USRA DISCOURSE & BOOK REVIEW MODULES...Lord) (and said): If any one of them (who does not believe in...

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INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY, MALAYSIA

STUDENT AFFAIRS AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

USRA DISCOURSE &BOOK REVIEW MODULES

MATRICULATION (1)GENERAL THEME:

‘AQIDAT: THE ISLAMIC CREED

TARBIYAT AND TRAINING CENTER

TARBIYAT UNIT

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SESSION 1USRAT DISCOURSE

MODULETOPIC:

USUL AL DDIIN: ISLAM, IMAN, & IHSAAN

SESSION OUTLINEBACKGROUND READING

Usul al ddin

Islam

Iman

Ihsan

Nullification of Iman and Islam

TEXT ANALYSIS

Hadith of Jibril

No compulsion in religion

DISCUSSION

Relation between ihsan and quality

Ihsan and motivation

Ihsan and consciousness of Allah

Monotheism

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BACKGROUND READINGOVERVIEW

This session discusses the three fundamental institutions of diin: Islam, Iman, and Ihsan.

USUL AL DDIN

The three bases of religion (usul al ddin) are: Islam, Iman, and Ihsan. These three concepts taken togetherconstitute the creed of Islam (al aqidat al Islamiyyat). There is a gradation. Islam is the beginning. Iman isa higher level. Ihsan is the highest level. There is only one true religion. All prophets from Adam toMuhammad came to propagate the same religion of Islam; there were differences in details but theessence was the same.

ISLAM

Islam has 5 pillars

1. The shahadat, testimony that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad isthe messenger of Allah

2. Salat, to offer the 5 obligatory prayers3. Zakat, mandatory charity taken from wealth4. Saum, fasting the month of Ramadhan5. Hajj, performing the greater pilgrimage to the house of Allah for those able to do so.

IMAN

Iman has 6 pillars:

6. Belief in Allah (His existence, His oneness, His attributes, His deserving to be worshipped, andHis right to legislate)

7. Belief in angels8. Belief in the Revelations9. Belief in the Messengers10. Belief in the last day11. Belief in Qadar (divine pre-ordainment)

IHSAN

Ihsan is excellence and is the highest level. It is worship of Allah in the full knowledge that He isseeing you even if you can not see Him. The concept of excelextends to all human endeavors andactivities. Each human activity is an act of ibadat and as such should be done with excellence. Thequest for excellence is is a motivation for a Muslim in whatever work he or she is engaged in.

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NULLIFICATION OF IMAN AND ISLAM

Any of the following nullifies Iman:

1. Denial of rububiyyat (Allah crthe universe and its contents)

12. Denial of uluhiyyat (Allah is the only one worthy of worship)13. Denial of the attributes of Allah or associating anything else with them14. Denial of messengers and their message

TEXT ANALYSISREAD OUT EACH TEXT ALOUD TWO TIMES. MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE MAINPOINTS RAISED. WRITE DOWN THE MAIN LESSON(S) YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM THETEXT.

HADITH OF JIBRIL

It is narrated on the authority of Yahya b. Ya'mur that the first man who discussed about Qadr (DivineDecree) in Basra was Ma'bad al Juhani. I along with Humaid b. 'Abdur Rahman Himyari set out forpilgrimage or for 'Umrah and said: should it so happen that we come into contact with the one among theCompanions of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) we ask him about what is talked aboutTaqdir (Divine Decree). Accidentally we came across 'Abdullah b 'Umar b. al-Khattab, while he wasentering the mosque. I and my companion surrounded him. One of us (stood) on his right side and theother one stood on his left side. I expected that my companion would authorize me to speak. I, therefore,said: Abu Abdur-Rahman! there have appeared some persons in our land who recite the Holy Qur'an andpursue knowledge. And then after talking about their affairs added: They (such persons) claim that thereis no such thing as Divine Decree and events are not predestined. He (Abdullah b. Umar) said: When youhappen to meet such persons tell them that I have nothing to do with them and they have nothing to dowith me. And verily they are in no way responsible for my (belief). Abdullah b. 'Umar swore by Him (theLord) (and said): If any one of them (who does not believe in the Divine Decree) had with him gold equalto the bulk of (the mountain) Uhud and then he should spend it (in the way of Allah) Allah would notaccept it unless he affirms his faith in Divine Decree, and further said: My father 'Umar b. Khattab toldme: One day we were sitting in the company of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) whenthere appeared before us a man dressed in extremely white clothes, his hair extraordinary black. Therewere no signs of (fatigue) of journey on him. None amongst us recognized him. At last he sat along withthe Apostle (may peace be upon him). He leaned his knees before his knees and placed his palms on histhighs and said: Muhammad, inform me about al-Islam The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)said: Al-Islam implies that you testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is themessenger of Allah and you establish prayer, pay Zakat, observe the fast of Ramadan, and performpilgrimage to the (House) if you are solvent enough (to bear the expense of) journey. He (the inquirer)said: You have told the truth. He ('Umar b. al-Khattab) said: It amazed us that he would put the questionand then he would himself verify the truth. He (the inquirer) said: Inform me about Iman (faith). He (theHoly Prophet) replied: That you affirm your faith in Allah, in His angels, in His Books, in His Apostles, inthe Day of Judgment, and you affirm your faith in the Divine Decree to good and evil. He (the Inquirer)said: You have told the truth. He (the inquirer) again said: Inform me about Ihsan (performance of gooddeed). He (the Holy Prophet) said: That you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him, for though you don'tsee Him, He, verily, sees you. He (the inquirer) again said: Inform me about the hour (of the Doom). He(the Holy Prophet) remarked: One who is inquired knows no more than the one who is inquiring (aboutit). He (the inquirer) said: Tell me some of its indications. He (the Holy Prophet) said: That the slave-girl

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would give birth to her mistress and master, that you would find barefooted, destitute shepherds of goatsvying with one another in the construction of magnificent buildings. He (the narrator, 'Umar b al-Khattab) said: Then he (the inquirer) made his way but I stayed with him (the Holy Prophet) for a longwhile. He, then, told me: 'Umar, did you know who this inquirer was? I replied: Allah and His Apostleknow best. He (the Holy Prophet) remarked: He was Gabriel (the angel). He came to you in order toinstruct you in matters of religion. Muslim 1:1-3. Ch. 1

NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION

Let there be no compulsion in religion: truth stands out clear from error: whoever rejects evil and believesin Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks nd Allah hears and knowseverything Qur’an 2:256

DISCUSSION1. Write 1-3 sentences on the following concepts:

Relation between ihsan and quality

Ihsan and motivation

Ihsan and consciousness of Allah

2. Islam is a monotheistic religion (worship of only one God). Give an example of another monotheisticreligion.

3. Give an example of a polytheistic religion

4. Explain how the concept of religion, diin, in Islam differs from the concept of religion in Christianity,Hinduism, or Budhism

5. Explain why belief in angels is a pre-condition for believing in the messengers

6. Explain why belief in the messengers is a pre-condition for belief in revelations

YOUR NOTES:----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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MODULETOPIC:TAUHID AL RUBUBIYYAT & TAUHID AL ULUHIYYAT

OUTLINESBACKGROUND READING

The concept of rububiyyat

The concept of uluhiyyat

Nature of Allah

Worship

Kufr

TEXT ANALYSIS

One-ness of Allah

Nature of Allah

Creation

DISCUSSION

Difference between uluhiyyat and rububiyyat

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This session discusses the concepts of rububiyyat and uluhiyyat that are difficult to render correctly inother languages. In essence both of these are attributed to Allah alone.

THE CONCEPT OF TAUHID AL RUBUBIYYAT

The assertion that there is a creator for the universe and all its contents can be appreciated as a logicalimperativ since all the universe could not create itself. The assertion that there is only one creator for thewhole universe (tauhid al rububiyyat) is also a logical imperative. It is impossible for the harmonious andwell-coordinated universe to have more than creator. No 2 creators could agree so perfectly without anycontradictions.

THE CONCEPT OF TAUHID AL ULUHIYYAT

Uluhiyyat implies 2 things: worship of Allah and the acknowledgement that He is the sustainer of theworld. Many people easily accept the assertion that the sole creator of the whole universe deserves to beworshipped. Some however find it difficult to understand that nothing else can be associated with thecreator in worship (tauhid al uluhiyyat). Messengers and revelations were sent to emphasize that there isone creator to be worshipped and that there are no associates. Associating Allah with anything else inworship is the greatest of sins and is unforgivable.

NATURE OF ALLAH

Looking at the expanse and complexity of the universe shows that the creator must be very powerful,omnipresent and omnipotent. The creator must be different in all ways from what he created. It does notmake sense to associate any human attributes to Him. The creator must be perfect because the creation isperfect.

WORSHIP

It is not possible that the whole complex universe was created with no purpose behind the creation. Thispurpose we learn from the revelations is the worship of Allah. Worship is a way of expressing gratitudefor the creation. Every other creature worships Allah. It is only humans who have disobeyed.

KUFR

Kufr, denial of the existence of the creator or refusal to worship Him, is a great crime. It is ungratefulnessfor the great gift of creation and sustenance that humans have.

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TEXT ANALYSISREAD OUT EACH TEXT ALOUD TWO TIMES. MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE MAIN POINTSRAISED. WRITE DOWN THE MAIN LESSON(S) YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM THE TEXT.

ONE-NESS OF ALLAH

Say: He is Allah, The One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;And there inone like unto Him. 112:1-4

No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him: (If there were many gods), behold, eachgod would have taken away what he had created, and some would have lorded it over others! Glory toAllah! (He is free from the (sort of)things they attribute to Him! 23:91

et they make the Jinns equals with Allah, though Allah did creatthe Jinns; and they falsely, havine noknowledge, atrribute to Him sons and daughters. Praise and glory be to Him! (For He is ) above whatthey attribute to Him. 6:100

NATURE OF ALLAH

Allah! There is no god but He- the living, the Self-subsisting, eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep.His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there that can intercede in his presence except as hepermitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shallthey compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavensand the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, theSupreme (in glory) 2:255

To Allah belong the East and the West: whithersoever ye turn there is Allah’s countenance. For Allah isAll-Embracing, All -Knowing 2:115

No vision can grasp Him. But His grasp is over all vision: He is above all comperhension, yet isacquainted with all things. 6:103

CREATION

Your Guardian-Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then He establishedHimself on the Throne (Of authority): He draweth the night as a veil O’er the day, each seeking the otherin rapid succession: He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by laws under HisCommand. Is it not His to create and to govern? Blessed Be Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of theWorlds. 7:54

He Who has made everything which He has created most good: He began the creation of man with(nothing more than) clay; And made his progeny from a quintessence of the nature of a fluid despised:But He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him something of His spirit. And He gaveyou (the faculties of) hearing and sight and feeling (and understanding): Little thanks do ye give! 32:7-9

Who hath created, and further, given order and proportion; 87:2

Verily, all things have We created in proportion and measure. 54:49

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DISCUSSION1. Explain in your own words the difference between uluhiyyat and rububiyyat.

2. Find out what the terms ‘atheism’ and ‘agnosticism’ mean.

3. Why and how do people become misled from tauhid al rububiyyat and tauhid al uluhiyyat

4. What makes humans different from other creations of Allah (SWT)?

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MODULETOPIC:TAUHID ASMAU LLAHI AL HUSNAH


Allah’s beautiful names

Source of the names

Significance of the names

TEXT ANALYSIS

Names of Allah in the Qur’an

DISCUSSION

Classification of the names

Attempt to appropriate names by taghoot

Media: attempt to appropriate Allah’s names

BACKGROUND READING

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OVERVIEW

This session discusses the beautiful names of Allah, their source and significance

ALLAH’S BEAUTIFUL NAMES

Allah has the most beautiful of names. They all testify to His majesty and power. These names are forAllah only and no creature can have any of them (tauhid al asma). A Muslim must believe in all thenames. Denial of any one name nullifies iman.

SOURCE OF NAMES

All the 99 names of Allah are mentioned in the Qur’an.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NAMES

The names reflect the nature and power of the creator. They remind humans of their humble status infront of Allah. They help humans strengthen their understanding of uluhiyyat and rububiyyat.

TEXT ANALYSISLOOK UP AT LEAST ONE VERSE IN WHICH EACH NAME IS MENTIONED

N A M E V E R S E (S)

AL RAHMAN (THE BENEFICIENT)

AL RAHIIM (THE MERCIFUL)

AL MALIK (THE SOVEREIGN LORD)

AL QUDDUUS (THE HOLY)

AL SALAAM (THE SOURCE OF PEACE)

AL MU’UMIN (GUARDIAN OF FAITH)

AL MUHAIMIN (THE PROTECTOR)

AL AZIIZ (THE ALL MIGHTY)

AL JABBAAR (THE COMPELLER)

AL MUTAKABBIR (THE MAJESTIC)

AL KHAALIQ (THE CREATOR)

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AL BARI’U (THE EVOLVER)

AL MUSAWWIR (THE FASHIONER)

AL GHAFFAAR (THE FORGIVER)

AL QAHHAAR (THE SUBDUER)

AL WAHHAAB (THE BESTOWER)

AL RAZZAQ (THE PROVIDER)

AL FATTAAH (THE OPENER)

AL ALEEM (THE ALL KNOWING)

AL QABIDH (THE CONSTRICTOR)

AL BAASIT (THE EXPANDER)

AL KHAFIDH (THE ABASER)

AL RAFIU (THE EXALTER)

AL MU’IZUU (THE HONORER)

AL MUDHILLU (THE DISHONORER)

AL SAMIU (THE ALL HEARING)

AL BASIIR (THE ALL SEEING)

AL HAKAM (THE JUDGE)

AL ADL (THE MOST JUST)

AL LATIIF (THE SUBTLE)

AL KHABEER (THE AWARE)

AL HALEEM (THE FOREBEARING ONE)

AL ADHIIM (THE GREAT ONE)

AL GHAFOOR (THE ALL FORGIVING)

AL SHAKOOR (THE APPRECIATOR)

AL ALIYU (THE MOST HIGH)

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AL KABIIR (THE MOST GREAT)

AL HAFEEDH (THE PRESERVER)

AL MUQIIM (THE MAINTAINER)

AL HASEEB (THE RECKONER)

AL JALEEL (THE SUBLIME ONE)

AL KAREEM (THE GENEROUS)

AL RAQEEB (THE WATCHER)

AL MUJIIB (THE RESPONSIVE)

AL WASI’U (THE ALL EMBRACING)

AL HAKIIM (THE WISE)

AL WADUUD (THE LOVING)

AL MAJIID (THE MOST GLORIOUS)

AL BA’ITH (THE RESURRECTOR)

AL SHAHIID THE WITNESS)

AL HAQQ (THE TRUTH)

AL WAKIIL (THE TRUSTEE)

AL QAWIYYU (TH MOST STRONG)

AL MAKIIN (THE FIRM ONE)

AL WALIYU (THE PROTECTED FRIEND)

AL AMIIN (THE PRAISEWORTHY)

AL MUHSWI (THE RECKONER)

AL MUBDI’U (THE ORIGINATOR)

AL MU’IDU (THE RESTORER)

AL MUHYU (THE GIVER OF LIFE)

AL MUMIITU (THE KILLER)

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AL HAYY (THE LIVING)

AL QAYYUUM (THE SELF-SUSTAINING)

AL WAAJIB

AL MAAJID

AL WAAHID (THE UNIQUE)

AL AHD (THE ONE)

AL SAMAD (THE GREATEST)

AL QAADIR (THE ABLE)

AL MUQTADIR (THE POWERFUL)

AL MUQADDIMU (THE EXPEDITER)

AL MUAKKHIR (THE DELAYER)

AL AWWAL (THE FIRST)

AL AAKHIR (THE LAST)

AL DHAAHIR (THE MANIFEST)

AL BAATIN (THE HIDDEN)

AL WAALI (THE GOVERNOR)

AL MUTA’AALI (THE MOST EXALTED)

AL BARR (THE SOURCE OF GOODNESS)

AL TAWWAAB (THE ACCEPTOR OF REPENTANCE)

AL MUNTAQIM (THE AVENGER)

AL GHAFUUR (THE PARDONER)

AL RA’UUF (THE COMPASSIONATE)

MAALIK AL MULK (THE ETERNAL SOURCE OF SOVEREIGNTY)

DHU AL JALAAL WA AL IKRAAM (LORD OF MAJESTY AND BOUNTY)

AL MUQSIT (THE EQUITABLE)

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AL JAMIU (THE GATHERER)

AL GHANIYU (THE SELF-SUFFICIENT)

AL MUGHNI (THE ENRICHER)

AL MANIU (THE PREVENTOR)

AL DHAAR (THE DISTRESSOR)

AL NAFIU (THE PROPITIOUS)

AL NUUR (THE LIGHT)

AL HAADI (THE GUIDE)

AL BADI’I (THE INCOMPARABLE)

AL BAAQI (THE EVERLASTING)

AL WAARITH (THE SUPREME INHERITOR)

AL RASHIID (THE GUIDE TO THE RIGHT PATH)

AL SABUUR (THE PATIENT)

DISCUSSION1. NAMES IN THE QUR’AN

Using any index of the Qur’an that you have, list at least one verse in which each of the names above ismentioned

2. CLASSIFICATION OF THE NAMES

Attempt to classify the names into 3-5 categories

3. NAMING MUSLIMS AS SERVANTS OF ALLAH

List names of friends or relatives that include one of the names of Allah

4. ATTEMPT TO APPROPRIATE NAMES BY HUMANS

Identify names/attributes of Allah appropriated by Pharaon, Nimrod and any other taghut that youknow

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SESSION 4

USRAT DISCOURSE MODULETOPIC:

TAUHID SIFAAT LLAAH


Listing of some of the attributes

Allah’s attributes vs human attributes

Research and discussion of Allah’s attributes

TEXT ANALYSIS

Attributes in the Qur’an

DISCUSSION

Humans appropriating Allah’s attributes

BACKGROUND READINGLISTING OF SOME OF THE ATTRIBUTES

The following are some of the attributes: life, speaking, knowledge, hearing, seeing, omnipresence, self-sufficiency, having no needs or wants. The Qur’an talks about Allah’s face and hands. It also talks aboutAllah sitting on a chair and having a physical form that can be seen.

ALLAH’S ATTRIBUTES VS HUMAN ATTRIBUTES

These attributes are also found in humans and other creatures but are different from Allah’s becausenothing can be like him. The use of terms such as the hand, the face, hearing etc was more for easinghuman understanding than making statements about the nature of Allah. The nature of Allah is beyonghuman understanding. Shirk in essence associating the creator with human attributes. Some humanattributes like hunger, thirst, and sleep reflect human weakness and should not be associated with thecreator.

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RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION OF ALLAH’S ATTRIBUTES

The attributes of Allahare beyond human comprehension and it is useless or even dangerous to engage intoo much debate about them. It is enough to believe in them and not try to seek to explain them.

TEXT ANALYSIS2:115

2:255

4:164

6:133

6:59

7:143

19:52

31:26

31:34

42:11

42:49-50

DISCUSSIONGive one example you know or have read about in which divine attributes are given to humans and viceversa

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SESSION 5

USRAT DISCOMODULETOPIC:

TAUHID: IMPLICATIONS IN DAILY LIFE


Tauhid and civilization

Human brotherhood and equality

Science and technology

Social organization

Economic organization

Political organization

TEXT ANALYSIS

Unity Of Mankind

Laws Of Allah

Nations And Tribes

Community And Family

Allah Gives Sustenance

Al Hakimiyyat Li Allah

DISCUSSION

Tauhid leads to unity

Tauhid encourages growth of science and technology

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Tauhid fosters an ethical social order

Tauhid fosters a just economic system

Tauhid and family values

Tauhid and the liberation of the mind

Tauhid and true worship

BACKGROUND READINGTAUHID AND CIVILIZATION

HUMAN BROTHERHOOD AND EQUALITY

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

SOCIAL ORGANIZATION

ECONOMIC ORGANIZATION

POLITICAL ORGANIZATION

TEXT ANALYSISUNITY OF MANKIND

2:213, 10:19

LAWS OF ALLAH

NATIONS AND TRIBES

49:13

COMMUNITY AND FAMILY

7:189-190

25:54

4:1

ALLAH GIVES SUSTENANCE

29: 60-62

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AL HAKIMIYYAT LI ALLAH

DISCUSSIONPrepare a one-minute oral presentation on each of the following topics:

(a) Tauhid leads to unity

(b) Tauhid encourages growth of science and technology

(c) Tauhid fosters an ethical social order

(d) Tauhid fosters a just economic system

(e) Tauhid and family values

(f) Tauhid and the liberation of the mind.

(i) Tauhid and true worship

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SESSION 6

USRAT BOOK REVIEW MODULETITLE:

AUTHOR:

PUBLISHER & DATE:

CHAPTER OR PAGES:

MAIN FACTS/DATA:

MAIN OPINIONS:

COMMENTS ON THE FACTS/DATA:

COMMENTS ON OPINIONS:

CONCLUSIONS:

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SESSION 7

USRAT DISCOURSE MODULE

TOPIC:

ANGELS


Nature

Functions

Importance

TEXT ANALYSIS

Conveying revelations

Recording human actions

Protection of humans

Taking souls

Run errands and execute commands

At Badr

DISCUSSION

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NATURE

Angels are creations of Allah who do not disobey. They have no free will. They are neither male orfemale. They bowed to Adam and are inferior to humans

FUNCTIONS

Angels undertake the following functions: conveying messages, taking away the souls of the dying,recording human actions and behavior, intervention in some human actions at Allah’s command,executing Allah’s orders on punishing humans, and protecting humans.

IMPORTANCE

Belief in angels is a cardinal principle of aqidat. Belief in the revelation necessitates belief in the existenceof the angels who conveyed that message. Denyinh angels means denying the message.

TEXT ANALYSISCONVEYING REVELATIONS

16:12

35:1

RECORDING HUMAN ACTIONS

50:17-18

PROTECTION OF HUMANS

82:10

TAKING SOULS

79:1-2

RUN ERRANDS AND EXECUTE COMMANDS

79:3-5

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AT BADR

8:9

50:17-18

82:10-12

DISCUSSION1. Why Is Belief In Angels A Cardinal Principle Of Islam?

2. Enumerate Differences Between Angels And Humans

3. Why Are Humans Superior To Angels?

4. What Do You Learn About Angels From The Story Of The Creation Of Adam?

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SESSION 8


MESSENGERS


Messenger to every nation

Nature

Functions

Importance

TEXT ANALYSIS

A messenger was sent to every people

Messengers spoke the language of their people

Muhammad, a universal messenger

Degrees of messengers

Religion of all messengers was the same

Belief in all messengers without distinction

Messengers will bear witness

Messengers are humans

Reason for sending human messengers and not angels

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DISCUSSION


MESSENGER TO EVERY NATION

A prophet was sent to every nation; some are known but many are not. The messengers are prophets whowere sent to call people to the religion. The religion of all the messengers is the same in essence and isIslam. All messengers were human. They were aided with revelations and sometimes with miracles.Muhammad is the last of the messengers; no messenger is expected after him.

NATURE OF MESSENGERS

FUNCTIONS OF MESSENGERS

IMPORTANCE OF MESSENGERS

TEXT ANALYSISA MESSENGER WAS SENT TO EVERY PEOPLE

35:24

16:36

10:47

MESSENGERS SPOKE THE LANGUAGE OF THEIR PEOPLE

14:4

MUHAMMAD, A UNIVERSAL MESSENGER

DEGREES OF MESSENGERS

2:253

RELIGION OF ALL MESSENGERS WAS THE SAME

42:13

BELIEF IN ALL MESSENGERS WITHOUT DISTINCTION

4:150-152

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MESSENGERS WILL BEAR WITNESS

16:89

MESSENGERS ARE HUMANS

6:50

7:188

11:31

13:38

21:7-8

21:20

REASON FOR SENDING HUMAN MESSENGERS AND NOT ANGELS

17:94-95

DISCUSSION1. What was the purpose of sending human messengers? Allah could have conveyed His message tohumans in some other way

2. What is the difference between a ‘rasuul’ and a ‘nabi’

3. Draw a table comparing messengers on the following: universality, success during lifetime, messagesucceeded after death, message corrupted, nature of the opposition faced

4. Some messengers are called ‘uulu al azm’ is faced difficulties and overcame them. Who were these?

5. What does the concept of ‘khatm al nubuwat’ mean?

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SESSION 9


BELIEF IN REVEALED BOOKS


Importance

Language of the Qur’an

Preservation of the Qur’an

Corruption of other scriptures

TEXT ANALYSIS

Qur’an in Arabic

Turat, injil, and Qur’an

Qur’an announced in previous revelations

Fabrication of revelations

Qur’an made easy

DISCUSSION


IMPORTANCE

LANGUAGE OF THE QUR’AN

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PRESERVATION OF THE QUR’AN

CORRUPTION OF OTHER SCRIPTURES

Revealed books are an authority. Books before the Qur’an were corrupted and some disappearedaltogether. The Qur’an, being the last revelation, was scrupulously protected from any distortions.

TEXT ANALYSISQUR’AN IN ARABIC

12:2

20:113

39:28

41:3

42:7

43:3

TURAT, INJIL, AND QUR’AN

5:44-48

QUR’AN ANNOUNCED IN PREVIOUS REVELATIONS

26:192-199

FABRICATION OF REVELATIONS

2:79

QUR’AN MADE EASY

19:97

54:17

DISCUSSION1. List all the revealed books mentioned in the Qur’an and the prophets on whom they were revealed

2. Which previous revelations were lost and which still exist but are distorted

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3. How was the Qur’an protected from any distortions until our day?

4. How is the Qur’an learned and used in your community? Is this satisfactory? Can you suggest anyimprovements?

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SESSION 10


THE LAST DAY


Start and end

Motivation

Judgment

Resurrection

TEXT ANALYSIS

Only Allah knows when is the day of judgment

Record of work is to be produced on judgment day

Every act however small will be accounted for

Death and resurrection

The good and the bad; reward and punishment

DISCUSSION

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START AND END

It is logical that anything that is dynamic and undergoes changes must have a beginning and an end. Theearth and its contents can not be an exception to this general rule. Everything except Allah must have abeginning and an end. Life on earth is temporary. It must come to an end so that another level ofexistence must start. Only Allah knows the time when an individual life will end. It is only He whoknows when the life of the universe will end. The human must therefore continue working hard in thesuspense that the end could come anytime. He/she must ensure that they are ready for the end wheneverit comes.

MOTIVATION

The last day with the associated rewards and punishment acts as a motivator for humans to work hardand to do good. There will be reward for good work and punishment for bad work.

JUDGMENT

Humans unlike other living things were given a free will. They will be judged on how well they used thatfree will. Animals without such a free will will not face any judgement. There is so much transgressionand dhulm in the world that a fair God can not let the wrong-doers go without punishment. If this werethe situation there would then be no motivation for doing good.

RESURR

Belief in the hereafter is closely related to belief in resurrection. People will have to rise from the dead toface judgment and to be rewarded or punished. It is surprising that some people find it difficult to believein resurrection. The concept of resurrection is quite logical and is commonsense. Allah who createdhumans and the whole universe from nothing could surely bring them back to life!

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TEXT ANALYSISONLY ALLAH KNOWS WHEN IS THE DAY OF JUDGMENT

7:187

33:63

67:26

79:42-46

79:42-46

RECORD OF WIS TO BE PRODUCED ON JUDGMENT DAY

17:13-14

EVERY ACT HOWEVER SMALL WILL BE ACCOUNTED FOR

21:47

99:7-8

DEATH AND RESURRECTION

3:185

21:104

THE GOOD AND THE BAD; REWARD AND PUNISHMENT

23:101-115

30:12-16

64:9-10

84:1-15

79:34-41

32:20

39:71-74

69:18-37

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DISCUSSION1. When and how did you learn about jannat?

2. When and how did you learn about hell?

3. Why is the fate of humans different from other living things?

YOUR NOTES:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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SESSION 11


BELIEF IN QADAR


Confusion

Advance knowledge

Sunan and predictability

The good and the bad

TEXT ANALYSIS

Allah knows everything

Man’s will is limited

Man is has free choice

DISCUSSION

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CONFUSION

There is a lot of confusion about qadr because people fail to find answers to the questions: If everything ispre-destined why then make any effort? Why should people be rewarded or punished for actions whoseresults were pre-destined? These questions can be answered easily. Humans are a special and uniquecreation of Allah. They were given a limited free will and are capable of making some choices on theirown. The laws of causality are fixed such that an action is inevitably followed by the predictable resultunless there is special divine intervention. When a human makes a certain choice, the expected result isseen. A bad choice is followed by a bad result. A good choice is followed by a good result.

ADVANCE KNOWLEDGE

Although humans have limited free will, Allah knows in advance what choices of actions they will make.This is because Allah created humans and knows their nature and inclinations. This is quite logical andshould not be a difficult concept to grasp for any perceptive parent. A parent who knows the habits,desires and capabilities of an infant can to a remarkable degree of accuracy predict what choices ofactions that infant will make when presented with 2-3 alternatives. In the case of Allah the Almighty, it isnot a question of predicting but a case of certain knowledge of what choices the human will make.

SUNAN AND PREDICTABILITY

In most human situations phenomena follow the fixed causal laws ie action is followed by an effect.There are however situations in which divine intervention breaks those laws like the miracles ofprophets. When a phenomenon appears to contradict the normal laws of causality there are twoalternative explanations. It may have followed another law of causality that we are not aware of or therewas divine intervention. Humans do not have the ability to know whether human intervention isoperating to produce a miracle or not unless told so by revelation.

THE GOOD AND THE BAD

A human in the course of normal life gets good and bad experiences. A believing Muslim knows that allis part of qadar and say alhamdu li llaah for both good and bad experiences. The terms good and bad inhuman experience and knowledge are relative. What may appear to be good may turn out to be bad.What may appear to be bad may turn out to be good.

TAWAKKUL AND TAWAAKUL

The two terms have the same root word but are very different. Tawakkul in relying on Allah after takingall the necessary measures to achieve an objective following the laws of causality. Tawaakul is giving upall effort and just wait for things to happen. The former is Islamic the latter is not.

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TEXT ANALYSISALLAH KNOWS EVERYTHING

22:70

MAN’S WILL IS LIMITED

81:28-29

MAN IS HAS FREE CHOICE

39:41

90:8-10

DISCUSSION1. Give EXAMPLES OF MISUNDERSTANDING QADAR IN TRADITIONAL SOCIETY

2. Give EXAMPLES OF DENIAL OF QADAR IN INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY

3. Discuss your understanding of the relation between laws of causality and qadar

4. Explain in your own words the difference between tawakkul and tawaakul and give examples

5. What do you understand by the term ‘limited human free will’

YOUR NOTES:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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SESSION 12

USRAT BOOK REVIEW MODULETITLE:

AUTHOR:

PUBLISHER & DATE:

CHAPTER OR PAGES:

MAIN FACTS/DATA:

MAIN OPINIONS:

COMMENTS ON THE FACTS/DATA:

COMMENTS ON OPINIONS:

CONCLUSIONS:

USRA DISCOURSE & BOOK REVIEW MODULES...Lord) (and said): If any one of them (who does not believe in...

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