JANUARY 27, 2013 / QURANIC WAY OF LIFE
Real piety is not about performing some religious rituals but about taking care of others and helping the needy. لَّيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ وَلَٰكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالْكِتَابِ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ وَآتَى الْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ ذَوِي الْقُرْب�
DECEMBER 15, 2012 / MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES, QURAN AND ECONOMY
Arguably at the first chronological occurrence in the Quran, the word RIBA رِبًا is used in contrast with the word ZAKA زَكَاةٍ [Surah 30: Verse 39]. Interestingly, both the word RIBA and ZAKA have connotations of growth or increase. However, the term RIBA refers to the extrinsic growth in one’s money, property or assets while the term ZAKA refers to the intrinsic development of one’s self, if we keep in mind a chronologically earlier verse from Surah 92: Verse 18. Those who believe in the long-term future (i.e. the hereafter) a
DECEMBER 11, 2012 / MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES
There are three things that are particularly mentioned in the Quran about which Allah says that these are unchangeable or immutable or for which there is no substitution[1]: Kalamaat-i-Allah كَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ Sunnat-i-Allah سُنَّةِ اللَّهِ Khalq-i-Allah خَلْقِ اللَّهِ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ There is absolutely no change in Allah’s Precepts (or Laws given in the Quran). [2][3] [Al-Quran Surah 10: Verse 64] وَلَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَ
DECEMBER 8, 2012 / MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES
There are different terms used in the Quran related to making of things: (1) Amr: This refers to Allah’s DIRECTION to something “to Be or Become” [2:17; 36:82; 40:68] (2) Bid’a: It refers to ORIGINATION or coming into existence out of nothing. The relevant Allah’s attribute is Al-Bad’ee [2:117; 6:101] (3) Fitra: it refers to the CONSTITUION or NATURE the things would attain after creation. The relevant Allah’s attribute is Al-Faatir [6:14; 12:101; 14:10; 35:1; 39:46; 42:11] (4) Khalq: It refers
DECEMBER 8, 2012 / MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES
Two major qualities of a treasury head should be: (1) ALEEM, i.e. extremely knowledgeable (in treasury affairs/finance) [Not Alim but Aleem, which is a superlative degree] (2) HAFEEZ, i.e. the one who keeps the resources extremely well-preserved and well-conserved. [Not Hafiz but Hafeez, which is a superlative degree] قَالَ اجْعَلْنِي عَلَىٰ خَزَائِنِ الْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنِّي حَفِيظٌ عَلِيمٌ He (Joseph) said, "Place in my charge the land resources (the treasury) of the State. I will
DECEMBER 8, 2012 / MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES
Two major qualities of a good hired employee should be: (1) QAWI, i.e. Having Competence (2) AMEEN, i.e. Honest and Trustworthy إِنَّ خَيْرَ مَنِ اسْتَأْجَرْتَ الْقَوِيُّ الْأَمِينُ "Verily, the best one you can hire is the competent, the trustworthy." [Al-Quran Surah 28: Verse 26]
DECEMBER 7, 2012 / QURAN AND POLITICS
With reference to King Suleman (AS), David (AS) and Taloot, Allah has particularly mentioned their following qualities in the Quran, besides them being persons of high integrity: 1.Knowledge [2:247; 21:79; 27:15] 2.Physical strength [2:247] 3.Intellectual wisdom [38:20] 4.Sound judgement [21:79] 5.Decisiveness [38:20]
DECEMBER 2, 2012 / MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES
It should suffice to 'legally' declare/consider someone a Muslim if he/she makes the following declaration: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad (p.b.u.h) is His last and final Messenger. I solemnly vow to submit, surrender and yield to all of Allah's Laws and Commands as given in His last and Final Book, i. e. the Quran. I realize that in the Hereafter, I shall surely be held accountable in Allah's Court for all of my words and deeds." ------ The first sentence of the declaration is about the major beliefs; the
NOVEMBER 24, 2012 / MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES
Different people have different notions of blessings but as far as the Quran is concerned, it has mentioned the following notable signs of the truly blessed societies and nations: Peace and security for all the people (with no fear of harm from others)[1] Abundance in provision of the means of subsistence for all the people (with no fear of hunger)[2] Social harmony (instead of dissension and discord)[3] Sovereignty (instead of slavery and servitude)[4] Predominance in excellence over the contemporaries[5] [1] Surah
