Allah and the created world

Question 1

Sura 1

1. In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful. 2. Praise be to Allah, the cherisher and sustainer of
   the worlds; 3. Most gracious, most merciful; 4. Master of the day of judgment. 5. You we worship, and
   your aid we seek. 6. Show us the straight way, 7. The way of those to whom You have given your grace, not
   those who earn your anger, nor those who go astray

Answer 1

Surah Fatiha
-the opening chapter of Quran
-Makkan Surah
a)
-lord of all that exists
-Tauhid (Allah’s lordship, worship, names & attributes)
-Allah is most merciful (judgment overall & forgiveness)
-a prayer to be lead on the straightway “Sirat-ul-mustaqeem” through Allah’s guidance
+“Verily! right guidance is the guidance of Allah!”
b)
-prayer & communication to god
-recitation in daily prayers
-ask for guidance, mercy & help
-submitting to Allah brings humbleness
-reminds Muslims about day of judgment & preparation to face Allah

Question 2

Sura 2.21–22

21. O people! Adore your Guardian-Lord, who created you and those who came before you, so that you may have the chance to learn righteousness; 22. Who has made the earth your couch, and the heavens your canopy; and sent down rain from the heavens; and by it brought forth fruits for your sustenance; then do not set up rivals to Allah, when you know.

Answer 2

Surah al Baqarah
-Madni surah
a)
-the concept of piety by the remembrance of Allah
-Allah as the creator of all of mankind (so we must be obedient)
-Allah’s bounties & sustenance (fertile earth, rain, etc) show we must only worship Allah
+“praise be to Allah the cherisher and sustainer of the worlds”
-mankind should not commit shirk
b)
-we must pray to Allah for our needs
-physical life (symbolized by earth) and spiritual (symbolized by sky) are both needed thus, thus the surah emphasizes that both depend on Allah
-gratitude for Allah’s blessings through acts of worship (namaz, fasting etc)
-reflection on the natural world & benefits
-recognise guidance (Prophets & divine books)

Question 3

Sura 96.1–5

1. Read! in the name of your Lord, who created, 2. Created man out of a clot of congealed blood: 3. Proclaim! And your Lord is most bountiful, 4. He who taught by the pen, 5. Taught man what he did not know.

Answer 3

Surah al Alaq
-Makkan Surah
-God’s power to create & ensure the growth/survival of humanity
a)
-message to acquire knowledge by writing/reading
-Allah is the best teacher and gave humans superiority (use of pen)
+” and he taught Adam the name of all things”
-humans are the best of creation “ashraf-ul-makhlooqat” thus they should distinguish themselves by animals (also made by clot of congealed blood) by gaining knowledge
-Iqra (read or proclaim) is commanded to understand Allah’s signs, mercy, wisdom & power
b)
-help see Allah’s power (creation of humans + knowledge to humans)
-knowledge links Allah and humans (encourages learning/religious learning)
-acquiring knowledge on good subjects (law, Islam, science, etc) is rewarded
-Prophethood also spreads knowledge thus Muslims should also eliminate ignorance & illiteracy
-follow Gods teachings & reflect on them

Question 4

Sura 99

1. When the earth is shaken to her utmost convulsion, 2. And the earth throws up her burdens, 3. And man cries out: ‘What is the matter with her?’, 4. On that day will she declare her tidings: 5. For that, your Lord will have given her inspiration. 6. On that day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown their deeds. 7. Then shall anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good see it! 8. And anyone who has done an atom’s weight of evil shall see it.

Answer 4

Surah Zilzal
-Madni
a)
-describes the last day & end of time (destruction of everything through an earthquake)
+“when the earth is flattened out and throws out whatever it contains and gets empty”
-day of resurrection (dead raised) and justice is given to all
-good and evil will be sorted
-responsibility for actions and sending in either heaven or hell)
b)
-a warning to give up sin (fear of accountability & life after death an Islamic pillar)
-a reminder to stay on a straight path & be obedient
-encouraged Muslims to do good and fulfill rights to Allah and fellow beings
-muslims understand this world is temporary (stops distraction from worldly goods)

Question 5

10 Sura 114

1. Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind, 2. The King of mankind, 3. The God of Mankind, 4. From the mischief of the whisperer who withdraws, 5. Who whispers into the hearts of mankind, 6. Among jinns and among mankind.

Answer 5

Surah Naas
-Makkan surah
-revealed with Surah Falaq to protect Prophet(SAW) from black magic
-surahs of protection (quls)
a)
-three attributes of Allah; the almighty, sovereign & worthy of worship, creator of everything
-everything is owned by, and subservient to Allah
-warns Muslims against evil whispers of Satan in their hearts (whispers evil & then disappears)
-Only Allah is powerful enough to protect us from all evils
-Allah created all things & controls them including the mischief-makers so we must seek refuge with him
+“if suggestion from Satan assails your mind seek refuge with Allah”