---------- APPENDIX 1 ---------- What the Prophet Particularly Read or Emphasized There are certain Surahs or Ayahs of the Qur'an which, it is reported, the Prophet, blessings and peace be on him, used to recite more often in particular Prayers or on specific occasions, or which he especially extolled by describing their excellent merits and special rewards. You should know them. The Hadith given below are not meant to prove the superiority of one part of the Qur'an over another. Nor should you ignore the rest of the Qur'an and occupy yourself in reading and memorizing these at the expense of the rest. These selections are useful only because one cannot memorize and read everything every day and because one usually needs to habituate oneself to the reading of a definite portion regularly. What could be better than to follow the Prophet, blessings and peace be on him, and hope for the rewards he has promised. It is important to remember that the Prophet, blessings and peace be on him, used to recite the whole of the Qur'an at least once in the month of Ramadan. He also recited long portions in the night-prayers, as much as Surah al-Baqarah and Al 'Imran in one rak'ah. What the Prophet Recited in Various Prayers In the Fajr Prayer He used to recite Qaf (50) and similar Surahs, reports Jabir Ibn Samurah (Muslim). He recited al-Waqi'ah (56) (Tirmidhi). I heard him reciting al-Takwir (81), reports 'Amr Ibn Hurayth (Muslim). He recited, while in Makka, al-Mu'minun (23), until verse 45 or 50, reports Abdullah Ibn al-Sa'ib (Muslim). He recited al-Kafirun (109) and al-Ikhlas (112), reports Abu Hurayrah (Muslim). He recited al-Falaq (113) and al-Nas (114), reports 'Uqbah Ibn 'Amir (Ahmad, Abd Da'ud). He recited verses from al-Baqarah (2: 136) and Al 'Imran (3: 64), reports Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas (Muslim). Abu Bakr al-Siddiq is reported to have recited al-Baqarah (Muwatta'). 'Uthman Ibn 'Affan very often used to recite Yusuf (12) (Muwatta'). 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab recited Yusuf (12) and al-Hajj (22) (Muwatta'). 'Umar wrote to Abu Musa to recite tiwal mufassal [from Surah Muhammad (47) to al-Buruj (85) (Tirmidhi). The Prophet recited al-Kafirun (109) and al-Ikhlas (112) in the two rak'ahs before Fajr, reports Abu Hurayrah (Ibn Majah). In the Fajr Prayer on Fridays He recited al-Sajdah (32) in the first rak'ah, and al-Dahr (76) in the second, reports Abu Hurayrah (Bukhari, Mus- lim). In the Zuhr and 'Asr Prayers He used to recite al-Layl (92) and, according to another version, al-A'la (87), and similarly in 'Asr, reports Jabir Ibn Samurah (Muslim). He used to recite al-Buruj (85) and al-Tariq (86) and similar Surahs, reports Jabir Ibn Samurah (Tirmidhi). 'Umar wrote to Abu Musa to recite awsat mufassal [from Surah al-Buruj (85) to al-Bayyinah (98)] (Tirmidhi). In the Maghrib Prayer I heard him reciting al-Mursalat (77), reports Umm al-Fadl (Bukhari, Muslim). I heard him reciting al-Tur (52), reports Jubayr Ibn Mut'im (Bukhari, Muslim). He used to recite al-Kafirun (109) and al-Ikhlas (112), reports Abdullah Ibn 'Umar (Ibn Majah), especially on Friday nights, reports Jabir Ibn Samurah (Sharh al-Sunnah). He recited al-Dukhan (44), reports Abdullah Ibn 'Utbah (Nasa'i). He recited al-A'raf (7), reports Aishah (Nasa'i). He recited al-Kafirun (109) and al-Ikhlas (112) in the two rak'ahs after Maghrib, reports Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud (Tir- midhi). 'Umar wrote to Abu Musa to recite qisar mufassal [from Surah al-Bayyinah (98) to al-Nas (114)] (Tirmidhi). In the 'Isha' Prayer He instructed Mu'adh Ibn Jabal to recite al-Shams (91), al-Duha (93), al-Layl (92), and al-A'la (87); and not longer Surahs like al-Baqarah, reports Jabir (Bukhari, Muslim). I heard him reciting al-Tin (95), reports al-Bara' (Bukhari, Muslim). In the Jumu'ah and 'Id Prayers I heard him reciting al-Jumu'ah (62) in the first rak'ah, and al-Munafiqun (63) in the second, in the Jumu'ah, reports Abu Hurayrah (Muslim). He used to recite al-A'la (87) and al-Ghashiyah (88) in the Jumu'ah and both the 'Id Prayers, and if the Jumu'ah and 'Id fell on the same day he recited the same Surahs in both, reports al-Nu'man Ibn Bashir (Muslim). He used to recite Qaf (50) and al-Qamar (54) in al-Adha and al-Fitr, reports Waqid al-Laythi (Muslim). What the Prophet Recited at Various Times At Tahajjud After getting up from sleep, he looked towards the sky and recited inna fi khalqi's-samawat . . . till the end of the Surah' [Al 'Imran 3: 190-200], reports Abdullah ibn 'Abbas (Bukhari). In the Morning and Evening Al-Ikhlas (112), al-Falaq (113), al-Nas (114) three times: Recite them in the morning and in the evening and they will suffice you for every purpose, reports Abdullah Ibn Khubayb (Tirmidhi, Abd Da'ud). Ayatu 'l-Kursi and Ha Mim . . . al masir (al-Mu min 40: 24): Anyone who recites them in the morning 'will be protected because of them till the evening and anyone who recites them in the evening will be protected because of them till the morning', reports Abu Hurayrah (Tirmidhi) Last three Ayahs of al-Hashr (59: 22-4): if one recites these in the morning, 'seventy thousand angels ask forgiveness for him until the evening, and if he recites it ig the evening they do so until the morning', reports Misqil Ibn yasar (Tirmidhi). Three Ayahs of al-Rum (30: 17-19) 'If one recites it in the morning, he is rewarded for whatever good he neglects during the day, and if he recites it in tlle evening, he is rewarded for whatever good he neglects during the night', reports Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas (Abd Da'ud)- Before Going to Bed or During the Night Recite Ayatu 'l-Kursi when going to bed (2: 255): He confirmed that 'a protector from Allah will then remain over you, and Satan will not come near you, until the morning', reports Abu Hurayrah in a long Hadith about his encounter with Satan (Bukhari). When he went to his bed, 'he joined his hands and breathed into them, reciting into them . . . [al-Ikhlas], . . . [al-Falaq], . . . [al-Nas]. Then he would wipe as much of his body as he could with his hands, beginning with his head, his face and the front of his body, doing that three times', reports 'Aishah (Bukhari, Muslim). Recite the last two verses of al-Baqarah: 'Who reads them during the night, they would suffice him', reports Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud (Bukhari, Muslim). Last part of Al 'Imran (3: 190 200): it will be rewarded like the night vigil. Al-Dukhan: (44) 'Seventy thousand angels will ask forgive- ness for him in the morning', reports Abu Hurayrah (Tir- midhi). Recite Musabbihat [al-Isra' (17), al-Hadid (57), al-Hashr (59), al-Saff (61), al-Jumu'ah (62), al-Taghabun (64), ai-A'la (87)]: 'He used to read them before going to sleep and say "they have a verse better than one thousand verses"', reports al-'Irbad Ibn Sariyah (Abd Da'ud, Tirmidhi). Al-Sajdah (32) and al-Mulk (67): 'He did not sleep unless he had recited them', reports Jabir (Ahmad, Tirmidhi). What the Prophet Said About the Excellent Merits of Various Parts The Prophet, blessings and peace be on him, is reported to have said: Surah al-Fatihah (I) 'Shall I not teach you the greatest Surah in the Qur'an', said he, and then taught al-Fatihah and described it as the great Qur'an [recital] I have been given', reports Abu Sa'id al-Mu'alla (Bukhari). 'Rejoice in the two lights brought to you which have not been brought to any prophet before you': al-Fatihah and the last verses of Surah al-Baqarah (2: 2854), said an angel to the Prophet, blessings and peace be on him, reports Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas (Muslim). 'By Him in whose hands is my soul, nothing like it has been sent down in the Tawrah, nor in the Injll, nor in the Zabdr, nor in the Qur'an', reports Abu Hurayrah ( Tirmidhi) . 'It is a healing for every sickness', reports 'Abd al-Malik Ibn 'Umayr (Darimi). Surah al-Falaq and Surah al-Nas (113 and 114) 'The like of these have never been seen', reports 'Uqbah Ibn Amir (Muslim). 'No seeker of refuge can seek refuge with anything like these two', reports 'Uqbah Ibn 'Amir (Abd Da'ud). Surah al-Ikhlas (112) 'Is any of you incapable of reciting a third of the Qur'an in a night?' asked he, and then proceeded to instruct: recite al-Ikhlas, 'for [by the One in whose hands is my life], it is equivalent to [reading] a third of the Qur'an', reports Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Bukhari, Muslim). 'Tell him that Allah loves him', said he about a man who recited it in every Prayer because it described the Most-mer- ciful, reports 'A'ishah (Bukhari, Muslim). 'Your love for it will admit you into Paradise', he said to a man who loved al-Ikhlas, reports Anas (Tirmidhi), Bukhari). Surah al-Kafirun (109) 'It is equivalent to a quarter of the Qur'an', report Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas and Anas Ibn Malik (Tirmidhi). Surah al-Nasr (110) 'It is equivalent to a fourth of the Qur'an', reports Anas (Tirmidhi). Surah al-Takathur (102) 'Cannot one of you recite one thousand verses in one day' asked he, and then said 'cannot one of you recite al- Takathur', reports Abdullah Ibn 'Umar (Baihaqe). Surah al-Zalzalah (99) 'It is equivalent to half the Qur'an', report Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas and Anas Ibn Malik (Tirmidhi). Ayatu 'I-Kursi (al-Baqarah 2: 255) 'Do you know which Ayah in God's Book is greatest', he asked, and then showed his approval when told that this was Ayatu 'l-Kursi, reports Ubayy Ibn Ka'b (Muslim). Amana 'r-rasul . . . (al-Baqarah 2: 285-6) 'No prophet before has been brought a light like it', reports Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas (Muslim). 'In whichever home these are recited for three nights, Satan does not come near it', reports al-Nu'man Ibn Bashir (Tirmidhi). 'It is from the treasures of God's mercy from under His Throne that He has given to this Ummah. There is no good in this-world and that-world which it does not include', reports Ayfa' Ibn 'Abd al-Kila'i (Darimi). 'Learn them and teach them to your women and children, for they are a blessing, a recitation, and a supplication', reports Abu Dharr (Hakim). Surahs al-Baqarah and Al 'Imran (2 and 3) 'Read the two radiant ones - al-Baqarah and Al 'Imran - for they wiII come on the Day of Resurrection like two clouds, or two shades, or two flocks of birds, pleading for their companions', reports Abu Umamah (Muslim). 'The Qur'an will be brought on the Day of Resurrection, along with its companions who used to act by it, at the front being Surah al-Baqarah and Al 'Imran like two black clouds or canopies with light, or two flocks of birds pleading for their companion', reports al-Nawwas Ibn Sam'an (Muslim). Surah al-Baqarah (2) 'Do not turn your homes into a graveyard [by giving up reading the Qur'an]. Satan flees from a house in which Surah al-Baqarah is recited', reports Abu Hurayrah (Muslim). 'Recite Surah al-Baqarah: for to hold on to it is a barakah (blessing), to leave it is a regret', reports Abu Umamah (Muslim). 'Everything has a hump, and the hump of the Qur'an is al-Baqarah', reports Abu Hurayrah (Tirmidhi). Surah al-An'am (6) 'So many Angels accompanied its revelation that the horizon was covered with them', reports Jabir ( Hakim). Surah al-Kahf (18) 'Whoever learns and preserves, in heart and practice, the first ten Ayahs of al-Kakf, he will be protected from al-Dajjal', reports Abu al-Darda' (Muslim). 'Whoever recites Surah al-Kahf on a Friday, light will shine brightly for him till next Friday', reports Abu Sa'id (Hakim). Surah Ya Sin (36) 'Everything has a heart and the heart of the Qur'an is Ya Sin. Anyone who reads it, God will write down for him ten readings of the Qur'an', reports Anas (Tirmidhi). 'Whoever reads Ya Sin, seeking Allah's pleasure, his past sins will be forgiven, so recite it over the dying among you', reports Ma'qil Ibn Yasar (Baihaqi). Surah al-Fath (48) 'I like it more than anything under the sun', reports 'Umar (Bukhari). Surah al-Rahman (55) 'Everything has an adornment, and the adornment of the Qur'an is al-Rahman', reports Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud (Baihaqi) . Surah al-Waqi'ah (56) 'Whoever recites Surah al-Waqi'ah every night will not go hungry', reports Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud (Baihaqi). Surah al-Mulk (67) 'This, containing thirty verses, intercedes for a man till his sins are forgiven', reports Abu Hurayrah (Ahmad, Tir- midhi, Abd Da'ud). 'I love that it be in the heart of every believer', reports Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas (Hakim). Surah al-A'la (87) 'He loved this Surah', reports 'Ali (Ahmad). ---------- APPENDIX 2 ---------- Suggested Syllabuses for Quranic Study Suggesting a syllabus of Qur'an passages for study, indi- vidually or in study circles, presents formidable difficulties. Firstly, what to include? An adequate or satisfactory selec- tion is almost impossible, short of the whole Qur'an. Every part of it has something additional or new to say. Even the seemingly repetitive and similar passages have their own insights to offer. A limited number of passages can include only a limited number of themes. Every syllabus will there- fore suffer from the serious defect of omitting many more, equally or even more important, themes. Further, any selective approach must be arbitrary, and will reflect only the preferences of the selector, not necessarily of the Qur'an. These limitations are very important to bear in mind while using the syllabuses suggested here: remain conscious that whatever is omitted is equally valuable and that you are being guided by a fallible human being. Secondly, where to begin, where to end, and in what order to proceed? The only satisfactory order can be the Quranic order itself, as revealed by Allah. But a syllabus cannot avoid changing that order, so can the order be changed and if so on what criteria? Again, that must be arbitrary. Any order can only be one alternative among many equally useful ones. You may proceed by first establishing the status of the Qur'an as Divine, and then introducing the evidence in the universe, self ,and history; faith in Allah, iikhirah, and Risalah; individual and collective morality; the goal and purpose of Muslim life; the call to Iman and Jihad, and fulfilling commit- ment and pledge to Allah. Or, one may start from the basic faith. What I have preferred here - something which may be changed from situation to situation - is to start by reminding the readers of the blessings of Islam, their goal in life, and their pledge to Allah. This is based on my understanding of how Allah addresses 'Muslims-gone-astray' in al-Baqarah 2: 40-7. Every circle must begin with a discussion of how to read and understand the Qur'an. For this purpose the present book should be helpful. A special word about Surah al-Fatihah. It occupies a unique place in the Qur'an, containing within it the whole world of its essential meanings. You read it many times every day. This should therefore form part of every syllabus. But a novice will need help - a good teacher or tagslr book - to derive the necessary benefit from its study. Wherever such help is available, it must be included in the syllabus, even at the cost of dropping one of the suggested passages. Also of importance are the short Surahs at the end of the Qur'an which you read in your daily Prayers. Again, you will need help for a proper understanding. They should be studied whenever proper resources are available. Two syllabuses are given here. The shorter syllabus - of 12 selections - should be useful as a one-year course for study circles, or, for more intensive short duration, say a 12-week or 14-day educational/training course, provided enough time is available for study and preparation, or a teacher is present. It may also be used to devise still shorter, say 5-7 day syllabuses. With each selection I have given some - and remember only some, not all - major points which you may reflect upon. Some Quranic references are also given so that you may reflect upon them in their light. These references, too, are by no means exhaustive, and their relevance is based on my own understanding. As you proceed less references are given, for it is hoped that you will become more initiated and familiar by then. The longer syllabus - of 40 selections - is intended as a one-year course for weekly study circles. The Shorter Syllabus: 12 Selections ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ One-year course for monthly circles, or short-duration ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ intensive courses. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 1. Surah al-Hajj 22:77-8 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Reflect on: life of worship and obedience; culminating and fulfilled in Jihad; centred on the mission of Shahadah; purpose of being Muslim; resources of Salah, Zakah and i'tisam bi'illah (holding fast on to Allah). 1.1 On ruku' and sujdd, as acts of worship and obedience; representing Prayers, especially during nights; as states of the heart; and attitudes of conduct; in private and public: 2: 125; 16 49; 2: 43; 76: 26; 39: 9; 77: 48; 5: 55; 96: 19; 9: 112; 1.2 On 'Ibadah, as the purpose of creation; the central message from Allah; total obedience and surrender; pertain- ing to the whole of life; turning away from all false gods: 51: 56; 16: 36; 21: 25; 4: 36; 39: 11; 40: 66; 12:40. 1.3 On khayr, extending from the heart to each and every partoflife: 8: 70; 2: 269; 2: 180; 73: 20; 99: 7. 1.4 On Jihad, and its due: 49: 15; 8: 74; 3: 142; 9: 19-22- 4: 95-6; 61: 11; 9: 41-5; 9:24. 1.5 On being chosen for the mission of Shahadah, and belonging to Ibrahim: 2: 128-9; 2: 143; 6: 161-4; 3: 65-8. 1.6 On Ibrahlm's uswah of Tawhid, obedience, and sac- rifice: 6: 79; 60: 4; 2: 131. 1.7 On Din, having no hardship: 5: 3-6; 2: 185; 4: 26-8. 1.8 On the mission of Shahadah: 2: 213; 33: 45; 5: 67- 48- 8; 3: 187; 4: 41; 2: 159-63, 174-6. 1.9 On Salah, its importance; internal and external condi- tions for its iqdmah: 2: 3; 19: 59; 70: 23, 34; 2: 238; 4: 102-3; 2: 239; 29: 45; 7: 29; 23: 2; 4: 43; 17: 78; 4: 142; 2: 43; 7: 31; 62: 9-11; 19: 55; 107: 1-7; 22:41. 1.10 On Zakah, its importance and spirit: 41: 6-7; 9: 5; 30: 39; 9: 103. 1.11 On i'tisam bi'llah: 3: 101; 31: 22; 26: 7742. 2. Surah al-Baqarah 2:40-7 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Reflect on: remembering the blessing of guidance, and others; fulfilling the pledge to Allah ('ahd); renewal of Iman; bartering away Allah's message for trifling gains; overlaying and distorting truth with falsehood; concealing the truth; Salah; Zakah; collective life in Prayer; and outside; hypocrisy and duplicity; sabr and $alah as the moral resources; faith in meeting Allah, when nothing will avail, as their basis. 2.1 On ni'mah in guidance; in nature; in history: 5: 3; 2: 150; 5: 7; 16: 18; 3: 103; 8: 26; 5: 20. 2.2 On 'ahd: 9: 111; 48: 8-10; 7: 172; 36: 60; 33: 21-4; 5: 12-13; 3: 76-7. 2.3 On Allah's part of bargain, in this world and the Hereafter, see additionally: 3: 139; 24: 55; 5: 66; 4: 66-9. 2.4 On summons to the renewal of Iman: 4: 136-9; 57: 2.5 On bartering Iman away for worldly gains: 5: 44; 2: 174-6. 2.6 On overlaying and confounding the truth with false- hood, in beliefs and practices: 2: 75, 78, 79, 80, 85, 91, 94, 102, 111, 113; 5: 18. 2.7 On concealing the truth: 2: 157-63; 174-6. 2.8 On the emphasis on praying, and therefore living wholly, with Jama'ah; congregational prayer in masjid as the microcosm of Islamic Jama'ah: 18: 28; 9: 16-17; 24: 36- 2- 114; 9: 107-8. 2.9 On discrepancy between words and deeds, especially in da'wah: 61: 2-3; 63: 1-4. 2.10 On sabr and Salah as essential resources for fulfilling commitment to Allah: 2: 153-7; 41: 35; 46: 35; 7: 137; 8: 46; 3: 125; 8: 65-6. 2.11 On awareness and certainty of returning to Allah and meeting Allah as the basis of sabr and Salah: 52: 48. 3. Surah al-Muzzammil 73: 1-10 and 20 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Reflect on (i'tisam bi'llah through) Qur'an reading in night Prayers, dhikr, tabattul, tawakkul, sabr, Salah, Zakah; infaq, istighfar. 3.1 On qiyamu 'l-layl: 32: 15-16; 39: 9-23; 51: 15-19; 17: 78-82. 3.2 On tasbih during the day as da'wah: 20: 24-33. 3.3 On dhikr as the key to tazkiyyah, all the time, in varied forms, by heart, tongue, body, deeds, da'wah, Jihad: 87: 15; 3: 191; 13: 28; 39: 22-3; 62: 9; 2: 150-5. 3.4 On tawakkul, as a key inner resource, based on Tawhid; its spirit and need: 8: 2-4; 65: 3; 11: 123; 12: 67; 25: 58; 14: i2. 3.5 On various forms of yaqulun, which require sabr: 34: 8; 21: 5; 25: 4-5, 7; 68: 8-15; 17: 90-3; 10: 15; 17: 73. 3.6 On qard hasanah, and spending in the way of Allah (infaq): 57: 11-16; 92: 18-21; 23: 60; 2: 264-74; 3: 92; 4: 38; 57: 10; 63: 11; 35: 29. 3.7 On istighfar as central to Allah's message, watching, scrutiny, accountability, regretting, turning back, rewards in this-world and that-world: 4: 110; 3: 15-17; 3: 133-6; 3: 146-8; 71: 7-12; 39: 53; 64: 17. 4. Surah al-Hadid 57: 1-7 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Reflect on: everything glorifying Allah; to Him belongs kingship; power to give life and death; power over every- thing; knowledge of everything; sovereignty and rule; over time; knowledge of what lies in hearts; summons to Iman and infaq in this context. 4.1 On Allahs attributes: 22: 18; 17: 44; 10: 31-6; 6: 59-61; 3: 154; 28: 70-2; 2: 255; 59: 22-4; 3: 25-6. 5. Surah al-Nahl 16: 1-22 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Reflect on: evidence in the universe and self for Tawhid, Akhirah and Risalah: purposeful creation; of heavens and earth; of man; of animals; sending down of water; growing of crops; night and day; sun, moon and stars; diversity in colours; food and wealth from oceans; guidance through stars. 5.1 On evidence, in similar passages: 30: 17-27; 27: 59-68; 10: 1-10, 31-6. 6. Surah Ya Sin 36: 50-65 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Reflect on various stages of journey beyond life: coming of death and the last hour; resurrection; reckoning; judgement; reward; punishment. 6.1 On Akhirah: 50: 16-35;75:20-30;18:47-9;20: 100-12; 22: 1-7; 23: 99-118; 43: 66-80; 44: 40-59; 51: 1-27. 7. Surah al-Hadid 57: 20-5 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Reflect on: nature and the reality of present life; preparedness to give life and money; for helping Allah and His Messenger; through power; employed to establish justice among men. 7.1 On the present life and the life to come: 3: 14-15, 185: 10: 24; 18: 45; 4: 134; 17: 18-19; 42: 19-20. 7.2 On establishing justice and equity: 4: 135; 61: 9-14. 8. Surah al-'Ankabut 28: 1-10 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Reflect on: the essentiality of trials and tribulations to test Iman, and to bring success. 8.1 See 2: 155; 2: 214; 3: 140-2, 179; 47: 29-31. 9. Surah al-Anfal 8: 72-5 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Reflect on the inherent and crucial link between Iman and Hijrah, Jihad, and helping Allah's cause; essentiality of collectivity for Jihad. 10. Surah al-Tawbah 9: 19-24 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Reflect on: Iman and Jihad, together, as the highest acts; and sacrificing everything - relatives, wealth, career and business, houses - for the love of Allah, His Messenger, and Jihad in His way. 11. Surah al-Nur 24: 47-52 and 62-4 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Reflect on: obedience and response to the Messenger as the basis of collective life established to fulfil Allah's mission. 11.1 See 8: 20-8; 49: 1-5; 58: 11-13; 9: 42-57, 62-6, 81-2; 62: 9-11. 12. Surah Al 'Imran 3: 190-200 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ A comprehensive summary: evidence for Allah, Akhirah and Risdlah in the creation of heavens and earth and alternation of day and night; living a life ever-remembering Allah; Hereafter is the goal; trust and faith in the Messenger; the implications of faith - struggle and tribulations; guidelines for collective life. It has been assumed that the above syllabus will be studied as part of a larger course, and hence nothing is included on the individual and collective attributes of a Muslim's life. If not, then it would be useful to take up additionally (a) al-Isra' 17: 23-39 (in conjunction with al-Furqan 25: 63-77 and Luqman 31: 12-19 and (b) al-Hujurat 49: 10-14. The Longer Syllabus: 40 Selections ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ One-year course for weekly study circles ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 1. al-Hajj 22: 774 Life of worship; Jihad, mission of Shahadah. 2. al-Tawbah 9: 111-12 Pledge of Iman, life of worship. 3. al-Nisa' 4: 131-7 Witnessing to justice, summons to Iman. 4. Al 'Imran 3: 102-10 Purpose of Ummah. 5. al-Fath 48:8-11 Pledge to continue Prophets mission. 6. al-Baqarah 2: 40-6 Call to fulfill the pledge 7. al-Muzzammil 73: 1-10, 20 Building a relationship with Allah 8. al-Isra ' 17: 23-39 Individual and Collective Morality 9. al-Nahl 16: 1-11 Evidence for Tawhid, Risalah and Akhirah 10. al-Nahl 16: 12-22 Evidence for Tawhid, Risalah and Akhirah 11. Yunus 10: 31-6 Evidence for Tawhid and Guidance 12. al-Hajj 22: 1-7 Evidence for Akhirah 13. Qaf 50:1-18 Evidence for Akhirah 14. al-Mu'minun 23:99-118 Akhirah 15. Ya Sin 36: 50-65 Akhirah 16. Qaf 50: 19-35 Akirah 17. al-Zumar 39: 53-66 Preparing for Akhirah 18. al-Hashr 59: 18-24 Preparign for Akhirah, Allah's attributes 19. al-Hadid 57: 1-7 Allah's attributes, summons to Iman and infaq 20. al-Hadid 57: 12-17 Imam and infaq 21. al-Hadid 57: 20-5 Present life, infaq and justice 22. al-Saff 61: 9-14 Call to commit to the Prophet's missio, Iman and Jihad 23. al-'Ankabut 29: 1-11 Testing of faith 24. al-Anfal 8: 72-5 Iman, Hijrah, Jihad and Jama'ah 25. al-Nisa' 4: 95-100 Hijrah. Jihad 26. al-Tawbah 9: 19-24 Jihad. the highest act, sacrifice everything 27. al-Tawbah 9:38-45 Jihad 28. Al 'Imran 3: 169-75 Dying in the way of Allah 29. al-Baqarah 2: 261-6 Infaq fi Sabilili 'llah 30. al-Baqarah 2: 267-72 Infaq fi Sabilili 'llah 31. al-Anfal 8: 20-9 Collective life, obedience 32. al-Nisa' 4: 60-7 Collective life, obedience 33. al-Nur 24: 47-52, 62-4 Collective life: response and obedience 34. al-Hujurat 49: 1-9 Collective life: relationship with leaders 35. al-Mujadalah 58: 7-13 Collective life: rules and duties 36. al-Hujurat 49: 10-15 Collective life: interpersonal relations 37. Fussilat 41: 304 Dawah and the attributes 38. al-Baqarah 2:15043 Mission and its obligations 39. Al 'Imran 3:185-92 Summary 40. Al 'Imran 3:193-200 Summary Only 40 selections have been given for 52 weeks, allowing for the fact that some weeks will have to be taken off and some selections may take more than a week to study. However, if time is available, it may be devoted to the study of passages on history in the Qur'an - a theme which I have not included here. In this respect I would suggest taking up one prophet each week, such as Nuh or Hud, basing the study on one passage in Surah al-A'raf, but also referring to other relevant places in the Qur'an. 1. al-A'raf 7: 59 64 2. al-A'raf 7: 65-72 3. al-A'raf 7: 73-9 4. al-A'raf 7: 804 5. al-A'raf 7: 85-93 6. al-A'raf 7: 9-102 7. Hud 11:11-23. ---------- Appendix 3 ---------- Aids to Study ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Translations ^^^^^^^^^^^^ No translation can perhaps ever be satisfactory, nor is an authorized or standard version possible. You may use any of the following. Those by Yusuf Ali and Muhammad Asad provide short explanatory notes too, some of which are quite valuable. The Meaning of the Glorious Koran: An Explanatory Translation, by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall. The Holy Qur'an: Text, Translation and Commentary, by Abdullah Yusuf Ali. The Message of the Qur'4n, translated and explained by Muhammad Asad. The Koran Interpreted, by Arthur J. Arberry. Commentaries No really good commentary of the full Qur'an is available in the English language which can be unhesitatingly recom- mended to a beginner. The following may be found useful, in addition to some partial commentaries like those by Syed Qutb, Abul Kalam Azad, which are not listed here but may provide some insights. The Meaning of the Qur'4n by Sayyid Abul A'la Mawdudi. Tafsirul Qur'dn: Translation and Commentary, Vols. I-III (complete), by Abdul Majid Daryabadi. Dictionary Arabic-English Lexicon, by E. W. Lane, based on by far the best Arabic dictionary, Lisan al-'Arab, should be of great help. Concordance Al-Mu'jam al-Mufahras li Alfaz al-Qur'an al-Karim, by Muhammad Fu'ad al-Baqi. You can locate any part of the Qur'an if you remember just one word, but you should have the ability to find the root of that word. 'Ulum al-Qur'an A good introductory book is: 'Ulum al-Qur'an: An Introduction to the Sciences of the Qur'an by Ahmad von Denffer.