1. Mention four qualities of the Bounteous Qur’an.
The Qur’an is the word of Allah. It is guidance to humanity for all times to come. It is the source of success and glory in the Qur’an. The Qur’an is the greatest blessing of Allah upon humanity.
2. What challenge does the Qur’an pose to its opponents?
The challenge is to produce the likeness of the Qur’an: “If You are in doubt concerning that which we have sent down (i.e. the Qur'ân) to Our servant (Muhammad Sal-Allahu 'alayhi Wa Sallam), Then produce a Sûrah (chapter) of the like thereof and call all your supporters besides Allah; accomplish this, if You are truthful”.
3. Mention some of the merits of Surah YaSeen.
Surah YaSeen is the heart of the Qur’an. Whoever reads Surah YaSeen, seeking Allah’s pleasure, will have all his past sins forgiven. One reading of Surah YaSeen brings the reward of ten readings of the Qur’an.
4. Who is the Guardian of the Qur’an?
Allah is the Guardian of the Qur’an.
5. What does ‘as-Sirat al-Mustaqim’ means?
‘as-Sirat al-Mustaqim’ means ‘the Straight Path’, the Right and the Clear Path that has no crookedness,
the religion of Islam.
6. Discuss the unique nature of the Qur’an.
The Qur’an is the word of Allah. It is unique in purpose. It is unique in style. It is a miracle in human language. It is free of contradictions. It is free from all concoctions. It is guarded and protected by the Almighty Allah Himself. None in the world can produce the likeness of the Qur’an. It is guidance to humanity for all times to come.
B. Write SHORT NOTES on:
Allah says in Surah Yaseen, “Surely We have put upon their necks fetters up to chin so their heads are raised”. This simile symbolizes the arrogance of man and his spiritual stagnation. Refusal to believe in Allah and refusal to obey Him means less and less freedom for man; the yoke of sin is fettered round man’s neck and it gets more and more tightened; right up to the chin.
When you are arrogant, you refuse to grow. Arrogance, pride and haughtiness makes a man blind to truth and reality and he refuses to see beyond his nose. It blocks all channels for improvement and self-development.
2. The story of the town and the Prophets:
Allah sent two Messengers unto the town, and when the opposition became great, He strengthened them with a third Messenger. The unjust and ungodly people of the town not only rejected the Messengers and their Message, they denied the possibility of Allah sending such a mission and threatened the Messengers with cruel punishment. The Messengers explained to them that they have been sent by Allah and that they do not lie. They also said that their duty is to convey the Message. The people of the town reacted strongly by saying that if they don’t desist from their mission of calling people to the oneness of Allah, they would stone them and inflict upon them a grievous punishment. The Messengers then declared that their fate is sealed because they have transgressed all bounds.
3. The Certainty of Resurrection and Day of Judgement:
The Reckoning on the Day of Judgement is a fact. Our deeds, good and bad, are preserved in a Book of Record. They will of course be brought to our account.
The earthly life is temporary. Death is not the end of everything. It is the beginning of a journey towards Day of Judgement. Dead will be given life to see for themselves the result of their deeds. The evil consequences of our bad deeds would spell disaster in the Day of Judgement. The reward of good deeds would bring sure success and everlasting happiness.
Resurrection is needed to do full justice to the acts of the people done in this world. Among people, many do good things but their deeds go unrewarded. They have to be recognised and rewarded. Likewise, many people continue to do sins and evil deeds. They go unpunished. They have to be called to account and punished. For this there has to be a Day of Judgement and that Day of Judgement is sure to come.
