| ‘Ibadah (Act of worship) |
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‘Ibadah is the Arabic term for Islamic Act/s of Worship.
Islamic ‘Ibadah (Acts of Worship) is usually defined
as acts of worship like Salah
(Prayers), Sawm (Fasting),
Zakah (Poor Due Charity)
and Hajj (Pilgrimage to the
Ka’bah). All
other acts associated with these are ‘Ibadah (Acts of Worship). In
broader sense, ‘Ibadah (Acts of Worship) can also be
defined as any act that pleases Allah (God).
‘Ibadah (Acts of Worship) is the
Arabic term for various acts of worship in Islam. Besides the above mentioned religious
rituals, anything done to please Allah (God) i.e. serving one’s parents,
taking care of the poor and the needy, conducting business
honestly, etc. are also ‘Ibadah (Acts of Worship). ‘Ibadah (Acts of Worship) can be
Fard (Compulsory), or Nafl (Extra Obligatory). All
Nafl ‘Ibadah (Extra Obligatory Acts of Worship)
were from the Sunnah (Traditions of Muhammad S).
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Iblis (Satan) |
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Allah (God) created good and evil from
the beginning. Allah (God) created Adam A (Adam), gave him knowledge about good and bad, and gave him the faculty
of logic for differentiating between the good and the bad.
Allah (God) had created Iblis (Satan) to represent evil.
After creating Adam A (Adam), Allah (God) asked the Mala”ikah (Angels) to do a Sajdah (Prostration) to him. The
Mala”ikah (Angels) immediately obeyed Allah (God) and did a Sajdah (Prostration) to Adam A (Adam). Iblis (Satan) refused to obey Allah (God), because he considered himself
superior than Adam A (Adam). He told Allah (God) that he can lure away Adam A (Adam) and his descendents from the path He had taught them, if He
gives him freedom to do so. Allah (God) gave him freedom for it, but told him that the God
fearing descendents of Adam A (Adam) would not listen to him.
Allah (God) created Hawwa (Eve), wife of Adam A (Adam) and sent both of them to live in Jannah (Paradise). Allah (God) told them not to go near a
particular tree and not to eat from it.Iblis (Satan) tricked them and
made them eat from that tree. Adam A (Adam) and Hawwa (Eve) immediately realized their
mistake and asked for forgiveness from Allah (God). He forgave them and sent
them to live in this world. Iblis (Satan) continues to lure people away from the path
of Allah (God). Only those who have weak
faith fall into his trap.
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Ibn ‘Umar
R |
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'Abdullah R, one of the sons of ‘Umar bin Khattab R, was also known as Ibn ‘Umar R. He was a scholar of Islam. He is known for narrating many
Ahadith (Sayings of Muhammad
S). His sister Hafsah bint ‘Umar R was married to the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S. His mother was Zaynab bint Maz’un R. His mother and his maternal uncle
‘Uthman bin Maz’un R had accepted
Islam in its very early days. His father
‘Umar bin Khattab R was
the second Khalifah (Caliph of Muslims).
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Surah (Chapter)
Ibrahim (Abraham)
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Surah
(Chapter) Ibrahim (Abraham)
is the 14th chapter of the Holy Qur-an.
It is a Makki Surah
(Chapter) meaning that this Surah
(Chapter) was revealed before the Messenger of
Allah, Muhammad S had migrated to
Madinah. Surah (Chapter)
Hud (Messenger Hud A) consists
of fifty-two Ayat (Verses).
This Surah (Chapter) informs
mankind that each nation received Messages from Allah
(God) in their own language and to deal with their own
situations. Such Messages from Allah (God) had
enlightened people. The example of Musa
A (Moses) illustrates the conflict of good with evil and evil
never succeeds. Those who leave the path of Allah
(God) will be punished by Him.
Ibrahim A (Abraham) prays to Allah (God) not to astray from
His path, and for the city of Makkah.
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Ibrahim A (Abraham) |
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Ibrahim A (Abraham) was a Rasul (Messenger) of
Allah (God). His father used to make idols of
gods and goddesses for worship. Ibrahim A (Abraham)
could not worship idols even in his childhood. He had once
destroyed all the idols in his village. People forced him
to leave his town. Ibrahim A (Abraham) and his
wife Sarah moved to Misr
(Egypt). Sarah asked him to marry Hajar
(Hagar) who soon bore him a son named Isma’il
A (Ishmael). To fulfill a wish of Allah (God),
Ibrahim A (Abraham) traveled from Misr
(Egypt) to leave his second wife Hajar
(Hagar) and their infant son Isma’il
A (Ishmael) in the barren valley of Makkah.
Allah (God) surfaced the spring of Zamzam
in that place. Hajar (Hagar) settled down with
her infant son Isma’il A (Ishmael) near
Zamzam. Slowly some nomadic tribes also began
settling down in that area. Soon it took the shape of a town
by the name of Makkah. Caravans traveling to
Sham (Syria) from Yaman
(Yemen) began stopping there, providing sustenance
to Hajar (Hagar) and Isma’il
A (Ishmael). Several years later Ibrahim A (Abraham)
returned to Makkah and constructed the
Ka’bah with the help of his son Isma’il
A (Ishmael). Ibrahim A (Abraham) also had another
son named Ishaq A (Isaac) from his first wife
Sarah. Both of his sons became Rusul
(Messengers) of Allah (God). Ya’qub
A (Jacob), the grandson of Ibrahim A (Abraham)
from Ishaq A (Isaac) was also a Rasul
(Messenger) of Allah (God). Rusul (Messengers)
of Judaism, Christianity and Islam
were descendents of Ibrahim A (Abraham).
Ya’qub A (Jacob), the
grandson of Ibrahim A (Abraham) from Ishaq
A (Isaac) is also known as Isra”il. Musa
A (Moses) and ‘Isa A (Jesus) were descendents
of Ibrahim A (Abraham) from Ishaq
A (Isaac)’s side.The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad A was a descendent
of Isma’il A (Ishmael), the elder son of Ibrahim
A (Abraham).
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‘Id
ul-Fitr (Festival of Breaking of Fast) |
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‘Id
ul Fitr (Festival of Breaking of Fast) is celebrated on the
first day of Shawwal (10th month
of the Islamic calendar). ‘Id ul Fitr
(Festival of Breaking of Fast) marks the ending of the month
long fasting during the month of Ramadan (9th
month of the Islamic calendar). Muslims observe a fast
from dawn to sunset every day during the month of Ramadan
(Month of Fasting). They have a pre-dawn meal called Sahur
and break their fast with Iftar. Eating, drinking,
smoking, taking medication, sexual intercourse with spouse
and indulging in fights or arguments etc. is totally prohibited
during the hours of fasting. A special two Rak’ah (Unit)
of Salah (Prayer) are offered in the
early morning after sun has been up. The ‘Id al-Fitr
(Festival of Breaking of Fast) Salah
(Prayer) is offered with six or twelve extra Takabir
(Saying Allah O Akbar). Seven extra Takabir
(Saying Allah O Akbar) are said after Du‘a Isteftah
in the first Rak‘ah, and five extra Takabir
(Saying Allah O Akbar) are said before reciting Surah
al Fatihah in the second Rak‘ah. Some ‘Ulama” (Religious Scholars)
recommend six extra Takabir (Saying
Allah O Akbar), three before reciting Surah
al Fatihah in the first Rak‘ah, and
three before Ruku‘ in the second
Rak‘ah. Affluent Muslims pay Zakah
(Poor Due Charity) in the month of Ramadan
(Month of Fasting) so that the not so fortunate can
also celebrate ‘Id. Muslims also
pay Sadaqatul Fitr before offering the
‘Id ul-Fitr (Festival
of Breaking of Fast) in the morning.
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‘Idayn
Salah (Prayers
of the Festivals) |
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Muslims observe only two festivals every year, ‘Id
al Fitr (Festival of Breaking of Fast)
and ‘Id al Ad-ha (Festival of Sacrifice).
On both of their festival days, Muslims offer special
Salah (Prayers) in large
groups. Muslims from several villages try to converge
at one place and offer their ‘Idayn Salah
(Prayers of the two Festivals) together in one large
Jama’ah (Group). ‘Idayn
Salah (Prayers of the two Festivals)
is not a Fard (Compulsory) Salah
(Prayers). Some ‘Ulama” (Religious Scholars)
consider it a Sunnah (Tradition of Muhammad
S ) and some consider it a Wajib (Essential)
Salah (Prayers). ‘Idayn
Salah (Prayers of the two Festivals)
consists of two Rak’ah (Units),
but it is not offered like the Fajr Salah
(Morning Prayers) which also have two Rak’ah
(Units). ‘Idayn Salah
(Prayers of the two Festivals) is offered with six
or twelve additional Takabir (Plural
of Takbir-Allah O Akbar) according
to different schools of Islamic thought. The additional Takabir
(Plural of Takbir-Allah
O Akbar) are said during the Salah
(Prayers). Adhan (Call for
Prayers) or Iqamah (Second Call
for Prayers) is not called for ‘Idayn Salah
(Prayers of the two Festivals). Imam
(Leader for Prayers) delivers a Khutbah
(Sermon) after the ‘Idayn Salah
(Prayers of the two Festivals). Muslims also
Sadaqatul Fitr (Charity of Breaking
Fast) before offering the ‘Id ul-Fitr
(Festival of Breaking Fast) in the morning.
Muslims sacrifice animals after offering the ‘Id
ul-Ad-ha (Festival of Sacrifice)
in the morning. |
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‘Iddah (Waiting
Period) |
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‘Iddah
is the waiting period before which a widow or a divorced Muslimah
(Muslim woman) cannot remarry. Islam encourages
remarriage of widows and divorced women. ‘Iddah
(Waiting Period) for a widow is 4 months and 10 days.
‘Iddah (Waiting Period) for divorced
women is passage of 3 menses.
‘Iddah
(Waiting Period) is required for establishing the fraternal
identity in case the widow or the divorcee is pregnant. Women
are not supposed to venture out during ‘Iddah
(Waiting Period).
‘Iddah
(Waiting Period) of pregnant women ends when she delivers
her child. ‘Iddah (Waiting Period) of
women who do not have menses is three months.
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Idris
A |
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Idris A was one of the
first Rusul (Messengers) of Allah (God).
He is also mentioned in the Holy Qur-an (19:56).
He preached his people to quit worshipping idols and return
to praying Allah (God), the Only Creator, Sustainer
and Controller of everything. Most of His people did not listen
to him. He continued preaching the Message of Allah
(God) patiently, despite of the stiff opposition from a majority
of his people (The Holy Qur-an 21:85-86). He
migrated to Misr (Egypt) and transformed
his people into God fearing people. |
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Idtiba’ |
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Idtiba’
is the way Ihram is worn only
during the first three Ashwat (Rounds)
of Tawaf (Walk
around the Ka’bah) Qudum.
Only the male pilgrims do Idtiba’.
They bare their right shoulders The Rida"
covers the front part of the body as well. Idtiba’
is not required in any other Tawaf (Walk
around the Ka’bah).
Both the shoulders should be covered while performing Salah
(Prayers).
The tradition of Idtiba’
began in 6H (Hijrah)
(627 AD), when Muslims performed
their first ‘Umrah (Lesser
Pilgrimage to the Ka’bah), under
the guidance of Muhammad S, six years after
migrating to Madinah. The Quraysh
had spread a rumor that Mulsims who had migrated to
Madinah have lost their health. Muhammad
S asked his Sahabah (Companions)
to bare their right shoulders so that the Quraysh
can notice their healthy physique and walk with exaggerated
movements of the limbs to show their vigor to dispel the myths
being floated by the Quraysh.
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Iftar
(Breaking the Fast) |
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Breaking
of fast by Muslims is called Iftar.
Muslims
usually do their Iftar (Breaking
the Fast) with palm-dates or water
to follow the tradition of Muhammad S. Iftar
(Breaking the Fast)
is done right after sunset. Maghrib Salah
(Sunset Prayers)
is offered after Iftar (Breaking
the Fast).
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Ihram |
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Word
Ihram means prohibiting something.
In the state of Ihram, several
Halal (Lawful) practices
are prohibited. Pilgrims perform Hajj
(Pilgrimage to the Ka’bah) and ‘Umrah
(Lesser Pilgrimage the Ka’bah) in the state
of Ihram, where they have to maintain
certain disciplines which are different from their everyday
lives. Some of the Halal (Lawful)
activities and practices, which temporarily become Haram
(Unlawful) during Hajj (Pilgrimage
to the Ka’bah), when a pilgrim is in the state of Ihram,
are shaving, hunting or killing animals, having sex with spouse
etc.
The term Ihram is also used for
the prescribed dress of male pilgrims, which consists of two
unstiched white sheets. The lower of the two pieces called
Izar is wrapped around the midriff to
cover the body from just above the naval down to ankles. The
other piece called Rida" is put
around the shoulders to cover the upper body. White is the
preferred color for Ihram.
Women do not
wear any special dress for Ihram.
Along with their usual Islamic clothes, they use scarves to
cover their heads. The scarf to cover their heads should not
be transparent and should be large enough to completely cover
the head and hair of female pilgrims. Usually a large piece
of cloth is used as scarf.
A pilgrim, who has changed into Ihram,
is called a Muhrim.
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Surah
(Chapter) al-Ikhlas (Purity) |
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Surah
(Chapter) al-Ikhlas (The
Purity) is the 112th Surah
(Chapter) of the Holy Qur-an.
It is a Madani Surah
(Chapter of the Qur-an, revealed after
Hijrah to Madinah). It was revealed as a
reply to query of the Jews of Madinah
to Muhammad S seeking description of his Allah
(God).
Allah
(God) has described Himself in this beautiful Surah
(Chapter) al-Ikhlas (The
Purity).
Although, it is one of
the shortest Surah (Chapter) of
the Holy Qur-an, it is also known as one third
of the Qur-an.
The Qur-an
has three main themes Wahdah (Unity
of Allah), Risalah (Messengership)
and Akhirah (Life after Death).
This Surah
(Chapter) explains the concept of Wahdah
(Unity of Allah) in the simplest yet most
beautiful manner.
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Ilyas
A (Elias) |
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Ilyas
A (Elias) was a Rasul (Messenger) of Allah
(God). After the death of Sulayman A (Solomon),
his people completely ignored his teachings to follow the
path of Allah (God). They became idol worshippers.
Very few people remained at the right path and they were made
fun of. Allah (God) gave them another chance
and sent Ilyas A (Elias) to those people. Teachings
of Ilyas A (Elias) did not have any impact over
those people and they continued worshipping their idols. A
severe femine gripped thir country and it lasted for several
years. Ilyas A (Elias) prayed to Allah
(God) gave to end His curse. A substantial rainfall ended
the drought and people returned to the religion of Allah
(God). His name is mentionned in the Holy Qur-an
(38:48).
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