ISL 201 Assignment# 1 Solution

Islamic Studies (ISL201)

 Assignment# 1 Solution

Semester “Spring 2011

Faith” idea solution

The Holy Quran has clearly designated the Holy Prophet (PBUH)
as the teacher, purifier, legislator and model of human conduct and
all these designations have been bestowed by Allah. Being a
Muslim you have to describe in detail the basis of our relation with
the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)?
Answer:
To be dynamically effective, one’s life should function as an integrated whole
system conforming to Allah’s Law. As such, everything in man (his physical,
economic, political, socio-cultural, psychological, educational, moral and spiritual
being) needs proper guidance. Such guidance should enable him to enjoy better
life here and in the hereafter. It should enable him to spend wisely his temporary
journey on earth for everlasting happiness in the eternal world hereafter
Man who lives in accordance to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s.)
finds internal and external peace. He can easily establish harmony with his
immediate environment (with his family, relatives, neighbors and friends) and
those outside his community
 

Sayings of Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W) As teacher :
1) Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W) said ” I have been sent as a teacher”.
2) ” Getting Education is an obligation for both man and women”.
3) ” Seek knowledge from your birth to your grave”.
4) “Achieve knowledge, even if you have to go to China”.
You always used to pray ” O’Allah , Increase my knowledge”.
 

Saying of Holy Profit (S.A.W.W) as Purifier:
A man once said to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) : " I have plenty of property,
a large family, a great deal of money, and I am a gracious host to my guests. Tell
me how to conduct my life and how to spend (my money)." The Prophet (PBUH)
replied : " Give (regular charity) out of your property, for truly it is a purifier, and
be kind to your relatives and acknowledge the rights of the poor, neighbors and
(those in need who seek your help) " Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 3
 

Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W) as legislator: 

Thus in addition to the Holy Quran, God's legislative guidance has been revealed
in the Holy Prophet (PBUH)sunnah, i.e. his saying and conducts.
Here, the Holy Prophet (PBUH)duty entrusted to him by God is execution of
rules and establishment of a State. In other words, the Holy Prophet (PBUH)has
authority here. This is not only a right, but also an obligation entrusted to the
Holy Prophet (PBUH)by God. For example, in the Holy Quran, God commands
the Holy Prophet(PBUH): “thou mayst judge between mankind by that which
Allah showeth thee” (4:105).

Isl201-GDB Solution

ISL201-GDB

 

Discuss the basic purpose of the creation of mankind as per Islamic
teachings?

The Islamic purpose of life is a standing purpose. The basic purpose of
creating mankind is to worship Allah He created man as his khalifah.The
basic purpose of the creation of man is to worship Allah.To understand why
human beings need to worship God, one must first understand what is meant by
the term 'worship.' In Arabic, the language of the final revelation, worship
is called `Ibaadah, which is closely related to the noun "Abd", meaning a
slave. A slave is one who is expected to do whatever his master
wills.Mankind’s basic trust, our responsibility, is to believe in and
worship Allah: "And I did not create the Jinn and mankind except to worship
Me".To a Muslim the whole purpose of life is "ibadah" or worship to the One
True Almighty God on Terms and under His Conditions.

The term "worship" to a Muslim includes any and all acts of obedience to
Almighty Allah.The most complete system of worship available to human beings
today is the system found in the religion of Islam. Any ignorance, however
great, could be Any ignorance, however great, could be forgiven except for
man to be ignorant about the secret of his existence, his aim in life. In
Islam, the purpose of life is to worship Allah.The word "ibadah" is derived
from "Abd" which means slave. So we are slaves of our creator and it is our
duty to obey Him to worship Him.

To a Muslim the whole purpose of life is "ibadah" or worship to the One True
Almighty God on Terms and under His Conditions. The term "worship" to a
Muslim includes any and all acts of obedience to Almighty Allah. So his
purpose of life is a standing purpose; Worshipping Allah by accepting
Allah's Will over his own.
This act of ibadah (worshipping, thanking and extolling the Greatness
Almighty Allah on His Terms and Conditions) is for the Muslim, throughout
his whole life regardless of the stage. Whether he is a child, adolescent,
adult or aged person, he is seeking after the Will of the Almighty in all
these stages.

We must come to know our Creator, Sustainer and Ultimate Judge. We must
learn to believe in Him, thank Him, praise Him, honor Him and worship Him,
alone without any partners from His Creation. We must learn about His
Messengers and Prophets, peace be upon them, and the message with which they
were all sent. We must learn the Word of God as was directly revealed,
preserved and memorized and passed down by memory throughout all the
generations of Muslims to the present day, and this is the basic purpose of
our creation.

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Isl201-Assignment #2

RECIPIENTS OF ZAKAT:
The recipients of Zakat, according to Quran are as follows:
"Alms
are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer (the
funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to
truth); for those in bondage and in debt; and for the wayfarer: (Thus is
it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom." (Quran 9:60)

1. FUQARA: people who are poor and who possess more than their basic needs but do not possess wealth equal to Nisaab.
2. MASAKEEN: people who are destitute and extremely needy to the extent they are forced to beg for their daily food rations.
3. AL-AMILEEN: people appointed by an Islamic Government to collect Zakat.
4. MU-ALLAFATUL-QULUB: persons who have recently accepted Islam and are in need of basic necessities who would benefit from encouragement by Muslims which would help strengthen their faith.
5. AR-RIQAAB: slaves who are permitted to work for remuneration and have an agreement from their masters to purchase their freedom on payment of fixed amounts.
6. AL-GHAARIMEEN: persons who have a debt and do not possess any other wealth or goods with which they could repay that which they owe. It is conditional that this debt was not created for any un-Islamic
   purpose.
7. FI-SABILILLAH: persons who have to carry out an obligatory deed which has become obligatory on them and subsequently (due to loss of wealth) are unable to complete that obligation.
8. IBN-US-SABEEL: persons who are travelers and during the course of their journey do not possess basic necessities, though they are well to do at home. They could be given Zakat in order to fulfill
   travel needs to return home.

PERSONS WHO CANNOT BE GIVEN ZAKAT:

1. Zakat cannot be given to the descendants of Muhammad (P.B.U.H);
2. Zakat cannot be given to parents and grandparents. In the same manner one's children and grandchildren cannot be given Zakat. A husband and wife cannot give Zakat to each other.
3. Zakat contributions cannot be given to such institutions or organizations who do not give the rightful recipients possession of Zakat, but instead use Zakat funds for constructions, investment or
   salaries.

VIRTUES OF ZAKAT:
Allah says in the Quran:
"The
parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a
grain of corn. It grows seven ears and each ear has hundred grains.
Allah increases manifold to whom He pleases." (Quran 2:261)
It is stated in the Hadith that by giving Zakat the following benefits are derived:

1. Gain the pleasure of Allah.
2. Increase in wealth and protection from losses.
3. Allah's forgiveness and blessings.
4. Protection from the wrath of Allah and from a bad death.
5. A shelter on the Day of Judgment;
6. Security from seventy misfortunes.

THE PUNISHMENT FOR NOT GIVING ZAKAT:
Allah says in the Quran:
"And
there are those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in the
way of Allah, announce to them a most grievous penalty (when) on the Day
of Judgment heat will be produced out of that wealth in the fire of
Hell. Then with it they will be branded on their forehead and their
flanks and backs. (It will be said to them) This is the treasure which
you hoarded for yourselves, taste then the treasure that you have been
hoarding." (Al-Quran 9:34-35)