In a tradition the fulfillment of the above five fundamentals or principles is called ‘Islam’. The Prophet (S.A.W) has said, “Al-Islam implies that you testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad (S.A.W) is the Messenger of Allah, and you establish prayer, pay Zakaat, observe the Fast of Ramadaan and performs Hajj to the Holy Ka’ba in Makka once in life-time if you are solvent to bear the expenses of the Journey.
Belief in the oneness of Allah and Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).
Offering of daily prayers know as Salaat.
Giving Zakaat (obligatory charity).
Observing of Fasts during Ramadaan.
Performing Hajj at least once in life, if one is solvent.
1. Muslim should greet one another with “As-Salaamu-alaikum” meaning “peace be on you”, and it should be replied by “Wa Alaikum-As-Salaam” meaning peace be on you also”. All other methods are absurd.
2. One who taskes the initiative in offering salute gets greater reward.
3. If anyone conveys Salaam on behalf of someone, it should be replied thus “Alahim wa-alaikum as-salaam” meaning “peace be on you and him also.”
4. If out of group of person one salutes, then it is from all of them. Similarly if anyone from a gathering has replied the salutaion, its it also from all of them.
5. It is forbidden to salute with the motion of hand or head or bowing. But if anyone is at a distance and salute, then its is permissible to reply by raising hand but words of Salaam should also be utered with the motion of hand.
6. Muslim students studying in non-Muslim shcools should not salute in their (non-Muslim) fashion but strictly in Islamic way. They should greet their non-Muslim teachers and class-mates with “As-Salaamala man Ittaba’a-al Huda” meaning “peace be on him who performed allegiance” Words of salutaion of nonbelievers should not be uttered in any way
How One Should Do Recitation of Holy Qur’an?
1. Do not give up the habit of reciting of Holy Qur’an even if you are unable to recite it properly. Go on reciting as in that case the reward is double, one for the recitation and the other for learning it.
2. If you have learnt or memorized the Holy Qur’an, do not let it be forgotten as it is a major sin to forget it after learning (to forget means a person who can’t read Qur’an even after lookin in it). So continue reciting it regulary.
3. The Holy Qur’an should be recited attentively and with fear of Allah.
4. Do not swear by the Holy Qur’an or anything else except Allah.
5. If anyone asks you to recite some verse or part of the Holy Qur’an to see how you recite, it is natural that you will be very cautious and you will recite it very correctly and carefully. Remember that Allah has enjoined to recite of Holy Qur’an and He sees how you do it. So should be more careful and attentive while reading the Holy Qur’an. While reciting it, we should bear in mind that Allah is seeing and listening our recitation. Thus our recitation of Holy Qur’an will be clear, correct and shall be attentive also.
6. If one cannot recite the Holy Qur’an easily, it should not be given up in disgust. He should go on reciting. This will be doubly rewarded.
Earn rewards from Almight Allah for sharing this with your friends, family and close relative.
The Story of 3 Men of Banu Israel – The Leper, the Bald and the Blind
Once the Holy Prophet (SAW) told his companion that there were three men of Banu Israel. One of them was leper, the other bald and the third blind. Allah, in order to test them, sent an angel to them. First of all the angel came to the leper and asked him what he desired most. The leper replied that he wanted fair colour, beautiful skin and to be relieved from that disease due to which people hated him and kept him away. The angel passed his hand over the body of the leper and immediately the disease disappeared. The angel then asked him which wealth we liked most. The leper named camel. So the angel gave him a pregnant she-camel and prayed to Allah to bless his wealth.
Then the angel went to the bald man and asked him what he liked? The bald man replied that he wanted good hair and to be cured from baldness. The angel passed his hand over the head of the bald man and immediately good hair cropped up on his head. Then the angel asked him which wealth he desired. The man asked for a cow. The angel gave him a pregnant cow and blessed his wealth.
In the end the angel went to the blind man and asked him as to what he wanted. The blind man replied that he wished Allah to cure his blindness so that he might see others. The angel passed his hand over his eyes and immediately his eyesight was restored by Allah. The angel asked him which wealth he desired. The man desired for a goat. The angel gave him a goat and blessed his wealth also.
The animals of the three persons flourished and prospered to such an extent that their respective parts of the land were full of them.
After some time the angel again came to them under orders of Allah. First he went to the ex-leper and posed before him as traveller and said that all of his provisions of the journey had exhausted and was left with nothing to return home. He asked for a camel in the name of Allah, who had cured him of leprosy. The ex-leper scolded & snubbed him coldly saying that he had other responsibilities and could not spare a camel for him. The angel reminded him of his former position as a leper and that Allah, by his Benevolence has cured his disease and blessed him with all the wealth. The man replied bluntly that he had inherited the wealth from his fore-fathers. Thereupon the angel cursed him to return to his previous position as he was a liar.
Then the angel went to the ex-bald man and asked him the same question. He, too, replied in the same manner as the leper had done. The angel cursed him also.
In the end the angel went to the ex-blind man and relating his misfortune begged him for a goat in the name of Allah. The man replied. “Of course I was blind. Allah has blessed me with eye-sight. Take as many goats as you like. By Allah! I will not refuse. “The angel replied that he only wanted to test him.
Moral:
Look! Due to their thanklessness and ungratefulness the first two persons were deprived of the blessings of Allah and were reduced to their former position and were cursed in this world and the Hereafter.
Sunnah to follow before Eid Prayers
Masala 1: The first day of the month of Shawwal is called Eid-ul-Fitr and the tenth day of the month of Dhul-Hijja is called Eid-ul-Adha. These two days are of great rejoicing in Islam.
Masala 2: All the essential requisites of Jumu’a Prayer are also applicable to the prayer of both Eids except the Khutba which is obligatory and imperative in Juma prayer and is delivered before the prayer. But the Khutba is not obligatory in Eid prayer. It is Sunnah in Eid prayers and is delivered after offering the prayer. Listening of the Khutba of both Eids are also governed by the same rules as that of Juma prayer i.e. talking, praying etc. during the Khutba is prohibited.
Masala 3: The following acts and things are Sunnah on Eid-ul-Fitr.
(1) To adorn oneself as permitted by Sharii’a
(2) To take a bath
(3) To clean teeth with Miswak
(4) To wear best clothes that one has
(5) To use perfume
(6) To rise very early in the morning
(7) To go to Eidgah very early
(8) To eat some sweet like dates before going to Eidgah
(9) To give away Sadaqatul-Fitr before going to Eidgah
(10) To offer Eid prayer in Eidgah, that is, not to offer it in the mosque of the locality without any legitimate excuse.
(11) To go to Eidgah by one way and to come back home by the other
(12)To go on foot
(13)To recite the following on way to Eidgah in low voice
The Hajj (Pilgrimage)
The Holy Prophet has said, “One who is not held back by some genuine need or excuse or by a tyrant ruler and still does not go for the pilgrimage, it makes little difference whether he dies a Jew or a Christian.
“One who goes on the pilgrimage of the House of Allah and in its course neither commits any sensual act nor any other sin, he returns from the journey as a newborn child.”
“One who performs this sacred duty properly which is free from sins and defects, is rewarded with nothing less than Paradise.”
In the same way very great reward has been promised for performing Umra also. The prophet has said that both Hajj and Umra absolve sins as a furnace purifies the iron.
What is Islam?
Islam literally means submission and in religion sense it means submission to Allah alone. One who completely submits to Allah and the Divine injunctions is a Muslim. Islam is a very wide term and covers the entire universe and religion of all such things which do not even possess life, will and discretion is Islam. In this connection the Holy Qur’an says:
In another verse it has been said
The above verse make is quite clear, that not only one or two things or creatures praise and glorify Allah, but everything animate or inanimate praises Allah and submits to Him.
Man is also one of the creatures and has been bestowed with the faculty of will and discretion. He is also the most distinguished of all the creatures, and has been given Divine injunctions for guidance. Allah says (when man was created):
It clearly shows that with the coming of man to this earth the Divine injunctions also began to be revealed throught His Messengers. This world has never been devoid of religion and as the Holy Qir’an says that there has not been a nation without a warner. Thus all the religious should be Islam and their followers should be called Muslims. But the position is quite different. According to Holy Qur’an Islam is the name of that religion which it presents and expounds and which has been revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). The Holy Qur’an says:
There is an interesting difference, for the followers of other Prophets were Muslims, but they were not called so. This unique honour is reserved for the followers of the last Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) that they are Muslims not only in spirit but are also called and know as Muslims.
