A. Check-up:
1. What is man created from?
Man is created from sounding clay.
2. What is the best of all gifts?
Faith (Iman) is the best of all gifts.
3. What is the real source of moral courage?
Allah is the real Giver. He can grant us victory or withhold it from us. Trust in Allah frees man from all sense of dependence on other influences and powers. When he knows that all the bounty is in the Hand of Allah, the believer is fears none but Allah. The real source of moral courage, therefore, is Faith and Trust in Allah.
4. Mention some of the qualities of a true believer.
A true believer never worries about the future as he knows very well that only Allah can help him or harm him. He trusts Allah completely. He is full of confidence. When he undertakes any task, he fulfils it with sincerity and interest. He doesn’t gives up hope and doesn’t despair of the Mercy of Allah.
5. What is Jihad?
Striving against evil is Jihad. Once Allah’s Messenger described man’s struggle against his own desires and weaknesses as the greatest Jihad.
6. What is the importance of Jihad in the life of a Muslim?
Life is a continuous struggle against evil. A Muslim has to fight against evil of all forms. A Muslim apart from avoiding mischief and violence has to ensure that truth and justice prevails in the society. A Muslim cannot sit with hands tied when evil is rampant. The importance of Jihad is such that a Muslim cannot give up Jihad at any point in his/her life. It has to continue until one’s last breadth.
7. What is the weakest of faith?
The feeling that something wrong is happening in the society and that one cannot help in stopping it, is the weakest of faith.
8. Who was Umayr bin Abi Waqqas? What was his heart’s desire?
Umayr bin Abi Waqqas was a young boy of sixteen, whose heart’s desire was to participate in the Battle of Badr and attain martyrdom (to become a shaheed in the way of Allah)
9. Why did Allah’s Messenger ask him to return?
Allah’s Messenger asked him to return because he was too young to take part in the Battle.
10. Saffiyah was very courageous woman. Discuss.
Hamza was a brother of Saffiyah. He had taken part in the Battle of Uhud and was killed. His body was badly mutilated. Aware of the sad news, she came to the spot and witnessed the mutilated body of her brother and also prayed for him. This incident clearly shows that Saffiyah was a woman of great courage. Had it been otherwise, she would have burst into tears!
11. Real courage does not dwell in physical strength. Explain.
Moral decisions are not always easy. One has to weigh a few facts before one can decide what is truly the right thing to do. In addition, if one prays to Allah, He will give the gift of right judgement. In truth, courage does not dwell in physical strength. It comes from a strong Faith in Allah.
B. Check-up:
1. What is the value of keeping promise in our life?
Keeping up promises is the mark of a true Muslim. It is one of the noblest qualities in individuals and groups. It is the key to success in this life and the Hereafter. Keeping promise is enjoined upon Muslims.
2. What is the trait of a hypocrite?
One of the traits of a hypocrite is that he breaks the promise whenever he makes one.
3. There is no importance of promise in sin. Explain.
Fulfilment of a promise is essential. But one should keep clearly in mind that promises made in connection with something sinful have no sense or value in them. There is no value attached to a promise in sin. No pledge is right and proper except in rightful things.
4. On what two factors does keeping promise depend?
Keeping promise depends on two factors: memory and determination.
5. What are the two obstacles in the way of keeping promise?
Deficiency in memory and lack of firm resolve are two obstacles in the way of keeping promise.
6. What lesson should we draw from the story of the three men?
One should not forget one’s past. One should think how one was in the past and how Allah changed the condition for good. The feeling of being ever grateful to Allah must form an essential part of a Muslim’s life. Allah takes away all the blessings from the life of a person who is ungrateful unto Him.
7. Can a Muslim be a liar?
Lying is a sign of a hypocrite and a Muslim can never adopt hypocrisy in his/her life!
C. Check-up:
1. Modern civilisation has failed to provide peace to the mind. Explain.
There is no doubt that the modern civilisation has raised the standard of our living. It has provided comfort and ease to people. In spite of all these, modern civilisation has miserably failed to provide peace to the mind. The reason for this one-sided development is that the modern civilisation is built upon materialism. Power, status and wealth are considered to be the criteria of one’s success. Religion and spirituality is thrown to the winds. Islam is a natural way of life which lays emphasis on the both on material as well as spiritual aspects of man. Real peace and contentment can only be attained through the belief in the Oneness of Allah.
2. What is the fruit of reliance on Allah.
Reliance on Allah enables the believer to face the darkest situations of life. It fills his heart with a sense of peace and security which many people are deprived of.
3. What is death to a Muslim.
The believer’s thinking is clear concerning death. He believes it is not given to any soul to die, except by Allah’s leave, at an appointed time. Wherever we may be, death will overtake us!
