6 the Concept of Taqwa in Islam
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First Edition
This workbook belongs to: ______
Compiled by Lajna Imaillah, U.S.A
i
© 2009 Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, U.S.A All rights reserved
Compilation and Editing: Kaisra Osman Sheikh
Illustrations: Sumera Chaudhry, Nila Ahmad
Printed by: Fazl-e-Umar Press
Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, U.S.A 15000 Good Hope Road Silver Spring, MD 20905 Tel: (301) 879-0110 Fax: (301) 879-0115 Web: http://www.alislam.org
ii Contents
Foreword ...... iv
Conventions Used in this Workbook ...... v
Chapter 1 – The Holy Qur’an ...... 1
Chapter 2 – Salat ...... 33
Chapter 3 – Importance of Prayers ...... 49
Chapter 4 – Ahadith ...... 69
Chapter 5 – Why I believe in Islam ...... 96
Chapter 6 – Concept of Taqwa ...... 103
Chapter 7 – Role of women in Islam ...... 116
Chapter 8 – Purdah and Modesty in Islam ...... 124
Chapter 9 – Did You Know? ...... 135
Chapter 10 – Poems ...... 143
Chapter 11 – Cooking is Fun! ...... 171
Chapter 12 – Have Fun with Arts & Crafts ...... 201
iii
Foreword
Given that there is a growing need to develop age-appropriate religious educational materials for our children, Lajna Imaillah-USA is grateful to Almighty Allah for providing us with this opportunity to develop this Religious Knowledge Level II Workbook for our youth.
Since most of the books currently available do not include activities or exercises to help engrain religious concepts in the minds of children, it became essential to fashion this workbook into an activity and problem-based learning tool. Each chapter focuses on the explanation of religious concepts in a brief and simple manner and includes appropriate activities to reinforce the concepts. It is our hope and prayers that the format of this workbook will not only stimulate active learning but will also enable students to practically apply these religious concepts to their daily lives, Insha Allah.
The dedication and efforts of the contributors to this noble effort are gratefully acknowledged and appreciated. The syllabus was adapted and built upon from the National Nasiratul Ahmadiyya USA Program developed initially by Saliha Bhatti, past National Nasirat Secretary. Since it’s inception, this workbook has gone through several stages of progress and improvement. Sabiha Syeda, Shanze Ahmad, Naureen Choudhry and Hanaa Malik made initial contributions by performing some of the research and developing an initial draft. Later on, Kaisra Osman Sheikh, National Nasirat Secretary (2004-2006) took on the challenging task of compiling the efforts into a consistent format, and included additional chapters, introductions and explanations for the existing chapters and added activities to suit the compatibility of the workbook. Sabiha Syeda incorporated the poems, while Farina Qureshi and Fowzia Shah (UK) and their team furnished some of the translations of poems. Reema Butt co-authored the chapter on the role of women in Islam. The illustrations were done by Nila Ahmad and Sumera Chaudhry. The front cover was designed by Kaisra Osman Sheikh with artwork provided by Anjum Ahmad Khan. Sadiqa Mian, Tahmeeda Ahmed, Shakeelah Ahmad, and Sidra Ahmad helped in the extensive review efforts. A tremendous effort of Lajna Imaillah USA has resulted in the printing of this workbook, Alhamdolillah. May Allah bless their humble efforts and give them the finest rewards in this world and in the hereafter, Ameen.
Dr. Shanaz Butt President, Lajna Imaillah, U.S.A May 30, 2009
iv
Conventions Used in this Workbook
This workbook uses the following conventions:
The word Hadhrat is used before the names of any prophets or other respected personalities.
The phrase Alaih-e-Salam (peace be on him) is used with the names of the prophets of Allah. It is sometimes abbreviated and denoted as a superscript on the name. For example: Hadhrat IbrahimAS.
The phrase Sallalahu Alaih-e-Wasallam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is used with the name of the Holy Prophet Mohammad. It is sometimes abbreviated and denoted as a superscript. For example: Hadhrat Mohammadsaw.
The phrase Razi Allah Anho (may Allah be pleased with him) is used with the names of the respected male followers of the Holy Prophet Mohammadsaw and the Promised Messiahas who lived in the time of the the Holy Prophet Mohammadsaw or the Promised Messiahas. It is sometimes abbreviated and denoted as a superscript on the name. For example: Hadhrat Hakeem Maulvi Nooruddinra.
The phrase Razi Allah Anha (may Allah be pleased with her) is used with the names of the respected female followers of the Holy Prophet Mohammadsaw and the Promised Messiahas who lived in the time of the the Holy Prophet Mohammadsaw or the Promised Messiahas. It is sometimes abbreviated and denoted as a superscript on the name. For example: Hadhrat Khadijara.
The phrase Rahmatullah Alaih (may Allah have mercy on him) is used with the names of other respected personalities who have passed away and did not live in the time of the Holy Prophet Mohammadsaw or the Promised Messiahas. It is sometimes abbreviated and denoted as a superscript on the name. For example: Hadhrat Mirza Nasir Ahmadra.
The phrase Ayyadahu Allahu-Ta’aalaa bi-nasri-hil- azeez (May Allah strengthen his hands) is used with the title of the present Khalifatul Masih. For example: Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaba
v The Development of Sects in Islam
ISLAM
Hadhrat Muhammadsaw
Khulafa-e-Rashideen
Hadhrat Hadhrat Hadhrat Hadhrat ra ra ra ra Abu Bakr Umar Uthman Ali
SUNNI ISLAM SHIA ISLAM
Various Sunni Various Shia Sects Sects
AHMADIYYAT
Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas
(The Promised Messiah)
Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya
Hadhrat Hadhrat Mirza Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Hadhrat Mirza Hadhrat Mirza Hakeem Maulvi Nasir Ahmadra Tahir Ahmadra Masroor Nooruddinra Mahmood Ahmadaba Ahmadra
vi C H A P T E R 1 The Holy Qur’an
The Holy Qur’an and its Etiquettes (Sheikh Abdul Hadi, Basics of Religious Knowledge, Fourth Edition)
What is the Qur’an?
The Holy Qur’an is the record of the verbal revelations in Arabic from God Almighty to the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw, over a period of about 22 years and 5 months (610 – 632 A.D.). The word Qur’an means ‘that which is often read or recited.’
Compilations of the Holy Qur’an
The Divine revelations were committed to memory and also written down by scribes appointed by the Holy Prophetsaw. Hesaw himself indicated the arrangement of verses and chapters in the Holy Qur’an as we find it today. However, the compilation of the Holy Qur’an into one written book was undertaken after his death by Hadhrat Uthmanra.
Chapters and verses of the Holy Qur’an
The Holy Qur’an is divided into 114 Surahs or chapters. This division is based upon their subject matter and has the authority of the Holy Prophetsaw. Each Surah has a name given to it and is further divided into Ayat or verses. However, the division of the Qur’an into thirty Siparahs or parts is arbitrary. Two numbers separated by a colon generally represent a reference to a particular verse of the Qur’an. For example, the reference (29:49) means the 49th verse of the 29th chapter.
Safeguarding of the Holy Qur’an
A very distinctive feature of the Holy Qur’an is that it contains a Divine guarantee for its perpetual preservation. “We sent down this book and verily We shall safeguard it” (15:10). As a result of this guarantee, the text of the Holy Qur’an has remained unchanged over the past 1400 years.
Etiquettes of the Holy Qur’an
Recite the following prayer (ta’awwuz) before every recitation session: The Holy Qur’an 2
Transliteration: “Aoozoo-billahi-min-ashaitanir-rajeem”
Translation: I seek refuge with Allah from Satan the rejected.
Always recite the following before beginning any recitation even if it is from the middle of the chapter:
Transliteration: “Bismillah-hir-Rahmaanir Raheem”
Translation: In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
• Cleanse yourself physically and, preferably, perform wudhu before each recitation • Be pure in your hearts and sincere in your beliefs during recitation to gain the most blessings from it • Read the Holy Qur’an at any convenient time, however, the best time is at dawn after the Fajr Prayers • When the Qur’an is being recited, listen to it and remain silent • Pay complete attention to the Qur’an so that you can understand it better • During recitation of the Holy Qur’an, when you come across a verse that indicates Sajdah recite the following prayer:
(Transliteration): Sajada-laka-roohi-wa-janani
Translation: “Oh Allah, my spirit, my body and my heart prostrate before You”
Some More Facts about the Holy Qur’an
• The First Qur’anic revelation was Surah Al-‘Alaq, verses 2 – 5 • The Last Qur’anic revelation was Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 282, or Surah Al- Maa’idah, verse 4 • The total number of letters in the Holy Qur’an is 323,760 • The total number of words in the Holy Qur’an is 86,430 • The number of Ruku’ in the Holy Qur’an is 540 • The number of places of Sajdah-Tilawat (prostration during recitation) is 14 (Agreed upon) The Holy Qur’an 3
The Holy Qur’an is the ultimate source of guidance for all Muslims, and understanding the Divine nature and message of the Holy Qur’an is very important. In this chapter we will study the meaning of some Surahs from the Holy Qur’an with translation and short commentary from the edited version by Malik Ghulam Farid. The Holy Qur’an 4
Surah Al-Baqarah
Surah Facts
• This is the longest Surah of the Holy Qur’an. • It was revealed in Medina in the first four years after the Hijra. • The name of the Surah was used by the Holy Prophetsaw and is derived from verses 68-72 which refers to the time of Mosesas, when Jews worshipped the cow and were unwilling to sacrifice one at the bequest of Mosesas. • Besides Al-Baqarah, the Surah possesses another name--- Al-Zahra, and both this Surah and Al-Imran are jointly known as Al-Zahrahwan---The Two Bright Ones. (Muslim) • The Holy Prophetsaw is reported to have said: ‘Everything has its peak, and the peak of the Holy Qur’an is Al-Baqarah’. (Tirmidhi) • Surah Al-Baqarah is placed next to Al-Fatiha because they possess a special relationship. Surah Al-Fatiha constitutes the fulfillment of the prayer, ‘Guide us on the straight path. The path of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy blessings, those who have not incurred Thy displeasure.’ Surah Al-Baqarah provides an appropriate and comprehensive method to achieve the fulfillment of that great prayer. • The subject of this long chapter corresponds to a prayer of the Patriarch Abrahamas in which he implores God to raise a Prophet among the Meccans who should: o Recite to them the signs of God o Give the word of Scripture containing perfect laws of the Sharia o Explain the wisdom underlying them o Lay down the principles and rules of conduct to bring about a complete spiritual transformation in the lives of the believers, thus making them fit to lead the whole world The Holy Qur’an 5
Surah Al-Baqarah: verses 1-10
As you read this Surah, list below at least 6 basic principles of faith that you can find:
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
5. ______
6. ______
Translation: Surah Al-Baqarah – verses 1-10
1. In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
2. Alif, Laam, Meem16 (I am Allah, the All-Knowing)
3. This17 is a perfect17a Book; bthere is no doubt18 in it; it is a guidance for the righteous19
4. Who believe in athe unseen20 and observe prayer21 and spend out of what We have provided22 for them.
5. And who believe in that which has been revealed to thee23 and that which was revealed before thee24 and they have firm faith in the Hereafter25.
6. It is they who follow the guidance from their Lord and it is they who shall prosper.
7. Those who have disbelieved - it being alike to them whether thou warn them or warn them not - they will not believe.26
8. Allah has set a seal27 on their hearts and their ears, and over their eyes is a covering; and for them is a grievous chastisement. The Holy Qur’an 6
9. And of the people there are some who say, 'We believe in Allah, and the Last Day;' while they are not believers at all.28
10. They would deceive29 Allah and those who believe, but they deceive none but themselves; only they perceive it not.
True believers who follow the principles enjoined in these verses and also follow the path of Allah with taqwa and sincerity will be rewarded with Allah’s benevolence. Those who say they believe yet in their hearts they do not; for them Allah has sealed their hearts and souls and they deceive only themselves. This means that since the hearts of these disbelievers are not pure, they do not have insight into Allah’s commandments and they are, in a sense, deaf, dumb and blind.
Commentary on Surah Al-Baqarah: verses 1-10
16. Abbreviations, like Alif Lam Mim, are known as al-Muqatta`at (letters used and pronounced separately), and occur in the beginning of not less than 28 Surahs, and are made up of one or more, to a maximum of five, letters of the Arabic alphabet. The letters out of which these abbreviations are constituted are fourteen in number: Alif, Lam, Mim, Sad, Ra, Kaf, Ha, Ya, `Ain, Ta, Sin, Ha, Qaf and Nun. Of these Qaf and Nun occur alone in the beginning of Surahs Qaf and Qalam, the rest occur in combinations of two or more in the beginning of certain Surahs. The use of Muqatta`at was in vogue among the Arabs. They used them in their poems and conversation. An Arab poet says: Qulna Qifi Lana, Faqalat Qaf i.e., “We said to her, ‘Stop for us for a while’ and she said that she was stopping” the letter Qaf standing for Waqaftu (I am stopping). There is also a saying of the Holy Prophet as reported by Qurtubi to the effect: Kafa Bi l-Saifi Sha, i.e., sufficient is sword as a remedy, Sha standing for Shafiyan. In the modern West and in its imitation in Eastern countries also abbreviations are very popular and widespread. Every dictionary provides a list of them. The Muqatta’at are abbreviations for specific attributes of God and the subject-matter of a Surah before which they are placed has a deep connection with the Divine attributes for which they stand. They have not been haphazardly placed at the beginning of different Surahs, nor are their letters combined arbitrarily. There runs a deep and far-reaching connection between their various sets, and the letters of which they are made also serve a definite purpose. The subject-matter of those Chapters which have not abbreviated letters is subordinate to, and follows the pattern of, the subject-matter of the preceding Chapters possessing them. Of the meanings ascribed to Muqatta’at two seem to be more authentic: (a)That each letter has a definite numerical value (Jarir). The letters Alif Lam Mim have the numerical value 71 (Alif having the numerical value 1, Lam 30 and Mim 40). Thus the placing of Alif Lam Mim in the beginning of the Surah may signify that its subject-mater i.e., the special consolidation of early Islam, would take 71 years to unfold itself completely. (b)They are, as stated above, abbreviations for specific attributes of God and the The Holy Qur’an 7
Surah before which Muqatta’at are placed is, in its subject-matter, connected with the Divine attributes for which the specific Muqatta’at stand. Thus the abbreviation Alif Lam Mim placed here and in the beginning of the 3rd, 29th, 30th, 31st and 32nd Chapters of the Qur’an signifies, “I am Allah, the All-Knowing” which has the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas and Ibn Mas’ud, Alif standing for Ana, Lam for Allah and Mim for A’lamu; or according to some Alif stands for Allah, Lam for Jibril and Mim for Muhammad, indicating the central theme of the Surah is Divine knowledge which was given to Muhammad by Allah through Jibril. These abbreviated letters form an integral part of the Qur’anic revelation (Bukhari).
17. Dhalika is primarily used in the sense of “that,” but is also sometimes used in the sense of “this” (Aqrab). Sometimes it is used to indicate the high rank and dignity of the subject to which it refers. Here it signifies that the Book is, as it were, remote from the reader in eminence and loftiness of merit (Fath). 17a. The particle al, like the definite article “the” in the English language, is used to denote a definite object known to the reader. In this sense the word Dhalika al-Kitab would mean, this is the Book, or this is that Book – the promised Book. The particle is also used to denote the combination of all possible attributes in one individual. The expression thus means, this is a Book which possesses all those excellent qualities which a perfect book should possess. Or it means, this alone is a perfect Book.
18. Raib means, disquietude or uneasiness of mind: doubt; affliction or calamity and evil opinion; false charge or calumny (Aqrab). The verse does not mean that nobody will ever entertain any doubt about the Qur’an. It only means that its teaching is so rational that a right-thinking person, who approaches it with an unbiased mind, will find it a safe and sure guide.
19. Muttaqi is derived from Waqa which has the sense of guarding against that which harms or injures. Wiqayah means, a shield and Ittaqa bihi (Muttaqi is the nominative case of Ittaqa) means, he took him or it as a shield (Lane). Ubayy bin K’ab, a distinguished Companion of the Holy Prophet, aptly explains Taqwa by likening Muttaqi to one who walks through thorny bushes, taking all possible care that his clothes are not caught in, and torn by, their branches (Kathir). A Muttaqi, therefore, is one who is ever on his guard against sins and takes God for his shield or shelter and is very regardful of his duty. The words, “a guidance for the righteous,” mean that guidance contained in the Qur’an know no limit. It helps man to attain limitless stage of spiritual perfection and makes him more and more deserving of God’s favors.
20. Al-Ghaib means, anything hidden or invisible; anything unseen, absent or far away (Aqrab). God, the angels and the Last Day are all al-Ghaib. Moreover, the word as used in the Qur’an does not mean imaginary and unreal things, but real and verified things, though unseen (32:7, 49:19). It is, therefore, wrong to suppose, as some Western critics of the Qur’an do, that Islam forces upon its followers some mysteries of Faith and invites them to believe in them blindly. The word signifies things which, though beyond the comprehension of human senses, can The Holy Qur’an 8
nevertheless be proved by reason or experience. The supersensible need not necessarily be irrational. Nothing of “the unseen” in which a Muslim is called upon to believe is outside the scope of reason. There are many things in the world, though unseen, are yet proved to exist by invincible arguments, and nobody can deny their existence.
21. The clause, “they observe Prayer,” means, they perform their Prayers with all the prescribed conditions; Aqama meaning, he kept the thing or the affair in a right state (Lane). Worship is the outer expression of the inner relationship of man to God. Moreover, God’s favours surround the body as well as the soul. So, perfect worship is that in which body and soul both play their part. Without the two the true spirit of worship cannot be preserved, for though adoration by the heart is the substance and adoration by the body only the shell, yet the substance cannot be preserved without the shell. If the shell is destroyed, the substance is bound to meet with a similar fate.
22. Rizq means, anything bestowed by God on man, whether material or otherwise (Mufradat). The verse lays down three directions and describes three stages for the spiritual well-being of man: (1) He should believe in the truths which are hidden from his eyes and are beyond his physical senses, for it is such a belief which shows that he is possessed of the right sort of Taqwa or righteousness. (2) When he reflects on the creation of the universe and the marvelous order and design which exist in it and when, as a result of this reflection, he becomes convinced of the existence of the Creator, an irresistible longing to have a real and true union with Him takes hold of him. This finds consummation in the observance of Prayer. (3) Lastly, when the believer succeeds in establishing a living contact with his Creator, he feels an inward urge to serve his fellow-beings.
23. Belief in the Holy Prophet is the central point so far as belief in the Prophets of God is concerned (2:286; 4:66, 137).
24. Islam makes it obligatory upon its followers to believe in the Divine origin of the teachings of all previous Prophets because God sent His Messengers to all peoples (13:8; 35:25).
25. Al-Akhirah means, (a) the Last Abode, i.e., the next life; (b) it may also signify the revelation which is to follow. This second meaning of the word finds further exposition in 62:3, 4 where the Qur’an speaks of two advents of the Holy Prophet. His first advent took place among the Arabs in the 7th century of the Christian era when the Qur’an was revealed to him; and his second advent was to take place in the Latter Days in the person of one of his followers. This prophecy found its fulfillment in the person of Ahmad, the Promised Messiah and Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement.
The Holy Qur’an 9
26. The verse speaks of such disbelievers as become so indifferent to truth that it does not matter whether they receive a warning or not. Of these it is declared that as long as their present condition continues, they will not believe.
27. Organs which remain unused for a long time atrophy and become useless. The disbelievers mentioned here refused to employ their hearts and ears for the comprehension of truth, consequently their capacities for hearing and understanding were lost. It is only the natural consequence of willful indifference which is described in the clause, Allah has set a seal. As all laws proceed from God and every cause is followed by its natural effect under His Will, so the sealing of the hearts and the ears of disbelievers is ascribed to Him.
28. Only God and the Last Day are mentioned, other Islamic beliefs being left out, because God and the Last Day are respectively the first and the last items in the Islamic formula of faith and a profession of belief in them ipso facto implies profession of belief in the other items, Elsewhere, the Qur’an states that belief in the Last Day implies belief in angels as well as in the Divine Books (6:93).
29. Khada’a-hu means, he sought or desired to deceive him but did not succeed in his attempt. Khada’a-hu means, he succeeded in his attempt to deceive him; he forsook him or it (Baqa’). The former word is used about a man when he has not attained his desire and the later when he has attained it (Lane).
A C T I V I T Y 1.1 Surah Al-Baqarah
1. Surah Al-Baqarah begins with the abbreviations ‘Alif Lam Mim’. These abbreviations are known as ______. What are the two more authentic meanings ascribed to these abbreviations?
The Holy Qur’an 10
2. Surah Al-Baqarah’s opening verse is, “This is a perfect Book, there is no doubt in it; it is a guidance for the righteous.” Define “perfection.” What are the characteristics embedded in this quality? Discuss these qualities in relation to the Holy Qur’an.
3. Select one of the above principles and prepare a speech on it. (500-1000 words) Indicate below which principle you selected and briefly explain why you selected it.
4. Perfect worship is achieved when the body and soul both play their parts. Discuss.
5. Verse 4 explains three stages for the spiritual well being of man. List and explain them.
The Holy Qur’an 11
6. Have you experienced walking down a narrow path in your own life surrounded by temptations? Extending the qualities of a Muttaqi in to a personal life experience, explain how you would handle such an experience?
7. Explain what verses 7-10 say about the disbelievers.
8. How can you apply verses 1-10 of Surah Al-Baqarah in your life?
9. Link the words to their meaning:
Dhalika The Last Abode (the next life) OR Revelation to follow Muttaqi To be sought or desired to deceive him but did not succeed in his attempt.
Al-Ghaib Signifies the eminence and loftiness of the Holy Qur’an
Rizq One who is on his guard against sins and takes God for his shield or shelter and is very regardful of his duty Al-Akhirah Anything hidden, invisible, unseen, absent or far away
Khada’a-hu Anything bestowed by God on man, whether material or otherwise The Holy Qur’an 12
Surah Al-Baqarah: verses 255-258
Summarize verses 255-258 in your own words and list at least 5 attributes of Allah that you can find in these verses.
255. O ye who believe! Spend out of what We have bestowed on you before the day comes wherein there shall be no buying and selling315, nor friendship316, nor intercession317, and it is those who disbelieve that do wrong to themselves.
256. Allah - there is no God save Him, the Living, the Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining. Slumber seizes Him not, nor sleep. To Him belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is he that dare intercede with Him save by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them; and they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He pleases. His knowledge318 extends over the heavens and the earth; and the care of them wearies Him not; and He is the High, the Great.
257. There is no compulsion319 in religion. Surely, the right way has become distinct from error; so whosoever refuses to be led by those who transgress320, and believes in Allah, has surely grasped a strong handle which knows no breaking. And Allah is All-Hearing. All- Knowing.
The Holy Qur’an 13
258. Allah is the Friend of those who believe; He brings them out of all kinds of darkness into light. And those who disbelieve, their friends are the transgressors who bring them out of light into manifold darknesses. These are the inmates of the Fire, therein shall they abide
Commentary on Surah Al-Baqarah: verses 255-258
315. On that day salvation will not be had for a price. It will depend only on one’s good works coupled with God’s grace.
316. There will be no occasion for forming new friendships on that day.
317. See 85. [Shafa’ah is derived from Shafa’ah which means, he provided a thing which was alone with another; joined a thing to its like (Mufradat). Thus the word has the significance of likeness or similarity; also it means, interceding or praying for a person that he may be shown favor and his sins may be passed over on the ground that he is connected with the intercessor, it being also implied that the petitioner is a person of higher position than the one for whom he pleads and also has deep connection with the person with whom he intercedes (Mufradat & Lisan). Shafa’ah (intercession) is governed by the following conditions: (1) He who intercedes must have a special connection with the person with whom he wishes to intercede and enjoys his special favor, for without such connection he dare not intercede nor can intercession be fruitful. (2) The person whom intercession is to be made must have a true and real connection with the intercessor, for none would think of interceding for a person unless the latter has real relationship with the former. (3) The person in whose favor the intercession is sought must generally be a good person who has made an honest effort to win the pleasure of God (21:29), only he has fallen into sin in a moment of weakness. (4) Intercession can only be made with God’s express permission (2:256; 10:4). Shafa’ah as conceived by Islam is, in fact, only another form of repentance, because Taubah (repentance) signifies reforming a broken connection or tightening up a loose one. So whereas the door of repentance becomes closed with death, the door of Shafa’ah remains open. Moreover, Shafa’ah is a means of the manifestation of God’s mercy, and because God is not a judge but Master, there is nothing to stop Him from extending His mercy to whomsoever He pleases.]
318. Kursiy means, a throne, a chair, buttress of a wall; knowledge; dominion and power (Aqrab); Karasi is plural, meaning, men of learning. The verse beautifully describes the Unity of God and His great attributes. The Holy Prophetsaw is reported to have said that Ayat al-Kursiy is the loftiest verse of the Holy Qur’an (Muslim).
The Holy Qur’an 14
319. The injunction (embodied in the preceding verse) to make special sacrifices in the cause of religion and to fight the enemies of Islam was likely to give rise to the misunderstanding that Allah desired Muslims to use force for propagating their religion. This verse removes that misunderstanding and not only forbids Muslims in most emphatic words to use force for converting non-Muslims to Islam, but also gives reasons why force should not be used for this purpose. It is because truth stands out distinct from error, so there has remained no justification for using force. Islam is manifest Truth.
320. Taghut is one who exceeds proper bounds; the Devil; such persons as turn others from the right path; all idols. The word is used both as singular and plural (2:258 & 4:61).
A C T I V I T Y 1.2 Surah Al-Baqarah
1. Explain what you think the Day of Judgment is.
2. What do verses 255-258 tell us about the believers on the Day of Judgment?
3. What do verses 255-258 tell us about the disbelievers on the Day of Judgment?
The Holy Qur’an 15
4. The Holy Prophetsaw termed Ayatul Kursi as ______. What does Ayatul Kursi mean? Refer to the commentary of the Holy Qur’an for a detailed explanation.
5. The following are the English words for the attributes of Allah mentioned in verses 255-258. Identify the Arabic words for each attribute.
a) Living ______
b) Self-Subsisting ______
c) All-Sustaining ______
d) The High ______
e) The Great ______
f) All-Hearing ______
g) All-Knowing ______
6. Explain how each of these attributes manifests the powers of Allah.
The Holy Qur’an 16
7. Suppose that someone comes to you and says that, “Islam was spread by the sword.” How would you respond? (Hint: refer to Surah Al-Baqarah verse 257)
8. Taghut means “Trangressor.” Define the term and think of examples where such transgression occurs in your daily lives.
9. Prepare a speech on one of the attributes of Allah above and submit it to the national publication secretary for publication. (500 to 1000 words)
Surah Al Baqarah: verse 287
287. Allah burdens not any soul beyond its capacity.359 It shall have the reward it earns, and it shall get the punishment it incurs. 360 Our Lord, do not punish us if we forget or fall into error, 361 and our Lord, lay not on us a responsibility362 as Thou didst lay upon those before us. Our Lord, burden us not with what we have not the strength to bear; and efface our sins, and grant us forgiveness, and have mercy on us; Thou art our Master; so help us against the disbelieving people.
The Holy Qur’an 17
Commentary on Surah Al-Baqarah: verse 287
359. The clause constitutes a powerful refutation of the doctrine of Atonement. It embodies two important principles: (1) That the commandments of God are always given with due regard for man’s capacities and his natural limitations. (2) That moral purification in this world does not necessarily signify complete freedom from all kinds of failings and short-comings. All that man is expected to do is sincerely to strive for good and avoid sin to the best of his power, and the rest will be forgiven him by the Merciful God. So no Atonement is needed.
360. The word of Kasaba generally denotes the doing of good deeds and Iktasaba the doing of evil deeds. Both words are from the same root but the latter denotes greater exertion on the part of the doer. A man will be rewarded for good deeds even if they are done casually and without conscious effort, while he will be punished for his evil deeds only if they are committed deliberately and with conscious effort.
361. In ordinary circumstances, Nisyan and Khati’ah are not punishable for they lack intention or motive, which are necessary for awarding punishment. But here the words denote forgetfulness and error which can be avoided if due care is taken.
362. Isr means, (1) a burden which restrains one from motion; (2) a heavy responsibility the breaking of which renders one deserving of punishment; (3) a sin or an offence; and (4) grievous punishment of a sin. The expression “Lay not on us a responsibility as Thou didst lay upon those before us” does not mean that the burden to be laid upon us should be lighter than that which was laid upon those before us. The meaning is that we may be safeguarded against breaking Thy covenant and thus may be saved from incurring a heavy responsibility for disobedience as was incurred by those before us. This is a collective prayer for the preservation and protection of Islam and the safeguarding of Muslims against incurring the displeasure of God.
A C T I V I T Y 1.3 Surah Al-Baqarah
1. How does verse 287 serve to preserve and protect Islam and Muslims?
The Holy Qur’an 18
2. Explain what two requirements are placed upon Muslims in Verse 287.
3. Explore why a man will be rewarded for good deeds even if they are done casually and yet be punished for his evil deeds only if they are committed deliberately.
4. Explain what is meant by “Lay not on us a responsibility as Thou didst lay upon those before us.”
5. Explain briefly what the prayer in verse 287 means to you. What can you do to avoid losing the path of righteousness?
The Holy Qur’an 19
6. Research Project: Compare and contrast the concept of atonement i.e. Penance/Punishment as prescribed in Christianity and Judaism to Islam’s philosophy on striving to do good and avoid sin. Summarize you findings below: (Hint: Refer to Al-Qur’an 42:41)
The Holy Qur’an 20
Surah Al-Hashr
Surah Facts
• This Surah was revealed after Hijrah. • It is the third of the seven last Medinite Chapters of the Holy Qur’an. • This Surah deals with the punishment and expulsion of the Jews from Medina who secretly plotted against Islam. • It also deals with the hypocrites of Medina who were neither true to Muslims nor Jews. • The Surah opens with Divine glorifications of Allah and ends with exhortations to Muslims to sing the praise of the All-Beneficent and Merciful Allah who had nipped in the bud the wicked designs of their enemies and opened an endless vista of progress for them.
Translation: Surah Al-Hashr – verses 23-25
23. He is Allah and there is no God beside Him, the Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is the Gracious, the Merciful.
24. He is Allah and there is no God beside Him, the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of peace, the Bestower of security, the Protector, the Mighty, the Subduer, the Exalted. Holy is Allah, far above that which they associate with Him.
25. He is Allah, the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner. His are the most beautiful names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Him, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
A C T I V I T Y 1.4 Surah Al-Hashr
1. Reflect on verses 23-25 from Surah Al-Hashr and identify at least 12 attributes of Allah.
The Holy Qur’an 21
2. Briefly explain what you understand from these verses.
3. The following are the Arabic words for each of Allah’s attributes mentioned in the verses 23-25 of Surah Al-Hashr. Identify the English words for each attribute.
a) Al-Aleem______b) Ar-Rahman______
c) Ar-Raheem______d) Al-Malik______
e) Al-Quddus______f) As-Salaam______
g) Al-Mumin______h) Al-Muhaymin______
i) Al-Azeez______j) Al-Qahhar______k) Al-Mutakabbir______l) Al-Khaliq______
m) Al-Bari______n) Al-Musawwir______
o) Al-Hakeem______
4. Explain how each of these attributes manifests the powers of Allah.
5. Prepare a speech on one of the attributes of Allah (mentioned above) and submit it to the national publication secretary for publication. (500 to 1,000 words)
The Holy Qur’an 22
Surah Al-Kafirun
Surah Facts
• This Surah was revealed before Hijrah. • It is generally agreed that this Surah was revealed in Mecca. • In this Surah, the disbelievers who would not accept Islam are warned that after having seen such manifest Signs in support of the Holy Prophetsaw, they had refused to accept him, how could they expect Muslims to give up their faith and accept their foolish beliefs. • This Surah enjoins believers to courageously stick to their faith even in a hostile environment and under adverse circumstances.
Translation: Surah Al-Kafirun
1. In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
2. Say,3450 'O ye3451 disbelievers! 3452
3. 'I worship not as you worship,
4. 'Nor do you worship as I worship.
5. 'Nor do I worship those that you worship,
6. 'Nor do you worship Him3453 Whom I worship.
7. 'For you your religion, and for me my religion.’3454
Commentary on Surah Al-Kafirun
3450. The Divine command, expressed by the word Qul, applies to every Muslim. Besides the present Surah, the word is placed at the beginning of Chapters 72, 112, 113 and 114, and is used in about 306 Verses of the Holy Qur’an; and wherever it is used it emphasizes the importance of the subject-matter governed by it. Thus believers are enjoined to proclaim loudly and repeatedly, and to convey to disbelievers in clear and definite terms, the great principles of Islam enunciated and emphasized in this Surah.
3451. The expression “O ye” is intended to draw pointed attention to the subject matter of the Surah and to emphasize its importance. The expression has frequently been used in the Holy Qur’an to serve this purpose.
3452. ‘The disbelievers’ may refer to those confirmed disbelievers who, by their persistent and defiant rejection of the truth, rule out all possibility of accepting it, and disbelief becomes, as it were, part of their being. The Holy Qur’an 23
3453. Various explanations have been given of the present and preceding three Verses by the Commentators. Some say that as the pagan Meccans had put their question in two forms, therefore, two forms have been adopted in answer to their question. Others say that the repetition is for the sake of emphasis. Yet some others like Zajjaj are of the opinion that the first two sentences signify denial of worship in the present time and the last two sentences denial of it in the future. As against this Zamakhshari says that the first two sentences stand for denial of worship in future while the last two for that in the past. Be that as it may, when the particle la (no; not) governs an aorist, it signifies the future tense. According to this use of the particle the expression la A‘budu would mean: ‘I will never worship.’ The particle ma is used in two forms. As Masdariyyah it transforms into infinitive the verb which it governs and as Mausula it means Alladhi (that which). Sometimes it is also used for rational beings and means “he who.” Ma may be taken as Masdariyyah in the former two Verses and as Mausulah in the later two, and the four Verses would be interpreted something like this: ‘I will never adopt your mode or manner of worship, nor will you adopt the manner in which I worship. And I shall not worship those things (idols) or rational or irrational beings whom you worship, nor will you worship Him (Allah) whom I worship.
3454. The verse signifies that as there is absolutely no meeting ground between the believers’ way of life and that of the disbelievers and as they are in complete disagreement not only with regard to the basic concepts of religion but also with regard to its details and other aspects, therefore, there can possibly be no compromise between the two.
A C T I V I T Y 1.5 Surah Al-Kafirun
1. What is the basic commandment given to the Muslims in this Surah?
The Holy Qur’an 24
2. What is the message to the disbelievers?
3. When are the following two expressions used? What is their relevance in this verse?
“Qul”:
“O Ye”:
4. Does the last verse imply that we should stop tabligh (propagation)? What does it mean?
5. List ways in which believers can stick to their faith even in a hostile environment and under adverse circumstances. Have you experienced sentiments of hostility as expressed in this Surah? How have you handled such an experience?
The Holy Qur’an 25
Surah Al-Nasr
Surah Facts
• This Surah was revealed in Mecca after Hijra. • It is considered a Medinite Surah in the sense that it was revealed after Hijrah in the Medinite period, but is a Meccan Surah in the sense that it was revealed in Mecca on the occasion of the last pilgrimage, only about 70 or 80 days before the death of the Holy Prophetsaw. • This was the last whole Surah to be revealed, though the last verse with which the Qur’anic revelation came to an end was the 4th verse of Surah Al-Ma’idah. • In this Surah believers are told that the victory promised to them has already come and people have begun to join the fold of Islam in large numbers. Therefore they, particularly the Holy Prophetsaw, should give thanks to his Lord, extol His praises and seek protection from Him against the shortcomings and moral weaknesses that generally find their way into a new movement.
Translation: Surah Al-Nasr
1. In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
2. When the help of Allah comes and the Victory,3455
3. And thou seest men entering the religion of Allah in troops,
4. Glorify thy Lord with His praise3456 and seek His forgiveness.3457 Surely He is Oft-returning with mercy.
Commentary on Surah Al-Nasr
3455. The promised victory.
3456. The Holy Prophetsaw is here enjoined that since God’s promise has been fulfilled and large masses of people have begun to enter the fold of Islam, he should give thanks to His Lord for fulfilling His promise and should sing His praises.
3457. The Holy Prophetsaw is here told that since victory has come to him and Islam has become predominant in the land and his erstwhile enemies have become his devoted followers, he should pray to God to forgive them the grave wrongs they had done to him in the past. This seems to be the meaning and significance of the injunction to the Holy Prophetsaw to seek God’s forgiveness. Or, the meaning is that the Holy Prophetsaw is enjoined to ask God’s protection against the weaknesses and shortcomings that might find their way into the Muslim Community on account of lack of adequate training or education of the new The Holy Qur’an 26
converts. It is very significant that wherever in the Qur’an mention is made of victory or some other great success coming to the Holy Prophetsaw, he is told to ask God’s forgiveness and to seek His protection. This clearly shows that in the present verse also he is enjoined to ask God’s forgiveness and seek His protection not for himselfsaw but for others i.e. hesaw is enjoined to pray that whenever there was any danger of hissaw followers deviating from Islamic principles or precepts, God may save them from such a crisis. Thus there is no question here of the Holy Prophet’ssaw asking forgiveness for any of his own actions. According to the Qur’an he enjoyed complete immunity from every moral lapse of deviation from the right course. See also 2612 and 2765.
A C T I V I T Y 1.6 Surah Al-Nasr
1. Explain the basic message of this Surah.
2. Why are we commanded to praise Allah in Verse 4?
3. Why is Prophet Muhammadsaw enjoined to ask for Allah’s forgiveness? For what/whom is he asking forgiveness?
The Holy Qur’an 27
4. Explain the significance of forgiveness and mercy apparent in this Surah.
5. Why is victory followed by forgiveness and mercy in this Surah?
6. What kinds of qualities/behavior should we guard against at a victorious time? Reflect on experiences where a reward or achievement may have led to such behaviors.
7. Briefly explain what this Surah means to you. What is its purpose? What message do you get from it?
The Holy Qur’an 28
Surah Al-Lahab
Surah Facts
• This Surah was revealed before Hijrah. • It was revealed in Mecca during the early years of the Call. • It appears to deal with the people having red-faces and fiery tempers; hence its title. • In Surah Al-Kauthar the Holy Prophetsaw was given a twofold promise about the great and rapid increase of his followers and about the failure of the machinations of his enemies against Islam. In the immediately preceding Surah—Al-Nasr—reference was made to the first part of the promise, the present Surah refers to its second part.
Translation: Surah Al-Lahab
1. In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
2. Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab, 3458 and perish he!
3. His wealth and what he has earned3459 shall avail him naught,
4. Soon shall he burn in a flaming fire; 3460
5. And his wife, too, bearer of slander, 3461
6. Round her neck shall be a halter of twisted palm-fibre. 3462
Commentary on Surah Al-Lahab
3458. Abu Lahab (Father of Flame) was the nickname of ‘Abd Al-Uzza’, the Holy Prophet’ssaw uncle and his inveterate enemy and persecutor. He was so called either because his complexion and hair were ruddy or also because he had a fiery temper. The Surah recalls an incident during the early preaching of the Holy Prophetsaw. On being commanded by God to call together hissaw relatives and to deliver to them the Divine Message, the Holy Prophetsaw, one day, stood on mount Safa and called the different Meccan tribes by name—the tribes of Luwayy, Murrah, Kilab and Quayy—and hissaw near relatives, and told them that hesaw was God’s Messenger, and that if they did not accept his Message and did not give up their evil ways, Divine punishment would overtake them. The Holy Prophetsaw had hardly finished his speech, when Abu Lahab stood up and said, ‘Ruin seize thee, is it for this that thou has called us together’ (Bukhari)? The nickname ‘Father of Flame’ may either refer particularly to Abu Lahab or to any hot-tempered enemy of Islam or better still may apply to Western nations of the The Holy Qur’an 29
Latter Days who own and control atomic and nuclear weapons—one group of them repudiating God altogether and the other denying Divine Unity, but both being equally opposed to Islam. In this sense ‘the two hands’ would mean these two groups, and the verse would signify that all endeavors and machinations of the enemies of Islam, particularly of the two groups of Western Powers and their satellites, would utterly fail and all their nefarious designs would recoil on their own heads; they would burn with rage at seeing Islam progressing and their own wealth, power and possessions perishing before their very eyes.
3459. The words his wealth may mean, the wealth produced in their own countries, and ‘what he has earned’ may signify the riches they amass by exploiting weaker nations and despoiling them of their natural resources.
3460. The expression, Abu Lahab, may also mean, one who invents things which produce fire and flames, or one who himself is consumed in the flames of fire. In the latter sense, the verse may be interpreted as predicting the destruction of the two major political blocs of the Latter Days by their own fire-producing weapons, such as atom bombs and other nuclear weapons. The verse also shows that the day of reckoning for these nations is not far off.
3461. The reference in the verse seems to be Abu Lahab’s wife, Umm Jamil who strew the Holy Prophet’ssaw path with thorns and would go about spreading calumnies against him; Hatab also meaning calumny (Lane). The verse may also apply to those people who spread calumnies and false accusations against Islam and the Holy Prophet saw.
3462. Though apparently free, these nations will be so strongly tied to their respective political ideologies and systems that they will not be able to break away from them. Or, like Umm Jamil, who is said to have become strangled by the very rope by which she carried firewood, these nations will perish by the very means by which they would seek to destroy others.
A C T I V I T Y 1.7 Surah Al-Lahab
1. What is the meaning of Abu Lahab? Who is it referring to? Why was he called Abu Lahab?
The Holy Qur’an 30
2. How is the name Abu Lahab metaphorically used in this verse?
3. What is the purpose for the reference to Abu Lahab’s wife in this Surah?
4. “Calumny” is a false statement made to injure someone’s reputation. Provide examples of how we resort to slander and calumny in our daily lives.
5. This verse is a warning to the enemies of Islam. Briefly explain who these enemies are and what is the warning.
6. Group Project: DEBATE. Organize a debate. Divide the class into two groups. Group One should research prominent women in Islamic history and argue that they derived their capabilities from their biological strength. Group Two should research The Holy Qur’an 31
the same women and argue that they derived their strength only as a result of facing the enemies of Islam and for the love for their Prophetsaw. Are both points of view correct?
7. Arabic Numerals: Memorize the following table so that you can identify the Arabic numerals in the Holy Qur’an.
Arabic Numerals
English Arabic English Arabic English Arabic
11121
21222 31323
41424
51525
61626
71727
81828
91929
10 20 30
8. Using the above table solve the Sudoku puzzles below: How to solve Sudoku Simply place a number from - in each empty cell so that each row, each column and each by block contains all the numbers from - . (This means that no number can appear twice in any row, column, or by box)
Puzzle #1
The Holy Qur’an 32
Puzzle #2
C H A P T E R 2 Salat
Salat is the second pillar of Islam and a very important form of worship of Allah. It is the best medium of interacting with Allah. There is no one day set aside exclusively for Salat, it is a part of everyday life. Just as eating and drinking throughout the day are necessary to sustain your physical existence, observing Salat five times a day is essential to preserve your spiritual subsistence. The Holy Qur’an states:
‘Verily, Prayer is enjoined on the believers (to be performed) at fixed hours.’ (4:104)
The Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw once asked, “If one of you had a stream flowing by his door and he takes a bath in it five times a day, would any dirt be left on him?” They replied, “No dirt would be left on him.” The Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw said: “This is the case with Salat (the five daily prayers). Allah makes the Salat wipe out sins.”
The Promised Messiah, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas once stated: “…Salat is the presenting of oneself before God Almighty and is a combination of praising God and an attempt at the expiation (asking for forgiveness) of one’s sins. One who does not keep these purposes in view derives no benefit from Salat.” (Al-Hakam, May 31, 1903, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as).
Therefore, perform Salat in the best possible manner as illustrated below:
• When you are in the standing posture, your whole appearance must reflect that you are standing before God in all humility and submissiveness. • When you bow before Him in Salat, it must be a reflection of the bowing of your heart. • When you prostrate, your manner must be that of a person who is inspired by fear of God. • Pray a lot for your spiritual as well as material uplift.
Some Benefits of Salat
• It provides a means of connection with Allah the Almighty. • It acts as a constant reminder of Allah. • It instills a continued love for Allah. Salat 34
• It purifies the heart and soul through humility and submission. • It demonstrates obedience to Allah, the Creator of the Universe. • It is a deterrent from immoral behavior and helps control evil desires throughout the day. • It helps develop discipline through punctuality, cleanliness, purity, and patience. • It helps maintain a healthy body through performing ablution five times a day and through physical prostrations. It also provides mental and emotional stability as you create a bond with your maker. • It promotes unity and brotherhood through congregational prayers. • It is a venue for the greater jihad – inner struggle for the sake of Allah.
Review Chapter 2 from the first Religious Knowledge Workbook to complete the following activities. Also study Chapter 4 from “Welcome to Ahmadiyyat, The True Islam” by Dr. Karimullah Zirvi.
A C T I V I T Y 2.1 General
1. List the obligatory prayers prescribed in Islam and their timings.
2. Under what circumstances are prayers exempted?
Salat 35
3. Offering of prayers is prohibited at the rising of the sun, setting of the sun and at noon, when the sun is at its zenith. Why is it not allowed at these times?
4. What do the following words mean?
Fard:
Sunnah:
Waajib:
Nawafil:
Taraveeh:
5. What is the Qadha prayer (Qadha prayer or missed prayer), and how is it performed?
6. When is Dua-e-Qanoot offered?
Salat 36
A C T I V I T Y 2.2 Ablution
1. Describe the steps for the performance of ablution?
Step# Action
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
2. If water is scarce, does a believer still have to wash the different parts three times for completing ablution?
3. If a believer wears socks after performing complete ablution, does he or she need to rewash the feet for subsequent ablutions?
Salat 37
4. What conditions require the believer to redo the ablution?
5. Describe when and how to perform Tayammum.
6. What is the purpose of ablution?
A C T I V I T Y 2.3 Cleanliness of Environment
It is essential that the place where Salat is performed should be clean. Give examples of places where Salat should not be performed.
Salat 38
A C T I V I T Y 2.4 Personal Appearance
What is the appropriate attire when individuals offer Salat?
A C T I V I T Y 2.5 Prayer Etiquette
1. If you are alone in the house, can you answer the door or answer the phone while praying? If so, what are the restrictions? Can you resume the prayers where you left off?
Salat 39
2. Indicate whether the following statements are true or false.
1. It is okay to talk during prayer………………………………………..True/False
2. It is prohibited to pass in front of those engaged in salat……………………………………………………….True/False
3. If the Imam makes a mistake during salat, a woman offering salat behind him should alert him by clapping her hands ………..………………………………………....True/False
4. If the Imam makes a mistake during salat, a man offering salat behind him should alert him by saying ‘Subhanallah’………..…………………………………………………True/False
5. Your head should be covered during salat……………………….…True/False
6. If you are late for congregational salat, you must join the congregation and offer the missed raka’ats after the prayer has been completed…………………………………………………...True/False
3. What special allowances are permitted to people who are sick when offering Salat?
A C T I V I T Y 2.6 Travel
1. When does a traveler have the option to shorten the prayer? In what manner is the prayer shortened?
Salat 40
2. Can a traveler be an Imam-us-salat and lead the residents in Salat?
3. Does a traveler have to face Qibla while riding or traveling in a car, train, or airplane?
4. What is the length of time of a trip that is considered appropriate for shortening the Salat?
A C T I V I T Y 2.7 Joining Congregational Prayers
1. When a Muslim joins congregational prayers late and is not aware of what prayers are in progress, what should he do?
Salat 41
2. If a Muslim joins congregational prayers late and realizes that he has joined-in with Asr prayer while he has not yet offered his Zuhr prayer, then what becomes of his Zuhr prayer?
A C T I V I T Y 2.8 Imam-us-Salat
1. Can a woman lead Salat? If so, under what circumstances? Describe the procedure for a woman to lead other women in congregational prayers.
\
2. What is the criterion for the selection of an Imam?
Salat 42
A C T I V I T Y 2.9 Qibla
1. In case a believer finds out that he/she offered prayers in a direction that does not face the Ka’bah, does he/she have to repeat his/her prayers?
2. If, during the course of offering his/her prayer, the believer realizes that he/she is not facing in the direction of the Ka’bah, what should he/she do?
A C T I V I T Y 2.10 Prayer and Spirituality
1. What is the purpose of prayer?
2. What are the different forms of worship that God has prescribed in Islam?
Salat 43
3. Why must we offer the 5 Prayers at different times in the day? Can we offer them all together at one time? If we miss a prayer, can we make it up later?
4. How many times is Salat mentioned in the Holy Qur’an? What is the significance of this?
5. What are some of the blessings of Salat mentioned by the Holy Prophetsaw?
6. How can Salat change a person who is leading a destructive life?
Salat 44
7. Research on the ‘benefits of Salat’. Include in your research the physical, emotional, and spiritual effects of offering Salat. Summarize your findings below:
8. Research ‘Salat - A universal form of prayer’. Include how Salat is a culmination of various postures in prayers from different religions. Summarize your findings below: (Hint: Refer to “An Elementary Study of Islam” by Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadra )
Salat 45
9. Select a week during which you can record all the Salat you offer on the table below:
Date of week recorded:______
Salat Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Fajr Zuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Tahajjud
10. Record your progress from the table above:
1. Total # Salat offered: ______
2. Salat offered most frequently: ______
3. Least offered Salat: ______
4. Days of the week least Salat offered: ______
11. Are you satisfied with the number of Salat you offer? If not, why? How can you improve?
12. Why are you able to offer some Salat more often than others? What can you do to increase the Salat you offer the least?
Salat 46
13. How can you increase Salat offerings on the days you offer the least?
14. Record how you realized the following benefits after offering each Salat:
• Connection with Allah the Almighty
• Constant reminder of Allah
• Continued love for Allah
• Purification of the heart and soul through humility and submissiveness
• Obedience to Allah, the Creator of the Universe
Salat 47
• Deterrent from immoral behavior and control of evil desires throughout the day
• Development of discipline through punctuality, cleanliness, purity, and patience
• Promotion of unity and brotherhood through congregational prayers
• Venue for the greater jihad – inner struggle for the sake of Allah
Salat 48
15. Fill in the puzzle with the words provided:
SALAT
SM AH
Q
W
MB
L
UR
S I
Q
Asr Janaza Sajdah Attashahud Jummah Salaam Attawuz Kaaba Salat Ayat Khutba Sunnat Azan Maghrib Surah Duaa Masjid Tahajjud Fajr Nawafil Takbir Farz Qadaa Taraveeh Imam Qibla Tayammum Iqamah Qiyam Vitr Isha Quran Wudhu Istikhara Rakaat Zuhr Istisqua Rukuu
C H A P T E R 3 Importance of Prayers
Importance of Prayers
In this chapter we will reflect on a number of prayers for different times and situations. We should remember Allah at all times and pray to Him for His Divine guidance. Every action, regardless of how small it is, should be preceded with prayer. The purpose of prayers is to make us righteous, and is for our benefit and cannot be taken as a favor to Allah. The Holy Qur’an states:
ۡ ۡ ۡ إِ ﱠن ﱠٱلصلَ ٰوةَ تَنھَ ٰى َع ِن ٱلفَ ۡح َشآ ِء َوٱل ُم َنك ِۗر
‘Verily, Prayer prevents the worshipper from indulging in anything that is undignified or indecent…’ (29:46)
Allah accepts our prayers when we pray sincerely to Him and seek His guidance towards the path of righteousness. The Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw said: “Your Lord is Considerate and Generous and when His servant raises his hands, is shy of returning them empty.” (Bukhari)
In the words of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Allah has “equipped the mind with the qualities of humility and lowliness and the faculties of contemplation and reflection. Be mindful, then, that if we fail to use these powers and faculties, our prayer is in vain.” (Al-Hakam, Dec. 10, 1901, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Ahmadiyya Gazette, September 1994)
Prayers 50
A C T I V I T Y 3.1 Prayer of the Holy Qur’an
Prayer for Parents
Rabbir-ham-humaa Kamaa rabba-yaani Sagheera
My Lord, have mercy on them even as they nourished me in my childhood. Al Qur’an - 17:25
1. This verse is about parents. Read the commentary in the Holy Qur’an on this verse and write down what you understood from it.
2. How many times are parents mentioned in the Holy Qur’an? Look up the verses and make a list of what each verse teaches about parents.
3. Explain why parents are bestowed such importance by Allah?
Prayers 51
4. Make a list of things you can do or practice that will help you be a better child and be more respectful towards your parents?
5. Select a week and record your interactions with your mother. Reflect on each request that your mother makes. Write down how you felt at that time and how you reacted. Then, imagine yourself as a mother and write down how you would have wanted your daughter to react. What differences did you find? How should you have reacted? How will you react in the future?
6. Imagine it is bedtime and you are thanking Allah for His many bounties before going to bed. Make a list of reasons why you thank Allah for blessing you with your parents.
Prayers 52
A C T I V I T Y 3.2 Prayer of the Holy Prophetsaw
Prayer for Entering the Mosque
Bismillah-issa-laatu wassa-laamu alaa rasool-ilaahi. Allaahum-magh firlee zunoobee waftah’li ab’waaba rah’matika.
In the name of Allah (I enter). All blessings and peace be upon the Prophetsaw of Allah. O Allah! Forgive me for my sins and open the doors of Your mercy upon me.
Prayer for Leaving the Mosque
Bismillah-issa-laatu wassa-laamu alaa rasool-ilaahi. Allaahum-magh firlee zunoobee waftah’li ab’waaba fadlika
In the name of Allah, all prayers and peace be upon the Holy Prophetsaw. O Allah! Forgive me for my sins and open the doors of Your blessings upon me.
1. What does ‘Bismillah’ mean? When do we use this term?
2. Why do we invoke the blessings of Allah upon the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw?
Prayers 53
3. What is the purpose of asking Allah for forgiveness and mercy? Why do we ask for this while entering the mosque?
4. As you enter the mosque saying this prayer and asking God to forgive you and to have mercy on you, how should your behavior be once you are inside the mosque?
5. There is a change of only one word between the prayer for entering the mosque and leaving the mosque. What is this word? Why are the two words different, and how do they relate to entering or leaving the mosque?
6. How should your behavior be once you leave the mosque?
Prayers 54
A C T I V I T Y 3.3 Prayer of the Holy Prophetsaw
Prayer for Protection from Enemies
Alla-humma innaa naj’alooka fee nuhoori-him wa na-oozoobika min shuroori- him
O Allah, we make Thee a shield against the enemy, and we ask for Thy protection against their evil designs.
1. How would you define an enemy?
2. Identify two enemies of Islam from the time of Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw. How did the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw react to them?
3. Identify two enemies of the Promised Messiahas. Discuss how they tried to destroy Ahmadiyyat and how their evil designs were unsuccessful.
Prayers 55
4. Research Project: Explore Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadra, Khalifatul Masih the IV’s exodus from Pakistan. Include the reason why he left Pakistan, his Mubahillah challenge to his enemies, the ultimate downfall of the enemies, and the subsequent worldwide spread of Ahmadiyyat. Summarize your findings below:
5. Explain how we can implore Allah to be our Shield against our enemies and from their evil designs?
Prayers 56
PrayerA C T I forV I TDifficult Y 3.4 Times Prayer of the Holy Prophetsaw
Prayer for Difficult Times
Allaa-humma innee a-oozobika min jah’dil balaa-i wa dar’kish-shiqaa-i wa soo-il-qadhaai wa shamata-til a’daa-e
O Allah, I seek your protection against the hardship of pain, infliction of bad luck, and bad decisions, and mocking of enemies
1. What relationship is there between this prayer of difficult times and the prayer for protection against enemies?
2. Give an example from the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw in which he experienced difficult times. How did he handle the situation?
3. Give an example from the life of the Promised Messiahas in which he experienced difficult times. How did he handle the situation?
Prayers 57
4. Ask your parents or grandparents about a difficult time they faced. How did they get through it?
5. Reflect upon a difficult time you faced. How did you deal with it?
6. What is the best remedy for facing difficulties?
7. Outline the difficulties faced by Hadhrat Bilalra and how Allah showed mercy on him.
Prayers 58
8. Visit a local children’s shelter. Prepare a comparison of your life/childhood to the children you met. What would you pray for after you met these children?
A C T I V I T Y 3.5 Prayer of the Holy Prophetsaw
Prayer to Seek the Love of Allah
Allaa-huma’rzuqnee hubba-ka wa hubba ma’n ahabba-ka wa hubba maa yu- qarriboo-nee eelaika
O Allah, grant me Your love and the love of those who love You; the love which makes me nearer to You. Make my love for You dearer to me than the cold (refreshing) water.
1. In this prayer, why do we ask for the love of Allah?
2. Why is it important to have the love of those who love God?
Prayers 59
3. Why does following the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw increase Allah’s love for us and our love for Allah?
4. Explain what “make my love for You dearer to me than the cold (refreshing) water” means.
5. Reflect upon your relationship with Allah. Include how often and how you communicate with Him and why you love Him and appreciate Him.
Prayers 60
A C T I V I T Y 3.6 Prayer of the Holy Prophetsaw
Prayer for Beginning Fast
Wa-bisaumi ghadin nawaitoo min shahri ramadaan
I intend to fast in the morning of the month of Ramadhan
1. What relationship does this prayer have with the saying of the Holy Prophetsaw that “The actions are to be judged by their underlying motives”?
2. Why is it important to declare your intention before fasting?
3. Which of the following is evident in this prayer?
a) Fasting is only a physical act and not spiritual
b) Allah needs our hunger and thirst
c) It is not important why we fast as long as we do d) It is the purity of our intention that reaches Allah
Prayers 61
saw A C T I V I T Y 3.7 Prayer of the Holy Prophet
Prayer for Ending Fast
Allaa-humma innee laka sumtoo wa bika aamantoo alaa rizqika aftartoo
O Allah! I observed the fast for Your sake, I believe in You and I end the fast by eating that which You have provided for me
1. Is observing fast for the sake of Allah an act of sacrifice or obedience to Allah? Explain.
2. In this prayer we offer thanks to Allah. Explain what part of the prayer is evidence of this.
3. Make a list of etiquettes for opening the fast. Explain the benefits of these etiquettes.
Prayers 62
A C T I V I T Y 3.8 Prayer of the Holy Prophetsaw
Prayer for Lailatul Qadr – “The night of Destiny”
Allaa-humma innaka afuvvun toohibbul af’wa, fa’foo-annee
O Allah! You are the Great Pardoner. You love those who pardon others. Hence I seek Your pardon.
1. What is destiny? How can this prayer affect your destiny?
2. How do you feel when you forgive others?
3. What does “Afw” mean? How does it pertain to this prayer? (Hint: Refer to Al Qur’an, 3:135.)
Prayers 63
4. Make a list of the good deeds you have done today and write down how they make you feel. Do any of the deeds include forgiveness?
Deed How you feel
5. Write an essay on Lailatul Qadr – “The night of Destiny.” When does this night occur? What is the main objective of this prayer? What verse of the Holy Qur’an refers to Lailatul Qadr – “The night of Destiny”? Submit your essay for publication to the national publication secretary.
A C T I V I T Y 3.9 Prayer of the Holy Prophetsaw
Prayer for Controlling Anger
Allaa-hum-magh’firlee zammbee wa az’hab ghaidha qal’bi wa ajirnee minash- shaitaa-nirrajeem
O Allah! Forgive my sins and relieve my heart of anger and take me in Your protection against the accursed Satan
Prayers 64
1. Why does Islam forbid anger? Explain why it is important for us to control our anger.
2. Why do you think we implore Allah to help us control our anger?
3. Find an article on anger management. Explain how anger affects us and people around us.
4. Conduct a workshop on anger management in a group. Address what makes others in your group angry and how they can overcome it. Explore the importance of controlling anger. Summarize the workshop activities below. Identify how Salat and prayer help to control anger.
Prayers 65
5. Prepare a “Cool Down” list on how to control anger. Post this “Cool Down” list in your room and next time you feel angry follow your list. Be sure to put down the prayer for controlling your anger as number one on your list.
Prayers 66
A C T I V I T Y 3.10
1. Identify in each text box, what each prayer is for.
O Allah, we make Thee O Allah! You are the a Shield against the Pardoner. You love enemy, and we ask for those who pardon Thy protection against others. Hence I seek their evil designs Your pardon
O Allah! Forgive my sins and relieve my heart of my anger and take me in Your protection against the accursed Satan
O Allah, I seek Your protection against the hardship of pain, My Lord, have mercy on infliction of bad them even as they luck, and bad decisions, and nourished me in my mocking of enemies childhood
Prayers 67
I intend to fast in the morning of the month of Ramadhan O Allah, grant me Your love and the love of those who love You; the love which makes me nearer to You. Make my love for You dearer to me than the cold (refreshing) water
O Allah! I observed the fast for Your sake, I believe in You and I end the fast by eating that which You have provided for me
In the name of Allah (I enter). All blessings and peace be upon the Prophetsaw of God. O Allah! Forgive me for my sins and open the doors of Your mercy upon me
Prayers 68
2. Prepare a story individually or in a group, and present it in your class. Use the following story as a guideline. Try to incorporate all the prayers in this chapter. You may decide to do this activity many times to revise the prayers - with different stories. Share your story with others in your group.
It is the beginning of the final 10 days of Ramadhan. Everyone is waiting for Laila- tul-Qadr. It is early morning and your mother calls you to wake up for sehr to begin your fast. You are tired and do not want to get up…Satan is telling you to go back to sleep and defy your mother. You recite the prayer to seek protection from enemies – from Satan – it works, you get up and get ready for sehr.
You come to the table. Your mother has prepared your favorite prathas (food) for you, and your father is helping her set the table. You become happy and grateful and recite the prayer for parents. As you sit at the table, and see the food, you feel thankful to Allah for His bounties and recite the prayer on beginning the fast.
Later in the day, your father comes home and says that there was a fire at his place of work and they sent everyone home. He has lost his job. You become upset and go into your room. After reciting the prayer for difficult times you come out of your room and tell your father that Allah will find a way to make the difficult times ahead disappear.
In the evening you go to the mosque with your parents. Upon entering the mosque you recite the prayer for entering the mosque. You quietly go and sit in line and begin reading Darood sharif. All of a sudden you feel someone beside you and you look up, it is a friend of yours that you have a disagreement with. She gives you a mean look. You become angry and recite the prayer for controlling anger. Allah helps you control your anger and you smile and ask her to sit beside you.
The Azan for aftar emanates through the mosque. Everyone walks to the dining hall where dates, water, and sherbat (juice) are being served. You open your fast after reciting the prayer on ending the fast. As you return to the salat area, you feel good about your self, and are thankful to Allah for guiding you through the day to do the right thing. You recite the prayer on seeking the love of Allah.
After Isha prayer, you join your parents in spending the night at the mosque in continuous prayer, reciting the Holy Al Qur’an, and the prayer for Laila-tul-Qadr. The next morning as you return home, your father gets a phone call from his employers saying that they were able to save the office from totally burning down and they need him back at work at once. Before your father leaves for work, everyone offers nawafil to thank Allah for His benevolence. C H A P T E R 4 Ahadith
Ahadith and the Practice of the Holy Prophetsaw
Muslims have three sources of Islamic guidance. • The Holy Qur’an – Revealed to Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw, it is the Word of Almighty Allah sent down to all of mankind. It provides a clear guidance as to how we should live our lives. • The Sunnah - The practice of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw, who brought the Word of God for the guidance of mankind, and illustrated it in practice with his conduct and set an example on how we should live our lives. • The Ahadith - Traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw compiled from the statements of diverse narrators approximately two hundred years after the demise of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw. The distinction between Sunnah and ahadith is that the Sunnah are the practices of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw, whilst the ahadith are his sayings.
In addition to the above three, • Ijtehad – When a solution cannot be understood through the Holy Qur’an or the ahadith, the exercise of best judgment based on the general philosophy and principles of Islam is known as Ijtehad. • Fiqah – The science of religious laws left in the hands of experts and jurists called faqih (plural: fuqaha).
The Holy Qur’an is the ultimate and the final authority on Islamic principles and codes of social and moral behavior. The sunnah and the ahadith provide details of the teachings of the Holy Qur’an through the practices and sayings of our beloved Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw. It is imperative to understand that ahadith are the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw as narrated by hissaw companions and other Muslim narrators. Although extensively authenticated, some of these ahadith may be questionable. Therefore, Muslims should follow the ahadith that are in compliant with the teachings of the Holy Qur’an.
Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw said: “Whoever memorized at least forty of my ahadith, for the welfare and reformation of my people, Allah the Exalted will raise him up as a jurist and a religious divine on the Day of Resurrection, and I will be his intercessor with Allah and a witness to his faith.” (Behigi) Ahadith 70
In this chapter we will be learning some of these ahadith. It is important to understand, memorize, AND practice them in our daily lives. We should always begin and end any ahadith with the recitation of Durood Sharif.
Durood Sharif
Transliteration: Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin, kama sallaita 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahima innaka Hamidum-Majid. Allahuma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin kama barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala ali lbrahima innaka Hamidum-Majid. Translation: O Allah, bless Muhammad and the people of Muhammad, as Thou didst bless Abraham and the people of Abraham. Thou art indeed the Praiseworthy, the Glorious. O Allah, prosper Muhammad and the people of Muhammad, as Thou didst prosper Abraham and the people of Abraham. Thou are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious. Ahadith 71
A C T I V I T Y 4.1
LETS TALK ABOUT HEARSAY
Laisal khabroo kal mu-aa-yana-ti
Hearsay is not like seeing (Hunbal)
Discuss the following verse of The Holy Qur’an: “Surely, nothing in the earth or in the heavens is hidden from Allah” (3:6)
In this hadith, we are commanded not to believe in everything we hear. We should not listen to rumors, nor should we repeat them lest they be untrue. Sometimes, honest mistakes can be made in relating a story or at times they are deliberately changed. In any case, stories and events can change and lose validity. You should not believe anything that you did not witness yourself. Islam emphasizes that when someone is being accused of wrongdoing, the incident should be investigated and until the truth is determined, no punishment should be meted out. The purpose of the investigation should be to provide justice and not for frivolous and needless curiosity. Truth should determine the reward or the punishment.
1. Reflect upon an incident that you have experienced where you or someone you love was a victim of hearsay. How did it make you feel?
2. How would you react if someone came to you and began relating an incident about someone who was not there? Would you tell them to stop? Would you listen and then ignore it? Would you listen and then tell someone else about it? Explain your answer. Ahadith 72
3. For this Hadith, please conduct the following activity.
In a game of "Telephone", form a group and sit in a circle. Choose a message, write it down and conceal it. Whisper the message to the first person in the circle, who whispers it to the next person, who in turn whispers the message to the next person, and so forth until the message has been whispered to the last person. The last person repeats the message out loud. The first person then reads out loud the original message. Write both the messages below. Compare them. What did you find? Was there a significant change in the message? Would you believe hearsay in the future? Repeat the exercise a few more times.
First Message:
Last Message:
Comparison of the two:
4. Write a story on the theme “hearsay is not like seeing”. Submit it to the national publications secretary for publication. Ahadith 73
A C T I V I T Y 4.2
LETS TALK ABOUT RIGHTEOUSNESS
Khairuz-Zadit-taqwaa
The best provision for the journey (to Hereafter) is “Taqwa” (Righteousness) (Chehl Ahadith)
Discuss the following verse of The Holy Qur’an: “There are for them (the righteous) glad tidings in this world as in the next world.” (10:65)
Abdullah ibn Mas’udra relates that the Holy Prophetsaw used to supplicate: “Allah, I beg of Thee guidance, and righteousness and chastity and self-sufficiency.” (Muslim)
1. What is righteousness?
2. Discuss the concept of Taqwa.
3. Why are righteousness and taqwa an important part of the journey to the hereafter?
Ahadith 74
4. Divide into groups of 2 or 3. Ask them to refer to the index of the Holy Qur’an and find verses that mention Taqwa or righteousness. Share these verses with the rest of the class.
5. Divide into groups of 2 or 3. Ask them to look up the Chapter in the Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam that talk about the 3 stages of righteousness (3 nafs). Explain the stages below. Discuss them with the rest of the class
Ahadith 75
A C T I V I T Y 4.3
LETS TALK ABOUT WHY WE SHOULD NOT CHEAT
Man’ ghash-sha fa-laisa min-nee
One who cheats has nothing to do with me (Muslim)
Discuss the following verses from the Holy Qur’an.
• “O ye who believe! Devour not your property among yourselves by unlawful means, except that you earn by trade with mutual consent. And kill not your people. Surely, Allah is Merciful towards you.” (4:30) • “Woe unto those who give short measure; those who, when they take by measure from other people, take it full; But when they give by measure to others or weigh to them, they give them less. Do not such people know that they will be raised again to witness the judgment of a mighty day? The day when mankind will stand before the Lord of the worlds.” (83:2-7) • “Verily, Allah commands you to give over the trusts to those entitled to them, and that, when you judge between men, you judge with justice. And surely, excellent is that with which Allah admonishes you. Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” (4:59)
1. Give two examples of cheating that you have encountered? Explain how cheating is connected to other immoral virtues? Name at least two and give examples of the relationship between them and cheating.
Ahadith 76
2. Give two examples of how this hadith can be applied to your experiences within The classroom/school/college Community Society Home
3. You are given 15 homework questions in math class which your teacher expects you to complete by yourself. However, you do half and your friend does half and then the two of you share your work. Is this cheating? Explain your answer.
Ahadith 77
A C T I V I T Y 4.4
LET’S TALK ABOUT BEING GRATEFUL
Laa ya’shkoo-rullaha mal-laa ya’shkoorunnaasa
He who is not grateful to people is not grateful to Allah (Tirmidhi)
Discuss the following verse of The Holy Qur’an: “Aye, worship Allah and be thou among the grateful.” (39:67)
1. Give two examples of Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw that expressed his gratitude to Allah. (Hint: Refer to The Life of Muhammad by Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-din Mahmood Ahmadra.)
2. Research and find points from recent sermons on this topic from alislam.org and share them with the rest of the class.
3. Explain how being thankful to people is being thankful to Allah. Explain, in light of the hadith, how if you are not grateful to people, you are not grateful to Allah.
Ahadith 78
4. Explain how the gratitude and prayer for each other is heaven on earth.
5. The Holy Prophetsaw said that one who is not grateful for small matters is not grateful for big matters. Explain what this means.
6. Even though Allah assured Prophet Muhammadsaw salvation, why did he still extend his Qiyam (standing posture of salat) during late night worship?
7. List 5 things that you are grateful for and why.
Ahadith 79
A C T I V I T Y 4.5
LET’S TALK ABOUT APPRECIATION
Ma qalla wa kafaa khairun-mimmaa kathura wa alhaa
A little that suffices one’s need is better than plenty that makes him forgetful (of God) (Chehl Ahadith)
Discuss the following verse of The Holy Qur’an: “And turn ye to Allah all together, O believers, that you may prosper.” (24:32)
1. When you read this hadith, what other qualities come to your mind? (hint: contentment, gratitude, simplicity.)
2. Read from the book, Life of Muhammadsaw and give 2 examples of how Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw demonstrated his simplicity.
3. Research the points of Tehrik-e-Jadid (The New Initiative) initiated by Hadhrat Khalifat-ul-Masih IIra and list how Ahmadis were directed to lead a simple life. Refer to alislam.org for information.
Ahadith 80
4. List these points by priority as you see them.
5. How would you implement these points in your life?
6. Make a list of things in your life that you are thankful to Allah for.
Ahadith 81
A C T I V I T Y 4.6
LET’S TALK ABOUT MOTHERS
Al-jannatoo tahta aq’damil-ummahaat
Paradise is at the feet of mothers (Sunan Nisaie)
Kindness towards parents (Stories from Early Islam, Rashid Ahmad Chaudhry)
Discuss the following verse of The Holy Qur’an: “Your Lord commanded that you worship none but Him, and that you show kindness to parents. If one or both of them attain old age in your lifetime, never be harsh to them, nor reproach them, but always speak gently to them. Be humbly tender with them and pray, my Lord, have mercy on them, even as they nourished me when I was a child.” (17:24-25)
One of the principal teachings of the Holy Qur’an is that one should show great respect to one’s parents. In Islam, the love of parents and the duty owed to them stands higher than the love of children and the duty owed to them.
This shows that in old age, parents need to be tended to as carefully and affectionately as little children are looked after in their childhood, by their parents.
The Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw has said, “Paradise lies at the feet of your mother.”
Once a man came to himsaw and asked, “Messenger of Allah! Which one of my relations has the prior claim to my devotions?”
The Holy Prophetsaw replied, “Your mother”. The man asked, “And after her?” The Holy Prophetsaw replied, “Your mother”. The man asked a third time, “And after my mother?” He still replied, “Your mother”.
When hesaw was asked the fourth time, The Holy Prophetsaw replied, “Your father and after him other relations according to their degrees of kinship.”
When Mecca fell to the Muslims, and the Holy Prophetsaw entered the city, Hadhrat Abu Bakrra brought his father, a very old man, to meet him.
Ahadith 82
Holy Prophetsaw said to Hadhrat Abu Bakrra, “Why did you put your father to trouble by making him come to me? I would have gladly gone to see him myself.” Hesaw also said, “Most unfortunate is the person who is granted an opportunity to serve his parents yet he fails to win paradise through kindness to them.”
1. Why does the Holy Qur’an command us to take care of our parents like they took care of us when we were children?
2. Why do you think the Holy Prophetsaw gave such a high status to mothers by responding three times that a mother had prior claim of devotion than any other relation?
3. There are two meanings that can be derived from “Paradise is at the feet of mothers.” Complete the meanings below:
• Mothers have a tremendous influence on the upbringing of their children that
______
______
______
______
Ahadith 83
• One can become worthy of paradise by ______
______
______
4. Briefly explore the following statements. Explain how they relate to you.
• My mother carried me for nine months and nourished me physically and spiritually.
• My mother nurtured me day and night as I was growing up, making me a priority in her life.
• My mother continues to nourish me physically and spiritually.
• My mother worries about me day and night and prays to Allah to guide me on the right path.
• My mother’s sacrifices are endless. I pray to Allah that He gives me the opportunity to serve my mother.
Ahadith 84
5. Research a hadith on the treatment of fathers. Explain what this hadith means to you. (Hint: Look in Gardens of the Righteous by Muhammad Zafrullah Khan.)
6. Write an essay about your mother (300-500 words). Include the following points: • What does the word Mother mean to you? • What does your mother expect from you? • What do you expect from your mother?
Share your essay with your mother.
Ahadith 85
A C T I V I T Y 4.7
LET’S TALK ABOUT BACKBITING
Al gheebatoo ashaddoo minal qatli
Backbiting is worse than killing
Discuss the following verse of The Holy Qur’an: “O ye who believe! Avoid much suspicion; for suspicion in some cases is a sin. And, spy not on one another, neither backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Certainly, you would loathe it. And fear Allah, surely, Allah is oft-Returning with compassion and is Merciful.” (49:13)
1. What is backbiting?
2. What are the negative effects of backbiting?
3. How does listening to gossip lead to backbiting?
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Ahadith 86
4. What should you do if you see a weakness in another person?
5. How does backbiting affect the community?
6. Give examples of backbiting. Give a list of characteristics that people would find unpleasant if they were talked about.
7. Have you resorted to backbiting? Reflect on the reasons why.
Ahadith 87
8. Discuss the relationship of backbiting with other immoral qualities. Some examples are jealousy, envy, anger, hate, inferior complex, superior complex, lies, etc.
9. Research and find points from recent sermons on this topic from alislam.org.
Ahadith 88
A C T I V I T Y 4.8
LET’S TALK ABOUT SPEAKING WITHOUT THINKING
Al-Balaau mu-akkalun-bil-mantiqi
Speaking (without thinking) leads to trouble (Chehl Ahadith)
Discuss the following verse of The Holy Qur’an: “Verily, the ear and the eye and the heart - all these shall be called to account” (17:37)
Words once uttered cannot be taken back nor can you control the effects of what you have said. Therefore it is advisable to think before you speak lest you say something that you will later regret. Your words may have grave effects on your family, friends, or community. It is also best to refrain from loose talk, since the habit of loose talk often leads to speaking without thinking and results in calamities that you cannot control.
When you think before you speak, you can better evaluate what you are going to say and determine if it will cause any harm. If what you are about to say is going to cause any kind of trouble, you will more than likely refrain from speaking it. At times what you are about to say may not cause harm in itself, however, your tone or demeanor may cause trouble and so by thinking before speaking, you can speak your thoughts in a more acceptable manner.
There may be times when you have to deliver bad news and if you think before you speak, you can formulate the words in such a manner so as not to deliver your news abruptly. This will help the recipient of bad news to better handle it. In this regard, you not only avoid causing trouble, but also, in fact help alleviate it.
1. Identify two examples of loose (useless, vain) talk and explain how such talk can lead to trouble.
Ahadith 89
2. How can you encourage someone (or yourself) to stop “time-wasting” talk?
3. Abu Hurairahra relates that the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw said, “A good word is charity” (Bukhari). Explain what is meant by this hadith. How does it relate to “speaking without thinking leads to trouble”?
4. Consider the following scenario. A good friend of yours comes to you angrily and with unkind words reprimands you due to a misunderstanding. Would you: • Show anger and rebuke her with unkind words • Show her kindness and try to calm her down • Walk away and vow to never speak with her again • Pretend that you do not care and then go and tell all your friends how badly she behaved
Explain your answer:
5. Now assume that in Question #4, this is not your friend but an enemy. Would your reaction be different or the same? Explain your answer.
Ahadith 90
A C T I V I T Y 4.9
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE DISADVANTAGED
Oodul mareeza wa’at-i-mul jaa’i-a wa fuk-kul aa-niya
Visit the sick, feed the hungry, and liberate those in bondage (Bukhari)
Discuss the following verse of The Holy Qur’an: "And do not forget to do good to one another." (2:238)
ON VISITING THE SICK (Gardens of the Righteous, Muhammad Zafarullah Khan)
Abu Hurairahra relates that the Holy Prophetsaw said: “Allah, the Lord of honor and glory, will say on the Day of Judgment: ‘Son of Adam, I was sick and you did not visit me.’ The man will exclaim: ‘Lord, how could I visit You, and You are the Lord of the worlds!’ Allah will say: ‘Did you not know that my servant so and so was sick and you did not visit him. Did you not realize that if you had visited him you would have found me with him? Son of Adam, I asked you for food and you did not feed Me.’ The man will exclaim; ‘Lord, how could I feed You while You are the Lord of the worlds!’ Allah will say: ‘Did you not know that my servant so and so asked you for food and you did not feed him? Did you not realize that if you had fed him you would have found your reward with Me? Son of Adam, I asked you for drink and you did not give Me to drink.’ The man will exclaim: ‘Lord, how could I have given You to drink when You are the Lord of the worlds!’ Allah will say: ‘My servant so and so asked you for a drink and you did not give him to drink. Did you not realize that if you had given him to drink you would have found its reward with Me?’” (Muslim)
1. Explain what is meant when Allah says that by visiting the sick, you are in Allah’s presence? Ahadith 91
2. Allah Almighty does not need food and drink from humans. So what is this hadith suggesting when Allah asks why we did not feed Him when He was hungry or give Him water when He was thirsty?
3. Explain what the beauty of this hadith is and what it means to you?
4. With the help of your teacher, organize a food drive and deliver the items collected to a local women’s and children’s shelter. Write about this experience. Include how it made you feel and how grateful you are to Allah for his great bounties.
Ahadith 92
SLAVES GET THEIR FREEDOM (Stories of Early Islam, Rashid Ahmad Chaudhry - “Slaves get their freedom”)
Long ago, people used to buy and sell men and women. Even children were bought and sold in the open market. They were called slaves and they used to work for their masters throughout their lives. Islam was the first religion to denounce slavery. The Holy Prophetsaw of Islam and his Companionsra always tried to buy slaves and free them. Here is the story of one such slave whose name was Zaidra. Zaidra belonged to a noble family and was an intelligent young man. He was captured while in his teens in a tribal raid, and was sold from one person to another, until finally he was purchased by Khadijara, a rich lady of Mecca. When Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw married Khadijara, she offered all her belongings including slaves to him. He set all the slaves free, but Zaidra begged him to let him continue to live with him. So Zaidra remained with Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw and with time his attachment to him grew.
It so happened that the father and an uncle of Zaidra traced him to Mecca. They came to Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw and asked that he should be allowed to return with them. They offered to pay as much ransom as might be demanded. Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw told them that Zaidra was free and that he could go wherever he liked. He sent for Zaidra and showed him his father and uncle. Zaidra was much pleased to see them after such a long time. He was told that his mother had remained grief stricken all through the period of separation and was waiting eagerly for his return. They then asked him to accompany them home but Zaidra refused to go. He said “Father, is there any person in the world who does not love his parents? My heart is full of love for you and my mother. But I love this man Muhammadsaw so much that I cannot endure separation from him.”
Both Zaid’sra father and uncle tried to persuade him to return home but failed. He remained firm in his decision not to leave his gracious master, though he sent loving messages to his mother. When Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw saw his devotion, he took him to the Ka’aba, and in the presence of his father and uncle declared that Zaidra would henceforth be his son.
5. Explain why Zaidra loved Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw so much that he would not leave him even to return to his parents?
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6. What does this story tell you about slavery? Include how everyone benefits from the abolishment of slavery.
7. In today’s society, when slavery has already been abolished, what situations would we consider similar to slavery that we should avoid?
8. Research on “The effects of slavery on society.” Include how it takes you away from Allah. Prepare a summary of your findings below.
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A C T I V I T Y 4.10
LET’S TALK ABOUT GOODNESS
Al-kalimatut-tayyi-batoo sadaqa-tun
A word of goodness is an act of charity (Bukhari)
Discuss the following verse of The Holy Qur’an: “A kind word and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury.” (2:264)
1. What qualities come to your mind when you read this hadith?
2. What is the concept of Sadaqa?
3. Explain how a word of goodness becomes an act of charity.
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4. Complete the following activity:
Form a group and randomly sit together in a circle. Read the hadith above and then have each person tell the person on her right hand side about one quality, trait, physical aspect, or deed that she admires about her (out loud so everyone in the circle can hear). Allow the person receiving the compliment to respond by saying how she feels about the compliment given to her. When everyone has had a turn, discuss how this exercise benefited the group as a whole.
Give a brief description below of what was said about you. How did it make you feel?
C H A P T E R 5 Why I believe in Islam
Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih the IIra was asked why he believes in Islam. The following are extracts from his response:
• I believe in Islam because it does not compel me to accept religion merely on authority, but furnishes convincing arguments in support of its doctrines. Islam gives detailed explanations of:
o The existence of God and the nature of His attributes o Angels o Prayer and its effects o Divine decrees and their sphere o Worship and its need o Divine Law and its benefits o Revelation and its importance o Resurrection and life after death o Heaven and Hell
Islam therefore, furnishes me not only with faith, but also with the certainty of knowledge, which satisfies my intellect and compels it to admit to the need for religion.
• I believe in Islam because it does not base itself upon the experience of people who have passed away, but invites everybody to a personal experience of that which it teaches and guarantees. Islam claims that every truth can, in some manner or the other, be put to the test in this world and thus satisfies my reason.
• I believe in Islam as it teaches that there can be no conflict between the word of God and the work of God, and thus resolves the supposed conflict between science and religion. This religion does not ask me to ignore the laws of nature and to believe in things that are contrary to them. On the contrary, it exhorts me to study the laws of nature and derive benefit from them. I learn that, as revelation comes from God and that He is the Creator of the universe, there can be no conflict between that which He does and that which He says. It invites me, therefore, in order to understand His revelation, to study His work, and in order to realize the significance of His work, to study His word, and thus satisfies my intellectual yearning. Why I believe in Islam 97
• I believe in Islam as it does not seek to crush my natural desires but guides them along the right channels. As Hadhrat Masih Maoodas has explained in his book “The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam,” Islam does not, by altogether crushing my desires, reduce me to a stone; nor does it, by leaving them uncontrolled and unrestrained, reduce me to an animal, but, like an expert irrigation engineer who harnesses uncontrolled waters and makes them run into irrigation channels, thereby bringing prosperity to waste areas, it converts my natural desires by proper control and guidance into high moral qualities. It does not say to me: God has given you a loving heart but forbids you to select a life companion, or that He has endowed you with the sense of taste and the capacity to appreciate good food, but has forbidden you to eat such food. On the contrary, it teaches me to love in a pure and proper way, which would ensure through my progeny the perpetuation of all my good resolves. It permits me to use good food, but within proper limits, lest I should eat my fill and my neighbor should go hungry. By thus converting my natural desires into high moral qualities, it satisfies my humanity.
• I believe in Islam for the reason that it has dealt fairly and lovingly not only with me but also with the whole world. Through the Holy Qur’an, in several verses, I am taught not to discharge my duties towards myself alone, but insists upon my dealing fairly with every other person and thing, and has furnished me with proper guidance for this purpose.
o Islam draws attention to the rights of parents, and the duties which children owe to their parents. o Islam enjoins love and affection upon the parents for their children, and imposes upon them the duty of training them in good qualities and looking after their health. o Islam advises the best relationship between husband and wife and requires each to have due consideration for the need and desires of the other. o Islam says to the rulers that the authority vested in them is not their private property but is a trust and that they should discharge the obligations of that trust to the utmost and should carry on government in consultation with the people. o Islam conveys to the ruled, the power to choose your rulers has been bestowed upon you as a gift from God and you should, therefore, be careful to invest only such persons with governing authority as fully deserve it, and after vesting this authority in them, you should give them your fullest cooperation. o Islam pronounces to the employer: You must render to the workman his full due even before his perspiration is dry on his body and should not look down upon those who work for you. o Islam instructs the workman: When you are engaged to execute a piece of work for somebody, you should discharge your obligation honestly and with due care and diligence. o Islam declares to those who have been endowed with abundance of physical health and strength that they should not behave oppressively towards the Why I believe in Islam 98
weak, nor treat contemptuously those who suffer from some physical defect or blemish. o Islam admonishes the wealthy: You have been charged with the duty of looking after the poor and you must set aside one-fortieth of your substance every year so that it may be employed in the relief of poverty and distress, and for the advancement of those who lack the means of advancement. o Islam teaches the poor not to look with envy and longing upon that which has been given to other people, as these feelings gradually darken the mind and disable a person from developing such good qualities as he himself has been endowed. o Islam reminds those whose ancestors had attained dignity and honor as the result of noble efforts that it is their duty to maintain that dignity and that honor with their own noble efforts and it warns them against looking down upon others who have not been blessed in the same way, as God has made all mankind equal. o Islam uses a system of checks and balances by which all things must run perfectly in the universe, therefore ensuring a balanced society that runs in perfect harmony with the universe as decreed by Allah. o Islam expresses that no nation should transgress against another nation, nor should one state transgress against another, but that nations and states should cooperate with each other for the purpose of advancing the interests of the whole humanity.
In short, I find that Islam provides conditions of peace and comfort for me and for all those who may wish to tread the path prescribed by it, whoever they may be, whatever they may be, and wherever they may be, in whatever position I place myself, I find that Islam is equally useful and beneficial for me, for my neighbors, for people whom I do not know and have not even heard of, for men and for women, for the aged and for the young, for the employer and the employed, for the rich and for the poor, for great nations and for small, for internationalists and for the nationalists, and that it establishes a sure and certain relationship between me and my Maker.
I believe in it and how indeed could I give it up and accept something else in its place.
Clearly Islam is the perfect religion as stated by Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw in his farewell sermon:
"This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed upon you my favor and have chosen for you Islam as Religion.” (5:4)
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A C T I V I T Y 5.1 Why I believe in Islam
1. Does Islam satisfy our need for humanity?
2. Explain how Islam satisfies our need for Intellect and Reason.
3. What do you understand from the quote “there can be no conflict between the word of God and the work of God”?
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4. Complete the following list of different relationships identified in section #5.
A) Parent/Child, B) Husband/Wife
5. Briefly discuss how Islam commands us to nurture each relationship listed in Q#4.
6. Discuss how all the concepts talked about in this chapter prove Islam to be a universal religion.
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7. Explain briefly why you believe in Islam.
8. Research project: Show how Islam provides convincing arguments in support of its doctrines regarding each of the following:
• The existence of God and the nature of His attributes • Angels • Prayer and its effects • Divine decrees and their sphere • Worship and its need • Divine Law and its benefits • Revelation and its importance • Resurrection and life after death • Heaven and Hell
9. Explain how Islam is the first to bring about democracy and what examples you can give of this.
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10. Give some examples of the way Islam balances your life.
C H A P T E R 6
The Concept of Taqwa in Islam
All of Allah’s creations, except man, follow His laws without the capacity to question or go against His will. Human beings, however, have been bestowed by Allah the power and capability to think for themselves and to make their own decisions. They have the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. But, how does mankind determine what is right or wrong? What is Allah’s path? What leads to the benevolence of Allah? What brings mankind to Allah? What steers humans away from wrongdoing? The answer to all these questions lies in religious teachings. Hence, the concept of religion is based on human beings’ basic need for salvation and deliverance from evil. Religious teachings are an accumulation of the revelations bestowed upon Allah’s prophets, and messages sent through His books to act as a guiding light for mankind to follow the path of righteousness.
The first step towards this guiding light is to establish taqwa (righteousness) within oneself. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:
“And believe in what I have sent which fulfils that which is with you, and be not the first to disbelieve therein, and barter not My Signs for a paltry price, and take protection in Me alone.” (2:42)
This verse commands us to believe in Allah and His Prophet Muhammadsaw and through him the fulfillment of the prophecies of the earlier scriptures. It further commands us to follow the signs of righteousness and to take protection in Allah alone.
Hadhrat Ubbay bin Kab, a companion of the Holy Prophetsaw, explained taqwa by likening muttaqi (the righteous) to one who walks through thorny bushes, taking care that his clothes are not caught in and torn by their branches. In other words, a righteous person is one who is always on his guard against sin, and takes Allah for his shield against temptation. The Concept of Taqwa in Islam 104
Taqwa
What is taqwa? The following extracts from Huzoor’saba sermon of March 26th, 2004 explain the concept of taqwa:
• “…The word taqwa literally means to protect the ‘self’ (nafs) from danger; in religious (Shariah) terms it connotes to protect the ‘self’ from that which leads to sin…”
• “…In seeking Allah’s clemency: one is required to make an individual effort to be righteous. For this one needs to turn to Allah and pray most ardently to be granted the capacity to do good and to shun evil, and be granted taqwa through Divine grace. And to do this we need to purify our salat and observe it with ardor and devotion…”
• “…Huzooraba related that the Holy Prophetsaw enjoined his followers to adopt taqwa regardless of where one lived and said that the act that would profusely admit people into Paradise is taqwa and courtesy…”
The Promised Messiah’sas message to his Jama’at on Taqwa
(Tread on the Path of Taqwa, Promised Messiahas, Ahmadiyya Gazette, August 1995)
“He who sincerely enters the fold of my Bai'at, completely obeying me, follows me truly and abandons all his resolves, will be the one whom my soul recommends in these days of calamity.
So, O ye who count amongst my Jama'at, you will be considered my true followers on the high only when you will truly tread on the path of taqwa. Therefore, offer your five prayers in humility and fear as if you are viewing God Almighty. Keep the fast sincerely and truthfully. He who is duty bound to pay Zakat, must pay the desired amount. On whom Hajj is obligatory, must go and perform it. Do the virtue punctiliously and loathe vice and abandon it.
Beware that no deed will reach God, which is deprived of taqwa. The base of every virtue is taqwa. The deed, whose base is firm, will not be destroyed. It will be that you are tied with sorts of loss and misfortune, as were the believers of yore. Therefore, beware lest you tumble. Earth can do you no harm if you have a firm bond on the high. Whenever you will suffer, it will be at your own hands and not at the hands of the enemy. If all your earthly prestige is washed away, God will grant you lasting honor on the skies. So do not abandon Him. Surely you will be persecuted and lots of your hopes smashed, but do not pine for them. It is the trial from God to see if you are steadfast or not.” (Kishti-e-Nooh, Promised Messiahas)
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Hadhrat Musleh Maood’sra message on Taqwa
Hadhrat Musleh Maood states in his writing in The Way of the Seekers:
“…it behoves us to cultivate taqwa (fear of God in its true spirit). Only then shall we be able to fulfill the purpose or our lives, the purpose which underlines the coming of the Holy Prophetsaw, the coming of the Promised Messiahas, on both be peace.”
He further reminds us of what The Promised Messiahas said:
“Only he has purified himself, who has set right his relationship with both God and man, his Creator and his fellow-creatures. We must discharge our obligations to both. God requires that we must live and practice every word we utter in affirmation of God. God is One without partners.
What we affirm with our tongues we must illustrate by our deeds, not ever reducing God to the status of man. We owe to our fellow-creatures that we harbor no malice, hatred, prejudice, rancor, desire to harm, or intent against them to injure.
Have you set right your personal relations with your brethren? I am afraid not. You have not given up complaints and counter-complaints nor backbiting. You trample over other people's rights. God wants you to live like brothers and to function as parts of one organic whole. Thus alone can you attain spiritual bliss.
If human beings cannot deal honestly with their own brothers, how can they with God? True, God's claim on our obedience is very great. But the measure of how pure your account is with God is how pure it is with His creatures. One who is not straight and sincere with fellow human beings cannot be straight and sincere with God. It is not a small matter to be straight and sincere. It is something big and difficult. Sincere love is one thing, insincere and hypocritical love, quite another.
When a believer falls ill, another believer goes and visits him to express his concern. If a believer dies, fellow-believers join his funeral. No questions should be raised over small matters. It is best if such things are ignored. God does not approve of your living at a distance from one another. Without true love, there is no Jama’at.”
Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadra, Khalifatul Masih the IV’s message on Taqwa
Huzoorra said that in seeking Allah’s clemency; one is required to make an individual effort to be righteous. For this, one needs to turn to Allah and pray most ardently to be granted the capacity to do good and to shun evil and be granted taqwa through Divine grace. He added, that, for this we need to purify our salat and observe it with ardor and devotion…
Some simple and basic ways to observe Taqwa: • Observe salat. The Concept of Taqwa in Islam 106
• Do not back bite. • Love your fellow brethren sincerely. • Do good deeds. • Stay away from Hypocrisy - that is, saying one thing and doing the opposite. • Be righteous even when no one else is watching. Remember Allah is always watching you.
Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaba, Khalifatul Masih the V’s message on Taqwa
Citing an extract from the writings of the Promised Messiahas, Huzooraba mentioned spending one’s days and nights abiding by taqwa and remarked that there are many late-evening sources of amusement in the so-called civilized world of today that keep one away from remembrance of Allah and an Ahmadi should keep away from them. These pursuits can never bring inner peace although in the material world much is promoted through lavish advertisements to bring 100% satisfaction; yet it is Allah’s guarantee that it is His sincere remembrance that brings peace and tranquillity of mind as stated in Surah Al-Rad (13: 29).
In his sermon of May 13th 2005, Huzooraba explained that:
• Adopting ways of taqwa brings about a spiritual light, which permeates every human faculty. • A mere claim of taqwa is not enough to reach this level. Rather, one must demonstrate consistently through one’s actions that love and fear of God is fundamental to one’s being. • Allah’s help is always with those who are firm on taqwa. • Allah states that if one adopts taqwa and the love of God then one is given power and strength that none can contend with. • Any task, any action taken for the love of Allah is taqwa, bringing about communal as well as individual blessings; Allah blesses one’s property, one’s offspring and one is granted esteem. • Allah honors the due of friendship more than any worldly friends; therefore, He never abandons those who become His. • When one’s trust in Allah is complete and absolute then Allah provides for His servants in amazing ways, Himself becoming the Provider, granting from inconceivable means. • Triumph of the Ahmadiyya Community is going to be through piety and righteousness alone.
Huzooraba further urged Ahmadis to bring about a unique change in themselves, to honor the pledge of allegiance they have made by taking bai’at of the Promised Messiahas. Quoting the Promised Messiahas, Huzooraba said if one submits oneself completely to Allah and stays resolute and continues to develop oneself in this then one is among the special people of Allah. If one truly fosters Allah’s greatness in one’s heart The Concept of Taqwa in Islam 107 and expresses His Unity in practical terms, then Allah’s favors are also bestowed in practical terms.
A C T I V I T Y 6.1 Taqwa
1. Indicate whether the following statements are true or false.
a) Of all of Allah’s creation, humans are the only ones without the capacity to determine right from wrong…………………………True/False
b) The concept of religion is based on human beings basic need for salvation and deliverance from evil………………………..True/False
c) Religious teachings are a guiding light towards developing taqwa………………………………………………………True/False
d) Mankind does not need Prophets or Holy books to follow religious teachings…………………………………………..True/False
e) Any deed that is deprived of taqwa will not reach Allah……………True/False
2. How does seeking protection with Allah make you righteous?
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3. What kind of deeds make you a sincere person?
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4. Which of the following is true regarding taqwa?
a) It protects us from committing sin b) It gives us the capacity to avoid evil c) It means to protect oneself d) All of the above e) a and b
5. Which of the following commandments are given to us by the Promised Messiahas regarding salat?
a) If you have taqwa, you do not need to offer salat b) Offer salat in humility c) None of the above d) a and b
6. Which of the following pillars of Islam is not mentioned above in connection with taqwa?
a) Hajj b) Kalima c) Ramadhan d) Salat e) All of the above
7. Explain what taqwa means to you. How can you develop taqwa in your life? What is the ultimate goal of achieving taqwa?
8. Say, 'Who provides sustenance for you from the heaven or the earth? Or who is it that has power over the ears and the eyes? And who brings forth the living from the dead and brings forth the dead from the living? And who regulates all affairs? They will say, 'Allah.' Then say, 'Will you not seek His protection?' (Al-Qur’an 10:32) What is the relationship of the above verse with taqwa?
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9. Research assignment: Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaba, Khalifatul Masih the V has given a number of sermons on taqwa. The sermons are available on alislam.org. Select two of these sermons and give a short summary of his message. How do you plan to follow his directions and inculcate taqwa in your life?
10. Write an essay, a minimum of 500 words, on each of the following: (Refer to The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam by Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas).
a) Explore the three moral and spiritual states of man as explained by the Promised Messiahas. Include Qur’anic references in your response. b) Examine the object and purpose of mankind. How will you achieve this object and purpose in your life? c) Evaluate the statement, “Taqwa is not the end; it is the beginning of the moral self.”
11. Give short answers to the following:
a) How does adherence to the five pillars of Islam help achieve taqwa?
b) Explain what Huzooraba meant when he said “in seeking Allah’s clemency; one is required to make an individual effort to be righteous.”
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c) The Promised Messiahas said, “The base of every virtue is taqwa.” Identify five virtues and explore how taqwa becomes a base for it. (Use Way of the Seekers, by Hadhrat Khalifatul MasihIIra as a source).
d) Explain how religion is mankind’s basic need for salvation and deliverance from evil.
Truthfulness In order to spread taqwa you have to be righteous and truthful, and keep company with the righteous. However disquiet we are, keeping the company of the truthful will eventually bring about a positive change in us. The Holy Qur’an states: ‘O ye who believe, be mindful of your duty to Allah and keep company with the righteous’ (9:119) We should use Allah’s prophets as examples for us and try to walk in their footsteps so that we can be righteous. We should seek out truthful and righteous people in our communities and keep company with them. We should seek help from those who are on the right path, to continually correct ourselves. For this is the only way to spread taqwa and truthfulness upon mankind and thereby, drop by drop, eliminate evil and invoke Allah’s divine blessings upon us and upon future generations.
Allah, the Exalted, has said:
‘Had they been true to their duty to Allah, it would have been the better for them’ (47:22)
The Holy Qur’an equates lying to shirk (idol worship). So much emphasis has been laid on speaking the truth that we as Muslims are held grandly responsible for assimilating this virtue in our daily lives. The Holy Prophetsaw was reported as saying that the gravest sins are committing shirk, disobeying one’s parents, lying and giving false testimony. He repeated the last two several times to lay emphasis.
The Promised Messiahas states that telling lies cause the decay of a nation as a whole. Huzooraba warned that Ahmadis should refrain from any such practices. They should be The Concept of Taqwa in Islam 111
reputed only for moral qualities and nothing else. They should also inculcate the importance of truthfulness in their children and teach them to do Jihad against falsehood.
In the sermon of June 11th 2004, Huzooraba states:
“When Allah sends down a prophet his followers establish high standards of taqwa (righteousness), they are included in the category of the truthful and guide others to the right way and thus the succession of Divine blessings continues, and in each age and each era there are truthful people whose company is beneficial for the rest.”
Within this quote the relationship between taqwa and truthfulness is clearly defined. Once you establish taqwa in your life, you instinctively become a truthful person and in doing so, not only do you invoke the Divine blessings of Allah upon yourself, but also spread His benevolence upon others. What a beautiful thought! You become the source of taqwa for people around you, who then become a source of taqwa for people around them and eventually this gets passed across mankind and ultimately passed down to future generations. Imagine one single soul spreading righteousness upon all of mankind for generations upon generations.
Some ahadith regarding truthfulness:
• Abdullah ibn Mas'udra relates that the Holy Prophetsaw said: Truth guides to virtue and virtue guides to Paradise. A person persists in telling the truth till in the sight of Allah he is named Truthful. Lying leads to vice and vice leads to the Fire; and a person goes on lying till in the sight of Allah he is named a Liar. (Bukhari and Muslim) • Hasan ibn Alira relates that he learnt the following from the Holy Prophetsaw: Leave alone that which involves thee in doubt and adhere to that which is free from doubt, for truth is comforting, falsehood is disturbing. (Tirmidhi) • Hakim ibn Hizamra relates that the Holy Prophetsaw said: A sale agreement is revocable till the buyer and seller part company. If they tell the truth and disclose everything relevant to the transaction, it becomes full of blessings for both of them; but if they speak falsely and conceal that which should be disclosed, the blessing of the transaction is wiped out. (Bukhari and Muslim) • Abu Sufyanra relates as part of his statement about Hiraclius that the latter asked him what does he (i.e. the Holy Prophetsaw) teach you, and Abu Sufyanra said: The Concept of Taqwa in Islam 112
Worship Allah alone and do not associate anything with Him, and discard all that your ancestors said; and he commands us to observe Prayer, to tell the truth, to be chaste and to strengthen the ties of kinship. (Bukhari and Muslim)
A C T I V I T Y 6.2 Truthfulness
1. Identify which of the following would be considered untruthful:
a) Students working together to do their homework b) Submitting your sister’s essay to your teacher as your own work c) Telling your mother you are going to Amina’s house but going to Sarah’s instead d) Missing the Magrib prayer and combining it with Isha prayer e) Saying that you believe in Allah but in your heart questioning His existence f) Reciting the Nasirat/Lajna pledge with the intention of following it g) Following Allah’s commandments wholeheartedly
2. What religious book is the only one in the world that talks about Truth most extensively and its relationship with being righteous? Explain.
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3. Explain briefly the relationship between taqwa and truthfulness. Identify how you plan on strengthening this relationship within your self.
4. Explain what the hadith “Truth guides to virtue and virtue guides to Paradise” means. How does it pertain to the Day of Judgment?
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5. What do you think is the relationship between “keeping company with the righteous” and peer pressure? How can you avoid peer pressure that leads to the wrong path?
6. Explain how you can spread righteousness and invoke the blessings of Allah.
7. What is the same as idol worship and how would you explain it?
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8. What moral qualities should Ahmadis be associated with? Make a list and explain how these qualities help achieve Taqwa.
C H A P T E R 7 The Role of Women in Islam
In the previous chapter, we discussed the concept of taqwa (righteousness) in Islam. The most important part of establishing taqwa is to conduct ourselves in a manner that Allah has ordained for us. It is important for us to reflect upon the roles of men and women as prescribed for us by Almighty Allah. After all, our basic personality and disposition, whether male or female, will depict the level of taqwa we have achieved and its effects on society as a whole.
In the Holy Qur’an Allah says:
‘But whoso does good works, whether male or female, and is a believer, such shall enter Heaven, and shall not be wronged even as much as the little hollow in the back of a date-stone’ (4:125)
Islamic society can be likened to one big family where women represent its spiritual body and the men represent its soul. As the Promised Messiahas has explained, there is a deep relationship between the body and the soul and likewise both men and women depend on one another for its pure existence. In other words, like the body and soul, men and women complement one another and they work together as one unit of their society.
In this chapter we will explore the role of women as ordained by Allah Almighty.
The Role of Women in Islam Over fourteen hundred years ago, the teachings of Islam, and the perfect example of Prophet Muhammadsaw set the precedence for equality between men and women in the varied roles of their lives. Each became capable of achieving the same spiritual rank and reward. In Islam, the difference between the roles and responsibilities of men and women are fairly based on their physical and emotional dispositions. In order to fully appreciate the role of a woman in Islam, her responsibilities and associated blessings, we must first take a step back into history and understand what life was like for a woman over fourteen hundred years ago before Islam elevated her status socially, economically, and spiritually. Let’s start our journey from the first stage of a woman’s life -- her birth.
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Pre Islamic Era During the 6th century in some tribes of Arabia, the status of women was as follows:
• Birth of a baby girl was not considered a joyous occasion for the family. Her birth was ironically overshadowed by her untimely death. She was not welcomed in the world, and sent cruelly, deliberately, and inhumanely to her grave as she took the first breaths of life. • An Arab woman was considered intellectually and spiritually inferior to her male relatives. She would not receive an education or religious training. Her life would be controlled by her father and by other close male relatives in her family home. • Stripped of all her rights, owning only her low-self image, she would be married without her consent and become the property of her husband. Her role and status would not be more different than a slave at the hands of a cruel master. She would not have a share in her husband’s wealth nor would she inherit from her father. Instead she would become a property herself to be inherited by his family after his death. • With her every right denied, from the time of her birth to her eventual death, an Arab woman had nothing to look forward to in her life and had even less hopes for her after-life. • Life was not much different for a woman in other parts of the world including Europe and Asia. History books give testimony to the fact that in most cultures a woman’s life was like that of a puppet whose strings were manipulated by the male members of her family and society. A woman was considered inferior to a man. In her early years she was considered the property of her father and later on her husband’s. The pitiful status of a woman gave her nothing to dream about and nothing noble to strive for. In the eyes of her society, a woman’s only noteworthy contribution was the producing of healthy male offspring.
Islamic Era It was in the darkness of such times that Islam gave new light, meaning, and value to a woman’s life:
• It gave her dignity and honor from her birth to her death. With the advent of Islam came the end of infanticide (The practice of killing newborn infants) of baby girls. The Holy Qur’an clearly admonishes this act in the following verse:
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‘And in the like manner have their associate-gods made the killing of their children appear beautiful to many of the idolaters that they may ruin them and cause them confusion in their religion…’(6:138)
• It gave her equality and recognition. The Holy Qur’an also states in the following verse that the souls of males and females have the same origin and are created equal so that they may work together to achieve the same purpose of life.
‘O ye people! Fear your Lord who created you from a single soul and of its kind created its mate…’ (4:2)
• Islam provided for the protection and proper upbringing of a Muslim girl by giving her parents the responsibility to provide for all her needs including the means for her spiritual and secular education. Prophet Muhammadsaw has said:
‘He who brings up two girls through their childhood will appear on the Day of Judgment attached to me like two fingers of a hand’
Parents are, therefore, not just under obligation to provide for their daughters as they would for their sons, but are promised an elevated spiritual rank if they discharge their duties properly.
• Islam also provided for the spiritual training of daughters. They were given the same religious training as the sons, and considered equal in their spiritual capacities. For both males and females, their spiritual rank would depend on the quality of their worship and deeds. In the Holy Qur’an we read:
‘Surely, men who submit themselves to God and women who submit themselves to Him, and believing men and believing women, and obedient men and obedient women, and truthful men and truthful women, and men who are steadfast in their faith and steadfast women, and men who are humble, and women who are humble, and men who give alms, and women who give alms, and men who fast and women who fast, and men who guard their chastity, and women who guard their chastity and men who remember Allah much and women who remember Him - Allah has prepared for all of them forgiveness and a great reward.’ (33:36)
• Islam gave females the right to choose their marriage partner. A girl could not be coerced into marriage. She would be allowed to accept or reject her proposals. Her rights would also be safe guarded and her interests represented by her father or a male guardian at the time of marriage. She was given the right to acquire a part of her husband’s wealth through a set dowry. This way she could enjoy economic freedom at the onset of marriage. She would also be allowed to The Role of Women in Islam 119
work outside the family home to pursue a career, as long as she observed the proper requirements of purdah and did not neglect her primary responsibility of managing the affairs of her household.
• A Muslim woman enjoyed the role of being administrator and sole owner of her own property and earnings. Her husband, on the other hand, was expected to use his earnings to meet the needs of his family and after his death; she would be included as one of his heirs. This level of economic freedom did not exist for women in pre-Islamic days.
• A Muslim woman’s role would take on a different direction after the conception of her child. It would distinguish her role from that of all males by opening for her a new doorway to paradise. Prophet Muhammadsaw has said:
‘Paradise lies at the feet of mothers.’
Prophet Muhammadsaw was once asked by one of his followers: who were the most deserving of kind treatment? He replied that the mother was most deserving. When asked a second time, he repeated that the mother was most deserving. When asked the third time, he again stated that the mother was most deserving and when asked the fourth time, he replied that the father was most deserving. According to this saying, Islam gave the mother an honorable place in her family and society.
The bounties of the Gracious God are bestowed on those who serve their mothers in the best manner.
Clearly, the role of a woman changed drastically upon the advent of Islam. It is only through the teachings of Islam that a woman’s disposition, her strengths, and weaknesses, find harmony in the various spheres of her life, and offer her a uniquely dignified role and status. She is revered in the eyes of her family, her community, and in the eyes of her Creator as she successfully discharges her responsibilities as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and a spiritual being. Even after death, the Gracious God rewards her for what she has earned, and her soul continues its spiritual journey. A woman’s role is further honored in the words of a well-known Hadith:
‘The world is but a provision and the best provision of the world is a good woman.’ (Muslim)
References: • Holy Quran • Alislam.org The Role of Women in Islam 120
• Pathway to Paradise, Lajna Imaillah USA • Gardens of the Righteous, Muhammad Zafrullah Khan • Huzooraba, Friday Sermon, January 16th, 2004 • Huzooraba, Friday Sermon, January 23rd, 2004 • targ-it.com/Society/People/Women/History/Ancient • Maha Dabbous, Women in the Quran (The Review of Religions, February, 1992) • Maryam Chaudhry, Role of Women in an Islamic Society (Review of Religions, August 1995)
A C T I V I T Y 7.1 The Role of Women in Islam
1. “The Islamic society can be likened to one big family where women represent its spiritual body and the men represent its soul.” Explain what this means.
2. Write a few paragraphs on your role as a Muslim girl in your family and society.
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3. List and explain some Ahadith that illustrate the dignity enjoyed by Muslim women.
4. Read in the Holy Qur’an 33:36 and list some of the ways in which men and women are capable of achieving the same spiritual rank.
5. Select a pious Muslim woman and compare her achievements to that of a respected non-Muslim woman. Did the taqwa of the Muslim woman hinder her success? Were the Muslim woman’s achievements any less than the ones of the non-Muslim woman?
6. Is the status of a Muslim woman inferior to a man if she stays at home and takes care of her household responsibilities? Explain.
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7. List some of the rights bestowed on women by Islam. Explain how these elevated the status of women.
8. Read the statements below. Decide if the statement is true for women before the advent of Islam or after the advent of Islam. Write before Islam or after Islam in the response column to complete your answer.
STATEMENT RESPONSE
Some tribes of Arabia buried their baby girls alive soon after birth
Girls were considered intellectually inferior to boys
Girls were given the same religious training as boys
A wife was able to inherit from her husband
Before marriage girls were consulted about their proposals
A woman received a dowry from her husband
A woman was considered the property of her husband
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9. Explain the following verse of the Holy Qur’an. How does this relate to the equality of men and women in Islam? ‘O ye people! Fear your Lord who created you from a single soul and of its kind created its mate…’(4:2)
10. Research Project: Pick a country other than Arabia, and research the role of women in that society during the 6th century. Compare it to the role of women in Arabia after the advent of Islam.
C H A P T E R 8 Purdah and Modesty in Islam
Concept of Purdah
History of Purdah Ahmadiyya News (West Germany), January/February 1985
Purdah was practiced two thousand years before the time of Hadhrat Isaas (Jesus), especially in the Middle Eastern countries. This practice was considered to be a symbol of modesty and purity. The adorning of the veil marked the transition from girlhood to womanhood. The Jewish Encyclopedia states “Rebekah, the bride, covered herself with a veil on meeting Isaac, the groom (Gen. xxiv. 65). [Source: jewishencyclopedia.com]. When studying history you will notice that all nations that gave women their proper rights and status, practiced purdah in some form.
Purdah in the time of Prophet Ibrahimas (Abraham)
Prophet Ibrahimas lived approximately 2000 years before Hadhrat Jesusas. The Bible states that during the time of Ibrahimas, purdah was practiced in Jordan, Syria, and other Arab countries. Women covered themselves from everyone except close relatives and servants. In Genesis (24:64-66) it is said that Hadhrat Rebekah, wife of Hadhrat Isaacas, covers herself when a strange man approached her. During this time period, women would not socialize with male guests in their home. It is related in Genesis (18:10-11) that when an angel visited Ibrahimas in human form to give him the news of a son, Hadhrat Sarah (Hadhrat Ibrahim’sas wife) listened from behind the door.
Purdah in Judaism
The practice of Purdah is also found in Jewish tradition. In the Encyclopedia Biblica (pg. 5247) it is stated, “…the veil was a part of the regular dress of Jewish women.” It is further stated that Jewish women would cover all of their faces except their eyes. The Jewish veil would cover the head and shoulders and sometimes it would reach their feet.
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Purdah in Ancient Greece
Ancient Greek civilization is renowned for its cultural and educational advances. The ancient Greeks had very defined roles for the sexes. Their family life and culture was established on natural lines. Women observed Purdah, men and women did not freely mix. Muhammad Fareed Wajdi wrote in his book, Dairatul-Muyarif, “...ancient Greek women covered their faces with veils made with fine and beautiful fabric.”
The Bible and Purdah
In the Holy Bible we find teachings that encouraged modesty and reverence of women and that ladies of high rank used the veil.
The Old Testament refers to Rebekah’s reaction upon meeting Isaac in the following passage:
“When Rebek'ah raised her eyes, she caught sight of Isaac and she swung herself down from the camel. Then she said to the servant 'who is that walking in the field to meet us?' and the servant said 'It is my master.' And she proceeded to take a head cloth and to cover herself.” (Genesis: 24: 64-65)
In the New Testament we also read:
‘But every woman that prays or prophesies with her head uncovered shames her head for it is one and the same as if she were (woman) with a shaved head. For if a woman does not cover herself, let her also be shorn; but if it is disgraceful for woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered.’ (1 Corinthians: 11: 5, 6)
From the above verses, it is obvious that the Holy Bible regards the veiling of women as a pious act.
Islamic Purdah/Veil
Misconceptions about the Islamic veil:
• There is wide spread false notion that Islam in general deprives women of their rights and forces them to veil themselves. • The Islamic veil is condemned and regarded as a sign of backwardness and decadence. • It is considered a burden and a restriction imposed on Muslim women by Islam to allow male dominance over them. • It is deemed that Islam denies women of their freedom. • It is presumed that the veil is a sign of the inferior status of Muslim women.
These misconceptions of the Islamic veil are rampant in society although history clearly bears witness that Islam did not invent the veil. Previous revealed scriptures as Distinction of Ahmadi Women 126
indicated earlier contain traces of similar teachings thereby proving that adorning of the veil is a commandment of God for the betterment of society. Furthermore, all revealed religions teach women to be modest in clothing and actions.
In this chapter, we will explore Islamic teachings concerning the veil and its benefits, and attempt to remove the misconceptions stated above.
Islamic philosophy regarding Purdah (veil)
The true concept of the Islamic veil can be clearly understood through the objective study of the Holy Qur’an, the direct word of God. The Holy Qur’an states:
‘And say to the believing women that they restrain their looks and guard their private parts and that they display not their beauty or their embellishment except that which is apparent, thereof, and that they draw their head coverings over their bosoms, and that they display not their beauty or their embellishment save to their husbands, or to their fathers or the fathers of their husbands or their sons or the sons of their husbands or their brothers or the sons of their brothers or the sons of their sisters or women who are their companions or those that their right hand possess or such of male attendants as have not desire for women, or young children who have not yet attained knowledge of the hidden parts of women. And that they strike not their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may become known. And turn ye to Allah all together, O believers that you may prosper.’ (24:32)
This verse has clear guidelines regarding the observance of purdah around men. It directs women to:
• Restrain their eyes. • Guard their private parts. • Not display their beauty or embellishment (adornments) except for that which they cannot cover. • Draw their head coverings over their bosoms. • Not strike their feet, that is NOT make noise and attract attention to themselves.
The verse further expands on close male relatives around whom women are not required to observe purdah as follows:
• Their husbands • Their fathers • Their father-in-laws • Their sons • Their step-sons • Their brothers • Their nephews (brothers or sisters sons) • Their slaves or servants that do not desire women Distinction of Ahmadi Women 127
• Young children
The Holy Qur’an further states:
‘O wives of the prophet! You are not like any other woman if you are righteous. So be not soft in speech, lest he, in whose heart is a disease should feel tempted; and speak decent words. And stay in your houses with dignity and display not your beauty like the displaying of the former days of ignorance and observe prayer and pay the Zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger. Surely, Allah desires to remove from you all uncleanliness, O members of the household, and purify you completely.’ (33:33-34)
Although this verse addresses the wives of the Holy Prophetsaw, all Muslim women are included in this injunction. The Holy Prophetsaw is an exemplar for all Muslims and therefore, all injunctions bestowed upon him and his household, are meant to be followed by all Muslims who are counted as the spiritual members of his household.
This verse also commands Muslim women to:
• Behave with dignity when conversing with men. They are instructed to talk to them in a formal manner so that men do not infer too much familiarity and be tempted to speak too freely with them. • To stay in their homes and not mix too freely with men so that they can protect their respect and reputation. • To spend their time in observing prayer, paying zakat, and obeying the Holy Prophetsaw to enhance their spirituality. • Remove all uncleanliness from their lives and purify themselves by following the above injunctions.
These are clear instructions for Muslim women to behave with dignity and poise when around men, as well as commanding that they spend their time purifying themselves.
The previous two verses of the Holy Qur’an instruct women on ways in which to observe purdah within the home. The following verse provides clear guidance regarding the observance of purdah outside the home:
‘O Prophet tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers, that they should pull down upon them their outer cloaks from their heads over their faces. That is more likely that they may thus be recognized and not molested. And Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful.’ (33:60)
As in the previous verse, the reference to the wives of the Holy Prophetsaw is also inferred on all Muslim women. From this verse, it is clear that the physical purdah constitutes adorning of an outer garment that is pulled from the head over the face. The beauty of this injunction is that it allows Muslim women to be free from molestation and be identified when out in public as the family of Holy Prophet Mohammadsaw. In a most Distinction of Ahmadi Women 128
simple way Allah has created an identity for the house of our beloved prophet so that when in public, people will show respect and reverence to Muslim women.
Men & Purdah
Muslim men have also been given a commandment regarding purdah in the following verse:
‘Say to the believing men that they restrain their looks and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Surely, Allah is well-aware of what they do.’ (24:31)
From this verse it is clear that men share an equal responsibility to observe purdah. They are instructed to cover their private parts and restrain their looks. It is important to understand that “restraining their looks” is an extremely significant part of purdah for both men and women. This injunction addresses the very root for eliminating immorality in society. What you see through your eyes determines your thoughts and your resulting actions. Islam therefore goes to this root and commands that you lower your eyes so that you are unable to see anything that might incite evil or immoral thoughts in your mind that could result in sinful or shameless behavior.
Restraining one's looks and directing them towards that which is permissible is described in the Holy Qur’an as “ghadde basar” (pronounced “Ghaze”). According to the Promised Messiahas, it is necessary to cultivate the habit of ghadde basar. This habit converts natural impulses into high moral qualities. The Promised Messiahas has clarified this point clearly as follows:
“It is almost certain that our free glances would cause us to stumble, sometime or the other. As God Almighty desires that our eyes and our hearts and all our limbs and organs should continue in a state of purity, He has furnished us with this excellent teaching. There can be no doubt that unrestrained looks become a source of danger. If we place soft bread before a hungry dog, it would be vain to hope that the dog should pay no attention to it. Thus God Almighty desired that human faculties should not be provided with any occasion for secret functioning and should not be confronted with anything that might incite dangerous tendencies... It does not behoove a pious person who desires to keep his heart pure that he should lift his eyes freely in every direction like an animal.” (The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, Promised Messiahas)
Benefits of Purdah
• Purification - Purdah allows both men and women to enhance purity in their lives. By observing purdah, they obey the commandment of Allah the Almighty and by obeying Allah, they develop more love for Him and come closer to Him.
• Gaining Respect - Observing purdah cultivates modesty and ‘haya’ ultimately resulting in gaining self-respect, the respect of the community, and most importantly love and respect of Allah the Almighty. Distinction of Ahmadi Women 129
• Protecting Morality - Purdah allows safeguarding against moral stumbling. Humans have natural tendencies towards evil and immorality which when roused can destroy the moral and spiritual fabric of oneself and society as a whole. By observing purdah we become proactive in covering ourselves and restraining our looks to avoid temptation towards evil and immoral thoughts and its ultimate negative consequences.
• Physical Protection – Women, by nature are the delicate sex and their physical care and protection are the responsibility of every man and woman. Islam treats women as if they were a precious treasure that requires tender care and therefore should be guarded and protected from being molested or inconvenienced. The observance of purdah by women allows them to protect themselves from any physical harm whilst the purdah by men allows them to abstain from causing any harm.
• Spiritual Protection – The Holy Qur’an instructs women to:
“…stay in your houses with dignity and display not your beauty… and observe prayer and pay the Zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger” (33:33-34)
It is clear from this verse that by observing purdah and remaining in the home, women can better spend their time in spiritual supplications thereby developing spiritual protection for themselves. In doing so, they inadvertently provide spiritual protection for their families by creating a spiritual environment in their homes. Furthermore, when this spirituality manifests on the male members of the household, it spreads outside of the home as men carry it with them when they leave the house to conduct their daily business.
• Maintaining a balance between the spiritual and physical state of man - The benefit of purdah in this regard can be beautifully summed up in the Promised Messiahas words:
“The natural state of man has a very strong relationship with his moral and spiritual states, so much so that even a person's manner of eating and drinking affects his moral and spiritual states. … Reflection confirms that physical conditions deeply affect the soul. For instance, when our eyes are filled with tears, even if the tears are artificially induced, the heart is immediately affected and becomes sorrowful. In the same way, when we begin to laugh, even if the laughter is artificially induced, the heart begins to feel cheerful. It has also been observed that physical prostration in prayer induces humility in the soul. As a contrast when we draw ourselves up physically and strut about with our neck raised and our breast pushed forward, this attitude induces a mood of arrogance and vain glory. These instances establish clearly that physical conditions certainly affect spiritual conditions. (The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, Promised Messiahas)
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It is evident that the concept of purdah has many benefits for us individually and for the society as a whole. Allah has commanded us to observe purdah for our own protection and spiritual development. So then why are there so many misconceptions about the Islamic veil and the segregation of men and women in Islamic society? Unfortunately the only answer is that cultures and societies that do not observe purdah are ignorant of its many benefits and consider it decadent. As Muslim women we can help eliminate this stigma by removing these misconceptions.
Removing Misconceptions
• Islam deprives women of their rights and forces them to veil themselves: Islam does not deprive women of their rights nor does it force them to veil themselves. On the contrary, Islam gives women more rights than any religion or culture. The injunction to observe purdah is commanded by Allah to protect the status and rights of women. Moreover, the Islamic veil is a requirement on women due to her physical beauty that is attractive to men and can lead to immorality. Therefore Allah has commanded her to protect herself with the veil so that she is not molested or troubled when she leaves the house. Furthermore, the veil of a Muslim woman is her identity, so others can be aware that this is a woman from the house of Prophet Mohammedsaw and should be allowed to move around without hindrance. This in no way deprives women of their rights. In fact it protects them.
• Islamic veil is a sign of backwardness and decadence: The Islamic veil is not a sign of backwardness or decadence. In fact all cultures that historically observed purdah and subsequently have discarded the veil find themselves in a more decadent state. These societies have lost all sense of morality and respect and have been reduced to the stone-age era when very little clothing was adorned and savage behavior was rampant. It is interesting to note that even when the veil was prevalent in early societies, it was mostly observed in high-class society. It was a sign of a sophisticated and civilized culture. Islamic society, through the benevolence of Allah Almighty continues to enjoy this status even today.
• Islamic purdah is a burden and a restriction imposed on Muslim women by men to allow dominance over them: Clearly from the Qur’anic verses quoted, we can see that God has prescribed the commandments of purdah upon believing men and believing women. It is not a directive imposed on Muslim women by men. On the contrary, the responsibility for purdah is incumbent upon men as well as on women and they both share equal responsibility for observing it.
• Islam deprives women of their freedom: In no way does Islam deprive women of their freedom. In fact, fourteen hundred years ago, Islam freed women from the atrocities bestowed upon them as we studied in the last chapter. The freedoms enjoyed by Muslim women for hundreds of years were not even Distinction of Ahmadi Women 131
awarded to women in western societies until the late 19th century. For example, Islam gave Muslim women the right to own property and the right of inheritance even when western cultures considered women as the property of men. Muslim women and men are advised to seek knowledge and get an education. This right was not given to women of the west until the 20th century. How then can it be said that Islam deprives women of their freedom?
• The veil is a sign of the inferior status of Muslim women: On the contrary, God has placed women on a pedestal that gives them more respect and reverence than any other society and the veil acts as the protection of their highly esteemed status. To some extent God has enjoined men to be in the service of women. The Qur’an says ‘Men are guardians over women.’ (4:35). They are commanded to protect them and help them attain a high level of piety. Upon this depends their advancement as well. Clearly, the status of women is so exalted that men can benefit from them. How can one who enjoys such glory be considered inferior? Women have the power to influence and create a righteous and upright society. This is why Islam has secured her protection through the adornment of the veil.
Conclusion
Purdah of the Muslim woman is a symbol of her protection as well as the protection of society as a whole. It gives her freedom from abuse and molestation; it assists men in restraining their looks so that they are not enticed into immoral behavior; it cleanses and purifies people around by establishing righteousness; it helps promote spirituality within the home as well as outside. Furthermore, the Islamic veil honors women and embodies the Mercy of God upon them.
The Holy Qur’an says:
‘O children of Adam, we have indeed sent down to you raiment to cover your nakedness and to be a means of adornment, but the raiment of righteousness - that is the best. That is the commandment of Allah, that they may remember.’ (7:27)
This verse wonderfully explains the fundamental nature of purdah. Not only does it mandate men and women to cover themselves physically but commands them to adorn the garment of righteousness for it is the best garment. It is also clear from this verse that this is a commandment from Allah for creating an upright and righteous society for the benefit of mankind.
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A C T I V I T Y 8.1
1. Briefly explain in what form purdah existed prior to the advent of Islam.
2. Explain the difference between physical purdah and “Ghadde (pronounced “ghaze”) Basar.”
3. From the Qur’anic verses, list the various commandments given by Allah regarding purdah.
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4. Explain how the Islamic veil helps society maintain each of the following:
1. Morality:
2. Spirituality:
3. Safety:
5. List the benefits of purdah. Explain how they help society.
Distinction of Ahmadi Women 134
6. How can purdah assist in spiritual development?
7. Your friend tells you that purdah is a decadent practice and that you should not bother with it. How would you respond to this?
8. Explain what verse 7:27 means. Include how women can become righteous and how they can influence the piety of men.
9. Write an essay on the following theme, “Removing Misconceptions about the Islamic purdah/veil.”
C H A P T E R 9 Did You Know?
From the desert of Arabia, out of nothing but sand and barbaric culture, a new world emerged. A world blessed with a universal religion bringing about a new life, a new culture, and a new civilization, a world that offered a “complete way of life.” A world shaped by the advent of Prophet Muhammadsaw and the word of God.
In this chapter we will list some of the beauties and accomplishments of Islam - the religion and Islam - the way of life.
1. The term ALLAH has no plurality or gender. The word God can be pluralized to Gods and be applied a gender, such as Goddess, but the term ALLAH can only be used as Allah, no gender no plural…The One and Only!
2. The name Islam was given to the religion by Allah Himself. The Qur’an says: “This day, I have perfected for you, your religion, and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion.” (5:3). No other religion can lay this claim.
3. The Ka’aba in Mecca is the first house of worship established on earth.
4. The name of Prophet Muhammadsaw is mentioned in the Bible. In Solomon 5:9-16 it reads: “Yea, he is altogether lovely” in English. In the Hebrew Bible, the word is “Muhammad-im”.
5. There is no priesthood in Islam. All Muslims are considered as ambassadors of Islam.
6. The Holy Qur’an is the only scripture that can claim that every word in it is from God.
7. Arabic is the Mother of all Languages. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas proved this in his book “Minan-ur-Rahman”, also translated into English as “Arabic - Mother of all Languages”.
8. The first map of the world was produced by a Muslim named Al-Khowrzimi in year 830 AD. He also prepared astronomical tables, the first of its kind in the world.
9. Following are some of the achievements of Muslim mathematicians:
Did You Know? 136
• Development of the number theory in its mathematical aspects • New methods of numerical computations • Dealing with decimal fractions and numerical series • Development of and systemization of algebra • Development of trigonometry, both plane and solid • Treatment of trigonometry as an independent science
10. The Holy Qur’an is a source of scientific and astronomical knowledge. The following are just some of the revelations revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw 1400 hundred years ago, that have only been discovered by scientists in recent years:
• The following verses of the Holy Qur’an revealed that the sun and the moon float smoothly in an orbit:
♦ “And He it is Who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon, each gliding along smoothly in its orbit.” (21:34)
♦ “It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor can the night outstrip the day, All of them float smoothly in an orbit.” (36:41)
It was not until the seventeenth century that scientists formulated the laws of planetary motion and defined an orbit as the path of one body in space around another.
• The following verses of the Holy Qur’an reveal that water is the key ingredient in all living things:
♦ “And We made of water every living thing. Will they not then believe!” (21:31)
♦ “And Allah has created every animal from water.” (24:46)
Yet scientists discovered, in recent history, that water covers 70% of the earth’s surface and makes up 60-70% of the human body.
• The following verses of the Holy Qur’an revealed that mountains were created by Allah to protect against earthquakes:
♦ “Have we not made the earth as a bed, And the mountains as pegs.” (78:7-8)
♦ “And He has placed in the earth firm mountains lest it quake with you, and rivers and routes that you may find the way to your destination.” (16:16) Did You Know? 137
Geologists have now established that mountains have secured the earth against earthquakes. Moreover, rivers and routes have made it easier for man to find their way not only walking the earth but also in air navigation.
11. Professor Abdus Salam, a devout Ahmadi:
• Muslim who received a Nobel Laureate for Science Prize. • Wrote an epoch-making paper in 1951 on Renormalization theory. • Founded the International Center for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy. • Was inspired by Islam to show through science that everything in the Universe obeys the same laws of God. • Was an indefatigable scholar, educator, theorist, philanthropist, and a visionary.
12. The following dietary prohibitions in Islam are imposed because they are harmful to the body and to the spirit and not because they hold any mystical or spiritual value.
• Blood • Flesh of an animal that dies of itself • Flesh of a swine • Flesh of an animal on which the name of anyone other than Allah has been invoked • Liquor and all intoxicants
The Bible also prohibits the eating of swine in the following verse:
“And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth the cud – it is unclean to you; Ye shall not eat of their flesh or not touch the dead carcass.” (Leviticus 11:7)
According to Islamic philosophy, consumption of pork has a negative effect on the soul by affecting moral qualities such as chastity, modesty, humility, honesty, and integrity.
Medical science now proves the following effects on the body from eating pork:
• Passage of viruses such as ‘swine influenza virus’ • Passage of parasites such as the adult tapeworm which can lodge in the gastrointestinal tract of the human and cause malnutrition and blood loss • Pork has high levels of fat content that can lead to high blood pressure and a gradual blocking of the arteries increasing the chance of heart attack and stroke.
Did You Know? 138
Today many people believe “you are what you eat.” For example, meat eaters are said to be aggressive, whilst vegetarians are said to be passive. Islam has taught us from the onset that what we eat has a great impact on us.
13. Following are some of the remarkable achievements of Muslims during their reign in Spain:
• Arabic numerals were introduced to the Europeans • Paper was introduced to the Europeans • Development of the greatest library in the middle ages • Production of the first book on comparative religions • Discovery of crystal • Creation of the earliest surgical instruments • Invention of the toothbrush and toothpaste • First physician to describe the function of the retina
14. During the 18th century, 85% of the population in Europe was illiterate, however, the majority of the population in Muslim Spain was able to read and write since the 11th century, seven hundred years before.
15. The following words originated from the Muslims:
• Chemistry…………………Al-kimiya • Alkali………………………Al-qili (potash) • Alcohol…………………….Al-khul (antimony powder) • Elixir……………………….Al-iksar • Athonor……………………Tannur (an oven) • Alembic……………………Al-inbiq (distillation apparatus)
This shows that Muslims were very advanced in the field of Chemistry and Europeans simply absorbed their scientific culture.
16. The following are some views from the writings of non-Muslims about Islam: (Muhammad the Prophet, Prof K. S. Ramakrishna Rao)
• Miss Sarojini Naidu speaking about Islam says, "It was the first religion that preached and practiced democracy; for in the mosque, when the azan is sounded and the worshippers are gathered together, the democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when the peasant and the king kneel side by side and proclaim, ‘God alone is great.’” The great poetess of India continues "I have been struck over and over again by this indivisible unity of Islam that makes a man instinctively a brother.”
• In the opinion of Professor Hurgronfe "The league of nations founded by the Prophet of Islam put the principle of international unity of human brotherhood on Did You Know? 139
such universal foundations as to show candle to other nations." In the words of the same professor, "the fact is that no nation of the world can show a parallel to what Islam has done to the realization of the idea of the League of Nations.”
• Goethe, the greatest of German poets, speaking about the Holy Qur’an declared that, "This book will go on exercising through all ages a most potent influence." This is also the reason why George Bernard Shaw says, "If any religion has a chance of ruling over England, say, Europe, within the next 100 years, it is Islam."
17. The following are some views from the writings of non-Muslims about the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw:
(The Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw in the Eyes of Non-Muslims, alislam.org)
• “Muhammad was, to use a striking expression, the man of the hour” – (Arabian Society at the Time of Muhammad, Pringle Kennedy)
• “My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential persons 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.” – (Michael Hart, The 100)
• “Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, 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 ask, is there any man greater than he?” – (Lamartine, a French historian, History of Turkey)
• “Head of the state as well as 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 body guard, without a palace, without a fixed revenue. If ever a man had the right to rule by a right divine, it was Muhammad for he had all the power without the instruments and without its supports.” – (Rev. Boswell Smith, Muhammad and Muhammadanism)
• “If ever any man on this earth has found God; if ever any man has devoted his life for the sake of God with a pure and holy zeal then, without doubt, and most certainly that man was the Holy Prophet of Arabia.” – (Major A Leonard, Islam, its Moral and Spiritual Values)
• “There is Muhammad, the Prophet; There is Muhammad the General; Muhammad the King; Muhammad the Warrior; Muhammad the Businessman; Muhammad the Preacher; Muhammad the Philosopher; Muhammad the Did You Know? 140
Statesman; Muhammad the Orator; Muhammad the Reformer; Muhammad the Refuge of Orphans; Muhammad the Protector of Slaves; Muhammad the Emancipator of Women; Muhammad the Law-giver; Muhammad the Judge; Muhammad the Saint. And in all these magnificent roles, in all these departments of human activities, he is like a hero.” (Muhammad The Prophet, Prof K. S. Ramakrishna Rao)
18. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas was an acknowledged scholar even before he proclaimed himself to be the Promised Messiah. Following are just a few extracts from the scholars of his time: (Naeem Osman Memon, Ahmadiyyat or Qadianism! Islam or Apostasy!)
• “The author (of Braheen-e-Ahmadiyya) has proved himself to be so steadfast in the service of Islam, through his pen, his money, his tongue etc., that few instances are to be found amongst Muslims…” (Batalvi Muhammed Hussain, Isha’atus Sunnah: 1884)
• “Islam was a dead body with no missionary spirit left in it and amongst the various sects of Islam…Then, there arose a person, (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad)… He gathered around him a small band of followers for the purpose of the propagation of Islam. He infused in them a high degree of evangelical spirit which is an example for all Muslim sects, nay, for all missionary organizations of the world” (Chaudhry, A.H, Fitna Irthaad)
References
1. Review of Religions; Vol. 93, No.3; March 1998 2. Review of Religions; Vol. 93, No.7; July 1998 3. Review of Religions; Vol. 94, No.4; April 1999 4. Review of Religions; Vol. 96, No.9; September 2001 5. Naeem Osman Memon, Ahmadiyyat or Qadianism! Islam or Apostasy! 6. www.alislam.org
Did You Know? 141
A C T I V I T Y 9.1
Group Activity #1
Divide into two groups. The first group should develop a quiz with questions and answers from this chapter. The Second group should develop a board game related to this chapter. Arrange a group session where the first group would play the game developed by the second group, and the second group would do the quiz prepared by the first group. Describe below what you learnt from this activity.
Group Activity #2
Organize a question and answer (Q&A) session. Assume that you will be inviting the following guests to your mosque: • Two atheists (They do not believe in God) • Two Christians • Two idol worshippers • Two skeptics (believe in a creator but no religion)
Develop a list of questions that the above guests can ask. Divide into groups and assign some questions to each group. Each group should then present their answers to the rest of the class. Make sure the answers are structured to convince the guests as follows: • The atheists: that there is a God • The idol worshippers: that there is only one God • The Christians: that Prophet Muhammadsaw is a true Prophet of God • The skeptics: that there is a connection between Islam and the Creator - It is His religion
Suggestions: • Use this chapter as well as all other chapters in this workbook to demonstrate what Islam is. • Be sure to include the Qur’an, salat, ahadith, prayers, Prophet Muhammadsaw the exemplar, and contributions of Muslim scholars, etc. towards the development of world civilization. Did You Know? 142
• In order to truly make this an effective learning tool, include in your answers how Islam is not only a religion but also a way of life. As part of your actions, show how the practices of modesty, honesty, righteousness, goodwill etc. are ways of life taught by Islam.
Upon completion of the above activity, make a list of new things you learnt from this project and how it made you feel to be a Muslim.
C H A P T E R 10 Poems
Poetry and Prose are an art emphasizing linguistic form to articulate and convey thoughts and ideas. It is difficult to translate poetry from one language into another because the weight and connotations of the words are more important than the words themselves. Therefore, the ideas and nuances of meaning can be difficult to interpret. In order to truly appreciate the messages in these poems, one should try to learn the language of Urdu.
In this chapter we have presented the translations as best as we can to impart the gist of the poems. It is our goal that we should not only learn to recite and translate the poems, but also to understand them. There is so much beauty in the lyrics and so much to learn from it that it would not do justice to merely memorize and recite them. These are truly inspirational poems that can strengthen our “Taqwa” and love for Allah and His Messenger.
Poems in This Chapter
• La ilaha illallah • Nusrat-e-Ilahi • Ek Ahmadi Bachi ki dua • IshkeSarwaray do-Aalam • Mahmood ki Ameen • Shaan-e-Islam
Poems 144
La Ilaha Illallah (There is none worthy of worship except Allah)
Transliteration
Hai dast-e-qibla numaa Laa Ilaha Illallah Hai dard-e-dil ki dawa Laa Ilaha Illallah
Kisi ki chashm-e-fusun saaz ne kiaa jadoo Tou dil se nikli sadaa Laa Ilaha Illallah
Jo phoonka jaayega kanon mai dil ke murdon ke Keray gaa hashr bapaa Laa Ilaha Illallah Qareeb thaa ke mai gir jaoon bar-e-issiyan se Bana hai lake asaa Laa Ilaha Illallah
Girah nahi rahi baaqi koi mere dil ki Hoowa hai uqda kusha Laa Ilaha Illallah
Hazaron hongay haseen lake qabil-e-ulfat Wohi hai mera peeaa Laa Ilaha Illallah Baroz-e-hashr sabhi teraa saath chorengay Karay gaa ayk wafaa Laa Ilaha Illallah
Hazaron balkay hain lakhon ilaaj-e-roohani Magar hair rooh-e-shifa Laa Ilaha Illallah
Poems 145
Translation
The hand raised towards the Ka’aba directs: “There is none worthy of worship except Allah.” The remedy for every heartache is “There is none worthy of worship except Allah.”
Whenever those enchanting eyes cast their spell, From my heart pulsated the call “There is none worthy of worship except Allah.”
Whatever is whispered in the ears of the dead of heart Will boom the turmoil (on Doomsday) that “There is none worthy of worship except Allah.”
About to stumble was I beneath the burden of my sins But the staff that became my support is “There is none worthy of worship except Allah.”
No knots remain entangling my heart anymore, The mystery has been unraveled that “There is none worthy of worship except Allah.”
Whatever the belief in God, be it duality or trinity, T’is an erroneous debate, a lie, for:
“There is none worthy of worship except Allah.” If your heart is but an idol worshipper’s temple Then what would you gain if only your tongue should say:
“There is none worthy of worship except Allah.” Thousands of captivating people there may be, yet worthy of true love- Indeed, my Beloved is only He: “There is none worthy of worship except Allah.”
On the Day of Judgment everyone will forsake you Only One will remain faithful: “There is none worthy of worship except Allah.”
There are thousands, nay, hundreds of thousands of spiritual remedies But the true essence of healing is: “There is none worthy of worship except Allah.”
Poems 146
A C T I V I T Y 10.1
This poem was written by ______.
1. In which book of poems can this poem be found?
• Durr-e-samin • Durr-e-Adan • Kalam-e-Mahmood • Kalam-e-Tahir
2. What is the meaning of La Ilaha Illallah? What is the main theme of this poem?
3. The first verse is “Hai Dastay Qibla Numa La ilaaha illallah.” What is the meaning of “Qibla” in this verse?
4. As humans, we are prone to negative temptations. How does this poem help us avoid them and maintain the right path?
5. Within the context of this poem, explain what is meant by “Cure of all ills is ‘Laa Ilaha Illallah’.”
Poems 147
6. What impact does this poem have on you?
7. Write two things you know about the author of this poem.
8. Reflect upon a time when you faced a problem. Did you call upon Allah? Explain.
Poems 148
9. VOCABULARY
Find the meaning of all the Urdu words from the translation provided with the poem and fill in the table.
ENGLISH ENGLISH URDU WORDS URDU WORDS TRANSLATION TRANSLATION
Dastay Girah
Dard Uqda Kushaa
Dil Hazaron
Dawaa Haseen
Chasmay Qabli Ulfat
Fasoon Saaz Peeaa
Jaadoo Baroze Hashr
Sadaa Saath
Kaanon Chorrain
Murdon Wafaa
Hashr Bapaa Laakhon
Gir Ilaaje Roohani
Baare Issian Roohe Shifaa
Lake Asaa
Poems 149
Nusrat-e-Illahi (Help of Allah)
Transliteration
Khuda ke paak logon ko Khuda se nusrat aati hai Jub aati hai tou phir aalam ko ik aalam dikhati hai
Woh banti hai hawa aur her khasay rah ko uraa ti hai Woh ho jaati hai aag aur her mukhalif ko jalaati hai
Kabhi woh khaak ho ker dushmanon ke sar pe parti hai Kabhi ho ker woh paani oon pe ik toofan laati hai
Gharaz rooktay nahi hargiz Khuda ke kaam bandon se Bhalaa khaaliq ke aagay khalq ki kuch pesh jaati hai
Translation
The chaste servants of God receive His Divine help, When it comes, the whole world is shown a New World. It becomes the wind and blows away all that litters the path; It turns into fire and burns every opponent. Sometimes it turns into dust that falls upon the heads of the enemies; At times it becomes water that brings a deluge upon them. Indeed, never can mere humans halt the designs of God, Can the created ever offer any competition to the Creator?
Poems 150
A C T I V I T Y 10.2
1. Who is the author of this poem?
2. In which book of poems can this poem be found?
• Durr-e-samin • Durr-e-Adan • Kalam-e-Mahmood • Kalam-e-Tahir
3. The title of this poem is ______. What does that mean?
4. What kinds of people receive the help of Allah? • Mothers • Teachers • Disbelievers • Righteous
5. “Allah’s designs cannot be stopped by men.” Explain what this line means.
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6. There is no match between ______and ______. Please explain why not.
7. Which attribute of Allah is mentioned in the last verse? What does it mean?
8. Write about an event from the lives of the following Prophets, that demonstrates the Divine help of Allah the Almighty.
Hadhrat Nuhas (Noah):
Hadhrat Musaas (Moses):
Hadhrat Isaas (Jesus):
Prophet Muhammadsaw :
Poems 152
9. Reflect upon a time you experienced the help of Allah. Share a success story with us!
10. VOCABULARY
Find the meaning of all the Urdu words from the translation provided with the poem and fill in the table. ENGLISH ENGLISH URDU WORDS URDU WORDS TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Khuda Khaak
Paak Dushmanon
Logon Ser
Nusrat Paani
Aalam Toofaan
Hawa Ruktay
Khasay-raah Nahin
Urati Kaam
Aag Bandon
Mokhalif Khaaliq
Jalaatee Khalq
Poems 153
Ik Ahmadi Bachi Ki Dua (By: Dr. Meer Muhammad Ismaeel Sahibra)
Transliteration
Ilaahi mujhe seedha rasta dikha day, meri zindagi paak-o-tayyab banaa de Mujhe deen-o-duniya ki khoobi ataa ker, har ik dard aur dukh se mujh ko shifa de
Zuban per meri jhoot aaye naa hargiz, kuch aysa sabaq raasti ka parhaa de Gunahon se nafrat badi se adawat, humesha rahain dil mai achay iraday
Har ik ki karoon khidmat aur khair khawahi, jo dekhay who kush hokay mujh ko dua de Baron ka adab aur choton se shafqat, bana de mujhe muhabbat ke putle
Banun naik aur doosron ko banaoon, mujhay deen kaa ilm itna sikhaa day Khushi teri ho jaee maqsood mera, kuch aisi lagan dil mai apni lagaa day
Translation
O Allah, show me the right path, make my life clean and pure. Bestow on me the beauty of the spiritual and physical worlds, and relieve me from each pain and suffering. Give me some such lesson of truthfulness that no lies should come upon my tongue. I should hate sin, and keep enmity with evil. I should always keep an eye on good intentions. I should serve mankind with goodwill, so that whosoever sees me, recites a prayer for me. I should respect elders and love youngsters, make me an embodiment of love. Increase my knowledge to such an extent that I should become righteous and make others too. My only object should be but your happiness, make my heart totally prone to it. Poems 154
A C T I V I T Y 10.3
1. This poem was written by ______, who was a companion of the Promised Messiahas. In December 1924, he wrote this poem for his eldest daughter Maryam Siddiqa, who was 6 years old. She recited this poem at the Jalsa Salana in Qadian.
2. This poem is a prayer to Allah. Can you identify below the things that are being asked for?
3. What relationship does this poem have with “Taqwa”?
4. In this poem, we pray to Allah to make us truthful. Write a Hadith you know about truthfulness. Explain in your own words why you think it is so important to tell the truth and to refrain from lying.
Poems 155
5. We should always strive to be the best. List three goals you have for yourself to accomplish this.
6. Should we serve everyone with the intention of gaining back from them? Explain.
7. In this poem, we also pray to Allah to increase our knowledge. Please write the prayer to increase our knowledge. What are the benefits of acquiring knowledge?
8. Explain why we ask Allah to instill in us the beauty of “deen-o-duniya,” that is, physical and spiritual life.
9. Why is prayer an integral part of Islam?
10. VOCABULARY
Poems 156
10. Please find the meaning of all the Urdu words from the translation provided with the poem and fill in the table.
ENGLISH ENGLISH URDU WORDS URDU WORDS TRANSLATION TRANSLATION
Ilaahi Badee
Seedha Rasta Achhay
Zindagi Khidmat
Paak Khair Khawahi
Tayyab Dua
Deen Adab
Duniya Shafqat
Dard Muhabbat
Shifaa Naik
Zubaan Ilm
Jhoot Khushi
Raasti Maqsood
Gunnahon Dil
Nafrat
Poems 157
Ishke-Sarwaray Do-Aalam
Transliteration
Muhammadsaw per humari jaan fidaa hai, Keh wo koo-e-sanam ka rah numaa hai
Mera dil usnay roshan ker diyaa hai andheray ghar ka woh meray diyaa hai
Muhammadsaw jo humara paishwa hai Muhammadsaw jo keh mahboob-e-khuda hai
Ho uskay naam per qurbaan sab kuch keh woh shahinsha-e-her do saraa hai
Ussi se mera dil pataa hai laikin Taskeen wohi aaram meri rooh kaa hai
Khuda ko uss say milker humnay payaa wohee ik raah-e-deen kaa raah numaa hai
Suno aye dushmanan nay deen-e-Ahmad Nateeja bud zubaani kaa buraa hai
Bazurgon ko adab say yaad kerna yahee ikseer hai aur keemyaa hai
Poems 158
Translation
Our lives are sacrificed upon Muhammadsaw Since he saw is the guide to the path of Almighty Allah. He saw has enlightened my heart, He saw is the lamp of my dark house. Muhammad saw who is our leader; Muhammad saw who is the beloved of Almighty Allah. We should sacrifice everything to him because he is the king of both worlds, My heart gets comfort from him, and my soul gets consolation from him, We reach Allah through him; he is the only guide leading to the right path. Listen! O enemies of Islam, The result of abuse is dangerous. To remember the saints with respect is the only cure of all ills.
A C T I V I T Y 10.4
1. Who is the author of this poem? ______
2. In which book of poems can this poem be found?
• Durr-e-samin • Durr-e-Adan • Kalam-e-Mahmood • Kalam-e-Tahir
3. What is the theme of this poem?
4. Explain how Muhammadsaw has enlightened our hearts and homes.
Poems 159
5. Using examples from the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw, explain how he is the “king of both worlds.”
6. The Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw is our connection to ______. Why and how?
7. The poem warns the enemies to remember the saints with respect. Explain why.
8. How can we reach Allah through Prophet Muhammadsaw? How can his teachings guide us to the right path?
9. What did the Holy Prophetsaw sacrifice for us? Why are so many poems written and recited about him?
Poems 160
10. VOCABULARY
Please find the meaning of all the Urdu words from the translation provided with the Poem and fill in the table.
ENGLISH ENGLISH URDU WORDS URDU WORDS TRANSLATION TRANSLATION
Jaan Do Saraa
Fida Taskeen
Koo-e-sanam Aaram
Dil Rooh
Rah-numa Raahe Deen
Raushan Dushmanaane
Undheray Nateeja
Ghar Bad Zubaani
Diyaa Buraa
Paishwa Bazurgon Mahboobay Adab Khuda
Naam Yaad
Qurbaan Ikseer
Shahinshahe Keemyaa
Poems 161
Mahmood ki Ameen
Transliteration
Humdo sanaa usi ko, jo zaat jaav-e-daani Humsar nahi hai uska koi naa koi saani Baaqi wohi hamaisha, ghair uskay sab hain faani Ghairon se dil laganaa, jhooti hai sab kahani Sab ghair hain wohi hai, ik dil ka yaar-e-jaani Dil mai meray yehi hai, Subhana Manya raani
Hai paak paak qudrat, azmat hai uski azmat Larzaan hai ehlay qurbat, karoobiyon pay haibat Hai aam uski rehmat, kioon ker ho shukr-e-nemaat Hum sab hain uski san’aat, ussay karo mohabbat Ghairon se kerna ulfat, kab chahay uski ghairat Yeh roz ker Mubarak, Subhana Manya Raani Poems 162
Jo kuch humain hai rahat, sab uski joodo munnat Uss say hai dil ko bai’at, dil mai hai uski azmat Behtar hai uski taa’at, taa’at mai hai sa’adat Yeh roz ker mubarak, Subhana Manya Raani
Sab kaa wohi sahara, rahmat hai aashkaraa Hum ko wohi piyara, dilbar wohi humara Uss bin nahi guzara, ghair uskay jhoot saara Yeh roz ker mubarak, Subhana Manya Raani
Translation
To Him, belongs all praise and glorification, Who is the Everlasting, He has no equal, nor an associate.
He alone is the Eternal, all others are mortal, To give heart to others is but a vain tale.
The rest are all strangers; He alone is the bosom friend, The only cry of my heart: Holy is He Who watches over me.
Pure, all Pure, is the Divine command; the grandeur is His Grandeur Those near Him stand trembling; the Angels are awe-stricken.
His Mercy is All Persuasive; how can one be grateful enough? We are all His creation; love Him alone.
To love another is contrary to His Pride, Blessed make this day, Holy is He Who watches over me.
Every comfort we enjoy is His Generosity and Graciousness, Every heart is pledged to Him; each heart is filled with His Grandeur.
It is better to obey Him alone; in His Obedience lie all blessings, Blessed make this day, Holy is He Who watches over me.
Everyone leans upon His support, His mercy is manifest, He alone is dear to us; He alone is our Beloved.
It is not possible to survive without Him, all besides Him is a lie, Blessed make this day, Holy is He Who watches over me.
Poems 163
A C T I V I T Y 10.5
1. This poem was written by ______in June 1897.
2. In which book of poems can this poem be found?
• Durr-e-samin • Durr-e-Adan • Kalam-e-Mahmood • Kalam-e-Tahir
3. This poem is in praise of: • Allah Ta’alah • The Holy Prophetsaw • The Promised Messiahas • Humankind
4. What does it mean to be “Ever-living”? Who lives forever?
5. What does it mean to be “mortal”? Who is mortal?
6. Why does the author advise us not to form attachments with people or things? Is it possible to live without them?
Poems 164
7. Who should we form the deepest and strongest attachment with according to the author? And why? (Use verses of the poem to answer why)
8. How does this impact you? How can it help you shape your life?
9. Using the poem, demonstrate how we can engulf the love for Allah in ourselves similar to the author’s love of Allah.
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10. VOCABULARY: Please find the meaning of all the Urdu words from the translation provided with the Poem and fill in the table. ENGLISH ENGLISH URDU WORDS URDU WORDS TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Hamd Aam
Sana Rahmat
Zaat Shukr
Javedani Naimat
Hamsar Sanaat
Nahin Mohabbat
Ghair Ulfat
Fani Raahat
Dil Joodo Mannat
Jhoot Bai’at
Kahani Behtar
Yar-e-jaani Ta’at Subhana Saadat Manyarani Paak Roz
Qudrat Mubarak
Azmat Sahara
Larzan Aashkara
Ahle Piyara
Qurbat Dilbar
Karrobiyyon Hamara
Haibat Guzara
Poems 166
Shaan-e-Islam
Transliteration
Woh paishwa hamara, jis say hai noor saraa Naam uska hai Muhammadsaw, dilbar mera yehi hai
Sub paak hain paiyambar, ik doosray say behtar Laik az khuda-e-bartar, khair-ul-wara yehi hai
Pehlon se khoobtur hai, khoobi mai ik qamar hai Uss per har ik nazar hai, badrud dujaa yehi hai
Parday jo thay hataaye, under ki raah dikhaye Dil yaar se milaaye, wo aashna yehi hai
Woh aaj shah-e-deen hain, woh taaj-e-moorsaleen hai Woh tayyab-o-ameen hai, usski sana’a yehi hai
Huq se jo hukm aaye, sab ussnay ker dikhaye Jo raaz thay bataye, naim-ul-ataa yehi hai
Uss noor per fidaa hoon, uska hee mai huwaa hoon Woh hai mai cheez kiaa hoon, bus faislaa yehi hai
Dil mai yehi hai hardam, tera saheefa chumun Quran kay gird ghoomoon, ka’aba mera yehi hai
Poems 167
Translation
That great and blessed leader, from whom precedes all the light, His name is Muhammadsaw, and he alone is my friend, my dearest well beloved!
All the prophets are faultless and holy, each better than the other. But coming from the Lord, God, the highest, and the best among them all without a doubt is Muhammadsaw himself.
He is better than all that have gone before! In excellence like the moon, every discerning eye to him is turned, since he alone has the light and the splendor of the full moon.
He rolled aside the veils that had come to hang between and he pointed out the inner way. He brings you into communion with the Lord, God, he is the only one that best can help you in achievement of the supreme aim and purpose of human life!
Muhammadsaw, today is the crowned king in the realms of religions, the chief, the jewel, among all the prophets. The healthiest influence, the purest, the most comely, the most trustworthy, the most dependable, all this superlative praise befits him alone!
Whatever the commandments came from the Lord, he honored them all, in the terms of his own life. He demonstrated fully that they were pre-eminently the most clear, and the most practical - far from being mere dreamy utopias!
He gave the most lucid explanation of the subtlest points! And those are the things, indeed which constitute the best, and the highest of all blessings!
Indeed I am sold, entirely on this light, wholly and completely, am I devoted to it. In my mind there are no reservations.
A C T I V I T Y 10.6
1. Explain what the title of the poem means to you.
Poems 168
2. Who is the author of this poem?
3. In which book of poems can this poem be found?
• Durr-e-samin • Durr-e-Adan • Kalam-e-Mahmood • Kalam-e-Tahir
4. This poem is in praise of:
• Allah • The Holy Prophetsaw • The Promised Messiahas • Humankind
5. The ‘noor’ or the light discussed in the poem refers to ______. Explain.
6. The poem reflects on what is “healthy and pure influence”. Explore how the author points out the “inner way” to achieving this.
Poems 169
7. How can we benefit from the “commandments” in this poem?
8. List the verses that refer to light. Explain them in your own words.
9. What is the only desire that dominates the heart of the author and should be ours, as well?
10. Why and how is the subject of this poem alone the best example for us to follow? Please use the verses of the poem to answer.
Poems 170
11. VOCABULARY: Please find the meaning of all the Urdu words from the translation provided with the poem and fill in the table.
ENGLISH ENGLISH URDU WORDS URDU WORDS TRANSLATION TRANSLATION Paishwa Yaar
Hamara Aashna
Noor Shahi-deen Taaj-e- Saara mursaleen Naam Tayyabo-ameen
Muhammad Sana
Dilbar Haq
Paak Hukm
Payembar Dikhai
Behtar Raaz
Bertar Nemul-ata
Khairul Wara Fida
Pehlon Cheez
Khoob-tar Faisla
Khoobee Saheefa
Qamar Chumun
Nazar Quran
Badruddoja Ghoomon
Parday Rah
Hatai C H A P T E R 11 Cooking is Fun!
Islamic worship takes many shapes and forms. One of these includes taking care of ourselves as creations of Allah. As such, part of our faith is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and enjoy His bounties. In this chapter we have provided some helpful nutritional advice and recipes for some cooking fun. Enjoy!
Abu Umamahra relates: “When the Holy Prophetsaw finished a meal he would say: ‘All praise is due to Allah, praise which is pure, perpetual and full of blessings which is indispensable and to which one cannot be indifferent.” (Bukhari)
Nutritional Tips
Water Benefits of water include: • Regulates your body temperature • Removes wastes from the body • Carries nutrients and oxygen around your body • Provides moisture to skin and other tissues • Cushions joints and helps strengthen muscles
Are you getting enough water? A simple formula for how much water you should drink:
Number of fluid ounces of water = Body Weight divided by 2 E.g. if you weigh 100 pounds: 100/2 = 50 ounces 50/8 = 6.25 glasses*
*Typically a regular sized glass = 8 ounces
Eating • Eat breakfast within half an hour of waking up. This will get your metabolism humming before your body goes into a preservation mode, using stored energy into usable fuel resulting in bouts of low energy and loss of concentration. • Eat frequently. Never go more than three to four hours without eating. Doing so will result in fatigue and irritability. Cooking is Fun! 172
• Include 1-2 ounces of protein at every meal. This provides a steady flow of energy to your body and delays the absorption of sugar into the blood. • Include fruits and vegetables as part of your daily food intake. They provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber to your body. • Choose calcium rich foods for strong bones such as, milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli, turnips, soybeans, etc. • Consuming 25-30 grams of roughage/fiber reduces the risk of constipation and related diseases. Some sources of roughage include, bran, wheat, oatmeal, lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, and dried figs.
Kitchen Measurements
3 tsp. = 1 tbsp. 5 1/3 tsp. = 1/3 cup 2 cups = 1 pint 2 pints = 1 quart 4 tbsp = ¼ cup 16 tbsp = 1 cup 4 cups = 1 quart 4 quarts = 1 gallon tsp = Teaspoon; tbsp = Tablespoon
Conversion Table To Convert Into Multiply by To Convert Into Multiply by Pints Liters .473 Grams Ounces .035 Quarts .5 Pounds .0022 Gallons .125 Kilograms .001 Quarts Pints 2 Kilograms Grams 1000 Liters .946 Ounces 35.274 Gallons .25 Pounds 2.205 Gallons Pints 8 Ounces Grams 28.35 Liters 3.785 Pounds .0625 Quarts 4 Kilograms .028 Liters Cups 4.226 Pounds Grams 453.59 Pints 2.113 Ounces 16 Gallons .264 Kilograms .454 Milliliters 1000 Quarts 1.057
Cooking is Fun! 173
Recipes in this chapter ¾ Fruit Chaat Appetizers ¾ Creature Creation ¾ Banana Fritters ¾ Hummus Main Dishes ¾ Zippy Onion Dip ¾ Easy Chicken Pot Pie ¾ Onion Veggie Dip ¾ Corn Pudding ¾ Spinach Dip ¾ Cheeseburger pie ¾ Honey Spicy Chicken Wings ¾ Spinach Balls ¾ Beef Taco Bake Refreshing Drinks ¾ Easy Chicken & Pasta ¾ Lemonade ¾ Fried Shredded Chicken ¾ Slush ¾ Chicken cooked in whole spices ¾ Watermelon & honeydew punch ¾ Ground Beef with Pasta ¾ Royal Fruit Punch ¾ Mango Sherbet Side Orders ¾ Cheesy Potato Wedges Soups & Salads ¾ Crispy Potato Wedges ¾ Chinese Hot & Sour Soup ¾ Mint Chutney ¾ Chinese Egg Drop Soup ¾ Rice with Peas ¾ Minestrone Soup ¾ Yogurt with Onion ¾ Tomato & Celery Soup ¾ Cucumber Yogurt ¾ Taco Salad ¾ Tamarind Chutney ¾ Potato Salad ¾ Kachamber ¾ Seven Layer Salad ¾ Three Vegetable Salad Desserts ¾ Apple Tarts Snacks ¾ Peach Crisp ¾ Bagel Pizza ¾ Cheesecake Brownies ¾ No-Bake Peanut Squares ¾ Trifle ¾ Spicy Chicken Salad ¾ Unday Ka Halwa ¾ Potato Chaat ¾ Mango Ice Cream
Cooking is Fun! 174
Appetizers
Banana Fritters
Ingredients ½ Cup milk 2 Bananas, mashed 2 Cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. salt 3 tsp baking powder 2 Eggs, beaten 1 tbsp margarine, melted 1 Quart vegetable oil for frying ½ Cup confectioners' sugar Procedure 1. In a mixing bowl, combine the milk and bananas. 2. Sift in the flour, salt, and baking powder. 3. Thoroughly mix in the eggs and margarine. o o 4. Heat the oil in a large skillet to 365 F (180 C). 5. Carefully place spoonfuls of the mixture into the hot oil and fry until brown.
6. Flip the fritter and continue to brown. 7. Remove fritters from the oil and drain on paper towels. 8. Dust the fritters with confectioners' sugar and serve while warm.
Hummus
Ingredients 15 oz Chickpeas 3 tbsp lemon juice ½ tsp salt (or to taste) 1-2 Cloves of crushed garlic Olive Oil 2 tbsp Tahini (ground sesame seed) Pita bread Parsley to garnish Procedure 1. Boil chickpeas. 2. Using a food processor, grind until smooth. 3. Mix lemon, crushed garlic, salt, and tahini. 4. Spread the mixture into a dish. 5. Add oil on top. 6. Garnish with parsley. 7. Serve with pita bread.
Cooking is Fun! 175
Zippy Onion Dip
Ingredients
1 Cup mayonnaise
¼ Cup chopped onion
2 tbsp chopped celery
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 Clove crushed garlic
Procedure
1. Mix ingredients together.
2. Chill for two hours.
3. Serve with your favorite vegetables or chips, OR serve as salad dressing by
adding milk until desired consistency.
Onion Veggie Dip
Ingredients 500 ml tub sour cream 1 Package of onion Soup Mix Procedure 1. Mix ingredients together. 2. Chill for one hour. 3. Serve with your favorite vegetables or chips.
Spinach Dip
Ingredients 10 oz Pkg. frozen chopped spinach (thawed) 1 ½ Cup sour cream 1 Cup mayonnaise 1 Pkg. Vegetable Soup Mix 8 oz can finely copped water chestnuts 3 Green finely chopped onions Procedure 1. Squeeze spinach until dry. 2. Mix spinach with the remaining ingredients. 3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. 4. Serve with bread and crackers. Cooking is Fun! 176
Honey Spicy Chicken Wings
Ingredients 2 pounds chicken wings ½ Cup honey ¼ Cup chili sauce 1 tbsp. garlic paste 1 tsp. salt ½ tsp black pepper, ground 2 tsp red hot sauce (adjust to taste) Procedure 1. Combine honey, chili sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper. 2. Place the chicken in a bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken wings, and rub to coat well. 3. Arrange chicken in single layer in a baking tray and bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes, turning over once. 4. Remove from oven, coat with hot sauce. 5. Serve hot.
Refreshing Drinks
Lemonade
Ingredients 2 Cups sugar 1 ½ Cups of water Juice of 6 lemons Juice of 2 oranges Grated peel of one orange 1 Cup of fresh mint leaves Procedure 1. In a saucepan, combine sugar and water. 2. Bring to a boil. 3. Cover over medium high heat for 5 minutes. Then let it Cool down. 4. Add lemon juice, orange juice, and peel. 5. Add mint leaves. 6. Cover pan and stand for one hour. 7. Strain syrup and store in refrigerator. 8. Pour 1/3 cup syrup in an 8-ounce glass. 9. Fill with crushed ice and cold water. 10. Stir or shake. Serve with a sprig of mint. Cooking is Fun! 177
Slush
Ingredients 1 Can of frozen orange Juice 1 Can of frozen pink lemonade 3 ½ Cups of boiling water 1 Cup of hot black tea 1 Cup of sugar Procedure 1. Mix all the ingredients and freeze overnight. 2. Fill dessert glass ¾ full with above slush. 3. Top with ginger ale or your choice of soda or juice. 4. Serve immediately.
Water melon and honeydew punch
Ingredients 8 oz. Watermelon (seedless) liquidized or crushed with a fork 8 oz Honeydew watermelon liquidized or crushed with a fork 8 oz Watermelon scooped into balls with special scoop 8 oz Honeydew scooped into balls with special scoop 6 tbsp sugar or according to your liking 3 Cups waters 6 Green cardamoms seeds (ground) 24 Ice cubes crushed 1 tsp fresh rose water or according to your liking 1 tbsp rose petals – fresh (Optional) Procedure 1. Extract juice from liquidized or crushed melons. 2. Add sugar, water, cardamoms and ice and whisk thoroughly. 3. Add melon balls and sprinkle rose water over the contents. 4. Serve topped with rose petals.
‘O children of Adam! look to your adornment at every time and place of worship, and eat and drink but exceed not the bounds; surely, He does not love those who exceed the bounds.’ (7:32) Cooking is Fun! 178
Royal Fruit Punch
Ingredients 2 Liters (8 Cups) fresh apple juice 2 Liters (8 Cups) lemonade 8 oz orange squash 8 oz lemon squash 2 oz lime juice 1 Apple, halved and thinly sliced 1 Orange, round thinly sliced Procedure 1. Mix in apple juice, lemonade, orange squash, lemon squash and lime cordial in a large container. 2. Add in apple and orange slices. 3. Serve chilled or add ice half hour before serving. 4. Alternatively, pour the prepared fruit punch in an unbreakable container and leave it in the freezer until it starts to set, looking like crushed ice around the inside or the container. Remove from freezer, mix contents again and serve.
Mango Sherbet
Ingredients 1 Large mango puffs 1 Quart milk (2 Cups) ½ tin evaporated milk (1/2 of a large tin) 2 tsp lemon juice Sugar to your liking
Procedure 1. Mix all above ingredients with a liquidizer or thoroughly with a spoon. 2. Serve chilled in tall glasses with cocktail umbrellas and a straw.
‘On those who believe and do good works there shall be no sin for what they eat, provided they fear God and believe and do good works, and again fear God and believe, yet again fear
God and do good. And Allah loves those who do good.’ (5:94) Cooking is Fun! 179
Soups & Salads
Chinese Hot & Sour Soup
Ingredients 2 tbsp. of vegetable oil 3 Carrots, thinly sliced 1 tbsp. of fresh ginger, minced 1 Cup of water 6 oz. shiitake mushrooms 1 Cup of fresh bean sprouts 2 tbsp. of sesame oil Dash of chili oil 1 Med. onion, sliced 3 Cloves of minced garlic 4 Cups of chicken broth 2 tbsp. of soy tamari sauce ½ lb. of sliced snow peas ¼ Cup of rice vinegar 1/3 Cup of sliced water chestnuts Procedure 1. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. 2. Add the onion and carrots; cook, stirring constantly for 3 minutes. 3. Add the garlic and ginger; cook, stirring for 1 minute. 4. Add chicken broth, water, and soy or tamari sauce. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. 5. Add the mushrooms and water chestnuts; boil for 1 minute. 6. Turn off heat. Add peas and bean sprouts. Cover and let rest for 2 minutes. 7. Stir in rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili oil. Heat for 1 minute. 1. Serve immediately.
Chinese Egg Drop Soup
Ingredients
3 Cups of chicken broth
1 tsp. of salt
Dash of white pepper
1 Medium green onion (with top), chopped
2 eggs, slightly beaten
Procedure
1. Heat chicken broth, salt, and white pepper to boiling in 2 quart saucepan.
2. Stir green onion into eggs.
3. Pour egg mixture slowly into broth, stirring constantly with fork until egg forms
shreds. Cooking is Fun! 180
Minestrone Soup
Ingredients
2 Cups of chopped onion
5 Medium crushed cloves of garlic
1 ½ tsp. of salt
1 Stalk of chopped celery
1 Medium diced carrot
1 Small diced zucchini 2 tsp. of oregano Fresh black pepper (to taste) 1 tsp. of basil 1 Medium diced bell pepper 3-4 Cups of water 14½ oz. canned tomato puree (about 2 cups) 1 Cup of cooked peas, chickpeas, or 1 ½ cups kidney beans ½ Cup dry pasta (any shape) 1-2 Medium diced tomato (optional) ½ Cup of fresh finely chopped parsley Parmesan cheese Procedure 1. Heat the onion, garlic, and salt in a kettle. 2. Sauté over medium heat for about 5 minutes. 3. Add celery, carrots, oregano, black pepper, and basil. 4. Cover and cook over very low heat about 10 more minutes, stirring occasionally. 5. Add bell pepper, zucchini, water, and tomato puree. 6. Cover and simmer about 15 minutes. 7. Add the beans and simmer another 5 minutes. 8. Bring the soup to a gentle boil. 9. Add pasta, stir, and cook until the pasta is tender. 10. Stir in diced fresh tomatoes. 11. Garnish with parsley and Parmesan.
saw ra The Prophet was very careful against excesses of food. Abu Huraira narrated, ‘The family saw of Muhammad did not eat their fill for three successive days till he died.’ The Holy ra saw Prophet’s pious consort Hadhrat Aisha reported that the ‘Prophet died when we had
satisfied our hunger with two black things: dates and water.’ He admonished his companions, ‘A Muslim eats in one intestine (that is, he is satisfied with a little food) while an unbeliever eats in seven intestines (eats much).’ (Bukhari) Cooking is Fun! 181
Tomato & Celery Soup
Ingredients 1 cup red kidney beans (cooked) 2 medium-sized chopped onions 3 1/3 tbsp butter 1 Cup chopped celery, 5 Large cloves finely chopped garlic, 1 1/3 cup tomatoes, blanched, peeled and chopped (or use canned tomatoes) 1 1/3 cup tomato puree 3 Cups water 1 tbsp chopped rosemary leaves (optional) ½ Medium-sized diced carrot A couple of leaves of lettuce, roughly shredded 5 tsp olive oil Salt to taste 1 tsp crushed pepper Procedure 1. Sauté the onion in butter. 2. Add celery, garlic, tomatoes, and tomato puree. 3. Cook on low heat for five to seven minutes, adding a little water to stop from scorching. 4. Add the remaining water, chopped rosemary, boiled kidney beans and its stock. 5. Stir well. Add the diced carrot and finish with shredded lettuce and olive oil. 6. Add the salt and crushed pepper and mix well.
Taco Salad
Ingredients 1 Tub sour cream 1 Pkg. Taco seasoning mix ½ Pound of cream cheese 4 Large tomatoes Chopped Lettuce 2 Cups grated cheddar cheese Procedure 1. Microwave cream cheese until consistency of butter. 2. Mix in sour cream and taco seasoning. 3. Pour into 8x12 inch glass baking dish. 4. Chill in refrigerator for 2 hours. 5. Remove the inner seedy part of the tomato and chop the outer part into small pieces. 6. Remove cream cheese mixture from fridge and layer tomatoes and grated cheese over it. 7. Serve with nacho chips of your choice. Cooking is Fun! 182
Seven Layer Salad
Ingredients 1 Head iceberg lettuce (2 heads if small) 4-5 Chopped green onions 1 chopped green pepper 3 Stalk chopped celery 1-2 Cups frozen green peas ¼ Cup Parmesan cheese ¾ Cup shredded cheddar cheese 3 Chopped hard-boiled eggs 2 Cups mayonnaise Procedure 1. Layer each of the above, one on top of the other in the sequence of the ingredients list. 2. Layer mayonnaise just before serving.
Potato Salad
Ingredients 1 ½ Ib. of red unpeeled potatoes 1 Hard-boiled egg, chopped ¼ Cup finely chopped green pepper (optional) ¼ Cup chopped green onion 1/3 Cup mayonnaise 2 tsp mustard 2 tsp sweet pickle relish ¼ tsp salt Ground black pepper to taste 1 small grated carrot Procedure 1. Boil potatoes until tender and cut into quartered pieces. 2. Drain and cool to room temperature. 3. Combine other ingredients and mix with potatoes. 4. Garnish with grated carrot. 5. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
ra saw Narrated ‘Umar bin Abi Salama , “I was a boy under the care of Allah’s Apostle and my saw hand used to go around the dish while I was eating. So Allah’s Apostle said to me” ‘O boy! Mention the Name of Allah and eat with your right hand, and eat of the dish what is nearer to you.’” (Bukhari)
Cooking is Fun! 183
Three Vegetable Salad
Ingredients 10 oz Broccoli 10 oz Cauliflower 1 Small yellow pepper 1 Small red pepper 1 Small green pepper
For Dressing: 5 tbsp. tahini 6 tbsp. lemon juice 5 tbsp. water 2 Garlic cloves, crushed Salt and pepper Sesame seeds for garnishing Procedure 1. Prepare broccoli and cauliflower by removing any of the coarse stalks and breaking into florets. 2. Wash and blanch in boiling water for 3-5 minutes or until tender but crisp. 3. Drain and refresh under cold running water. 4. Halve the peppers, remove seeds and slice thinly. 5. Place peppers, broccoli and cauliflower in a salad bowl. Dressing: 1. Put tahini, garlic, lemon juice, water, salt, and pepper in a small bowl 2. Whisk until well blended. 3. Pour dressing over the salad and toss lightly. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, and chill for several hours before serving.
Snacks
Bagel Pizza
Ingredients Thawed bagel Pasta sauce Meat of choice (cooked meat) Shredded cheese Dried oregano Procedure 1. Spread a small amount of pasta sauce on one half of the bagel. 2. Add on your choice of meat in a plentiful amount. 3. Sprinkle cheese all over the top. 4. Toast in a broiler oven until the cheese has melted. 5. Garnish with oregano. Cooking is Fun! 184
No-Bake Peanut Squares
Ingredients
1 Cup Light corn syrup
1 Cup White sugar
1 Cup Peanut butter
4 Cups Corn flakes
4 Cups Cheerios
1 Cup Peanuts
Procedure
1. In a 2 qt. pan melt together the first three
ingredients just until smooth, stirring constantly. Do not boil.
2. Remove from heat.
3. Measure the last three ingredients into a large bowl.
4. Pour over peanut butter mixture.
5. Stir, coating cereal and nuts.
6. Spread into buttered large pan. Cut into squares. Press down.
Spicy Chicken Salad
Ingredients 12 oz Cooked chicken (boiled with salt) shredded 1 Medium size cucumber (chopped) 1 Coarsely shredded Chinese leaf or lettuce 4 Chopped tomatoes 2 green chilies finely chopped 1 ½ large onions sliced into thin rings and separated into individual rings (soak in cold salt water) ¼ a Bunch or finely chopped fresh coriander 1 Green pepper, cored, seeded and finely chopped 1 Red pepper, cored, seeded and finely chopped 3 tsp black cumin seeds Salt according to taste Procedure 3. Mix all the ingredients together. 4. Put it in a glass dish, cover with cling film and leave it in the fridge for 30 minutes. 5. Serve on lettuce leaves with quarters of lemon for garnishing.
‘O ye Messengers, eat of the things that are pure and do good works. Verily, I am well aware of what you do.’ (23:52) Cooking is Fun! 185
Potato Chaat
Ingredients 4 Medium potatoes
¼ Cup tamarind juice 1 tsp salt 1 tsp chilli powder (adjust to taste) 1 ½ tsp chat masala 2 Medium tomatoes, diced or sliced
1 Medium onion sliced 3 Green chilies chopped (adjust to taste) 2 tbsp coriander leaves, chopped Procedure 1. Boil potatoes in plenty of water until tender, approx. 20 minutes. 2. Peel the potatoes and place them in refrigerator until cold. 3. Cut them into small cubes and keep aside. 4. In a small bowl, mix together tamarind juice, salt, chili powder, and chaat masala. 5. In a large bowl combine potatoes, tomatoes, onions, green chilies, and coriander leaves. 6. Pour Tamarind mixture over potatoes mixture and stir gently with a wooden spoon to coat the potato with spices. 7. Serve cold.
Creature Creation
Ingredients 1 banana (for body) Peanut butter Fresh fruit (any kind will do, cut into different shapes) Food Coloring
Procedure 1. Use peanut butter as a glue to stick different fruit shapes onto the banana to create your very own creature. 2. Add a drop of food coloring on the fruit to give it that special color. 3. For some added treats try using candy. You can also use whipping cream
(low-fat) and raisins.
saw The Holy Prophet mentioned that there are two blessings from Allah with which man is very careless. The first is health and the second is free time.
Cooking is Fun! 186
Fruit Chaat
Ingredients (Fruit selection can be substituted) 2 Apples 2 Pears
2 Oranges ¾ Cup fresh pomegranate seeds 1 Cup white seedless grapes 1 Cup red seedless grapes 1 Large mango 3 Bananas 2 tsp. salt ¼ Cup sugar
¾ Level tsp. chili powder 2 tsp. chaat masala Juice of 2 lemons Juice of 2 oranges Procedure
1. Cut apples and pears into medium sized chunks. 2. Peel the oranges and cut each segment into half. 3. Cut grapes into half. 4. Peel the mango and cut into small cubes. 5. Peel bananas and slice into thick slices.
6. Place all the prepared fruits into a large bowl. 7. Sprinkle on the salt, sugar, chili powder, and chaat masala. 8. Pour the lemon juice and orange juice over the ingredients, and mix it well with a spoon.
9. Cover and chill slightly before serving.
The Holy Prophet of Islamsaw, the personification of the code of living prescribed by the Holy
Qur’an, reminds us, ‘Whoever has food enough for two persons, should take a third one (from
among them), and whoever has food enough for four persons, should take a fifth or a sixth.’
And: ‘When your servant brings your food to you, if you do not ask him to join you, then at
least ask him to take one or two handfuls, for he has suffered from its heat (while cooking)
and has taken pains to prepare it nicely.’ (Bukhari) Cooking is Fun! 187
Main Dishes
Easy Chicken Pot Pie
Ingredients 1½ Cup frozen mixed vegetables 1 Cup cooked cubes of chicken 1 10¾ oz. can of condensed cream of chicken soup 1 Cup Baking Mix ½ Cup milk 1 Egg Procedure 1. Preheat oven to 400oF degrees. 2. Mix vegetables, chicken, and soup. 3. Pour mixture in an un-greased 9” pie plate. 4. Stir remaining ingredients with a fork in a separate dish, until well blended. 5. Pour into the pie plate. 6. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Corn Pudding
Ingredients 1 15¼ oz. can of whole kernel corn, drained 1 14¾ oz. can of cream-style corn 1 Cup Milk 2 Eggs, beaten ¼ Cup margarine or butter, melted ¼ tsp. pepper ½ Cup cornmeal Procedure o 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a large mixing bowl combine whole kernel corn, cream-style corn, milk, eggs, melted margarine or butter, and pepper. 3. Add cornmeal; stir till moistened. 4. Pour corn mixture into a 2-quart casserole. 5. Bake casserole for 50 to 55 minutes or till lightly browned.
The Holy Prophetsaw has advised that we should not enter the mosque after eating raw onions
or garlic, as the smell of these can be harmful and can cause discomfort to others. For this
reason the Holy Prophetsaw has asked all the believers to take frequent baths and especially
before going to a large gathering like the Jummah prayers. Taking a shower or bath and
keeping oneself clean, both physically and spiritually is very important for the health. Cooking is Fun! 188
Cheeseburger pie
Ingredients 1 lb Ground beef 1 Cup chopped onions ½ tsp. salt 1 Cup shredded cheddar cheese ½ Cup Bisquick Baking Mix 1 Cup milk 2 Eggs Procedure 3. Preheat oven to 400oF. 4. Grease a 9” pie plate. 5. Cook ground beef and onions until beef is brown, drain. 6. Season with salt and spread mixture in the pie plate. 7. Sprinkle with cheese. 8. Stir remaining ingredients with a fork in a separate dish, until well blended. 9. Pour into the pie plate. 10. Bake for 25 minutes or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Spinach Balls
Ingredients 1 Package frozen chopped spinach 1 Cup Parmesan cheese 1 Cup packaged herb stuffing 3 Eggs, beaten 6 tbsp. butter, softened ½ Cup chopped onion Salt and pepper to taste Procedure 1. Preheat oven to 350oF. 2. Cook spinach according to package directions. Drain well. 3. Mix spinach and remaining ingredients. 4. Roll into one-inch balls and place on cookie sheets. 5. Bake for 10-15 minutes.
The Promised Messiah comments, “That is to say, eat meat and other foods but do not eat anything to excess, lest your moral state is adversely affected and your health might suffer.”
Cooking is Fun! 189
Beef Taco Bake
Ingredients 1 lb. Ground beef 1 Can of 10¾ oz. Tomato Soup 1 Cup Chunky Salsa or Picante Sauce ½ Cup milk 6 (8") flour tortillas or 8 (6") corn tortillas, cut into 1" pieces 1 Cup shredded Cheddar cheese Procedure 1. Cook beef in skillet until browned. Pour off fat. 2. Add soup, salsa, milk, tortillas, and half the cheese. Spoon into 2-qt. shallow baking dish. Cover. 3. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes or until hot. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Makes 4 servings.
Easy Chicken & Pasta
Ingredients 1 lb Skinless boneless chicken breast, cut up 1 tbsp Vegetable oil 1 Can 10¾ oz. can condensed cream of mushroom soup 2¼ Cup water ½ tsp Dried basil leaves; crushed 2 Cup frozen vegetables combination (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots) 2 Cup uncooked corkscrew pasta Grated Parmesan cheese Procedure 2. In a skillet, brown chicken in hot oil. Set aside. 3. Mix soup, water, basil, and vegetables. Heat to a boil. 4. Add uncooked pasta. Cook over Medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring often. The pasta cooks right in the soup! 5. Add browned chicken. Cook 5 minutes or until pasta is done, stirring often. 6. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.
Forbidden to you is the flesh of a dead animal and blood and the flesh of swine; and that on which the name of someone other than Allah is invoked and the flesh of an animal that has been strangled or is beaten to death or is killed by a fall or is gored to death and of which a wild animal has eaten and that which has been slaughtered at an alter for they are all carrion. If they ask thee what is lawful for them, tell them: All good things are lawful for you (5:4-5). Cooking is Fun! 190
Fried Shredded Chicken
Ingredients 4 Chicken breasts or 4 portions of leg and thigh 2 Fresh green chilies finely chopped 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp ginger powder 1 large onion – chopped 1 ½ tbsp lemon juice 3 tsp black cumin seeds 2 tsp freshly ground whole black pepper 2 Green peppers, cored, seeded and sliced into long pieces Salt to taste ½ Cup corn oil Finely chopped fresh coriander 2 Lemons (quartered) Shredded lettuce Procedure 1. Grind the green chilies, ginger, garlic, onion, and lemon into a paste. 2. Bone and skin the chicken portion and slice into long thin pieces. 3. Place the pieces of chicken into a large bowl and mix thoroughly with the paste, then cover and set aside for 1-2 hours to marinate. 4. Add the cumin, pepper and salt to the mixture and mix well. 5. Heat the oil in a large pan and add the chicken and fry on high heat for 2-3 minutes; cover and fry on very low heat for 15-20 minutes. 6. Add the sliced green peppers and fry for another 10 minutes or cook until the mixture is fairly dry. 7. Serve individually in desired portions on a bed of shredded lettuce or lettuce leaves, sprinkle some fresh finely chopped coriander and serve with a quarter of lemon on the side.
saw saw A Christian once came on a visit to the Holy Prophet in Medina. The Holy Prophet gave
him goat’s milk to drink. He drank most of it and the Holy Prophet finished the rest. At night
the Christian soiled the bed. When he realized what he had done, he ran away in the middle
of the night. After going a short distance he remembered that he had left some of his
saw belongings behind. When he came back to retrieve them, he found the Holy Prophet personally washing the beddings. After witnessing the scene, he became a Muslim.
Cooking is Fun! 191
Chicken Cooked in Whole Spices
Ingredients 1 Chicken (cut out pieces) - 4 Pieces of leg and thighs cut into 8 portions. Note: They should be without skin. Salt ½ Cup corn oil 8 Cloves 3 Sticks of cinnamon 1 Level tsp black cumin seeds 2 Level tsp whole black peppers 6 Pods black cardamoms – large 1 level tsp whole coriander seeds 8 Small whole red dried chilies
Accompaniments 2 tbsp corn oil ½ tsp powdered black pepper 8 Medium sized potatoes (cut into large cubes) To garnish 1 Sliced tomato Finely chopped fresh coriander Procedure 1. This should be cooked on very high heat. 2. Heat the oil in a pan. Add in ALL the spices. Fry for a few seconds and add in the washed and drained chicken and puree. 3. Now fry till the chicken is brown. 4. Cover it with a lid and cook on very low heat.
Preparation of Accompaniments 1. This should also be cooked on very high heat. 2. Heat the oil. Add the black pepper and salt and leave it for a few seconds. 3. Add in the prepared potatoes and fry until slightly brown. 4. Keep stirring otherwise the potatoes will stick to the bottom and burn. 5. Serve in an oval dish with the chicken in the middle and the potatoes all around it. 6. Garnish with chopped coriander and sliced tomatoes.
The Holy Prophetsaw says, “On the day of judgment I and hardworking Muslim women will be
like this,” and he joined his middle and index fingers and displayed it to his companions. Cooking is Fun! 192
Ground Beef with Pasta
Ingredients 2 lb. Ground beef 6 Fresh tomatoes – liquidized 1 ½ Heaped tsp fresh ginger crushed Salt to your taste 3 Fresh green chilies 1 tsp crushed red chilies 1 Can cooked kidney beans ¾ Pack pasta shells ½ a bunch of fresh coriander 2 tbsp corn oil 1 tsp tomato puree Procedure 1. Heat up the oil. 2. Add crushed ginger and fry until slightly brown. 3. Add tomatoes and crushed green chilies and salt, and cook until oil begins to seep out. 4. Add the ground beef into the pan and stir for about 15 minutes. 5. Continue stirring to prevent sticking to the bottom. 6. In a separate pan, boil the pasta in water and salt until cooked. 7. Add the cooked pasta and kidney beans to the ground beef mixture. 8. Add ½ of the finely chopped fresh coriander and mix well. 9. Keep at low heat for 15 minutes. 10. Remove from heat and garnish it with the remaining fresh coriander. 11. Serve it on its own or with fresh sliced buttered bread.
In Tirmidhi we read that Hadrat Abdullah bin Harith states, “I have never seen anyone who
smiles more often than the Holy Prophetsaw.” This hadith tells us that we should always be
happy and cheerful as this affects our nervous system. In contrast, anger gives us a nervous
breakdown. The Holy Prophet did not appreciate people with a temper and told us “The
strong person is not he who defeats others in wrestling. The strong person is he who has full
control of his faculties when he is angry.”
(Bukhari, Kitab al-Adab) Cooking is Fun! 193
Side Orders
Cheesy Potato Wedges
Ingredients ¼ Cup grated Parmesan cheese ½ tsp onion salt ½ tsp paprika ½ of a 24 oz. pkg. frozen wedge-cut potatoes with skin 1 tbsp. margarine or butter Procedure 1. Set aside ½ tsp. Parmesan cheese. 2. In a plastic food-storage bag combine Parmesan, onion salt, paprika, and potatoes. 3. Close bag and shake until coated. 4. Arrange potatoes in an 8x8x2 inch microwave safe dish. 5. Microwave potatoes, uncovered, on 100% power (high) for 4 minutes. 6. Give the dish a half turn and cook for 2 to 4 minutes more or until tender. 7. Melt margarine or butter on high for 30-60 seconds. 8. Carefully stir in reserved cheese. 9. Pour over potatoes.
Crispy Potato Wedges
Ingredients 4 Medium russet potatoes - cut into large wedges 1 tbsp vegetable oil ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper ½ tsp salt 2 Cloves crushed garlic (optional) Reduced-sodium ketchup (optional) Procedure 1. Place potatoes in a large bowl; add cold water to cover. Let stand for 15 minutes. 2. Preheat oven to 425oF degrees. Spray a nonstick baking sheet with vegetable cooking spray. Set aside. 3. Drain potatoes in a colander. Spread on a double layer of paper towels. 4. Cover with a second layer of paper towels. Press down on the towels to dry potatoes. 5. Transfer potatoes to a clean large bowl. 6. Sprinkle with oil, pepper, and salt; toss gently to combine. 7. Arrange seasoned potatoes in a single layer on prepared baked sheet. 8. Bake potatoes for 20 minutes. Using a spatula, turn potatoes; sprinkle with garlic. Turn baking sheet after 10 minutes for even browning. Serve immediately with ketchup on the side. Cooking is Fun! 194
Mint Chutney
Ingredients 1 Cup fresh coriander leaves ½ Cup mint leaves 3-4 Green chilies 1 Clove of garlic 2 Whole red chilies Salt to taste ½ tsp Chili powder 3-4 tbsp tamarind juice (imli ka ras) or juice of one lemon Procedure 1. Wash the mint, coriander and green chilies under cold running tap water. 2. Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and grind to a fine paste.
Rice with Peas
Ingredients 1Cup rice, washed and presoaked for 10 minutes 1 large cardamom 6-8 Cloves 6-8 Whole black pepper 1 tsp Cumin 1 Stick of cinnamon (medium size) 2 tsp Garlic paste 1 tsp Ginger paste Salt according to taste 1 Medium onion 3-4 tbsp oil 1 Cup of peas Procedure 1. Chop onion into slices and sauté in oil until transparent. 2. Add all spices. 3. Mix and add peas with half a cup of water. Cover and cook on medium heat until semi-soft. 4. Add the presoaked rice to the pot. 5. Add water rising to one and a half cm. above the surface of the rice. 6. Cover and cook until rice is soft and water dries. Then lower the heat to the minimum and remove after about five minutes. Cooking is Fun! 195
Yogurt with Onion
Ingredients 15 oz Yogurt ½ Large chopped onion Salt (according to taste) ¼ tsp ground black pepper 3 Crushed green chilies Finely chopped coriander ½ tsp Black cumin seeds Pinch of chili powder Procedure 1. Mix all the above ingredients except black cumin seeds and chili powder. 2. Put the mixture in a serving dish and garnish with black cumin seeds, coriander, and sprinkle with red chili powder. 3. Refrigerate to chill.
Cucumber Yogurt
Ingredients 15 oz Yogurt 1 Large grated cucumber Salt (according to taste) 3 Crushed green chilies ½ tsp Crushed peppers ½ tsp Black cumin Finely chopped coriander Procedure 2. Mix all the above ingredients except black cumin seeds and coriander. 3. Put the mixture in a serving dish and garnish with cumin seeds, coriander, and a few slices of cucumber. 4. Refrigerate to chill.
ra saw In Sahih Muslim we read that Hadrat Abu Dhar states, “The Holy Prophet said, never
hesitate in performing the smallest pious act even greeting your brother cheerfully.”
Cooking is Fun! 196
Tamarind Chutney
Ingredients 100 g. tamarind (imbli) 2 Cups water Procedure 1. Soak the tamarind in the warm water for about ½ an hour to soften. 2. Strain through a sieve and press down the tamarind with the back of a soup spoon to extract as much of the pulp as possible. 3. Discard the residue and use the juice as required in various recipes. 4. For use as chutney, add brown sugar, salt and red chilies to your taste and simmer the liquid for approx. ½ an hour. Best with Samosas and Pakoras.
Kachamber
Ingredients 1 Large onion-chopped finely 3 Tomatoes-finely chopped 1 fresh green chili finely chopped 6 Stems of celery – finely chopped ½ a bunch of Chinese leaf (or lettuce) – shredded Salt to taste Lemon Juice to taste Finely chopped fresh coriander Procedure 1. Mix all the ingredients in a mixing bowl. 2. Chill for 10-15 minutes in the fridge before serving.
Musleh Maoodra gives us some pointers about health care and physical fitness. He says: Human body and soul are linked in such a way that if one is affected, the other inevitably suffers. The Holy Prophetsaw has established an excellent example concerning this subject. According to him piety and virtue should not inhibit a true Muslim from taking care of his health. Many incidents from Islamic history can be quoted here which will help us understand the importance of physical fitness and health care. The Holy Prophetsaw greatly appreciated active sports and encouraged sportsmanship amongst his companions during games. He used to go horse riding and on long walks in the gardens. Once he saw some of his companions competing in archery, he opted himself to take part in the games. He also used to motivate the women. On many occasions he ran in competition with his wives thus setting an example of physical fitness between both genders. While educating about games and athletics he took one important thing in consideration. Every act has some limitations and one should not forget these limits. He educated the Muslims that exercise is done to achieve the objective of health and fitness and one should not exceed beyond the limits and make health, not exercise, one’s objective. (Anwarul Uloom, vol. 10, p. 548) Cooking is Fun! 197
Desserts
Apple Tarts
Ingredients 2 Egg whites ¼ Cup sugar ¼ Cup skim milk 2 Cups flour 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 2 tsp cinnamon Fresh ground nutmeg to taste 3 Large apples 2 tbsp brown sugar 4 tbsp skim milk (or water) Cinnamon to taste Procedure o 1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. Mix egg, sugar and milk in medium-sized mixing bowl. 3. Mix flour, baking soda, salt and spices. 4. Gradually stir into egg mixture to form soft dough that can be handled. 5. Pat dough into a 9" or 10" nonstick cake pan, covering bottom and sides. 6. Peel and slice apples. Arrange them in overlapping slices. 7. Mix brown sugar, milk and cinnamon and drizzle over the apples. 8. Bake for 20 minutes. 9. Serve warm. May be served with Vanilla Ice-cream. *For variety, substitute any quick-cooking fresh fruit.
Peach Crisp
Ingredients 4 or 5 Fresh peaches 1 cup Grape Nuts 1 tsp Butter ¼ Cup apple juice concentrate 1 tsp cinnamon Procedure 1. Peel, core and dice peaches. 2. Place in a greased pie plate. 3. Stir in Grape Nuts and cinnamon. Top with dabs of butter. 4. Bake on 350oF for 25 minutes. 5. Serve warm, plain, with milk or with peach yogurt on top.
Cooking is Fun! 198
Cheesecake Brownies
Ingredients
1 Package Betty Crocker® Original Supreme brownie mix (do not use mix that
includes a syrup pouch)
1 Package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/3 Cup sugar
1 Egg
½ tsp vanilla
½ Cup semisweet chocolate chips
Procedure 1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease (or use cooking spray) bottom of 13x9-inch rectangular pan. 2. Beat cream cheese in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Gradually beat in sugar. Beat in vanilla and egg just until blended. 3. Pour cream cheese mixture over brownie batter in pan; cut through mixture with knife several times for marbled design. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. 4. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until cream cheese mixture begins to brown and toothpick inserted in brownie 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Trifle
Ingredients A Few slices of plain sponge cake 1 Liter (4 Cups) of milk 2 Tbsp Custard powder 3-4 Tbsp Sugar (Adjust to taste) Jell-O (Your choice of flavor). Prepare according to instructions on the packet Assorted fruits (chopped) or canned fruit salad Whipped cream Procedure 1. In a dish, line the bottom with slices of the sponge cake. 2. Add the fruit with its juices. Pour Jell-O. 3. Chill and set in refrigerator for 2-3 hours. 4. In a cup combine the custard powder with 2 tablespoons of milk and mix to form a paste. 5. Mix the custard paste vigorously with the milk. Add sugar. M,. 6. Bring the custard mixture to boil on medium heat, stirring constantly. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thick then remove from heat. b Let the custard cool to room temperature. 7. Spread custard evenly over the Jell-O. 8. Top with whipped cream. 9. Chill and serve. Cooking is Fun! 199
Unday Ka Halwa
Ingredients 12 Eggs 1 Cup sugar Seeds from 4-5 Cardamom 1 Cup Ghee or Butter (not oil) Dry fruits (pistachio, almonds, raisins) Procedure 1. Mix all ingredients into a pot and cook over a low flame stirring constantly till the mixture is light brown and dry. 2. Put onto a plate and flatten into a 1" layer. 3. After it cools down cut into small pieces.
Mango Ice Cream
Ingredients 1 large can of mango pulp 1 large can of mango halves – chopped into chunks 16 oz whipping cream 12 oz Icing sugar or according to taste Juice of 2 limes or 2 small lemons Edible silver paper
Procedure 1. Mix the mango pulp, 8 oz whipping cream, icing sugar, lime or lemon juice and mango syrup from the tin of mango halves using the liquidizer or food processor if possible. 2. Pour the mixture into a plastic container and freeze until slightly set. 3. Remove from freezer and Cut into small pieces and liquidize or use food processor to form a creamy mixture. 4. Add the chunks of mangos into the mixture. 5. Whip the remaining 8 oz of whipping cream until stiff. 6. Fold the whipping cream with a metal spoon into the mixture. 7. Carefully fold the mixture back into the container. 8. Place sheets of varak (edible silver paper) for decoration and freeze it. 9. Remove the ice cream at least 15-20 minutes before serving. 10. Cut into ½ inch diamond shaped pieces and serve individually in small clear glass bowls. Cooking is Fun! 200
References: 1. Sabi’s Indian Recipe Book 1, Sabiha Chaudhry 2. http://www.inmotion-pcs.com/amass/theboss/artsn.htm 3. http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-11,chinese_soup,FF.html 4. http://bestbrand.allrecipes.com/default.asp 5. http://www.pakirecipes.com/ 6. http://www.paktaste.com/recipes/region.asp?RID=2&CID=6 7. http://contactpakistan.com/pakfood/ C H A P T E R 12 Have Fun with Arts & Crafts!
Islam is a religion that enhances our spirituality and provides for a complete way of life. Hence part of our faith is to advance our secular lives through developing skills and trades to help us during our times of need. Furthermore, it is incumbent upon us to cultivate in us abilities that improve our secular lives. In this chapter we have provided some fun activities to relax our minds and bodies whilst acquiring valuable skills of trade.
Activities in This Chapter
• The Art of Candlemaking • Things to do with Wallpaper • Wallpaper Jewelry & Kitchen Magnets • Lamp Shades • Bean Bag Friends • Bookmarks • Drawstring Bags • Egg Carton Flowers • Necklace Hanger • Piñata • Potpourri Teddy Bear • Scrunchies • Barrettes • Cootie Catchers • Magnets • Tie Die • Garden Stepping Stones • Treasure Boxes • Counted Cross Stitch Instructions
The Art of Candle Making
Making your own candles is fun, and handcrafted candles make great gifts! It requires very little special equipment. You'll need plenty of newspaper to work on (and spill on). Arts & Crafts 202
You'll need some kind of wax, wicks, and a mold (to make molded candles). And finally, a stove and a pot will also be needed to melt the wax.
Supplies • Stove • One of mom’s old pots • Old Newspaper • Molds – old cardboard milk cartons are easiest to use • Beeswax – can be purchased at craft stores • Wick – candle wick yarn can be purchased at craft stores • Coloring – colorful, old crayons • Fragrance - oils can be purchased at many craft stores
Procedure 1. Start by heating the stove at a low temperature. 2. Cut the top of the old milk carton off to make a square shaped mold. 3. Coat the inside of the mold with oil to make the candle easier to remove. 4. Cut wicks 4 inches longer than the finished candle is estimated to be. Dip the wicks individually into the melted wax. After cooling, pull the wicks straight. 5. When the stove is heated, melt the wax by filling a wide-bottomed pan (large enough to completely cover the burner). Place the pan over a low heat. (Add dye and fragrance as desired.) Wait for the chunk of wax to completely melt and turn off the stove. 6. Let wax cool for a couple of minutes before pouring into milk carton. Slowly pour in wax. 7. When top layer of wax has hardened a bit, carefully insert candlewick in center. 8. Let the molds cool for 24 hours and remove candle from mold (by tearing away the milk carton from around the candle gently.
Note: If after 24 hours the center of the candle has dipped in, add another thin layer of wax to even it out. Rub the rough spots on the candles with a soft cloth to make it smoother.
Things You Can Do With Wallpaper
If ever there happens to be left over wallpaper from when your dad was repainting you can surely make good use of it! The following activities are entertaining, not to mention easy. And in the end you get a decorative new addition to your room.
Picture Mat - Cut wallpaper to make a mat for pictures. Turn paper over and measure picture to be framed. Using a knife cut out a hole or rectangle. Tape the picture to the back of the paper, and frame. This looks wonderful.
Bulletin Board - Cover the cork part of a bulletin board with wallpaper (tape it on for a temporary, different look, or glue it on for a permanent look). It looks especially good if it matches the walls or the color of the room! Arts & Crafts 203
Drawer Liner - Line the inside of desk drawers with wallpaper. That way, things slide out more easily, and it makes it look richer.
Mirror Decoration - Use the same border as in the bathroom to trim around the bathroom mirrors. Cut about 1/4 inch strip off of the border and wet it, then stick it on the mirror around the perimeter. Looks great!
Wallpaper Jewelry and Kitchen Magnets
You can make beautiful jewelry and kitchen magnets using wallpaper!
Supplies • Wallpaper • A piece of light cardboard • Craft Glue • Exacto knife or sharp scissors • Wax paper and heavy books • High gloss acrylic jewelry glaze • Small magnet or pin clasp
Procedure Roughly cut out a motif (design) from the wallpaper. Glue it securely to a piece of light cardboard. Dry flat by pressing under a stack of heavy books (you can put a piece of wax paper over it to prevent sticking from any glue that might ooze out) When dry, trim close around motif with Exacto blade or small, sharp scissors. Coat it with 3 or more coats of a high gloss acrylic jewelry glaze, then glue a magnet or pin clasp to the back. They really have the appearance of costly enameled jewelry!
Lamp Shades
Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can grow a tiny rose garden. All it takes is some light (in the form of the lamp and shade) and a few dozen silk roses.
Supplies • Plain fabric or paper shade • Silk roses and leaves in scale with the shade (large roses for a large shade, tiny rose buds for a small shade) • Hot-glue gun and hot melt adhesive or 5-minute epoxy • Heavy-duty shears or wire cutters
Procedure 1. Snip the roses and leaves from the stems. Glue two rows of leaves to the top and bottom edges of the shade, letting the leaves extend slightly beyond the edges of the shade. Arts & Crafts 204
2. Working from the bottom up, glue the roses to the remainder of the shade. Pack the roses tightly and work in an orderly manner to form even rows. Hot melt adhesive will soften at high temperatures. If you use a high-wattage bulb or small shade, stick the roses and leaves with epoxy. Some epoxy-type adhesives are flammable when liquid, so make sure the adhesive is completely set before placing the shade on the lamp.
Bean Bag Friends
Supplies • Scrap cloth Material • Needle and Thread • Rice (birdseeds or small beans can also be used) • Color marker • Joggle eyes • Glue
Procedure 1. Decide on the shape and size of your beanbag creature. 2. Cut out two pieces of material in the desired shape. (cut the two pieces a little bigger than required to allow for space taken up when they are sewn together) 3. Place the two pieces of material wrong sides out. Mark a line around the edges of the material as a guide for sewing. Remember to leave a gap so you can fill with rice. 4. Sew along the marked edge. Make sure each stitch is close together. Gaps will allow rice to leak out. 5. Once you have sewn the two sides together, turn inside out, and fill with rice. Carefully sew up the remaining section. 6. Stick on the Joggle eyes with glue and you now have a Bean Bag Friend of your own ready to play!
Note: Add personal touches by adding feathers, pipe cleaners, felt, ribbons, or whatever else you have handy.
Bookmarks
Supplies • Textured or colored cardboard or heavy construction paper • Sequins markers, feathers, etc. • Glue • Contact (laminated plastic) • Yarn • Hole-punch • Scissors
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Procedure 1. Cut out cardboard to the size and shape you wish the bookmark to be. 2. Decorate it with sequins, marker, feathers, or just about anything you have around. 3. Contact (plastic laminate) the cardboard. 4. Punch a hole with the hole puncher at the top middle of the cardboard. 5. Tie yarn through the hole to form a tassel.
Drawstring Bag
Supplies • Piece of cloth material (double the size you want the bag to be) • Needle and thread (you can use tapestry needles for young children) • Ribbon (enough to go around the bag and be able to make a tie when the bag is closed) • Safety pin • Marker
Procedure 1. Fold material in half, and then fold the top of each side back approximately 1 inch. 2. Mark a line down each side of the material as a guide to see where to sew. 3. After you have sewn the sides, mark a line on the bottom of the flaps on each side of the bag. Be sure to leave just enough room for the ribbon to thread through. 4. Be sure not to sew both sides together. 5. After the top space has been sewn, attach a safety pin to the end of the ribbon and feed it through. 6. Tie knots in the ends of the ribbon, so the ribbon won't pull out, turn the bag inside out and your bag is ready to fill with precious valuables.
Note: If you use solid colored material, you can use fabric markers or fabric paints to decorate your bags.
Egg Carton Flowers
Supplies • Egg cartons • Several colors of tissue paper cut into 1 1/2" by 10" strips • Tempera paints • Green pipe cleaners (chenille stems) • White school glue • Scissors (to pierce hole into bottom of egg carton cup and to shape cup)
Procedure 1. Cut away each cup from the egg carton before starting this activity. Shape the egg carton cup to resemble the petals of a flower, without cutting into the sides too far to Arts & Crafts 206
maintain the cup shape. Just round off the four sides of the cup to look like a petal, leaving the base intact. 2. Pierce the bottom of the cup with the sharp point of scissors or a nail. Insert a green pipe cleaner, and knot one end so it will not pull through the bottom of the flower. 3. Roll the tissue paper up to create a 1 1/2" petal. After rolling the paper, glue it to the inside of the egg carton. Continue rolling up tissue paper and gluing inside the cup until it is filled with petals. 4. Paint the outside of the egg carton flower with tempera paint. 5. Make several of these flowers to create a bouquet.
TIP: You can decorate frozen juice cans to make a vase for the flowers.
Necklace Hanger
Supplies
• Glue (glue guns work best) • Scissors • Cardboard • Cloth Material (large scraps work great) • Small hooks (like cup hooks) • Quilt batting • Felt (optional) • Lace (optional) • Hanger (like for a picture)
Procedure 1. Cut out a cardboard shape, for example a heart. 2. Place a layer of batting, the shape of your cardboard, on the cardboard shape, and glue it lightly to hold in place. 3. Cut material, slightly larger (enough to turn under along edge), and place it over batting and cardboard, pull tight. 4. Hold edges down with clothespins or clips. Glue edges of material to back of cardboard. 5. Cut a piece of felt a little smaller than your shape and glue to the back, this will cover the glued ends of the material giving it a nice finished look. 6. Screw hooks into front of shape after glue dries. 7. Add hanger to back and lace to edges for a more decorative look.
Piñata
All kids love to work with paper-mache! Use a balloon to make a beautiful paper ball and hide candies or toys in it. A quick snip of the scissors cuts off one end to reveal the surprises.
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Supplies • Medium-sized round balloon • String • Newspapers • White liquid glue and water • Old tablespoon for measuring • Small bowl for glue • Bowl to hold the balloon • Brush for glue • Tissue paper in assorted colors • Scissors • Wrapped Candy and/or small toys
Procedure
1. Blow up the balloon and tie it with a string. Do not cut the string ends. 2. Protect your table top with newspapers. In a small bowl, dilute six tablespoons of white liquid glue with three tablespoons of water. (Make more glue as needed.) 3. Tear off small pieces of tissue paper. Brush diluted glue over the balloon, a small section at a time, and paste on the paper pieces. Overlap the pieces and brush more glue on top. Continue to cover the balloon, making large patches of different colors, overlapping them at edges. Hold the balloon in empty bowl while you work so that it won't roll all over the place. Leave a 2" (5cm) patch uncovered around the knot. Then turn the balloon right side up, knotted end down, and cover the top. 4. Use the string to hang the balloon upside down. Let dry overnight. 5. Paste two more layers of paper pieces on the balloon, letting it dry overnight between each layer. You will now have three layers. 6. Cut the knotted end off, pull the balloon out and discard it. 7. Fill the Piñata with wrapped candies. 8. Paste tissue paper pieces to cover the opening. Let dry. Repeat until you have three layers.
Pot-pourri Teddy Bear
This is a simple craft that is definitely a cute one! The teddy bear involves simple sewing techniques but can be mastered by children of all ages with a little help. This teddy bear is wonderful to look at or just put him to work to keep your underwear drawer smelling sweet.
Supplies • Calico • Needle and thread • Lace or mesh • Pot-pourri • Craft PVA glue Arts & Crafts 208
• Ribbon • Felt • Joggle eyes • Stuffing • Markers
Procedure 1. Fold a piece of calico in half. 2. Draw the teddy bear shape with the markers onto the calico. 3. Using a very small stitch (keeping stitches close together) sew around the shape of the bear, using the line made by the marker as a guideline (Get the kids to sew directly along the line). 4. DO NOT SEW UP ONE OF THE LEGS (as this is the opening that you will use to put the stuffing in). 5. Trim the edges of the calico, ensuring the stitches are not cut. 6. Turn the calico inside out and make the teddy bears features pop out. 7. Stuff the teddy bear through the leg opening, ensure all ears, arms and legs have enough so they do not flop about. (However, do not make him too fat in the stomach as the potpourri is going to fatten him up.) 8. Then, carefully sew up the leg neatly. 9. Cut out an oval shape approximately 2cm x 3cm from the lace or mesh. 10. Carefully, sew the lace or mesh onto the teddy bears stomach with neat stitches. Before sewing it up completely, stuff the lace stomach of the bear with potpourri. Then sew it up. 11. Finally, give your teddy bear some cute features by gluing or sewing felt ears, and nose. 12. Glue on joggle eyes and draw his mouth and claws with the marker. Then to finish it all off tie a ribbon around his neck!
Scrunchies
Scrunchies are elastic hair ties that are easy to make, and look fantastic!
Supplies • Cloth Material (of any color) • Elastic (approximately 10 cm of 5mm elastic) • Needle and thread • Safety pin
Procedure 1. Cut a strip of cloth material at least 3 inches by 20 inches (for a fuller fluffier look cut material wider and/or longer). 2. Fold it in half, placing the right side of the material on the inside. 3. Sew along the edge with a small running stitch. (If the children have difficulties following the edge you may want to pin it or draw a line for them to follow.) Arts & Crafts 209
4. Once the sewing is complete, turn the material inside out so the right side of the material is on the outside. 5. Take the elastic (approximately 7 inches in length), and attach the safety pin to one end. 6. Thread the elastic through your tube of material, (being careful not to let go of the end of the elastic.) 7. When the elastic is all the way through, detach the safety pin and tie the two ends of the elastic together in a knot (OR they can be sewn, if a knot is not preferred). 8. Finally, hem the edges of the material and then sew them together. (Ensure the elastic can stretch freely inside your material, as it needs to be flexible enough to tie in your hair.) 9. Fluff up the material, and your scrunchie is ready to wear.
Barrettes
Have fun making barrettes to go with your favorite outfits.
Supplies • Plain barrettes • Sequins • Glue • Clear nail polish
Procedure • Coat the top of the barrettes with clear nail polish. • Put a dab of glue on the back of the sequins. • Arrange sequins on the barrettes and allow the glue to dry. • Put a coat of clear nail polish on over the sequins, then let them dry.
Cootie Catchers
Make a Cootie Catcher and have fun with your friends. Pick a theme for your Cootie Catcher or just have your friends ask it a question and see what answer will be revealed.
Supplies • Scissors • Rectangular sheet of plain paper • Pen or Markers
Procedure Follow these instructions to create your very own Cootie Catcher:
Arts & Crafts 210
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Fold the bottom of the Use scissors to cut off the Open the triangle and you paper to the side of the flap at the top. will have a square. page to make a triangle.
Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Fold one corner of the Open your paper. You will Fold each corner of the paper diagonally to the now have a center point paper towards the center. other corner. marked on the paper.
Step 7 Step 8 Step 9 When all four corners have Turn the paper over so that Then fold all the corners to been folded, your Cootie the folded sides are face the center diagonally Catcher should look like down. this.
Step 10 Step 11 Step 12 Once you have folded in Hold the paper in front of Now unfold and fold the the four corners, write the you as shown and fold it square in half horizontally. numbers 1 through 8 on into a square. each of the triangles. Arts & Crafts 211
Step 13 Step 14 Step 15 Open each flap and write Flip the Cootie Catcher Flip the Cootie Catcher something on each over and write the name of over so that the numbers triangle. What you write a color, animal, person, or are face up. Fold the depends on the type of place on the flap. square in half and slip your Cootie catcher you have thumbs and pointer fingers made. under the four flaps.
How to play: 1. Find a friend and ask them to pick a color, animal, person, or place that you have written on one of the flaps. 2. Moving the flaps in and out, and side to side in time with the letters, spell out the word they have chosen. 3. Open the Cootie Catcher to reveal the numbers and ask them to pick one. Count out the number they have chosen by moving the flaps in and out, and side to side. Ask them to pick another number and count it out in the same manner. 4. This time ask them to pick a third number and reveal the answer you have written on the inside flap.
Magnets
Supplies • Card stock or any other heavy paper • Magnetic tape • Markers or crayons
Procedure 1. Cut a shape out of the card stock and color with markers or crayons. 2. Place a small piece of magnetic tape onto the back of the magnet. Make sure to pull off the backing! 3. Use them to hold papers on your fridge or any other metal surface.
Tie Dye
Tie-dye a shirt, napkins, blouse, shalwar Kameez, dupatta, aprons, placemats, and other similar items. It is fun and easy. Just remember to protect your work area before you begin. The directions below use a shirt as an example.
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Supplies • White or light colored 100% cotton T-shirt. You can also tie-dye pillowcases, bandanas or anything else you would like • Fabric dyes, any color(s) • Rubber bands • Plastic sheet • Bucket or bowl, you will need one for each color you choose
Procedure 1. Ask your parents for permission to do this craft. 2. Protect your work area with plastic sheets. If you don't have any, use plastic garbage bags. 3. Wash your shirt in warm water to pre-shrink it. 4. Mix your different color dyes according to the package directions. If you are only tie- dying one item, you do not need to use all the dye solution. Make the dye solution as light or as dark as you like. 5. Crumple, fold, twist, knot or stitch the shirt in any design you like, binding it tightly with elastic bands. Wherever you bind the fabric no dye can penetrate. Immerse the shirt in the dye. If you are using more than one color, dip the various parts in the different colors. Allow the shirt to soak up as much color as you like. If you like darker colors, you will have to let the shirt soak for a longer period. Once the shirt is dyed to your liking, allow the shirt to dry for one to two days. Do not remove the elastics. Once the shirt is dry, remove the elastics and gently re-wash it. Lay the shirt flat and allow it to dry.
Garden Stepping Stones
These easy-to-make Stepping Stones are a nice addition to any garden. They also make great gifts
Supplies • Ready-mix cement • Newspaper • Container • Beads, shells, bottle caps, key chains, etc.
Procedure 1. Find a plastic container that you will use to make your stepping stone. It could be the top of a ready-made cake from the grocery store (these usually have fancy edges) or a margarine container. If you plan to use a paper box use plastic wrap to line it, so the water from the cement will not seep through. Mix the cement according to the manufacturers instructions. Pour the cement in the container. Two inches is thick enough. 2. Before the cement dries, press your decorations, beads, shells etc. into the cement. 3. Wait at least 24 hours for your steppingstone to dry before removing it from the container. Enjoy! Arts & Crafts 213
Treasure Boxes
Every one collects special treasures. Here is a neat little treasure box you can make to keep your treasure safe.
Supplies • Bristol Board • Scissors • Ruler • Hole-Punch • Glitter pen, markers, crayons or color pencils • Ribbon, cord, wool or shoe lace
Procedure 1. Using a ruler and pencil carefully draw the shape above. Make each side of the inside triangle four and a half inches long. The three adjoining triangles each have sides six and a half inches long. Cut out your drawing. 2. With the hole-punch make three holes, one in each tip of the three outside triangles. (See diagram above). Decorate the three outside triangles using glitter pens, markers, color pencils, crayons, or a combination of all four. If you are using glitter pens allow the glitter to dry before proceeding. 3. Carefully fold up the triangular sides. Thread ribbon, cord, wool, or a shoelace through the three holes and tie.
Counted Cross Stitch Instructions:
1. Determining the Center of the Fabric and Graph: It is necessary to determine the center of the fabric. Fold the fabric in half from the bottom to the top and in half again from side to side. Use a needle or thread to mark the center, which is the folded corner. Unfold the fabric. To begin stitching, count from the center of the fabric to the corresponding place you wish to begin on the graph. One square on the graph represents two threads on the fabric (or one cross stitch.) Arrows on two sides of the graph, which point to the center, designate the center of the graph. Follow both lines until they intersect.
2. Using your graph key and floss: Follow the graph key to find the colors of floss you will need and to work the picture. The cloth you will need for Beginners is Counted Cross Stitch Fabric called Aida Cloth. It comes in different count sizes. Your graph key should specify the finished picture sizes for several different Aida cloth counts. (For example: Fabric count = 14, Finished picture = 6 1/2" x 11") Floss comes with 6 strands entwined together. You will need to unwind the number of strands needed. The smaller the count number you are using, the more strands of floss you will need to use. Generally: For 14 count use 3 strands, for 16 count use 2 strands. Most backstitch is done with one strand unless otherwise noted on the key. Arts & Crafts 214
3. The Cross Stitch: The basic stitch is the cross-stitch. Crossing over two threads or one Aida cloth square forms an X. When beginning the first stitch, leave about 1" of floss as a tail on the backside of the fabric to be caught by the first few stitches and held securely. Knots are not used to secure the thread as they make lumps under the fabric.
4. Use the diagram with the following instructions:
Make one cross-stitch for each symbol on chart (A). Come up through Hole 1. Go back through Hole 2. Come up through Hole 3. Go back through Hole 4.
For horizontal rows, stitch across, and then work back as shown (B). Use one-quarter and three-quarter stitches to obtain rounded shapes and add detail as shown. Periodically, drop your needle and let your floss unwind. The thing to remember is the top thread must always lay in the same direction. In this method, the top thread lies from upper left to lower right. Crossing all threads in the same direction gives the stitching a smooth sheen. To secure a strand of floss after stitching, on the backside, catch a length of the floss under several stitches and clip short. Long tails make framing or finishing work difficult.
The Back Stitch: The backstitch is used to outline, make lines, and often to form letters. Coming up at 1, going back down through 2, and then coming up at 3, makes the first stitch. After the first stitch, all stitches are formed by always looping back on top and then coming up ahead of the next stitch.
References: 1. http://www.inmotion-pcs.com/amass/theboss/artsn.htm 2. http://www.squiglysplayhouse.com/ArtsAndCrafts/ 3. http://www.allcrafts.net/needle.htm#freeprojects 4. http://www.aokcorral.com/xinstructions.htm