O Level Islamic Studies by Ahsan Naqvi

Q         Explain how their reaction to these difficulties sets an example for Muslims today.                             [4- J-03][5- J-98][5-N-00][4-J-07] Q         How does his conduct in one of these difficulties provide an example for Muslims today?      [4-N-10] Q         What can Muslims in modern times learn from these stories?  [4-N-12-2058/12] From the persecution of the Prophet (saw) and the Muslims, we learn the lessons of bravery, patience, hopefulness and firmness. The prophet (saw) never thought of quitting his mission though he was offered wealth, status and luxury. We learn that we should remain firm once we are sure that our belief is based on truth and justice. He was patient and never lost his temper or his mind during these years. He depended on Allah and hoped only from Allah. We learn that in difficulties, we should not lose hopes. Towards our opponents, we should adopt an attitude of peace. One day, they may understand us better. The Prophet (saw)

Q         Why is it significant that the Quresh were still willing to keep their            belongings with the Prophet (sw) after he started to preach Islam? [4-J-15/2058-11] When the Prophet (sw) was ordered by Allah to migrate to Madina, the pagans of Makkah selected a group of men who were given the duty to kill the Prophet in the morning. At this occasion, the Prophet (sw) gave the belongings of pagans to Ali (ra) and ordered him to deliver these belongings in the morning. This seems to be strange that even the worst enemies of Islam trusted the Prophet to that extent. One major reason of this trust was that since his young age, the Prophet was known to be truthful nd trustworthy (Sadiq and Ameen). The pagans of Makkah did not believe in the message of Islam but they did not have any doubt about the character of the Prophet (sw). They knew it very well that Mohammad (sw) was very fare in his dealings and he would not deceive them.

Q         Why did the Quraysh feel they needed to reject the Prophet’s message?                                                             [4-N-11] The Quresh believed in Allah but they also thought that their stone idols were a way approach Allah. They were also the custodians of holy Kaaba and it was their responsibility to serve and care the pilgrims every year. Gradually, there were 365 major idols around the holy Kaaba which had become a major source of income for Makkans. This had increased their influence over Arabia. It means that it was their interest to maintain idol worshipping. When Mohammad (sw) gave the message of Islam to Makkah, they knew it very well that it would be the wnd of their political and economic domination. This political domination over Makkah had given them many benefits. They had three hundred and sixty idols in Makkah which belonged to different families of Quresh. The pilgrims used to consult their problems to the families owing a certain ido

Q         What does the Prophet’s first experience of revelation tell us about the nature of prophethood in Islam?       [4-N-09] Angel Jibreel (as) brought the first revelation to the prophet Mohammad (saw). As confirmed by Warqa Ibn Nawfal, angel Jibael was the same angel who used to come to the other prophets and brought the messages of Allah to them. It also shows that all prophets had brought the same message of Tauheed and the Day of Judgment. All prophets were chosen by Allah and they were a chain. The first prophet was Adam (as) and the last one was Mohammad (saw). The first revelation also shows that prophets were unaware of the office Allah was going to give them. Musa (as) was on his journey when suddenly, he was given this office and Mohammad (saw) was meditating in the cave of Hira when he received the first revelation.

Q       Was it significant that the Quran was revealed to someone who could not read or write?                                     [4-J-14-2058/11] From many angles, it is a significant factor that Mohammad (sw) was a person who could not read or write. If he could read and write, the claim of the people of makkah could be taken seriously that Mohammad himself write this Quran. Though he could not read or write, even then they claimed that he himself wite it and some scholar or jinns assist him in this task. However the claim was baseless because he could not write and his life was not a hidden secret. It was a clear proof that the Quran is the true word of God. When the Prophet (sw) asked his companions to write the revelations, it was a clear proof to all companions that Mohammad (sw) was not writing it in  his house silently. They used to see the condition of the Prophet (sw) during Wahi and they would keep quiet because they knew it very well that wahi was being revealed

Q         Despite living through the days of ignorance, the Prophet remained true to his mission. What lessons can Muslim learn from this today? [4-Nov 14-2058/11] Until the age of forty, the Prophet (sw) was living in a society which was known for their indulgence in sins, exploitation and bad habits. The Prophet (sw) saved himself from the eveils of the society due to his good nature and also because Allah protected him. In the time of ignorance he proved himself as a very confident child who was poor but hard working and independent. He never hurt anyone and always helped needy. He had a high level of modesty (Hiyaa) as he never involved in sins. He was a faithful husband and a good father. In a dishonest society, he was known as truthful and trustworthy for his honesty and respecting commitment. He was known as an intelligent and peace-loving person as we see him in the event of placement of Black Stone. One remarkable thing about his character was never to indulge in Shirk

Timeline early history of islam Abbreviations: PH :   year of Prophethood; Ist year of Revelation of the Quran in Makkah to 13 th year in Makkah        AH:   Hijra, starting from Ist year of migration to Madina to date. AD              PH              AH    EVENT 570             ---                ----     Birth of the Prophet Mohammad (saw) 610             1                 ----     First Revelation 613             3                 ----     Open invitation to Islam 615             5                 ----     First migration to Abyssinia 616             6                 ----     Second migration to Abyssinia 617             7                 ----     Boycott of Banu Hashim 620             10               ----     Boycott ended/ deaths of Khadija (ra) and Abu Talib 620             11               ----     Journey of Mairaj/ Journey to Taif 621             12               ----     First Pledge of Aqaba 622             13               1