Firsts/Lasts
What is the first community Allah had chosen over all humanity and why?
Bani Israel.
Chosen to be a role model for humanity
What is the 1st commandment in the Quran in Surah Baqarah?
Tawhid/Monotheism
Q2:21 “O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, so that you may become righteous …”
What was the condition set by Allah for the chosen status given to Bani Israel?
Q. 2:40 “You shall fulfill the terms of My covenant with you, and I shall fulfill the terms of your covenant with Me…”
What is the historical event behind the slaughtering of the cow?
A man of Bani Israel was killed. The killer placed the dead body at the doorstep of another. Dispute started between the two tribes. Allah commanded them through Moses to sacrifice a cow for fact-finding. The dead person came back to life and identified the murderer.
“In Qisas, there is life for you”. Explain how there is life in capital punishment.
When the punishment for the murderer is so harsh (execution), it will cause a potential murderer to think twice.
The law of Qisas is saving lives at the cost of just the law. The life of the killer, his/her victim/s, of other killers and their victims (e.g., serial killers).
What are the blessings of the last two verses of Surah Baqarah?
Reciting daily at night, all the du’as in them will be answered and will suffice for a person.
Bukhari and Muslim
What is the proof that establishing Salah is the 2nd commandment?
Q.2:3 “Those who believe in the unseen, establish regular prayer, and donate from what We have provided for them.”
Hadeeth: Islam is founded on five pillars: Tauhid, Salah, Zakah, Siyam, Hajj.
What was the highest crime committed by Bani Israel?
Shirk: worshipping the golden calf as god
What lessons do we learn from the story of Dawud (AS)?
We learn no matter how small your numbers are, no matter how ill prepared you are in terms of logistics, if you truly have faith in Allah and do your best, you shall be victorious.
Dawud did his best, within his means. Goliath had his armies and armor. Dawud only had a sling shot and killed Goliath.
What are the recommended procedures and advise for financial transactions?
1. Write down the contract
2. Set in the terms and conditions
3. Have witnesses present/signed
4. Scribe should not refuse to write the contract
5. Scribe and witnesses should not be harmed
6. Give reprieve, or preferably forgive the loan if there is hardship on the borrower
Surah Baqarah is an early Madani Surah, yet it contains the last revealed verse of the Quran (V.281). Explain.
Most of Baqarah is early Madani revelation. Rest of it was revealed throughout the Madani period over 9 years, till the very end.
Q. 2:281 "Fear a Day in which you shall be returned to Allah. Then each soul shall be rendered in full what it has earned - and they shall not be wronged in the least."
What is the most beautiful analogy of the reward of giving to Charity that is mentioned in Surah Baqarah?
Q.2:261 “The example of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah is that of a grain that sprouts into seven ears, each bearing one hundred grains…”
What were the specific blessings Allah granted to Bani Israel?
1. Exodus - liberation from slavery of Pharoah
2. Torah – the light of guidance
3. Cloud/shade in the desert
4. Manna and Salwa/Quail
5. Twelve springs
6. Permission to enter the Holy city of Jerusalem
Why do Muslims recite the du’a of Ibrahim (AS) towards the end of each Salah?
Ibrahim (AS) is the father of monotheism, chosen as the Imam of mankind, he set exemplary obedience to Allah, made many sacrifices, built K’aba, established Hajj, made du’a to send the last Prophet Muhammad (SAS).
Give three examples to show that our I’badat/rituals are not the ends, but the means to achieve a higher goal.
1. Q2:177 "Righteousness is not in turning your faces towards the east or the west..."
2. Q.2:183 "O believers, fasting is prescribed for you, so you will become righteous."
3. Q. 2:263 "A kind word and a forgiving gesture, is better than charity followed by harm and reminding people of what you have given."
Why was Ibrahim (AS) chosen as the leader/Imam of mankind?
He was the first prophet to fulfill all the commandments of Allah:
i) Establish monotheism
ii) Shun Idolatry
iii) Build K’aba: the 1st house of worship on earth
iv) Establish the rights of Hajj
v) Willing to sacrifice his son, no question asked
What is the best provision to take to the Hajj/pilgrimage?
Taqwa
Q.2:197 “Take necessary provisions for the journey of Hajj - surely the best provision is taqwa. And have taqwa of Me, O people of intellect!”
What were the punishments that Allah inflicted on Bani Israel?
1. Thunderbolts – for asking to see God in plain sight
2. Wandering in the desert – for Shirk/worshipping the golden calf
3. Changed to Apes – for Sabbath breakers
4. Cursed – for disbelief in Injeel and Quran
Quote the supplication of Ibrahim (AS) that was answered centuries later.
Q.2:129 “Our Lord! And raise up in their midst a messenger from among them who shall recite to them your revelations and shall instruct them in the Scripture and in wisdom and shall make them purify and grow.”
The answer to this du'a is the Prophethood of the last messenger, Muhammad (SAS).
What is the principle and the condition upon which permission to fight/Jihad is granted in Islam?
To prevent oppression and injustice.
To be able to worship Allah and not to be forced out to expulsion from one's dwellings.
The Holocausts, civil wars, anarchy and chaos is worse than going to legitimate war. Allah says, were it not for the fact that Allah uses some people to restrain others, the whole earth would have gone into ruin.
What are the messages from the middle verse (V.143) of Surah Baqarah?
i) The Muslim Ummah has been appointed as a balanced, moderate nation.
ii) Muslims will bear witness against humanity by way of living as examples.
iii) The Messenger (SAS) will bear witness against Muslims for deviations from the teachings of Islam.
What are the three things linked to the month of Ramadan?
1. Quran
2. Fast
3. Du’a
What were the specific disobediences that the Bani Israel committed?
1. Worshipping the golden calf as god
2. Killing the Prophets
3. Disbelieving and denying the scriptures
4. Hiding the truth in the scriptures
5. Fabricating the scriptures
6. Selling the scriptures for a small price
7. Breaking the Sabbath
8. Questioning repeatedly the slaughtering of the cow
9. Shedding blood and expelling people from their dwellings
10. Closing off the Mosque, preventing people from worship
11. Deception, lie, arrogance, hard-heartedness, hypocrisy
What is the significance of the change in Qiblah?
Islām is coming of age in Medina. Islam is now being given its independence. Though the roots of Islam are in Judaism and Christianity, through the lineage of Prophets and scriptures.
It is the beginning of returning to the 1st house of worship in Mecca and to the legacy of Ibrahim (AS), the father of monotheism.
Islam will be established as an independent religion on its own right.
Why is Riba prohibited but trading is allowed?
Riba is prohibited to ensure fairness and equity in transactions, so that people can protect their wealth and honor by just and equitable exchanges.
Unfair transactions lead to injustice and oppression.
Islam aims to promote free trade and commerce, investment and charity.