2. 99 names of Allah - Ar - Rahmaan

99 names of Allah

A list of 99 names of Allah were collected from the Holy Quran and Sunnah, although the list may not have been limited to just 99 names, the best ones were highlighted that best describe the endless qualities of Allah (S.W.T.) .

These names are known as Asmaa al-Husna (The Most Beautiful Names), reciting each of 99 name has numerous benefits. 

Hadith regarding 99 names of Allah :

Narrated Abu Huraira: Prophet Muhammad SAW said, “Allah has ninety-nine names, i.e. one-hundred minus one, and whoever knows them will go to Paradise.”

Sahih Al-Bukhari – Book 50 Hadith 894

Abu Huraira reported Prophet Muhammad SAW as saying: Verily, there are ninety-nine names for Allah, i.e. hundred excepting one. He who enumerates them would get into Paradise. And Hammam has made this addition on the authority of Abu Huraira who reported it from Prophet Muhammad SAW that he said: “He is Odd (one) and loves odd number.”

Sahih Muslim – Book 35 Hadith 6476

Benefits of Reciting The Most Beautiful Names of Allah

When adopting a particular name as Wazeefah (daily recital) add  (Yaa) before the name and remove the (Al). 

For example,  (Ar-Rahmaan) must be recited as  (Yaa-Rahmaanu) and NOT as (Yaa-Ar-Rahmaanu).

Name 

2. Ar - Rahmaan

Meaning

 The Compassionate, The Beneficent

Benefits

If Ya Rahmanu is recited 100 times after every fard prayer, Almighty Allah will be very merciful to the individual and also he/she will regain memory and will be cured from forgetfulness. If it is recited regularly the cruel hearted person will become merciful.

First verse of the Holy Quran to be revealed - IQRA (Read)

First verse to be revealed 

It has been an agreed upon fact among scholars that the chapters of the Holy Quran (verses & chapters) have not been compiled in the chronological order of their revelation.

The fact that the Holy Quran is not compiled based on chronological order also means that the first Surah of the Holy Quran may not have been the first to be revealed and likewise the last Surah may not have been the last to be revealed.

So, that leads us to the following basic questions:

Q.1. Who was the Qur'an revealed to?

   
A.1. To the last Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H)

Q.2. Where was the Qur'an revealed first?
   
A.2.  In the cave of Hira (Makkah)

Q.3. Who was the Qur'an revealed through?
A.3. Through Angel Jibraeel (Alaihis-Salaam)

This is the account, as reported in the Sahih Bukhari:

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 like bright daylight (i.e. true) 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 food for the stay and then come back to (his wife) Khadija to take his food likewise 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 (forcibly) 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 me a second time till I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read, but again I replied, "I do not know how to read" (or what shall I read?). Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said:

"Read, in the name of Your Lord,

who created, created man from a clot.

Read! And Your Lord is the most bountiful"

( Quran 96.1, 96.2, 96.3) ... [Bukhari, I, No. 3; VI, No. 478; Muslim I, No. 301.]

According to other references 5 verses (1-5 ) of Surah 96 (Al- Alaq) were revealed and not just the first 3 verses. However, there is an consensus among scholars that the rest of the verses of the Surah (from a total of 19 verses) were revealed later.

The first command of Allah (S.W.T.) to Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H.) and his followers was to ‘Read in the name of your Lord…..’ , READ...and thus  ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE in the process. 

Following are the first five verses ( 1-5)  of Surah 96 (Al- Alaq) :

How were the verses of  the Holy Quran preserved ?

It was recognized that the Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H.) was unlettered, which meant he couldn't read or write, so, how were the verses of the Holy Quran preserved and compiled?

The Qur'an is the final message Allah (S.W.T.) has sent to mankind, it was revealed through Angel Jibraeel (Alaihis-Salaam), who brought the Prophet complete verses or parts of verses, or parts of or complete surahs, as he was commanded by Allah.

When the angel brought down to the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) a passage of the Qur'an, he did not bring it written on a piece of paper [or any other material].  In fact, he recited it to him and the Prophet immediately memorized it. When he received a portion of the Qur'an, he called in one or more of his scribes to write it down…thus preserving and compiling it in the process.

The Qur'an was revealed in stages over a period of 23 years, and not as a complete book in one single act of revelation. 

The following link will prove to be very enlightening on this topic :

It's just a 4-5 minute clip but very interesting! :)  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCazhBAW7a8

Friday Prayer

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (may peace be upon him) said, "When it is a Friday, the angels stand at the gate of the mosque and keep on writing the names of the persons coming to the mosque in succession according to their arrivals. The example of the one who enters the mosque in the earliest hour is that of one offering a camel (in sacrifice). The one coming next is like one offering a cow and then a ram and then a chicken and then an egg respectively. When the Imam comes out (for Jumua prayer) they (i.e. angels) fold their papers and listen to the Khutba."

Sahih Al Bukhari 13:51

Now,  who wouldn't want to be first in line after reading that ? We can make it on time to impress our teachers, bosses etc..why cant we do the same for Allah ? Something to ponder upon..  :-)

Trust in Allah (S.W.T.)

Wayarzuqhu min haythu la yahtasibu waman yatawakkal AAala Allahi fahuwa hasbuhu inna Allaha balighu amrihi qad jaAAala Allahu likulli shayin qadran

"And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if anyone puts his trust in Allah sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose: verily for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion. "

This is such a simple and straight forward verse, it's amazing how modest and comforting it is!

For all the difficulties we face, all the trials and hardships we go through, we often seek, wish…and hope that there was a simple and easy solution to all our problems.

Allah (S.W.T.) assures us that he would provide for us in a manner that is beyond our thinking and expectation, keeping our faith in him by believing in him and praying for his assistance without being disappointed is a sign of unconditional trust. 

I think trust is a term that is very lightly coined nowadays but this ayah gives it a very complete and compelling meaning.

When we as humans try to gain trust or reassure someone, words are often not sufficient.. but this verse, small yet beautiful simply touches the heart!

I cannot begin to describe the beauty of the Holy Quran and the way that the Arabic verses have been revealed to provide such comfort to the believer, this verse is a one amazing example of that fact.

This ayah is the solution to all our problems…the answer to most of our questions...I hope and pray that we all have the faith to accept this message and submit our absolute trust in the Almighty ! (Ameen) 

Plan your akhirah..

I came across a very thought provocative quote on the web..

“Plan for your akhira carefully; you are going to spend the rest of your life there.”

We live our lives forgetting the fact that this world is a temporary home, all our deeds should be planned  based on what's in store for us hereafter. Our actions in this world will decide our final abode, we should give more thought to the hereafter and live our lives accordingly instead of giving more importance to trivial worldly matters that often encompass us.

Smile..It's Sunnah ! :)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Charity is prescribed for each descendant of Adam every day the sun rises." He was then asked: "From what do we give charity every day?" The Prophet answered: "The doors of goodness are many...enjoining good, forbidding evil, removing harm from the road, listening to the deaf, leading the blind, guiding one to the object of his need, hurrying with the strength of one's legs to one in sorrow who is asking for help, and supporting the feeble with the strength of one's arms--all of these are charity prescribed for you." He also said: "Your smile for your brother is charity." - Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 98

Jarîr b. `Abd Allah said: "Since the time I accepted Islam, the Prophet (peace be upon him) never once failed to notice me. Whenever he saw me, he would smile at me." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (2809 & 5625) and Sahîh Muslim (4523)]

And indeed, the Prophet (peace be upon him) followed this advice in his everyday life, so much so that `Abd Allah b. al-Hârith said: "I have never seen anyone more in the habit of smiling than Allah's Messenger." [Sunan al-Tirmidhî (3574)]

Smiling is perhaps the most easy, simple and effortless form of charity ! :)  

What is Sunnah?

Sunnah is often defined as the legal way or ways, sayings, orders, acts of worship and statements of the Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H.); these practices are prescribed to be followed by the ideal Muslim.

It describes a way of life; these acts mostly constitute the major and minor aspects of our daily lives, such as sunnah’s ranging from the drinking of water to more important topics like marriage, burial, etc.

Islam is established on two sources, the first being the Holy Quran and the second includes the Sunnah, both sources are indispensable and Islam cannot be practiced without consulting both the sources in parallel.

Allah knows best

Allah (s.w.t) says in the Holy Quran

... وَعَسَى أَن تَكْرَهُواْ شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ... 

... وَعَسَى أَن تُحِبُّواْ شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ... 

... وَاللّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٢١٦﴾  

"And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.” [AI-Baqarah, 2:216]

I think we have all been through a situation in life where we wondered why Allah didn't grant us that "thing" that was so simple and easy to acquire. Something that we were sure would do us good and not cause us any harm.

We tend to believe that we have a better knowledge and understanding of what is good and bad for us.

We feel disappointed and depressed when things done go our way, in the process we fail to realize that we really don't know what's best for us but surely Allah knows best !
                                                     
A lot of times we go back and reflect upon the things that didn't work out and the things that did and we realize that whatever happened , was for our good.
  
To explain it briefly,  we need to put our complete and unadulterated trust in Allah and accept the fact that ALLAH knows best, he is Al-‘Aleem (The All Knowing), Al-Khabeer (The All Aware),As-Samee’ (The All Hearing) and  (The All Seeing).

Having this blind trust makes it easy for us to face hardships and get closer to the Almighty.

Five Pillars of Islam

Five Pillars of Islam

Narated By Ibn 'Umar : Allah's Apostle said: Islam is based on (the following) five (principles):

1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Apostle.
2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly.
3. To pay Zakat. (i.e. obligatory charity)
4. To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca)
5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith No.1:7

A practicing Muslim is required to follow these five basic and important pillars in Islam.

1. The first pillar lays the foundation of our faith and belief in Islam by attesting to the fact that there is no God but Allah and he alone has the right to be worshipped and Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is the messenger of Allah.
2. To offer obligatory Salah at the prescribed times following the rules and regulations taught by Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). The males are required to offer their Salah in congregation and the females at home (indoors).
3. To donate a percentage (2.5 %) of your halal earning to charity for the benefit of the poor in the community every year.
4. To perform the obligatory pilgrimage to Mecca once in their lifetime for those who can afford it.
5. To observe obligatory fast in the month of Ramadan from dawn to sunset. 

Asalaam Alaikum

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

bismi-llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Asalaam Alaikum everyone,

I would just like to brief you all regarding the purpose of this blog and what you can look forward to in the coming days. 

I've realized that social networking and mobile networking seems to take up a big chunk of our time nowadays, the provision of sharing minute details with family and friends across the globe has become relatively easy and efficient. Since technology has become such an integral part of our lives, it's only makes sense to go ahead and utilize "Modern Technology" is spreading the word of Islam. 

It provides us with an easy and ideal medium for sharing information and discussing the most basic and complex topics present in Islam.

I will be updating authentic hadiths on various topics, and verses from the Holy Quran with translations.
Questions regarding specific topics are welcomed, I will InshaAllah seek and provide answers with references from authentic hadiths and resources.

I hope we all benefit from the information here, InshaAllah.

Jazak'Allah for reading ! :)

Nj

Note - I do not claim to be knowledgeable or be an expert in Islam ( far from it, like most others I'm in the endless learning phase), so feel free to correct me when I'm wrong but with authentic resources.