AQAID

About Allah Ta'ala, the Exalted

We know that a carpenter makes many things including chairs, tables and
bedsteads with wood. Similarly, a mason prepares big buildings by
arranging bricks upon bricks. He creates edifices. All these things are not
self-made. Nor have they come into existence on their own. Nothing can
come into existence without being made or created by someone.

There is beautiful deep blue sky above our heads. The twinkling stars, the
planets and their satellites and the Sun which is 1.3 millions time bigger
than the earth in size. Have they comeinto existence on their ovvn? No,All
these objects' ·have a Creator. \Vho is He? He is Allah the Great.

So first of all, we need to know about the existence of Allah,_ the Exalted
and believe in Him. If we do not have absolute faith in the existence of
Allah, then how do we lead our lives according to the orders of Allah?
Together with co1nplete belief in Allah we need to know about all tbe
Attributes of Allah. Allah is the only One, He has no partners. Allah sees
everything, hears everything and knows everything. Unless we have
complete knowledge about the Att1ibut.es of Allah, the Exalted, it is not
possible to proceed in the straight and easy path of Islam.

We have also to know the right ways of conducting ourselves or leading

our lives in accordance with the desire of Allah, the Exalted. We will
pe1form only those acts and deeds which are liked by Allah. We must
avoid such deeds and acts that are not liked by Him. With a view to
performing these deeds and acts correctly, we must acquire knowledge of
the
 relevant laws and n1les ofAllah. The GlorifiedQuran contains these laws
and regulations. So we should read the holy Quran and W1derstand its
messages. We must obeyAllah's command and refrain from prohibited
acts.

· we should know the consequences of going against the desire of Allah

as well as the rewards for obeying His orders. For this purpose we
must have knowledge about and faith in the life after death: Graves,
the Restrictions. the Gathering, the Balance, the Heaven. and the Hell.
The things presented here in this discussion and the readers have been
asked to know about and believe in these are matters of faith-hnan.
Iman means to have faith. A:tviumin is he who knows and
wholeheartedly believes in the Oneness of Allah, His Attributes, His
Ordinances, His Rewards and His Punishments. This faith results in
the development of human beings as obedient servants of Allah.

Group work : The pupils will discuss in groups those matters about
which they must have knowledge in order that they can know the identity
of Allah. They will prepare a list of these things and make posters with
these.
We know that faith is necessary for allegiance. Now the question
comes: how do we know about the Attributes of Allah, His laws and
the life hereafter?

levy creations of Allah are around us. Which are the signs of His
existence. These things are bearing witness that all these have been
created. by the same Creator.

How beautiful is this country ! How ,wonderful is this earth! Meadows are
full of green crops. FielcL are full with golden paddy. There are forests,
gardens and trees & herbs. Rivers flow with murmuring sound. Up above
is the blue s1-y. The stars glitter at night. Sometime there is winter. Some
other time of the year there is sunnier. It Tah1s sometimes. All these are
creations of Allah, the Great.

All these signs carry the manifestation of the Attributes of Allah, the
Exalted: His knowledge and wisdom, His mercy, His power, His
bringing up. In other words, these exhibit His Attributes. These objects
demonstrate His sig11.s before our eyes. All these creations are bearing
witness that all of them are the creations of one and same Creator.

liveforever, Allah has kindly created some highly talented and noble
minded men (from) among the human beings. He has given then1 correct
knowledge of His Attributes. In order that the human beings can lead
lives as per the wishes of Allah, He has himself taught the relevant rules.
He has given them correct knowledge of life hereafter. Then he has
directed them to transmit all these to all other human beings. Those
people who have been favored with such special knowledge by Allah and
who have been given the duty of transferring Allah's wishes to other
humans are the prophets and n1essengers of Allah. The n1edium which
has been used by All.ah to educate the prophets and messengers is. known
as revelation ('Nahi). The Books which contain such revelations are
called Books of AJlah .The Glo1ious Quran is a Book of Allah.

Planned Work:Allah is our Creator. Pupils will prepare a list of His 10

creations and write those with marker pen on a poster paper.
Attributes of Allah Ta'ala

The most beautiful Names of Allah are called Asmaul Husna. We can
build a noble character if we can acquire some Attributes of Allah. When
we can acquire such qualities and develop a noble character, we can
become noble hmuan beings.
Allah is Rahman the Most Merciful. He bestows His mercy to all
creations. So we shall also show mercy to all. Allah is Rabb, the Lord
and Cherisher. He sustains all the creations. We will also sustain His
creations as far as possible. Allah is Razzaq. the Provider. He gives
provision to all. So we will give provision to the hungry.

Islam orders, lt:;'$.:.L1;;J&., (Takhallaque bi akhlaquillah)

; >
Meaning: Build character on (the model of) Allah's character.
If we have knowledge of Allah's Attributes, it becomes easy for us to lead
life in accordance with ihe command of Allah. Because of such
knowl.edge, we can avo.id wrong doing.
Allah secs everything.
Allah hears everything.
Allah knows
everyihing.
If one is aware of these and believes in these completely, it is not
possible for him to do a wrong. He/she can abide by the command of
Allah rightly. Many Attributes of Allah have been 1nentioned in the
Glorious Quran. We will learn now a few of those.

Allah is the Sustainer and Cherisher of the World

Islam is the na1ne of obedience to Allah, the Exalted. In order to
show obedience to Allah, the Exalted we need to know about the
Essence of Allah, the Exalted and His Attributes and also believe in
them. We have learned about the Essence of Allah in the previous
lessons·. Now we will know about His Attributes.

Natural Scenery with Trees, River. Hills and Houses

Allah, the Exalted is our Rabb, the Lord. Our Cherisher & Sustainer.
Allah has created everything. He sustains all things. All living beings
like plants and herbs, birds and beasts, animals and creatures require
food. They also need bringing up. Foods for all (these are not the same.
We eat rice, fish, meat and fruits. Birds and beasts eat worms and insects
and grass & plants. The trees and plants cannot take this type of food.
They suck water from the soil with the help of their roots. They also
absorb Carbon-di-oxide from air. They prepare food with these
materials.
No creature can survive without respiration or breath. We always
breathe (in and out). We exhale Carbon -di-oxide and water vapour etc.
The plants use the Carbon-di-oxide and water as ingredients for
preparing food and releases Oxygen. We inhale this Oxygen with air. No
living being can live without Oxygen.
If we think about this process called. Photosynthesis for the preparation
of food by plants in the presence of sunlight; we can appreciate how
great Allah's Glory is. \Ve are provided with food, fruits and Oxygen
through the medium of trees and. plants. \Ve can also realise that
manifold. ways and means are employed by Allah to nourish us. Is it not
surprising that what is harmful for us is the raw material of food for the
plants?

No organism can live without water. Water is a must for the survival of
plants. That is why it is said another name of water is life. We use
plenty of water everyday. From where do we get water? Everyday heat
of sunrays converts some portion of the water of numerous rivers and
outlets, canals and marshy land and seas into water vapour. This water
vapour flows in the air. The vapour cools down and is condensed into
cloud. Finally it comes down to earth surface as raindrops. A portion of
this rain water goes underground. Another part flows to the ponds,
canals, marshy land, rivers and sea.
We get underground water in the wells and draw some with the help of
tube-wells. Such water is pure. Use of pure water helps us 1naintai11
good health. Sometimes we also use surface water from canals, ponds,
wetlands and 1ivers. We should try to keep such water free from
impurity and con termination. We are astonished at the wonder of how
all Merciful Allah is supplying us safe and pure water constantly
through water cycle. This water, rain, 1ivers, seas and oceans-all these
are gifts of Allah.

Says Allah, the Exalted: "See you the water which you think? Do you
bring it down (In rain) from the cloud or do I ?" (Sura Al Waqiab, Ayats:
68-69).
Light air, water ---all are gifts of Allah, the Exalted. It is Allah \\'ho
provide1, food. Makes a thing grow from small to vast. He caters to the
needs of all. Innumerable are His favours. 'We cannot exhaust his
bounties by counting. We are thriving on His favours. It is He Who is
nourishing the whole world. He is the protector of entire universe.
He has created the sm1 and the 1noon, birds and beasts, light and air,
hills and mountains. vegetation, seas and oceans, heaven and the earth--
everything for the welfare of human beings. He has also made all the
creations obedient to humans. We will enjoy all His favours as per His
orders. We will show gratitude to Hirn alone. We will be obedient to
Him and only Him.
- , ;(;.,it,.;.,:; , (Alhamdu lillahi rabbilalamin)

1vieaning: All the praises and thanks to Allah, the lord of the worlds

Allah is the One and the Only Rabb----Lord of ours. He is our

Cherisher. Allah Ta'ala says, "Verily, those who say:' Our Lord is
Allah (Alone), and then they stand firm, on them the angels will
descend- (saying): Fear not, nor grieve ! Re c eive the glad tidings of
paradise ·which you have been promised!" (Sura Ha-MiniSajda,Ayat:
30)
Planned work : The pupils will dra w a diagram of the water cycle.

Allah is the Of-Forgiving ()

Human beings do wrong at the instigation of Satan. They commit sin.
After such sin, if they repent, confess their evil deeds, turn back, and
seek forgiveness of Allah sincere! y, Allah pardons them. Allah is
Oft-forgiving. Says Allah, "O Ibadi my slaves who have transgressed
against themselves by committing sins and doing evil deeds! Despair
not of the mercy of Allah: Verily Allah forgives all the sins. Surely he
is Oft-Forgiving and Most merciful." (Sura Al Zuma:r, Ayat: 53) If we
do any wrong, we will seek forgiveness of Allah. He will forgive us.
After this we will be careful so as not to commit sin any further.
I_..

Allah is the Ever Most Forbearing

We often commit offence. We disobey Orders of Allah. But Allah
does not punish us imn1ediately. None of us could escape if Allah
would award retribution immediately for our offence. Allah is Most
and Ever Forbearing. He likes forbearance
I
or tolerance. Allah Ta'ala
says, a ;. !w
.
,... .....
,., ,
:Meaning: And Allah is ever All knowing, Most Forbearing (Sura An
Nisa,Ayat -12)
Allah is the All -Hearer
Allah hears everything. He hears whatever we say openly. He also hears
whatever we say secretly. He even hears whatever we say in mind.
Nothing is secret to Him. Allah is All- Hearer.
He says, (Ionallaha Samiun Alim)
. meaning: Truly, Allah is All- Hearer. All Knowing (Sura Al Baqara.
Ayat:181)
We will never say anything that is unjust for Allah Ta'ala hears. We will
not abuse anybody. We will not conspire against anyone. We will never
tell a lie. We will keep our promises. Never will we give false evidence.
Because Allah. The Great, knows everything, hears all.
,...
Allah isthe All- Seer ( ! :WI)
We do not see many things, but Allah sees everything. He even sees
whatever we do secretly. Whatever we do openly is also seen by Him. He
observes the movement of tiny insects in the thick darkness of deep sea-bed..
Nothing is invisible to Him. Allah, the Exalted says -

! 4!1101 (Im1a:llaha Samium Basir)

10 ls la m.icS tu dies

Meaning: Verily, Allah is All Listener, All-Observant. (Sura Luqman,

Ayat: 28)
We will not neglect our duties. Never will. We break our word of
honour. Never we will do anything wrong. We will not oppress anybody.
Because Allah the Great hears everything, sees every action.

,.,,.
Allah is the All - Powerful ( :U,1 )
We know that everything on earth and below the sky is timer the
supreme power of Allah. If Allah wants to do good to anybody, nobody
can do any harm to hi1n. On the other hand, if He means any harm to
anybody, nobody can resist that. Allah is All- Powerful.
He gives power to whom He pleas es. Ile strips off power from whom
mile pleases. He bestows honour on whom he pleases. He strips off
honour from whom He pleases. He gives wealth and sustenance to
whom He pleases without limit (measure).

We have learned that Allah is Rabb, the Lord-Sustainer. We will also

preserve and bring up the created beings.
Allah is Oft -Forgiving. We will learn to forgive. Allah is Ever
Forbearing. We will also be forbearing. Allah hears everything. We will
never say anything which is unjust. Allah is All Powerful. We will have
faith in Allah Ta'ala, who is the Only Master of all our happiness and
sorrow.
Planned work: Pupils will prepare a chart showing a list of seven
Attributes of Allah Ta'ala.
Aqaid 11

Prophets -Messengers
The second basic belief which comes after Tauhid, i.e.; faith in Allah's
Oneness is the belief in Risalat. The word Risalat means Message or
news. It also means conveying or carrying a message or information. A
person who carries a message of one individual to another is a messenger.
In Islamic terminology, the man who conveys the message of Allah
to His slaves or worshippers and guides them in the right path as per
His direction he is a Nabi or Rasul. The work or responsibility of a
messenger is called Risalat.
A person who n1akes a carriage knows well about its machinery. Again.
it is he who knows better about driving the cart avoiding accidents and
maintaining it in a good condition . Everybody drives a can-image as per
the instructions given by its n1aker. If the cart is not driven as per these
instructions. the cart may meet with an accident. The accident 111ay also
cause death even.

Allah Ta'ala has created the sky, the earth and everything in these
including human beings. It is He v\Tho Alone sustains all these. Only He
knows where lies the bliss of human beings. He also knows which course
of action adopted by humans will bring them happiness and peace. He
further knows what mode of passing life will help them avoid sorrow and
suffering. He is All Wise. Only He knows the future.
Allah Ta'ala has sent His Prophets and messengers to teach human
beings the path of human welfare and his happiness. The path which
leads to his bliss in future and the path that lands us in loss.
Prophets and messengers are the 1nost favorite human beings to Allah.
They are without sin. They used to acquire Knowledge from. Allah
through revelation. Revelation (Wabi) means message of Allah carried
to His Prophets by Arch- angel Jibrael.
Their aim in life was to do good to human beings. They wanted to shape
the life of human beings as obedient servants of Allah. They took enough
trouble to call people towards Allah and to the path of prospe1ity. They
did not acknowledge defeat at all. They worked steadily.
12 Isl am i.c Sn ldics

Main Teachings of the Prophets & Messengers were:

l. Tauhid: Allah is One. He bas no partners.

2. Risalat: To convey the message of Allah to Human beings.
3. Dee n: To inform Human beings the Code of life given by Allah.
4. Akhlaq: To teach the rules and regulations of virtues of
character and good behavior· and manner.
5. Shariah: To educate about the Halal and Haram (Lawful-
Unlawful/ forbidden ) and Zaiz-Not Zaiz (permissible-non
permissible).
6. Akhirah: To inform about the life after death.
Prophets and messengers came to teach the above to the people of every
region of the world. They were guides.

..
Allah says, . :,\a ,11 ;j $J,, ( \¥a likulli Quamin .Hadin)
Meaning: And to every people there came a guide. (Sura Ar-Rad. Ayat: 7)

11any Nabi- Rasul came to the world. First of them was Hazrat Adam
(A) and the last was our Great prophet (S). All of them. talked about
the tauhid of Allah (Allah is the only God--- Oneness of Allah). They
called upon people to obey His laws. They were men of character. They
were ideal men in respect of words, deeds au.cl behaviour. People who
followed their ideals have got emancipation. These people received
Allah's mercy. Those who opposed the prophets and did not obey them
rn.et destruction.
Great prophet Hazrat Mubammad (S.) is the best and last of the
prophets. No prophet came after him. No prophet will come. That is
why he is called Khatamun Nabiin. Khatamun Nabiin means the last
prophet.

Planned Activity: The pupils will prepare a list of the moral benefits
derived from faith in Allah Ta'ala.
Faith In Akhirah (Life After Death)
The third subject matter on which Muhammad (S) has directed to us is to
establish faith to Akhirah.
Aqaid 13

Almost every day we hear that n1any persons have died. If someone of
our locality dies we make enquires about the death. Before the funeral we
offer special prayer for the dead after giving a bath to the dead body and
putting a coffin on it. Nothing is immortal on this earth. Whoever bas a
birth he has also a death. But death does not mean an end of eve1ything.
There is a world after death. This is Akhirah which means after life.
An infant in the womb of a mother does not comprehend how big and
beautiful the earth is. Similarly, nobody knows how vast the world of
Akhirah is. The prophets have acquired knowledge about Akhirah
through, Wahi (Revelation or inspiration of Allah). The prophets were
truthful and they were the specially sent men by Almighty Allah.
All the prophets from Hazrat Adam (A) to the last Prophet Hazrat
Muhammad (SJ spoke about Akhirah, about life after death. The life
after death is an eternal life. Such life has no end. It is indispensable to
believe in the following matters relating to Akhirah:

1. Questions and Answers in the grave.

2. Comfort or punishment in the grave.
3. In au appointed day Allah will destroy the whole world and
everything inside it. This day is named Qiyamah
(Resurrection).
4. All of them will be given again new life. All of them will come
and gather before Allah. This is called Hashr (The Gathering).
5. The Books of Deeds containing the details of what human
beings did while living on earth will be presented in the
Court of Allah.
6. Allah will weigh the good and bad deeds of eve1y individual.
Allah will forgive that person whose1ighteous deeds will
exceed his evil deeds in His Balance. Allah will. give
appropriate punishments to that person whose scale of evil
deeds will be heavy.
7. Those who will receive pardon of Allah will go to
Paradise. Those who will be punished by Allah will enter
into Hell.
 14 Islam ic Stud ies

Questions And Answers in the Grave: Every human being will go through
a question and answer session in the grave. Two angels will come to the
grave and ask three questions to the dweller of the grave.
,
1. ::; (Man Rabbuka?) Meaning: \\Tho is your Rabb (Lord)?

2. : (Ma Deenuka?) Meaning: What is your Deen (Religion)?

3. Showing the Great Prophet Muhammad(S.) the inhabitants of the

grave will be asked ? O'l';J IJJ. (Man Haza R.rajul)
Meaning: Who is this person?

The Great Prophet (S.) has taught the con-ect answers of these
questions.
Answer to the first question is: :di'Q:i (Ra bbi Allah)
fvle an.i.ng: My Lord is Allah. ,,
Answer to the second question : _:..'j.,:,')ii &Y3 (Deenee Al-
Islam) tv'Ieaning : }.,fy Deen is Islam.
Answer to the third question is : J IQ,;!,:;l (Haza Ras ulullah)
1v1eaning: He is Prophet ofAllah.

Those who have led their lives according to the orders of Allah and His
prophet in this world will be able to answer these questions coITectly.
They will be successful. Those who disobeyed the word of Allah and His
prophet will not be able to answer co1Tectly. They will regret and say
"We do not know anything."
Comfort and Punishment in the Grave
Grave is the first step in Ak:h.irah, the life after deat11. Those who have
abstained from committing sins in the world will be able to answer the
questions in the grave correctly. For them contact will be established with
Heaven. They will feel peace of heaven there. The sinners will be unable
to answer correctly. The grave wil·l be pl.ace of Azab for
them.Azab.means
 Aqaid 15

punishment. Communication will be there between. their graves and

Hell. They will suffer very heavy punishment. We will refrain from
committing sin. Allah will save us fron1tbe punishment of grave.

Qiyamat ( ( .iJI)
There was a time when nothing existed. The whole universe with its
components was not in existence. Allah Ta'ala created eve1ything in His
infinite power. Again, a time will come when He will destroy the entire.
universe and all its parts. This is called Qiyarnat. Allah will cause
complete annihilation of everything when human beings will become
extremely rebellious, and there will be no single soul to invoke His name.
Scientists also agree that the universe will meet such an end ultimately.
They predict that there will come a time when the sun will become cold.
The sun., the planets and their satellites will collide. The earth and
everything on it will be destroyed.

Hashr (}J f)
Allah ,vill resurrect everybody ·1on.gtime after the destruction of the
universe. Everyone will have to gather on that clay before Allah. This
is called the day of Hashr. Allah will sit in judgment on our deeds
righteous or sinful. We shall have to give an account of all our words
and deeds. The believers who did virtuous deeds will get Allah's favour.
They will be safe. People who were non-believers and did not do good
deeds will have to face horrible danger. Their sufferings will have no
limit.

Mizan ( 1:s,: 1 ): The Balance

All our words and deeds are being preserved by Allah. All OlU
conduct and be haviour, our move1ne11t, our vices and virtues,
good or bad acts or words are written down. Such ,writings
contain in a Book, which is a register or Amal Nama. A group of
"'' angels prepares such a book as per the orders of Allah. These
a
n
g
e
l
s

a
r
e
16 Islami c S tu dies

called Kiraiman- Katebin, honourable ·writers. On the day of

Hashr our book of deeds containing our virtues and vices will
be weighed by a weighing scale called Mizan. Mizan means
Balance. Persons , whose good deeds will be heavier will go to
Heaven. Persons whose vices will weigh heavier will enter
Fiell.

Jannat & Jabannant : The Heaven & Hell

Jarrnat (heaven) is an abode of ete1nal happiness. In it there is peace and
peace everywhere. It is full of pleasure. It has all arrangements for
comfort. There are excellent food, fruits, drinks and beautiful gardens in
the heaven. Its inhabitants will get everything they desire. Persons who were
believers during their sojourn of their worldly life, who were virtuous, will dwell
therein forever. No want, no lack of peace, no sorrow and no pain will be there
in the heaven.
Jahannam is a place of perpetual suffering for persons who did not have
faith while living in this world and who did not do good deeds here.
Jahannam is full of sorrow and has nothing but sorrow. There is horrible
and alarming punishment in the from of burning in fire, snake bite and
many other types.

Planned \Vork: The pup list will prepare a. list of the stages in the life
l1ereafter.

Moral Benefits of Faith in Akhlrab

The teaching of Prophet (s.) about Akhirah is the same as that of the
earlier Prophets. If we think a bit deeply about Akhirah, we can realize
that the acceptance or rejection of the concept of Akhirah has a deep
influence on human life. A believer in Akhirah gives zakat to the poor.
He does not think that by giving zakat, his wealth will be decreased. He
always speaks the truth and refrains from telling lies. If he gets a
precious object alongside the road, he cannot take it. He thinks that it is
not his property.
 Aqaid 17

Plainly speaking, Islam defines for him a particular way of life to be

followed in eve1y step of life. Th-e value of everything is determined
in Islam on the basis of its consequence in the lif-e hereafter. On the
contrary a disbeliever in Akhirah gives preference to the result of this
mundane life in every aspects of his life.

Character of a Muslim
A Muslim character should reflect the fear of Allah. He will live in this
world with this conviction that Allah is the Master of all things. whatever
is in the possession of human beings on earth is a gift from Allah.I am
not the owner of anything, nor even my own body. Everything is a trust
of Allah Ta'ala. I have been given some freedom to expend from the
wealth of which I am a trust ee. It is my duty to expend from this trust as
per the wish of Allah. A day will come when Allah ·will take back this
trust from me. I am bound to give an account of everything on that day.
A person, who lives life with such a conviction, will have a. noble
character. He will keep his mind free from evil thinking. He will not
allow his ears to hear impious discussion. He will protect himself
from looking a.t wit h an evil eye. He will guard his tongue from
telling a lie. He will not satisfy hunger with unlawful things. He will
rather prefer hunger to that. He ,viii not oppress anyone. He will
never set his foot to
do an unlawful act. He will never bow before falsehood even if he is
beheaded. .His conduct will exhibit an assembly of honesty and
greatness. He will love honesty and justice most. He will hate
oppression and injustice. This type of person will succeed.
A man who does not fear anybody but Allah and does not want any
reward from anybody but Allah: Is he not the best of the believers?
which power can deviate him from the path of truth and justice? That
wealth can buy his faith?
Nobody can be more faithful than be in the world. He does not destroy
gl anybody's trust. Does not turn back from the path of Justice. Keeps his
"'
words. Behaves well. He carries himself as a firm believer
because he has the conviction that Allah sees everything. Such
people are loved and respect ed by everyone. After such aa
honourable and glorious sojourn in this world he presents
himself to Allah Who will shower on him infinite grace and
mercy. This is the greatest success.