Quran: Definition of the Term

The word "Quran," a verbal noun, is equivalent in meaning to "qira'ah," as both come from the verb "qara'a" which means "to read."

That is, Quran literally means "a reading or reciting." However, the term "Quran" has been historically used specifically to refer to the book which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The term "Quran" is mentioned in a number of places throughout the book in reference to itself. For example:

"Verily, this Quran guides (humanity) to that which is most just."
[Noble Quran 17:9]

The name Quran is used to refer to both the Quran as a whole, as in the previously quoted verse; as well as to each verse or group of verses, as in the following verse:

"And if the Quran is recited, you should listen to it and be silent, that you may receive mercy."
[Noble Quran 7:204]

The Book has also been referred to by other names; for example, the Furqan (The Distinction):

"Blessed is He who revealed the Furqan to His slave in order that he may be a warner to all the worlds."
[Noble Quran 25:1]

and the Dhikr, (The Reminder):

Material on the Authenticity of the Qur’an & Allah

by Shaikh ‘Abdur-Raheem Green
All praise is due to Allah, we praise Him and we seek his help and ask His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil of our selves and from the evil results of our actions. I testify that Allah alone is worthy of worship and that Muhammad is His slave and final Messenger. May Allah’s salawaat (peace and blessings) be upon the last and final messenger Muhammad, his family and his followers. Ameen!
To begin: The best discourse is the book of Allah, and the best way is the way of Muhammad, and the worst of the matters in the religion are those newly introduced innovations, for every innovation in the religion is misguidance, and every misguidance is going astray and every going astray is in the Hellfire.
I have embarked on my commentary on the The Economist magazine’s survey “Islam and the West” (large insert in the August 6, 1994 issue) after some considerable deliberation, and find myself confronted with a considerable task, and indeed Allah is the best of helpers. Brian Beedham is able to rely on what Noam Chomskey calls “manufactured consent”. While dictatorships use force in order to achieve consent from the people and prevent opposition, “democracies” manufacture consent through the media by using it to providing a particular world view which conforms to the interests, by and large, of the ruling elite. He is able to get away with a short, condensed, article because he doesn’t need to prove much of what he is saying, he only has to repeat the prefabricated conventional platitudes. For example, when he talks the Algerian Muslims as “a singularly intransigent bunch of Islamic rebels, fundamentalists of the most bloody minded sort” he doesn’t have to prove it, because the establishment has already ensured that people believe this is the case. In fact the statement in not at all true. The Algerian fundamentalists proved willing to go to elections and seek a peaceful way re-establish the Islamic Sharee’ah . Recent events, such as the meeting of the opposition groups, including the “rebel fundamentalists”, in Rome, calling for talks and a return to free elections - which was even supported by the French government and was rejected by the Algerian government - shows that it is the Algerian government that has proved bloody minded. In spite of such obvious discrepancies Mr. Beedham is able to get away with it because consent has already been manufactured that the fundamentalists are rebellious and bloody minded.
Similarly he never feels he has to prove that democracy is an advantage, it is taken almost completely for granted, knowing his audience is already “captive” so as to speak. In the age of the “sound-bite” (or perhaps in this case “word-bite”), opposing the conventional wisdom is not easy, for what the likes of Mr. Beedham can say in a sentence opposing it would take a book. Even then it would be of doubtful effectiveness, for opposing the norms of society is perhaps one of the hardest paths to take for an instinctively societal creature like ourselves. Thus I shall be writing a series of letters, and not just one, thus enabling me to break down the commentary into more manageable pieces. I shall also refer certain topics to appendices, which may include video and audio tapes.

Listening to Qur'an before going to bed

As Salaamu Alaikum!

Some Muslims have the habit of listening to Qur’aan before going to sleep, whether from a cassette player or some other means, so that the he ends his day with remembrance of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala. So what is the ruling on this? Can a Muslim end his day by “listening” to the Holy Qur’an before he goes to bed? Let us see the answer:

There is nothing wrong with a Muslim listening to Qur’aan before he sleeps, or listening to a lecture or anything permissible. Indeed it is narrated in the saheeh Sunnah that among the adhkaar to be recited before going to sleep are some du’aa’s and verses and soorahs from the Qur’aan.

Al-Bukhaari said:
Chapter: Seeking refuge with Allaah and reciting Qur’aan when going to sleep
It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that when the Messenger of Allaah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) went to bed, he would blow into his hands and recite the Mu’awwadhaat, and wipe his body with them.
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5960.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) appointed me to guard the zakaah of Ramadaan, and someone came and started to rummage in the food. I took hold of him and said: “I am going to take you to the Messenger of Allaah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam)”… And he said:

“When you go to your bed, recite Aayat al-Kursi, and you will have ongoing protection from Allah and no devil will come near you until morning comes.” The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “He spoke the truth even though he is a liar; that was a devil.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3101.

Listening to Qur’aan before going to sleep and after, during Ramadaan and at other times instills tranquility in the heart and helps one relax. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“verily, in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find rest”
[al-Ra’d 13:28]

With Best Wishes

 www.waytoquran.tk

Quranic verses 13-19 - Surah 31. Luqman

 As Salaamu Alaikum

Today we will share with you verse no's 13-19 of the Surah Luqman from the Holy Qur'an. These verses are giving us guidance and giving us instructions as to how we need to behave and conduct ourselves. 

13. And (remember) when Luqman said to his son when he was advising him: "O my son! Join not worship others with Allah. Verily, joining others in worship with Allah is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed.

14. And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years- give thanks to Me and to your parents. To Me is the final destination.

15. But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not; but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.

16. "O my son! If it be (anything) equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Verily, Allah is Subtle (in bringing out that grain), Well-Acquainted (with its place).

Quranic Foods - Honey

As Salaamu Alaikum!

Today we will read about one of the foods mentioned in the Qur'an which is Honey.

The Arabic word for honey is ‘ asal ( ).  The word is mentioned once in the Quran, while it is described in another verse where Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala talks about honeybees.

1- And your Lord inspired the bee, saying: "Take you habitations in the mountains and in the trees and in what they erect. Then, eat of all fruits, and follow the ways of your Lord made easy (for you)." There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying colour wherein is healing for men. Verily, in this is indeed a sign for people who think.[16:68-69]

2. The description of Paradise which the Muttaqûn (pious -- see V.2:2) have been promised is that in it are rivers of water the taste and smell of which are not changed; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine delicious to those who drink; and rivers of clarified honey (clear and pure) therein for them is every kind of fruit; and forgiveness from their Lord. (Are these) like those who shall dwell for ever in the Fire, and be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels? [47:15]

Benefits 

Honey, along with its vitamins and minerals, is a great benefit for human health.  It consists of sugar (glucose and fructose), minerals (calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium chlorine, sulfur, iron and phosphorus), and vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and C).8 In addition, it contains small amounts of several kinds of hormones, copper, iodine, and zinc – in other words, almost everything that the human body needs.

Quranic Foods: Mustard Seed

 As Salaamu Alaikum!

Mustard seed (2) Khardal (خردل ) means mustard.  Its seed has been mentioned twice in the Quran:

1. And We shall set up balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And Sufficient are We as Reckoners. [21:47]

2. O my son! If it be (anything) equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Verily, Allah is Subtle (in bringing out that grain), Well-Aware (of its place). [31:16]

 Description:

Let us read more about Mustard seeds:

Mustard greens and mustard seeds are among the oldest known herbal remedies for a great number of health conditions. Originated from the Mediterranean areas, mustard and the herbs from Brassica family were quite popular in the Middle and Far East.

In most modern kitchens, both mustard seeds and mustard greens are used for a variety of purposes: to spice up sandwiches, salads and other meals, to preserve pickles and so on.

There are three most commonly used types of mustard seeds, including brown mustard (Brassica juncea), white mustard (Brassica alba) and black mustard (Brassica nigra), which are available in powdered from or as whole.

Mustard seeds are used for producing oil, which is known for its excellent warming properties and can be used for massages. In addition, mustard seeds have very high nutritional value, being a source of many important microelements and nutrients. One of the healthiest and the least caloric spices, mustard seeds are used in almost every world’s cuisines and are among the world’s most demanded spices, which is especially loved in India, Canada and the US.

 Benefit: