Islamic Beliefs, Practices, and Preservation of the Quran

Islamic Beliefs

  • Belief in Allah.
  • Shahada: Declaration of faith.
  • Salah: Prayer.
  • Sawm: Fasting.
  • Hajj: Pilgrimage.
  • Zakat: Giving 2.5% of wealth to the poor.
  • Sunnah: Actions and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
  • Tawheed: Belief in the oneness of Allah.

The Day of Judgement

  • Jannah: Heaven, with 7 levels.
  • Jahannam: Hell, with 7 levels.
  • Crossing the bridge of Siraat, which is described as thinner than a strand of hair.
  • Two angels will ask three questions:
    1. Who is your Lord?
    2. What is your religion?
    3. Who is your prophet?

Zakat and Sadaqah

  • Zakat:
    • 2.5% of wealth.
    • A pillar of Islam, given to the poor.
    • Conditions for giving Zakat:
      • Reaching the age of maturity.
      • Owning an amount equal to Nisaab (threshold).
      • Nisaab is equivalent to 885.50or612.36gramsofsilveror87.48gramsofgold885.50 or 612.36 grams of silver or 87.48 grams of gold.
    • Zakat must be given to Muslims.
    • Zakat cannot be given to direct relatives.
  • Sadaqah:
    • Can be given to anyone.
    • Any form of support; for example, helping parents.

Four Schools of Fiqh (Islamic Law)

  • Madhabs are schools of Islamic law developed by qualified scholars to help Muslims understand and apply Islamic rulings.
  • Hadith: Helps to explain the Quran.
  • Differences in schools are due to methods of interpretation.
  • All four schools are valid and respected.
  • Madhabs:
    • Hanafi
    • Maliki
    • Shafi'i
    • Hanbali
  • Imam Abu Hanifa (d. 767 CE):
    • Also known as Nu'man ibn Thabit.
    • Known for using reason and analogy (Qiyas).
    • Fiqh style is practical, suited for big cities with fewer Hadith experts.
    • Spread widely due to the Abbasid empire.

Why Follow a Madhab?

  • Mujtahid: One who exerts utmost effort to derive rulings.
    • Requires knowledge of Arabic language and grammar.
    • Understanding the context of revelation.
    • Clarity on abrogation (Naskh).
    • Knowledge of general vs. specific rulings.
    • Resolving conflicting hadith.
  • Unity: Prevents chaos and confusion.
  • Trust: The Imams were giants of knowledge and sincerity.
  • Methodology: Scholars spent years collecting, verifying, and interpreting rulings.
  • Analogy: Just as you trust a doctor for medicine, trust qualified Imams for religion.
  • Analogy: "Just like you would not diagnose yourself with cancer by googling symptoms, you don't self-interpret religious texts."

Preservation of the Quran

  • Preserved for 14 centuries.
  • Hafidh: Someone who memorized the Quran (10 million worldwide).
  • Huffadh: Plural of Hafidh.
  • Scribe: A person who writes/copies documents.
  • Zaid ibn Thabit (Prophet's companion) was involved in compiling the Quran.
  • Isnad: Chain of transmission.
  • What the Quran was written on:
    • Flat stone/white rocks
    • Palm leaves
    • Piece of cloth
    • Bones
    • Leather/animal skin

Quran vs. Bible

  • Quran:
    • Still in Arabic.
    • Only one version.
    • Memorized by millions.
    • Not changed by scribes.
    • Isnad (chain of transmission).
  • Bible:
    • Mostly translated.
    • Multiple versions.
    • Rarely memorized.
    • Changed by scribes.
    • No Isnad.

The Rites of Hajj and Umrah

  • Things to bring:
    • Clothes
    • Shoes
    • Medicine
  • Qualities:
    • Humility
    • Purity
    • Patience
    • Focus
    • Plan
    • Trust
  • Umrah: The lesser pilgrimage.
    • Sites of Umrah:
      • Ihram: Intention + specific clothing.
      • Tawaf: Walking around the Kaaba 7 times.
      • Sa'i: Walking between the hills of Safa and Marwah 7 times.
      • Halq and Taqsir: Shaving and shortening the hair.

Hajj - The Major Pilgrimage

  • Hajj is an obligatory act of worship for those who are physically and financially able.
  • Takes place in Dhul-Hijjah from the 8th to the 13th of the month.
  • 5th pillar of Islam.
  • Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or wrong doing, he will return as sinless as the day he was born." (Bukhari)

Three Types of Hajj

  • Hajj Tamattu (most common for non-locals):
    • Umrah is performed first during the Hajj season, then Ihram is removed.
    • On the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, new Ihram is made for Hajj.
    • Sacrifice (animal) is required.
  • Hajj Qiran:
    • Umrah and Hajj are combined in one Ihram - no break in between.
    • Done by those who arrive early and want to do both without removing Ihram.
    • Sacrifice (animal) is required.
  • Hajj Ifraad:
    • Only Hajj is performed, no Umrah.
    • Common for locals or those in a hurry.
    • No Sacrifice (animal) is required.