The First Source of Islamic Laws

Towards Understanding Islam & Muslims The First Source of Islamic Laws The Qur'an In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Introduces Itself “ALM. This is the Book, no doubt in it; guidance to those who guard (against evil).” Al-Baqara:1-2 Complied by Ahmad Sultan

Outline • Objective & Disclaimer • Terms for Better Understanding • The Qur'an Introduces Itself • What is the Qur'an? • Whose words is it? • When it was revealed and how? • Who brought it down? • Who received it? • Who is preserving it? • What is its message? • Faith, Virtue, Accountability, Eternity • The Quran challenges! • Conclusion

Objective • The purpose of this presentation is information sharing about a religious subject. • Islam encourages open and candid communications among people, and DOES NOT entertain proselytizing and/or similar practices. • Note: The translation of Qur'anic verses is best effort translation of their meaning; it is not Qur'an.

Terms for Better Understanding • Q.R.A = to read • QURAN = reading/recitation • Other names: The Book, The Revelation, The Reminder, The Criterion, Proof, Light

Bible.O.T. Genesis. Arabic. 1821. Risius Terms for Better Understanding (cont.) • Allah is a contraction of Al-Elah = The God • It is the same word used for God, as well, for Arabic speaking Christians and Jews • Term does not imply gender; like god/goddess • Term cannot be pluralized; like gods/goddesses

The Qur'an Introduces Itself • “(This is) a Message sent down from the Lord of the Worlds.” Al-Haaqqa: 43. • “A revelation from Him Who created the earth and the high heavens.” Taha: 4 • Say: “The (Qur-an) was sent down by Him Who knows the Mystery (that is) in the heavens and the earth: verily He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Al-Furqan: 6. • “It is a Revelation sent down by (Him), the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful,” Yaseen: 5. • “This is no less than a Message to (all) the Worlds.” Saad: 87.

Who Revealed the Qur'an? • “The revelation of this Book is from Allah, Exalted in Power, Full of Knowledge, Who forgiveth Sin, accepteth Repentance, is Strict in Punishment, and hath a Long Reach (in all things). There is no god but He: to Him is the Final Goal.” Ghafer: 2-3 • “A revelation from The Most Gracious, Most Merciful; A Book, whereof the verses are explained in detail; a Qur-an in Arabic, for people who understand;” Fussilat: 1-3

Revealed from He Who Revealed to all the Messengers • “Is it a wonder for mankind that We have inspired a man among them, saying: Warn mankind and bring unto those who believe the good tidings that they have a sure footing with their Lord? The disbelievers say: “This is indeed an evident sorcerer!”” Yunus:2-4. • “We have sent thee inspiration, as We sent it to Noah andthe Messengers after him: We sent inspiration to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the Psalms.” Al-Nisa:163.

Revealed from He Who Revealed the Torah and Gospel • “It was We who revealed the Torah: therein is guidance and light. with it the prophets who submitted themselves (to Allah) judged (matters), by the Rabbis and the Doctors of of Divine knowledge : …” Al-Maeda: 44. • “And in their footsteps And We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow in their footsteps, confirming that which was (revealed) before him in the Torah, and We bestowed on him the Gospel wherein is guidance and a light, confirming that which was (revealed) before it in the Torah - a guidance and an admonition unto those who guard (against evil).” Al-Maeda:46. • “And this is a Book which We have sent down, bringing blessings, and confirming (the revelations) which came before it: that thou mayest warn the Mother of Cities and all around her. Those who believe in the Hereafter, believe in this (Book), and they are constant in guarding their Prayers.” Al-Anaam:92.

Enough is God for a Witness “Alif Lam Mim Ra. These are the Signs (or Verses) of the Book: that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord is the Truth; but most men believe not.” Al-Raad: 1. • “But Allah beareth witness that what He hath sent unto thee He hath sent from His (own) knowledge, and the angels bear witness: but enough is Allah for a witness.” Al-Nissa :166.

When Did the Revelation Began? • “Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur-an, as a guide to mankind, also Clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).” Al-Baqara: 185 • “We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand: Peace!...This until the rise of the dawn!” Al-Qadr • “We send down (stage by stage) in the Qur-an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe: to the unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss.” Al-Isra: 82.

Who Delivered It? Angle Gabriel • “Verily this is a Revelation from the Lord of the worlds: With it came down the Spirit of Faith and Truth, To thy heart and mind, that thou mayest admonish, In the perspicuous Arabic tongue. Without doubt it is (announced) in the revealed Books of former peoples.” Al-Shuara:192-196.

Attributes of Angel Gabriel • “By the Star when it goes down, Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled, Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) Desire. It is no less than inspiration sent down to him: • He was taught by one Mighty in Power, Endued with Wisdom: for he appeared (in stately form) While he was in the highest part of the horizon: Then he approached and came closer, And was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer; So did (Allah) convey the inspiration to His Servant; (conveyed) what He (meant) to convey. The (Prophet's) (mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he saw. Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he saw? For indeed he saw him at a second descent, Near the Lote-tree beyond which none may pass: Near it is the Garden of Abode.” Al-Najm: 1-15

Attributes of Angel Gabriel (cont.) • “Verily this is the word of a most honourable Messenger, Endued with Power, with rank before the Lord of the Throne, With authority there, (and) faithful to his trust. And (O people)! Your Companion is not one possessed; And without doubt he saw him in the clear horizon. Neither doth he withhold grudgingly a knowledge of the Unseen. Nor is it the word of an evil spirit accursed. Then whither go ye? Verily this is no less than a Message to (all) the Worlds: (With profit) to whoever among you wills to go straight: But ye shall not will except as Allah wills; the Cherisher of the Worlds.” Al-Takwir: 17-29

The Qur’an is Honorable and Guarded • “Nay, I swear by the places of the stars, And lo! that verily is a tremendous oath, if ye but knew - That this is indeed a Qur-an Most Honourable, In a Book well-guarded, Which none shall touch but those who are clean: A Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds.” Al-Waqia: 75-80. • “We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).” Al-Hijr: 9.

Qur'an: This is the Book, no doubt in it,… • “No falsehood can approach it from before or behind it: it is sent down by One Full of Wisdom, Worthy of all Praise.” Fussilat: 42. • “This Qur-an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah; on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelations) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book - wherein there is no doubt - from the Lord of the Worlds.” Yunus: 37 • “Do they not consider the Qur-an (with care)? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy.” Al-Nisa: 82.

Some Attributes of the Qur'an • Alif Lam Ra, these are the Verses of the Wise Book.” Yunus:1 • “Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion to His servant, that he may be a warner to the people;” Al-Forqan:1. • “(Here is) a Book which We have sent down unto thee, full of blessings, that they may meditate on its Signs, and that men of understanding may receive admonition.” Saad: 29 • “Had We sent down this Qur-an on a mountain, verily, thou wouldst have seen it humble itself and cleave asunder for fear of Allah. Such are the similitudes which We propound to men, that they may reflect.” Al-Hashr:22

Some Attributes of the Qur'an (cont.) • “We send down (stage by stage) in the Qur-an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe: to the unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss.” Al-Isra: 82. • Had We sent this as a Qur-an (in a language) other than Arabic, they would have said: "Why are not its verses explained in detail? What! A foreign tongue (Book) and an Arab (Messenger)" - Say: “It is a guide and a healing to those who believe; and for those who believe not, there is a deafness in their ears, and it is blindness in their (eyes): they are (as it were) being called from a place far distant!” Fusselat:44.

The Messenger: Mohammad (PBUH) • “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those who are with him are strong against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other. Thou wilt see them bow and prostrate themselves (in prayer), seeking Grace from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. On their faces are their marks, (being) the traces of their prostration. This is their similitude in the Taurat; and their similitude in the Gospel is: like a seed which sends forth its blade, then makes it strong; it then becomes thick, and it stands on its own stem, (filling) the sowers with wonder and delight. As a result, it fills the Unbelievers with rage at them. Allah has promised those among them who believe and do righteous deeds, Forgiveness, and a great Reward.” Al-Fath: 29. • “Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion to His servant, that he may be a warner to the people;” Al-Forqan:1. • “Alif Laam Raa. A book which we have revealed to you (Muhammad)so that you may lead the people from out of the darknesses into the light by their Lord's leave to the path of the All-Mighty, the Praiseworthy.” Ibrahim: 1.

The Messenger: Mohammad (PBUH) (cont.) • "Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (Scriptures) - in the Torah and the Gospel - for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); he releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him, it is they who will prosper.“ Al-Araf: 157. • Say: "O men! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah, to Whom belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He: it is He that giveth both life and death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who believed in Allah and His Words: follow him that (so) ye may be guided.“Al-Araf: 158.

The Messenger: Not his Writings • “And thou wast not (able) to recite a Book before this (Book came), nor art thou (able) to transcribe it with thy right hands: in that case, indeed, would the talkers of vanities have doubted.” Al-Ankaboot:48 • “We have not instructed him (the Prophet) in Poetry, nor is it meet for him: this is no less than a Message and a Qur-an making things clear.” Yaseen: 69. • “We know indeed that they say, "It is a man that teaches him."The tongue of him they wickedly point to is notably foreign, while this is Arabic, pure and clear.” Al-Nahl:103.

The Message • “O ye people! Adore your Guardian Lord, Who created you and those who came before you, that ye may have the chance to learn righteousness; Who has made the earth your couch and the heavens your canopy; and sent down rain from the heavens; and brought forth therewith fruits for your sustenance; then set not up rivals unto Allah when ye know (the truth).” Al-Baqara:21-22.

The Message: Oneness of God • “This is the witness of Allah “There is no god but He”, His angels, and those endued with knowledge, standing firm on justice. There is no god but He the Exalted in Power, the Wise.” Al-Imran: 18. • “The religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His Will):nor did the people of the Book dissent therefrom except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. But if any deny the Signs of Allah, Allah is swift in calling to account.” Al-Imran: 19.

The Message: Some Attributes of God (Allah) • “Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god; Who knows (all things) both secret and open; He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. • Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god; the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme: Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him. • He is Allah, the Creator, the Evolver, the Bestower of Forms (or Colours). To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names: whatever is in the heavens and on earth, doth declare His Praises and Glory; and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” Al-Hashr:23-24.

The Message: Some Attributes of God(cont.) • “Allah! There is no god but He, the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).” Al-Baqara:254.

The Message: Some Attributes of God(cont.) • “Say: He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.” Al-Ikhlas:1-4. • “O mankind! It is ye that have need of Allah: but Allah is the One Free of all wants, worthy of all praise.” Fater: 15.

The Message: The Story of Man and Faith in Short • “Mankind was one single nation, and Allah sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed; but those unto whom (the Scripture) was given differed concerning it, after clear proofs had come unto them, through hatred one of another. And Allah by His Will guided those who believe unto the truth of that concerning which they differed. Allah guideth whom He will unto a straight path.” Al-Baqara:213.

The Message: The Story of Man and Faith in Short (cont.) • “And they became divided only after knowledge reached them, through selfish envy as between themselves. Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord, (tending) to a Term appointed, the matter would have been settled between them: but truly those who have inherited the Book after them are in suspicious (disquieting) doubt concerning it.” Al-Shura:14. • “And We sent down the Book to thee for the express purpose, that thou shouldst make clear to them those things in which they differ, and that it should be a guide and a mercy to those who believe.” Al-Nahl:64.

The Message: The Trod of Abraham. The Hour is certain • Say: “Verily, my Lord hath guided me to a Way that is straight, a religion of right, the Path (trod) by Abraham the true in faith, and he (certainly) joined not gods with Allah.” Al-Anam:161. • Say: “It is Allah Who gives you life, then gives you death; then He will gather you together for the Day of Judgment about which there is no doubt”: but most men do not understand. Al-Jathya:20 • “The Hour will certainly come: therein is no doubt: yet most men believe not.” Ghafer:59.

The Message: The Resurrection is no Doubt • “O mankind! if ye have a doubt about the Resurrection, (consider) that We created you out of dust, then out of sperm, then out of a leech-like clot, then out of a morsel of flesh, partly formed and partly unformed, in order that We may manifest (Our Power) to you; and We cause whom We will to rest in the wombs for an appointed term, then do We bring you out as babes, then (foster you) that ye may reach your age of full strength; and some of you are called to die, and some are sent back to the feeblest old age, so that they know nothing after having known (much). And (further), thou seest the earth barren and lifeless, but when We pour down rain on it, it is stirred (to life), it swells, and it puts forth every kind of beautiful growth in pairs. • This is so, because Allah is the Reality: it is He Who gives life to the dead, and it is He Who has power over all things. And verily the Hour will come: there can be no doubt about it, or about (the fact) that Allah will raise up all who are in the graves.” Al-Haj:5-7 • “And your creation or your resurrection is in no wise but as an individual soul: for Allah is He Who hears and sees (all things).” Luqman:28.

The Message: Personal Accountability • “Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good, see it! And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it.” Al-Zalzala:7-8. • "He that works evil will not be requited but by the like thereof: and he that works a righteous deed - whether man or woman - and is a Believer; such will enter the Garden (of Bliss): therein will they have abundance without measure. Ghafer:40. • “Every man's fate We have fastened on his own neck: on the Day of Judgment We shall bring out for him a scroll, which he will see spread open. (It will be said to him:) "Read thine (own) record; sufficient is thy soul this day to make out an account against thee.“Who receiveth guidance, receiveth it for his own benefit: who goeth astray doth so to his own loss: no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another: nor would We visit With Our Wrath until We had sent a messenger (to give warning).” Al-Isra:14-15

The Message: Qur’an Teaches Character • “Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition.” Al-Nahl:90 • “Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!”. Fusselat: 34. • “Allah doth command you to render back your Trusts to those to whom they are due; and when ye judge between man and man, that ye judge with justice: verily how excellent is the teaching which He giveth you! for Allah is He Who heareth and seeth all things.” Al-Nisa-58

The Message: Qur’an Teaches Unity of Humanity • “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full Knowledge and is well-acquainted (with all things).” Al-Hujurat:13.

The Message: Forgiving, Merciful God; He doesn't Forgive Partnership with Him • Say: "O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Al-Zumar:53 • “Unless he repents, believes and works righteous deeds, for Allah will change the evil of such persons into good, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Al-Furqan:70. • “Allah forgiveth not that partners should be set up with Him; but He forgiveth anything else, to whom He pleaseth; to set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin most heinous indeed.” Al-Nisa:48 • “Allah forgiveth not (the sin of) joining other gods with Him; but He forgiveth whom He pleaseth other sins than this: one who joins other gods with Allah, hath, strayed far, far away (from the Right).” Al-Nisa:116.

The Message: Man has to Make his Choice in Beliefs, and Bear the Consequences • “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects Evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.” Al-Baqara:255. • Say, "The Truth is from your Lord": Let him who will, believe, and let him who will, reject (it): for the wrong-doers We have prepared a Fire whose (smoke and flames), like the wall and roof of a tent, will hem them in: if they implore relief they will be granted water like melted brass, that will scald their faces: How dreadful the drink! how uncomfortable a couch to recline on! Al-Kahf: 29.

The Conclusion of Man’s Journey: The End of Time • They made not a just estimate of Allah such as is due to Him, while the earth entirely will be [within] His grip on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens will be folded in His right hand. Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him • And the Trumpet will be blown, and all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth will swoon away, except whom Allah wills. Then it will blown a second time and behold, they will be standing, looking on (waiting). Al-Zumar: 67-68

The Conclusion of Man’s Journey: The Beginning of Accountability • And the earth will shine with the light of its Lord, and the record [of deeds] will be placed, and the prophets and the witnesses will be brought, and it will be judged between them in truth, and they will not be wronged. • And every soul will be fully compensated [for] what it did; and He is most knowing of what they do. Al-Zumar: 69-70

The Conclusion of Man’s Journey: The Abode • And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are opened and its keepers will say, "Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?" They will say, "Yes, but the word of punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers. • [To them] it will be said, "Enter the gates of Hell to abide eternally therein, and wretched is the residence of the arrogant.” Al-Zumar: 71-72

The Conclusion of Man’s Journey: The Abode (cont.) • And those who (feared their ) kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups, till, when they reach it, while its gates have been opened, and its keepers will say: Salamun 'Alaikum (peace be upon you)! You have become pure (done well), so enter here to abide eternally therein.” • And they will say, “All the praise be to Allah, Who has fulfilled His promise and made us inherit the earth [so] we may settle in Paradise wherever we will. And excellent is the reward of [righteous] workers!” Al-Zumar: 73-74

The Eternity • And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne (of Allah) from all round, glorifying the praises of their Lord (Allah). And they (all the creatures) will be judged with truth, and it will be said , "[All] praise to Allah , Lord of the worlds.” Al-Zumar: 75

The Quran Challenges • “And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Sura (Chapter) like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (if there are any) besides Allah, if your (doubts) are true. • But if ye cannot - and of a surety ye cannot - then fear the Fire whose fuel is men and stones which is prepared for those who reject Faith. • But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is Gardens, beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits therefrom, they say: "Why, this is what we were fed with before," for they are given things in similitude; and they have therein companions pure (and holy); and they abide therein (forever).” Al-Baqara: 23-25

In Short….The Qur’an is • “Verily this is a Revelation from the Lord of the worlds: • With it came down the Spirit of Faith and Truth, • To thy heart and mind, that thou mayest admonish, • In the perspicuous Arabic tongue. • Without doubt it is (announced) in the revealed Books of former peoples.” Al-Shuara:192-196.

Conclusion • “O mankind! Verily there hath come to you a convincing proof from your Lord: for We have sent unto you a light (that is) manifest.” Al-Nisa: 174. • “O mankind! there hath come to you a direction from your Lord and a healing for the (diseases) in your hearts, and for those who believe, a Guidance and a Mercy.” Yunus:57. • “And guard yourselves against a day in which ye shall be brought back to Allah. Then shall every soul be paid what it earned, and none shall be dealt with unjustly.” Al-Baqra:281.

The First Source of Islamic Laws