Even if you observe another individual committing the worst of vices you should not despise him/her, nor should you consider yourself nobler. It is very much possible that the perpetrator of the vice may resort to sincere repentance while the one who despised the sinner become ensnared in the traps of nafs and Shaitan. One has no certainty regarding one’s end. One, therefore has no basis for regarding another with contempt.
Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi
Source: Albalagh
QUESTION:
I wanted to know was the entire Qur’an compiled before the Prophet’s death or after by the khalifas. What I mean by compiled is the ordering of the surahs. Before the Prophet’s death (Allah bless him & give him peace), did the sahabas know that the #1 surah is fatiha and #2 is suratul baqara and so forth? Or was this order established by the khalifas like during Uthman (Allah be pleased with him) time?
ANSWER:
Assalamu alaykum
In the name of Allah the inspirer of truth
The order of the verses in each chapter of the Qur’an was divinely inspired, even though they were revealed portion by portion as the need arose over a 23 year period.
The Messenger of Allah (upon him be peace) would instruct the scribes to place each verse in its proper place as they were revealed.
It is related by Imam Ahmad and the authors of the Sunans on the authority of Uthman radhiyallahu anhu, “When a chapter was revealed of the Qur’an that had a number of verses, the Messenger of Allah would call one of the scribes and say, “Place these verses in the chapter which states such and such…” Hence, from this and other narrations it is understood that not only was the arrangement of the verses divinely inspired, so were the chapters according to many scholars. (Fath al-Bari, Bab ta’lif al-Qur’an).
Although there is agreement concerning the arrangement of the verses being divinely inspired, there is a difference of opinion concerning the order of the chapters. The stronger opinion seems to be that the arrangement of many chapters was also divinely inspired, although some chapters were placed through the ijtihad [inference] of the Companions. For instance, it is reported that the Companions placed Surat al-Tawba after Surat al-Anfal, through their own deliberation, as they did have any information concerning this from the Messenger (upon him be peace).
A good English work on the sciences of the Qur’an is, Approach to the Qur’anic Sciences by Shaykh Mufti Taqi Uthmani. An abridged version of it is found in the beginning of the Ma`arif al-Qur’an [a Qur’anic tafsir in Urdu, which is available in English translation as well]. Well worth reading.
Wassalam
Mufti Abdur Rahman Ibn Yusuf Mangera
Whats the point of trying to impress the women of the world and send them gifts with messages, emails, phonecalls, cards, roses etc when the wife you chose and the “Queen” who bore your children is ignored. She deserves all that and more!
How can one day be set aside for love when the year has 365+ days? Its a cheap way to run away from responsibilty and abuse women. A daily sacrifice is required… to prove love and the sweetest of statements which should be reflected in our behaviour should be routinely repeated – but to those who really deserve them!
The most deserving of our kindness, love and affection throughout our lives are our spouses, children, parents, siblings & family before everyone else. Don’t jump the gun by going further at the expense of those closer.
Did you know that many homes are broken on Valentines over a rose! Where did it comes from, why was it sent, why was it not sent etc. What a great deception.
Blessed are those who are conscious of their Maker for indeed a true believer is transparent & avoids all sinful hidden private secret relations that only add stress in life after the short excitement.
Let’s not be from those who “Fought-in February”
Mufti Ismail Menk
This is an old poem I wrote back in 2008 and I thought I would repost it here for the benefit of readers.
by Ahmed
Valentines day is here
its the same each year
we are hit in the pocket
people dash last minute to the supermarket
to buy their loved one a gift
so they can have a temporary lift
and then the day is gone
as quickly as the dawn
and its back to reality for all
til next years valentines call
good mood and emotions consigned to the past
all year they could never last
stop copying bill, freda and ted
why dont we instead do what Islam said
Your situation do assess
Read about how marriage in Islam is blessed
and follow the prophetic example
Sunnahs to follow, so ample
Realise that valentines is just a trick
simply another scheme to get rich quick!
Also read Valentines in Islam Poem.
Wasalam
In the same way that we are taught to dress appropriately and correct our outward appearance, we are taught not to ignore the internal modesty, bashfulness, sincerity and truthfulness. Guarding our tongues and hearts from diseases that are far more detrimental than inappropriate dress is sometimes ignored or overlooked even by those who appear religious. The worst experience is to be cheated, deceived, abused or sworn at by those who appear so godly. Sadly, we have reached a stage where a growing number of people mistrust those who appear religious more quickly than they would do others.
Never hide behind religious garb or appearance to defraud others or display unacceptable behaviour. It sets a very bad precedent and tarnishes the image of the true believers. We should go the extra mile to ensure that we live up to what we are taught. Thinking that once we have the proper dress, we can do as we please is not what we are taught.
Let us realise that we must develop BOTH the inside and the outside and not just one.
Mufti Ismail Menk