The QUR-An When Compiled
The QUR-An When Compiled
The QUR-An When Compiled
Publishers Foreword
In the Name of Allah, The Beneficent The Merciful. All Praise is to Him, Lord of the Worlds. Let Allahs Blessings be upon Muhammad and upon his righteous and pure family.
{Verily this Quran guides to that which is most upright.} 1 The Holy Quran is the eternal celestial message revealed by Allah to His prophet Muhammad (Blessings and Peace be upon him and his family) so that he might rescue a confused humanity from the darkness of doubt and ignorance to the light of certainty and knowledge, for the Quran delineates the road of guidance and righteousness in both religious and worldly affairs. The Quran represents the foundation stone of Islam, which Allah has promised to keep free from corruption: {We have sent down the Reminder and We shall be its protectors.}2 Therefore the hand of corruption has not touched it like it has the other divine books. The Quran remains the eternal divine message that has come for humanity in its entirety. The enemies of Islam despite their efforts to the contrary, have not been able to fault the integrity of the Holy Quran after the challenge posed by Allah for them to bring forth even one chapter of its ilk. Human intellect has not been able to meet this challenge. Allah Almighty says in the Quran:
{If you are in doubt as to that which We have sent down upon Our servant, then bring forward a chapter of its ilk and call upon your witnesses other than Allah if you speak the truth.}3 One of the most important reasons for the preservation of the Quran in addition to it being the will of Allah is the fact that the Messenger of Allah concerned himself with collating the Quran during his life and insisted upon it. Hence, from then until now, the Quran has remained the same without any change. 1The Quran: The Night Journey (17):9. 2The Quran: The Rocky Tract (15):9. 3The Quran: The Heifer (2):23. This book, When was the Quran Compiled by the esteemed writer and source of religious knowledge Imam Muhammad Shirazi, deals with the subject of the collation of the Quran. It provides firm evidence that the Holy Quran was compiled at the time of and at the command of the Prophet, peace be upon him, in the form in which it exists today dispelling the view of those who imagine that the Quran was compiled after the time of the Messenger of Allah. The writer also tackles the question of the non-corruption of the Quran, which Shia scholars have stated throughout history refuting the notion that there has been any addition to or subtraction from the verses of the Quran. Imam al-Shirazi then touches upon the inauthenticity of the different readings except that which is present in the holy text itself. Finally he presents a number of traditions regarding many aspects of the Holy Quran. This is seen as further evidence that the Holy Quran was compiled in the form we have it today, and in use by the Muslims during the lifetime of the holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad peace be upon him and his infallible descendants.
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Authors Introduction
Here are a number of traditions to be found in the Shia Guide to the Sharia4 and other books regarding the importance of the Quran and its etiquettes and disciplines which we have mentioned hoping to bring benefit to many. We have preceded this with information about the collation of the Quran and its textual non-corruption and that not one word or letter has been added nor subtracted. It is the same Quran today that was sent down to the Messenger of Allah and was compiled by him in the same structure of verses and chapters at the command of Allah during his life. 4 The Arabic title of the book is Tafseel Wassael al-Shia ila Tahseel Massael al-Shariah
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Ibn Abbas said: The Prophet (S) lived for a further year after the revelation of this chapter.8 Thenceforth, verse after verse was revealed until only seven days remained of the Prophets life. Then the following verse was revealed: {And fear ye a day in which you will be returned to Allah and every soul will be given what it has earned and they will not be dealt with unjustly.}9 This verse according to certain transmissions was the last verse of the Holy Quran to be revealed to the Messenger of Allah by the Archangel Gabriel who said to him: Place this verse at the head of the 280th verse of the second chapter.10 The first verse revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (S) by the Archangel Gabriel was Allahs words: {In the Name of Allah The Beneficent The Merciful, Read! In the name of your Lord Who has created }11 The first verse of the Quran to be revealed coincided with the first day of the noble prophetic mission and the last verse of the Quran to be revealed took place during the last days of the Messenger of Allah. The time between these two verses was when the rest of the Quran was revealed and this was over a period of 23 years. 8 See Seas of Lights: vol.22, p.471; and also al-Manaqib: vol.1, p.234, The section on the death of the prophet (S): Related from Ibn Abbas, and al-Sudayy that when Allahs words were revealed: {You are mortal and they are mortals.}, the Messenger of Allah said: If only I knew when this would be., then the 110th chapter of The Quran named al-Nasr (Succour) was revealed and he used to remain silent during the prayer between saying Allahu Akbar and the reading but he said: Praise be to Allah, I ask Allah for forgiveness and turn towards Him in repentance. He was asked about this and he said: It is that my soul has foretold me of my impending death. Then he began to weep intensely. They said to him: O Messenger of Allah, do you weep over death when Allah has forgiven your sins both past and future? He said: But what of the terror
of the questioning, or the confines of the grave and the darkness of the tomb, and what of the resurrection and the fearsome things! He lived after the revelation of this chapter for a further year. 9The Quran: The Heifer (2):280. 10 The Tafsir of al-Shubbar: p.83, The Heifer (2). 11 The Quran: The Clot (96):1.
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It is not right that he would do this and at the same time fail to compile the Quran and by doing so leave it scattered. 12 The Quran: The Groups (39):30. 13 Fiqh al-Quran: vol.1,p.63, the words after me ever are omitted. See also Irshad alQulub: p.340, I leave with you the two momentous things, as long as you adhere to them you will never go astray - the book of Allah and my kin the people of my household. These are the two Caliphs for you and they will never separate from one another until we meet at the well of Kauthar. The Quran is the eternal constitution of Islam and its inimitable miracle surviving throughout the aeons and ages until the day of resurrection. It is not therefore logical to assume that the Prophet would leave the Quran scattered, without compiling it. How is it conceivable that Allah should permit His Prophet (S) not to compile that Quran despite having said in the Quran: {It is our duty to compile it and recite it.}14 Allah also says: {We have sent down the Reminder and We shall be its protectors.}15 It is therefore the duty of the Prophet (S) to deliver the Quran as a structured whole to all people as compiled and structured by Allah. 14 The Quran: The Resurrection (75): 17. 15 The Quran: The Rocky Tract (15): 9.
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the Prophet (S) a number of times all of which indicates that it was in a gathered and structured form and not disparate and scattered. The same was said by Sheikh al-Mufid, Sheikh al-Sadouq and other Shia 16 Tafsir al-Qumi: vol.2, p.451, The People (114). 17 Alayh-es-Salam meaning peace be upon him. This is always stated after the mention of the name of one the infallible Imams out of respect for the Imam (a). 18 Seas of Lights: vol.89, p.48, Beirut edition. scholars before the time of al-Murtada, and others after him like alTusi and the great Quranic exegete al-Tabari who died in 548 A.H. as well as all of our other great scholars up to the present day. Zaid ibn Thabit is reported as having said: 'We used to collect the fragments of the verses of the Quran and put them in their appropriate places at the instruction of the Messenger of Allah (S). Despite this, the verses were still fragmented so the Prophet (S) ordered Ali (a) to gather them in one place and warned us against losing them. It is reported that al-Shabi said: 'The Quran was collected during the time of the Prophet of Allah (S) by six men of the Ansar. In al-Sirat al-Mustaqim, Anas says: 'Four men collected the Quran during the life of the Prophet (S) those being my father, Muadh, Zaid (Ibn Thabit), and Abu Zaid.19 Qatada is reported as having said: 'I asked Anas about who compiled the Quran during the lifetime of the prophet (S). He said Four men of the Ansar, then mentioned their names. Also related from Anas: The Prophet (S) died, four men having collected the Quran: Abu Darda, Muadh ibn Jabal, Zaid ibn Thabit, and Abu Zaid.20 Finally from Ali ibn Ribah: Ali ibn Abi Talib (a) collected the Quran along with Ubayy ibn Kab during the lifetime of the Prophet (S).
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Other Evidence
There are other evidences which point to the fact that the Quran we have today is the very same as was gathered and structured during the time of the Messenger of Allah, with no additions or subtractions:
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He Almighty is He also says: {O people of the book, Our messenger has come to you to make plain to you much of that which you have been concealing of the book and to forgive much. From Allah has come to you a light and an elucidating book.}25 And He Almighty is He has said: {And this is a blessed book which We have sent down so follow ye it and adopt piety so may ye be shown mercy.}26And He Almighty is He has said: {A book sent down to you so let there be no shame in your breast to warn with it and as a reminder to those who have faith.}27 And He Blessed is He has said: {A book whose verses have been made firm and then explained from the auspices of the wise the knowing.}2823 The Quran: The Livestock (6): 92. 24 The Quran: The Livestock (6): 59. 25 The Quran: The Table Spread (5): 15. 26 The Quran: The Livestock (6): 155. 27 The Quran: The Heights (7): 2. And He The Almighty has said: {A book which We have sent down to you so you may bring the people out of the darkness and intothe light by the permission of their Lord to the way of The AllMighty The All Praised.}29
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Angel Gabriel once except the year of his death when he read it for him twice. A group of the companions recited it in its entirety in front of the Prophet among them Ubayy Ibn Kab. Abdullah Ibn Masoud recited it ten times in front of the Prophet.33 In the book Seas of Lights, the great scholar al-Majlisi says: AlBukhari, Muslim, and al-Tirmidhi in their authenticated collections of hadith relate from Anas: The Quran was collected during the lifetime of the Prophet by four men of the Ansar: Ubayy Ibn Kab, Muadh Ibn Jabal, Abu Zaid, and Zaid Ibn Thabit.
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39 Usul al-Kafi: vol.1, p.69. 40 Al-Tahdhib: vol.7, p.274. 41 Al-Istibsar: vol.1, p.190. 42 Al-Istibsar: vol.3, p.157. 43 The Quran: The Decree (97): 1. subtraction of a single letter, or any change or substitution. For Allah has said: {Falsehood does not approach it (the Quran) from before it or from behind.}44, and: {We have sent down the Reminder and We shall be its protectors.}45
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The best of you is he who learns the Quran and teaches it. 54 He (S) also said: Everything will seek forgiveness for the teacher and the learner of the Quran, even the fish in the sea. 55 He (S) also said: Learn ye the Quran, for the similitude of one who carries the Quran (in his heart) is he who carries a bag full of musk which when he opens it fills the air with the sent, and if keeps it shut, it keeps the scent of the musk.56 The Messenger of Allah (S) also said: One who teaches his child the Quran is like one who has made ten thousand Hajj pilgrimages, and ten thousand Umrah pilgrimages, and has freed ten thousand slaves of the sons of Ishmael, and fed and clothed ten thousand poor, hungry and unclothed Muslims. For every letter he will 51 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.232. 52 The Quran: The Clan of Imran (3): 79. 53 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.232. 54 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.232; Also The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.825. 55 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.235. 56 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.246. receive ten blessings and ten evil deeds of his will be wiped out, and the Quran will be with him in his grave until the day he is resurrected. His balance scales will tip in his favour and he will be taken across the Sirat as quick as lightning and the Quran will not leave him until he has reached a station the loftiness of which is more than can be imagined.57 He (S) said also:
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Allah will crown the parents of the one who teaches his child the Quran with a kingly crown and clothe them in robes the like of which has never been seen before.58 Related from Amir al-Muminin Ali Ibn Abu Talib (a) that the Prophet (S) said: The best of you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it . 59 In one of his speeches contained in the book Nahj al-Balagha, Imam Ali (a) says: Learn Ye the Quran for it is the best of speech and study it for it is the springtime of the heart. Seek cure by its light for it heals the breast, and make your reading of it beautiful for it is the most beneficial of narratives. The learned man who acts without using his knowledge is as the ignorant, confused man who will never awake from his ignorance, in fact the case against him is greater and loss is more incumbent upon him, and in the sight of Allah he is the most blameworthy. 60 Also related from Imam Ali (a) is that he said: If the teacher says to his pupil: Say: In the Name of Allah The Beneficent The Merciful. And the pupil says: In The Name of Allah The Beneficent The Merciful. Then Allah 57 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.247. 58 The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.825. 59 Ghawali al-Layali: vol.1, p.99; Also Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.235. 60 Nahj al-Balagha: Sermon no.110, paragraph 6; see also Seas of Lights: vol.2, p.36. will give absolution to them both and to the pupils parents. 61 Related from Imam Jafar al-Saadiq (a) is that he said: The believer should not die before learning the Quran or be in the process of learning it. 62
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The Messenger of Allah (S) mentioned commotion one day, so we said: O Messenger of Allah how do we save ourselves from it? He (S) said: 'By the book of Allah. In it is news of those who came before you, and news of those to come after you, and a way to judge between yourselves. It is the criterion and it is not in jest. No tyrant will neglect it but his back will be broken by Allah. He who seeks guidance in other than the Qur'an will fall into error. It is the sturdy rope and the wise reminder and the straight path. Tongues cannot obscure it, it does not pall despite much reading, nor do scholars ever tire of it. Its wonders never cease ' 69 And he (S) said: 'The Angel Gabriel descended upon me and said: 'O Muhammad, everything has a master , the master of speech is the Arabic language, and the master of the Arabic language is the Qur'an.' 70 Related from Mu'adh b. Jabal who said: ' We were travelling with the Messenger of Allah (S) and I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, tell us about what it is that will benefit us.' He (S) said: 'If you desire the life of the 66 The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.825. 67 Al-Tahdhib: vol.3, p.255. 68 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.255. 69 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.239. 70 Seas of Lights: vol.61, p.30. felicitous, and the death of the martyrs, and deliverance on the day of the gathering, and the shade on the day of heat, and guidance on the day of error, then study the Qur'an for it is the speech of the Most Merciful, and a refuge from Satan, and tips the balance scales in your favour.' 71 And he (S) also said:
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'The Qur'an is better than anything else other than Allah. He who reveres the Qur'an has revered Allah and he who does not revere the Qur'an has made light of the sanctity of Allah. The sanctity of the Qur'an to Allah is as the sanctity of the father to his son.' 72 And he (S) said: 'It is not proper for one who carries the Qur'an to think that anyone has been given something better than he has been given, for even if he owned the entire world, the Qur'an would be better than what he owned.' 73 And he (S) said during the days of his passing from this world, among that which he advised his companions: 'The book of Allah and the people of my household. The book of Allah is the Qur'an. In it is the proof, the light and the evidence. It is the speech of Allah, it is live and always valid, and applicable to current issues. Whenever it is read thoughtfully it is always fresh, and it is the witness (upon those concerned). It is just judge, and it is a reference which can always be referred to . Tomorrow (on the day of judgement) it will confute against groups of people, and their feet would slip off the Sirat (the straight path) 74. In a hadith from Abu Dharr who said: 'I heard the Messenger of Allah (S) saying: 'Looking upon 'Ali b. Abi Talib (a) is an act of worship, as is looking upon ones parents with kindness and mercy. Looking upon a 71 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.232. 72 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.236. 73 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.237. 74 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.237. page from the Qur'an is an act of worship, and looking upon the Ka'bah is an act of worship.' 75 Commander of the Faithful, Imam 'Ali (a) says in description of the Qur'an:
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Then, Allah sent to him the Book as a light whose flames cannot be extinguished, a lamp whose gleam does not die, a sea whose depth cannot be sounded, a way whose direction does not mislead, a ray whose light does not darken, a separator (of good from evil) whose arguments do not weaken, a clarifier whose foundations cannot be dismantled, a cure which leaves no apprehension for disease, an honour whose supporters are not defeated, and a truth whose helpers are not abandoned. Therefore, it is the mine of belief and its centre, the source of knowledge and its oceans, the plantation of justice and its pools, the foundation stone of Islam and its construction, the valleys of truth and its plains. An ocean which those who draw water cannot empty, springs which those who draw water cannot dry up, a watering place which those who come to take water cannot exhaust, a staging place in moving towards which travellers do not get lost, signs which no wayfarer fails to see and a highland which those who approach it cannot surpass it. Allah has made it a quencher of the thirst of the learned, a bloom for the hearts of religious jurists, a highway for the ways of the righteous, a cure after which there is no ailment, an effulgence with which there is no darkness, a rope whose grip is strong, a stronghold whose top is invulnerable, an honour for him who loves it, a peace for him who enters it, a guidance for him who follows it, an excuse for him who adopts it, an argument for him who argues with it, a witness for him who quarrels with it, a success for him who argues with it, a carrier of burden for him who seeks the way, a shield for him who arms himself (against misguidance), a knowledge for him who listens 75 Al-Manaqib: vol.3, p.202; The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.854. carefully, a worthy story for him who relates it and a final verdict for him who passes judgements.' 76 He (a) also said: 'The outer manifestation of the Qur'an is elegant, and the inner meanings of it are deep, its marvels never cease nor do its wonders come to an end, darkness cannot be dispelled except by it.' (a) also said: ' Allah has not admonished anyone before with the like of the Qur'an. It is Allah's sturdy rope, and His trustworthy means, in it is the springtime of the
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hearts, and the founts of knowledge, hearts do not have illumination without it.' 78 And he (a) said: This Qur'an is the counsellor that does not give false counsel, the guide that does not lead astray, and the speaker that does not lie. No-one will sit with this Qur'an but that he stand up from it with an increase and a decrease; an increase in guidance, and a decrease in blindness. Know ye that after knowing the Qur'an, no-one can again experience poverty, neither can anyone before knowing the Qur'an experience riches. Seek ye in it the cure to your ailments, and succour in your hardships. In it is the cure from the greatest of ills, which are unbelief, hypocrisy, blindness, and errancy. Beseech Allah through it, and seek a direction to Him through the love of it, and do not ask of his creation through it. (There is) nothing like it that leads the people to monotheism. Know ye that it is an intercessor whose intercession is accepted, and a speaker which confirms the truth, and that whoever the Qur'an asks intercession for on the day of resurrection will be granted such, and whoever the Qur'an speaks against on the day of resurrection it will speak the truth against him. On the day of resurrection a herald will proclaim: Verily 76 Nahj al-Balagha: Sermon no. 198. 77 Seas of Lights: vol.2, p. 284. 78 Seas of Lights: vol.2, p. 312. every ploughman is afflicted in what he sows and the outcome of his works except in the tilth of the Qur'an. So be of its tilth and its followers and seek evidence in it about your Lord, and counsel about yourselves, and question with it your opinions, and seek to expose with it your vain desires.' 79 From Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a): 'The verses of the Qur'an are treasure houses. Therefore every time you open a treasure house you must look to see what is in it.' 80 And he (a) said: If all the peoples of the east and the west were to die, I would not feel alone as long as the Qur'an was with me.' 81 From Imam al-Baaqir (a) who said:
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The Commander of the Faithful (a) said: 'Shall I inform you about the true religious scholar? He is one who does not invoke in the people a despair of the mercy of Allah, nor does he invoke in them a sense of security from the punishment of Allah. He does not give licence to disobeying Allah and does not neglect the Qur'an seeking other than it. Indeed there is no good in a knowledge in which there is not a deep understanding, nor is there any good in a recital of the Qur'an in which there is no pondering, nor is there any good in an act of worship in which there is no heartfelt comprehension.' 82 And he (a) said: ' The Qur'an will arrive on the day of resurrection in the most beautiful aspect and form. It will pass by the Muslims and they will say: this man is one of us. Then it will pass beyond them to the prophets and they will say: he is one of us. It will then pass beyond them to the Archangels and 79 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.239. 80 The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.849; Usul al-Kafi: vol.2, p.609. 81 Usul al-Kafi: vol.2, p.602. 82 The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.829; Seas of Lights: vol.2, p.48. they will say: he is one of us. Until it ends up before The Lord of Power, Almighty and Exalted is He, and it will say: Lord, I made such and such a person thirsty during his middays, and kept him awake during his nights on Earth. But I did not make such and such a person thirsty during his mid-days, and did not keep him awake during his nights. So Allah Almighty will say: Let them enter the garden according to their stations. So (the Qur'an) will arise and they will follow it and it will say to each believer:Recite and advance. So they recite and advance until each person has reached his allotted station and has settled therein.' 83 Also from Imam al-Baaqir (a) that he said: 'Learn the Qur'an, for it will come on the day of resurrection in the most beautiful of forms ever seen by Allah's creation. There the people will be arrayed in onehundred and twenty thousand rows; eighty thousand rows are the nation of Muhammad (S), and forty thousand rows for the remainder of the nations. The Qur'an will come to the ranks of the Muslims in the form of a man. He will greet them and they will look towards him and say: There is no god but Allah
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the Patient the Generous. This man is one of the Muslims we recognise him by his aspect and character except that he was of a greater understanding than us in the Qur'an. Hence he has been given of magnificence, beauty and light that which we have not been given. Then he passes on until he comes upon the ranks of the martyrs who say: There is no god but Allah the Most Merciful Lord. This man is one of the martyrs, we recognise him by his features and character except that he is one of the martyrs of the sea, for it is from there that he has been given of beauty and virtue that which we have not been given. Then he passes on until he comes upon the ranks of the martyrs of the sea in the form of a martyr. The martyrs of the sea look upon him and their wonderment is great and they say: This man is of the martyrs of the sea, we recognise him by his features and character except that the island in which 83 Usul al-Kafi: vol.2, p.601; The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.824. he met his end was more fearful than the island in which we met our ends. Hence he has been given of magnificence, beauty and light that which we have not been given. Then he passes on until he comes upon the ranks of the prophets and messengers in the form of a prophet and messenger. The prophets and messengers look upon him and great is their wonderment of him and they say: There is no god but Allah the Magnificent the Esteemed. This is a prophet and messenger, we recognise him by his character and features except that he has been given a great bounty. They then gather together and approach the Messenger of Allah (S) and ask him: O Muhammad! Who is this man? He says: Do you not recognise him? They say: We do not recognise him, he is one that has not the wrath of Allah upon him. The Messenger of Allah (S) says: This is the proof of Allah upon his creation. So he gives a greeting of peace, and passes on until he reaches the ranks of the Angels in the form of an Archangel. The Angels look upon him and great becomes their wonderment until it becomes too much for them for what they see of his virtue. They say: Exalted is our Lord and Most Holy, this servant is one of the Angels, we recognise him by his features and character except that he is the most near of the Angels in station to Allah The Most Powerful and Majestic. Hence he has been attired in light and beauty.' 84 Imam al-Saadiq (a) said: ' Among that which the Commander of the Faithful (a) enjoined upon his companions was that he said: 'Know Ye that the Qur'an is the guidance during the
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night and the day, and the light during the dark night over exertion and poverty.' 85 And he (a) said: 'In this Qur'an there is the beacon of guidance and the lanterns of darkness Therefore he who wants to polish 84 Seas of Lights: vol.7, p.319; Usul al-Kafi: vol.2, p.596. 85 Seas of Lights: vol.65, p.212; Usul al-Kafi: vol.2, p.216. his eyes (to see the truth) he should open his sight to the light (of the Quran) since reflecting and thinking is the life of the heart of the wise, just as the one with torch of light walks in darkness.86 A man questioned Imam al-Saadiq (a) and said: 'What is it with the Qur'an that despite the propagation and studying of it, it only increases in freshness? So he said (a): 'It is that Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, has not made the Qur'an for one specific era rather than another, or for one group of people rather than another. Therefore, in every time it is new and amongst every people is fresh until the day of resurrection.' 87 He (a) also said: 'That Allah Blessed and Exalted is He, revealed in the Qur'an an exposition of every thing, so that He has not neglected anything needed by his servants, and so that no servant is able to say: if only such and such a subject was in the Qur'an, but that Allah has sent down revelation about that subject in it. 88 And he (a) said: 'Then the Qur'an ends up standing to the right of the throne and The Omnipotent will say: By My Greatness and My Majesty, and the Exaltedness of My Station, I will indeed honour today those who have honoured you and I will humiliate those who have belittled you.' 89 And he (a) said:
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'The Qur'an is a prohibitor and an orderer; it orders to paradise and prohibits from the fire.' 90 He (a) said: 86Usul al-Kafi: vol.2, p.200; The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.828. 87 Seas of Lights: vol.2, p.280. 88 Usul al-Kafi: vol.1, p.59. 89 Usul al-Kafi: vol.2, p.602; The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.827. 90 Usul al-Kafi: vol.2, p.601. 'The Qur'an is riches, there are no riches without knowledge of it and no poverty after knowledge of it.' 91 From Imam al-Saadiq (a) from his forefathers (a): 'The Messenger of Allah (S) said: 'When trials and temptations descend upon you like the darkness of the night, then look to the Qur'an for it is an intercessor whose intercession will be accepted, and a schemer who confirms the truth. He who keeps it in front of him will be lead by it into paradise, he who puts it behind him will be driven into the fire. It is the guide to the best path, and a book in whichis explanation, exposition, and learning. It is decisive and not in jest. It has an outside and an inside, its exterior is judgement, and its interior is knowledge, its outer manifestation is elegant and its inner meanings are deep. (when it is studied) Truth and wisdom stems from it. And every truth leads to even more wisdom. Its marvels are without number, and its wonders never cease. The lanterns of guidance, and the lighthouse of wisdom, and the guide to knowledge. Therefore he who wants to polish his eyes (to see the truth), and attain serenity in his vision, and he who wants to release himself from impaired vision and entanglement of the mind, let him use the Quran. For thought and reflection gives life to the heart of the wise, just as the one who walks in darkness with a torch. Therefore it is upon you make sure to rescue yourselves in the best possible way and in the shortest possible time. 92 And from Imam al-Saadiq (a) from his father who said: 'Indeed it is a source of wonderment to me that there is in a house a copy of the Qur'an with which Allah Almighty is He expels the Satans.' 93 From Imam al-Ridha (a) that he mentioned the Qur'an and said:
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'It is the sturdy rope of Allah and His firm grip, and His perfect road that leads to paradise, and delivers from the 91 Jami al-Akhbar: p.40; Tafsir Majma al-Bayan: vol.1, p.15. 92The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.828. 93 Thawab al-Amal: p.103; The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.855. fire. It does not pall despite the passing of aeons, and does not dissipate despite being oft repeated, because it was not created for one time rather than another but as the argument and proof for all humanity. Falsehood does not approach it from before it or behind it, a revelation from The All Wise, The All Praised.' 94
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Quran, and encourages others to do so, he would not respond in the same way when he is insulted, angered, or wrathed, but he would forgive, pardon and forbear (the offending person) in line with the teaching and the honour of the Quran. He who is given the Qur'an and thinks that anyone else has been given something better than he has been given has aggrandised that which Allah has belittled and belittled that which Allah has aggrandised.' 98 He (S) also said: The most honourable of servants in the sight of Allah after the prophets are the scholars, then the bearers of the Qur'an, they will exit from this world as the prophets exit and will be gathered from their tombs with the prophets, and pass over the path along with the prophets and will receive the reward of the prophets. So act kindly with students and bearers of the Qur'an because of the honour and nobility they enjoy in the sight of Allah.' 99 He (S) also said: The bearers of the Qur'an are favoured with the mercy of Allah, they are clothed in the light of Allah, taught the speech of Allah, and drawn near to Allah.' 100He (S) also said: 'The bearers of the Qur'an are surrounded by the mercy of Allah, clothed in the light of Allah, taught the speech of Allah. Whoever takes them as an enemy has taken Allah as 98 Usul al-Kafi: vol.2, p.604. 99 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.244. 100 Seas of Lights: vol.89, p.182. an enemy, and whoever takes them as a friend has taken Allah as a friend.' 101 From the Commander of the Faithful (a) in a noble hadith in description of his followers: ' During the night they are busy performing the prayers, reading the Qur'an and reciting it, admonishing themselves with its parables, and seeking a cure for their ills with its remedy.' 102 Also from him (a) that he said:
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'The bearers of the Qur'an in this world are the wise men of the people of paradise on the day of resurrection.' 103
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He (S) also said: You must recite the Quran, and remember Allah frequently, for it is a remembrance for you in the sky and a light for you on the Earth. 108 And he (S) said: The parents of the reciter of the Quran will be crowned with the crown of nobility whose light illuminates for ten thousand years (of walking) distance, and will be clothed in a garment the smallest thread of which will be worth more than one-hundred thousand times those of the earthly world and whatever riches and opulence in it. Then the reciter will be given dominion in his right hand and everlasting life in his left hand in a book which he will read from his right hand: You have been made one of the most esteemed kings of the gardens of heaven and one of the companions of Muhammad (S) Master of the prophets, and Ali (a) the best of vice-regents and after them the Imams, the pinnacles of piety. He will then read from the book in his 106 Jami al-Akhbar: p.40; See also Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.24, p.258: In which is found: This Quran is the rope of Allah and the elucidating light and the beneficial cure so recite it for Allah Exalted is He will reward you for every letter recited with ten blessings. I do not say that A.L.M is all one letter but A and L and M counts as thirty blessings. 107 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.257. 108 Seas of Lights: vol.74, p.74. left hand: You are safe from separation from this dominion and you have been rescued from death and sickness. You are spared from disease and illness and have avoided the envy of the envious and the schemes of the schemers. Then it will be said to him: Recite and rise to your allotted station at the last verse of the Quran you are able to recite. When his parents see their garments and their crowns they will say: Lord, how is it that we have this honour when our acts did not deserve it. They will be told: Almighty Allah has bestowed this upon you for teaching your son the Quran. 109 And he said (S):
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The hearts of men can become rusty just as iron rusts. He was asked: O Messenger of Allah what is their polish? He (S) said: The recitation of the Quran and remembrance of death. 110 And he said (S): Whoever reads the Quran seeking Allah and a knowledge of the religion will have a reward the same as will be given to the Angels and the Prophets and Messengers. 111 Amir al-Muminin Ali ibn Abi Talib (a) said in his will to his son Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya: Know that for the Muslim there are two magnanimities. The one while at home and the ideal during travel. The ideal when at home is the recitation of the Quran 112 Imam Hassan (a) said: He who recites the Quran will have his wish granted sooner or later. 113 Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a) said: 109 Seas of Lights: vol.7, p.208. 110 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.2, p.104. 111 Seas of Lights: vol.76, p.372. 112 Seas of Lights: vol.1, p.200. 113 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.260. You must heed the Quran, for Allah has created the garden of Paradise out of bricks of gold and silver held together with a plaster of musk, where the earth is of saffron and the pebbles are of pearl. The stations of the garden are equal to the number of verses of the Quran and whoever recites the Quran will be told Recite and ascend. Of whoever enters Paradise no-one shall be in a higher station than the reciter of the Quran except the Prophets and the Righteous. 114 Related from Imam Baaqir (a) who said:
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Everything has a springtime, and the springtime of the Quran is the holy month of Ramadan. 115 Related from Imam al-Saadiq (a) who said: If one reads the Quran in his youth as a true believer, the Quran mingles with and becomes a part of his flesh and blood, and Allah places him alongside the pious and noble scribes, and on the day of resurrection the Quran will be a witness in his favour saying: O Lord, every doer of deeds has received the reward for his deeds except for him whose work was with me, so let him have the noblest of your gifts. Then Allah Almighty will clothe him in two of the robes of Paradise and the crown of honour will be placed upon his head. Then the Quran will be asked: Is this to your satisfaction? And the Quran will answer: O Lord I desire for him something better than this. So he will be given sanctity in his right hand and everlasting life in his left then he will be ushered into Paradise and will be told: Recite a verse and for every verse ascend a station. Then the Quran will be asked: Have We treated him to your satisfaction? The Quran will answer Yes. (The narrator said):Whoever recites a great amount of the Quran and underwent hardship due to the difficulty of memorisation will be given by Allah this twice over. 116 114 Seas of Lights: vol.8, p.133. 115 The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.853. 116 Thawab al-Amal: p.100; and see Seas of Lights: vol.7, p.305 Also related from Imam al-Saadiq (a): The best worship is the recitation of the Quran. 117 And: Whoever reads the Quran in order to learn it by heart, Allah will allow him to enter the garden and his intercession will be accepted for ten of his family who had deserved the fire. 118 Also from Imam al-Saadiq (a): Whoever recites the Quran to extract money from the people will arrive on the day of resurrection and his face will be a skull with no flesh on it. 119
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Related from Imam al-Saadiq (a) from the will of the Prophet (S) to Imam Ali (a): You must recite the Quran in all circumstances. 120 Also related from him (a): The house in which there is a Muslim who reads the Quran will glitter for the people of the heavens as the star glitters for the people of the earth. 121 And he said (a): Amir al-Muminin (a) said: The house in which the Quran is recited and the name of Allah is oft remembered will receive great blessings and will be visited by the Angels and avoided by the demons. It will illuminate for the people of the heavens as the evening star does for the people of the earth. But the house in which the Quran is not read nor the name of Allah mentioned will receive few 117 The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.825; Tafsir Majma al-Bayan: vol.1, p.15. 118 The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.826; Tafsir Majma al-Bayan: vol.1, p.16. 119 Thawab al-Amal: p.279. 120 The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.839; Seas of Lights: vol.74, p.70. 121 Iddat al-Dai: p.287; and see Usul al-Kafi: vol.2, p.610. blessings and the Angels will flee from it and the demons will visit it. 122 And he said (a): Whoever reads the Quran from the Holy text will find gratification for the eye, and the torment will be lessened for his parents even if they were disbelievers. 123 And he (a) said: One who reads the Quran has riches beyond which there is no poverty and if he does not read then there is no way to riches. 124
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And related from him (a): The houses in which prayer is held at night with the recitation of the Quran will illuminate for the people of the heavens as the stars illuminate for the people of the earth. 125 He also said (a): The reciter of the Quran who does not subjugate to Allah and whose heart does not soften and who does not cover himself with sadness and dread in secret has belittled the greatness of Allah Almighty is He and is in manifest loss. The reciter of the Quran requires three things: A fearful heart, (being) away from any distraction and a place free of others. 126 He also said (a): By Allah, there is not a single of our followers who recite the Quran in their prayers standing but that they will be given for every letter one-hundred blessings, or in their prayers sitting but that they will be given for every letter 122 Iddat al-Dai: p.247; and see Usul al-Kafi: vol.2, p.498. 123 The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.853; Usul al-Kafi: vol.2, p.613; and Thawab al-Amal: p.102. 124 Usul al-Kafi: vol.2, p.605. 125 He who is not in the presence of a Jurist: vol.1, p.473. 126 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.240. fifty blessings, and at times other than in prayer but that they will be given for every letter ten blessings. 127 He (a) also said: There are three types of Quranic reciters. There is the reciter who seeks to impress patrons and attain power over the people and he is destined for the fire. Then there is the reciter who reads the Quran and memorises its letters but neglects to act within its laws and he is destined for the fire. Then there is the reciter who reads and hides himself with the Quran under his cloak and he acts according to the clear verses and has faith in the ambiguous verses, he establishes its injunctions, makes lawful what it makes lawful and prohibits what it makes unlawful. This is one whom Allah has rescued from the trials
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which lead astray and he is of the people of Paradise and his intercession will be accepted for whomsoever he wishes. 128 He (a) also said: What is there to prevent the traders amongst you when you come back home from work to read a chapter of the Quran before sleep? For each verse you read you will be accredited with ten good deeds and ten foul deeds will be erased. 129 He (a) also said: The faithful son of Adam will be summoned for the reckoning and the Quran will go before him in the most beautiful of aspects and say: O Lord, I am the Quran and this is your faithful servant who used to tire himself by reciting me and to spend long nights reading me and his eyes would stream when he spent the nights in prayer, so please him as he has pleased me. Allah Almighty will say: Open your right hand, then he will fill it with the pleasure of Allah Almighty and he will fill his left hand with the mercy of Allah then he will be told: This garden of 127 Seas of Lights: vol.65, p.81. 128 Seas of Lights: vol.89, p.179. 29 Seas of Lights: vol.89, p.202. Paradise is open to you so recite and ascend. For every verse he recites he will ascend a station. 130 He (a) also said: The Quran is the covenant of Allah to his creation therefore it is imperative that the Muslim should look into this covenant and read from it each day fifty verses. 131 In the book The Reliance of the Summoner to Faith, Imam Ali alRidha (a) quotes the Prophet (S) who said: Give your houses some benefit from the Quran, for the house in which the Quran is recited brings ease, and plenty for those who dwell in it and if the Quran is not recited in it then it will become difficult for the household and they will be in need. 132
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He (a) also said: It is incumbent for the man when he awakes in the morning after his prayer to read fifty verses of the Quran. 133 Related from al-Hassan al-Askari (a) who said: The opening surah of the book is the most noble of the jewels of the exalted throne of Allah and whoever reads it while offering allegiance to Muhammad and his family, Allah will give him for every letter a reward each one of which is better than all the wealth of the world and its fineries. The same will be given to the one who listens to the recitation. So make sure you do this often. 134
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popular song or the style of the monks or as a lamentation their hearts will be tried as will those who are enamoured by what they do. 143 Also related from him (a): The Prophet (S) said: Everything has an adornment and the adornment of the Quran is the beautiful voice. 144 Also related from him (a) is that he said: 139 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.270. 140 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.273. 141 Al-Khisal: p.627; and see The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.847. 142 The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.857; and see Usul al-Kafi: vol.2, p.614. 143 The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.857; and see Usul al-Kafi: vol.2, p.614. 144 The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.859; and see Usul al-Kafi: vol.2, p.615. Learn ye the Arabic language for it is the speech of Allah with which he addressed his creation and spoke with it to the ancients. 145 It is related that Imam al-Kaadhem (a) had a beautiful voice and that he excelled in the recital of the Quran. It is related that Imam Zayn el-Abidin (a) was reading the Quran and a passer by heard him he would be astounded at the beauty of his voice. 146 Related from Imam al-Ridha (a) who said: The Messenger of Allah said: Beautify the Quran with your voices for the beautiful voice can only enhance the beauty of the Quran. 147
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Whoever forgets a chapter of the Quran will see that chapter in the most beautiful of aspects and the most lofty of stations in the garden. When he sees it he will say: What are you? How beautiful you are. I wish you were for me. The chapter will say: Do you not recognise me? I am such and such a chapter of the Quran. If you had not forgotten me I would have raised you to this station. 152 Related from Imam Kaadhem (a): The stations of the garden of Paradise are the same number as the verses of the Quran and it will be said: Recite and ascend. So he will read and ascend. 153
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Imam Saadiq (a) was asked: Is it incumbent upon one who hears someone reciting the Quran to listen and pay heed to him? He said: Yes, If the Quran is recited near you, you should listen to it. 157 154 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.261. 155 Appendix to The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.261. 156 See Iddat al-Dai: p.285-288. 157 The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.861; and see Appendix to the Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.275. (with a slight difference in wording).
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desiring reputation, or as a way to argue with the foolish people or to impress the scholars, or seeking through it the things of this world will have his bones scattered by the Almighty on the day of resurrection and no-one in the fire shall have a worse punishment than him and he will be spared from no kind of torment because of the intensity of the anger and contempt that Allah has for him. 161 He (S) also said: The marks of a tyrant are four in number: Disobedience of the Most Merciful, causing hurt to neighbours, hatred of the Quran, and nearness to wrongdoing. 162 Related from Imam Saadiq (a) who said: There are three things which complain to Allah the Almighty: A dilapidated mosque which is not prayed in by its people, a learned person in the midst of the ignorant, and a copy of the Quran left unread on a shelf gathering dust. 163
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the Quran is with Ali two successors of insight they will never depart from one another until they reach me at the sacred well 168 Imam Ali (a) said: Allah Almighty purified us and restrained us from sin and made us witnesses over his creation and his proof on the earth. He made us be with the Quran and the Quran with us. We will never depart from it and it will never depart from us. 169He (a) also said: 165 Seas of Lights: vol.22, p.150. 166 Seas of Lights: vol.38, p.38. 167 Seas of Lights: vol.1, p.217. 168 Seas of Lights: vol.89, p.80. 169 Usul al-Kafi: vol.1, p.191. We the people of the household cannot be compared to anyone. The Quran was revealed amongst us and the mine of the prophetic mission is amongst us. 170 Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a) said: Our similitude in the book of Allah is as a niche in which there is a lamp. In the lamp there is a glass and the glass is Muhammad (S) as if he was a pearly star lit from a blessed tree. He said: Ali is its oil neither of the East nor of the West. Its oil almost illuminates although no flame has touched it. The Quran is light upon light. Allah guides to His light who He wishes, He guides to our allegiance whoever He loves. 171 Related from Imam Baaqir (a) regarding Allahs words: { then ask the people of al-Dhikr if you do not know.} 172 He said: al-Dhikr is the Quran and we are its people. 173 Also related from Imam Baaqir (a):
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The Quran was sent down in four quarters; a quarter about us, a quarter about our enemies, a quarter about injunctions and laws, and a quarter traditions and parables. We have the noble parts of the Quran. 174 He (a) also said: The Messenger of Allah (S) said: I am the first to go before The Almighty on the day of resurrection along with His book and the people of my household. Then will come my nation, then I will ask them what they did with the book of Allah and the people of my household. 175 He (a) also said regarding the words of Allah: 170 Seas of Lights: vol.26, p.269. 171 Seas of Lights: vol.23, p.311. 172 The Quran: The Bee (16):43. 173 Seas of Lights: vol.23, p.181. 174 Seas of Lights: vol.89, p.114. 175 The Shia Guide to the Sharia: vol.4, p.828. {We will settle your affairs O ye two momentous things.} 176 The two momentous things are the Quran and Us. 177 He (a) also said: Allah has made our regency the axis of the Quran. 178 He also said (to one of his followers): O Mufaddal, if our followers were to contemplate the Quran, they would not doubt our virtue. 179 He (a) also said: Allah has made our regency the axis of the Quran and that of all books. The clear verses of the Quran revolve around it and through it faith is made plain. The Messenger of Allah (S) ordered that the Quran and the family of Muhammad (S) be followed saying in his final sermon: I leave amongst you the two momentous things the greater and the lesser. The greater thing is the book
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of my Lord and the lesser is the people of my household so remember me through them for you will not stray as long as you adhere to these two. 180
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189 Seas of Lights: vol.59, p.262. 190 Seas of Lights: vol.59, p.262.
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Chapter
12
The Author
Ayatollah al-Udhma Imam Muhammad Shirazi is the Religious Authority, or Marje, to millions of Muslims around the globe. A charismatic leader who is known for his high moral values, modesty and spirituality, Imam Shirazi is a mentor and a source of aspiration to Muslims; and the means of access to authentic knowledge and teachings of Islam. He has tirelessly devoted himself, and his life, to the affairs of Muslims in particular, and to that of mankind in general. He has made extensive contributions in various fields of learning ranging from Jurisprudence and Theology to Politics, Economics,Law, Sociology and Human Rights. Muhammad Shirazi was born in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq, in 1347 AH (Muslim calendar), 1927 AD. He settled in the holy city of Karbala, Iraq, at the age of nine, alongside his father. After primary education, the young Shirazi continued his studies in differentbranches of learning under his fathers guidance as well as those of various other eminent scholars and specialists. In the course of his training he showed a remarkable talent and appetite for learning as well as a tireless commitment to his work and the cause he believed in. His extraordinary ability, and effort, earned him the recognition, by his father and other Marjes and scholars, of being a Mujtahid; a qualified religious scholar in the sciences of Islamic jurisprudence and law. He was subsequently able to assume the office of the Marje at the early age of 33 in 1960. His followers are found in many countries around the globe. Imam Shirazi is distinguished for his intellectual ability and holistic vision. He has written various specialized studies that are considered to be among the most important references in the Islamic
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sciences of beliefs or doctrine, ethics, politics, economics, sociology, law, human rights, etc. He has enriched the world with his staggering contribution of more than 1000 books, treatise and studies on various branches of learning. His works range from simple introductory books for the young generations to literary and scientific masterpieces. Deeply rooted in the holy Quran and the Teachings of the Prophet of Islam, his vision and theories cover areas such as Politics, Economics, Government, Management, Sociology, Theology, Philosophy, History and Islamic Law. His work on Islamic Jurisprudence (al-Fiqh series) for example constitutes 150 volumes, which run into more than 70,000 pages. Through his original thoughts and ideas he has championed the causes of issues such as the family, human right, freedom of expression, political pluralism, non-violence, and Shura or consultative system of leadership. Imam Shirazi believes in the fundamental and elementary nature of freedom in mankind. He calls for freedom of expression, political plurality, debate and discussion, tolerance and forgiveness. Hestrongly believes in the consultative system of leadership and calls for the establishment of the leadership council of religious authorities. He calls for the establishment of the universal Islamic government to encompass all the Muslim countries. These and other ideas are discussed in detail in his books. Official website of Ayatollah Shirazi: www.shirazi.org.uk Other Titles by fountain books www.fountainbooks.co.uk 1. Aspects of the Political Theory of Imam Muhammad Shirazi Muhammad Ayyub is a wellknown Islamist political activist within the Iraqi circle who has established a long history of political struggle behind him. He was attracted by the views of the Imam MuhammadShirazi in the fields of social and political sciences. This prompted the author to write this book to introduce the reader to these views that have remained relatively unknown to the Muslim activists and reformists. It covers such aspects on politics as freedom of expression, party-political pluralism and organisation, social al-Udhma Imam Muhammad
books
fountain
books
untain
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justice, peace and non-violence, human rights, consultation system of government, etc. 2. Islamic System of Government In this introductory book the author outlines the basic principles of government based on the teachings of Islam. The author begins with the aim and objectives of the government according to Islam and the extent of its authority. He then addresses, from the Islamic viewpoint, the significance and fundamental nature of such issues as consultative system of government, judicial system, freedoms, party political pluralism, social justice, human rights, foreign policy, etc. The author also outlines the policies of a government on issues such as education, welfare, health, crime, services, etc. as well as such matter as the government's income. 3. If IslamWere To Be Established This book can serve as the Muslim's guide to the Islamic government. If an Islamist opposition group has a plan for an Islamic government, this book would help to check various aspects of the plan. In the absence of such a plan, this book would present one. To the nonMuslims, the book presents a glimpse of a typical Islamic system of government. The book would also serve as a yardstick for anyone to check the practices of any government that claims to have implemented an Islamic system of government. 56 4. The Family In this book the author highlights the problems he sees primarily in Islamic societies and particularly in the west today from the phenomenon of unmarried young men and women through to birth control and contraception. He surveys the idea of marriage in various religions and schools of thought and discusses polygamy from the Islamic perspective. As well as being a call to the Muslim world to revert to the true teachings of Islam, this book can also be of use as an introduction to others who seek some answers to the social problems of today. This is because Islam has detailed teachings, which
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promise success in every area of human life on individual and societal levels, and whats more their practicality has been historically proven. 5. Fundamentals of Islam In this book the author outlines the five fundamental principles of Islam, namely the Indivisible Oneness of God (Tawheed), Divine Justice (Adl), Prophethood (Nubowwah), Leadership of mankind (Imamah), and Resurrection (Mead). For each principle, the author presents a concise discussion on the significance of the issue concerned. The book could serve as a good introduction to fundamental Islamic beliefs, both for the Muslim and nonMuslimalike. 6. War, Peace and Non-violence: An Islamic perspective In this work the author addresses three controversial issues, which have come to be associated with Islam. Through his extensive knowledge of the teachings of Islam, the author presents the Islamic stand on war, peace and non-violence, as found in the traditions and teachings of the Prophet of Islam, which could serve as exemplary models for the Mankind. Detailed accounts of the traditions ofProphet in his dealings with his foes during war or peace times are presented in this book, which gives the reader a clear insight into the way and the basis upon which the Prophet of Islam used to conduct his affairs in this respect. Also available from: www.ebooks.com and 57 Alif International, 109 Kings Avenue, Watford, Herts. WD1 7SB, UK. Telephone: + 44 1923 240 844, Fax: +44 1923 237 722
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From the same author on Feedbooks Islamic Beliefs for All (2013) No religion has been oppressed like Islam has: it has been repressed by its own people through their ignorance, and it has been repressed by its enemies by their injustice amongst its followers it is distant and in its homeland it is foreign. The start of this defense is through the pen and the spread of the word. So the pens must start moving, and words of the mouth must spread, and the conscience must awaken. For the manifestation of Islamic Beliefs for All Islam are its basic harmonious beliefs and principles, its prophet-hood and leadership, its politics and organizations, its justice and wisdom, its religion and its government, and it being presented and offered to the people; then it is up to them to take up the offer or refuse it: ^. . . that those who died might die after clear Sign (had been given), and those who lived might live after a Clear Sign (had been given) In my role I present in this paper a brief outline of the Islamic belief, which is the foundation, in the light of the Quran, the Hadith (the Tradition), and reason as I see it as my obligatory duty, and Allah is the helper. The Holy City of Karbala Muhammad ibn Mahdi al-Husayni al-Shirazi ISLAMICMOBILITY.COM The Rights of Prisoners According to Islamic Teachings (2013) As a complete system of teaching for life, Islam addresses every aspect of life to guide mankind to the best possible solution in every respect. Islam addresses issues of concern for this life and beyond. On the issue of prison and a prisoners right therefore, Islam has its own philosophy with regard to the question of imprisonment and the prison system. In general, Islam considers imprisonment as a case of last resort, and in many circumstances imprisonment is not used as a punishment. However, there are a number of offences for which imprisonment has been prescribed. Translated by Z. Olyabek - imamshirazi.com
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"Wisdom is the lost property of the Believer, let him claim it wherever he finds it" Imam Ali (as)