Resource Person: Hanna-e-Kalbi

Subject: Islamic Studies

HEART THE CENTER OF INTELLIGENCE

“Know yourself to know God”

´Heart, its function and nature as an intelligent organ will be studied under this topic in
order to understand how to be a good human and a good Muslim. Learning the function of heart
both physical and spiritual, will help understand our true self and help us polish ourselves
ethically.

Suggested Literature: Al-Chemy of Happiness (Imam Ghazali), Ihya Ulum-id-Deen Vol. 3 (Imam Ghazali), Purification
of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf), Pure Heart the intelligent heart by Dr. Mushtaq Gohar

Almost universally, religious traditions have stressed the importance of the condition of
the heart. In the Muslim scripture, the Day of Judgment is described as a day in which neither
wealth nor children shall be of any benefit [to anyone], except one who comes to God with a sound
heart (Qur’an, 26:88-89). The sound heart is understood to be free of character defects and spiritual
blemishes. This “heart” is actually the spiritual heart and not the physical organ per se, although
in Islamic tradition the spiritual heart is centered in the physical. One of the extraordinary aspects
of the modern era is that we are discovering aspects about the heart unknown in previous times,
although there were remarkable insights in ancient traditions. For instance, according to traditional
Chinese medicine, the heart houses what is known as shen, which is spirit. The Chinese characters
for thinking, thought, love, the intention to listen, and virtue all contain the ideogram for the heart.

Metaphors Referring to the Heart

In nearly every culture in the world, people use metaphors that directly or indirectly allude
to the heart. We call certain types of people “hard-hearted,” usually because they show no mercy
and kindness. Likewise, people are said to have “cold hearts” and others yet who are “warm-
hearted.” We speak of people as wearing their “hearts on their sleeves” because they do not (or
cannot) conceal their emotions from others. When someone’s words or actions penetrate our souls
and affect us profoundly, we say that this person “touched my heart” or “touched the core of my
being.” The Arabic equivalent for the English word core (which originally in Latin meant heart)
is known as lubb, which also refers to the heart, as well as the intellect and the essence of
something.
 Resource Person: Hanna-e-Kalbi
Subject: Islamic Studies

The most ancient Indo-European word for heart means “that which leaps,” which is
consonant with the idea of the beating heart that leaps in the breast of man. People speak of their
hearts as “leaping for joy.” People also say that their heart “skipped a beat” when they come upon
something startling that elicited from them a very strong emotional response. When people fall in
love, they speak of “stealing one’s heart.” There are many other metaphors involving the human
heart, owing to its centrality in life. These phrases – however casually we may utter them today –
have roots in ancient concepts.

Categories of the People According to the Condition of their Hearts

The ancients were aware of spiritual diseases of the heart. And this understanding is
certainly at the essence of Islamic teachings. The Quran defines three types of people: al-mu’minūn
(believers), al-kāfirūn (scoffers or atheists), and al-munāfiqūn (hypocrites). The believers are
described as people whose hearts are alive and full of light, while the scoffers are in darkness: Is
one who was dead and then We revived [with faith] and made for him a light by which to walk
among the people like one who is in darkness from which he cannot exit? (QURAN, 6:122).

According to commentators of the Quran, the one who was dead refers to having a dead
heart, which God revived with the light of guidance that one may walk straight and honorably
among human beings. Also, the prophet Muhammad said, “The difference between the one who
remembers God and one who does not is like the difference between the living and the dead.” In
essence, the believer is someone whose heart is alive, while the disbeliever is someone whose heart
is spiritually dead. The hypocrite, however, is somebody whose heart is diseased. The Quran
speaks of certain people with diseased hearts (self-inflicted, we understand) and, as a result, they
were increased in their disease (QURAN, 2:10).

State of The Physical Heart

The heart is centered slightly to the left of our bodies. Two sacred languages of Arabic and
Hebrew are written from right to left, toward the heart, which, as some have noted, mirrors the
purpose of writing, namely to affect the heart. One should also consider the ritual of
circumambulation or circling around the Ancient House (or Ka’ba) in Makkah during the
Pilgrimage. It is performed in an anticlockwise fashion, with the left side of the worshipper facing
the House – with the heart inclined towards it to remind us of God and His presence in the life of
humanity.
 Resource Person: Hanna-e-Kalbi
Subject: Islamic Studies

The physical heart, which houses the spiritual heart, beats about 100,000 times a day,
pumping two gallons of blood per minute and over 100 gallons per hour. If one were to attempt to
carry 100 gallons of water (whose density is lighter than blood) from one place to another, it would
be an exhausting task. Yet the human heart does this job every hour of every day for an entire
lifetime without respite. The vascular system transporting life-giving blood is over 60,000 miles
long – more than two times the circumference of the earth. So when we conceive of our blood
being pumped throughout our bodies, know that this means that it travels through 60,000 miles of
a closed vascular system that connects all the parts of the body – all the vital organs and living
tissues – to this incredible heart.

Heart starts beating before the brain is fully fashioned, that is, without the benefit of a fully
formed central nervous system. The dominant theory states that the central nervous system is what
controls the entire human being, with the brain at its center. Yet we also know that the nervous
system does not initiate the beat of the heart, but that it is actually self-initiated, or, as we would
say, initiated by God. We also know that the heart, should all of its connections to the brain be
severed- as they are during a heart transplant- continues to beat.

Heart has the Intelligence of its Own

Many in the West have long proffered that the brain is the center of consciousness. But in
traditional Islamic thought – as in other traditions – the heart is viewed as the center of our being.
The Quran, for example, speaks of wayward people who have hearts with which they do not
understand (7:179). Also the Quran mentions people who mocked the prophet and were entirely
insincere in listening to his message, so God placed over their hearts a covering that they may not
understand it and in their ears [He placed] acute deafness (6:25). Their inability to understand is
a deviation from the spiritual function of a sound heart, just as their ears have been afflicted with
a spiritual deafness. So we understand from this that the center of the intellect, the center of human
consciousness and conscience, is actually the heart and not the brain. Only recently have we
discovered that there are over 40,000 neurons in the heart. In other words, there are cells in the
heart that are communicating with the brain. While the brain sends messages to the heart, the heart
also sends messages to the brain.

Two physiologists in the 1970s, John and Beatrice Lacey, conducted a study and found that
the brain sent messages to the heart, but that the heart did not automatically obey the messages.
 Resource Person: Hanna-e-Kalbi
Subject: Islamic Studies

Sometimes the heart sped up, while at other times it slowed down, indicating that the heart itself
has its own type of intelligence. The brain receives signals from the heart through the brain’s
amygdala, thalamus, and cortex. The amygdala relates to emotions, while the cortex or the
neocortex relates to learning and reasoning. Although this interaction is something that is not fully
understood from a physiological point of view, we do know that the heart is an extremely
sophisticated organ with secrets still veiled from us.

Heart: The Repository of Knowledge, Sensitive to the Deeds

The Prophet of Islam spoke of the heart as a repository of knowledge and a vessel sensitive
to the deeds of the body. He said, for example, that wrongdoing irritates the heart. So the heart
actually perceives wrong action. In fact, when people do terrible things, the core of their humanity
is injured. Fyodor Dostoyevsky expresses brilliantly in Crime and Punishment that the crime itself
is the punishment because human beings ultimately have to live with the painful consequences of
their deeds. When someone commits a crime, he does so first against his own heart, which then
affects the whole human being. The person enters a state of spiritual agitation and often tries to
suppress it. The root meaning of the word kufr (disbelief) is to cover something up. As it relates to
this discussion, the problems we see in our society come down to covering up or suppressing the
symptoms of its troubles. The agents used to do this include alcohol, drugs, sexual experimentation
and deviance, power grabs, wealth, arrogance, pursuit of fame, and the like. These enable people
to submerge themselves into a state of heedlessness concerning their essential nature. People work
very hard to cut themselves off from their hearts and the natural feelings found there. The pressures
to do this are very strong in our modern culture.

Heedlessness Starves the Heart

One of the major drawbacks of being detached from the heart is that the more one is
severed, the sicker the heart becomes, for the heart needs nourishment. Heedlessness starves the
heart, robs it off its spiritual manna. One enters into a state of unawareness – a debilitating lack of
awareness of God and an acute neglect of humanity’s ultimate destination: the infinite world of
the Hereafter. When one peers into the limitless world through remembrance of God and increases
in beneficial knowledge, one’s concerns become more focused on the infinite world, not the finite
one that is disappearing and transient. When people are completely immersed in the material
world, believing that this world is all that matters and all that exists and that they are not
 Resource Person: Hanna-e-Kalbi
Subject: Islamic Studies

accountable for their actions, they effect a spiritual death of their hearts. Before the heart dies,
however, it shows symptoms of affliction. These afflictions are the spiritual diseases of the heart
(the center of our being) – the topic of this book.

Following are the conducts that bring death to the heart:

• You know the duties towards God but you do not do them.

• You recite the Quran but you do not look to its promise of punishment.

• You say that you love the Prophet but you do not follow his actions.

• You say that you fear death but you do not become prepared for it.

• God says: The devil is your enemy but you take his help in sinful acts.

• You say that you fear Hell-fire but you keep your body immerged in it.

• You say that you love Paradise but you do not act for it.

• When you get up from bed, you throw your sins by your back and disclose the sins
of the people, thereby you cause the displeasure of your Lord.

Two Categories of Diseases of the Heart

In Islamic tradition, these diseases fall under two categories. The first is known as shubuhāt
or mystifications, diseases that relate to impaired understanding. For instance, if somebody is
fearful that God will not provide for him or her, this is considered a disease of the heart because a
sound heart has knowledge and trust, not doubt and anxiety. Shubuhāt alludes to aspects closely
connected to the heart: the soul, the ego, Satan’s whisperings and instigations, caprice, and the
devoted love of this ephemeral world. The heart is an organ designed to be in a state of calm,
which is achieved with the remembrance of God: Most surely, in the remembrance of God do
hearts find calm (QURAN, 13:28). This calm is what the heart seeks out and gravitates to. It
yearns always to remember God the Exalted. But when God is not remembered, when human
beings forget God, then the heart falls into a state of agitation and turmoil. In this state it becomes
vulnerable to diseases because it is undernourished and cut off, Cells require oxygen, so we
breathe, if we stop breathing, we die. The heart also needs to breathe, and the breath of the heart
is none other than the remembrance of God. Without it, the spiritual heart dies. The very purpose
of revelation and of scripture is to remind us that our hearts need to be nourished.
 Resource Person: Hanna-e-Kalbi
Subject: Islamic Studies

We enter the world in a state, the Quran calls fitrah, our original state and inherent nature
that is disposed to accept faith and prefer morality. But we soon learn anxiety mainly from our
parents and then our societies. The heart is created vulnerable to anxiety and agitation (QURAN,
70:19). Those who are protected from this state are people of prayer, people who establish prayer
and guard its performance with a humble and open heart connected with God, the Lord of all
creation. The highest ranks among people are those who do not allow anything to divert them
from the remembrance of Allah. They are the ones who remember God as they are standing,
sitting, and reclining on their sides (QURAN, 3:191).

The second category of disease concerns the base desires of the self and is called
shahawāt. This relates to our desires exceeding their natural state, as when people live merely to
satisfy these urges and are led by them. Islam provides the method by which our hearts can become
sound and safe again. This method has been the subject of brilliant and insightful scholarship for
centuries in the Islamic tradition. One can say that Islam in essence is a program to restore purity
and calm to the heart through the remembrance of God.

All of the Actions Spring from the Realm of our Hearts

If we examine the trials and tribulations, wars and other conflicts, every act of injustice all
over earth, we’ll find they are rooted in human hearts. Materialism, the desire to aggress and
exploit, the longing to pilfer natural resources, the inordinate love of wealth and position, and other
maladies are manifestations of diseases found nowhere but in the heart. Every criminal, miser,
abuser, scoffer, fraud, and hateful person does what he or she does because of a diseased heart. If
hearts were sound, these actions would no longer be a reality. So if we want to

Change our world, we do not begin by rectifying the outward. Instead, we must change the
condition of our inward. Everything we see happening outside of us is in reality coming from the
unseen world within. It is from the unseen world that the phenomenal world emerges, and it is
from the unseen realm of our hearts that all actions spring.

Four Stages to Condemn Injustice

The well-known civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. said that in order for people
to condemn injustice, they must go through four stages. The first stage is that people must
ascertain that indeed injustices are being performed. In his case, it was injustices against African
 Resource Person: Hanna-e-Kalbi
Subject: Islamic Studies

Americans in the United States. The second stage is to negotiate, that is, approach the oppressor
and demand justice. If the oppressor refuses, King said that the third stage is self-purification,
which starts with the question: “Are we ourselves wrongdoers? Are we ourselves oppressors?”
The fourth stage, then, is to take action after true self-examination, after removing one’s own
wrongs before demanding justice from others.

This four stages to demand justice can be applied to self- purification. If there is a pattern
of wrong happening to the person one should take notice of what he is doing wrong and try to
correct himself or seek help from knowledgeable people in purification of the heart.

Obsession vs. Tribulations

We of the modern world are reluctant to ask ourselves—when we look at the terrible things
that are happening— “Why do they occur?” And if we ask that with all sincerity, the answer will
come resoundingly: “All of this is from your own selves.” In so many ways, we have brought this
upon ourselves. This is the only empowering position we can take. The Quran implies that if a
people oppress others, God will send another people to oppress them: We put some oppressors
over other oppressors because of what their own hands have earned (6:129),

According to Fakhruddin al-Razi (a 12th century scholar of the Quran), the verse means
that the existence of oppression on earth may be caused by previous oppression. By implication,
often the victims of aggression were once aggressors themselves. This, however, is not the case
with tribulations, for there are times in which people are indeed, tried, but if they respond with
patience and perseverance, God will always give them relief and victory. If we examine the life of
the Prophet in Makkah, it’s clear that he and the community of believers were being harmed and
oppressed, but they were patient and God gave them victory. Within 23 years, the Prophet was not
only free of oppression, but became the leader of the entire Arabian Peninsula. Those people who
once oppressed him now sought mercy from him; and he was most gracious and kind in his
response. Despite their former brutality toward him, the Prophet forgave them and admitted them
into the brotherhood of faith.

This is the difference between someone whose heart is purified and sound and one whose
heart is impure and corrupt. Impure people oppress, and the pure-hearted not only forgive their
oppressors, but elevate them in status and character. In order to purify ourselves, we must begin to
recognize this truth. If we work on our hearts, if we actually implement what is suggested here,
 Resource Person: Hanna-e-Kalbi
Subject: Islamic Studies

we’ll begin to see changes in our lives, our condition, our society, and even within our own family
dynamics. It is a blessing that we have this science of purification, a blessing that this teaching
exists in the world today. What remains is for us to take these teachings seriously.

Two Types of Treatments

So let us study the diseases of the heart, examine their etiology (their causes), their signs
and symptoms, and, finally, how to treat them. There are two types of treatments: the theoretical
treatment, which is understanding the disease itself, and the practical treatment, which focuses
on the prescriptions we must take in order to restore the heart’s natural purity. If we apply the
techniques that have been learned and transmitted by the great scholars of the vast tradition of
Islam, we will see results. But just like medicinal prescriptions, the physician cannot force you to
take it. The knowledgeable scholars of spiritual purification have given us the treatment, as they
have gleaned it from the teachings of the Quran and the exemplary model of the Prophet. The
teachings are available. They are clear, and they work. It is then up to us to learn and apply them
to ourselves and share them with others.

QUESTIONS:

1. Which is a sound heart?

2. What brings death to the heart? Write the eight conducts.
3. Which 3 groups are mentioned in the Qur’an based on condition of the heart? Write
a verse regarding each group.
4. What is the difference between obsession and tribulation?
5. What manifests in man’s behavior?
6. What is the likeness of the one who remembers Allah and the one who does not
remember Allah?
7. What are the 4 stages to condemn injustice used for self-purification?
 Resource Person: Hanna-e-Kalbi
Subject: Islamic Studies

CREATION OF MAN AND PURPOSE OF LIFE

ِ ‫نسِِ ِإ َّلِِ ِل َيعۡ بُد‬

ِ‫ُون‬ ِ ۡ ‫ِِو‬
َ ‫ٱۡل‬ ۡ ‫َو َماِ َخلَ ۡق‬
َ ‫تُِِٱل ِج َن‬
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me” (51: 56)

Origin of Human and Deception of Satan is an important topic to know about the
miraculous creation of Adam (A.S) and Eve (Hawwa). Man is given the status of vicegerent of
Allah on Earth. Angels have given knowledge of the things relevant to their duties. However,
Adam was given the knowledge of all the things. Knowledge won him superiority over the Angels.

Allah subhana Ta'ala ordered the angels and Jins to prostrate to Adam, all bowed to him
and carried out the command of Allah (S.T) but Iblis. He refused due to pride in his creation. In
Paradise Adam and Eve were instructed to live happily and eat whatever they desire but were
forbidden to go near one tree. Allah (S.T) warned them that Satan was their enemy.

Satan was cursed and was given respite on demand till the day of Judgement. He vowed
that it is the mission to deviate man from the right path and make them ungrateful for the blessings.
He blamed Allah (S.T) for his disobedience. Satan misleads Adam and Eve, they ate the fruit from
the forbidden tree and lost their dresses.

Adam and Eve were sent to the earth and were forgiven and guided. Qur'an tells them and
their children to follow the guidance from Allah. Those who follow it will have nothing to fear
about and they will not grieve.

The Story of Adam, Eve, and Shaitan in Surah Al-Baqarah (30–39)

And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I will make upon the
earth a successive authority," They said, "Will You place upon it one who causes corruption
therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?" Allah said, "Indeed, I
know that which you do not know." And He taught Adam the names—all of them. Then He
showed them to the angels and said, "Inform Me of the names of these if you are truthful." They
said, "Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is you
who are the knowing, the wise. He said, "O Adam, inform them of their names." And when he
had informed them of their names, he said, "Did I not tell you that I know the unseen [aspects] of
the heavens and the earth? And I know what you reveal and what you have concealed." And
 Resource Person: Hanna-e-Kalbi
Subject: Islamic Studies

[mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate before Adam," so they prostrated, except for
Iblees. He refused, was arrogant, and became one of the disbelievers. And we said, "O Adam,
dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise, and eat therefrom in ease and abundance from wherever
you will. But do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers." But Satan caused
them to slip out of it and removed them from the condition in which they had been. And we said,
"Go down, [all of you], as enemies to one another, and you will have upon the earth a place of
settlement and provision for a time." Then Adam received from his Lord some words, and he
accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who accepts repentance, the Merciful. We said, "Go
down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My
guidance will have no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. And those who disbelieve and
deny Our signs—those will be companions of the fire; they will abide therein eternally."

In Surah al-A’raf (11-28)

And we have certainly created you, O Mankind, and given you human form. Then we said to the
angels, "Prostrate to Adam," and so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He was not one of those
who
prostrated. Allah said, "What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?" [Satan]
said, "I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay." [Allah] said,
"Descend from Paradise, for it is not for you to be arrogant therein. So get out; indeed, you are
debased. [Satan] said, "Reprieve me until the day they are resurrected." [Allah] said, "Indeed,
you are of those reprieved." [Satan] said, "Because You have put me in error, I will surely sit in
wait for them on Your straight path. Then I will come to them from before them and from behind
them and on their right and on their left, and You will not find most of them grateful [to You]."
[Allah] said, "Get out of Paradise, reproached and expelled. Whoever follows you among them, I
will surely fill Hell with you, all together." And "O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise
and eat from wherever you will, but do not approach this tree, lest you be among the
wrongdoers." But Satan whispered to them to make apparent to them that which was concealed
from them in their private parts. He said, "Your Lord did not forbid you this tree except that you
become angels or become of the immortal." And he swore [by Allah] to them, "Indeed, I am to
you from among the sincere advisors." So he made them fall through deception. And when they
tasted of the tree, their private parts became apparent to them, and they began to fasten
 Resource Person: Hanna-e-Kalbi
Subject: Islamic Studies

themselves together from the leaves of Paradise. And their Lord called to them, "Did I not forbid
you from that tree and tell you that Satan is to you a clear enemy?" They said, "Our Lord, we
have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be
among the losers." [Allah] said, "Descend, being to one another enemies. And for you on the
earth is a place of settlement and enjoyment for a time." He said, "Therein you will live, and
therein you will die, and from it you will be brought forth." O children of Adam, We have
bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as an adornment. But the clothing
of righteousness is the best. That is from the signs of Allah, which perhaps they will remember.
O children of Adam, let not Satan tempt you as he removed your parents from Paradise, stripping
them of their clothing to show them their private parts. Indeed, he sees you, he and his tribe,
from where you do not see them. Indeed, we have made the devil's allies those who do not
believe. And when they commit an immorality, they say, "We found our fathers doing it, and
Allah has ordered us to do it." Say, "Indeed, Allah does not order immorality. Do you say about
Allah that which you do not know?"
Say, [O Muhammad], "My Lord has ordered justice and that you maintain yourselves [in
worship of Him] at every place [or time] of prostration and invoke Him, sincere to Him in
religion." Just as He originated you, you will return [to life].
EXPLANATION
In the beginning of the story, seen in the conversation between Allah and the angels, it is learned
that Adam was created to live on earth as a vicegerent of Allah. He was not created to live in
paradise forever. It will be a home for those who lead a life on earth in obedience to Allah. The
only purpose of the creation of humans and Jins is to worship Allah. (Al-zariyat, 51:56)
Adam was kept in paradise for a certain period of time so that he might know his enemy. Life in
paradise was a demonstration of how life on earth was going to be.
We learn the following lessons from Adam and Hawwa’s story in the Qur’an:
Shaitan patiently misleads human beings through baby steps, ultimately making them commit
major sins. Like he gradually made them eat the forbidden fruit when they were forbidden to go
near the tree.
• He instilled in them the fear of losing paradise and an everlasting life like that of angels. This
fear of poverty made them make haste, resulting in their losing their dresses. The same is true for
those who use forbidden ways of earning due to fear of poverty or greed; they lose shame.
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Subject: Islamic Studies

Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said, "The one who does not have haya or shame may act as he
desires."
• His aim is to prevail indecency and shamelessness among humans. Allah says in the Qur’an:
"Shaitan (Satan) threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit Fahsha; whereas Allah
promises you forgiveness from Himself and bounty, and Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures'
needs, All-Knower." (2:268)
• The above-mentioned verse manifests that humans may fall into error, but they must not be
hopeless of the mercy of Allah. If they realize their mistake and repent, Allah will forgive them
and reward them. One must turn to Allah for all needs instead of falling into error. He knows and
is sufficient for his creatures’ needs.
• Shaitan (Satan) was an elevated worshipper among the jinns; therefore, Allah honoured him to
stay among the angels. He had knowledge and status; his pride in his creation was the cause of
disobedience to Allah.
• Shaitan has promised Allah that he will mislead human beings and attack them from
everywhere. He starts by making man ungrateful for the blessings of Allah and making changes
in the creation of Allah.
• A dress is a sign of Allah, which is created to adorn and cover the body. While the dress of
taqwa is the best, The dress of taqwa is the dress according to the commands of Allah.
• Allah makes devils friends of the nonbelievers. They justify their wrongdoings by saying that
they follow their forefathers and that Allah ordered them to do so. They speak a lie upon Allah
for Allah does not order them to do the immoral acts.
• Shaitan whispers to human beings to commit acts of disobedience, but he does not have any
power over them.

QUESTIONS:
1. What was the purpose of Adam's creation?
2. What was the purpose of keeping Adam in Paradise?
3. How does Shaitan mislead human beings?
4. Why did Shaitan disobey Allah?
5. What is the purpose of dress?
6. What do we learn from the story of Adam and Hawwa?
 Resource Person: Hanna-e-Kalbi
Subject: Islamic Studies

HADITH JIBRAIL

Umar ibn al-Khattab reported: We were sitting with the Messenger of Allah, peace and
blessings be upon him, when one day, a man appeared with very white clothes and very black hair.
There were no signs of travel on him, and we did not recognise him. He sat in front of the Prophet,
rested his knees on his knees, and placed his hands on his thighs. The man said, "O Muhammad,
tell me about Islam." The Prophet said, "Islam is to testify that there is no God but Allah and
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to establish prayer, to give charity, to fast the month
of Ramadan, and to perform pilgrimage to the House if a way is possible." The man said, "You
have spoken truthfully." We were surprised that he asked him and said he was truthful. He said,
"Tell me about faith." The Prophet said, "Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His
messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in providence, its good and its harm." The man said,
"You have spoken truthfully. Tell me about Ehsan." The Prophet said, "Ehsan is to worship Allah
as if you see Him, for if you do not see Him, He surely sees you." The man said, "Tell me about
the final hour." The Prophet said, "The one asking does not know more than the one asking."
The man said, "Tell me about its signs." The Prophet said, "The slave-girl will give birth to her
mistress, and you will see barefoot, naked, and dependent shepherds compete in the
construction of tall buildings." Then, the man returned, and I remained. The Prophet said to me,
"O Umar, do you know who he was?" I said, "Allah and His Messenger know best." The Prophet
said, "Verily, he was Jibra’il who came to teach you your religion."

Importance of Studying Hadith Jibra’il

It is important to study Hadith Jibra’il because it explains Islam in its totality. Answer to
the four questions may seem only the Terms but all of these terms individually hold an ocean of
knowledge. This hadith teaches us how to be a Muslim in real meanings.

EXPLANATION

Definition of Islam

Its literal meanings are "submit" and "peace." Technically, Islam is to attain peace by
submitting to Allah’s will.
 Resource Person: Hanna-e-Kalbi
Subject: Islamic Studies

Only Islam is acceptable to Allah

Allah will not accept anyone who practices any other religion; Islam is the only religion
that is acceptable to him. As it is mentioned in the following verses.

• "Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the books did not
differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves
in the Ayat of Allah, then surely, Allah is swift in calling to account." (Aal-e-Imran, 3: 19)

• Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam will not favor him, and on the Last Day,
he will be one of the losers.

• The following question may arise in a reader’s mind:

o What about those who believed in Mosa and Isa (alaihimussalam) and died on their
religion?

o What if people do all the good acts of charity and courtesy but do not accept Islam?

The answer to the first question is that, Islam was the only religion revealed to all of the
messengers, and their people made changes in their religion. They started worshipping their
messengers along with one God. Therefore, instead of calling their religion Islam, they named it
after the names of their messengers. Nevertheless, those who believed in the messengers and
followed their teachings in their true essence will enter paradise. On the contrary, those who find
the time of the last messenger Muhammad (S.A.W.) and do not believe in him are counted as
believers and thus will not enter paradise. Jews believe in Mosa (AS), but they do not believe in
Isa (AS) and Muhammad (S.A.W.). Christians believe in Isa (AS), but they do not believe in
Muhammad (S.A.W.). Without belief in the messenger of the time, no one can be successful in the
hereafter.

Secondly, people may do excessive charity work and may be humble and kind towards
their fellow beings, but the one who believes in Allah and the one who does not believe in Allah
can never be equal. Every good deed is valuable if it is done sincerely for the true master. If the
master is not accepted and good deeds are done for someone other than him, how can a master
reward a person who does not honour Him?

"It does not behoove the mushriks (polytheists) to become the guardians and servants of
Allah's houses of worship, while they themselves bear witness against themselves to their disbelief;
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Subject: Islamic Studies

in fact, all their works have gone to waste, and they shall abide in the fire forever. Only those are
worthy of being the guardians and servants of Allah's houses of worship who believe in Allah and
the Last Day, establish Salat and pay Zakat dues, and fear none but Allah; for these alone are
expected to follow the Right Way. Have you made the mere giving of water to pilgrims and the
guardianship of the Masjid-i-Haram equal to the works of the one who has believed in Allah and
the Last Day and exerted his utmost in the Way of Allah? Well, these things are not equal in the
sight of Allah, and Allah does not show guidance to the workers of iniquity. Those who have
believed, left their homes, and exerted their utmost with their lives and possessions in the Way of
Allah, shall have the highest ranks with Allah: they are truly successful." (9: 17-20)

SALAH

َّ ‫َّللاُ ََل ِإلَ ٰـهَ ِإ ََّل أَنَا فَا ْعبُدْنِي َوأَق ِِم ال‬
‫ص ََلة َ ِل ِذ ْك ِري‬ َّ ‫( ِإنَّنِي أَنَا‬Al-Qur’an 20:14)

“Indeed, I am Allah! There is none worthy of worship but I, so worship Me and establish Salah
for My remembrance.”

“Prayer is a pillar of the religion (Islam). Whoever establishes it, establishes religion; and whoever
destroys it (e.g. neglects it), destroys religion.” (Hadith)

It is obligatory upon every Muslim from the age seven, it is obligatory till the eye blinks and the
mind is sound. Other than that only a menstruating woman is exempted from prayer. It is obligatory
to pray during war. As it is mentioned in the Qur’an.

“And when you are among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand [in prayer]
with you and let them carry their arms. And when they have prostrated, let them be [in position]
behind you and have the other group come forward which has not [yet] prayed and let them pray
with you, taking precaution and carrying their arms. Those who disbelieve wish that you would
neglect your weapons and your baggage so they could come down upon you in one [single] attack.
But there is no blame upon you, if you are troubled by rain or are ill, for putting down your arms,
but take precaution. Indeed, Allah has prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.”
(4: 102)

How Great Salah is!!

• As-salatu miftah-ul-Jannah: Salah is the key to Jannah (Paradise)

• As-salatu ‘imadu-ad-deen: Salah is the Pillar of the religion.

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Subject: Islamic Studies

• As early as you prepare for the prayer as much your face will shine on the day of
Judgement.

• Concentration in Salah depends on mindfulness during (wudu’) ablution.

• Under the shade of Allah’s throne will be the one:

• The youth who grows up in the worship of Allah.

• A man whose heart is attached to the mosque

• Story: “The corpse that refused to enter the grave”.

• The first question from deeds, on the day of judgement will be regarding Salah.

• Two women in the neighborhood of a companion.

• Good character with obligatory acts of worship. (will be in Paradise)

• Bad character along with obligatory and voluntary acts of worship. (Will be in hell).

• It’s a must that your Salah brings a change in your character.

• “Beware hearts find peace in the remembrance of Allah.” (13:28)

• If you don’t find peace in prayer offer it peacefully. (70: 19-35)

• “If you hurry through your Salah for something, remember the one you are standing in
front of, is in control of everything.” (Dr. Bilal Philips)

• Be thankful for every single prayer you had been able to offer Allah will increase your
ability to perform more. (Sh. Kamal Uddin)

• “Salah is the mi’raaj of a Momin”: Salah and meditation with reference to Emily Fletcher
and definition of Ihsaan according to Hadith Jibra’il.

• If you have forgotten to pray or have slept through, pray as soon as you remember and
when you wake up. Do not delay it any further.

• Letting the time of prayer pass by intentionally is a greater sin. (Gunah Kabeerah)

• “The promise between us and people is Salah (prayer). Those who do not pray commit an
act of disbelief.” (Tirmizi, Nasa’i)
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• “So woe to the musalleen (those who pray) who are heedless of their prayers” – (Al
Qur’an- 107: 5)

• Muhammad (S.A.W) advised Hazrat ‘Amr bin al ‘Aas to read ta’awwuz (a’oozu billa…)
3 time and pretentiously spit on left side for 3 time to cast shaitan away if he was disturbed
by thoughts extensively.

ADVANTAGES OF SALAH

▪ Prayer establishes a personal and spiritual connection between the Muslim and his Creator,
based on faith, love, hope and reverence

▪ it is the center of a Muslim’s life and the best way to achieve submission to Allah.

▪ “Verily, the prayer prevents one from the shameful and evil deeds.” Qur’an 29:45

▪ “and seek help with patience and prayer.” Qur’an 2: 45

▪ “If one of you had a river by his door in which he bathed five times a day, would any filth
remain on him?” They replied, “No.” Then the Prophet added, “Likewise, Allah wipes
away sins with the five daily prayers.”

ZAKAT

▪ Zakat means purification and growth.

▪ It is obligatory on every wealthy Muslim.

▪ “Those who establish the prayer (salah) and give the charity (zakat) … these are the ones
who will prosper.” (Qur’an 31:4-5)

▪ “Allah has made zakat obligatory simply to purify your remaining wealth.”

▪ Example of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (R.A)

RECIPIENTS OF ZAKAT

• "The alms are only for the poor, the needy, those who collect them, those whose hearts are
to be reconciled, to free the captives and the debtors, for the cause of God, and for the
travellers; a duty imposed by God. God is All-Knowing, AII-Wise." (9:6)

ADVANTAGES OF ZAKAT
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▪ Purifies one from selfishness, arrogance and a greedy heart.

▪ Trains one to be sympathetic and compassionate towards the poor and needy.

▪ Reminds one of the blessings from Allah and encourages one to be grateful.

▪ Bridges the gap between different socio-economic classes and groups, and is a form of
social security.

▪ Reduces poverty and ensures equality by making it obligatory upon the rich to share some
of their wealth with the less fortunate “...so that this (wealth) may not circulate solely
among the rich from among you.” Qur’an 59:7

BEST WAY OF PAYING ZAKAT AND SADAQAT

• Left hand must not know what your right hand gives. Do not count what you give more
than the calculated amount of Zakat. So that Allah may give you excessively.

FASTING (SAOM)

• “Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain
piety.” Qur’an 2:183

• It is obligatory upon every healthy, sane and adult Muslim. A traveler and a sick person is
exempted from fasting. Menstruating, pregnant and nursing women are allowed to miss
fasts. But the missed fasts must be made up if the person restores his/her health. The person
whose health can never restore should pay fidya for missed fasts.

ADVANTAGES OF FASTING

▪ Promotes spiritual self-purification and growth.

▪ Scientifically proven health benefits.

▪ Sympathy for those less fortunate, prompting more charity.

▪ A means of learning self-control and patience.

▪ Purifies the soul and helps it acquire the habit of obeying Allah by restraining desires, and
promotes steadfastness.

▪ Creates an increased feeling of unity and collective identity amongst those fasting.
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▪ Creates an increased awareness about the state of affairs across the globe and the hardships
endured.

▪ Forgiveness of sins. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “He who fasts Ramadan, with
faith and hoping for reward (from Allah), then his past sins are forgiven.”

HAJJ- Pilgrimage

• “And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to
Allah, for those who can afford the expenses (for one’s transportation, provision and
residence).”Qur’an 3:97

• It is the Sunnah of Ibrahim (A.S) and Hajra (R.A)

• A retreat to seek nearness of Allah.

• Hajj is obligatory upon every sane, adult, healthy and wealthy Muslim.

• Hajj teaches sacrifice of all sorts.

• The most important obligation of Hajj is reaching ‘Arafah. Rasool Allah (S.A.W.) said,
“al-Hajju ‘Arafah”

IMAN

"It is that you believe in Allah and His angels and His Books and His Messengers and in the
Last Day, and in fate (qadar), both in its good and in its evil aspects."

Belief in Allah

One must believe that Allah is one and only in His names, characteristics and commands. No one
is equal to him in any of these. Allah is the giver and taker all mighty. If someone thinks someone
other than Allah can also give and take and someone else also has the power this is a disbelief and
taking partners with Allah.

The belief must be so that “Iqrarun billisani watasdeequn bil qalb” Bear witness with your tongue
and your heart must authenticate it.

Rasool Allah salla Allahu alaihi wasallam said: “Things are known by their opposites” therefore,
it is important to know about shirk.
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SHIRK-IDOLATORY means to associate partners with Allah and “worshiping another God
besides Allah”

In the broadest sense Idolatry or shirk is to stick to principles and values, or follow a life style
other than is consistent with the teaching and moral values of the Qur’an.

• Idolatry does not essentially require an absolute denial of the existence of Allah

• And on the Day when We shall gather them all together, then We shall say to those
who joined partners (in worship with Us): "Where are your partners (false deities)
whom you used to assert (as partners in worship with Allah)? “There will then be
(left) no Fitnah (excuses or statements or arguments) for them but to say: "By Allah,
our Lord, we were not those who joined others in worship with Allah. "Look! How
they lie against themselves! But the (lie) which they invented will disappear from
them. (al-An’aam, 22-24)

• An idolater does not necessarily have to make “declarations”:

• And of mankind are some who take (for worship) others besides Allah as rivals (to
Allah). They love them as they love Allah. But those who believe, love Allah more
(than anything else). If only, those who do wrong could see, when they will see the
torment, that all power belongs to Allah and that Allah is Severe in punishment. (2:
165)

• Love and fear leading to Shirk:

• Have you not seen those who were told to hold back their hands (from fighting) and
perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat but when the fighting was
ordained for them, behold! a section of them fear men as they fear Allah or even
more. They say: "Our Lord! Why have you ordained for us fighting? Would that
You had granted us respite for a short period?" Say: "Short is the enjoyment of this
world. The Hereafter is (far) better for him who fears Allah, and you shall not be
dealt with unjustly even equal to a scalish thread in the long slit of a date-stone (an-
Nisa: 77).
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• Allah is the worthiest to be feared of

• And Allah said (O mankind!): "Take not ilahain (two gods in worship). Verily, He
(Allah) is (the) only One Ilah (God). Then, fear Me (Allah )‫جل جَلله‬much [and Me
(Alone), i.e. be away from all kinds of sins and evil deeds that Allah has forbidden
and do all that Allah has ordained and worship none but Allah] To Him belongs all
that is in the heavens and (all that is in) the earth and Ad-Din Wasiba is His [(i.e.
perpetual sincere obedience to Allah is obligatory). None has the right to be
worshipped but Allah)]. Will you then fear any other than Allah?

BELIEF IN THE ANGELS

Angels are the Creation of Allah. It is made of light. They carry out the tasks assigned to them.
They never make mistakes. There is a misconception about the two angels Harut and Marut.
According to myth these two angels are hung upside down as a punishment for teaching magic to
human beings. Qur’an says:

“They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of
Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin disbelieved, teaching men
magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut, but
neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for
trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And from these (angels) people learn
that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm
anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not.
And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And
how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew.” (2: 102)
Disbelievers said that angels are the daughters of Allah.

And they assign daughters unto Allah! - Glorified (and Exalted) is He above all that they
associate with Him! And unto themselves what they desire. (16: 57)
Has then your Lord (O pagans of Makkah!) preferred for you sons, and taken for Himself
daughters from among the angels? Verily you indeed utter an awful saying. (17:40)
BELIEF IN THE BOOKS
Muslims must believe that the books sent to the previous nations were revealed by Allah. Those
books were flawless but their people changed the teachings of the books. Those books were for
specific time, area and people but the Qur’an is for all the people of all the world till the last day.
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BELIEF IN THE MESSENGERS

A Muslim believes in all the messengers from Adam till Muhammad sallaAllahu ‘alaihi wasallam.
It is mentioned in the Qur’an.

– Say (O Muslims), "We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us
and that which has been sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma'il (Ishmael), Ishaq
(Isaac), Ya'qub (Jacob), and to Al-Asbat [the offspring of the twelve sons of Ya'qub
(Jacob)], and that which has been given to Musa (Moses) and 'Îsa (Jesus), and that
which has been given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction
between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam).” (2: 136)
– The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so
have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His
books and His messengers, [saying], "We make no distinction between any of
His messengers." And they say, "We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your
forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination." (2:285)
BELIEF IN THE DAY OF JUDGEMET
On this day Allah will judge people based on their deeds and intentions. They will either be
rewarded with either paradise or hell. People will cross the bridge sharper than the sword and
thinner than the hair. They will cross it with the speed according to their good deeds.

ِ‫َِّللاِِ َحدِيثا‬ ْ َ‫ِِو َم ْنِأ‬

َ َ‫ص َدقُ ِمِ ن‬ َ ‫ْبِفِيه‬
َ ‫ِري‬
َ ‫ِِّل‬ ْ ‫َِلِ ِإلَ َهِ ِإ َّلِه َُوِلَ َي ْج َم َعنَ ُك ْمِ ِإلَىِ َي ْو ِم‬
َ ‫ِال ِق َي َمة‬ َ ‫َّللا‬
َُ

Allah, there is no god but He – He will most certainly gather you together on the
resurrection day, there is no doubt in it; and who is more true in word than Allah? (4:87)

ِ‫شيْئا‬ َ ‫سا ُنِأَنَاِ َخلَ ْقنَاهُِمِ نِقَ ْبل‬

َِ ِ ُ‫ُِولَ ْمِ َيك‬ ِ ْ ‫فِأ ُ ْخ َر ُجِ َحيّاِ*ِأ َ َو َّلِ َي ْذ ُك ُر‬
َ ‫ِاۡلن‬ َ َ‫سا ُنِأَءِ ذَاِ َماِمِ تُّ ِل‬
َ ‫س ْو‬ ِِ ‫َو َيقُول‬
َ ‫ُِاۡل ْن‬
And says man: What! when I am dead shall I truly be brought forth alive? Does not man
remember that We created him before, when he was nothing? (19: 66-67)

َِ‫اِو َكذَِلِكَ ِت ُ ْخ َر ُجون‬ َ ‫ِاْل َ ْر‬

َ ‫ضِبَ ْع َدِ َم ْوتِ َه‬ ْ ‫ِويُ ْح ِى‬
َ ّّ‫ى‬ ْ َ‫ِال َميِّتَ ِمِ ن‬
ِِ ‫ِال َح‬ ْ ‫ِِويُ ْخ ِر ُج‬ ْ َ‫ىِمِ ن‬
َ ‫ِال َميِّت‬ ْ ‫يُ ْخ ِر ُج‬
َ ‫ِال َح‬
He brings forth the living from the dead and brings forth the dead from the living, and
gives life to the earth after its death, and thus shall you be brought forth. (30:19)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIuCRbJU198
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BELIEF IN QADR (Fate/destiny)

Allah Ta’ala mentions the benefit of the concept of qadr in the Qur’an:

– No evil befalls on the earth nor in your own souls, but it is in a book before We
bring it into existence; surely that is easy to Allah: (fate is) So that you may not
grieve for what has escaped you, nor be exultant at what He has given you; and
Allah does not love any arrogant boastful: (57: 22,23)
IHSAN

Ihsan means to worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you do not see Him he sees you.”
• The word Ihsan is derived from Husn which means beautiful, better
– For those who answered their Lord's Call [believed in the Oneness of Allah and
followed His Messenger Muhammad ‫ سلم و عليه هللا صلى‬i.e. Islamic Monotheism] is
Al-Husna (i.e. Paradise). (al-ra’d:18)
– Truly, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers). (al-baqara: 195)
Worship does not mean only to pray, fast and hajj, but worship encompasses each and every act
done according to the teachings of Allah and Rasool Allah (S.A.W.).

SIGNS OF THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT

In the hadith, Jibra’il Muhammad (S.A.W.) mentioned only two signs.

1. You will see barefooted herdsmen competing against each other to build
skyscrapers.

2. A slave woman will give birth to her mistress.

There are many other signs of the day of judgement mentioned in the books of Hadith under
the title "time of turmoil." The following ahadith are from Sahih Muslim.

It is important to know about the signs of the day of Judgement so that when we see those
we prepare for the hereafter and may be safe from the confusions regarding what is right and what
is wrong, who to side with and who to go against, when and where to be active and inactive.
Otherwise a person’s end time starts when he dies. Time of death is unpredictable and death is
undeniable.

Arabs will start worshipping the idols.

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They will worship Laat and Uzzah.

Excessive Killing (haraj)

When there would be excessive killing, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) advised the
believers to:

1. Retreat to the lands, fields, and animals to take care of, if one owns any (like the
people of Kahaf).

2. Break every possible weapon from such a place that it may not be used against a
Muslim.

If two Muslims stand in front of one another with the intention of killing, the killer and the
killed are both in hellfire.

Prayers of the Prophet (S.A.W.)

Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) prayed for three things for his Ummah:

1. The flood may not destroy all of the Muslim ummah.

2. Famine may not wipe out the Ummah.

3. The Ummah may not fight among itself.

The first two was accepted, but the last one was not.

In another hadith, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) prayed for the Ummah not to be destroyed
by any other nation. Allah subhana wata’ala accepted it and said no other nation will be able to
destroy them, but they will kill and imprison their people themselves.

Egypt, Iraq, and Sham

The currencies of Egypt, Iraq, and Syria will change to another currency. These countries
will fall under Christian rule.

Qustuntunya

Rasool Allah said, “you will lose Qustuntunya by the end of time”. 70,000 people of the
Ishaq’s A.S. nation will conquer it. They will enter the waters of the Ocean of Qustuntunya they
will conquer the city without fighting and shedding blood. They will say three tasbeehat three
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times, “subhan Allahi, wal-hamdulillahi, wallahu Akbar.” And the city will open for them from
three sides, 4th is the Ocean.

Rasool Allah (S.A.W) twice had foretold about the conquest of Qustuntunya. For the first
time it was conquered by Sultan Muhammad Fateh. Twenty-eight caliphs and Sultans had tried to
conquer it. Sultan Muhammad Fateh was the Twenty-nineth. For the Conquerors of Qustuntunya
Rasool Allah (S.A.W.) said, that they are the best troops and their commander is the best
commander, and they will enter paradise.

Roman Christians will be the greatest in number.

The Roman Christians will be the greatest in number of all the other nations.

The sun will rise from the west.

Every day the sun sets in the west and prostrates to Allah (subhana wata’ala) and seeks His
permission to rise. Therefore, it rises in the east. One day it will prostrate to Allah and seek His
permission to rise, but due to severe anger, Allah will ask the sun, "Go back where you have come
from", so the sun will rise from the west. After seeing this, everyone will believe, but believing at
this point will not benefit the person.

The Mountain of Gold will appear in the River Farat (Euphrates); Muhammad
(S.A.W.) said, "The one who sees it should not take anything from it. There will be much killing
for that gold. So much so that if a man has 100 sons, 99 will die and only one will survive. Everyone
fighting for it will think that he will be the only successful person.

Imam Mahdi

Imam Mahdi will come and give treasures to the believers.

Dajjal (anti-Christ)

Only believers, whether lettered or unlettered, will be able to identify Kufr of Dajjal.

Either kufr will be written on his forehead or he will have the letters "kaaf," "faa," and
"raa."

Dajjal’s one eye will be like that of a dried grape. Every messenger warned his people
against Dajjal, but for being the last messenger, this is the sign that no other messenger but
Muhammad (S.A.W.) ever told.
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Dajjal will cause famine in the lands of the believers; their animals will become weak and
their lands barren. The situation in the land of the disbelievers will be the opposite. Their animals
will be healthy, and their land will have abundant crops.

Dajjal will come with two streams:

1. Stream of water in his right hand. Believers in Dajjal will enter it. Hence, I will
enter the fire of Allah.

2. Stream of fire in his left hand. Disbelievers in Dajjal will enter it. Hence, they will
enter Allah’s gardens. Muhammad (S.A.W.) said those who enter his fire should close their eyes
and drink from it without hesitation. It will be cool water for them.

Dajjal will not be able to enter Madina. There will be such an earthquake in Medina that it
will drive out all the disbelievers from Medina. Only people of faith will be able to stay and survive
in Medina.

Dajjal will be able to kill only one person and will be able to give life to the same person.
He will be the strongest man in Iman during that time. When Dajjal will give him back his life. He
will say, "Now my belief is firmer, that you are the Dajjal."

‘Isa ‘Alaihissalam

‘Isa ‘Alaihissalam will come on the white minaret in Sham (Syriya); putting his hands on
angels on both sides, scented water or oil will be dripping from his hair. As he raises his head, the
water sprinkles afar. All the disbelievers who are able to smell this fragrance will die.

Imam Mahdi will affirm that he is the Christ, ‘Isa ‘alaihissalam. ' Isa ‘alaihissalam will lead
Asar Prayer and fight against the army of Dajjal along with all the Muslims. After Dajjal is killed,
news of the arrival of Yajuj Majuj (Gog Magog) will be received. Yajuj Majuj is mentioned in
Surah-al-Kahaf. Hunger will prevail among the Muslims so that they will be willing to pay 900
coins of gold for the head of a cow. Hazrat Isa A.S. Isa alaihissalam will go to a hill until Yajuj
Majuj has perished.

He will come back with the small group of Muslims, and life will start normally. Until
there comes a time when not a single person will call for good and forbid evil, then beast of the
land will appear from the land of Ka'bah, where people will be worshipping just like in the days
of Jahiliyyah (ignorance, pre-Islamic era).
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Subject: Islamic Studies

The appearance of the Beast of the Earth (Daabbat-ul-Ard)

It will come out to warn people against their sins and remind them of Allah. It will be the
time when people will have abandoned calling for good and forbidding evil.

َ َّ‫ض ت ُ َك ِلِّ ُم ُه ْم أ َ َّن الن‬

َ‫اس كَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا ََل يُوقِنُون‬ َ ‫َوإِذَا َوقَ َع ْالقَ ْو ُل‬
ِ ‫علَ ْي ِه ْم أ َ ْخ َرجْ نَا لَ ُه ْم دَابَّةً ِ ِّمنَ ْاْل َ ْر‬

"And when the word befalls them, we will bring forth for them a creature from the earth
speaking to them, because the people did not believe in our signs."

Cold Wind

No Muslim will live to see the Doom's day. Therefore, at Allah’s command, a light, cold
wind will blow from the east and kill every person with faith equal to the weight of a mustard seed,
even if it hides in a cave.

Some of the Contemporary Signs in Signs of the Day of Judgement

1. Children will become aggressive.

2. Treacherous people will run the marketplaces.

3. Young people will become very wealthy.

4. People will see dishes and will not visit their neighbors.

5. Trials will be presented to the people in the form of mats. (LCDs, cell phones).

6. Muslims will be treated worse than an ugly goat.

7. People will mock and make fun of others.

8. It will be the destruction of civilization.

9. There will be many police, but there will be no peace.

10. Mosques will be beautiful, but hearts will be ugly.

11. Musical instruments will be on their heads.

12. There will be movements to corrupt women.

13. There will be homosexuality and many children out of wedlock.

 Resource Person: Hanna-e-Kalbi
Subject: Islamic Studies

14. Women will sway in their walks; they will cause others to incline towards them,
and they themselves will incline towards others.

15. They will be clothed and naked (i.e., wearing tight and see-through dresses). There
will be people whose heads will be like Bactrian camels’ heads. Such people will not enter
paradise.

16. People will drink intoxicants with other names.

Questions

1. Define Islam, Iman and Ehsan according to Hadith Jibra’il.

2. What is the meaning of word Islam and who is a true Muslim?
3. Where will the mountain of Gold appear?
4. What is the advice of Rasool Allah regarding the two rivers of Dajjal and the
Mountain of God of Euphrates?
5. What did Rasool Allah (S.A.W.) tell about Qustuntunya (Istanbul)?
6. What is the status of the contemporary fashion?
7. What is the Importance of Salah?
8. What is the reason of Obligation for salah, zakat, saom and Hajj?
9. What is the character of a believer in “La ilaha illa Allah”?

SEVEN UNDER THE SHADE OF ALLAH’S THRONE

Seven of those whom Allah will shade with His shade on the day when there will be no
shade except His were mentioned in the sahih ahadith.

It was reported from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

"There are seven whom Allah will shade with His shade on the day when there will be no
shade except His:

1. The just ruler

2. A young man who grows up worshipping his Lord.

3. A man whose heart is attached to the mosque

 Resource Person: Hanna-e-Kalbi
Subject: Islamic Studies

4. Two men who love one another for the sake of Allah meet and part on that basis.

5. A man who is called by a woman of rank and beauty and says, ‘I fear Allah,"

6. A man who gives in charity and conceals it to such an extent that his left hand does
not know what his right hand gives.

7. A man who remembers Allah when he is alone, and his eyes fill up (come to
tears/shed tears)." (Agreed upon, narrated by al-Bukhari, no. 620; Muslim, no. 1712; and others.).

This is one of the blessings that Allah bestows upon His believing slaves. On the great day
when mankind will be suffering distress and hardship, the sun will be brought near to mankind,
until the distance between them is equal to the length of the stick used for applying kohl to the
eyes [meel] may also mean a "mile"], and all the people will sweat according to their deeds, except
for some of the believers, whom Allah will single out to shade with His shade, and He will protect
them from the sun and from sweating.

‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him) say:

"The sun will be brought near to the earth, and the people will sweat. For some people, the
sweat will come up to their heels; for some it will come halfway up their shins; for some it will
come up to their knees; for some it will come up to their backsides; for some it will come up to
their hips; for some it will come up to their shoulders; for some it will come up to their necks; for
some it will come up to the middle of their mouths; and some of them will be completely covered
with their sweat." (Narrated by Imaam Ahmad in his Musnad, no. 16798)

There follows the commentary of Ibn Hajar (may Allah be pleased with him) on the hadeeth
(about the shade of Allah):

"With His Shade." The fact that the shade is connected to Allah is an expression of honour,
for every shade belongs to Him. It was said that this refers to His honor and protection, just as it
may be said (in Arabic) that a person is in the shade (or shadow) of the king. And it was said that
it refers to the shadow of His throne, which is more correct.

"The just ruler" means one who holds the position of khalifah, or anyone else who is
appointed to a position of authority over the Muslims’ affairs, and he fulfils his duties justly.
 Resource Person: Hanna-e-Kalbi
Subject: Islamic Studies

The best definition of "just" is: one who obeys the commands of Allah and puts everything
in its proper place without going to the extreme either of overdoing it or of negligence. The just
ruler is mentioned first because his benefits are so far-reaching.

"a young man". Young men are mentioned in particular because they are more likely to
feel desire because of their strong motives for following their desires. The fact that a young man
adheres to worship despite that is indicative of the strength of his taqwa (piety).

"Worshipping his Lord". In the hadeeth of Salman, it says that he "spent his youth and his
energy in worshipping Allah."

"Attached to the mosque". The apparent meaning is attachment in the sense of hanging, as
if his heart is likened to something that hangs in the mosque—like a lamp, for example—indicating
that his heart is so strongly attached to the mosque that even when he leaves the mosque, his heart
is still there. Or it could mean attachment in the sense of deep love.

"Love one another" means, they shared a kind of love whereby each loved the other in a
genuine sense, not just to show off.

"And [they] meet and part on that basis" means, this is an ongoing love based on religion,
which they do not cut off for any worldly reason, whether they meet in reality or not, until death
comes between them.

"a man who is called by a woman of rank and beauty". The meaning of "of rank" is, of high
birth or a high position; this may refer to lineage or to wealth. The woman is described as having
all the qualities that people usually seek: power and wealth, along with beauty. It is very rare to
find all three in a woman. The apparent meaning is that she called him to commit immoral actions.

"And says ‘I fear Allah’". The apparent meaning is that he says this out loud, either to
rebuke her for her immorality or to refuse her call. It may also be that he says it in his heart.

"To such an extent that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives". What is
meant by this is that he conceals his charitable giving and goes to such an extreme that his left
hand, even though it is so close to his right hand and is always with it, would not know what the
right hand is doing because of this utter secrecy. This is a metaphor.

"And a man who remembers Allah"—either in his heart or by mentioning Him out loud.
 Resource Person: Hanna-e-Kalbi
Subject: Islamic Studies

"When he is alone"—because this is furthest away from showing off. What is meant here
is that there are no distractions, so he pays attention to nothing except Allah. "His eyes fill up (lit.
flood)" means, they fill with tears; this is another metaphor.

Although men are mentioned in this hadeeth, women are also included in what is described
here. Although what is meant by "just leader" is the position of imaam (khaleefah), women may
also be included in this if they have children and treat them justly. The idea of being attached to
the mosque does not apply to women, because a woman’s prayer in her home is better than her
prayer in the mosque. Apart from that, women have a share in all of these things; if a man may be
called by a woman, then it can be imagined that a woman could be called by a handsome king, for
example, and she refuses because she fears Allah, even though she may have motives to respond.
Fath al-Baari, 620.

There are others whom Allah will also shade with His shade—apart from the seven
mentioned in the hadeeth quoted above—who are mentioned in other ahaadeeth. Ibn Hajar listed
them in Fath al-Baari (620) as follows:

"Those who fight (for the sake of Allah); those who help the mujahedeen; those who defer
payment of debt for debtors who are in difficulty, or let them off all or part of the debt; those who
help people who are heavily in debt; those who help slaves who have drawn up contracts of
manumission; those who have a good attitude; those who walk to the mosque; sincere and honest
traders; those who take what is due to them and no more; those who spend for the sake of Allah;
those who sponsor orphans."

We ask Allah to shade us with His shade on the day when there will be no shade except
His.

By: Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

Questions

1. Who will be the seven under the shade of Allah’s throne?

2. What is meant by a Just ruler?
3. Explain remembering Allah in seclusion and shedding tears.
4. What is meant by heart attached to the Mosque?
5. Explain “a man who is called by a woman of rank and beauty but says I fear Allah.”
 Resource Person: Hanna-e-Kalbi
Subject: Islamic Studies

6. What is meant by loving for the sake of Allah?