Islam is a religion of peace, love and tolerance. Today, however, some circles have been presenting a false image of Islam, as if there were conflict between Islam and the adherents of the two other monotheistic religions. Yet Islam's view of Jews and Christians, who are named "the People of the Book" in the Koran, is very friendly and tolerant.


This attitude towards the People of the Book developed during the years of the birth of Islam. At that time, Muslims were a minority, struggling to protect their faith and suffering oppression and torture from the pagans of the city of Mecca. Due to this persecution, some Muslims decided to flee Mecca and shelter in a safe country with a just ruler. The Prophet Muhammad told them to take refuge with King Negus, the Christian king of Ethiopia. The Muslims who followed this advice found a very fair administration that embraced them with love and respect when they went to Ethiopia. King Negus refused the demands of the pagan messengers who asked him to surrender the Muslims to them, and announced that Muslims could live freely in his country.


Such attitudes of Christian people that are based on the concepts of compassion, mercy, modesty and justice, constitute a fact that God has pointed out in the Koran. A verse of the Koran states:


… You will find the people most affectionate to those who believe are those who say, 'We are Christians.' That is because some of them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant. (Surat al-Ma'ida, 82)


THE COMMON BELİEFS AND VALUES OF THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK WİTH MUSLİMS


Christian and Muslim belief have many aspects in common. Judaism too shares many beliefs with Islam. All true adherents of these three great religions:


• believe that God has created the entire universe out of nothing and that He dominates all that exists with His omnipotence.


• believe that God has created man and living things in a miraculous way and that man possesses a soul granted him by God.


• believe that besides Jesus, Moses or Muhammad, God sent many prophets such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Joseph throughout history, and they love all these prophets.


• believe in resurrection, Heaven and Hell and angels, and that God has created our lives with a certain destiny.


The beliefs of the People of the Book are in harmony with Muslims, not only in terms of faith-related issues, but also of moral values. Today, in a world where such immoralities as adultery, homosexuality, drug addiction and a model of egoism and self-seeking cruelty have grown widespread, the People of the Book and Muslims share the same virtues: Honor, chastity, humility, self-sacrifice, honesty, compassion, mercy and unconditional love…


ACCORDİNG TO THE KORAN, MUSLİMS, JEWS AND CHRİSTİANS SHOULD LİVE IN FRİENDSHİP


It is evident there are ample grounds for an alliance between the "People of the Book" and Muslims. This is also very evident in the Koran. In the relevant verses of the Koran, there is a significant difference between the People of the Book and the idolaters. This is especially emphasized in the area of social life. For example, it is said concerning the idolaters: "(they) are unclean, so after this year they should not come near the Masjid al-Haram (Kaaba)." (Surat at-Tawba: 28) Idolaters are people who obey no divine law, have no moral precepts and who are capable of committing every kind of degrading and perverse action without hesitation.


But while they basically rely on God's revelation, the People of the Book have moral precepts and know what is lawful and what is not. For this reason, if one of the People of the Book cooks some food, it is lawful for Muslims to eat it. In the same way, permission has been given for a Muslim man to marry a woman from among the People of the Book. On this subject God commands:


Today all good things have been made lawful for you. And the food of those given the Book is also lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. So are chaste women from among the believers and chaste women of those given the Book before you, once you have given them their dowries in marriage, not in fornication or taking them as lovers. But as for anyone who disbelieve, his actions will come to nothing and in the hereafter he will be among the losers. (Surat al-Mai'da: 5)


These commands show that bonds of kinship may be established as a result of the marriage of a Muslim with a woman from the People of the Book, and that those on each side of the union can accept an invitation to a meal. These are the fundamentals that will ensure the establishment of equitable human relationships and a happy communal life. Since the Koran enjoins this equitable and tolerant attitude, it is unthinkable that a Muslim could take an opposing view.


MONASTERİES, CHURCHES AND SYNAGOGUES SHOULD BE RESPECTED


Another important fact we learn from the Koran is that Muslims must respect Jewish and Christian places of worship. In the Koran, the places of worship of the People of the Book, i.e. monasteries, churches and synagogues, are mentioned as places of worship protected by God.


…if God had not driven some people back by means of others, monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques, where God's name is mentioned much, would have been pulled down and destroyed. God will certainly help those who help Him - God is All-Strong, Almighty. (Surat al-Hajj: 40 )


This verse shows all Muslims the importance of respecting and protecting the sanctuaries of Christians and Jews.


Indeed, in the Koran God commands Muslims not to harbor any enmity towards any people. In many verses, friendship is recommended, even with idolaters. God even refers to the idolaters at war with Muslims in this way: "If any of the idolaters ask you for protection, give them protection until they have heard the words of God. Then convey them to a place where they are safe." (Surat at-Tawba: 6)


Jews and Christians, however, are much closer to Muslims than idolaters. Each of these religions has its book, that is, they are subject to a revelation sent down by God. They know what is right and what is wrong, what is lawful and what is unlawful. They know they will give an account to God, and they love and revere His prophets. This shows that Muslims and the people of the book can live easily together and cooperate.


THE COMMON ENEMİES OF THE FAİTH


Another important fact that draws Christianity, Judaism and Islam together is the atheist philosophies that are so influential in our time.


Among the best-known and most harmful philosophies of our age can be cited materialism, communism, fascism, anarchism, racism and secular humanism. Many people who believed in the fake diagnoses, deceptive descriptions and explanations of these ideas on the universe, society and man, have lost their faith or doubted it. What is more, these ideologies have dragged people, societies and nations into great crises, conflicts and wars. Their share of the blame for the pain and troubles that humanity suffers today is immense.


While they deny God and creation, all the above-mentioned ideologies are based on a common framework, a so-called scientific basis; Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Darwinism constitutes the basis of atheist philosophies. This theory claims that living beings have evolved as a result of coincidences and by means of a struggle for life. Therefore, Darwinism sends this deceptive message to people:


"You are not responsible to anyone, you owe your life to coincidences, you need to struggle, and if necessary to oppress others to succeed. This world is one of conflict and self-interest".


This evil morality advises people to be egoistical, self-seeking, cruel and oppressive. It destroys such virtues as mercy, compassion, self-sacrifice and humility, the moral values of the three great monotheistic religions.


This being the case, it is necessary for the people of the Book and Muslims to cooperate, since they believe in God and accept the morality that He teaches. The followers of these three religions should expose to the world the fallacy of Darwinism, which has no scientific basis, but which is trying to be preserved for the sake of materialist philosophy. They should cooperatively carry out an intellectual struggle against all other deceptive ideas that serve atheism. Once this is realized, the world will, in a very short time, embrace peace, tranquility and justice.


CONCLUSİON: "LET US RALLY TO A COMMON FORMULA"


At a time when anti-religious, atheist and materialist ideologies surround the world, similarities among theistic religions should be emphasized, and cooperation should be established for common aims.


Concerning the People of the Book, God gives Muslims a command in the Koran; to rally to a common formula:


O People of the Book! Let us rally to a common formula to be binding on both us and you: That we worship none but God; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than God. (Surat Al 'Imran, 64)


This is indeed our call to Christians and Jews: As people who believe in God and follow His revelations, let us rally to a common formula - "faith". Let's love God, Who is our Creator and Lord, and follow His commands. And let us pray God to lead us to an even straighter path.


When Muslims, Christians and Jews rally to a common formula this way;


When they understand that they are friends not enemies,


When they see that the real enemy is atheism and paganism,


then the world will become a very different place.


The fighting that has raged for ages, enmities, fears - and terrorist attacks - will come to an end, and a new civilization based on love, respect and peace will be established upon this "common formula".

Assalamalekuum,


A new website has been launched at www.load-islam.com


Please post your comments and/or suggestions.


Jazaka'Allah Khairun in advance


Wa'salaam

The Zionist controlled US mass-media doesn't want American public to know.


http://www.rense.com/general61/loses.htm

How To Support A New Muslim?


Posted byAdministrator on Friday, September 20 @ 12:51:03 EDT


Contributed by Administrator


Written By: A'nas Abd Al-Hamed Al Qos


Translated By: IslamWay Sisters Team


1. You should give the new Muslim the feeling that Islam is a perfect religion, its source is divine, and it is totally inclusive. You have to emphasize that there is no truth but the truth of this religion.


2. You should clarify to the new Muslim that Islam erases every sin before it. Otherwise, he will keep thinking about his previous sins. You should make it clear for him that the moment he converted to Islam, his records became clean, and if he was Christian in the past, he will receive twice the reward from Allah.


3. Assure him that the only reference for Islam is quraan and sunnah, not the wrongdoings of Muslims. Only Qur’an and Sunnah can define what is right and what is wrong.


4. Advise the new Muslim to read Qur’an, Hadith and Serah as often as possible.


5. Advise him to take care of his personal cleanness in all its types, (Ablution, Ghusl…etc.)


6. He should perform prayers in time, and you should point out the importance of praying in Gama’ah.


7. It is very important that the new Muslim lives in an Islamic environment. This will help him to obey Allah, mainly by keeping him away from sins, and wrongdoings.


8. Take the new Muslim to a nearby mosque. It is better to have someone from the neighborhood accompanying him and following his progress.


9. Let the Imam of the mosque know about this new Muslim, and remind the Imam to take special care of him.


10. Advise him to read and learn more about Islam. It is better if he can dedicate some of his time to do that, whether by himself, or with a group.


11. It is very important for the new Muslim to ask about everything he doesn’t know or can’t understand. He should try to contact scholars or at least ask anyone he trusts.


12. Try to know about his financial status, and help him as much as possible to make him feel friendlier. It will be more encouraging to have his salary raised a little, if you are in a position to make that possible.


13. You should make it clear to him, that his conversion to Islam would cause him some problems. Allah is testing his faith by these problems. He can always handle these problems by referring to Qur’an and Sunnah.


14. You should emphasize the importance of Monotheism and Islamic belief basics. You can provide him with a book that explains these important things in a simple way.


15. Try to keep him away from his previous atmosphere, and to involve him in an environment that suits, and helps his development as a Muslim.


16. Try to engage him in some Islamic activities, and provide him with important books and recorded lectures.


17. Try introducing him to group from his nationality. The communication between them will be easier; he can also have lessons with them.


18. He should feel that he is important and loved by everyone, because of his conversion to Islam. Giving him a gift would be a good start…


19. Make it clear to him that the problems he faces have occurred to every new Muslim, so they are expected. Try to follow-up with his problems, and help him solving them, so that he can handle them without doing something terribly wrong.


20. There should be a simple approach that helps him to learn Arabic language (reading and writing), In order to be able to read quran by himself and understand it.


http://sisters.islamway.com/modules.php?na...article&sid=234

Cooking while glorifying Allah


True story


Translated By: IslamWay Team


I will not keep it a secret that I am not the one of cooking fans, as I used to consider it as a waste of time and effort.


When I got engaged, I discovered that my mother in law is one of those who spend most of their life time at the kitchen, moreover she loves to give variety to new kinds of food from time to time using different kinds of Arabic and western cooking books.


This matter – of course – used to make me worry because


I thought that my fiancé, after marriage, would compare between my cooking and his mother’s. So when we have finished with all marriage arrangements and the marriage date was determined, my fiancé noticed that I was delaying the wedding and every time I used to invent a different excuse so finally he came and asked me “you are delaying the marriage for a reason I do not know, what is it?” then I felt the matter is being discovered and I do not have anything to do but saying the truth, so I said “ frankly, I hate kitchen!” then he laughed in astonishment and told me “anyway I like simple kinds of food and also I do not mind if I eat the same kind of each two days ” these words calmed me down and I did not delay the marriage any more, on the contrary after I got married I started feeling responsible for the house and all its matters which include the kitchen! So I told myself “you have to do your best in the kitchen even if your husband likes simple kinds of food”.


At the first day I entered my kitchen for cooking I asked God for help and trust on Him then I pleaded Him that my food would not come to be much less that of my mother in law. Then I started to cook and during that time I remembered--with God’s help-- some words of one of our sisters who was giving us lessons at the mosque during Ramadan and she said – God Rewards her—“the Arabian woman spends most of her life time at the kitchen, especially in Ramadan, which wastes much of this great month. Ramadan is like a scent flying away easily! So do not miss it in the kitchen and such kind of works, and if though why do not you mention God while at the kitchen? Has anyone of you tried to cook while she is glorifying Allah?!”


I felt I need to do that, not to take the opportunity of Ramadan—because we were in other month which I do not remember now—but for the hope that God Will Make my food tastes good!!


And I decided to start with saying God’s name before each step; starting with turning the fire on , passing through putting butter, then onion and garlic , then tomato and ending with turning the fire off.


The second time I asked myself why do not I say Surat Al-Ikhlas (the loyalty), after mentioning God’s name, during each step? I love this Surat very much, it is short and there are a lot of rewards with saying it too!!


So I have started doing that with God’s help and then, subsequently, God led me to glorify Him while the food is being cooked and during washing the dishes or cleaning the kitchen.


My husband’s reaction was to praise my food to the extent that he said my food has been better than his mother’s! —And of course I did not believe him then—because I am not the one who would pay much attention for the taste of food as long as it is fitting for eating and the salt is not too much, and I thought him saying that as a compliment, after all I was still new bride and such compliments are very normal. But I have noticed that he is repeating such words very often and this made me so happy but I never believed him and thought it is just encouraging from him especially when I discovered that he is one of the greatest fans when it comes to well cooked food , moreover he pays much attention to the way each kind of food is cooked, and thus he told me before marriage turned out to be encouragement , nothing more!!!


When I used to invite my mother in law to spend few days with us she used also to praise my food and I thought she was making a compliment as well. I have noticed that she used to spend her time with me at the kitchen while I was pleading her to have rest at the living room however she used to refuse. Because we were chatting with each other—I did not notice that she was watching my cooking till she asked me once about the method of cooking a certain kind of food and when I mentioned it she was surprised but I did not understand why till she called me once, after months from my marriage, to tell me “I adjure you to tell me the secret of your food taste” so I asked her if she is joking but she swore that she was not!!!


This was a surprise for me and I started thinking deeply to find out the reason but I could not find any but mentioning God’s name and surat Al-Ikhlas and sometimes glorifying God so I told her: “do you want the truth?” she said “sure” then I told her the aforementioned , she was surprised but she seemed as if she did not believe me, I noticed the next time she visited us that she was watching me while cooking to make sure of what I had told her!! And when she believed she told me that she “is doing the same thing now” and that she started noticing a progress in her food taste too!!!.


The funny thing about this matter is that I do not hate cooking or spending time at the kitchen anymore, especially when I play a cassette there; in the kitchen, to listen to Quran and different kinds of religious lessons. Subsequently the time I am spending at the kitchen has become amusement and I do not feel the pass of time except after finishing with everything.


Not only that but also—with God’s help—I am not confined to cook just the ordinary dishes but also baking foods like cake, pizza, and sometimes making jars and pickles to the extent that my friends and relatives did not believe that when they knew!!!


Glory to Allah that mentioning Him has secrets we do not know, but such ignorance dose not prevent us the amazement of such secrets. So Glory to you God how great you are!!!! Source: Saaid.net

A Summary of What The Pilgrim Do In Hajj


Posted byAdministrator on Tuesday, January 11 @ 06:16:21 EST


Contributed by Administrator


1 – The pilgrim should enter ihraam on the eighth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah from Makkah or its environs within the sanctuary. When entering ihraam for Hajj he should do what he did when entering ihraam for ‘Umrah: ghusl (full ablution), putting on perfume and praying. He should form the intention of entering ihraam for Hajj and recite the Talbiyah.


The Talbiyah for Hajj is the same as the Talbiyah for ‘Umrah, except that one should say here “Labbayka hajjan (Here I am for Hajj)” instead of “Labbayka ‘umratan (Here I am for ‘Umrah).” If he fears that some obstacle may prevent him from completing Hajj, he should stipulate a condition and say: “If something prevents me (from completing Hajj) I will exit ihraam at the point where I am prevented (from continuing).” If he is not afraid of any obstacle then he does not need to stipulate any condition.


2 – Then he should go to Mina and stay there overnight, and offer five prayers there: Zuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, ‘Isha’ and Fajr.


3 – When the sun rises on the ninth day he should proceed to ‘Arafah and pray Zuhr and ‘Asr together there, shortened, at the time of Zuhr. Then he should strive in du’aa’, dhikr and prayers for forgiveness until the sun sets.


4 – When the sun sets, he should proceed to Muzdalifah and pray Maghrib and ‘Isha’ there when he arrives. Then he should stay there overnight until he prays Fajr, and remember Him and call upon Him until just before sunrise.


5 – Then he should move on to Mina to stone Jamrat al-‘Aqabah which is the last pillar that is closest to Makkah, throwing seven pebbles one after another, each one approximately the size of a date stone, saying takbeer (“Allaahu akbar”) with each throw.


6 – Then he should slaughter the hadiy (sacrificial animal), namely a sheep or one-seventh of a camel or one-seventh of a cow.


7 – Then he should shave his head if he is male; women should cut their hair but not shave it, taking off the length of a fingertip from all parts of their hair.


8 – Then he should go to Makkah and perform the tawaaf of Hajj.


9 – Then he should go back to Mina and stay there for those nights, namely the nights of the eleventh and twelfth of Dhu’l-Hijjah, and stone the three Jamaraat (stone pillars) after the sun has passed its zenith, throwing seven pebbles, one after another, at each, starting with the smallest pillar – which is the one that is furthest away from Makkah, then the middle pillar. He should recite du’aa’ after both, then he should stone Jamrat al-‘Aqabah, after which there is no du’aa’.


10 – When he has finished stoning the pillars on the twelfth of Dhu’l-Hijjah, if he wishes he may hasten and leave Mina, and if he wishes he may delay (his departure) and stay there on the night of the thirteenth and stone the three Jamaraat after the sun passes its zenith. It is better to delay and stay longer, but it is not obligatory unless the sun sets on the twelfth and one is still in Mina, in which case it becomes obligatory to stay until one stones the three jamaraat after the sun passes its zenith. But if the sun sets on the twelfth day and a person is still in Mina but not by choice, such as if he had packed his bags and got into the bus or truck, but was delayed because of overcrowding and traffic jams, then he does not have to stay, because his staying until after sunset was involuntary.


11 – Once those days are over and the pilgrim wants to leave, he must not leave until he has performed the farewell tawaaf, going around the Ka’bah seven times. Women who are menstruating or bleeding following childbirth d o not have to do this farewell tawaaf.


12 – If the pilgrim is performing a voluntary Hajj on behalf of another person, whether a relative or otherwise, then he has to have done Hajj for himself before that. There is no difference in the way he performs Hajj apart from the intention, i.e., he should form the intention of performing this Hajj on behalf of that person, mentioning him by name in the Talbiyah and saying, “Labbayk ‘an [fulaan] (Here I am on behalf of [so and so]).” Then when he says du’aa’ during the rituals he should pray for himself and for the person on whose behalf he is performing Hajj.


With regard to the types of Hajj, there are three: tamattu’, qiraan and ifraad.


Tamattu’ is when the pilgrim enters ihraam for ‘Umrah during the months of Hajj (which are Shawwaal, Dhu’l-Qa’dah and the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah) and performs ‘Umrah and exits ihraam, then he enters ihraam again for Hajj from Makkah or its environs on the day of al-Tarwiyah (the eighth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah) in the same year as his ‘Umrah.


Qiraan is when the pilgrim enters ihraam for ‘Umrah and Hajj together, and does not exit ihraam until the day of Sacrifice, or he enters ihraam for ‘Umrah then includes Hajj with it before he starts his tawaaf.


Ifraad is when the pilgrim enters ihraam for Hajj from the meeqaat or from Makkah if he resides there or in a place that is closer than the meeqaat, and remains in ihraam until the Day of Sacrifice if he has a hadiy with him. If he does not have a hadiy with him, it is prescribed for him to cancel his Hajj and make it ‘Umrah, so he should perform tawaaf and saa’i, then cut his hair and exit ihraam, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told those who entered ihraam for Hajj but did not have a hadiy with them to do. This applies to the pilgrim doing qiraan, if he does not have a hadiy with him; it is prescribed for him to cancel his qiraan and make it ‘Umrah, for the reason mentioned.


The best kind of Hajj is tamattu’ for the one who has not brought a hadiy with him, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told his companions to do that and insisted that they should do that.


We advise you to learn more about the rulings on Hajj and ‘Umrah by referring to Manaasik al-Hajj wa’l-‘Umrah by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him), which you can obtain through the Shaykh’s website on the internet.


And Allaah knows best. Islam Q&A (www.islam-qa.com)


http://sisters.islamway.com/modules.php?na...article&sid=357

Asslamu Aalykum my dear brothers and sisters......i hope you and your families are all in the best health and eman inshallah....ameen


this is a reminder to you brother and sisters


next wednesday is Arafa day and fasting this day is highly rewarded by Allah (swt)


<b>the Prophet, peace be upon him, was asked about fasting the day of ‘Arafa. He said: It grants remission for the sins of the previous year and of the year to come. (Muslim) </b>


so strive from sunrise to sunset (barely 12 hours) because the reward really deserve a day of Jihad


happy eid adha everyone wa Asslamu Aalykum wa rahmatu Allah wa Barakatuh

In Western circles the religion of Islam has always been a victim of prejudice and misconception. It is a well known fact that people who otherwise pride themselves on being objective and balanced suddenly lose their basic common sense and equilibrium when confronted with the divine teachings of Islam.


Equally disconcerting is the notion on the part of some lying politicians, notably American Policy makers and Zionist Terrorists that they can get away with murder and mayhem, so long as these atrocities are carried out wholesale; perpetrated as they are in the name of State Terrorism for whom the life of a Muslim is a fair game. Children, women, men, villagers, mosques, nurseries, playgrounds, weddings, everyone and everything is fair game. But when a cornered individual raises some dust by returning the favor in kind, then woe to him, to his family, to his land, to his religion, and to anyone who happens to be around him! The shrill cry is heard all over the place: UN, US, UK, you name it, every worldly Aggressor in a neck-tie shrieks out in a cry: How dare they retaliate!


These State Terrorists being under the mistaken notion that as long as their aggression is carried out on Muslim soil, with or without UN blessings, than they are absolved of all blame. They can kill at will, maim at will, but God help anyone who dares to react in a similar fashion!


George Bush is not a Christian when he kills , Sharon is not a Jew when he plays havoc with the lives of a whole nation, Hitler was perhaps not a Christian when he incinerated 6 million Jews. Serbians were not Christians when they ethnic cleansed Bosnia...the list is endless. But when a maimed Ali straps a bomb around his person to send a strong message to the invader oppressor, then all hell breaks lose: woe to Islam! It is Islam that done it!

Sincerity in its basic form is a common human value that’s shared, appreciated and sanctioned by the human spirit, irrespective of one’s race, tribe or creed. Those who are familiar with the life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) know how the Arabs of Mecca appreciated his integrity and truthfulness long before he became a Messenger of Allah.


Sincerity in thought, word and deed that in a nutshell is what Islam’s all about; God-consciousness in relation to himself, those around him, and his Maker; all three in a way being interrelated.


"No man is true in the truest sense of the word but he who is true in work, in deed, and in thought," said the Prophet (pbuh).


"Verily, the reward of deeds depends upon the intention and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended." If the intention is to show off then the good deeds are nullified.


The first three people on whom judgment will be pronounced and thrown into the Hell-Fire, Muslims are warned, are: a martyr who dies to show off his courage, a person who gives to show off his generosity, and a scholar who learns and teaches to show off his learning. All seemingly good actions, yet because of lack of good intentions on the part of the doers, such good actions become the cause of their doers' downfall.


The Messenger of Islam (pbuh) also said:


"Allah does not look at your bodies and appearances but He scans your hearts and deeds."


While the Muslim is exhorted at every step of the way to give charity, and non-payment of Zakat (compulsory charity) might even take one out of the fold of Islam), yet the best charity, Muslims are taught, is the one whereby "the giver’s left hand does not know what the right hand gives."


Believers are exhorted to be Sincere at all times, in all their dealings, whether public or private, expecting reward from none but Allah:


"Say: Truly, my prayer my service of sacrifice my life and my death, (all) for Allah, The Lord of the Worlds". (Holy Qur’an 6:162)

Assalamu aleikum,


Will start a new thread since this topic has got involved in another topic, and it is given a better highlight and place on its own.


Part 1.


Memorisation and oral transmission



The Prophet Muhammad, saws himself was the first to commit a revelation to memory after the Angel Gabriel had brought it to him:


'Move not thy tongue concerning the (Qur'an) to make haste therewith. It is for Us to collect it and promulgate it; but when We have promulgated it, follow thou its



recital' (75: 16-19).


'... an apostle from God, rehearsing scriptures, kept pure and holy ...'
(98: 2).


Memorisation by the Companions



The Prophet, saws then declared the revelation and instructed his Companions to memorise it. When (Ibn Mas'ud) arrived at the maqAm, he read


"In the name of God the Compassionate the Merciful, The Compassionate who taught the Qur'an ..."
(55:1)


The Prophet, saws encourages Memorisation



'Narrated 'Uthman bin 'Affan: The Prophet said: "The most superior among you (Muslims) are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it".' Bukhari, VI, No. 546.


It is also well known that the recital of the Qur'an during the daily prayers is required and hence many Companions heard repeatedly passages from the revelation, memorised them and used them in prayer.


The Prophet, saws sent Teachers



The Prophet, saws sent teachers to communities in other places so that they might receive instruction in Islam and the Qur'an.


Qur'an Readers among the Companions



'Narrated Qatada: I asked Anas bin Malik: Who collected the Qur'an at the time of the Prophet? He replied, Four, all of whom were from the Ansar: Ubay bin Ka'b, Mu'adh bin Jabal, Zaid bin Thabit and Aba Zaid.' Bukhari, VI, No. 525.


The Qur'an Memorised in the Prophet's Lifetime



It is therefore certain that the Qur'an had been memorised by the Companions of the Prophet, saws during his lifetime. This tradition continued among the Companions after the Prophet's death and, later, among the tabi'un and all generations of Muslims that have followed, until today.


To be continued...