USRAH 4 : PILLARS OF IMAN ( PART 2 ) : PROPHET MUHAMMAD AS THE LAST MESSENGER

 

        The fourth pillar is to believe in all prophets and messengers sent by Allah and that the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the last of them.

       Most of the messengers of Allah were sent to a specific nation except Prophet Muhammad, who was sent to guide all of mankind. It is a duty of Muslims to send salaams (Peace and Blessings of Allah) when mentioning the names of any of the Prophets.

  Allah clearly mentioned that he sent the messengers in the Holy Qur’an as He says in Surah An-Nahl:

     “وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولاً أَنِ اعْبُدُواْ اللَّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُواْ الطَّاغُوتَ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ هَدَى اللَّهُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الضَّلالَةُ فَسِيرُواْ فِي الأَرْضِ فَانظُرُواْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ”

And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], “Worship Allah and avoid Taghut.” And among them were those whom Allah guided, and among them were those upon whom error was [deservedly] decreed. So proceed through the earth and observe how was the end of the deniers.

                                                            وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِلْعَالَمِينَ 

(Muhammad), We have sent you for no other reason but to be a mercy for mankind.[Al-Anbiya' 21:107]

The Prophet is the best role model for humankind and he represented the best human values in his nature. So if we want to lead a successful life then we should follow the path explained by Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The closest of people to me on the Day of Resurrection will be those who sent the most blessings upon me.”  [Tirmidhi]

So, let's make Rasulullah as an example in our life and always sending blessing (Salawat) and peace (salam) upon the Prophet ﷺ  as it is a way to show our gratitude towards him ﷺ

USRAH 3 : PILLARS OF IMAN : ALLAH S.W.T AS THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE

 The Faith or Iman in the Arabic language means to affirm something and to comply with it. Accordingly, faith is an affirmation and not merely belief. Affirmation includes the words of the heart, which is the belief, and the actions of the heart, which is compliance.

Faith (Iman) in Islam breaks down into the following six main pillars:

• 1- Belief in the existence and unicity of Allah.
• 2- Belief in the existence of Angels.
• 3- Belief in the books of Allah.
• 4- Belief in Allah's messengers and that Muhammad is the last of them.
• 5- Belief in the Day of Judgment.
• 6- Belief in the Qadhaa' & Qadr (Doom & Divine Decree)

The Islamic principle of God's Oneness: TAWHID

Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are all considered monotheistic faiths, but for Islam, the principle of monotheism exists to an extreme degree. For Muslims, even the Christian principle of the Holy Trinity is seen as a detraction from the essential "oneness" of God. 

Of all of the articles of faith in Islam, the most fundamental is a strict monotheism. The Arabic term Tawhid is used to describe this belief in the absolute Oneness of God. Tawhid comes from an Arabic word meaning "unification" or "oneness"—it is a complex term with many depths of meaning in Islam.

Muslims believe, above all else, that Allah, or God, is the sole divine deity, who does not share his divinity with other partners. There are three traditional categories of Tawhid: the Oneness of Lordship, the Oneness of Worship, and the Oneness of Allah's Names. These categories overlap but help Muslims to understand and purify their faith and worship.

Tawhid Ar-Rububiyah: Oneness of Lordship

Muslims believe that Allah caused all things to exist. Allah is the only one who created and maintains all things. Allah is not in need of help or assistance over creation. While Muslims greatly respect their prophets, including Mohammad and Jesus, they firmly separate them from Allah. 

Tawhid Al-Uluhiyah/ Ibadah: Oneness of Worship

Because Allah is the sole creator and maintainer of the universe, it is to Allah alone that Muslims direct their worship. Throughout history, people have engaged in prayer, invocation, fasting, supplication, and even animal or human sacrifice for the sake of nature, people, and false deities. Islam teaches that the only being worthy of worship is Allah. Allah alone is worthy of prayers, praise, obedience, and hope.

Any time a Muslim invokes a special "lucky" charm, calls for "help" from ancestors, or makes a vow "in the name of" specific people, they are inadvertently steering away from Tawhid al-Uluhiyah. Slipping into shirk (the practice of worshipping false gods or idolatry) by this behavior is dangerous to one's faith: shirk is the one unforgivable sin in the Muslim religion.

Every single day, several times a day, Muslims recite certain verses in prayer. Among them is this reminder: "Thee alone do we worship, and unto thee alone do we turn for aid" (Quran 1:5).

Tawhid Adh-Dhat wal-Asma' was-Sifat: Oneness of Allah's Attributes and Names

The Quran is filled with descriptions of Allah's nature, often through attributes and special names. The Merciful, the All-Seeing, the Magnificent, etc. are all names that describe Allah's nature. Allah is seen as distinct from his creation. As human beings, Muslims believe that one may strive to understand and emulate certain values, but Allah alone has these attributes perfectly, in full, and in their entirety.

Understanding Tawhid is key to understanding Islam and the fundamentals of a Muslim's faith. Setting up spiritual "partners" alongside Allah is the one unforgivable sin in Islam:

"Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases (Quran 4:48)."

USRAH 1 : HIKMAH ( WISDOM ) WHY IS OUR IMAN ALWAYS BEEN TESTED ?

 

Elaboration

1) We were created to worship Allah

We were created to worship Allah, and we all made a promise to do so before we were sent to earth. Tests are a means for us to fulfill this promise, in fact, they are a ‘sunnah’ of Allah – i.e. tests are the means by which Allah distinguishes between us because they help to expose faith and lack of faith.  Allah states in the Qur’an:

‘Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe” and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident those who are false.’ (Surah 29: 2-3)

2) Allah tests us to purify us and wash away our sins.

The Prophet (saw) said:“No calamity befalls a Muslim but that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it, even if it were the prick of a thorn.”  (Bukhari, Muslim).

So instead of seeing tests as a punishment from Allah, this shows that in fact, Allah wants to save us from punishment – i.e. the punishment of the hereafter which is much worse than any test faced in this Dunya.

3) A test can sometimes replace a worse misfortune

A test can be a form of protection from something that might have befallen us.  Or being deprived of something might, in fact, be saving us from something that is not good for us, even though we don’t have the knowledge to realize it at the time.  Allah tells us: “Perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good.”(Surah 4: 19). Therefore the test which might seem so awful to you at the time is, in fact, a blessing.

4) Tests are given to us to strengthen our Iman (faith).

The Prophet (saw) said: “The people who face the most difficult tests are the prophets, then the righteous, then those following them in degree. A person is tried according to his religion. So if there is firmness in his religion, then the trial is increased, and if there is a weakness, then it is lightened. Verily a trial remains with a servant until he walks the earth having no sin left upon him”(Bukhari).

Allah wants to refine us, out of His love and mercy, so that we can attain not just Paradise but the highest rank of the Prophets and the righteous. Tests expose our faults and weaknesses to ourselves – and that awareness enables us to be more focused and proactive in rectifying those aspects of our character.

5) Allah tests a person He loves.

The Prophet (saw) said: “Whenever Allah wills good for a person, He subjects them to adversity”. (Bukhari). Why? Because the servant reacts with Sabr (patience) and contentment with Allah’s decree, it brings them closer to Allah. And “Allah loves the Patient” (Surah 3: 146)

USRAH 2 : PILLARS OF ISLAM : SOLAT, ITS CONCEPT AND WISDOMS

Prayer is one of the pillars of Islam. If we think that the Kaaba is the pillar of the universe, we will understand the wisdom behind turning to the direction of the Kaaba in the prayer.

To raise our hands while saying the Takbir (Allahu akbar) means we throw the worldly things behind our back and stand for the prayer for Allah.

When we stand on our feet, we represent the worshipping of trees, mountains, and the angels that always worship by standing.

When we bow down, we represent the worshipping of animals like the camel, the goat, and the sheep, and the angels that always worship by bowing down.

When we prostrate, we represent the worshipping of reptiles, grass, and the angels that always worship by prostrating. 

When we sit, we present the worshipping of all creatures to Allah on our own behalf. In the end, when we salute the right and the left, we salute the whole universe.

Besides, when we pray, we make our body and each organ in its worship.

Standing and reading the Quran in the prayer is also meaningful. There is a wisdom behind bowing down after standing and prostrating after bowing down, being in the closest state to Allah...

THE WISDOM BEHIND THE ACTS OF PRAYER

1) Prayer To Worship and Remember Allah SWT

Prayer is the devotion of a servant to Allah SWT Based on the meaning of this verse prayer is a way for us to always remember Allah Ta'ala. There is no other way for us believing servants to communicate with Allah but only by performing prayers. not performing prayers is actually people who do not acknowledge Allah is a God who should be worshiped. In fact, they are the ones who have deceived the confession in their shahada and pledges. Muslims who remember Allah, then Allah will always remember them as the words of Allah Almighty means:

"Then remember Me, I will also remember you." (Verse 152: Surah al-Baqarah)

2) A sign of devotion and gratitude to Allah Azzawajalla.

"Indeed, We (Allah) have given you (Muhammad saw) many favors. So perform prayers because of your Lord and sacrifice. (As an act of worship to draw closer to God) ”. (S. Al-Kautsar: 1-2).

If a Muslim does not perform prayers, how can he give thanks to Allah Taala? Is it enough to just say Alhamdulillah or thank Allah without prayers? Indeed, people who leave prayers are those who disbelieve in the blessings of Allah and arrogant like the actions of Pharaoh and Qarun.

3) The Wisdom of Prayer in Removing Sins.

The words of the Prophet saw which means:

"The five daily prayers and the Friday to Friday prayers are the atonement for the distance between the time of the prayers, as long as the great sins are avoided". (HR Muslim).

The sins referred to here are minor sins. As ordinary human beings, we will not be spared and free from committing sins. Our eyes may have seen evil things, our tongues may say something that has no right to be said, as well as to other members who did evil. So through this prayer earlier with the permission and mercy of Allah, we can ask for forgiveness and erase past sins. Indeed, people who do not perform prayers are those who do not worry and are afraid of the punishment and fire of Allah.

4) Prayer To Prevent The Matter Of Abusive, Social, And Symptoms.

اتل ما أوحي إليك من الكتاب وأقم الصلاة إن الصلاة تنهى عن الفحشاء والمنكر ولذكر الله أكبر والله يعلم ما تصنعون

Word of God: Recite (O Muhammad) what is revealed to you from Al- Quran, and establish prayer (diligently); surely prayer prevents evil and evil. and verily the remembrance of Allah is greater (its benefits and effects); and (remember) Allah knows what you do (al-'Ankabut [29:45]).

Prayers that are established with full appreciation will prevent a Muslim from doing vile things because the essence of prayer (obedience to all the instructions of Allah) is appreciated and implemented. The treatment of the sins and vices of a human being becomes the yardstick for the acceptance of his prayers. People who pray but still violate God's instructions do not really understand and appreciate the philosophy of prayer.

Indeed, there are many pearls of wisdom of prayer in our daily lives. In addition to the wisdom mentioned above, prayer is also able to educate Muslims to be good managers, able to form discipline, and love knowledge.

1. Dawn Prayer - Beautiful face.
2. Noon Prayer - A lot of sustenance.
3. Asr Prayer - Good health.
4. Maghrib Prayer - Clever and successful children.
5. Isyak Prayer - Sleep well without interruption.

Greetings !

 Assalamualaikum! Hello everyone!

About a month after 2020 ends. I hope that everything goes well with you and your family. Don't forget to wash your hands and practice all the safety precautions. Together we fight COVID-19.

This is going to be my medium of sharing personal thoughts and reflections from Usrah's class. I hope anyone who came across this post will spare some time to read it. 

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Hi! Assalamualaikum everyone! My name is Muhammad Harris Haikal bin Ar Azmi (201605) and I'm 19 years old this year. I was born on 21st February 2002 in Felda Purun and currently live in Temerloh, Pahang. I was currently an official student of CFS IIUM GAMBANG since the last August. I took English and Quranic class. It was great to meet new friends especially those who are from different courses. As one of the new students, it was hard initially to adapt to the new environment and to meet new friends. However, Alhamdullilah I manage to create a new friendship with friends from different kuliyyah. 

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