O Level Islamic Studies by Ahsan Naqvi

He was on his way to the biggest victory of his life that lasted sixty-three years. He was leading an army that had ten thousand soldiers and was about to enter Makkah which was both his home and native land. While he was marching at the foremost of His army, He saw a female dog that had just given birth and her babies. He called His friend; Suraka the son of Juayl and ordered him: "You will stand in front of the mum and her babies. Guard and protect them from being crushed until the whole army pass by. " The mother and her babies were not disturbed but the army of the conquest that had ten thousand soldiers had changed its direction. 

Hz. Umar (R.A) once entered the room where the Blessed Prophet was resting. He glanced over the room for a while. On one side of his room, there was an animal skin, on the other side, there was a small pouch that contained barley. Here, that was all in the room of Allah’s apostle. Upon seeing this scene, Umar started to cry and his weeping awakened the Prophet (PBUH). Hz Umar, who had seen the marks of the mat and the blood blister on the prophet’s body, now started to cry by trembling. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) asked amazedly: “O, Ibn al-Khattab! Why are you crying?” “O, Apostle of Allah! While Persians let their kings live in palaces and Byzantines give their Emperors a luxury and glorious life, you are the apostle of Allah… give permission to us, then we will…” What he meant had been understood. The apostle of Allah (PBUH) interrupted the sentence of his future caliph with a sad simile and nice hand signal and recited the following verse: “What is the life of this world but

After the death of the prophet (PBUH), His wife and the mother of all believers, Hz. Aisha was asked the following question: “How was the Apostle of Allah (SWT) at home?” Hz. Aisha (RA) answered: “He was happy to do his work himself. Though his friends were ready to do his works, he did not want them to do them. While at home, he mended his clothes, swept the house, milked the goats, tethered the camels and fed them. Moreover, He mended his shoes and leaking waterskins, helped the servants and kneaded dough with them. He carried the food from the market himself, and when someone said, “O, Apostle of Allah! Let me carry them.”

Volume 1, Book 1, Number 3: Narrated 'Aisha: (the mother of the faithful believers) The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah's Apostle was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright day light, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship (Allah alone) continuously for many days before his desire to see his family. He used to take with him the journey food for the stay and then come back to (his wife) Khadija to take his food like-wise again till suddenly the Truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hira. The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet replied, "I do not know how to read. The Prophet added, "The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied, 'I do not know how to read.' Thereupon he caught me again and pressed m

Q       Identify the ten blessed companions.                  [8-N-05] ·         Abu bakr(ra) ·         Umar(ra) ·         Uthman (ra) ·         Ali (ra) ·         Talha (ra) ·         Zubair (ra) ·         Abu Ubaida Bin Jarrah (ra) ·         Saad Bin Abi Waqas (ra) ·         Abdur Rehman Bin Auf (ra) ·         Saeed Bin Zaid (ra)

DOWNFALL OF MUGHAL EMPIRE Q       'Aurangzeb's successors failed to live up to his courageous and determined personality.' Was this the most important reason for the decline of the Mughal Empire? Give reasons for your answer. [14-N.03-N.01] Q       Were the weak and greedy characteristics of Aurangzeb's successors the most important reasons for the collapse of the Mughal Empire? Explain your answer.                                [14-N.05]    Q       'The coming of the British was the main reason for the decline of the Mughal Empire'. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.                                                                         [14-J.07] Q       ‘The spread of Maratha power was the main reason for the decline of the Mughal Empire.’ Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.                                                                [14.J.11] This is a detailed answer dealing with the downfa

THEME 2 ALLAH’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CREATED WORLD PASSAGE 6        SURA 1      SURA AL FATIHAH TRANSLATION          BISMILLAH ARREHMAN ARRAHIM.         [J-09] (1)     In the name of Allah, most gracious most merciful. (2)     Praise be to Allah, the cherisher and sustainer of the worlds. (3)     Most gracious, most merciful (4)     Master of the Day of Judgment (5)     You we worship and Your aid we seek. (6)     Show us the straight way. (7)     The way of those to whom You have given your grace, not those  who go astray. TEACHINGS (a)              Sura Al Fatihah is the first Sura of the holy Quran. This Sura shows us the relationship between Allah and human beings. The Sura presents the three most important themes of the Quran that is Tauheed, the Day of Judgment and prophethood. Allah is merciful towards all His creation and also towards human beings. “Behold! Verily Allah is He, the oft-forgiving, the most Merciful”.        [42:5] Every Musl

FEATURES OF SAHIH BUKHARI AND SIHIH MUSLIM Q       Write a note on the important features of two “Sahih” collections of Hadith.                                         [Expected question] Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim are called Sahih because the Ahadith in these collections are narrated by very pious people and they meet all standards of Isnad and Matn.  Muslims have a consensus that after the Quran, these two books are most reliable and authentic.  Both the books were compiled in around 250 Hijra.  They are Musannaf collections that is Ahaditha are according to their subject matter. They are divided into chapters or books.  If a Hadith is found in both the compilations, it is called "Agreed upon" or Muttafiq Eilaih". Sahih Bukhari was compiled by Imam Mohammad Ibn Ismail al Bukhari.  He analyzed about six hundred thousand Ahadith and selected 7397 most reliable Ahadith.  Sahih Bukhari is divided into 97 books under different headings.

HADITH E QUDSI Q       ‘Truly, My mercy overcomes My wrath.’ This is a Hadith Qudsi. What is special about Hadith of this kind.        [4-N-10] Hadith e Qudsi is the Hadith which is uttered by the Prophet (saw) in his own words but the message of the Hadith is directly from Allah. The comparison is with the Quran. The Quran is the direct word of Allah but Hadith e Qudsi is in the words of the Prophet (saw). For example, in the above Hadith the words ‘My’ are for Allah Himself. Hadith Nabwi is the Hadith which is the statement of the Prophet (saw) in his own words. 

Syllabus CIE The history of the compilation of Hadith ·        The earliest collections ·        The main Musnad and Musannaf collections ·        The main compilers and their activities ·        The methods based on the examination of the chain of transmitters (Isnad) and the text (Matn) of a Hadith to test the reliability of Hadith ·         The main features of the six collections of Sunni Hadith and the four collections of Shi’a Hadith ·        The major themes of the Hadith as these are contained both in the passages set for special study and in other similar passages ·         Their use in legal thinking and their relationship with the Quran, consensus (Ijma) and the analogy (Qiyas) ·          Their significance in thought and action in Islam

SAHIH BUKHARI Volume 7, Book 64, Number 266: Narrated Sad: The Prophet visited me at Mecca while I was ill. I said (to him), "I have property; May I bequeath all my property in Allah's Cause?" He said, "No." I said, "Half of it?" He said, "No." I said, "One third of it?" He said, "One-third (is alright), yet it is still too much, for you'd better leave your inheritors wealthy than leave them poor, begging of others. Whatever you spend will be considered a Sadaqa for you, even the mouthful of food you put in the mouth of your wife. Anyhow Allah may let you recover, so that some people may benefit by you and others be harmed by you."

SAHIH BUKHARI Volume 2, Book 18, Number 153: Narrated Al-Mughira bin Shu'ba: "The sun eclipsed in the life-time of Allah's Apostle on the day when (his son) Ibrahim died. So the people said that the sun had eclipsed because of the death of Ibrahim. Allah's Apostle said, "The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life (i.e. birth) of some-one. When you see the eclipse pray and invoke Allah."

IMPORTANCE OF COMPILATION Q       Why did these caliphs think it was important to make a  compilation of the              Quran?                                          [6-N-06] Q      What is the significance to Muslims today of having the Qur’an in the form of a book?                                                                   [4-N-11] Q       Explain why the first community of Muslims thought it was necessary to compile the Quran.                                                       [4-J-10] It was important to compile the Quran in the book form because: 1 Companions were dying or they had to die ultimately either a natural death or in     battles. 2 Such an important document like Quran could not be left on the human memory. 3 Islam and Muslims could not afford to lose quran. 4 Uthman (ra) thought that different dialects could lead to misinterpretation or    change of words or meaning. 5 Uthman (ra) saved the unity of Muslims. 6 Allah says:

SOURCES OF ISLAMIC LAW Compilation of the Quran under the Rightly Guided Caliphs Q       Trace the main stages in the compilation of the Quran in the time of the Caliphs Abu bakr (ra) and Uthman (ra). [2x5-N-06][12-N-03] Q       Give an account of how the Quran was compiled in the years following the Prophet’s death.                                               [J-10] Summary: The Work of Abu Bakr (ra) Major factor: The death of more than 70 Huffaz (those who had the Quran in thir memory) in the battle of Yamama) against Musalima. process ·         Advise of Omar (ra) to compile it in the Bookform ·         Hesitation of abu Bakr but later convinced ·         Called Zaid Bin Thabit and gave task ·         Hesitation of Zaid but convinced ·         Writings of Prophet’s time were collected ·         The Book given to Omar (ra) who gave it to her daughter and prophet’s wife Hafsa (ra) The Work of Uthman (ra) Major Factor ·         R

THE HISTORY AND IMPORTANCE OF THE  HOLY QURAN Q       Give an account of the Prophet’s first experience of  receiving  revelation.                                                                                                         [10-N-04] Q       Give a brief description of Muhammad’s call to be Prophet.        [8-J-99] Q       Give a brief description of the Prophet's experiences in caves.    [12-N-07][10-J-10]             (On the experience of the cave of Saur, see migration to Madina)     Paragraph 1:       Age 40/ wanted to reform society/ never liked idol worshiping/ take his food to Hira and stay/ dreams would come true     Paragraph 2     610 AD/ Cave of Hira/ Jibraeel (as) in human form/ asked him to read/ Prophet (saw) said he cannot read/ Squeezed him/ same answer/ three times repeated/ recited Al Alaq first five Ayaat: Read! In the name of your Lord who created, Created man out of a clot of congealed blood: Proclaim! And your Lo

Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 9, Number 499: Narrated 'Amr bin Maimuin: 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud said, "While Allah's Apostle was praying beside the Ka'ba, there were some Quraish people sitting in a gathering. One of them said, 'Don't you see this (who does deeds just to show off)? Who amongst you can go and bring the dung, blood and the abdominal contents (intestines, etc). of the slaughtered camels of the family of so and so and then wait till he prostrates and put that in between his shoulders?' The most unfortunate amongst them ('Uqba bin Abi Mu'ait) went (and brought them) and when Allah's Apostle prostrated, he put them between his shoulders. The Prophet remained in prostration and they laughed so much so that they fell on each other. A passerby went to Fatima, who was a young girl in those days. She came running and the Prophet was still in prostration. She removed them and cursed upon the Quraish on their faces. When Allah&

SAHIH BUKHARI Volume 1, Book 3, Number 82: Narrated Ibn 'Umar: Allah's Apostle said, "While I was sleeping, I saw that a cup full of milk was brought to me and I drank my fill till I noticed (the milk) its wetness coming out of my nails. Then I gave the remaining milk to 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab" The companions of the Prophet asked, "What have you interpreted (about this dream)? "O Allah's Apostle ,!" he replied, "(It is religious) knowledge."

SAHIH BUKHARI Volume 1, Book 3, Number 69: Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet said, "Facilitate things to people (concerning religious matters), and do not make it hard for them and give them good tidings and do not make them run away (from Islam)."

SAHIH BUKHARI Volume 1, Book 3, Number 68: Narrated Ibn Mas'ud: The Prophet used to take care of us in preaching by selecting a suitable time, so that we might not get bored. (He abstained from pestering us with sermons and knowledge all the time).

SAHIH BUKHARI Volume 1, Book 3, Number 67: Narrated 'Abdur Rahman bin Abi Bakra's father: Once the Prophet was riding his camel and a man was holding its rein. The Prophet asked, "What is the day today?" We kept quiet, thinking that he might give that day another name. He said, "Isn't it the day of Nahr (slaughtering of the animals of sacrifice)" We replied, "Yes." He further asked, "Which month is this?" We again kept quiet, thinking that he might give it another name. Then he said, "Isn't it the month of Dhul-Hijja?" We replied, "Yes." He said, "Verily! Your blood, property and honor are sacred to one another (i.e. Muslims) like the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours and in this city of yours. It is incumbent upon those who are present to inform those who are absent because those who are absent might comprehend (what I have said) better than the present audience."

SAHIH BUKHARI Volume 1, Book 3, Number 56: Narrated Abu Huraira: While the Prophet was saying something in a gathering, a Bedouin came and asked him, "When would the Hour (Doomsday) take place?" Allah's Apostle continued his talk, so some people said that Allah's Apostle had heard the question, but did not like what that Bedouin had asked. Some of them said that Alllah's Apostle had not heard it. When the Prophet finished his speech, he said, "Where is the questioner, who enquired about the Hour (Doomsday)?" The Bedouin said, "I am here, O Allah's Apostle ." Then the Prophet said, "When honesty is lost, then wait for the Hour (Doomsday)." The Bedouin said, "How will that be lost?" The Prophet said, "When the power or authority comes in the hands of unfit persons, then wait for the Hour (Doomsday.)"

ARTICLES OF FAITH-BELIEF IN PROPHETS Q    What does a Muslim believe by the words 'And Muhammad is the messenger of God'?      [6-J-07][6-J-03][6-J-00] 1 Last messenger 2 Common message of Tauheed, Day of Judgment and prophethood         3 Mohammad (saw) is for the entire humanity, not for a particular     nation 4 Teachings applicable to every society and every period of time 5 Holy Quran the last and complete Book 6 Holy Quran safe from corruption 7 Ahadith and Sunnah safe 8 Arabic not a dead language 9 Last Rusul, Seal of prophets “Mohammad (saw) is not the father of any of your men, but he is the messenger of Allah and the last of the prophets -----”   (Al Ahzab-40)

RELIGION IS SIMPLE Volume 1, Book 2, Number 38: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings, the nights." (See Fath-ul-Bari, Page 102, Vol 1).

SIGNS OF HYPOCRACY Volume 1, Book 2, Number 32: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "The signs of a hypocrite are three: 1. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie. 2. Whenever he promises, he always breaks it (his promise ). 3. If you trust him, he proves to be dishonest. (If you keep something as a trust with him, he will not return it.)"

MODESTY -HADITH FROM SAHIH BUKHARI Volume 1, Book 2, Number 8: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Faith (Belief) consists of more than sixty branches (i.e. parts). And Haya (This term "Haya" covers a large number of concepts which are to be taken together; amongst them are self respect, modesty, bashfulness, and scruple, etc.) is a part of faith."

COURTESY Dr. BILAL PHILIPS ANGELS MAY TAKE HUMAN FORM According to accounts from the Qur’aan and the hadeeth, angels may take human form on certain occasions. An example from the Qur’aan may be found in the case of Mary, when Angel Gabriel came to inform her of her impending pregnancy: “And mention in the scripture [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place facing east. She placed a screen between herself and them. Then we sent to her Our angel, who appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.” Qur’aan, 19:16-17. It is also recorded in authentic traditions from the Prophet (PBUH) that Angel Gabriel used to visit him in various human forms. Sometimes the Prophet’s companions witnessed him visiting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the likeness of a handsome sahaabee by the name of Dihyah ibn Khaleefah al-Kalbee, and at other times in the likeness of an unknown bedouin. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab said, “One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of

BELIEF IN THE PROPHETS/ RUSUL & NABI Q      Outline the most important features of the Quran teachings about Prophet-hood.                           [4-N-03][4-N-05][4-J-04] Q      What are the main features of the belief in the line of messengers (Rusul) who were sent before the time of the Prophet Mohammad (saw)?                                                                            [10-J-03][10-J-07][10-J-00] Q      Write about Muslim belief in prophets.                       [10-J-09] Ø   Chosen people Ø   Human beings Ø   Sent to particular nations Ø   Best families Ø   Best characters Ø   First prophet Adam (as) “And behold, We said to the angels: “Bow down to Adam”. And they bowed down.                                                                                                 [34-Al Baqarah] Ø   124000 prophets Ø   Names of prominent prophets         “For We send our messengers only to give good news to the righteous people a

BELIEF IN GOD'S PREDESTINATION AND DECREE (QAZA AND QADR) Q      Write short accounts of Muslim belief about God’s Predestination and Decree.               [4-J-05]5-specimen paper 09] Meaning and significance ·           Predestination, Taqdeer or Qadr derived from Qadir, attribute of Allah meaning all Powerful. ·          Allah is the creator of human beings “To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth and He is most High, most Great”.                                                                                                                        [42:4] ·          Most of the matters of our life are controlled by Allah. Our birth, death and major events of life are not in our control ·          Allah gives us chance to choose between right and wrong ·          A Muslim must choose right (Halaal, lawful) and not wrong (Haraam) ·          He does not stop us by force when we commit wrong because it is not His scheme. ·     For our righ