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Friday 5 October 2007

Famous Mosques

Famous Mosques

Source: List of mosques taken from al-islam.com, Al-aqsa details taken from jamila, Pictures taken from various sources using google (please let me know if any pictures do not correspond with any title of mosques).

The Sacred Mosque
The Sacred Mosque in Mecca was the first mosque built on earth. It was founded by Abraham and his son Ishmael in the year 2793 before the Hijrah (the Prophet's Emigration). The sacred mosque encompasses the Ka`bah, a shrine held sacred by more than 800 million Muslims, to which they are required to make Hajj (Pilgrimage). It has been renovated and expanded several times. It also includes a comprehensive Islamic library.



‏المَسجِدُ الحَرَامُ (السُّعُودِيَّةُ) : أَنشَأَهُ سَيِّدُنَا إِبرَاهِيمُ عَلَيهِ السَّلَامُ وَوَلَدُهُ إِسمَاعِيلُ حَوَالَي سَنَة 2793 قَبلَ الهِجرَةِ فِي مَكَّةَ المُكَرَّمَةِ بِالأَرَاضِي السُّعُودِيَّةِ، أَوَّلُ مَسجِدٍ فِي التَّارِيخِ. قِبلَةُ وَمَحَجُّ المُسلِمِينَ، بِهِ الكَعبَةُ المُشَرَّفَةُ، جُدِّدَ وَوُسِّعَ عِدَّةَ مَرَّاتٍ وَمُلحَقٌ بِهِ مَكتَبَةٌ كَبِيرَةٌ. أَكثَرُ مِن مِليَارِ مُسلِمٍ يَتَوَجَّهُونَ بِقُلُوبِهِم إِلَى الكَعبَةِ.‏

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The Prophet's Mosque in Medina
The Prophet's Mosque in Medina was built by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in 1 A.H./622 A.D. It was the second mosque in the Islamic era and the headquarters of the first Islamic government. Moreover, it is considered the center of Muslims and the symbol for their spiritual, political and intellectual unity. In this mosque, the first Islamic constitution was laid down.


‏مَسجِدُ المَدِينَةِ المُنَوَّرَةِ (السُّعُودِيَّةُ) : أَنشَأَهُ الرَّسُولُ (صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيهِ وَسَلَّمَ) سَنَةَ (1هـ - 622م) وَهُوَ ثَانِي مَسجِدٍ فِي الإِسلَامِ وَمَقَرُّ أَوَّلِ حُكُومَةٍ إِسلَامِيَّةٍ، ثَانِي الحَرَمَينِ الشَّرِيفَينِ الَّذِي تُشَدُّ إِلَيهِ الرِّحَالُ، وَالمَركَزُ الرُّوحِيُّ وَالفِكرِيُّ وَالسِّيَاسِيُّ لِلجَمَاعَةِ الإِسلَامِيَّةِ وَرَمزُ وَحدَتِهَا، وُلِدَ فِيهِ أَوَّلُ دُستُورٍ لِلإِسلَامِ.‏

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The Al Aqsa Mosque
Al-Masjid El-Aqsa is an Arabic name which means the Farthest Mosque. Ten years after the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) received his first revelation, he made a miraculous night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and on a white winged creature called Al-Buraq. In that night, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) led all the Prophets of Allah (PBUT) in prayer in the Holy Mosque. For this reason, Masjid Al-Aqsa is a holy place of worship for the Muslims, along with Kaba in Makkah and The Prophet's (PBUH) Mosque in Medina. These are the three most important Mosques to the Muslims.


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The Dome of the Rock Mosque (Qubbat Al-Sakhrah)
The Dome of the Rock Mosque was founded by the Umayyad Caliph Abdul-Malik Ibn Marwan in Jerusalem in the period (65-86 A.H./684-705 A.D.) It was built in memoriam of the rock from which the Prophet began his ascent to heaven (Al-Mi`raj). The mosque has been renovated several times. It was decorated with fine mosaics and Turkish faience in 1554 A.H.


‏مَسجِدُ قُبَّةِ الصَّخرَةِ (فِلَسطِينُ) : بُنِيَ فِي عَهدِ الخَلِيفَةِ الأُمَوِيِّ عَبدِ المَلِكِ بنِ مَروَانَ بَينَ سَنَتَي (65-86هـ)ُ (684-705م) فِي مَدِينَةِ القُدسِ الشَّرقِيَّةِ. وَهُوَ مَبنًى مَسجِدِيٌّ فَرِيدٌ فِي بَابِهِ فِي عَالَمِ الإِسلَامِ تَخلِيدًا لِلصَّخرَةِ الَّتِي عُرِجَ بِالرَّسُولِ (صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيهِ وَسَلَّمَ) عِندَهَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ، جُدِّدَ عِدَّةَ مَرَّاتٍ وَزُيِّنَ بِالفُسَيفِسَاءِ وَالقَاشَانِي التُّركِيِّ سَنَةَ 1554م.‏

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`Amr Ibn Al-`As Mosque
`Amr Ibn Al-`As Mosque was founded by `Amr Ibn Al-`As in 21 A.H., in the newly established city of Fustat, Egypt. Today nothing remains of its original structure. The Umayyads and the Abbasids renovated it several times. In the Fatimid era it was luxuriously furnished and equipped with scores of lamps.


‏جَامِعُ عَمرِو بنِ العَاصِ (مِصرُ) : أَنشَأَهُ عَمرُو بنُ العَاصِ 21هـ وَيَقَعُ فِي (مِصرَ) مَيدَانِ عَمرِو بنِ العَاصِ - مِصرَ القَدِيمَةِ- لَم يَبقَ مِن أَصلِهِ الأَوَّلِ شَيءٌ عَلَى الإِطلَاقِ، نَالَ عَلَى يَدِ الأُمَوِيِّينَ وَالعَبَّاسِيِّينَ نَصِيبًا مِن العِنَايَةِ المِعمَارِيَّةِ، وَفِي العَصرِ الفَاطِمِيِّ عُنِيَ بِهِ خُلَفَاءُ الدَّولَةِ فَزَوَّدُوهُ بِالكَثِيرِ مِن الأَثَاثِ وَالثُّرَيَّاتِ وَالقَنَادِيلِ.‏

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Ahmad Ibn Tulun Mosque
Ahmad Ibn Tulun Mosque in Egypt was founded by Ahmad Ibn Tulun in 876 A.D./263 A.H.and completed in 878 A.D./265 A.H.It is situated in Al-Saiydah Zainab quarter in southern Cairo, a place in which the ancient city of Al-Qata'i` was once located. The general layout of the mosque was modeled on that of the Great Mosque of Samarra. It has a minaret with spiral staircase winding around its exterior.


‏جَامِعُ أَحمَدَ بنِ طُولُونَ (مِصرُ) : بَنَاهُ أَحمَدُ بنُ طُولُونَ سَنَةَ (263هـ - 876م)ُ وَاِنتَهَى مِنهُ (265هـ - 878م) وَيَقَعُ فِي مِصرَ فِي مَيدَانِ أَحمَدَ بنِ طُولُونَ بِحَيِّ السَّيِّدَةِ زَينَبَ جَنُوبَ القَاهِرَةِ (مَوقِع مَدِينَةِ القَطَائِعِ). كَانَ تَخطِيطُهُ مَسجِدَ حِصنٍ كَمَسجِدِ سَامَرَّاءَ لَهُ مِئذَنَةٌ مَلوِيَّةٌ وَهِيَ ذَاتُ مِصعَدٍ خَارِجِيٍّ يَدُورُ حَولَ بَدَنِهَا حَتَّى أَعلَاهَا.‏

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Al-Azhar Mosque
Al-Azhar Mosque was built in Cairo, Egypt by Jauhar Al-Siqilli at the bidding of the Fatimid caliph Al-Mu`izz in the years 359-361 A.H./970-972 A.D. It is considered one of the most famous Islamic mosques and one of the greatest centers of religious learning. Al-Azhar was named after Fatimah Al-Zahra', the Prophet's daughter. Al-Azhar became a university for the first time during the Mamluk era. Secular sciences were introduced in 1961, when it was upgraded to the status of a modern university with a number of different faculties. It has five minarets in different styles, thirteen mihrabs (Prayer niches) and a huge library attached to the mosque.

‏الجَامِعُ الأَزهَرُ (مِصرَ) : بَنَاهُ جَوهَرُ الصِّقِلِّيُّ بِأَمرٍ مِن الخَلِيفَةِ الفَاطِمِيِّ المُعِزِّ لِدِينِ اللَّهِ، بُنِيَ بَينَ سَنَتَي (359-361هـ) (970-972م) بِمِصرَ، وَهُوَ مِن أَشهَرِ جَوَامِعِ الإِسلَامِ وَأَكبَرُ جَامِعَةٍ دِينِيَّةٍ، سُمِّيَ بِالأَزهَرِ إِشَارَةً إِلَى الزَّهرَاءِ وَهُوَ لَقَبُ فَاطِمَةَ بِنتِ الرَّسُولِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيهِ وَسَلَّم. أَصبَحَ جَامِعَةً لِأَوَّل مَرَّةٍ فِي العَهدِ المَملُوكِيِّ ثُمَّ أَصبَحَ جَامِعَةً حَدِيثَةً عَامَ 1961م تَضُمُّ عِدَّةَ كُلِّيَاتٍ. يُعتَبَرُ الأَزهَرُ سِجِلًّا لِأَقطَابِ الفِكرِ وَالسِّيَاسَةِ وَ عُلُومِ الدِّينِ فِي مِصرَ وَالعَالَمِ الإِسلَامِيِّ، لَهُ خَمسُ مَآذِنَ مُختَلِفَةُ الطِّرَازِ وَثَلَاثَةَ عَشَرَ مِحرَابًا، وَمُلحَقٌ بِهِ مَكتَبَةٌ كَبِيرَةٌ جِدًّا.‏
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Al-Masjid Al-Jami` (the Great Mosque) in Lahore [Baadshahi Mosque]
Al-Masjid Al-Jami` was founded in the 17th century during the reign of Sultan Jahangir. It has a dome constructed of elaborately carved pieces of stone.

‏المَسجِدُ الجَامِعُ فِي لَاهُور (بَاكِستَان) : تَمَّ إِنشَاؤُهُ بِبَاكِستَانَ فِي عَهدِ السُّلطَانِ جَاهَنجِير فِي القَرنِ السَّابِعَ عَشَرَ وَيَتَمَيَّزُ بِقُبَّتِهِ المَبنِيَّةِ مِن الحَجَرِ المُقَصَّبِ.‏
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Al-Qarawiyin Mosque
Al-Qarawiyin Mosque was founded in Fez, Morocco in 192 A.H./808 A.D. by Idris II during the Idrisid Dynasty. One of the greatest achievements of Islamic civilization, it is a center of worship and one of the most ancient universities in the world. It is now a modern university teaching religious and modern secular sciences. Its pulpit is considered a model of the outstanding beauty of Andalusian art. Subsequent Moroccan dynasties have contributed to its renovation.


‏جَامِعُ القَرَوِيِّينَ (المَغرِبُ) : أَنشَأَهُ إِدرِيسُ الثَّانِي فِي عَهدِ دَولَةِ الأَدَارِسَةِ سَنَةَ (192هـ - 808م) بِمَدِينَةِ فَاسَ بِالمَغرِبِ، وَالمَسجِدُ عَلَمٌ مِن أَعلَامِ الحَضَارَةِ الإِسلَامِيَّةِ وَمَركَزُ عِبَادَةٍ وَأَقدَمُ جَامِعَةٍ فِي التَّارِيخِ تَحَوَّلَت اليَومَ إِلَى جَامِعَةٍ حَدِيثَةٍ تُدَرِّسُ عُلُومَ الإِسلَامِ وَعُلُومَ العَصرِ الحَدِيثِ. يَمتَازُ هَذَا الجَامِعُ بِأَسطُحِهِ القُرمُزِيَّةِ. مِنبَرُهُ مِن أَجمَلِ المَنَابِرِ المَعرُوفَةِ إِلَى اليَومِ وَهُوَ نَمُوذَجٌ لِلفَنِّ المَغرِبِيِّ الأَندَلُسِيِّ، وَمُلحَقٌ بِهِ مَكتَبَةٌ كَبِيرَةٌ. اِشتَرَكَت فِي بِنَائِهِ جَمِيعُ الدُّوَلِ الَّتِي تَعَاقَبَت عَلَى الحُكمِ فِي المَغرِبِ.‏
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Delhi Mosque

Delhi Mosque was founded by Sultan Shah Jahan in the 17th century (1644-1658 A.D.) It is the biggest mosque on the Indian subcontinent. It is built in Indian style, which combines Persian, Buddhist and Hindu architectural elements. It has two beautiful, slender minarets, each 40 meters high.


‏مَسجِدُ دِلهِي (الهِند) : أَنشَأَهُ السُّلطَانُ شَاه جَاهَان فِي العَهدِ الإِسلَامِيِّ بِالقَرنِ السَّابِعَ عَشَرَ (1644-1658م) بِدِلهِي بِالهِندِ، أَكبَرُ مَسَاجِدِ الهِندِ قَاطِبَةً، طِرَازُهُ هِندِيٌّ مَحَلِّيٌّ يَجمَعُ بَينَ طَرِيقَةِ المَعَابِدِ البُوذِيَّةِ وَالهِندُوسِيَّةِ قَبلَ الإِسلَامِ، لَهُ مِئذَنَتَانِ رَفِيعَتَانِ تَرتَفِعَانِ أَربَعِينَ مِترًا فِي غَايَةِ الغَرَابَةِ وَالجَمَالِ.‏

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Hagia Sophie Mosque in Istanbul
Hagia Sophie was originally the most renowned church in the Byzantine capital of Constantinople. The church building was constructed during the reign of the Emperor Justinian in the sixth century A.D. and was famed for its immense dome. It was richly decorated with mosaics and costly marble. After the capture of Constantinople in 1453 A.D. by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, it was converted into a mosque and continued to function as such until it became a museum during the early years of the Turkish Republic. It is surrounded by tombs of Ottoman rulers and their families, as it was always considered the premier mosque of the Ottoman Empire. Its architecture had a profound influence on the subsequent development of the Ottoman architectural style.

‏جَامِعُ آيَا صُوفيَا بِاِستَانبُولَ (تُركِيَا) : بَنَاهُ السُّلطَانُ مُحَمَّدٌ الفَاتِحُ سَنَةَ (857هـ - 1453م) عَلَى أَنقَاضِ كَنِيسَةٍ بِيزَنطِيَّةٍ وَكَانَ قَد بَنَاهَا الإِمبِرَاطُورُ جوستنيان فِي أَوَاخِرِ القَرنِ السَّادِسِ المِيلَادِيِّ وَتَشتَهِرُ بِقُبَّتِهَا الضَّخمَةِ وَزَخَارِفِهَا وَرُخَامِهَا وَمُنَمنَمَاتِهَا الرَّائِعَةِ. تَحَوَّلَ اليَومَ إِلَى مَتحَفٍ فِي عَهدِ مُصطَفَى كَمَال أَتَاتُورك. وَيُعَدُّ جَامِعُ آيَا صُوفيَا مِن أَجمَلِ المَعَالِمِ المِعمَارِيَّةِ لِمَدِينَةِ اِستَانبُولَ.‏
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Isfahan Mosque
Isfahan Mosque in Iran is also known as 'Masjid Al-Shah Al-Kabir'. Many scholars have been associated with this mosque.

‏مَسجِدُ أَصفَهَانَ (إِيرَان) : مَسجِدُ الشَّاه الكَبِيرِ بِمَدِينَةِ أَصفَهَانَ بِإِيرَانَ الَّتِي يُنسَبُ إِلَيهَا الكَثِيرُ مِن العُلَمَاءِ.‏
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Islamic Cultural Center and Mosque, London
The London Central Mosque was designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd, completed in 1978, and has a prominent golden dome. The main hall can hold almost two thousand worshippers.


‏المَركَزُ وَالمَسجِدُ الإِسلَامِيُّ (لَندَن- بِرِيطَانيَا)‏
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Qait Bay Mosque
Qait Bay Mosque was founded by Sultan Qait Bay in Egypt during the Mamluk era in 877 A.H./1472 A.D.It is now situated in Maqabir Al-Khulafa' (or the Caliphs' Cemeteries), Cairo. It is the last architectural achievement of Qait Bay, and is especially famed for the beauty of the decorations on its dome. This dome was highly praised by the French archeologist Jaston Wiett.


‏مَسجِدُ قَايِتبَاي (مِصرُ) : أَنشَأَهُ السُّلطَانُ قَايِتبَاي فِي العَهدِ المَملُوكِيِّ بِمِصرَ سَنَةَ (877هـ - 1472م) وَيَقَعُ الآنَ فِي مَقَابِرِ الخُلَفَاءِ جَنُوبَ القَاهِرَةِ. مَسجِدُ قَايِتبَاي هُوَ آخِرُ مَا أَنشَأَهُ السُّلطَانُ وَيُعَدُّ تُحفَةً أَثَرِيَّةً وَخَاصَّةً زَخَارِفُ قُبَّتِهِ المُمَيَّزَةُ وَقَد تَغَنَّى بِهَا الأَثَرِيُّ الفَرَنسِيُّ جَاستُون وِيت.‏
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The Great Mosque in Cordoba
The Great Mosque in Cordoba, Spain was founded during the reign of the Umayyad caliph `Abdul-Rahman Al-Dakhil, in 170 A.H./786 A.D. It was completed over a period of nearly two and a half centuries. This mosque is considered one of the greatest architectural achievements in the Islamic era. The famous "History Tree" was planted in the pillared court [Sahn], later known as the Court of History. The mosque was then converted into a cathedral after the Spanish conquest of Cordoba in 1236 A.D. For many years it was the greatest educational center in Europe. It has been renovated several times.

‏مَسجِدُ قُرطُبَةَ الجَامِعُ (أَسبَانيَا) : بَدَأَ إِنشَاؤُهُ فِي عَهدِ الخَلِيفَةِ الأُمَوِيِّ الأَندَلُسِيِّ عَبدِ الرَّحمَنِ الدَّاخِلِ بِمَدِينَةِ قُرطُبَةَ بِالأَندَلُسِ، أَسبَانيَا الإِسلَامِيَّةِ سَنَةَ 170هـ - 786م. تَمَّ بِنَاءُ هَذَا المَسجِدِ خِلَالَ قَرنَينِ وَنِصفِ قَرنٍ عَلَى وَجهِ التَّقرِيبِ. وَهُوَ قِمَّةٌ مِن قِمَمِ الفَنِّ المِعمَارِيِّ العَالَمِيِّ عَلَى مَرِّ العُصُورِ وَهُوَ أَضخَمُ بَيتٍ لِلصَّلَاةِ بُنِيَ فِي الإِسلَامِ، وَلَمَّا زَرَعَ النَّاسُ شَجَرَةَ التَّارِيخِ فِي الصَّحنِ سُمِّيَ بِصَحنِ التَّارِيخِ، حُوِّلَ إِلَى كَاتَدرَائِيَّة عِندَمَا اِستَولَى الأَسبَانُ عَلَى قُرطُبَةَ سَنَةَ 1236م وَكَانَ لِقُرُونٍ طَوِيلَةٍ أَعظَمَ مَركَزٍ لِلعِلمِ فِي أُورُبَّا، وَكَانَ دَارَ قَضَاءٍ بِقُرطُبَةَ، وَجُدِّدَ بِنَاؤُهُ عِدَّةَ مَرَّاتٍ.‏
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The Great Mosque of Qairawan
The Great Mosque in Qairawan, Tunisia was founded by `Uqbah Ibn Nafi` between the years 50-55 A.H./670-675 A.D.during the Umayyad era. It was renovated on behalf of the Umayyad caliph Abdul-Malik Ibn Marwan by the Moroccan governor, who built turrets at the corners of the courtyard in order to give it a fortified appearance. It is considered one of the four great mosques in the Islamic world.


‏المَسجِدُ الجَامِعُ بِالقَيرَوَانِ (تُونُسُ) : بَنَاهُ عُقبَةُ بنُ نَافِع فِي مَدِينَةِ القَيرَوَانِ بِتُونُسَ بَينَ سَنَتَي (50-55هـ) (670-675م) فِي العَهدِ الأُمَوِيِّ، جَدَّدَهُ حَسَّانُ بنُ النُّعمَانِ وَالِي المَغرِبِ لِعَبدِ المَلِكِ بنِ مَروَانَ وَجَعَلَ لَهُ أَبرَاجًا عَلَى أَركَانِ أَسوَارِهِ فَاتَّخَذَ هَيئَةَ الحِصنِ وَهُوَ أَحَدُ المَسَاجِدِ الجَامِعَةِ الأَربَعَةِ الأُولَى.‏
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The Mosque of `Ibad Al-Rahman, Indonesia
No pictures/ articles on file (if you have any information please let me know!)

‏مَسجِدُ عِبَادِ الرَّحمَنِ (إِندُونِيسيَا)‏

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The Mosque of Quba'
The Mosque of Quba' was the first mosque built in the Islamic era. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) built it in 1 A.H./622 A.D.in Quba', about 5 km southeast of Medina. The Holy Qur'an referred to it as: "A mosque whose foundations have been laid on piety from the first day" Surah Al-Taubah (No. 9, Verse 108). The Caliph `Umar bin `Abdul-`Aziz was the first to construct a minaret on it. It has been renovated several times throughout the ages, most recently by the Saudi Government.


‏مَسجِدُ قُبَاءٍ (السُّعُودِيَّةُ) : أَوَّلُ مَسجِدٍ فِي الإِسلَامِ بَنَاهُ الرَّسُولُ (صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيهِ وَسَلَّمَ) سَنَةَ 1هـ - 622م بِمَدِينَةِ قُبَاءٍ عَلَى مَشَارِفِ المَدِينَةِ المُنَوَّرَةِ. ذُكِرَ فِي القُرآنِ الكَرِيمِ أَنَّهُ المَسجِدُ الَّذِي أُسِّسَ عَلَى التَّقوَى. وَتَمَّ تَجدِيدُهُ عِدَّةَ مَرَّاتٍ وَكَانَ الخَلِيفَةُ عُمَرُ بنُ عَبدِ العَزِيزِ أَوَّلَ مَن وَضَعَ لَهُ مِئذَنَةً. وَتَوَلَّى تَجدِيدَهُ فِي العَصرِ الحَدِيثِ أُسرَةُ آلِ سُعُودٍ.‏
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The Mosque of Salah Al-Din, Malaysia
No pictures/ articles on file (if you have any information please let me know!

‏مَسجِدُ صَلَاحِ الدِّينِ (مَالِيزيَا)‏
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The Mosque of Samarra
The Mosque of Samarra was founded in Iraq by the Abbasid caliph Al-Mutawakkil in the period 218-228 A.H./833-843 A.D.in Samarra, Iraq. The mosque has a minaret with a spiral staircase, with sixteen gates opening onto a courtyard. It is considered the most spacious mosque built in the Islamic world.


‏مَسجِدُ سَامَرَّاءَ (العِرَاقُ) : بَنَاهُ الخَلِيفَةُ العَبَّاسِيُّ المُتَوَكِّلُ سَنَةَ (218هـ-228هـ) و (833م-843م) بِسَامَرَّاءَ بِالعِرَاقِ، يُشبِهُ الحِصنَ، وَمِئذَنَتُهُ ذَاتُ مِصعَدٍ لَولَبِيٍّ تُذَكِّرُ بِفِكرَةِ بُرجِ بَابِلَ وَتُسَمَّى المَلوِيَّةَ، أَوسَعُ مَا بَنَاهُ المُسلِمُونَ مِن مَسَاجِدَ، لَهُ سِتَّةَ عَشَرَ بَابًا.‏

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The Mosque of Sousse
The Mosque of Sousse was built in Tunisia by Abu Al-`Abbas `Abdullah Ibn Ibrahim Ibn Ahmad Al-Aghlabi during the reign of the Aghlabids in 236 A.H./850 A.D. One of the biggest and most beautiful of the surviving ancient mosques, it occupies an important place in the history of Islamic architecture. It has a movable wooden mihrab (Prayer niche), similar to that in Al-Masjid Al-Jami` (the Great Mosque) in Algeria and Jami` Al-Zaitunah (The Olive Mosque) in Tunis.


‏مَسجِدُ سُوسَةَ الجَامِعُ (تُونُسُ) : أَنشَأَهُ أَبُو العَبَّاسِ عَبدُ اللَّهِ بنُ إِبرَاهِيمَ بنِ أَحمَدَ الأَغلَبِيُّ فِي عَهدِ دَولَةِ الأَغَالِبَةِ شَمَالَ أَفرِيقيَا سَنَةَ (236هـ - 850م) بِمَدِينَةِ سُوسَةَ فِي تُونُسَ. وَيُعتَبَرُ مِن أَجمَلِ وَأَكبَرِ المَسَاجِدِ العَتِيقَةِ البَاقِيَةِ. وَمِن أَكبَرِ المَعالِمِ فِي تَارِيخِ عِمَارَةِ المَسَاجِدِ، مِحرَابُهُ خَشَبِيٌّ مُتَحَرِّكٌ وَهُوَ مِن أَقدَمِ مَا عُثِرَ عَلَيهِ مِن نَوعِهِ فِي تَارِيخِ العِمَارَةِ الإِسلَامِيَّةِ وَيُشبِهُ مِحرَابَ مَسجِدِ الزَّيتُونَةِ فِي تُونُسَ وَالمَسجِدِ الجَامِعِ بِالجَزَائِرِ.‏
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The Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, Turkey
The Selimiye Mosque was constructed in 1570-1574 A.D. by the Sultan Selim II. This building was the masterpiece of the great court architect Sinan. He designed many mosques, in addition to over 300 other buildings, including baths, schools, markets, caravansaries and bridges. The mosque is famous for the perfection of its design and the quality of its decorations.

‏مَسجِدُ السِّلِيمِيَّةِ فِي أَدِرنَة (تُركِيَا) : مَسجِدُ السِّلِيمِيَّةِ فِي أَدِرنَة بِتُركِيَا بَدَأَ إِنشَاؤُهُ سَنَةَ 1570م وَتَمَّ بِنَاؤُهُ سَنَةَ 1574م. وَهُوَ مِن تَصمِيمِ المِعمَارِيِّ سِنَان وَالَّذِي يُعتَبَرُ مِن أَكمَلِ أَعمَالِهِ الَّتِي تَزِيدُ عَلَى ثَلَاثِمِائَةِ مَبنًى مَا بَينَ مَسَاجِدَ وَمَدَارِسَ وَقَنَاطِرَ وَقُصُورٍ. وَالمَسجِدُ كُلُّهُ مُلَبَّسٌ بِالرُّخَامِ وَالمَرمَرِ.‏
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The Sultan Mosque, Kuala Lumpur
The mosque was commissioned by the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz, when he declared Shah Alam as the new capital of Selangor on February 14, 1974. Construction began in 1982 and finished on March 11, 1988.


‏مَسجِدُ السُّلطَانِ (كُوَالَالَمبُور)‏

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The Sulymaniye Mosque
This outstanding structure was erected in the reign of the Sultan Sulyman Al-Qanuni. Selim I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire, was buried in a tomb to the rear of this mosque. The mosque was erected on a hill near the University of Istanbul. With its four minarets, it is considered one of the major monuments of the Islamic antiquities. The marble used in its construction was brought from the Marmara region, the Arabian Peninsula and Yemen. Hasan Celebi, the student of Ahmet Karah, the most famous of all Ottoman calligraphers, executed the Arabic inscriptions which are intermingled with colorful ceramic decoration. A huge library was constructed in the mosque complex.
‏جَامِعُ السُّلَيمَانِيَّةِ (تُركِيَا) : بُنِيَ فِي عَهدِ السُّلطَانِ سُلَيمَانِ القَانُونِيِّ وَدُفِنَ دَاخِلَهُ سِلِيمُ الأَوَّلُ مَؤَسِّسُ الإِمبِرَاطُورِيَّةِ العُثمَانِيَّةِ. يَقَعُ المَسجِدُ عَلَى تَلٍّ خَلفَ جَامِعَةِ اِستَانبُولَ وَهُوَ مِن الآثَارِ الإِسلَامِيَّةِ الخَالِدَةِ، لَهُ أَربَعَةُ مَنَابِرَ. جُلِبَت قِطَعُ المَرمَرِ المُستَعمَلَةُ فِي بِنَائِهِ مِن جَزِيرَةِ مَرمَرَةَ وَالجَزِيرَةِ العَرَبِيَّةِ وَاليَمَنِ، بِهِ زَخَارِفُ مُلَوَّنَةٌ كَثِيرَةٌ وَكِتَابَاتٌ مِن خَطِّ أَحمَدَ قُرَّةَ، وَحَسَن شَلَبِي أَشهَرِ الخَطَّاطِينَ فِي العَهدِ العُثمَانِيِّ آنَذَاكَ. وَالجَامِعُ مُلحَقٌ بِهِ مَكتَبَةٌ ضَخمَةٌ.‏

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The Umayyad Mosque in Damascus
The Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria was built in the reign of Al-Walid bin `Abdul-Malik from 86-96 A.H./705-714 A.D. It was constructed inside a Roman temple dedicated to the god Jupiter. Its layout was a reproduction of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. It was the first mosque built in Syria that had three minarets. All four walls of the courtyard were decorated with mosaics. These mosaics were well preserved and had recently been restored. The mosque once contained an extensive library of manuscripts.

‏المَسجِدُ الأُمَوِيُّ بِدِمَشقَ (سُورِيَا) : بُنِيَ فِي عَهدِ الخَلِيفَةِ الأُمَوِيِّ الوَلِيدِ بنِ عَبدِ المَلِكِ فِي العَهدِ الأُمَوِيِّ سَنَةَ (86-96هـ) (705-714م) بِمَدِينَةِ دِمَشقَ بِسُورِيَا عَاصِمَةِ الخِلَافَةِ الأُمَوِيَّةِ آنَذَاكَ، أُنشِئَ فِي جُزءٍ مِن مَعبَدٍ لِلإِلَهِ الرُّومَانِيِّ جوبتر وَفقَ مُخَطَّطِ مَسجِدِ الرَّسُولِ (صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيهِ وَسَلَّمَ). لَهُ ثَلَاثَةُ مَآذِنَ وَتُعتَبَرُ مَآذِنُهُ أَوَّلَ مُحَاوَلَةٍ لِإِقَامَةِ المَآذِنِ فِي الشَّامِ، لَهُ أَربَعَةُ أَبوَابٍ وَمُزَيَّنٌ بِالفُسَيفِسَاءِ لَا تَزَالُ بَقَايَا الفُسَيفِسَاءِ مَوجُودَةً فِي أَجزَاءٍ هَامَّةٍ دَاخِلَ بَابِ البَرِيدِ (البَابِ الغَربِيِّ لِلمَسجِدِ) كَانَ فِي المَاضِي مُستَودَعًا لِلكُتُبِ وَالمَخطُوطَاتِ.‏

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Further Info (including pictures) try the following sites:
(1) Mosques of the world - travel-images.com
(2) Mosques - salawaat
(4) 8 Famous Mosques from around the world - gallipolimosque.org.au

Thursday 4 October 2007

The Prophets

The Prophets
Source: al-islam.com

Below are some of the Prophets (Peace be upon them all) as mentioned in the Qur'an)

Aaron [Harun]
Aaron was Moses's eloquent brother who helped him proclaim his mission to Pharaoh. When Moses went to fulfill the appointment with his Lord on Mount Sinai, Aaron succeeded him in leading the Israelites. During this period a man called Al-Samiri suggested to the Israelites that they make the golden figure of a calf to worship. Thus they went astray and committed a great sin. Aaron persistently tried to convince them to return to the worship of Allah, but they did not listen to him. Upon his return, Moses was angered and blamed Aaron heavily for letting the Israelites divert from the true faith.

Abraham [Ibrahim]
Abraham was the "Close One to Allah" Who preferred him over many others and selected him to be a messenger. Though brought up in a pagan community that worshiped idols, Abraham refused to do so and realized that there must be a greater god of the universe. Allah guided him to the right path and revealed His message to him. He then directed his mission to his people, and called on them to renounce idolatry. He was answered with stubborn refusals. They plotted against him but their schemes were in vain, for Allah, the Almighty, provided support and protection to His servant and prophet, Abraham. Abraham was the forefather of a line of prophets through his two sons Ishmael and Isaac. It was Abraham who began the construction of the Ka`bah with the help of Ishmael.

Adam
Adam, the first man, was created by the Hand of Allah Who taught him all names, made the angels prostrate before him, and granted him the companionship of Eve with whom he was admitted to Paradise. In Paradise both Adam and Eve were warned against a certain tree, but Satan tempted them to eat from its fruit. As a result, Adam was descended to be Allah's vicegerent on earth, and, together with Eve, was provided with a means of living. As the first apostle of Allah, Adam was ordered to call his children to the worship of Allah the Only and True God.

David [Dawud]
David was a devout servant of Allah who used to observe fasting on one day and break it the next, besides practicing forms of worship for about two-thirds of the night. Allah revealed the Psalms to David, gave him wisdom and knowledge and granted him a strong kingdom in which mountains were subdued, all birds were assembled and iron was made soft.

Elijah [Ilyas]
Elijah was a prophet sent to the people of Baalbek, in east Lebanon. He called them to worship only Allah and stop adoring their idol Ba`la. They subjected him to different punishments. Ibn `Abbas said that Elijah was the paternal uncle of Elisha.

Elisha [Al-Yasa`]
Elisha was a devout prophet who performed the miracle of resurrecting a dead person. He is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an twice and in the Torah as well.

Ezekiel [Dhul-Kifl]
Ezekiel was a devout prophet who used to observe prayer one hundred times a day. He took it upon himself to stand for justice among his people.

Hud
One community, called `Ad, were strong and of huge stature. Allah blessed them in everything, but they were ungrateful to Him and began to worship idols. Allah sent them a messenger from among themselves to guide them. It was Hud who was born into a noble family and grew up virtuous and intelligent. He invited them to follow the way of Allah, and worked hard to counsel them. But they did not believe and were satisfied with the life of this world. They were destroyed by a fierce wind that blew and uprooted trees, demolished houses and flung animals away. It lasted for seven nights and eight days.

Idris
Idris was a grandfather of Noah and the first prophet after Adam to receive thirty Divine Scriptures. He called for the Oneness of Allah and was followed by one thousand people. Idris was the first to write, the first to wear sewn clothes and the first to think about astrology.

Isaac [Ishaq]
Isaac was Abraham's son by his wife Sarah, and the father of Jacob. The tidings of his birth were given to his parents by the angels who had been sent to destroy the city of the people of Lot.

The Holy Qur'an referred to Isaac as "a son endowed with wisdom." Isaac was sent as a prophet to guide people to the right way.

Ishmael [Isma`il]
Ishmael was the first son of Abraham by his second wife, Hajar. In compliance with Allah's command, Abraham moved the mother and her baby to a place in the desert, which came to be known as Mecca, and left them with little food and water. Suffering from lack of provisions, Hajar kept wandering here and there until the water of Zamzam gushed out from under the feet of her baby. The Well of Zamzam attracted many people to dwell in the region. Later, Ishmael helped his father implement the command of Allah regarding the construction of the Ka`bah.

Abraham then had a revelation during his sleep, that he should sacrifice his son for the sake of Allah. Both the father and son were images of humility and obedience in their immediate response to the Will of Allah. However, Allah saved Ishmael from being sacrificed. Ishmael was a forbearing knight and was the first to tame horses. He is also said to have been the first to speak Classical Arabic. Prophet Ishmael called for the worship of the Only True God, and enjoined his people to practice prayer and charity.

Jacob [Ya`qub]
Jacob, son of Isaac, the Prophet, was also called Israel which means "Servant of Allah." His grandparents, Abraham and Sarah, were given the tidings of his piety and prophethood. Jacob was the father of Joseph. His 12 sons became the progenitors of the tribes of Israel.

Jesus Christ [`Isa]
Almost as Adam had been created without a father or mother, Jesus Christ was born without a father. He was Allah's Word inspired to Mary. Allah gave him Clear Signs and endowed him with the Holy Spirit. He was held in honor both in this world and the Hereafter and in the company of those nearest to Allah.

Jesus was strong in spirit, and very wise. Allah bestowed upon him the power to speak eloquently while still an infant in his cradle. Indeed, Jesus's miracles were innumerable. Allah taught him the Wisdom and Book, the Torah and the Gospel. Allah made him His Messenger to the Children of Israel. By Allah's leave, Jesus made the figure of a bird out of clay and breathed into it and it became a bird. He could, by Allah's leave, heal those born blind, lepers and even resurrect the dead. Jesus invited his people to worship Allah, the Only True God; but they rejected him and rebelled. Only the poor among them followed him. Allah raised Jesus up unto Himself and saved him from those who plotted to crucify him.

Jethro [Shu`aib]
Jethro was sent to the people of Madyan, who used to worship the Wood, usurp other's property and never adhere to due measures and weights. He invited them to adore Allah, give others their rights and deal with justice and equity. However, they not only threatened to banish and stone him, but were stubborn and demanded that he causes the sky to fall upon them in pieces. Thus, they were destroyed by the Mighty Blast.

Job [Aiyub]
A descendant of Abraham, Job was a prophet who received Divine Revelation. He was a wealthy man and had many children. However, Allah caused him to lose all his fortune and sons and afflicted him with physical suffering that lasted for 18 years, during which all people deserted him. Only his wife persevered with him and worked to provide for him until he regained his health and was compensated for all he had lost. Job was so great an example of perseverance from suffering that on the Day of Judgment, Allah will make him a standard to refute the excuses of those who did not endure suffering.

Jonah [Yunus, Dhul-Nun]
Jonah was Allah's messenger to the people of Ninawa to invite them to the worship of the Only True God. When they rejected him, he threatened them that punishment would come within three nights. Out of fear of being punished they believed in Allah. Jonah departed his people and later was on board of a sinking ship. After casting lots three times, Jonah was chosen to be thrown in the sea. He was swallowed by a great whale and was disgorged unharmed three days later. He was then sent to more than 100, 000 persons calling them to the worship of Allah.

Joseph [Yusuf]
Joseph was the favorite son of Jacob. Once in a dream he saw eleven stars and the sun and the moon all bowing down to him. He went to his father and told him about his dream. He was happy, but advised his son not to tell his brothers about that dream. The brothers envied Joseph for his father loved him much more than any of them. They plotted to throw him in a well, and told his father that he had been killed by a wolf. Then, he was picked up by caravans who sold him to the Egyptian King for a low price. The king took care of Joseph, who preferred to be imprisoned rather than to yield to the lustful desires of the King's wife.

Having been proved innocent, Joseph was released from prison and was appointed administrator of Egypt's grain storehouses which he managed wisely during the years of famine. During this period, Joseph's brothers came to Egypt seeking grain. Joseph made himself known to them and asked them to bring their family, including his father, to Egypt. They came and bowed down to him as a fulfillment of his first dream.

Lot [Lut]
Lot was Abraham's nephew. Allah sent him to a transgressing people who used to commit all abominable acts and indulge in their lusts with men rather than women. Lot frequently preached to them to abandon such heinous crimes and come to the right course of Allah, but they never obeyed him. Being disappointed in them, Lot prayed Allah to destroy them, but save the believers among them. Because Lot's wife was apparently not a believer, her previous sympathy for the sinful people destined her to a miserable end along with her people.

Moses [Musa]
Moses was sent to call Pharaoh and his people to believe in the Oneness of Allah. He was strengthened by a number of miracles. Allah instructed Moses to throw down his staff which miraculously turned into a huge snake and swallowed all the snakes which the magicians of Pharaoh had made appear. Moses was also instructed to put his hand in his pocket, and it came forth radiantly white, without stain. The Pharaoh promised severe punishments to the followers of Moses.

Moses was commanded to leave Egypt with his people by night. Moses's followers were to cross the Red Sea towards Sinai in a huge procession. They were reassured not to fear the Pharaoh, nor the sea, nor the vast unknown desert of Sinai into which they were venturing. They crossed the Red Sea - after Moses struck the sea with his miraculous staff and made it split into dry passage - while the Pharaoh, who had pursued them with his troops, was overwhelmed by the sea.

Muhammad (peace be upon him)
Muhammad, the Arab Prophet of Islam, was born in Mecca a few months after the death of `Abdullah, his father. Aminah, his mother had died when he was six. Thus he was brought up by `Abdul-Muttalib, his grandfather, then by Abu Talib, his uncle. He worked as a shepherd for a time. At the age of 25 he married Khadijah, who gave him optimum support.

When he came to the age of forty, Muhammad received the Divine Revelation and started to invite the people of Mecca to believe that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger. Suffering severe persecution in Mecca, he allowed his followers to migrate to Yathrib (now Medina). This took place in the year 622 A.D. which, later on, became the starting point of the Hijri calendar. In Medina, the Prophet Muhammad established a state which was the nucleus of the Muslim empire. In the 10th Hijri year, he went to Mecca and performed the Farewell Hajj, shortly after which he died at the age of 63.

Useful reading:

Stories of the Prophets PDF
Written by Al-Imam ibn Kathir, Translated by Muhammad Mustapha Geme’ah, Al-Azhar

Wednesday 3 October 2007

Quotes from Non-Muslims About Islam & The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

Here we furnish some observations on Islam by great and acknowledged non-Muslim scholars of modern time.

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A

"Despite the growth of antagonism, Moslem (Muslim) rulers seldom made their Christian subjects suffer for the Crusades. When the Saracens finally resumed the full control of Palestine the Christians were given their former status as dhimmis. The Coptic Church, too had little cause for complaint under Saladin's (Salahuddin) strong government, and during the time of the earlier Mameluke sultans who succeeded him the Copts experienced more enlightened justice than they had hitherto known. The only effect of the Crusaders upon Egyptian Christians was to keep them for a while from pilgrimage to Jerusalem, for as long as the Frank were in charge heretics were forbidden access to the shrines. Not until the Moslem victories could they enjoy their rights as Christians."
James Addison in 'The Christian Approach to the Moslem,' p. 35

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B

"It is impossible for anyone who studies the life and character of the great Prophet of Arabia, who knows how he taught and how he lived, to feel anything but reverence for that mighty Prophet, one of the great messengers of the Supreme. And although in what I put to you I shall say many things which may be familiar to many, yet I myself feel whenever I re-read them, a new way of admiration, a new sense of reverence for that mighty Arabian teacher." Annie Besant, The life and teachings of Muhammad, Madras, 1932, p. 4. Incidentally these well-established facts dispose of the idea so widely fostered in Christian writings that the Muslims, wherever they went, forced people to accept Islam at the point of the sword.
Lawrence E. Browne in ‘The Prospects of Islam,’ 1944

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C

"The lies (Western slander) which well-meaning zeal has heaped round this man (Muhammad) are disgraceful to ourselves only." "A silent great soul, one of that who cannot but be earnest. He was to kindle the world, the world’s Maker had ordered so."
Thomas Carlyle in 'Heroes and Hero Worship and the Heroic in History,' 1840

"...there is much that the world can learn from Islam. It is now practised by one of every four people on Earth."
President Clinton, White House Eid ul-Fitr presentation, Jan. 10, 2000.

"Islam is the fastest-growing religion in America, a guide and pillar of stability for many of our people..."
First Lady Hillary Rodman Clinton, Los Angeles Times, May 31, 1996, p.3

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"Medieval Islam was technologically advanced and open to innovation. It achieved far higher literacy rates than in contemporary Europe;it assimilated the legacy of classical Greek civilization to such a degree that many classical books are now known to us only through Arabic copies. It invented windmills ,trigonometry, lateen sails and made major advances in metallurgy, mechanical and chemical engineering and irrigation methods. In the middle-ages the flow of technology was overwhelmingly from Islam to Europe rather from Europe to Islam. Only after the 1500's did the net direction of flow begin to reverse."
Jared Diamond, UCLA sociologist, and physiologist who won the Pulitzer Prize for his book: "Guns, Germs, and Steel."

Four years after the death of Justinian, A.D. 569, was born in Mecca, in Arabia, the man who, of all men, has exercised the greatest influence upon the human race... To be the religious head of many empires, to guide the daily life of one-third of the human race, may perhaps justify the title of a Messenger of God.
Dr. William Draper in 'History of Intellectual Development of Europe'

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"Muhammed is the most successful of all Prophets and religious personalities." Encyclopedia Britannica

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I wanted to know the best of the life of one who holds today an undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind.... I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle. When I closed the second volume (of the Prophet's biography), I was sorry there was not more for me to read of that great life.
Mahatma Gandhi, statement published in 'Young India,'1924

"Someone has said that Europeans in South Africa dread the advent of Islam - Islam that civilized Spain - Islam that took the torch of light to Morocco and preached to the world the Gospel of brotherhood. The Europeans of South Africa dread the advent of Islam, as they may claim, equality with the white races. They may well dread it. If brotherhood is a sin, If it is equality of coloured races that they dread, then their dread is well founded."
Mahatma Gandhi quoted in Muhammed The prophet of the Islam: by Ramakrishna Rao Page 8.

The good sense of Muhammad despised the pomp of royalty. The Apostle of God submitted to the menial offices of the family; he kindled the fire; swept the floor; milked the ewes; and mended with his own hands his shoes and garments. Disdaining the penance and merit of a hermit, he observed without effort of vanity the abstemious diet of an Arab.
Edward Gibbon in 'The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' 1823

"The greatest success of Mohammad’s life was effected by sheer moral force." “It is not the propagation but the permanency of his religion that deserves our wonder, the same pure and perfect impression which he engraved at Mecca and Medina is preserved after the revolutions of twelve centuries by the Indian, the African and the Turkish proselytes of the Koran....The Mahometans have uniformly withstood the temptation of reducing the object of their faith and devotion to a level with the senses and imagination of man. ‘I believe in One God and Mahomet the Apostle of God’ is the simple and invariable profession of Islam. The intellectual image of the Deity has never been degraded by any visible idol; the honors of the prophet have never transgressed the measure of human virtue, and his living precepts have restrained the gratitude of his disciples within the bounds of reason and religion.”
Edward Gibbon and Simon Oakley in ‘History of the Saracen Empire,’ London, 1870

"But Islam has a still further service to render to the cause of humanity. It stands after all nearer to the real East than Europe does, and it possesses a magnificent tradition of inter-racial understanding and cooperation. No other society has such a record of success in uniting in an equality of status, of opportunity, and of endeavours so many and so various races of mankind... Islam has still the power to reconcile apparently irreconcilable elements of race and tradition. If ever the opposition of the great societies of East and West is to be replaced by cooperation, the mediation of Islam is an indispensable condition. In its hands lies very largely the solution of the problem with which Europe is faced in its relation with East. If they unite, the hope of a peaceful issue is immeasurably enhanced. But if Europe, by rejecting the cooperation of Islam, throws it into the arms of its rivals, the issue can only be disastrous for both. "
H.A.R. Gibb, Whither Islam, London, 1932, p 379.

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My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world’s most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the secular and religious level. ...It is probable that the relative influence of Muhammad on Islam has been larger than the combined influence of Jesus Christ and St. Paul on Christianity. ...It is this unparalleled combination of secular and religious influence which I feel entitles Muhammad to be considered the most influential single figure in human history.
Michael H. Hart, THE 100: A RANKING OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS IN HISTORY, New York: Hart Publishing Company, Inc., 1978, p. 33.

"During all the first part of the Middle Ages, no other people made as important a contribution to human progress as did the Arabs, if we take this term to mean all those whose mother-tongue was Arabic, and not merely those living in the Arabian peninsula. For centuries, Arabic was the language of learning, culture and intellectual progress for the whole of the civilized world with the exception of the Far East. From the IXth to the XIIth century there were more philosophical, medical, historical, religiuos, astronomical and geographical works written in Arabic than in any other human tongue."
Phillip Hitti in 'Short History of the Arabs

Within a brief span of mortal life, Muhammad called forth of unpromising material, a nation, never welded before; in a country that was hitherto but a geographical expression he established a religion which in vast areas suppressed Christianity and Judaism, and laid the basis of an empire that was soon to embrace within its far flung boundaries the fairest provinces the then civilized world.
Philip K. Hitti in 'History of the Arabs'

Judged by the smallness of the means at his disposal, and the extent and permanence of the work that he accomplished, his name in world's history shines with a more specious lustre than that of the Prophet of Makkah. To the impulse which he gave numberless dynasties have owed their existence, fair cities and stately palaces and temples have arisen, and wide provinces became obedient to the Faith. And beyond all this, his words have governed the belief of generations, been accepted as their rule of life, and their certain guide to the world to come. At a thousand shrines the voices of the faithful invoke blessings on him, whom they esteem the very Prophet of God, the seal of the Apostles.... Judged by the standards to human renown, the glory of what mortal can compare with his?
J.W.H. Stab in 'Islam and its Founder'

Serious or trivial, his daily behavior has instituted a canon which millions observe this day with conscious memory. No one regarded by any section of the human race as Perfect Man has ever been imitated so minutely. The conduct of the founder of Christianity has not governed the ordinary life of his followers. Moreover, no founder of a religion has left on so solitary an eminence as the Muslim apostle.
D. G. Hogarth in 'Arabia'

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He was sober and abstemious in his diet and a rigorous observer of fasts. He indulged in no magnificence of apparel, the ostentation of a petty mind; neither was his simplicity in dress affected but a result of real disregard for distinction from so trivial a source.

In his private dealings he was just. He treated friends and strangers, the rich and poor, the powerful and weak, with equity, and was beloved by the common people for the affability with which he received them, and listened to their complaints.

His military triumphs awakened no pride nor vain glory, as they would have done had they been effected for selfish purposes. In the time of his greatest power he maintained the same simplicity of manners and appearance as in the days of his adversity. So far from affecting a regal state, he was displeased if, on entering a room, any unusual testimonials of respect were shown to him. If he aimed at a universal dominion, it was the dominion of faith; as to the temporal rule which grew up in his hands, as he used it without ostentation, so he took no step to perpetuate it in his family.
Washington Irving in 'Life of Muhammad,' New York, 1920

What does Islam stand for? I regard and all thinking men regard Islam as the one and only democratic faith that is actually functioning in the world today. Being a Hindu, firmly entrenched in the Hindu Faith, I yet make bold to say so. My own religion has not succeeded, despite its fundamental philosophy, in implementing in practice the Oneness of Humanity. No other religion, whatever its theory may be, has brought into practice the essential idea of oneness of man before God as Islam has done. It is only in Islam that there can be no such problem as those presented by the Boers in the South Africa, as those prevalent in white Australia or in the Southern states of the United states of America or even in England among the several strata of society. "
Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer, Eastern Times, 22nd December 1944.

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"History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated."
De Lacy O'Leary, 'Islam at the Crossroads, London, 1923, p. 8.

He was the most faithful protector of those he protected, the sweetest and most agreeable in conversation. Those who saw him were suddenly filled with reverence; those who came near him loved him; they who described him would say, "I have never seen his like either before or after." He was of great taciturnity, but when he spoke it was with emphasis and deliberation, and no one could forget what he said...
Stanley Lane-Poole in 'Speeches and Table Talk of the Prophet Muhammad

He was one of those happy few who have attained the supreme joy of making one great truth their very life spring. He was the messenger of One God, and never to his life's end did he forget who he was or the message which was the marrow of his being. He brought his tidings to his people with a grand dignity sprung from the consciousness of his high office, together with a most sweet humility.
Stanley Lane-Poole in 'Studies in a Mosque'

"Never has a man set for himself, voluntarily or involuntarily, a more sublime aim, since this aim was superhuman; to subvert superstitions which had been imposed between man and his Creator, to render God unto man and man unto God; to restore the rational and sacred idea of divinity amidst the chaos of the material and disfigured gods of idolatry, then existing. Never has a man undertaken a work so far beyond human power with so feeble means, for he (Muhammad) had in the conception as well as in the execution of such a great design, no other instrument than himself and no other aid except a handful of men living in a corner of the desert. Finally, never has a man accomplished such a huge and lasting revolution in the world, because in less than two centuries after its appearance, Islam, in faith and in arms, reigned over the whole of Arabia, and conquered, in God's name, Persia Khorasan, Transoxania, Western India, Syria, Egypt, Abyssinia, all the known continent of Northern Africa, numerous islands of the Mediterranean Sea, Spain, and part of Gaul.

"If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astonishing results are the three criteria of a human genius, who could dare compare any great man in history with Muhammad? The most famous men created arms, laws, and empires only. They founded, if anything at all, no more than material powers which often crumbled away before their eyes. This man moved not only armies, legislations, empires, peoples, dynasties, but millions of men in one-third of the then inhabited world; and more than that, he moved the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas, the beliefs and the souls.

"On the basis of a Book, every letter which has become law, he created a spiritual nationality which blend together peoples of every tongue and race. He has left the indelible characteristic of this Muslim nationality the hatred of false gods and the passion for the One and Immaterial God. This avenging patriotism against the profanation of Heaven formed the virtue of the followers of Muhammad; the conquest of one-third the earth to the dogma was his miracle; or rather it was not the miracle of man but that of reason.

"The idea of the unity of God, proclaimed amidst the exhaustion of the fabulous theogonies, was in itself such a miracle that upon it's utterance from his lips it destroyed all the ancient temples of idols and set on fire one-third of the world. His life, his meditations, his heroic revelings against the superstitions of his country, and his boldness in defying the furies of idolatry, his firmness in enduring them for fifteen years in Mecca, his acceptance of the role of public scorn and almost of being a victim of his fellow countrymen: all these and finally, his flight his incessant preaching, his wars against odds, his faith in his success and his superhuman security in misfortune, his forbearance in victory, his ambition, which was entirely devoted to one idea and in no manner striving for an empire; his endless prayers, his mystic conversations with God, his death and his triumph after death; all these attest not to an imposture but to a firm conviction which gave him the power to restore a dogma. This dogma was twofold the unity of God and the immateriality of God: the former telling what God is, the latter telling what God is not; the one overthrowing false gods with the sword, the other starting an idea with words.

"Philosopher, Orator, Apostle, Legislator, Conqueror of Ideas, Restorer of Rational beliefs.... The founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire that is Muhammad. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he?" Alphonse de LaMartaine in 'Historie de la Turquie,' Paris, 1854. It was the genius of Muhammad, the spirit that he breathed into the Arabs through the soul of Islam that exalted them. That raised them out of the lethargy and low level of tribal stagnation up to the high watermark of national unity and empire. It was in the sublimity of Muhammad's deism, the simplicity, the sobriety and purity it inculcated the fidelity of its founder to his own tenets, that acted on their moral and intellectual fiber with all the magnetism of true inspiration.
Arthur Glyn Leonard in 'Islam, Her Moral and Spiritual Values'

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"The doctrine of brotherhood of Islam extends to all human beings, no matter what color, race or creed. Islam is the only religion which has been able to realize this doctrine in practice. Muslims wherever on the world they are will recognize each other as brothers."
R. L. Mellema, Holland, Anthropologist, Writer and Scholar.

"People like Pasteur and Salk are leaders in the first sense. People like Gandhi and Confucius, on one hand, and Alexander, Caesar and Hitler on the other, are leaders in the second and perhaps the third sense.

Jesus and Buddha belong in the third category alone. Perhaps the greatest leader of all times was Mohammed, who combined all three functions. To a lesser degree, Moses did the same."
Professor Jules Masserman

"No other religion in history spread so rapidly as Islam. The West has widely believed that this surge of religion was made possible by the sword. But no modern scholar accepts this idea, and the Qur’an is explicit in the support of the freedom of conscience."

"Muhammad, the inspired man who founded Islam, was born about A.D. 570 into an Arabian tribe that worshiped idols. Orphaned at birth, he was always particularly solicitous of the poor and needy, the widow and the orphan, the slave and the downtrodden. At twenty he was already a successful businessman, and soon became director of camel caravans for a wealthy widow. When he reached twenty-five his employer recognizing his merit, proposed marriage. Even though she was fifteen years older, he married her and as long as she lived remained a devoted husband."

“Like almost every major prophet before him, Muhammad fought shy of serving as the transmitter of God’s word sensing his own inadequacy. But the Angel commanded ‘Read’. So far as we know, Muhammad was unable to read or write, but he began to dictate those inspired words which would soon revolutionize a large segment of the earth: "There is one God"."

“In all things Muhammad was profoundly practical. When his beloved son Ibrahim died, an eclipse occurred and rumors of God 's personal condolence quickly arose. Whereupon Muhammad is said to have announced, ‘An eclipse is a phenomenon of nature. It is foolish to attribute such things to the death or birth of a human being'." “

At Muhammad's own death an attempt was made to deify him, but the man who was to become his administrative successor killed the hysteria with one of the noblest speeches in religious history: ‘If there are any among you who worshiped Muhammad, he is dead. But if it is God you Worshiped, He lives for ever'.”
James Michener in ‘Islam: The Misunderstood Religion,’ Reader’s Digest, May 1955, pp. 68-70.

"Islam is a religion that is essentially rationalistic in the widest sense of this term considered etymologically and historically. The definition of rationalism as a system that bases religious beliefs on principles furnished by the reason applies to it exactly.. It cannot be denied that many doctrines and systems of theology and also many superstitions, from the worship of saints to the use of rosaries and amulets, have become grafted on the main trunk of Muslim creed. But in spite of the rich development, in every sense of the term, of the teachings of the Prophet, the Quran has invariably kept its place as the fundamental starting point, and the dogma of unity of God has always been proclaimed therein with a grandeur, a majesty, an invariable purity and with a note of sure conviction which is hard to find surpassed outside the pale of Islam.

This fidelity to the fundamental dogma of the religion, the elemental simplicity of the formula in which it is enunciated, the proof that it gains from the fervid conviction of the missionaries who propagate it, are so many causes to explain the success of Muhammadan missionary efforts. A creed so precise, so stripped of all theological complexities and consequently so accessible to the ordinary understanding might be expected to possess and does indeed possess a marvellous power of winning its way into the consciences of men."
Edward Montet, 'La Propagande Cretienne et ses Adversaries Musulmans' Paris 1890, quoted by T.W. Arnold in The Preaching of Islam, London, 1913, pp 413-414

Deeply read in the volume of nature, though extremely ignorant of letters, his mind could expand into controversy with the wisest of his enemies or contract itself to the apprehension of meanest of his disciples. His simple eloquence was rendered impressive by a manner of mixed dignity and elegance, by the expression of a countenance where the awfulness of his majesty was so well tempered by an amiable sweetness, that it exerted emotions of veneration and love. He was gifted with that authoritative air or genius which alike influences the learned and commands the illiterate.
Charles Stuart Mills in 'History of Mohammadanism'

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"Sense of justice is one of the most wonderful ideals of Islam, because as I read in the Qur'an I find those dynamic principles of life, not mystic but practical ethics for the daily conduct of life suited to the whole world."
Sarojini Naidu, Lectures on 'The Ideals of Islam' see Speeches and Writings of Sarojini Naidu, Madras, 1918, p 167.

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Mohammad's career is a wonderful instance of the force and life that resides in him who possesses an intense faith in God and in the unseen world. He will always be regarded as one of those who have had that influence over the faith, morals and whole earthly life of their fellow men, which none but a really great man ever did, or can exercise; and whose efforts to propagate a great verity will prosper.
Rodwell in the Preface to his translation of the Holy Qur'an

My problem to write this monograph is easier, because we are not generally fed now on that (distorted) kind of history and much time need not be spent on pointing out our misrepresentations of Islam. The theory of Islam and sword, for instance, is not heard now in any quarter worth the name. The principle of Islam that “there is no compulsion in religion” is well known.
K. S. Ramakrishna Rao in 'Mohammed: The Prophet of Islam,' 1989

"The theory of Islam and sword for instance is not heard now frequently in any quarter worth the name. The principle of Islam that there is no compulsion in religion is well known. Gibbon, a historian of world-wide fame says, 'A pernicious tenet has been imputed to the Mohammadans, the duty of extirpating all the religions by the sword.' This charge of ignorance and bigotry, says the eminent historian, is refuted by Quran; by the history of Musalman conquerors and by their public and legal toleration of Christian„ worship. The greatest success of Muhammad's life was affected by sheer moral force without the stroke of a sword. "
Prof. Ramakrishna Rao, Muhummad the Prophet of Islam, Page 4.

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"If any religion had the chance of ruling over England, nay Europe within the next hundred years, it could be Islam."

“I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of existence which can make itself appeal to every age. I have studied him - the wonderful man and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Savior of Humanity."

"I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness: I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today.”
Sir George Bernard Shaw in 'The Genuine Islam,' Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936.

"Head of the State as well as the Church, he was Caesar and Pope in one; but he was Pope without the Pope's pretensions, and Caesar without the legions of Caesar, without a standing army, without a bodyguard, without a police force, without a fixed revenue. If ever a man ruled by a right divine, it was Muhammad, for he had all the powers without their supports. He cared not for the dressings of power. The simplicity of his private life was in keeping with his public life."

"In Mohammadanism every thing is different here. Instead of the shadowy and the mysterious, we have history....We know of the external history of Muhammad....while for his internal history after his mission had been proclaimed, we have a book absolutely unique in its origin, in its preservation....on the Substantial authority of which no one has ever been able to cast a serious doubt."
Reverend Bosworth Smith in 'Muhammad and Muhammadanism,' London, 1874.

"The rise of Islam is perhaps the most amazing event in human history. Springing from a land and a people like previously negligible, Islam spread within a century over half of the earth. The closer we examine this development the more extraordinary does it appear. The other great religions won their way slowly by painful struggle and finally triumphed with the aid of powerful monarchs converted to the new faith. Christianity had its Constantine, Buddhism its Asoka, and Zoroastrianism its Cyrus, each lending to his chosen cult the mighty force of secular authority, Not so Islam. Arising in a desert land sparsely inhabited by a nomad race previously undistinguished in human annals, Islam sallied forth on its great adventure with the slenderest human backing and against the heaviest material odds. Yet Islam triumphed with seemingly miraculous ease; and a couple of generations saw the Fiery Crescent borne victorious from the Pyrenees to the Himalayas and from the desert of Central Asia to the deserts of Central Africa.
A.M.L. Stoddard, quoted in Islam - The Religion of All Prophets, Begum Bawani Waqf, Karachi, Pakistan p 56.

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So great was his liberality to the poor that he often left his household unprovided, nor did he content himself with relieving their wants, he entered into conversation with them, and expressed a warm sympathy for their sufferings. He was a firm friend and a faithful ally.
W.C. Taylor in 'The History of Muhammadanism and its Sects'

"It (Islam) replaced monkishness by manliness. It gives hope to the slave, brotherhood to mankind and recognition of the fundamental facts of human nature."
Canon Taylor, Paper read before the Church Congress at Wolverhampton, Oct 7, 1887, Quoted by Arnond in The reaching of Islam, pp 71-72.

"The extinction of race consciousness as between Muslims is one of the outstanding achievements of Islam, and in the contemporary world there is, as it happens, a crying need for the propagation of this Islamic virtue."
A. J. Toynbee, CIVILIZATION ON TRIAL, New York, 1948, p. 205.

The picture of the Muslim soldier advancing with a sword in one hand and the Qur'an in the other is quite false.
A. S. Tritton in 'Islam,' 1951

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"The HINDUS may get the credit of arriving at it earlier than other races, yet practical Advaitism, Which looks upon and behaves to all mankind as one's own soul was never developed among the Hindus. ' 'On the other hand, my experience is that if ever any religion approached to this equality in an appreciable manner, it is Islam and Islam alone, I am firmly persuaded, therefore, that without the help of practical Islam, Theories of Vedantism, however fine and wonderful they may be, are entirely valueless to the vast mass of mankind.... "
Renowned HINDU Scholar, SWAMI VIVEKANANDA, Letters of Swami Vivekananda p 463.

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"I am not a Muslim in the usual sense, though I hope I am a 'Muslim' as 'one surrendered to God', but I believe that embedded in the Quran and other expressions of the Islamic vision are vast stores of divine truth from which I and other occidentals have still much to learn; and Islam is certainly a strong contender for the supplying of the basic framework of the one religion of the future.
W. Montgomery Watt, Islam and Christianity Today London 1983, p IX.

His readiness to undergo persecution for his beliefs, the high moral character of the men who believed in him and looked up to him as a leader, and the greatness of his ultimate achievement - all argue his fundamental integrity. To suppose Muhammad an impostor raises more problems that it solves. Moreover, none of the great figures of history is so poorly appreciated in the West as Muhammad.... Thus, not merely must we credit Muhammad with essential honesty and integrity of purpose, if we are to understand him at all; if we are to correct the errors we have inherited from the past, we must not forget the conclusive proof is a much stricter requirement than a show of plausibility, and in a matter such as this only to be attained with difficulty.
W. Montgomery Watt in 'Muhammad at Mecca,' Oxford, 1953.

Muhammad was a shining example to his people. His character was pure and stainless. His house, his dress, his food - they were characterized by a rare simplicity. So unpretentious was he that he would receive from his companions no special mark of reverence, nor would he accept any service from his slave which he could do for himself. He was accessible to all and at all times. He visited the sick and was full of sympathy for all. Unlimited was his benevolence and generosity as also was his anxious care for the welfare of the community.
Dr. Gustav Weil in 'History of the Islamic Peoples'

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40 Traditional Practices of the Holy Prophet (pbuh)

40 Traditional Practices of the Holy Prophet
(Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)

Source: irca.org.au
by Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Qadri

As Muslims, we should try to imitate Prophet Muhammad (saw) in every aspect of life, as much as possible. This includes even the smallest things like how to put on our clothes. To act in contrast to these practices means to be thinking of the Prophet (saw) at all times insh'Allah and for such remembrance, the reward will insh'Allah be great. May Allah (swt) guide us all along the straight path and give us the strength to follow in our beloved Prophet's (saw) footsteps. Ameen.

Non-Muslims and New-Muslims reading this should note that a Muslim's love for the Prophet Muhammad (saw) is immense. The human mind's highest level of understanding is where a Muslim's love for the Prophet (saw) resides. As for God, a Muslim's love for Him is beyond the human mind's limit of understanding. Subhan'Allah. Therefore, acting in accordance with the following practices is not extremism, but rather, a token of love and affection for the Prophet (saw).

1. Every good/virtuous and lawful (piece of) work should be started after reciting the sacred "Bismillah" - "In the name of Allah (swt)". Of-course, no recitation of the sacred "Bismillah" be done, before starting to do (any) unlawful and non-permissible work, at all.

2. When a Muslim intends meeting any other Muslim (of the same sex) then extending him/her salutations & sending one's compliments to him/her is the (sacred) traditional practice of the Prophet (saw).

3. Shaking of hands becomes the traditional practice of the Prophet (saw) only when after the two Islamic brothers have met they extend salutations/send compliments to each other first and then shake hands.

4. The traditional practice of the Prophet's (saw) at the time of shaking of hands being that no handkerchief etc. stands in the way; both side hands are empty and the palm should join/embrace the palm.

5. To talk/converse smilingly and cheerfully is the (sacred) traditional practice of the Prophet (saw).

6. To talk screamingly / shriekingly as friends are prone to do these days in frankness / informality between themselves is against the sacred tradition of the Prophet (saw).

7. For the "One" who sneezes to say "Al-Hamdulillah", is acting according to the traditional practice of the Prophet (saw). It is better/preferable that "Al-hamdulillah Hi Rabbil Aala-meen" - (All praise(s) being for Allah who (alone) is the cherisher/sustainer of all the universe - eighteen hundred or eighteen thousand) is said.

For the one who hears (the sound of) sneeze, it is expedient/proper that be says immediately "Yerhamuk'allah". These words should be said loudly so that the one who sneezed is able to hear it. If the "one" answering the "Sneeze" causes delay (in uttering the words "Yerhamuk'allah"), he shall be regarded sinful, and could not be absolved of the sin merely by the late answer to the "sneeze"; Rather along with that penitence in the courts of Allah shall have to be caused (mandatorily) (BAHARE-SHARIAT).

8. After hearing the answer to his sneeze the "One" who sneezed is to say "Yagh'firullahu Lanaa Walakum" - (May Allah cause yours/and ours forgiveness). The following may also be said instead of the previous: "Yahdikum Ullahu Wa-Yuslihu Baalakum" - (May Allah show you the path of righteousness and cause your reformation).

9. The tradition of the Prophet (saw) with regard to the collar-less long and loose traditional shirt being that length of its skirt is up to the shin/calf of the leg, the length of sleeve up to the phalange of fingers the maximum and the width of the sleeves the length of a span.

10. Tieing of leg sheet (the loose sheet of cloth for the lower part of the body of a male member) around the waist is the tradition of the Prophet (saw); wearing of (traditional) trousers (eastern style) is permissible / lawful too as the Lord liked (approved) the same and the companions of the Prophet (saw) have worn it too.

11. Keep the (fall of) trousers or leg sheet above the ankles of feet.

12. Put on trousers while in sitting position / posture and tie the turban while in standing position. Any one who conducted/executed these exercises in reverse order shall fall a prey to such disease which is incurable (ZIA-UL-QULOOB-FI-LIBAS-UL-MAHBOOB).

13. Put on the shirt first and then the trousers.

14. While beginning to put-on clothes start from the right side. For example first enter the right hand in the right sleeve of the shirt then (the left hand) in the opposite sleeve. Similarly enter the right foot in the right leg of the trousers and then the left foot in the left leg of trousers.

15. When about to take off clothes recite "Bismillah" first. By its auspiciousness the private parts of your body (i.e. from the "Navel" to the "Knees") would remain concealed / obscured from "Satan".

16. While taking off the clothes start in the order reverse to the order (as in Point no. 14 above).

17. Start to wear new clothes from Fridays as that is the tradition of the Prophet (saw).

18. While taking off clothes or getting up from the bed after sleep, keep the clothes in folded form and the bed in rolled up form. Don't leave these (things) in the state that they happen to be in, otherwise "Satan" would use the same. (Fatawaa-e-Razvia)

19. Place (both of your) buttocks over the ground and keep both the knees in upright position (and then) enclose/blockade the knees by means of the two arms holding one hand by the other; To sit in such posture being the tradition of the Prophet (saw).

20. To sit in cross-legged squatting posture too is, the tradition of the Prophet (saw).

21. To sit at the place, where there is some sunshine and some shade, is (as per Islamic law) forbidden.

22. Whenever you come to attend (any) congregation or party don't (try to) go forward jumping/striding across the people; Rather! get seated where-ever you find room to sit.

23. While sitting take off your shoes; your feet would be relieved/be at ease. (AL-HADEES)

24. When someone arrives, to make room for that person to sit is the (sacred) tradition of the Prophet (saw).

25. As far as possible sit with the face set towards the direction of sacred Ka'aba as our dear Prophet (saw) used to sit often on the hams (i.e. with folded legs). In this position, his face would be set towards the direction of sacred Ka'aba and both the auspicious hands placed on the knees. In addition to this, there are other ways/methods of his sitting too that have already been described before.

26. If there are two women standing in the way or walking don't (try to) pass from in between themselves.

27. While walking on the path way guard yourself from walking in confused/perplexed state (i.e. looking hither and thither or right and left).

28. In walking be cautious as well that the shoes don't create any sound.

29. Put on the right shoe first then the left and while taking the shoes off take out the left foot first then the right foot.

30. To wash both hands up to the wrists before and after taking meals. To gargle/rinse the mouth and to wash the front (outside) portion of the mouth is the (sacred) tradition of the Prophet (saw). Of course even if "One" did not wash the mouth after having taken the meals it won't be said (considered) that the tradition of the Prophet (saw) was not discharged/complied with.

31. While taking meals, laying the left foot (on the floor) and keeping the right foot in upright/erect position or sitting on the buttocks and keeping both the knees in upright position or sitting on the hams (sitting with folded legs) - By sitting (while taking meals) in any of these three positions/forms, the sacred tradition of the Prophet (saw) would stand having been followed/acted upon.

32. Hold (the loaf of) bread in left hand and break the same with right hand as this is the tradition of the Prophet (saw).

33. If a morsel (of food) or a piece of bread or particles of grain etc. fall on the ground/table cloth then pick those up. Wipe/clean the same and eat those up, as for the "One" doing so, there is the divine inspiration (glad tidings) of him being salved/pardoned "Al-hamduilillah."

34. To eat by means of one finger (only) is the rite/course of "Satan" and to eat with two fingers is the way/custom of the proud/self-conceited people (and) to eat with three fingers is the (sacred) tradition of the Prophet (saw).

35. After having taken the meals pick the teeth by means of a straw/dried stalk as that is the tradition of the Prophet (saw).

36. Drink water while in sitting posture, in the (broad) day light, with the glass (of water) held in the right hand and after reciting "Bismillah Hir-Rahman Ir-Raheem" - (In the name of Allah, Most Beneficient, Most Merciful) by looking at the glass (water).

Drink in three breaths in such a way that each breath is inhaled when the glass (of water) is removed away from the mouth. In the first and the second turns (i.e. breaths) take one drought/gulp (of water) each and in the third breath take as many droughts (of water) as you wish to take. After having taken the water (to your satiation) say/recite "Al-hamdulillah".

37. After having drank the water (to your satiation) don't, on any account, throw away the water remaining in the glass as to do so is extravagance, and extravagance is unlawful. Have the remaining water in the glass taken by some one else. It is stated in the sacred saying of the Prophet (saw):- (There is cure/healing in the residue food or the drinking stuff of a Muslim believer)."

38. To wash the teeth using "Miswak" before going to bed/sleep is the tradition of the Prophet (saw) and to sleep with the ablution purification performed (too) is the (sacred) tradition of the Prophet (saw).

39. Before going to bed/sleep (and) after reciting "Bismillah", dust the bed three times so that if there are any pernicious (harmful) animal species i.e. insects/worms in the bed, the same get dispelled.

40. Sleep sometimes on the (palm) mat, sometimes on hide/skin, sometimes on bed stead, sometimes on the floor for no reason, and sometimes form a pillow-like support of the right forearm and the right hand (for sleeping).

All these (modes) are the (sacred) traditions of the Prophet (saw). By appropriating these practices (for the purposes of following the same) the spiritual love for the Madni Sovereign would (tend to) grow/prosper. By the Will of Allah (swt).


"O' Our Dear Allah (swt). Grant us continuous help and guidance in practicing the traditions of the Prophet (saw) in getting up and sitting down (i.e. His manners and etiquettes there-of.)" Ameen.

--- This article is adapted from the book 'Faizan-e-Sunnat' with the introduction written by IAA. Visit the website of dawat-e-islami for more information.