excellent example for anyone whose hope is in Allāh and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allāh often.) (The Noble Qur’ān 33:21) 4  The Pillars of Īmān 5  The Pillars of Īmān 6  The Pillars of Īmān Allāh the Exalted said: (The Prophet believed in what was revealed to him and the believers did; All believed in Allāh, His angels, His books and Messengers) (Noble Qur’ān 2:285) Allāh the Exalted said: (and whosoever disbelieves in Allāh, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, then indeed he has strayed far away) (Noble Qur’ān 4:136) Allāh the Exalted said: (Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine Preordainments)) (Noble Qur’ān 54:49) Omar  said: ("While we were sitting with the Messenger of Allāh  one day a man came up to us whose clothes were extremely white, whose hair was extremely black, upon whom traces of travelling could not be seen, and whom none of us knew, until he sat down close to the Prophet  so that he rested his knees to his knees and placed his two hands upon his thighs and said, oh Muhammad, inform me about Islām. The Messenger of Allāh  said: Islām is that you witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allāh and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allāh, and you establish the Prayer, and you give the Zakāt, and you fast Ramadān, and you perform the Hajj to the House if you are able to make a way to it. He said: You have told the truth, and we were amazed at him asking him and [then] telling him that he told the truth. He said: Inform me about Īmān. He said: That you believe in Allāh, His angels, His books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in the Divine Decree, the good of it and the bad of it. He said: You have told the truth. He said: Inform me about Ihsān. He said: That you worship Allāh as if you see Him, for if you don't see Him then truly He sees you. He said: Inform me about the Hour. He said: The one asked about it knows no more than the one asking. He said: Then tell me about its sign. He said: That the female slave should give birth to her mistress, and you see poor, naked, barefoot shepherds of sheep and goats competing to make tall buildings. He went away, and I remained some time. Then he asked, Omar, do you know who the questioner was? I said: Allāh and His Messenger know best. He said: He was Jibreel (Gabriel the angel) who came to you to teach you your Deen (Religion).") (Muslim) 7  The Pillars of Īmān T o believe in Allāh, the Exalted, is the first important pillar of belief (Īmān). The rest of the pillars of Īmān are dependent upon the belief in Allāh . Nothing describes Allāh better than His own words in His Glorious Qur’ān. (He is Allāh, beside Whom Lā ilāha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. (22) He is Allāh beside Whom is Lā ilāha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allāh! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him. (23) He is Allāh, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All- Mighty, the All-Wise.(24)) (The Noble Qur’ān 59:22-24) Every single atom in this humongous universe submits to Him alone. Nothing can escape from being a slave of Allāh . Allāh the Exalted said: (while to Him have submitted all creatures in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and to Him shall they all be returned) (The Noble Qur’ān 3:83). Allāh  said: (The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein, glorify Him and there is not a thing but glorifies His Praise. But you understand not their glorification. Truly, He is Ever Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving.) (Noble Qur’ān 17:44)  He is the Creator, the Owner of everything, the Best Disposer of affairs, the Sustainer, the Ever-living the Exalted He is. To  The blue whale is 30m long and weighs Him belong the All-Majestic, All-Perfect and All-Beautiful 150 tons. It eats 4000kg of food every Names and Attributes. day! Who provides for it?!  The cow eats grass from one side and He created His slaves to worship Him alone. He warned them brings out milk for us from the other against disobeying Him and associating partners with Him. side; Allāh  said: (And verily! In the He neither has a wife nor a son. cattle, there is a lesson for you. We Allāh the exalted said: (Say (O Muhammad): "He is Allāh, give you to drink of that which is in (the) One.(1) "Allāh-us-Samad [the Self-Sufficient Master, their bellies, from between excretions Whom all creatures need, (He neither eats nor drinks)]. (2) and blood, pure milk; palatable to the "He begets not, nor was He begotten ;(3) "And there is none drinkers.) (Noble Qur’ān 16:66) co-equal or comparable unto Him." (4)) (The Noble Qur’ān 112). Do we really appreciate how much He is free from having a similitude; (There is nothing like Allāh  has provided for us?! Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.)(The Noble Qur’ān 42:11) Ponder upon Allāh’s  All-Beautiful Names and All-Perfect Attributes; feel 8 their impact upon your existence and show gratitude.  The Pillars of Īmān  A. Belief in Allāh, the Exalted, means to believe: 1 In His existence  The Mosquito has a thermal infra-red In His Rububiah (i.e. that He is the Creator, the Owner system to help it see the prey’s skin even 2 and Disposer of all affairs ) in the darkness of the night.  It has an anesthetic system to secure its blood draw. That’s why we don’t feel the In His Uloohiah (that He is to be worshiped alone bite pain until the mosquito had already 3 without associating any partners) fled.  It has a blood analysis system, to In his Asma' wa Sifat (Name and Attributes) - no one diagnose the blood that suits its taste. 4 is comparable to Him and He has no similitude  It has a system to liquefy the blood so it can flow through its tiny straw.  Its wing flaps 300-600 times per second!! B. How do we know that Allāh  exists? Allāh  said: (Indeed, Allāh is not timid to present an example – that of a mosquito or what is smaller than it.) (Qur’ān 2: 26) By looking into Allāh's  creation we see many signs which prove His existence. For instance, if you walk in a desert and you find a yellow and black sharpened pencil with a red eraser, would any wise person dare to say that this pencil, through time, hundreds, thousands or even millions of years ago formed on its own?! What is the chance of that happening?! Can coincidence cause that?! Watch Video Well, what if we find dozens of similar pencils around, what would be the chance now?! Compare this single tiny pencil to this gigantic, complex, coherent and well integrated universe with all its abundant and diverse creation. Can it come to existence on its own?! Allāh  said: (Were they created by nothing? or were they themselves the creators?) (The Noble Qur’ān 52:35) Proofs from the Qur’ān and the authentic Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) confirm Allāh's existence; additionally, the Qur’ān is full of logical proofs which confirm His oneness. Allāh  asks us to look and ponder upon His creation to be guided to Him. Allāh the Exalted said: (Do they not look at the camels, how they are created? (17) And at the heaven, how it is raised? (18) And at the mountains, how they are rooted (and fixed firm)? (19) And at the earth, how it is outspread? (20)) (The Noble Qur’ān 88:17-20) Allāh the Exalted said: (We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (the Qur’ān) is the truth.) (The Noble Qur’ān 41:53) 9  The Pillars of Īmān  (O My servants, if the first of you and the last of you, and the humans of you and the jinn of you, were all to stand together in one place and ask of Me, and I were to give everyone what he requested, then that would not decrease what I possess, except what is decreased of the ocean when a needle is dipped into it.) (Muslim) Allāh  simultaneously hears all of them despite the different languages and voice tones. Beware that Allāh hears you all the time and even knows what goes on your mind. Verily, He is the All-Hearing. The natural instinct inside every human speaks that Allāh  exists. Humans in nature sense the need for the transcendent (the Creator), especially when they are in a state of danger or afflicted by calamities. Abu Hurairah  narrated that the Prophet  said: (Each child is born in a state of “Fitrah”, then his parents make him a Jew, Christian or a Zoroastrian (fire worshipper)…) (Al-Bukhārī and Muslim) Allāh  had given us all the signs and proofs that lead us to Him. He  sent Messengers since the beginning of man’s creation to call mankind to Him. Reflect upon the following great verses of the Qur’ān Allāh the Exalted said: (Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth, and sends down for you water (rain) from the sky, whereby We cause to grow wonderful gardens full of beauty and delight? It is not in your ability to cause the growth of their trees. Is there any ilāh (deity) with Allāh? Nay, but they are a people who ascribe equals (to Him)! (60) Is not He Who has made the earth as a fixed abode, and has placed rivers in its midst, and has placed firm mountains therein, and has set a barrier between the two seas (of salt and sweet water).Is there any ilāh (deity) with Allāh? Nay, but most of them know not! (61) Is not He Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls on Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations? Is there any ilāh (deity) with Allāh? Little is that you remember! (62) Is not He Who guides you in the darkness of the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy (rain)? Is there any ilāh (deity) with Allāh? High Exalted is Allāh above all that they associate as partners (to Him)! (63) Is not He Who originates creation, and shall thereafter repeat it, and Who provides for you from heaven and earth? Is there any ilāh (deity) with Allāh? Say, "Bring forth your proofs, if you are truthful." (64)) (The Noble Qur’ān 27:60-64) 10  The Pillars of Īmān  The angels are created by Allāh  from light. They are so great in their creation and they have wings. Allāh the Exalted said: (All the praises and thanks are to Allâh, the Originator of the heavens and the earth, who made the angels messengers with wings, - two or three or four. He increases in creation what He wills. Verily, Allâh is Able to do all things.) (The Noble Qur’ān 35:1) Ibn Masood  narrated that the Prophet  (saw Jibreel (Gabriel) with six hundred wings) (Al-Bukhārī & Muslim) and in another narration (each wing had encompassed the entire horizon.)(Declared sound by Ahmad)  They are so great in number. Al-Bayt Alma'moor is the equivalent of the Ka’bah in the 7th heaven; the Prophet  said: (Everyday it is entered by 70 thousand angels and they never return to it) (Muslim) Abu Dhar  narrated that the Prophet  said: “Verily I see what you do not see and I hear what you do not hear. The heaven is creaking and it should creak, for there is no space in it the width of four fingers but there is an angel there, placing his forehead in prostration to Allâh.” (At-Tirmidhi, declared sound by Al-Albani) A. Belief in the Angels means to believe that: They exist 1 They are created by Allāh  2 They are servants of Allāh  (i.e. they are not to be worshipped) 3 They do what they are commanded and never disobey Allāh  4 11  The Pillars of Īmān B. Amongst the well-known angels and their duties: Jibreel Revelation Malik Mikael Hell Rain Keeper Israfeal Angel of Blowing Death the Trumpet  All creations including those great angels are in full need and submission to their Mighty Lord Allāh the Exalted. Allāh, the All-sufficient, is not in need of anyone or anything.  In some occasions, the angels may take the form of human beings. The angel Jibreel , in many cases, used to come to the Prophet Muhammad  in the form of one of the companions called Dehia Alkalbi . He also came to Mary, the mother of Jesus -Isa-  in the form of a human being. (see the Noble Qur’ān Ch. 19)  The angels remember Allāh  day and night without boredom; they neither eat nor drink. A Muslim must believe in all the angels. Whoever doesn't believe in them is considered to be a disbeliever, even if he believes in Allāh  and the remaining pillars of Īmān. Allāh the Glorified and Exalted said: (Whoever is an enemy to Allāh, His Angels, His Messengers, Jibreel (Gabriel) and Mikael (Michael), then verily, Allāh is an enemy to the disbelievers.") (The Noble Qur’ān 2:98) 12  The Pillars of Īmān  A llāh the Exalted, through time, had sent several Messengers to mankind. Some of those Messengers were given books, which were Allāh's  words and revelation to them and their people. Those Books contained guidance to mankind; guidance in beliefs, worships, rulings and manners. A. The Proofs for this: Allāh the Exalted said: (The Prophet believed in what was revealed to him and the believers did; All believed in Allāh, His angels, His books and Messengers) (The Noble Qur’ān 2:286) The previously mentioned famous hadith of Jibreel (... Jibreel said: Tell me about Īmān. The Prophet  said: That you believe in Allāh, His angels, His books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in the Decree, the good of it and the bad of it.....) (Muslim) B. Belief in the Books of Allāh  means to believe: They are revealed by Allāh the Exalted 1 In the ones we know of (Al-Qur'ān, At-Torah, Al-Injeel, Az-Zabūr) 2 We must follow the rulings of the last revelation; the Noble Qur'ān 3 C. Some of the Books and who were they revealed to: Suhuf At-Torah Az-Zaboor Al-Injeel Al-Qur'ān (Scriptures) (Pentateuch) (Psalms) (Gospel) Ibrahim Musa Dawood Isa Muhammad      13  The Pillars of Īmān Allāh  mentioned in the Qur’ān that the Jews and Christians had tampered with the Books revealed to them. That's why the Books of the Jews and Christians available today are not the genuine Books revealed to Prophet Moses and Prophet Jesus peace be upon them. Due to this tampering, the Torah and Gospel lost their divinity. Allāh, the Exalted, said about the Jews: (They change the words from their (right) places) (The Noble Qur’ān 5:13). Additionally, the many inconsistent versions of the Bible are another tangible proof. Note that the Torah and Gospel available today are in a language different than that spoken by Jesus and Moses peace be upon them. The Noble Qur’ān was guarded by Allāh, the Exalted, against tampering. It is available in the exact language spoken by Prophet Muhammad  and today’s Arabs. Allāh the Exalted said: (Verily it is We Who have sent down Adh-Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’ān) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption)) (The Noble Qur’ān 15:9). The Noble Qur'ān is the last of all those Books. It is Allâh's  final revealed words to His final Messenger Muhammad . Whoever denies that Allāh  revealed those Books to those Messengers is not considered a Muslim because of belieing the Qur'ān. This is why Muslims give good care to Allāh's  Noble Book. You'll find millions of Muslim children, youth, grown-ups, males and females of different educational levels, memorize the entire Qur’ān (604 pages) by heart. It is also the dream and hope of every Muslim to achieve this. No other book on Earth was and is given such care. 14  The Pillars of Īmān  H uman beings have no other way of finding out what Allāh, the Exalted, wants from them except through revelation. That's why Allāh , through time, had sent Messengers to convey His message to mankind. Those Messengers were human beings from amongst the people they were sent to. However they were the best chosen from the best. A. The Proofs for this: Allāh the Glorified and Exalted said: (Verily, We have sent the revelation to you (O Muhammad) as We sent the revelation to Nuh (Noah) and the Prophets after him; We (also) sent the revelation to Ibrahim (Abraham), Ismail (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac), Yaqub (Jacob), and Al-Asbat [the offspring of the twelve sons of Yaqub (Jacob)], Isa (Jesus), Ayyub (Job), Yunus (Jonah), Harun (Aaron), and Sulaiman (Solomon); and to Dawud (David) We gave the Zabur (Psalms). (163) And Messengers We have mentioned to you before, and Messengers We have not mentioned to you, - and to Musa (Moses) Allāh spoke directly. (164) Messengers as bearers of good news as well as of warning in order that mankind should have no plea against Allāh after the (coming of) Messengers. And Allāh is Ever All-Powerful, All-Wise. (165)) (The Noble Qur’ān 4:163-164) Allāh  sent those Messengers with signs and miracles to prove the Oneness of Allāh  and that He, the Exalted, deserves to be worshipped alone without any partners. They all carried the same message, which is calling their people to submit themselves to Allāh  alone and to live in accordance with his orders laid in the revelation. 15  The Pillars of Īmān B. Allāh  has favored some of the Messengers over others. Allāh  named them "the Messengers of strong will" - Ulul azmi mina ar-rusul. 1 2 Muhammad Isa (Jesus)   3 5 Musa Nuh (Noah) (Moses)  4  Ibrahim (Abraham)  C. Belief in the Messengers means: Their message is true from Allāh  1 To believe in the ones we know of 2 To believe in all that was revealed to them 3 We must follow the last messenger (Muhammad) 4  Allāh, the Exalted, chose Muhammad  to be the seal of all Prophets; no Prophet shall come after Him. His message is Allāh's  last revelation to mankind.  The Prophets before him used to be sent specifically to their own people, while Prophet Muhammad  was sent to all mankind and jinn. Allāh the Glorified and Exalted said: (And We have sent you (O Muhammad) not but as a mercy for the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all the worlds)) (The Noble Qur’ān 21:107)  Whoever denies or refuses any of his message is considered a disbeliever and will eternally dwell in hellfire. 16  The Pillars of Īmān A Muslim must equally believe in all Prophets because it is stated in the Qur’ān; and if one denies the prophecy of any of them, he has committed an act of disbelief. Allāh the Glorified and Exalted said: (The Messenger (Muhammad) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allāh, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. (They say), "We make no distinction between any of His Messengers") (The Noble Qur’ān 2:285) (Indeed, those who disbelieve in Allāh and His messengers and wish to discriminate between Allāh and His messengers and say, "We believe in some and disbelieve in others," and wish to adopt a way in between (150) Those are the disbelievers, truly. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.) (The Noble Qur’ān 4:150-151) Allāh the Exalted said: (Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "If you (really) love Allāh then follow me (i.e. accept Islāmic Monotheism, follow the Qur’ān and the Sunnah), Allāh will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allāh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.") (The Noble Qur’ān 3:31) Allāh  made Muhammad  as a role model for us to follow. The way for salvation in this life and the Hereafter is by following and adhering to his Sunnah (way). Narrated by Anas ibn Malik  that the Prophet  said: (Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me.) (Al-Bukhārī & Muslim) 17  The Pillars of Īmān E very created being will come to an end. Allāh the Exalted said: (What so ever is on it (the Earth) will perish.) (The Noble Qur’ān 55:26). Allāh, the Exalted, sent us His Messengers to prepare ourselves for that Day. A day where every human being since the beginning of creation will stand for reckoning and will be held accountable for everything he or she committed. Allāh the Exalted said: (And be afraid of the Day when you shall be brought back to Allāh. Then every person shall be paid what he earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly.) (The Noble Qur’ān 2:281) The disbelievers questioned the resurrection and Allāh’s  ability to bring life after death. Allāh, the Exalted, responded to them on many occasions, He  said: (And he (man) puts forth for Us a parable, and forgets his own creation. He says: "Who will give life to these bones after they are rotten and have become dust?" (78) Say: (O Muhammad) "He will give life to them Who created them for the first time! And He is the All-Knower of every creation!" (79)) (The Noble Qur’ān 36:78-79) (Is not He, Who created the heavens and the Earth Able to create the like of them? Yes, indeed! He is the All-Knowing Supreme Creator.) (The Noble Qur’ān 36:81) A Muslim should believe in the Hereafter and what will take place on that Day. This is because it was mentioned in the Qur’ān and the authentic Sunnah (Prophetic tradition). Whoever denies that is not a believer. Allāh  praised the believers for believing in the unseen (i.e. Allāh , His books, Angels, Messengers, the Day After and Predestination). Allāh the Exalted said: (This is the Book (the Qur’ān), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqun [the pious and righteous persons](2)Who believe in the Ghaib [the unseen] and perform As-Salat, and spend out of what we have provided for them (3) (The Noble Qur’ān 2:2-3) Allāh  described those who believe in the unseen as : (They are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful.) (The Noble Qur’ān 2:5) 18  The Pillars of Īmān On that Day, a very terrifying day, the witnesses will be the Prophets, angels, scholars, the land, and even our own limbs will testify either for or against us. And the Greatest of all witness is Allāh the Exalted. Allāh the Exalted said: (And they will say to their skins, "Why do you testify against us?" They will say: "Allāh has caused us to speak," — He causes all things to speak, and He created you the first time, and to Him you are made to return.") (The Noble Qur’ān 41:21) On that Day the Judge will be Allāh , the All-Wise and the one who is the most Just. (Surely! Allāh wrongs not even of the weight of an atom (or a small ant), but if there is any good (done), He doubles it, and gives from Him a great reward ) (The Noble Qur’ān 4:40) Abu Hurairah  narrated that the Prophet  said, that Allāh  said: (I have prepared for my righteous servants what no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no mind has imagined. The Prophet said: read if you will (No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do) (The Noble Qur’ān 32:17)) (Al-Bukhārī & Muslim) The believers will enjoy an eternal bliss in paradise; while the disbelievers will be doomed eternally in hell fire. (Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness. (70) Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them, (there will be) therein all that the inner-selves could desire, and all that the eyes could delight in, and you will abide therein forever. (71) This is the Paradise which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds which you used to do (in the life of the world). (72)) (The Noble Qur’ān 43:70-72) 19  The Pillars of Īmān Allāh the Exalted said: (Verily, We have created all things with Qadar (Divine Preordainments of all things before their creation, as written in the Book of Decrees Al-Lauh Al-Mahfudh)) (The Noble Qur’ān Al-Qamar 54: 49) The companion Abdullah ibn Amr  said that the Prophet  said: (Allāh wrote down the decrees fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the Earth and his Throne was above the water.) (At-Tirmidhi, declared sound by Al-Albani) Allāh’s  knowledge encompassed everything; nothing is beyond His knowledge whether it was significant or insignificant. He knows what happened in the past, what is happening in the present and what will happen in the future. Allāh  made everything, which took place since the beginning of creation until the Hereafter, written in the preserved tablet (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfudh). Everything that took place in this universe is because of Allāh's  divine will; nothing can take place without His will and permission whether it is good or bad. Allowing evil to happen doesn’t mean that Allāh loves it. Yet, He may allow it to happen for a wisdom, which He knows best, that we may or may not be aware of. Everything that exists is created by Allāh . Allāh the Exalted said: (And with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the Earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record) (The Noble Qur’ān 6:59) Due to His encompassing and prior knowledge, He made everything written in the preserved tablet. Everything that took place is because of His will and was created by Him. The companion Jaber  said that the Prophet  said: (No servant believes (considered a believer) unless he believes in Qadar: it’s good or bad. Until he knows that whatever befell him, it was not to miss him and whatever missed him it was not to befall him.) (At-Tirmidhi, declared sound by Al-Albani) The Qadar is mentioned in the Qur’ān and the authentic Sunnah. Whoever denies this pillar is considered a disbeliever in Allāh, the Exalted, for belying the Qur’ān and the authentic Sunnah. 20  The Pillars of Īmān MISCONCEPTIONS Some people say: “If everything was written in the preserved tablet, then we have no will or choice! Hence, how can Allâh, the Exalted, hold us accountable for what we do?!” The Answer For That F irstly, we should know that amongst Allāh’s  beautiful Names are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise and amongst His perfect Attributes is Justice. (Surely, Allāh, doesn’t do wrong (or unjust) not even the weight of an atom (or a small ant), but if there is any good (done). He doubles it, and gives from Him a great reward.) (The Noble Qur’ān 4:40) Hence, to hold some one accountable for the involuntarily deeds that he has no control of, contradicts the meaning of the previous verse and the Essence of Allāh’s Names and Attributes. S econdly, to deny the human will and the ability to choose, which Allāh  has created in us, is totally absurd and irrational. For we see with our own eyes and sense with our own minds that our movements are not like the non-living things, which are moved and controlled by others. In fact we can distinguish between the involuntarily actions that occur in our bodies, such as circulation of the blood and beating of the heart, and the voluntarily actions such as standing, sitting, eating, thinking, talking and fighting. T hirdly, this claim, ascribes injustice to Allāh ; and we are certain that Allāh, the Exalted, is free from any flaws. The Qur’ān is filled with evidences that verify to mankind the ability to do and to determine. In fact, Allāh  in many occasions in the Qur’ān talks to the minds and rationale of the human beings. This kind of speech is only directed to someone who has free will. Allāh the Exalted said: (Verily, in it are signs for a people who think deeply) (The Noble Qur’ān 45: 13) (Verily, We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful) (The Noble Qur’ān 76: 3). Humans have the choice whether to be grateful or ungrateful to Allāh . 21  The Pillars of Īmān 22  The Pillars of Īmān Belief in Allāh  1 A. Belief in Allāh  means to believe that: 1 2 3 4 B. We believe Allāh  exists, give the types of proofs to support that? 1. 2. 3. C. How can you prove to an atheist that Allāh  exists? Give a logical example. D. Allāh  has created mankind and jinn for one reason; why? And what is the proof from the Qur’ān. 23  The Pillars of Īmān Belief in the Angels 2 A. Belief in the Angels means to believe that: 1 2 3 4 The angels are so great in number and so great in their creation. B. Amongst the well-known angels and their duties: Revelation Hell Rain Keeper Blowing in Trumpet 24  The Pillars of Īmān Belief in the Books of Allāh  3 A. Belief in the Books of Allāh  means to believe: 1 2 3 B. State the Book revealed and the Prophet it was revealed to:      C. Write  or  : 1. The Qur’ān is Allāh's  final revelation....................... 2. The Qur’ān abrogated all the previous books............... 3. It is fine not to follow the Qur’ān................................. 25  The Pillars of Īmān Belief in the Messengers 4 A. Mention the 5 Messengers whom Allāh  favored:      B. With what description did Allāh  title those five Messengers? C. Belief in the Messengers means: 1 2 3 4 D. Write  or : 1. Muhammad  is Allāh’s  last Messenger............................................... 2. Every Prophet called to a different religion than the other Prophets….... 3. A Muslim must believe in all Prophets, without denying any of them…….. 4. It is fine not to believe in some of the Prophets……………………………..….. 26  The Pillars of Īmān Belief in the Hereafter 5 A. What is meant by the Hereafter? B. Write  or  : 1. The disbelievers will go to hell fire temporarily and then enter paradise….. 2. Muslims will enter Paradise……………………………………………………………….. 3. It is fine to be a Muslim and not believe in the Hereafter……………..….……… C. What is the issue which the pagans of Makkah questioned greatly? D. What did Allāh  prepare for the Muslims in paradise? E. Why should we believe in the Hereafter? F. What is the ruling of a person who doesn’t believe in the Hereafter? 27  The Pillars of Īmān Belief in Predestination - Qadar 6 A. What are the four levels of Qadar? 1 2 3 4 B. What is meant by Allāh’s  Knowledge? C. What is meant by Allāh’s  Divine Will (Al-Mashe’ah)? D. Some say “because everything is in the preserved tablet, we have no free will”. Briefly, how do you refute that? 28  The Pillars of Islām 29  The Pillars of Islām 1 2 3 4 5 The Two Establishing Paying Fasting Pilgrimage - Testimonies Prayer - Obligatory Ramadān - Al-Hajj Ash- As-Salāh Charity - As-Saum Shahadatān Az-Zakāh 30  The Pillars of Islām From the Sunnah On the authority of Ibn Omar, the son of Omar ibn Al- Khattab , who said : "I heard the Messenger of Allāh  say : "Islām has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allāh and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allāh, performing the prayers, paying the Zakāt, making the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting in Ramadān." (Al-Bukhārī and Muslim) The pillars of Īmān comprise the inwardly deeds (actions and statements of the heart1); while the pillars of Islām comprise the outwardly deeds (actions of the limbs and statements of the tongue2). A Muslim must accept and believe in both, the pillars of Īmān and the pillars of Islām. If he/she refuses, they are not considered Muslims. To perfect both pillars (Islām & Īmān) is the highest level of the Deen (Religion) which is called Ihsān3. 1 Such as love, fear, hope, repentance, trust (Tawakul), dutifulness (Taqwa) … etc. 2 Such as praying, charity, fasting, pilgrimage (Hajj), dutifulness to the parents and others, reading Qur’ān, remembering Allâh … etc. 3 Ihsān - is what the Prophet  defined in the famous hadith of Jibreel : “to worship Allāh as if you see Him, for if you don't see Him then know that He sees you.” The Deen has three levels; the first is Islām , then Īmān and the highest is Ihsān. 31  The Pillars of Islām 1 The Two Testimonies - Ash-Shahadatān To testify that “Lā ilāha illal-lāh”: to testify “there is no deity worthy of worship except Allāh  alone”. All acts of worship are to be directed sincerely to Allāh, the Exalted, alone without associating any partners with Him. And to negate and deny all the false deities worshiped besides Worship (Ibādah) Ibādah is a comprehensive term Allāh . for everything which Allâh  loves Allāh the Exalted said: (And verily, We have sent among every and is pleased with; whether it is a nation a Messenger (proclaiming) worship Allāh alone, and avoid statement or an action, inwardly or Taghut (false deities)) (The Noble Qur’ān 16:36) outwardly. Such as praying, charity, fasting, pilgrimage (Hajj), Allāh the Exalted said: (And I (Allāh) created not the jinn and dutifulness to the parents, good men except they should worship me alone) (The Noble Qur’ān 51:56) manners, reading the Qur’ān, remembering Allâh and love, hope, Abu Hurairah  said that the Prophet  said: "Whoever you fear and trust in Allâh  …etc. meet behind this wall testifying Lā ilāha illal-lāh with certainty from his heart, give him glad tidings of paradise" (Muslim) One should maintain sincerity for Allâh  in all types of Ibādah. Be aware of the following invalidators of “Lā ilāha illal-lāh” 1. Invoking others besides Allāh  (i.e. supplicating to the Prophets, angels, dead righteous men or the devils). 2. Directing acts of worship such as praying, fasting, Hajj and other acts to other than Allāh . 3. Slaughtering animals as an act of worship or vowing (nadhr) to other than Allāh . 4. Directing trust, fear, hope or love to false deities. 5. Practicing or learning sorcery (magic). 6. Mocking the Religion or the Prophet . 7. Saying that other religions are better than Islām or doubting the superiority of Islām. The ruling of the disbelievers and those who commit an invalidator of Islām 1. They will never enter paradise. 2. They will be doomed eternally in hell fire. But those who repent sincerely to Allāh , even if they have committed an invalidator of Islām, Allāh  accepts their repentance. 32  The Pillars of Islām To testify that Muhammad  is Rasu-lul-lāh (The Messenger of Allāh): To obey his commands, believe in everything he said, refrain from all that he had forbidden and to worship Allāh  with what Allāh  has legislated. Allāh the Exalted said: (And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it), And fear Allāh. Verily, Allāh is Severe in punishment) (The Noble Qur’ān 59:7) Allāh the Exalted said: (He who obeys the Messenger, has indeed obeyed Allāh, but he who turns away, then we have not sent you (O Muhammad) as a watcher over them. (80)) (The Noble Qur’ān 3:80) Allāh  appointed the Messenger Muhammad  as a role model for us to follow. The way for salvation in this life and the Hereafter is to adhere to his Sunnah (way). Abu Hurairah  narrated that the Prophet  said: (All my Ummah (nation) shall enter paradise except for those who refuse. The companions  said: and who will refuse o Messenger of Allāh? He  said: whoever obeys me shall enter paradise; and whoever disobeys me has refused.) (Al-Bukhārī) The conditions of accepting acts of worship Our acts of worship -Ibādah- for Allāh  must maintain two conditions otherwise it will not be accepted: 1. It must be sincerely for Allāh  without associating any partners with Him. 2. It must be performed according to the Sunnah (the way) of Prophet Muhammad . Al-Fudhail ibn Iyadh - May Allāh  bestow His mercy up on him - was asked about the verse “He who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed.” (Noble Qur’ān 67:2). He said: “The most sincere and most correct.” They said O aba Ali (father of Ali): “What is the most sincere and most correct?” He said: “Indeed if the deed were sincere and incorrect, it won’t be accepted, and if it were correct but insincere, it won’t be accepted, until it is sincere and correct; and sincerity is when the deed is done only for the sake of Allāh , and correctness is that it is upon the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad . 33  The Pillars of Islām 2 Establishing Prayer - As-Salāh Allāh the Exalted said: (Verily, As-Salāt (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours.) (The Noble Qur’ān 4:103) Jabir  heard the Prophet  saying: (Verily between man and between polytheism and disbelief is the abandon of prayer) (Muslim). The following are the nine conditions of Salāh: 34  The Pillars of Islām  To obey Allāh’s  commandments.  To show love, submission and need to the one who owns our life and sustains it.  To show gratitude to our Creator for the multitude favors He had bestowed upon us. Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-Aas  narrated that the Prophet  said:  To please Allāh , the (Command your children to pray when they become seven years owner of Paradise and Hell old, and beat them for it (prayer) when they become ten years old; fire. and arrange their beds (to sleep) separately.) (Ahmad, Abu Dawood & At-Tirmidhi – declared sound by Al-Albani) Allāh  said that the righteous ones in Paradise will Abu Hurairah said : I heard the Messenger of Allâh  saying, ask one another about the (Say, if there were a river at the door of one of you in which he criminals (disbelievers): (What takes a bath five times a day, would any soiling remain on him?" has caused you to enter Hell?" They replied, "No soiling would be left on him." He  said, (42) They will say: "We were "That is the five (obligatory) Salāh (prayers). Allâh obliterates all not of those who used to offer sins as a result of performing them.) (Al-Bukhārī and Muslim) the Salāh (prayers)) (The Noble Qur’ān 74:42-43) 35  The Pillars of Islām 3 Paying Obligatory Charity - Az-Zakāh Allāh the Exalted said: (And perform As-Salāt, and give Zakāt (Obligatory Charity)) (The Noble Qur’ān 2:43) The hadith of Ibn Abbas  that the Prophet  told Mu’aadh  when he sent him to Yemen: (Inform them that Allāh prescribed upon them charity to be taken from their rich and given to their poor) (Al-Bukhārī & Muslim) Zakāt Appreciation If a rich man says to you: “I’ll give you 40,000 Riyals, but you must give 1000 of it in charity”. Will you accept his offer? Is it wise not to accept it?! Well, to Allāh belongs the highest attribute; Allāh , the one who provides, has placed rules to show appreciation for his provision; and giving Zakāt is amongst that. A person must give Zakāt if he meets the following conditions: 1. Shows submission to Allāh’s  The person must be a Muslim for the Zakāt to Commandments. be accepted. 2. Purifies one’s self from greed and stinginess. 3. Helps the poor and the needy. The person must not be a slave. Slaves are 4. Makes the Muslim community as one exempted from paying Zakāh. family, where the rich feels for the poor. The person must own the wealth that he is 5. Puts down the animosity of poor going to give Zakāt for. against the rich. 6. Increases the wealth through Allâh’s  blessing for those who give. The wealth must reach a specific amount or 7. A reason for allowing Allâh’s  favors quantity (This is called Nisāb). For instance the to descend upon people. nisāb for gold is 85 grams. If someone owns 85 grams or more of gold for one full Hijrah year, he must give 2.5% of all the gold or its monetary equivalent. The wealth, which reached the nisāb, must be possessed for one whole Hijrah year (12 Islāmic months). But if the wealth is spent before completing the whole year and became less than the nisāb, then there is no Zakāt on it. This condition doesn’t apply to crops, mined mineral and discovered ancient treasure. 36  The Pillars of Islām 1. Gold, Silver and Money Once the owned gold, silver or money reaches the nisāb, one must give 2.5% of it as Zakāt after possessing it for a full Hijrah year (hawl). The nisāb for money is to be evaluated by the nisāb of either gold (85 grams) or silver (595 grams) (whichever is beneficial to the poor). 2. Livestock (Camels, Cows and Sheep only) If a person owns a specific number of any of the cattle mentioned above then he must give a number of them as Zakāt; given that he possessed that nisāb for a full Hijrah year and the animals are grazed without cost. (For example: The nisāb for sheep: if you own 40-120 sheep, then give out one; for 121-200 sheep, give two; for 201-300, give three. If you own more than that, then for every 100 sheep give one as Zakāh. The nisāb for camels and cows is different.) 3. Commodities displayed for trade The person must evaluate, after the passing of 12 Hijrah months, how many items he has in his store; and he should give Zakāt 2.5% of the total selling price of the items. 4. Agricultural dry Products (wheat, barley, rice, dates, raisins, etc.) This applies to only dry crops which can be stocked for a long time. Once they are harvested and the quantity is 5 wasq4 or more, then 10% of it should be given as Zakāt. This is if the crop was irrigated by rain; but in case of irrigation with the aid of a costly method such as digging a well or buying water, the quantity of Zakāt would be 5% of the crop quantity. 5. Earth Minerals and Ancient Treasure (buried before Islām ) If someone finds a treasure, which was buried before Islām, he should give out 1/5th of it as Zakāt once he finds it. For the mined minerals such as gold, copper, zinc, oil …etc. the one should give 2.5% of it, if it reached the nisāb. 4 Each wasq equals to 60 sa’; every sa’ equals to four mod (hands full). Thus 5 wasq equals to 300 sa’ or 1200 mod (hands full). 37  The Pillars of Islām 4 Fasting Ramadān - As-Saum Fasting is Obligtory Ramadān is the ninth month of the Hijrah calendar. Allāh the Exalted said: (So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadān), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month) (The Noble Qur’ān 2:185) What is Fasting? To refrain, as an act of worship for Allāh , from food, drinks, and all the invalidators of fasting from dawn to sunset. Who Must Fast? Fasting the month of Ramadān is obligatory upon a person if he/she is: 6. Free from impediments 1. Muslim Women must be purified from menses or postpartum bleeding 5. Able 2. Sane Not sick or very old 4. Resident 3. Adult Not a traveler Reached the age of puberty 38  The Pillars of Islām Why do we fast?  To show submission to Allāh’s  commandments.  To attain Taqwah (dutifulness to Allāh , which drives us to obey Allāh  and holds us from disobeying Him.) Allāh the Exalted said: (O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous)  To sense Allāh’s  favors up on us. Especially when we refrain from what’s lawful, we appreciate having it and sense the sorrow of losing it.  To discipline oneself by opposing desire, lust and Satan.  To feel for the poor and needy and appreciate Allāh’s  favors up on us.  Additionally, there are many proven health benefits for fasting. Fasting Virtues Abu Hurairah  reported: The Prophet  said: "He, who observes fasting during the month of Ramadān with Faith while seeking its reward from Allāh, will have his past sins forgiven." (Al-Bukhārī and Muslim). Abu Hurairah  reported: The Messenger of Allah  said: “Every good deed of the son of Adam will be multiplied manifold. A good deed will be multiplied ten times up to as many as seven hundred times. Allāh says: ‘Except for fasting, which is for Me and I shall reward for it. He gives up his desire and his food for My sake.’ The fasting person has two joys, one when he breaks his fast and another when he meets his Lord (Rubb). The smell that comes from the mouth of a fasting person is better before Allāh than the fragrance of musk.” (Muslim) Abu Hurairah  narrated that: The Messenger of Allāh  said: "On the first night of the month of Ramadān, the satans are shackled, the jinns are restrained, the gates of the Fires are shut such that no gate among them would be opened. The gates of Paradise are opened such that no gate among them would be closed, and a caller calls: 'O seeker of the good; come near!' and 'O seeker of evil; stop! For, there are those whom Allāh frees from the Fire.' And that is every night." (At-Tirmidhi, declared sound by Al-Albani) 39  The Pillars of Islām 5 Pilgrimage - Al-Hajj Hajj to the house of Allāh (the Ka’bah) in Makkah is Hajj is Obligtory obligatory upon a Muslim to perform once in a lifetime if one has the means. Allāh the Exalted said: (And Hajj to the House (Ka'bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allāh, those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves, then Allāh stands not in need of any of the 'Alamin (mankind and jinn and all the worlds)) (The Noble Qur’ān 3: 97) The Conditions of Hajj: - Hajj becomes obligatory upon a person if he/she is: It is sinful to meet the five conditions 1. Muslim and not perform Hajj immediately. 2. Sane 3. Adult Age of Puberty 4. Free Not a Slave Physically & 5. Able Financially. (The ability for a woman is also to have a mahram5) Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet  said: "Whoever performs Hajj to this House (the Ka'bah) and didn't have sexual intercourse and what leads to it and didn't sin, he will come back like the day his mother gave birth to him." (Al-Bukhārī and Muslim) 5 The mahram is the husband or whoever the women can never marry (i.e. the father, grandfather, son, grandson, brother, nephew, uncle, stepfather, stepson, stepbrother etc…). 40  The Pillars of Islām 41  The Pillars of Islām The Pillars of Islām A. State the 5 pillars of Islām: 1 2 3 4 5 B. Memorize and write down the proof for the pillars of Islām. ` C. Write  or  : 1. A Muslim must believe in all the pillars of Islām....................................... 2. If a Muslim disbelieves in any of the pillars of Islām he is considered a disbeliever..................................................................................................... 3. The pillars of Īmān (Belief) are about actions of the limbs....................... 4. The pillars of Islām are about actions of the heart…………….……………….. 42  The Pillars of Islām 1 The Two Testimonies - Ash-Shahadatān A. What are the two testimonies called in Arabic? B. State the first testimony in Arabic and English. C. State the second testimony in Arabic and English. D. What are the two conditions of Allāh’s  acceptance for any act of worship - Ibādah? E. Write  or  : 1. A Muslim should worship Allāh  alone without associating any partners. 2. It is fine for a Muslim not to obey everything Prophet Muhammad  commanded us to do........................................................................................ 3. A Muslim must refrain from what the Prophet  had forbidden................... 4. The way for salvation in this life and the Hereafter is to follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ……………………………………..………………………..….…. 43  The Pillars of Islām 2 Establishing Prayer - As-Salāh A. As-Salāt is the second most important pillar of Islām; state a proof from the Qur’ān and another from the Sunnah that it is obligatory. B. What are the nine conditions of As-Salāh? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 C. Write  or  : 1. A Muslim must pray 5 daily prayers............................................................. 2. It is fine if a Muslim misses one or two prayers........................................... 3. A Muslim may pray all the 5 daily prayers at once at the end of the day....... 4. Allāh  made an appointed time for every prayer in which every Muslim must maintain…………………………………………………………………………………….. 5. Whoever denies the obligatory prayer is not a Muslim……………………………. 44  The Pillars of Islām 3 Paying obligatory Charity - Az-Zakāh A. What is the ruling of Zakāh? B. Who must give Zakāh (i.e. what are the conditions of Zakāh)? 1 2 3 4 5 C. State 3 of the wisdoms behind giving Zakāh. 1. 2. 3. D. What is the meaning of Nisāb? E. What is the meaning of Hawl? F. List the Zakāt Items. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 45  The Pillars of Islām 4 Fasting Ramadān - As-Saum A. What is the ruling of fasting Ramadān? B. A Muslim must fast from what time until what time? C. What are the conditions of fasting? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. D. Write  or : 1. A Muslim who meets the conditions must fast the month of Ramadān........ 2. Whoever denies fasting Ramadān is a disbeliever....................................... 3. It is obligatory upon children before age of puberty to fast Ramadān........ 4. It is obligatory upon a Muslim to fast even if he is travelling…..………….….. 5. Ramadān is the ninth month of the Hijrah calendar……………..……………… 46  The Pillars of Islām 5 Pilgrimage - Al-Hajj A. Is Hajj obligatory? And how many times must a Muslim perform Hajj? B. State the conditions of Hajj? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. C. Write  or  : 1. Hajj is the 5th pillar of Islām ……………………………………………………........... 2. It is a must upon a person to perform Hajj even if he is a slave…........... 3. It is obligatory upon children before the age of puberty to perform Hajj…... 4. It is fine if a Muslim meets the five conditions and doesn’t perform Hajj…... 5. Hajj is not obligatory upon a poor Muslim…………………..…..………………….. 6. Hajj is obligatory even if one is physically unable……..…………………….……. 47  The Beginners’ Aqīdah check list1: Ibn Umar  reported: The Prophet  said, "All of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects, the man is a guardian of his family, the woman is a guardian and is responsible for her husband's house and his offspring; and so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects." (Al-Bukhārī and Muslim) Family & Friends Names Make sure the following matters are fully comprehended. Only put a check mark in front of every question when fully mastered by the family member or friend: 1. What are the Pillars of Islām? 2. What are the pillars of Īmān? 3. To believe in Allāh means to believe in 4 things, what are they? 4. What are the proofs for Allāh’s existence? 5. The meaning of Allāh’s Rububiah. 6. The meaning of Allāh’s Uloohiah. 7. The meaning of Allāh’s Names & Attributes (Asma wa Sifaat). 8. What is the meaning of La ilāha illal-lāh? 9. What are some of the wrong definitions of La ilāha illal-lāh? 10. What is the definition of Ibādah (worship)? 11. Give examples for some diverse acts of worship. Can one direct any of those acts of worship to other than Allāh? 12. What are the conditions for the Ibādah acceptance by Allāh? 13. The meaning of belief in Angels. 14. Name some of the well-known angels and their duties. 15. The meaning of belief in the Books of Allāh. 16. State some of the books revealed by Allāh and to which Prophet were they revealed? 17. What is the last revealed Book? And were the previous Books saved from tampering? 18. The meaning of belief in the Messengers of Allāh. 19. Name the five main (ulul azm) Messengers. 20. Who is the last and seal of all Prophets? Are there any Prophets expected after him? In what are we supposed to follow him? 21. What is meant by belief in the Hereafter? 22. What are the 4 levels of Qadar (Predestination)? 23. What is meant by the first level of Qadar Knowledge? 24. What is meant by the second level of Qadar the Writing? 25. What is meant by the third level of Qadar the Mashe’ah? 26. What is meant by the forth level of Qadar the Creating? 1 In a family gathering or on a long family drive, the head of the family may ask these questions to enlighten or review with his family members or friends their aqīdah (creed). He can ask a question and see who can answer it correctly. Then he asks everyone else to repeat the correct answer. When everyone fails to answer, the family head intervenes and gives the right answer and again asks everyone to repeat the correct answer.  Jam’ah District, Jeddah, KSA  00966-12-681-1112 00966-544999766