Ibn Mas’ood (رضي الله عنه‏) is one of the most well-known companions of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم). (Can someone suggest some good links that detail his biography?) Orientalists–who do not generally fabricate–claim that, prior to the Second Compilation, Ibn Mas’ood’s (رضي الله عنه‏) mushaf had two extra surahs that our mushafs today don’t have. If you investigate this claim, you find that, indeed, it’s authentically report that his mushaf had two extra chapters.

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: عـن أبي يعـلى شـداد بـن اوس رضي الله عـنه ، عـن الـرسـول صلى الله عـليه وسلم قـال : إن الله كتب الإحـسـان عـلى كــل شيء ، فـإذا قـتـلـتم فـأحسـنوا القـتـلة ، وإذا ذبـحـتم فـأحسنوا الذبحة ، وليحد أحـدكم شـفـرتـه ، ولـيـرح ذبـيـحـته . رواه مسلم Translation: Indeed, Allah prescribed ihsaan in all things. Thus, if you kill, kill well; and if you slaughter, slaughter well.

If you, or someone you know, is planning on studying overseas, this information may prove useful. Most of the time, there’s a language barrier between people here and the staff. A lot people apply blindly, especially when it comes to the faculties–which seem to be pretty standard across Islamic institutes–not knowing what exactly to expect. So we’ve put together a small list of the common faculties, and what they teach you in each.

The Qur’an was first compiled during the lifetime of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (رضي الله عنه‏), the first khalifa, whose rule lasted from the death of the last messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم) for two years. Why wasn’t it compiled during the time of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) himself? On-Going Revelation: Revelation was still coming down. If you wrote two verses next to each other, and Allah revealed one in the middle–or an extension to the end of a surah–what then?

Qira’aat. Recitations. Like other parts of Islam, Qira’aat have been codified–it’s a science, just like the science of hadith. And, just like ahadith, qira’aat have different types. What kind of types? Four types, actually: Saheeh: Authentic qira’aat. To be saheeh, a qira’ah must have an authentic chain of narration back to the Prophet (S), and it must conform with the Uthmanic mushaf. There are ten of these puppies–not seven, as is the common misconception.

If you live in a western society, such as Canada, America, England, and so on, be aware that some scholars have said that, for people living in these societies, da’wa is fard ‘ayn–an obligation on each and every Muslim. But don’t be scared–because the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “By Allah, if Allah were to guide one man through you, it would be better for you than a red camel.

Route 114: Qur’anic Sciences Route 114: Qur’anic Sciences is an AlMaghrib Institute course taught by Yasir Qadhi. The science of the Qur’an: one of the sciences that reaches out into and forms a foundation for almost every other Islamic science. Topics include: the definition of the Qur’an, the rewards of the Qur’an, the blessings of the Qur’an, the origin of the Qur’an, the recitation of the Qur’an (tajweed); the science of qira’at; ahruf; the science of tafseer; wahiy (revelation); Mecci and Madani verses; the arrangement of surahs and ayahs; abrogation; the miraculous nature of the Qur’an; translation; memorization.

So what exactly is the Qur’an? Scholars define the Qur’an as this: The Arabic speech of Allah that was revealed to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) both in word and in meaning. It is collected between the two covers of the mushaaf, was narrated in mutawaatir chains, and is a challenge to humankind. We can learn five important things about the Qur’an from this definition. The Arabic speech of Allah: The Qur’an is the speech of Allah, in Arabic.

Bismillah ‏حدثنا ‏ ‏سويد ‏ ‏أخبرنا ‏ ‏عبد الله ‏ ‏أخبرنا ‏ ‏أبو العلاء ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏عطية ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏أبي سعيد ‏ ‏قال ‏ ‏قال رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏كيف أنعم وصاحب القرن قد ‏ ‏التقم ‏ ‏القرن واستمع الإذن متى يؤمر بالنفخ فينفخ فكأن ذلك ثقل على ‏ ‏أصحاب النبي ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏فقال لهم قولوا حسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل على الله توكلنا The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “How can I feel comfort while the angel responsible for The Trumpet has placed The Trumpet to his mouth and lowered his forehead, awaiting when he will be commanded (by Allah to blow in it)?

‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه‏) was the second khalifa, and one of the ten companions promised Jannah in their lifetimes. ‘Umar (رضي الله عنه‏) used to be a soldier–one of the best. But when he became the khalifah, the other companions refused to let him fight–he disagreed with them, but in the end, he stayed back in Medinah while the battles waged. Yet he always made one du’a, publicly and privately, throughout his khilafah: “Allahumma ruziqniy shahaadah,” “O Allah, provide me with martyrdom.