Islamic Studies
Islamic Studies
01
“Self-Purification In Islam”
The purification of heart and soul ─Al Tazkiya─ is a significant part of Prophet Muhammad
(S.A.W)’s teachings and is essential in all people’s lives. It involves purifying the soul from
negative traits, such as arrogance, greed, and envy, and nurturing virtues like humility, patience,
and gratitude. The process of self-purification is not only a means to attain closeness to Allah
(SWT) but also a pathway to achieving inner peace and eternal salvation.
Translation: “He has succeeded who purifies it, and he has failed who instills it [with
corruption].”
Translation: “He has certainly succeeded who purifies himself and mentions the name of his
Lord and prays.”
These verses underscore the significance of both inner purification and outward acts of worship
in the life of a believer.
Ahadith on Self-Purification:
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also emphasized the importance of self-purification through his
teachings and actions. He (S.A.W) said:
“Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather He looks at your hearts and
deeds.” (Muslim).
"Beware! There is a piece of flesh in the body, if it becomes good (reformed), the whole body
becomes good; but if it gets spoilt, the whole body gets spoilt. And that piece of flesh is the
heart." (Bukhari, Muslim)
Steps involved in Self-Purification:
Self-purification involves several practical steps, including sincere repentance (Tawbah), regular
prayer (Salah), remembrance of Allah (Dhikr), avoiding sinful behaviour, and cultivating good
character. The key steps include:
1. Sincere Repentance (Tawbah): This involves seeking forgiveness for past sins with a
genuine intention to reform. It is about turning back to Allah with a clean heart and a
commitment to avoid sinful actions. The Quran states in Surah An-Nur 24:31 :
َ
َ ون ل ََعل َ ُك ْم ت ُ ْف ِّل ُح
ون َ اّلل َج ِّمي ًعا أيُ َه ال ُْم ْؤ ِّم ُن
ِّ َ َوتُوبُوا ِّإلَى
“And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.”
2. Regular Prayer (Salah): Prayer is not merely a ritual but a means to maintain a constant
connection with the Creator. It keeps the believer grounded and spiritually aligned. Allah
(SWT) says:
الصل َاةَ ت َ ْن َه ٰى َع ِّن الْف َْح َشا ِّء َوال ُْم ْن َك ِّر
َ ِّإِ َن
“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:28).
4. Avoiding Sinful Behaviour: A conscious effort to stay away from actions that lead to the
displeasure of Allah. This involves controlling desires and avoiding temptations. The
Quran instructs:
“And those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, and when they are angry, they
forgive.” (Surah Ash-Shura 42:37).
5. Cultivating Good Character: Practicing patience, gratitude, humility, and charity. The
Prophet (PBUH) said: “The best among you are those who have the best manners and
character.” (Bukhari).
6. Reciting Quran Daily: One should try to make it a habit to recite Quran daily especially
in the morning. This helps to develop a relationship with Quran. We should also try to
read the translation of Quran to understand the meaning of what we are reciting.
Conclusion
In conclusion, self-purification in Islam is a holistic process that nurtures both the soul
and character. It is a lifelong journey of striving to become a better person in the eyes of
Allah and contributing positively to society. By adhering to the teachings of the Quran
and the Sunnah, a believer can achieve not only spiritual elevation but also a balanced
and contented life.
Question no. 02 :
َ َ ى ۖ َواتَقُوا
َ َ اّلل ۚ ِّإ َن
اّلل َ آن ق َْو ٍم عَل َ ٰى أَلَا تَ ْع ِّدلُوا ۚ اعْ ِّدلُوا ُه َو أَق َْر ُب ل
ٰ ِّلتق َْو ِّ َ ِّ َيا أَي َُها ال َ ِّذي َن آ َم ُنوا كُونُوا ق ََوا ِّمي َن
ُ ّلل شُ َه َدا َء ِّبا لْ ِّق ْس ِّط ۖ َول َا َي ْج ِّر َم َن ُك ْم َش َن
ُون
َ ير ِّب َما تَ ْع َمل
ٌ َخ ِّب
Translation: “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in
justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to
righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.”
اس أ َ ْن ت َ ْحك ُُموا ِّبا لْ َع ْد ِّل َ َات ِّإل َ ٰى أ َ ْهلِّ َها َو ِّإذَا َحك َْم ُت ْم بَيْ َن ْ َ إِ َن
ِّ الن ِّ اّلل َيأ ُم ُرك ُْم أ َ ْن ت ُ َؤدُوا ا ل ْأ َ َما ن
َ ِّ
Translation: Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you
judge between people to judge with justice.
“The just will be with Allah on thrones of light: those who are just in their rulings and are fair
with their families and those who are under them.” (Muslim).
This hadith underscores the reward awaiting those who uphold justice, showing that it is a divine
quality appreciated by Allah.
Islamic justice is not only limited to Muslims but extends to all of humanity. The Prophet
(PBUH) said:
“Beware, if anyone wrongs a contract-bound person (a non-Muslim under Muslim protection),
or diminishes his right, or forces him to work beyond his capacity, or takes anything from him
without his consent, I will plead for him on the Day of Judgment.” (Abu Dawood).
This teaching emphasizes universal justice, showing that Islam condemns all forms of injustice,
irrespective of a person's faith or background.
Conclusion:
Justice in Islam is a comprehensive principle that governs individual behavior, legal practices,
and societal interactions. It is a divine mandate that emphasizes fairness, equality, and the
protection of rights. The teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) provide a
robust framework for a just and equitable society, where all individuals are treated with respect
and fairness. By adhering to these principles, Muslims can contribute to creating a harmonious
and just world, fulfilling their religious and moral responsibilities.
Question no 03
Islam and Contemporary World
Introduction
Islam is a global religion with over 1.9 billion followers, and offers comprehensive guidance on
all aspects of life, from spirituality to governance. The teachings of Islam, derived from the
Quran and the Sunnah (lifestyle of the Prophet Muhammad, PBUH), emphasize universal values
such as justice, compassion, truthfulness, and equality. In the contemporary world, Islam's
influence extends to social, political, and cultural spheres, offering solutions to modern
challenges while maintaining its core principles.
اس أ َ ْن تَ ْحك ُُموا ِّبا لْ َع ْد ِّل َ َات ِّإل َ ٰى أ َ ْهلِّ َها َو ِّإذَا َحك َْم ُت ْم بَيْ َن ْ َ إ َن
ِّ الن ِّ اّلل يَأ ُم ُرك ُْم أ َ ْن ت ُ َؤدُوا ا ل ْأ َ َما ن
َ ِّ
"Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge
between people to judge with justice..."
(Surah An-Nisa 4:58)
This verse underscores the importance of justice and fair dealings in all matters.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also emphasized justice, saying (Sahih Muslim 1827):
"The just will be with Allah on thrones of light, those who are just in their decisions, with their
families, and in whatever they are in charge of."
Islamic teachings encourage community welfare through Zakat (obligatory charity) and
Sadaqah (voluntary charity).
Islam advocates for the protection of human rights, equality, and the welfare of the marginalized.
The Prophet (PBUH) emphasized this in his Farewell Sermon:
"All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a
non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a
black have any superiority over a white—except by piety and good action."
(Musnad Ahmad 23489)
The Prophet (PBUH) said (Sahih Muslim 2588):
"Charity does not decrease wealth. No one forgives another except that Allah increases his
honour, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that Allah raises his status."
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) demonstrated these values, emphasizing that leadership is a
trust and a responsibility. He (S.A.W) said as mentioned in (Sahih Bukhari 7138):
"Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock."
Many modern Muslim-majority countries incorporate aspects of Sharia (Islamic law) into their
legal systems, balancing religious principles with contemporary governance models. The
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) plays a crucial role in promoting cooperation
among Muslim nations on global issues like peace, climate change and human rights.
Renowned scholars like Ibn Sina (Avicenna) in medicine, Al-Khwarizmi in mathematics, and
Ibn al-Haytham in optics laid foundations for modern scientific thought. Their works were the
foundations in the Renaissance and continue to influence contemporary education and research.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized the value of knowledge, stating:
"Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim."
(Sunan Ibn Majah 224)
Today, Muslim scholars and institutions continue this legacy, promoting education, research, and
interfaith dialogue.
َ ِّ َ الناس إنَا َخل َ ْقنا كُم مِّن ذَ كَر وأُنْثَى وجعلْنا كُم ُشعوبا وقَبائ َِّل لِّ َتعارفُوا ۚ إ َن أَكْرمكُم ِّعند َ
َ َ اّلل أتْقَا ك ُْم ۚ ِّإ َن
اّلل َ ْ ْ َ َ ِّ َ َ َ َ ً ُ ْ َ َ َ َ ٰ َ ٍ ْ ْ َ ِّ ُ َ يَا أي َُها
ير
ٌ يم َخ ِّب
ٌ ِّعَل
"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes
that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most
righteous of you."
Muslim communities and scholars are actively working to combat extremism and promote a
balanced understanding of Islam.
Muslim youth navigate these challenges by balancing tradition with modernity, contributing to
vibrant discussions on reinterpreting Islamic principles to suit contemporary contexts.
اس أ َ ْش َيا َء ُه ْم َول َا ت َ ْعث َْوا فِّي ا ل ْأ َ ْر ِّض ُمف ِّْس ِّدي َن َ ان ِّبا لْ ِّق ْس ِّط ۖ َول َا ت َ ْب َخ ُسوا
َ الن
َ
َ َو يَا ق َْو ِّم أ ْوفُوا الْ ِّمك َْيا َل َوالْ ِّمي َز
"O my people! Give full measure and full weight, in all fairness, and do not cheat the people out
of their rights, and do not spread corruption in the land."
Conclusion
Islam remains a vibrant force in the contemporary world, offering timeless guidance for modern
challenges. Through its emphasis on justice, education, compassion, and peace, Islam contributes
to global development and harmony. As global challenges evolve, Islamic teachings provide a
framework for addressing issues like climate change, social inequality, and technological
ethics. As Muslim communities continue to engage with the world, the principles of Islam will
inspire solutions for a better, more just, and prosperous future for all.