Islamic Education Series Grades 1-12 (Set of 12 eBooks) - Dar-us-Salam

DARUSSALAM

Molvi Abdul Aziz

MA. English Literature

L E

3 L

B U U

KS

Islamic Education

Grade 3

ABOUT THE BOOK

The present series covers all areas of Islamic
studies: tafseer, hadeeth, tawheed, fiqh, seerah, and
general etiquette relating to different areas and
situations. Every effort has been made to ensure that
the material presented in the series is authentic, and
most of the terms are presented in their original Arabic
script, along with the transliteration and the translation
of their meanings. This also applies to supplications
which have to be memorised in their Arabic version.
The aim here is to help the reader read the original text
and understand its meaning. Each lesson isfoliowed by
exercises covering questions about the lesson.

One striking feature in the series is the colouiful
artwork used in it that certainly appeals to children. This
is certainly bound to attract the young readers'
attention, stimulate them, amuse them as well as
educate them.

The series aims to acquaint the student with the
teachings of Islam in every aspect: beliefs, practices and
moral conduct. The series, with its unique features,
certainly fills a gap in this area which has long been
partially neglected.

ISBN; 9960-9601 -0-3

DARUSSALAM

GLOBA L LEADER IM ISLAMIC 8QOKS

Riyadh Jeddah Al-Khobar Sharjah Lahore
London Houston New York

Book No

Frlnl-nd In China

Islamic

Studies

Grade 3 -

Given the dire need for Islamic studies material in
schools incorporating the subject in English,
Darussalam has endeavoured to publish an Islamic
Studies series covering all the grades, from grade
one through grade twelve.

©Mataba Dar-us-Salam, 2011

King Fahd National Library Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Abdul Aziz, Moulavi

Islamic Studies - grade 3. Moulavi Abdul Aziz -2. Riyadh, 2011
114p; 17x24cm

ISBN: 978-603-500-123*6

1-lslamic education - Study and teaching
1 -Title

377.107 dc 1432/5207

L.D.no. 1432/5207
ISBN: 978-603-500-123-6

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Publisher's Note

All praise belongs to Allah; we praise Him and
seek His help and forgiveness. We seek refuge in
Allah from the evil of our own selves and from our
sinful deeds. Whomever Allah guides, there is none
to misguide him, and whomever He leads astray,
none can guide him. We bear witness that there is no
god worthy of worship except Allah, alone, and we
bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and
Messenger. We pray to Allah the Almighty to bestow
His peace and blessings upon Prophet Muhammad,
upon his good and pure family, as well as upon all the
noble companions and those who follow them in
righteousness until the Day of Judgement.

Given the dire need for Islamic studies material
in schools incorporating the subject in English,
Darussalam has endeavoured to publish an Islamic
Studies series covering all the grades, from grade one
through grade twelve.

The series will cover all areas of Islamic
studies: tafseer, hadeeth, tawheed, fiqh, seerah, and
general etiquette relating to different areas and
situations. Given the importance of authentic Islamic
knowledge, every effort has been made to ensure
that the material presented in the series is authentic.
Also, given the importance of Arabic Islamic terms,
most of the terms are presented in their original
Arabic script, along with the transliteration and the
translation of their meanings. This also applies to
supplications which have to be memorised in their
Arabic from. The aim here is to help the reader read
the original text and understand its meaning. Each
lesson is followed by exercises covering questions
about the lesson.

One striking feature in the series is the
colourful artwork used in it that certainly appeals to
children. This is certainly bound to attract the young
readers' attention, stimulate them, amuse them as
well as educate them.

Publisher's Note

The series aims to acquaint the student with
the teachings of Islam in every aspect: beliefs,
practices and moral conduct. The series, with its
unique features, certainly fills a gap in this area which
has long been partially neglected.

The present breathtaking work was initiated by
an expert in the field of education, Maulvi Abdul Aziz,
MA. English literature, who held different posts in the
field including that of Senior Administrative Officer in
the Department of Private Education, Ministry of
Education, Dubai, UAE, from 1982 to 2002.

The current project also owes its existence in
its present form to a number of people who made
informative suggestions, particularly Al-Arabee Ben
Razzouq, College of Languages and Translation,
Imam Muhammad ibn Saud University, Riyadh, who
undertook the painstaking task of checking the
authenticity of the material presented in the series,
proofreading the text as well as adding references to
certain quotations from the Qur'an and the hadeeth.
Special thanks also go to Sheikh Abdul-Qawiy
Luqman, Al-Madeenah University graduate, for his
interesting suggestions and to Mr. Zulfiqar
Mahmood who conscientiously applied his expertise
in the field of graphic design to produce the series in
a superb shape.

We pray to Almighty Allah to reward our
endeavours and to make the present series
abundantly beneficial to students in all stages of
education as well as to any one who reads them.

Abdul Malik Mujahid

Sha'aban, 1429 AH.

August 2008.

Chapter CONTENTS

Page Number

1.

The Call to Prayer

1

2.

Al-lqamah

7

3.

Lying, Gossiping and Backbiting

11

4.

The Prayer

16

5.

Zakah - The Purifying Dues

20

6.

Fasting (1)

24

7.

Fasting (2)

29

8.

Hajj - The Pilgrimage

34

9.

Adam ( W>\)

40

10.

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (&)

46

11.

Prophet Ibraaheem ( & )

51

12.

Prophet Isma'eel ( >fcB)

58

13.

Prophet Ishaq ( M )

65

14.

Pure Water

69

15.

Cleanliness

74

16.

Tahaarah - Purity

77

17.

Wudhu

81

18.

How to Perform Wudhu

84

19.

Prophet Muhammad $§ (1 )

88

20.

Prophet Muhammad M (2)

91

21.

Prophet Muhammad M (3)

95

22.

Prophet Muhammad M (4)

98

23.

Prophet Muhammad M (5)

103

24.

Ali ibn Abee Talib (4&)

108

25.

Ja'far ibn Abee Talib (4&)

111

The Mu’adh-dhin calls out the adhan five times a
day at the mosque. The mu’adh-dhin is the person
who calls the adhan - the call to prayer. If you climb a
city rooftop in a Muslim Country during the time of any
of the five daily prayers, you can hear several calls,
with long sweeping voices coming from different
directions. The call to prayer is one of the most
beautiful sounds. It is delightful to wake to the sound
of the dawn adhan, or hear the Isha adhan when
the evening is cool and gentle.

The call to prayer punctuates daily life five times. It
draws Muslims out of their everyday activities to
matters of great importance - salah.

The wording of the adhan is:

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Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar

Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great

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Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar

Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great

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<dll tf! ill J^A\

ash-hadu an laa-ilaaha illallaah ' ;

/ testify that there is no god but Allah

dil Vi ill Jl l^il

ash-hadu an laa-ilaaha illallaah

I testify that there is no god but Allah

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I I I lu 1

ash-hadu anna muhammadar-rasoolullaah

I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

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ash-hadu anna muhammadar-rasoolullaah

I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

i ' d ' _ ' 4 ' 6 '

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hayya alassalaah, hayya alassalaah

Hasten to the prayer, hasten to the prayer

hayya alal falaah, hayya alal falaah
Hasten to success, hasten to success

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4Jbi j-&\ *Jbi

Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar

Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great

ail ^1 kl\ V

9 - 9 -

/ /

Laa-ilaaha illallaah
There is no god but Allah

1

Chapter

The Call to Prayer

After saying

hayya alassalaah, hayya alassalaah

Hasten to the prayer, hasten to the prayer

(eric, er^ (e^

hayya alal falaah, hayya alal falaah

Hasten to success, hasten to success

the mu’adh-dhin adds the following statement twice in

the dawn prayer:

0

Assalaatu khayrum-minan nawm

The prayer is better than sleep

As the mu’adh-dhin calls the adhan, a Muslim
should repeat after him whatever he says, except for
these two statements:

hayya alassalaah, hayya alassalaah

Hasten to the prayer, hasten to the prayer

(eri^ 'eri^ Ur 1 -

hayya alal falaah, hayya alal falaah

Hasten to success, hasten to success

1

Chapter

The Call to Prayer

Instead, one should say after each one of these
statements,

<ubLj
* ^

Laa haw I a wa laa quwwata illaa billaah.

There is no power and no might except with Allah

Allah’s Messenger ( ) said, “When you hear the

adhan, repeat what the mu’adh-dhin says”.(Ai-Bukhaaree

and Muslim)

/ ^ os

Exercises

Exercise 1

Fill in the blanks.

1 . The mu’adh-dhin calls out the

five times a

day. Muslims then get ready to offer

2. When you hear the adhan you should prepare yourself for

Exercise 2

Learn the wording of the adhan by heart.

Al-iqamah is the call to the start of fard salah. A
person praying alone may recite it quietly to himself or
herself when they stand to offer any of the five daily
prayers.

Al-iqamah is the message that the prayer is
starting. One should now join the jamaa’ah and stand
facing the qiblah to begin the prayer.

The wording of the iqamah is as follows:

Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar
Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great

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rtii viaji v

ash-hadu an laa-ilaaha illallaah
I testify that there is no god but Allah

i * 9 s <* 6 s 9 i J > ' 0 i

4Jb! tjl - 1 ^ *■ I

ash-hadu anna muhammadar-rasoolullaah
I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

hayya alassalaah, hayya alal falaah

Hasten to the prayer, hasten to success

'6 0 ~ 0 ~

, s >\\ Coolia C^oLiS j &

/ /

Qad qaamatis-salaah, Qad qaamatis-salaah
The prayer is now ready, the prayer is now ready

Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar
Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great

, o £ * J. ^ / o £ a J, ^

j-£UJbl

Laa-ilaaha illallaah
There is no god but Allah

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£• 9 -

/ /

Chapter

Al-lqamah

Exercise 1

Answer the following questions
1 . What is the iqamah?

2. How is it different from the adhan?

Exercise 2

Learn the iqamah with its meanings.

IB

Chapter

Ivina. Gossiping and Backbiting

The tongue is one of the most useful parts of the
body. We use it to express our needs, wants and ideas.
But if we are not careful, we can easily use it in the
wrong way. The tongue is a great blessing from Allah.
Even though it is small, it is difficult to control.

A good Muslim must try hard to use his tongue only
in matters that are pleasing to Allah. He must also try
his best to avoid using it in such bad things as lying,
gossiping and backbiting.

Gossiping and Backbiting

To gossip means to talk about other people’s
private lives which might be unkind or not true. This is
perhaps the most difficult thing to control. It is easy to
make fun of others. It is easy to nudge a friend with
your elbow to get a giggle. But it is good to remember
that if we do not have anything nice to say, then we
should not say anything at all.

Our Prophet [M) once said, ‘(The true) Muslim is the
one who avoids harming Muslims with his tongue and

hands.’ (Al-Bukharee and Muslim)

hapter

Ivina. Gossiping and Backjbiti

LJJiSLI I

He also said, ‘Do you know what backbiting is?’
The Prophet’s companions said, ‘Allah and His
Messenger know best.’ Then he said, ‘Backbiting is
your talking about your brother in a manner that he
does not like.’ This means when he is not with you.

Telling Lies

For many people, lying is the quickest and safest
way to get out of trouble. But in the long run lying
always lands us into trouble - more trouble!

When you get caught lying, which you most likely
will, you would be in much more trouble than you were
when you started lying. No one likes to be lied to. Lying
is lying! It does not matter if we lie about where we
were, what we did, who we saw or what we saw; for we
will be questioned about this on the Day of
Judgement.

Lying is a very bad habit that attracts nothing but
more lies. The more people ask you to talk, the more
stories you make up. The more stories you make up,
the deeper you land into trouble. We should,
therefore, always speak the truth, and never lie.

Exercise 1

Match the terms to their meanings and copy them in your
exercise books.

1 . Lying to talk about other people’s private lives

which might be unkind or not true.

2. Gossiping To talk about your Muslim brother or

sister who is not there in a manner he or
she does not like.

3. Backbiting

To say things that are not true.

Exercise 2

Are these statements true or false?

1 . It is OK to lie while joking.

2. It is OK to lie sometimes.

3. Lying is a way to get out of trouble

Exercise 3

Answer this question.

Who is a true Muslim?

Salah (the prayer) is the second pillar of Islam. It is
the foundation of the religion and the best act of
obedience. There are five prayers which Allah has
prescribed for His servants.

Allah’s Messenger [M] said, ‘If there is a river at the
door of any one of you in which he washes himself five
times a day, would any dirt remain on his body?’ when
his companions replied, ‘None at all’, the Prophet ( M )
said, ‘That is like the five prayers by which Allah

removes sins.’ (Al-Bukhaaree)

After the affirmation of Allah’s Oneness, no duty
that Allah has prescribed for His servants is dearer to
Him than performing the obligatory prayers.

Allah’s Messenger (^) said, ‘The merit of the
congregational prayer - jamaa’ah - surpasses that of
the individual prayer by twenty-seven degrees.’

(Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)

The Prophet (^) also said, To perform the late
evening prayer (Isha) in congregation is equivalent to
spending half the night in prayer, and to perform the
dawn prayer (Fajr) in congregation is like spending the
whole night in prayer .’ (At-Tirmidhee)

Salah is so important in Islam that we are ordered
to perform it whether we are travelling or not, and
whether we are in a state of safety or danger. It is
compulsory upon every sane, adult Muslim. None of
the five daily prayers (salawaat - plural of salah)
should be neglected. If someone is too ill to stand,
then he should pray sitting. If he is too ill to sit, then he
should pray lying down.

Exercise 1

Fill in the blanks.

1 . Salah is the

2. A Muslim must pray

3. The five prayers remove

pillar of Islam.

times a day.

just as water removes dirt.

Exercis

4. The merit of the congregational prayer is
times more than the individual prayer.

5. Salah should not be neglected. If someone is too ill to stand,

If he is too ill to sit, he

he should pray

should pray

Exercise 2

Answer the following questions.

1 . What are the five prayers compared to?

2. What did the Prophet ( H ) say the performance of the Isha
and Fajr prayers in congregation are equal to?

Zakah is the third pillar of Islam. The Qur’an
mentions it immediately after the prayer, saying, ‘And
offer prayer and give zakah.’ (73 20)

Zakah is an Arabic word. It is an amount of alms
which must be paid by every Muslim who possesses a
certain amount of wealth. The root meaning of the Arabic
term suggests that it is a means of purification and
growth. Hence Zakah means purifying dues. A person
loves worldly goods and wealth because these are
the means by which he can enjoy the benefits of this
world. Because of these worldly goods, a person
becomes so attached to life that he hates death.

Allah, therefore, puts Muslims to the test. He
commands them to give up some of their wealth,
which they love dearly.

Zakah is mentioned many times in the Qu’ran. It is
compulsory upon those Muslims who have wealth, and is
for the benefit of those who are poor or in need. It also
cleanses and purifies the giver. It makes the person
who gives it aware that he should not be selfish with

I

Chapter

kah - The Purifying Dues

what Allah has given him. Zakah also benefits the
whole society. It makes stronger ties of brotherhood
between the rich and the poor.

Allah’s Messenger (^) said, “Whoever is given
wealth by Allah and does not give the zakah due on it
will find that on the Day of judgement it is made to
appear to him as a hairless snake with two black
specks, which chains him, and then seizes him by his
jaw and says,’ I’m your wealth, I’m your treasure.”

(Al-Bukhaaree)

You will learn about zakah in detail later on,
inshaa Allah.

Exercise 1

Choose from the following words and fill in the blanks.

[third, Qur’an, wealth, purifies, Arabic]

1 . Zakah is mentioned many times in the .

2. It is the pillar of Islam.

3. It is compulsory for those who have _.

4. Zakah cleanses and the person who

gives it.

5. It is an term.

Exercise 2

Answer the following question.

Write down two benefits of giving zakah.

6

Chapter

6

Sawm, or siyyaam, is an Arabic word which means
fasting. Fasting is compulsory for adult Muslims
throughout the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the
ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It comes after
Sha’ban. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is the fourth
pillar of Islam.

Fasting means abstaining from food and drink
and other things that make fasting invalid from dawn
to sunset. If you abstain from something, usually
something you want to do or have, you do not do it
even if you like to do it or have it.

Fasting also means keeping one’s ears, eyes,
tongue, hands and feet - and all the other parts of the
body - free from sin, free from disobeying Allah and
free from harming others. Backbiting or telling lies
spoils the fast. Fasting is like a shield. So when a Muslim
is fasting he should not use foul or foolish talk. If
someone attacks him, quarrels with him or insults him,
he should say, Tm fasting, I’m fasting.’

The fast of Ramadan begins on the day following
the sighting of the new moon of the month of

6

Chapter

Ramadan. If it is confirmed that the moon has been
sighted, a Muslim should begin his fast from dawn the
following day. He must make the intention of fasting
(the niyyah) before dawn.

It is recommended for a Muslim to have a meal
before dawn. This meal is called sahoor. It helps bear
the hardships of fasting during the day. As soon as the
sun has set, a Muslim should break his fast. This is
called iftar - breaking the fast. He may break the fast
with a few dates or other fruit, or simply with water!
Fasting is compulsory in the month of Ramadan for
every adult Muslim who is in good health, not travelling
and able to fast without hardship. An adult is a mature,
well-developed person.

Fasting (1)

Circle the correct answer.

1 . Sawm is an Tabic - English] word.

2. Fasting is compulsory for adults - children].

3. Ramadan is the 1 Oth - 9th month in the Islamic calendar.

4. Ramadan comes after [Shawwal - Sha’ban].

5. Ramadan is the fifth - fourt pillar of Islam.

Exercise 2

Write a short note on things you should keep away from
while fasting.

Fasting (1)

Exercise 3

Fill in the blanks.

1 . Muslims fast from until

2. Breaking the fast is called

3. We may break our fast with
simply with

or other fruit, or

Exercise 4

Write True or False.

1 . It is recommended to eat or drink something before dawn.

2. Making the intention before fasting is important.

3. If someone insults you while you are fasting, you should
insult him.

For one month every year, Muslims show their
thankfulness to Allah in a special way: They fast during
the month of Ramadan.

Fasting in this month is the fourth pillar of Islam. As
the Islamic calendar follows the moon, the month of
Ramadan falls at a different time each year.

There are several reasons for keeping this fast. The
most important of them all is that it is the Command of
Allah to do so. It is one of the pillars of Islam. It helps us
become pious. It is the teaching of our Prophet
Muhammad (^). Fasting reminds Muslims of the
hardships of the poor.

During the whole month of Ramadan, Muslims do
not eat or drink during the hours of daylight. This
means they must get up before dawn, while it is still
dark to have their meal called sahoor. From the
moment of the breaking of dawn, Muslims can have
neither food nor drink until sunset. Once the sun has
set, they can break the fast, which is called iftar.

We Muslims often break our fast by eating a few
dates. It is the way of Allah’s Messenger ( $g ).

It is during the month of Ramadan that Allah’s
Messenger ( M ) began to receive the words of the
Glorious Qur’an. The Noble Qur’an is Allah’s most
precious gift to man. The month of Ramadan and
fasting during it is the anniversary of the Glorious
Qur’an. It is, therefore, the time of giving thanks. It is
the time to thank Allah for all His gifts. It is the time to
remember that man should rely on Allah for
everything. Fasting teaches self-discipline. It makes us
aware of Allah.

Islam teaches us that there is no god but Allah. A
Muslim must live a life that is pleasing to Allah. That
means putting Allah’s Commands before his own
desires. When a Muslim fasts, he obeys the Command
of Allah and puts Allah’s Command before his wants
and needs.

Fasting is a shield against evil. It builds up the
strength to resist evil that comes in the way of a Muslim.
This helps him to say ‘no’ to the temptations in his
everyday life.

Every night, when the fast is broken, the meal is
like a celebration. Muslims thank Allah for giving them
the power to keep the fast that day. There are people
among the Muslims who are not expected to fast.
Travellers and those who are sick do not have to fast.
They should make up for the missed number of days
when they are able to do so.

You will learn about fasting in detail later on,
Inshaa Allah.

Answer the following questions.

1 . How long is the time of fasting?

2. In which month did the Prophet ( M ) start receiving the
words of the Qur’an?

3. What anniversary does the month of Ramadan mark?

Exercise 2

Fill in the blanks.

1 . Ramadan is the time of

2. Fasting teaches us

3. When a Muslim fasts, he puts Allah’s Commands before his

and

Hajj is the pilgrimage to the House of Allah - the
Ka’bah - in Makkah. It is the fifth pillar of Islam. Hajj
requires pilgrims to perform certain acts. These acts
are the acts of hajj.

Hajj is compulsory for every adult, sane Muslim,
male or female, once in his or her lifetime, provided:

1 . He has enough money for the journey,

2. He is in good health,

3. The journey to Makkah is safe and does not
involve any danger.

Children may go for hajj with their parents, but it is
compulsory for them to perform hajj again when they
become adults and are able to do so.

The acts of hajj are as follows:

1 . Ihram: the formal intention of performing hajj. A
man puts on two pieces of unsewn white cloth and
does not cover his head, among other things. A
woman should cover everything except for the
face and hands.

2. Talbiyah (declaring of one’s arrival for hajj).

3. Tawaf - going around the Ka’bah - seven times on
arrival at Makkah.

4. Sa’ee - walking seven times back and forth
between the two hillocks of Safa and Marwah.

5. Spending the night of 8th Dhul-Hijjah at Mina.

6. Staying in Arafah on 9th Dhul-Hijjah.

7. Spending the night of 9th Dhul-Hijjah at
Muzdalifah.

8. Stoning the Jamratul Aqaba in Mina on the 1 Oth of
Dhul-Hijjah.

9. Sacrificing an animal in Mina (depending on the
type of hajj one is performing).

1 0. Shaving the head or having a haircut.

11. Tawaf al-lfadah: going round the Ka’bah seven
times, and performing Sa’ee between Safa and

Marwah, according to
the type of hajj one is
performing. You will
learn about the types of
hajj in detail later on,
inshaa Allah.

12. Stoning the pillars in
Mina, on the 11th, 12th
and 1 3th Dhul-Hijjah. Stoning these pillars on the
1 3th Dhul-Hijjah is optional.

1 3. The Farewell Tawaf.

Allah’s Messenger ( ^ ) said, ‘He who makes a
pilgrimage to the House - avoiding indecent and
immoral behaviour - will return as pure from sins as the
day he was born.’ (Al-Bukharee)

He also said that a pilgrimage that is mabroor is
better than this world and all it contains. There is no
reward for such a pilgrimage but Paradise. (Al-Bukharee)
Mabroor means one that is done with the intention
of seeking Allah’s pleasure only and done in
accordance with the Prophet’s Sunnah.

Although visiting the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah
is not an act of hajj, it is recommended to do so.

Exercise 1

Answer the following questions.

1 . What is the reward for a pilgrimage that is mabroor?

2. What are the three conditions needed for hajj?

3. What is the meaning of ihram?

Exercise 2

Fill in the blanks.

in Makkah.

times.

1 . Hajj is the pilgrimage to the

2. Hajj is the pillar of Islam.

3. Tawaf is to go around the Ka’bah

chapter Hajj - The Pilgrimage

Exercise 3

Are these statements true or false?

1 . If someone is not in good health, he still has to perform hajj.

2. Women must cover the face while in a state of ihram.

3. Shaving the head is an act of hajj.

Allah is the Creator. When you look at the sky, the
sun and the moon and the stars, whom do you think
of? When you see the flowers, trees, birds and animals,
whom do you think of? Who made the whole world?

Allah made the sun, the moon and the sky, and
Allah made the first man. He called him Adam. Man is
different from animals and plants in many ways.
Animals and plants cannot think the way man thinks.
They cannot talk, but Adam could do these things. The
Qu’ran mentions Adam about twenty five times in
different surahs.

The man Allah made had a body and a soul.
Each of the people of the world has a body and a
soul.

Allah created Adam from clay and breathed life
into him. When our Lord said to the angels, ‘I am
putting a khaleefah on the earth,’ the angels said,
‘Why put on it one who will cause corruption and shed
blood on it, while we glorify you with praise?’ Allah
said, ‘I know what you do not know.’

Allah then taught Adam the names of all things.
Then he asked the angels, ‘Tell me the names of these
if you are truthful?’ They said, ‘Glory be to You! We
have no knowledge except what You have taught us.
You are the All-knowing, the All-wise.’

Allah said, ‘Adam, tell them their names.’ And
Adam told them their names. Allah then commanded
the angels to prostrate to Adam. They prostrated but
Iblees who was of the jinn did not prostrate. He
refused, was arrogant and was one of the disbelievers.

Adam first lived in the Garden of Paradise with his

wife Hawwa.

The Garden was very beautiful. Allah allowed
Adam and his wife Hawwa to eat freely whatever and
whenever they wished. But He forbade them to
approach a particular tree in the Garden. He told
them to keep away from this tree and warned them
not to eat of it, or they would become wrongdoers.

But shaytan made them slip by whispering evil
thoughts into their hearts. He lied to them by telling
them that if they ate of that tree, it would make them
like angels, and they would live forever.

At last Adam and Hawwa forgot Allah’s warning.
They ate of the tree. As soon they tasted it, they felt
ashamed and knew that they had done something
wrong.

Page

44

i

They were sorry for disobeying Allah. They prayed
to Allah to forgive them, and He forgave them. But
Allah commanded them to go to earth to live there for
some time. He also promised that they and their
children would be allowed to return to Paradise if they
obeyed Allah.

Allah also made Adam a Prophet. He was the first
Prophet. He worshipped Allah alone. He taught his
children and grandchildren how to worship and obey
Allah. He also taught his children and grandchildren
how to be thankful to Allah.

Adam and Hawwa had many children and
grandchildren. After the death of Adam (%B), Allah
chose other Prophets from among the children of
Prophet Adam ( M).

Exercise 1

Circle the correct word.

Exercis

1 . Allah created Adam from (fire - clay).

2. (Angels - Iblees) did not bow to Adam (?&S).

3. Allah (forgave - did not forgive) Adam and Hawwa.

4. Adam was the (last - first) prophet.

5. As soon as Adam and Hawwa ate of the tree, they (felt
ashamed - became angels).

6. Iblees was (an angel - one of the jinn).

Exercise 2

Answer these questions.

1 . How are plants and animals different from man?

2. Why did Allah create Adam?

3. Who made Adam ( M) disobey Allah?

ch™ Khadijah bint Khuwaylid

Khadijah ( ) was the daughter of Khuwaylid ibn
(son of) Asad. She belonged to the Quraysh tribe.

Khadijah ( 14 ) was the first wife of the Prophet ( -J§).
The Prophet ( $§ ) loved her very much. The wives of the
Prophet are called ‘Mothers of the Believers’, and
Khadijah was the first ‘mother of the believers’.

The Prophet’s marriage to Khadijah ( ) took place
about fifteen years before the beginning of the
revelation. He was then twenty-five and she was forty-
years old. She was a rich widow and ran a large trade
of her own. It was Khadijah who offered herself in
marriage to the Prophet ( % ) when she asked him to
do business for her and found out about his good
qualities. She remained deeply devoted to him and
gave him moral support throughout her life.

Khadijah ( tfe ) had great wealth, a large house in
Makkah and a number of maids. She was polite,
affectionate and of noble character.

10

I

ch** Khadijah bint Khuwaylid 48

The Prophet ( $g ) once mentioned that the best of
the women of her time was Maryam the mother of the
Prophet Isa ( mB ), and the best of the women of her
time was Khadijah ( t|b). (Ai-Bukhaaree)

She was indeed a very worthy companion of the
Last Prophet ( $g ). He never thought of marrying
another woman as long as she lived.

The marriage proved to be one of love and
happiness. All the Prophet’s sons and daughters, with
the exception of Ibraaheem who died as a little boy,
were the fruit of this marriage. Khadijah bore the
Prophet (M) two sons: al-Qaasim and Abdullah who
both died at a very early age.

She also bore him four daughters. They were:

1. Fatimah, 2. Ruqayyah,

3. Umm Kulthum, and 4. Zaynab.

Khadijah ( i^) was the first woman to accept Islam.

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid

Exercise 1

Match the following.

A B

1 . Khadijah ( ) married the Prophet M A

2. She was the daughter B

3. Muhammad ( H) married her C

4. Khadijah was a D

5. The Prophet ( H ) used to E

F

at the age of 25.
trade for Khadijah (i#b).
at the age of 40.
of Khadijah.
rich woman,
of Khuwaylid.

Exercise 2

Are these statements true or false?

1 . Khadijah was the second woman to accept Islam.

2. She bore the Prophet ( M ) two sons.

3. She was a poor woman.

Answer these questions.

1 . Who was the Prophet’s first wife?

2. What were the Prophet’s daughters’ names?

3. Write a few lines on the character of Khadijah ( t|k).

A long time ago, in Babylon in Iraq, there lived a
man called Azar. He was very popular. He was a seller
of idols. He made idols with his own hands. He bowed
down before these idols. He worshipped them.

Azar had a son called Ibraaheem. He was born in
Babylon. He was very intelligent. Ibraaheem saw
the people bowing down before idols. He was
amazed. He knew idols were made of stone. They
could not speak. They could not hear. They could not
eat. He knew they could not help nor harm anybody.
He saw flies sit on them. The idols could not send the
flies away. Ibraaheem ( <m\ ) saw mice eat from the
food which lay before the idols. The idols could not
stop the mice from eating this food.

Ibraaheem ( <m ) wondered, ‘Why do people
worship idols? Why do people ask idols for help?’

Ibraaheem ( ) would ask his father, ‘Why do you
worship idols? Why do you bow down before them?
The idols cannot speak. They cannot hear. They
cannot help anyone. They cannot eat or drink. Why
do you then put food and drink before them?’

Azar would become angry. He did not know what
to say. He did not have any answers to these
questions.

Ibraaheem [>m) gave the same advice to his
people. They did not have any answers to his
questions either. One day Ibraaheem (%B) went to the
temple where idols were kept. He asked the idols,
‘There is food and drink lying before you. Why don’t
you eat? Why don’t you drink? Why are you all so
silent? Why don’t you speak?’ The idols were silent.
They were made of stones. Stones of course, do not
speak.

Ibraaheem (<$£») became angry. He grabbed an
axe. He began to hit the idols with the axe. He
smashed them all except the big one. Instead, he
hung the axe around its neck.

rophet Ibraahee

I .* 1 SI

When the people came to worship and bow down
before their idols, they were dumbfounded and very
angry. They could not believe what they saw.

‘Who has done this to our gods?’ they cried.

They had heard Ibraaheem ( ) talk about the idols.
They brought him to the building and asked him, ‘Are
you the one who has done this to our gods?’
Ibraaheem ( <m) pointed to the largest unbroken idol
and calmly said, ‘But this, their chief has done it. Ask
him if he is able to speak.’

The people knew the idols were made of stones.
They knew stones do not hear nor speak. They knew the
largest idol was also made of stone. It could not move
from its place. How could it break the other idols? The

Prophet Ibraahee

people were confused. They said, Ibraaheem, you
know that idols cannot speak.’ Now was the turn of
Ibraaheem [ <m ). He asked them, ‘How can you
worship idols made of stone when they can neither
help nor harm you? Why don’t you understand?’

The people fell silent. They had no answer. But
they met together. Ibraaheem ( <m ) had broken the
idols. He had insulted their gods. They decided to
punish him. They lit a huge fire and threw Ibraaheem
($a) into it. But Allah saved Ibraaheem (>$@\). He
commanded the fire, ‘Be coolness and safety upon
Ibraaheem.’ (27:69).’ So it was!

The people saw that the fire did not harm
Ibraaheem ( m ). They saw that the flames and heat
did not harm him at all. He was safe and sound.

rophet Ibraahee

(**£!>?!

Exercise 1

Choose from the following words and fill in the blanks,
[seller, burn, Babylon, idols, stones]

1 . Azar lived in in Iraq.

2. He was a maker and of idols.

3. The people of Ibraaheem ( ) worshipped

4. The people decided to Ibraaheem ( mM ) alive.

5. Idols are made of or wood.

Exercise 2

Answer the following questions.
1 . Why was Azar popular?

2. Why did Ibraaheem ( xfea ) not worship the idols?

3. How did the people react when they went to the temple?

Exercise 3

Explain how the fire did not harm Ibraaheem ($£» ).

I

Prophet Isma'eel

Prophet Ibraaheem ( ) had two sons. Both of
them became famous because Allah made them
prophets. The first of them was Isma’eel, the sacrificed
one. His mother’s name was Haajar.

Isma’eel ( ) was the first son born to Prophet
Ibraaheem ( M ) in answer to his prayers. Ibraaheem
(M) prayed to Allah to give him a righteous child, and
Allah gave him the good news of a forbearing boy.

It was Isma’eel ( M) whom Allah asked Ibraaheem
(jfcsi) to sacrifice. Ibraaheem and Isma’eel were both
put to the test. This happened when Isma’eel (&a) was
only thirteen years old. It was also Isma’eel ( who
went with his parents, Ibraaheem and Haajar, while he
was only an infant, to the valley known today as
Makkah.

Ibraaheem (^b) left them there with only a small
quantity of water and food. He put his trust in Allah to
help and protect them. He left them under a tree at
the place where Makkah stands today. Haajar sat in its
shadow with the child on her lap. Around her there was
nothing but sand and rocky slopes. How good the
shade of the tree was!

There was a horrible silence all around, without
any living thing! No birds, no animals! The night
passed, and another day, and another night.

When there was no more water left, the child
began to cry. Haajar cried out to the Lord. Frightened
by the suffering of her thirsty child, she ran to and fro
through the valley, between the two hills of Safa and
Marwah to see if she could see anybody.

While in this desperate situation, Angel Jibreel (&£»)
appeared and hit the earth with his heel. A stream of
water gushed forth and began to flow over the sand.
Haajar shouted with joy. She pressed the child’s face
into the cool water so that he might drink. She also
drank with him. She heaped a little wall of sand
around the spring. It became a well. This blessed well
is known as the Well of Zamzam and exists to this day.

When Ibraaheem (w) returned to the valley after
some time, he
found Haajar and
Isma’eel alive, as
Allah had promised
him. Later, Prophet
Ibraaheem ( & )
built the Ka’bah
with the help of
Isma’eel. When Isma’eel grew up, Ibraaheem ( )

and Isma’eel (m ) were both put to another test. When

Isma’eel ( & ) was old
enough to work with
him, Ibraaheem ( « )
said, ‘My son, I saw in a
dream that I must
sacrifice you; what do
you think about this?’ Isma’eel answered, ‘Do as
you are ordered, father. Allah willing, you will find me
firm.’ Then when they had both submitted and
Ibraaheem (m) had laid Isma’eel (^b) face down on
the ground, Allah called out to him, ‘Ibraaheem, you
have fulfilled the dream.’

Allah then commanded Ibraaheem to sacrifice a
ram in his place.

We are very grateful to both Prophet Ibraaheem
( ym ) and Isma’eel ( ) for their noble example.

Muslims all over the world sacrifice animals on the day
of Eed al-Adha in memory of Ibraaheem’s readiness to
sacrifice Isma’eel to Allah to this day, and that will
continue till the end of the world.

Exercise 1

Exercis

Match side A to side B

A

1 Ibraaheem had

2 Allah helped Haajar

3 Ibraaheem left his family

4 Haajar ran between

5 Isma’eel was

c Safa and Marwah.

a with Zamzam.

d a prophet,

e in the care of Allah.

B

b two sons

one son.

Exercise 2

Describe what Makkah looked like when Ibraaheem ( )

left his family there.

Exercise 3

Complete the following.

1 . Isma’eel’s parents were _ and _ _.

2. Ibraaheem ( $ 21 ) left his family

3. Isma’eel (,%ui) answered, ‘Do as you are , father’.

4. Isma’eel ( ) helped Ibraaheem ( & ) _

5. Ibraaheem’s obedience to sacrifice his son put an end to

Are these statements true of false?

1 . At the time of sacrifice, Isma’eel was ten.

2. Muslims sacrifice in memory of Ibraaheem’s readiness to
sacrifice Isma’eel to Allah.

Isma’eel refused to obey his father.

3 .

Prophet Ibraaheem (^,) had two sons. The eldest
was Isma’eel whose mother was Haajar. Ishaq was his
second son born of his other wife Sarah.

The Qur’an tells us in Surat Hud how the good news
of the birth of Ishaq was given to Prophet Ibraaheem

Allah sent some angels to him to give him the
good news of a birth in his family, because Prophet
Ibraaheem (*&$) had no children from his wife Sarah,
and for this reason she felt sad. Both Ibraaheem (&B)
and his wife Sarah had become old. There was no
hope for them to have children. The angels gave the
good news of the birth of Ishaq to Sarah and
Ibraaheem (*b). They also gave them the good news
of the birth of their grandson Ya’qub in their lives. Both
Ishaq and Ya’qub became messengers of Allah of
great standing.

These angels came to Prophet Ibraaheem (<$@1) in
human form. He took them as normal guests. He
brought a dish of roasted calf and placed it before
them. Because they were angels and had no desire of
eating and drinking, they did not spread their hands
towards it.

Ibraaheem (&£») was a hundred years old when
Ishaq was born. But when Isma’eel was born to him he
was eighty seven-years old.

Ok Qt

Prophet Isha

Exercises

Exercise 1

Answer the following questions.

1 . How did Ibraaheem ( >m ) honour his special guests?

2. How old was Ibraaheem ( & ) when Ishaq was born?

Exercise 2

Name the following:

1 . Ibraaheem’s children

2. Ibraaheem’s guests

3. Sarah’s grandson

4. Ishaq’s parents

14

Pure Water

Water is a great gift from Allah. It is the essence of
life. From water Allah made every living creature.
Water preserves the body’s moisture. Without it, there
would be no life on earth.

Water helps in the digestion of food and helps
cleanse the body of toxins.

The goodness and purity of water can usually be
seen in three ways:

1 . From its colour, which should be clear;

2. From its smell, that it should have no smell at all;

3. From its taste, that it should not be completely
changed.

The water of Zamzam is without doubt the noblest
of all kinds of water. It is the most pleasing to souls. It is
the most valued by people.

When a Muslim becomes ritually impure by
breaking wind, for example, he cleanses himself with
pure water. When he wishes to take a bath, he bathes
himself with pure water. When his clothes become
unclean, he washes them with pure water. When the

Rainwater, spring water, ice
water and river water are different kinds of pure water.
Water remains pure as long as its colour, taste or smell
does not change.

A Muslim washes himself with pure water. He
makes wudhu with pure water. He washes his clothes
with pure water.

Pure Water

Exercises

Exercise 1

Answer the following questions.

1 . How would we know if water is pure?

2. Name the different types of water.

3. Write down any five uses of pure water.

Exercise 2

Name the following:

1 . The essence of life

2. The noblest of all kinds of water :

3. The Giver of water :

Fill in the blanks.

1 . Allah made every living creature from

2. Water the food and causes it to

3. Pure water benefits the as well as the

4. The water of is without doubt the noblest of all

kinds of water.

Urine is impure. If urine stains anything, it becomes
impure. If your clothes are stained with urine, they are
impure. A Muslim cannot offer salah if his clothes are
impure. He has to make them pure by washing them.

Stool is also impure. Things stained with stool
become impure. Water purifies the clothes and the
body.

If a part of your body is stained with urine or stool,
it becomes impure. Washing with water the part of the
body stained with urine or stool makes it pure.

Remember, cleanliness is a part of faith.

15

Chapter

Answer the following questions.

1 . Mention two things that are impure.

2. What makes impure things pure?

3. What will you do if a baby wets your clothes?

Exercise 2

Make a chart on cleanliness and put it up in your classroom.

Tahaarah is an Arabic word. It means purity.
Tahaarah in Islam means the state of cleanliness
which a Muslim needs to be able to perform certain
acts of worship. If a person has tahaarah, he becomes
clean in his body and clothes. But keep in mind that
the main purpose of tahaarah is cleanliness of the
heart and mind.

The things which break tahaarah

If you are in a state of tahaarah, your tahaarah will
break if any of the following things happen to you.
They are called al-hadath al-asghar, or the minor
defilement, and require wudhu to regain purity.

1 . breaking wind 2. passing urine

3. passing stool 4. deep sleep

A Muslim cannot offer salah if he is not in a state of
purity - tahaarah. Allah will not accept our salah if we
offer it in a state of impurity.

Tahaarah - Purity

Remember if any of the things mentioned above
(al-hadath al-asghar) happens to anyone of us, we
are not allowed to perform salah. We must regain the
proper state of tahaarah. The tahaarah may be
regained by making wudhu, tayammum or ghusl (a
complete bath).

You will learn about these in detail later on, inshaa
Allah.

Chapter

Tahaarah - Purity

■■HH

Exercise 1

1 . List some of the things that break tahaarah.

2. Explain the meaning of tahaarah.

Exercise 2

Fill in the blanks.

1 . Tahaarah is the cleanliness of _ and

2. Tahaarah may be regained by making

or .

A Muslim cannot offer his if he is not pure.

3 .

Chapter

f

Wudhu

i

If you relieve yourself or break wind, you become
ritually impure.

If you relieve yourself, you should clean yourself
well and then make wudhu before offering salah.

If you break wind, just make wudhu before you
offer salah.

It is necessary to perform wudhu before offering
salah. After making wudhu, a Muslim may offer his
salah. Allah’s Messenger ( M ) said, ‘Allah does not
accept the salah of any one of you who does not
make wudhu after he becomes ritually impure.’

(Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)

Answer the following questions.

1 . When should a Muslim perform wudhu?

2. When does a Muslim become ritually impure?

3. Whose prayer does Allah not accept?

Niyyah in Wudhu

In Islam, any good action, which is done without
the correct intention will not be accepted by Allah. It is
therefore very important that whatever we do, we
should do it to please Allah. All our acts of worship
should be done for Allah alone and according to the
teachings of the Prophet ( M )■

Prophet Muhammad ( ) said that a person’s
prayer (salah) is not accepted without wudhu. So,
before praying a Muslim must purify himself. A Muslim
should also make sure that his clothes and the place
where he wants to pray is clean.

Wudhu should be performed with pure water.

The way to perform wudhu:

1 . Make the intention of purifying yourself for worship.

2. Start in the name of Allah by saying: 4 Jbl

' / /

Bismillaah (In the name of Allah).

3. Wash the right hand and the left hand three times.
You should wash up to the wrists and between the
fingers.

4. Rinse the mouth three times.

5.

6.

Sniff water into the nose and give it a gentle blow,
three times.

Wash the face three times, from the hairline to the
chin and from ear to ear.

Wash the right forearm up to the elbow including
the hand three times. Then wash the left forearm
up to the elbow including the hand three times.
Wet your hands and wipe the head once from the
hairline to the neck and back again to the front.
Wipe the inside and outside parts of the ears,
once.

10. Wash the feet starting with the right foot. Do this
three times. Remember to rub between the toes
and wash the heels and the ankles.

1 1 . Now recite ash-Shahadah.

8 .

9.

t } ' ' ?? 0 /

4J

(ji V 3 4Jb! VI 4i| V (ji I

ash-hadu allaa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahu laa
shareeka lahu wa ash-hadu anna muhammadan
‘abduhu warasooluh.

I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship
except Allah, alone without any partners, and I bear
witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

Exercise

Read the following passage carefully and then answer the
question that follows.

Aminah decided to get ready for prayer. She was in a hurry and
had to get back to her homework. She started to do her wudhu
without mentioning the name of Allah. She carried on with it but
when she washed her forearms, the water did not touch her
elbows. She finished and hurriedly put on her scarf and began
her salah.

What mistakes did Aminah make in her wudhu?

B

Chapter

Prophet Muhammad M (1 ) 0 P 2 e

Supporter of the poor

Allah’s Messenger (^) had become very popular in
the whole of Arabia. Everyone respected and honoured
him; his wisdom, honesty and trustworthiness were the
talk of the country. He had no enemy throughout
Arabia. He was a trader by profession. He spent his life in
ease after his marriage with Khadijah [%>).

Once famine broke out, and there was a serious
shortage of food in the country. Abu Talib had a big
family to support. He was the head of the clan of Banu
Hashim. He passed his days in want and poverty.

Having seen his bad condition, the Prophet ( gjg )
went to his uncle Al-Abbas ibn Abdul-Muttalib and told
him about the famine and the difficulties that Abu Talib
was facing. He further said that it would be better if they
each took one of Abu Talib’s sons under their care.
Al-Abbas agreed and both of them went to Abu Talib
and expressed their desire. Abu Talib happily agreed.
So the Prophet (H) took Ali and Al-Abbas took Ja’far.

This happened in the same year the Ka’bah was
rebuilt.

Chapter

Prophet Muhammad a (1 )

f

Exercises

Exercise 1

Give reasons.

1 . Everyone respected the Prophet ( % ).

2. The Prophet ( M ) went to speak to Al-Abbas.

3. The Prophet ( ) started taking care ot Ali.

Exercise 2

Are these statements true or false?

1 . Abu Talib and Al-Abbas were brothers.

2 . Al-Abbas took care of Al i .

3. The Prophet ( ) supported the poor.

20

i

Chapter

Prophet Muhammad M (2)

Khadijah ( ^ ) had a nephew. His name was
Hakeem ibn Haram. Hakeem had bought a slave and
offered him to Khadijah (fcfe) and she offered him to the
Prophet ( $§ ). It was this slave who was known as Zayd
ibn Harithah.

Before Islam, Zayd was taken during a raid and
sold as a slave. When Zayd’s father, Harithah, and his
uncle Ka’b came to know that Zayd was living with the
Prophet ( % ) in Makkah as his slave, both of them

came to Makkah and requested the Prophet ( M ) to
set Zayd free. The Prophet ( M ) accepted their request
at once. He said that Zayd was free to go with them if
he so desired.

Zayd was then called, and the Prophet ( ) asked
him, ‘Do you know these two men?’ Zayd replied, ‘Yes!
They are my father and uncle.’ He then said, ‘They
have come to take you back with them. I give you
permission to go with them.’

Zayd replied, ‘I do not want to go with them.’
Zayd’s father scolded him and said, ‘Do you prefer
slavery to freedom?’ Zayd replied, ‘I have seen in
Muhammad ( % ) such wonderful things that I can
prefer no one in the entire world to him.’

|20

Chapter

Prophet Muhammad (2) 0

Having heard Zayd’s reply, the Prophet ( H ) got
up, took Zayd with him and, entering the Ka’bah, said
in a loud voice, ‘O people! Be witness to it that today I
set Zayd free and take him as my son.’ This delighted
both the father and uncle of Zayd and they went
away, leaving their son in the company of the Prophet

(MY

From that day on, the boy came to be called
Zayd ibn Muhammad instead of Zayd ibn Harithah
until Allah’s Command came to the contrary. So he
returned to the name Zayd ibn Harithah. But he still
enjoyed the love, affection and the great company of
the Prophet ( ).

Chapter

Prophet Muhammad 1(2)

i.

2.

Answer these questions.

What was Zayd’s father’s name?

Did Zayd (4®) want to go back with his father? Why?

3. Was Harithah happy that his son stayed with the Prophet
( M )? Why?

When Allah’s Messenger ( H ) was 32 or 33 years
of age, he started enjoying solitude. He felt a unique
joy in this solitude. He naturally disliked idol worship.
He never ate food offered to idols.

During this time, Allah’s Messenger (^) would think
deeply about Allah’s powers and would glorify and
praise Him. The more he was drawing near the age of
forty, the more he loved solitude. He would often go
to the Cave of Hira, taking with him food and water to
pray to Allah in perfect peace and privacy. He would
return when he ran short of supplies.

The Cave of Hira is in Mount An-Noor (Mount of
Light), which is two miles away from Makkah towards
the north on the way to Mina. The cave is four yards
long and about three quarters of a yard wide. During
those days he had true dreams.

Fill in the blanks.

1 . The Prophet {M) felt a joy in this solitude.

2. During this time, he would think deeply about Allah’s

and would and

Him.

3. During those days, the Prophet ( % ) had true .

Exercise 2

Answer these questions.

1 . Was the Prophet ( H ) happy that his people worshipped
idols?

2. What would he do in the Cave of Hira?

Allah’s Messenger ( ) loved going into retreat. He
was happy when he could be on his own. He used to
walk away from Makkah until he was well out of sight
of the houses. He usually went to the Cave of Hira. He
would remain there for several days and nights in a
row. He would take with him enough food and drink to
last for that time. He would worship and pray in the
manner of Prophet Ibraaheem ( M ). He followed the
pure human need to turn to Allah.

The Prophet ( ) would be alone in the cave most
of the time. Khadijah’s servants would provide him with
food and drink and other basic needs. She herself
would visit him from time to time and would sometimes
bring along his little daughters. His male children had
all died when they were very young. The favourite time
of the Prophet’s staying in the Cave of Hira was the
month of Ramadan. He would spend the whole month
there in worship.

22

Chapter

I

15

rophet Muhamma

r

Allah’s Messenger ( M ) was once alone in the
Cave of Hira. He was forty years old. It was the month
of Ramadan in the year 61 0 C.E.

Suddenly, Angel Jibreel ( 3gn ) appeared to him
and said, ‘Read!’

‘I cannot read,’ he answered.

Later, describing what had happened, he said,
‘He seized me and squeezed me as hard as I could
bear and then let go of me and said, “Read!”

I said, “I cannot read.”

Then he squeezed me as hard as I could bear a
second time and let go of me. Again he said, “Read!”
Then he squeezed me a third time and let go of me
and said,

^ 4 s’ ^ *

‘read in the name of your Lord Who created. He
created man from a blood clot. Read, and your Lord
is the Most Generous, Who has taught by the pen; He
has taught man that which he knew not.’” ( 96 : isj

This was the first day of his Prophethood, and these
were the first verses of the Qur’an to be sent to the
Messenger of Allah ( M ).

Having said this, the angel disappeared.
Frightened, Allah’s Messenger ( M ) went back home.
He went to his wife Khadijah ( ) and said, ‘Wrap me
up!’ Khadijah wrapped him up in a blanket. When he
regained peace of mind after a short while, he told
Khadijah ( ) about what had happened to him and
said, ‘I fear for my life.’

ophet Muhamma

i

Exercise 1

Fill in the blanks.

1 . Allah’s Messenger ( ) loved going into

2. He usually went to the Cave of .

3. Later on, Khadijah ( l& ) him up in a blanket

and he told her what had to him.

Exercise 2

Answer these questions.

1. What was the name of the angel who came to Prophet
Muhammad (H )?

2. What is the name of the cave he used to go to?

3.

Why would he go to this cave?

Chapter

ophet Muhamma

Naturally, Allah’s Messenger ( ) was frightened

by the experience. He did not know what was
happening. He had never heard of anything like this
taking place.

Khadijah ( %> ) was an intelligent noble lady. She
had heard of Prophethood. She had heard about the
Prophets and angels. She used to visit her cousin,
Waraqah ibn Nawfal. Waraqah was a learned man
who had read many books.

Khadijah ( ) knew the character of Allah’s

Messenger ( % ). She was his wife and was close to his
thoughts. She was very well aware of his noble
qualities. She felt that Allah’s Messenger (^) had been
given Allah’s support. She said to the Prophet ( H ) with
confidence, ‘Allah will never disgrace you. You keep
good relations with your relatives; you support the
weak; you help the poor and the needy; you entertain
guests, and you endure hardships in the path of
truthfulness.’

Khadijah ( ^ ) then decided to consult her cousin,
the learned Waraqah ibn Nawfal. She took the Prophet
( % ) to see him. When Waraqah heard what the
Prophet ( H ) had seen, he said, ‘By the One in whose
Hand my soul is, you are the Prophet of this nation. That
was the same angel who was sent to Musa. I wish I
could live up to the time when your people will drive
you out.’

Allah’s Messenger ( ) was surprised at what
Waraqah had said. He was astonished about the
Quraysh driving him out of Makkah, because he knew
his own position among them. They all called him the
Truthful and the Trustworthy.

He asked, ‘Will the people drive me out?’

‘Yes,’ Waraqah answered, ‘No man has ever
brought anything like what you have brought without
his people rejecting him and fighting him. I’m already
old now. If I’m alive on that day, I will give you support.’

I

L

ophet Muhamma

Afterwards, the Prophet (H ) kept visiting the Cave
of Hira. But no revelation came to him for some time.
One day, while he was walking, he heard a voice from
the sky. He looked up and saw the same angel who
had visited him in the Cave of Hira. This time he was
sitting on a chair between the earth and the sky. He
got frightened and hurried back home. He asked his
wife Khadijah ( ^ ) to cover him. Then Allah revealed
the following verses:

>. NX o .

O you covered in garments, arise and warn; and
glorify your Lord; and purify your clothing, and keep
away from the idols." pais)

From then on, the revelation kept coming after
short intervals. One day, Angel Jibreel (&$), the
Trustworthy Spirit, took the Prophet ) to the foot of a
hill and performed wudhu before him. The Prophet [M)
did the same. Afterwards, Jibreel ) led the Prophet
( M ) in prayer.

Exercise 1

Fill in the blanks.

1 . The Prophet’s experience in the cave made him .

2. Khadijah ( ) was an lady.

3. She was aware of his qualities.

4. The Trustworthy is Angel Jibreel ( &ai ).

Exercise 2

Are these statements true or false?

1 . Khadijah (t^) gave the Prophet ( % ) a lot of support.

2. Waraqah ibn Nawfal was Khadijah’s uncle.

3. Jibreel ( ) never came back again to the Prophet ( )

after revelation stopped for some time.

Activity

In which surah can you find the verses mentioned in this
lesson?

■24

Chapter

124

Chapter

Ali ( ) was the son of Abu Talib. Abu Talib was the
Prophet’s uncle.

Abu Talib looked after the Prophet ( M ) when he
was young. Once famine broke out in Arabia. There
was a serious shortage of food in the country. Abu
Talib had a big family to support. He was the head of
the clan of Banu Hashim. He passed his days in want
and poverty. The Prophet ( ^ ) took Ali, one of the sons
of Abu Talib, under his care. He wanted to help Abu
Talib when he ran into difficulty.

Ali (4&) was only ten years old when he accepted
Islam, and it was about this time that the Prophet ( % )
received the revelation. The Prophet ( % ) invited him
to accept Islam, and Ali (4&) became a Muslim. Ali (4&)
lived with the Prophet ( % ). He liked the Prophet ( $$ )
very much.

The Prophet ( ) married his daughter Fatimah to

Ali (4&), and they became the parents of Al-Hasan and
Al-Husayn, the grandsons of the Prophet ( % ).

Exercise 1

Name the following:

1 . AM’s father

2. The grandsons of the Prophet ( ) from his daughter

Fatimah ( ): and .

Exercise 2

Answer these questions.

1 . How old was Ali (4&) when he accepted Islam?

2. Why did the Prophet ( |g ) take Ali (4&) under his care?

3. Who were the parents of Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn?

faribn AbeeTalib

Ja’far ibn Abee Talib (4&) was the son of Abu Talib.
He was a brother of Ali ( )■ He was ten years older

than Ali. He was one of the earliest Muslims. He was a
very brave fighter. He lost both his arms in one battle.
The Prophet ( ^ ) called him At-Tayyaar (The Flyer). The
Prophet’s Companions called him Dhul-Janaahayn
(the two- winged one).

The Prophet ($| ) once said that he would be given
two wings in Paradise.

May Allah be pleased with him.

Answer these questions.

1 . Was Ja’far (4&) the cousin of Ali (4&)?

2. What happened to Ja’far («&> ) in one battle?

3. Who called him At-Tayyaar?

4. What does At-Tayyaar mean?

Exercise 2

Are these statements true or false?

1 . Ali («& ) was ten years younger than Ja’far (4& ).

2. The Prophet ( M ) called Ja’far (4& ) Dhul-Janaahayn.

3. The Prophet ( ) said that Ja’far ( ) would be given two

thrones in Paradise.