Lesson: 1 The World is a Place of Action Sūrat Al-Kahf: 45-59

Allurements of the life of this world

The narration about worldly life continues; Allah, glorified be He, created
adornments to worldly life- wealth and sons. Wealth is given precedence
because it is coveted by all- children and grown-ups, youth and old men alike.
Wealth is faster in occurring to one’s mind, adornment has a transient, temporal
presence before vanishing just like finite worldly life. Therefore, Allah,
glorified be he, alerts us to engage in increasing good deeds because their
reward is forever. Hence Allah, glorified be He, has attached good deeds to a
better hope than that attached to wealth and sons. Wealth and sons may or may
not materialize; but the reward of good deeds is beyond doubt because it is a
promise from Allah, glorified be He.

In the above verses why wealth is given precedence over sons? Explain

Wealth is given precedence because it is coveted by all- children and grown-

ups, youth and old men alike. Wealth is faster in occurring to one’s mind,
adornment has a transient, temporal presence before vanishing just like finite
worldly life.
What is intended by the word "Perform the enduring good deeds (al-baqiat al-
salihat)?

"Takbir (Allah Akbar), Tahlil (la ilaha illallah, Tasbih (subhan Allah) alhamdu
lillah and la hawla wa la quwwata ilia billah.

How Allah honoured Prophet Adam?

Allah commanded the angels to prostrate for Adam, peace be upon him, to
honor him and execute the command of Allah, glorified be He.

What was the response of iblis when Allah commanded the angels to prostrate for
Adam?

But Iblis (the Devil) disobeyed his Lord and did not prostrate with the angels;
he declared his enmity to Adam and his progeny-

Explain types of controversies

Controversy is two types : Bad controversy: this is subject to waywardness and

fanaticism as regards proving a point that might be totally wrong. We have been
forbidden to engage in this type.

Good controversy: this is built on knowledge, evidence and searching for the
truth. This is constructive controversy and Allah has commanded us to engage
in this.
 Lesson: 2 Recording Sunnah

Definition and concept

Sunnah is what is ascribed to the Prophet, Peace be upon him; this includes his
sayings (hadiths), his deeds, and the matters he approved and did not deny. It is
the second source of Islamic legislation. Some Companions used to write what
they heard from the Messenger, Peace be upon him, for fear of forgetting it.

This developed when Omar bin Abdul Aziz sent a message to the people of
Madinah and asked them to write the hadiths of Allah’s Messenger, Peace be
upon him, justifying this by: “I fear the disappearance of knowledge and the
demise of its bearers” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari). The ‘disappearance of
knowledge’ in its Arabic context means its loss.

Why the recording sunnah was prohibited during the time of Prophet (‫?)ﷺ‬

Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬forbade the Companions to write anything except the Qur'an This
was intended to prevent confusing Qur'anic verses with the Prophet's hadiths.

Who initiated recording of sunnah, Explain.

Amir al-Mu'minin (Leader of the Faithful) Omar ibn Abdul Aziz ordered the
recording and collection of the Prophet's hadiths. They were written in
classification form and arranged into books and chapters. The first scholar to do
this was Muhammad ibn Muslim, famously known as ibn Shihab al-Zuhri, who
was born in 50 Hijri, and was one of the first generation of scholars after the
Prophet's Companions.
 What are the types of compilation (Hadith books)

1.Sahih Books are books that mention only ‘sahih’ (authentic) hadiths such as
‘Sahih Al-Bukhari’ and ‘Sahih Muslim’.

2. Sunan these books collect hadiths on rulings referred to the Prophet, Peace be
upon him, arranged in terms of fiqh chapters such as ‘Sunan Abi Dawud’,
‘Sunan at-Tirmidhi’and ‘Sunan an-Nasa’i’.

3. Masanid in this classification, hadiths are arranged according to the names of

the Companions and in terms of the Arabic alphabet, or in another way; an
example is ‘Musnad Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal’.

4. Ma’ajim in this type,hadiths are arranged according to the Sheikhs of the author
such as Al-Tabarani’s ‘Mu’jam al-Kabir’.

5.Ajzaa, these are small books in which the author collects certain hadiths or the
sayings of a Sheikh, such as Imam Al-Bukhari’s ‘Juz’ fi Raf’ al-Yadayn ‘
(Section of Raising the Hands) and Imam Al-Bayhaqi’s ‘Reading after the
Imam’.

What is the subject of Imam Al-Bukari’s hadith book “Juz fi Raf al yadeen”
Collect hadiths ruling and arrange in term of fiqh
What is the subject of Al-Tabarani’s M’jam al-Kabir
Collecting hadiths according to the sheikh of author
 Lesson 3 Allah’s Prophet Mosus (Peace be upon him)

What did Khidr (A) inform the prophet Moses (A) before the starting of journey?

Khidr (A) informed him that their knowledge is of different nature and that
"Surely you [Moses] cannot have patience with it.

Tell the story briefly; what happened in their journey?

The prophet Moses and Khidr (peace be up on them) board a ship, Khidr ( ‫عليه‬
‫ )السالم‬started damaging the vessel. Forgetting his oath, Moses says, "Have you
made a hole in it to drown its inmates? Certainly, you have done a grievous
thing." Khidr (‫ )عليه السالم‬reminds Moses of his warning.

Next, Khidr (‫)عليه السالم‬killed a boy. Moses again cries out in astonishment but
Khidr reminds Moses of his warning, and Moses promises that he will not violate
his oath again.

Then they proceed to a town where they are denied hospitality. Khidir (‫)عليه السالم‬
rebuilt a wall that was collapsed in the village. Yet again Moses is amazed and
violates his oath for the third and last time, asking why you did not at least exact
"some payment for it." Khidr (‫ )عليه السالم‬replies, "This shall be separation between
me and you”.

What is the Islamic perspective on hoarding money?

Islam does not permit hoarding money because it counteracts its cycle, deprives
society of development and flourishing and reduces job opportunities. On the
other hand, investing money adds to the strength of the economy, individuals and
society. As for the act of the father of the two orphan boys, it was permissible in
the law at that time.
 Faith in the Unseen (‫)الغيب‬

The concept of unseen

The unseen is, therefore, something concealed, unveiled; the unseen is

something absent so far as the ken of man is concerned and not in terms of the
ability of Allah, Glory be to Him.

Division of Unseen

First: An unseen part that Allah, Glory be to Him, has reserved for Himself
only and man cannot perceive even if man uses the most developed
technological methods, Such as knowledge of the Hour (the Day of
Resurrection).

Second: An unseen part which Allah has wholly or partially revealed to man
through divine revelation.

Knowledge of Allah the Almighty

"Say: None in the heavens or on earth, except Allah, knows what is hidden: nor
can they perceive when they shall be raised up (for Judgment)" (Surat An-
Naml: 65).
"He (alone) knows the Unseen, nor does He make any one acquainted with His
Mysteries," -27. “Except an apostle whom He has chosen: and then He makes a
band of watchers march before him and behind him" (Surat Al-Jinn).

Knowledge of the Prophets

Allah Glory be to Him, revealed to His Prophet some secrets of the unseen and
he told the stories of Past nations that neither he nor his people had known of in
the past.

The keys to the unseen

“The keys of the unseen are five, and none knows them but Allah: no one
knows what is in the womb but Allah, no one knows what will happen
tomorrow but Allah, no one knows when it will rain but Allah, no one knows
where he will die but Allah, and no one knows when the Hour take place
Allah” (Narrated by Al-Bukahri).
 Tolerance

1. Explain the concept of tolerance? State the necessity of tolerance among

the people at present?

Generally, Tolerance is leniency, peace and mercy. It is the willingness to

accept the differences. The mission of the Prophet, Peace be upon him,
involved mercy and peace to the world.

2. What are major elements to realize the tolerance among the people?

a. Forgiveness

b. Mercy

c. Kind dialogue

d. Doing good to others

3. Explain the Quranic verse?

)And you on the exalted standard of character( ‫وإنّك لعلى خلق عظيم‬

The prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was the most merciful person.
Allah called him [a mercy to the worlds] (Al-Anbiya’ 21: 107). He was merciful
to his family, followers, friends, even enemies. He was merciful to young and
old, to humans and to animals.

4. Illustrate one example of tolerance in Islamic history?

Amr ibn Al As (‫ )عمرو بن العاص‬conquered Egypt during the reign of Omar

ibn al Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, and assured its people of
security and safety for themselves and their churches. He did not forcibly
convert anyone to Islam. The people who lived there welcomed the Islamic
conquest of Egypt because they found in Islam tolerance, forgiveness and
mercy.
 5. Explain one example for forgiveness in the life of prophet
Muhammad, peace and blessing be upon him?

One of the situations which were full of kindness occurred when

conquering Makah. The Messenger, Peace be upon him, said to those who
had hurt him and driven him out of his hometown: "O Quraysh! What kind
of action that you expect from me?" They said: "You are a generous and
good brother. You are a generous and good nephew. We think you will do
good things about us. “He said: “This day let no reproach be (cast) on you:
Allah will forgive you…”.

Explain Madina Charter of Madinah

One of his first actions when he migrated from Makkahto Al Madinah Al

Munawarah was to write the the ‘Charter of Madinah’ to organize the relations
between the emigrants (Muhajirin) and the residents of Madinah of Ansar and
non-Muslims. This charter was the first constitution in history. It succeeded in
protecting individual rights and laying the foundations of the principles of
tolerance and justice for all the inhabitants of Madinah. This charter has
remained a remarkable exemplification of the greatness of Islam as to
spreading the values of tolerance among individuals. The Charter of Madinah
comprised nearly fifty-two articles; twenty-seven articles relate to the
relationship between Muslims and followers of other religions.

Great words of father of the UAE to uphold the value of tolerance among
the people.
 Sheikh Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz

Name: Sheikh Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz bin Hamad Abdul Latif

Family: Al Mubarak of Banu Tamim

Born in: 1910

Studies: at Al Ahmadiya School

He gave sermons and led prayers as Imam in the Grand Mosque

He used to exhort people and direct them to true religion, which is imbued with
moderate thinking.

Official positions: Office of Shari’a Advisor to Sheikh Zayed, Chairman of the Shari’a
Judicial Department.