Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Lessons from Qur'an

This book is reviewed and corrected by us.

Author: Muhsin Qara'ati
Quranic Sciences

Lessons From Qur'an

Majmu`a-i-Dars ha'i-az-Qur'an

Author(s): Muhsin Qara'ati

Translator(s): S.M.S. Hyder

Publisher(s): Islamic Seminary Publications

www.alhassanain.org/english

Table of Contents

Foreword8

Monotheism11

Advantage of Discussion about the Outlook on Universe11

Selection of Outlook on Universe12

Monotheism the First Principle of Divine Outlook on Universe12

What is Natural Disposition?13

Prophets' Mission14

Is Obedience a Negation of Man's Freedom?14

Crux of the Problem14

Doubtful and Temporary Tendency15

Which Faith is true?15

Signs of Faith in Allah16

Signs of Dishonesty16

Baseless Reasoning against Religion17

Defeat of Communistic Dogmas17

Another Groundless Reasoning19

Answer to Such a Reasoning20

Another example21

Another Baseless Argument21

Why Some People Ignore Allah and Religion?22

The Function of Religion24

The Reality of Monotheism and its Various Aspects26

Factors Which Distract Man from the Belief in Allah28

Proofs of Monotheism29

Is There any Deity Besides Allah?31

Polytheism31

Examples of Polytheism32

Anxiety, the Sign of Polytheism32

Signs of Polytheism33

3. Collective Effect of Polytheism35

The Effect of Polytheism in the Next Life36

Grandeur of Monotheism36

Progenitor of Monotheism36

Merits of Prophet Ibrahim37

Deceit is Polytheism38

Signs of Sincere Believer38

How One Can Avoid Polytheism and False Hopes?38

4. Prayers, Invocation and Remembrance of Allah40

Signs of Idolatrous Nations40

When Obedience to Parents is Forbidden?41

Polytheism - an Unpardonable Sin42

Counter-measures against Polytheists42

Justice44

The Causes of Injustice44

The Attributes of Allah45

Justice-One of the Principles of Religion45

Advantages of Believing in the Justice of Allah45

The Meaning of Justice45

The Dangers of Hasty Decision48

Methods of Solving the Misfortunes53

Differences Develop the Society57

Difficulties Build up Personalities57

Hardships Lead to Inventions58

What is the Fault of a New-born Child?64

Categorization-The Means of Recognizing Allah66

Social Justice68

Justice in All Islamic Laws68

Social Justice and Divine Outlook on the Universe68

Seeking Justice is a Natural Thing69

Just Laws Originate From Holy Prophet's Conduct70

Justice is the Basic Condition70

The Importance of Justice in Traditions70

Importance of Justice71

Establishment of Justice is the Object of the Prophets71

Imam Ali's Argument on Equity72

Confiscation of Property72

No Distinction Between an Arab and a Non-Arab73

Counting the Dead73

Advice to Buy the People for Gaining Their Favor74

Example of the Feeling of Fraternity74

Brotherhood in Islam74

There is a Difference Between Adopting a Principle and Trading75

Even a Single Loaf is Equally Distributed76

Do Not Compromise on Principle76

An Unjust Hope76

Do Not Underestimate the Judicial Decision76

When the Guest is Removed77

The Holy Qur'an Condemns Partiality77

Another Example of Imam Ali's Justice77

Nobody Does That Sort of Thing78

Another Example of Taking Precaution78

Undue Criticism Against Imam Ali78

Settling Dispute with Justice79

Using the Paper Economically79

Asking for a Larger Share80

Misuse of One's Position is Forbidden80

An Example of Equality in Islam80

No Nepotism80

Corporal Punishment81

Suggestion Made to Imam Ali81

Equity in Distribution of Public Treasury82

Strong Criticism by Imam Ali82

Imam Ali's Admonition to Umar82

Imam Ali Walks out of the Court83

Obstinacy in Discussions and Actions83

Justice Towards Polytheists and Infidels84

Blood-money and Retaliation Ensure Justice85

The Law of Qisas (Retaliation) in the Holy Qur'an86

Moderation in Worship87

Moderation in Appreciation and Criticism87

Moderation in Expenditure and Charities87

Justice in Personal Life88

Moderation in Frugality88

Output of Work88

Justice in Distribution of Property89

Justice in Sharing and Spending89

To Establish Justice Prophet's Instructions Should be Followed89

Jurist is Responsible For the Supervision of Social Justice90

Guardianship of Jurist Ensures Social Justice90

A Story Regarding Rights91

Reasons for Turning Away From Justice92

The Verse Which Made the Holy Prophet Feel Old92

Social Justice is For Public Welfare93

Prophethood94

Sign of Inability to Recognize Allah95

The Role of Knowledge and Intellect95

Necessity of Prophets' Guidance96

Difference Between Man's Knowledge And Prophets' Teachings99

The Necessity of Following the Guidance of the Prophets101

Prophets' Path-Mankind's Long-standing Desire101

The Prophets in the Mirror of the Holy Qur'an102

A Review of Other Forms of Thinking103

Why People Obey the Laws?103

Who is Responsible for the Enforcement of Laws?105

Signs of the Prophets107

The Philosophy of Miracles109

Salient Features of the Holy Qur'an109

The Unbeaten Challenge for 14 Centuries110

Towards Understanding the Holy Qur'an112

The ignorant (Surah al-Jashiya, 45:18) and114

Rules for Recitation of the Holy Qur'an116

Attributes of the Prophets and the Life of the Last Prophet118

Social Life of the Prophets119

Cautioning the Prophets120

Conduct of the Prophets120

Infallibility122

Signs of Conviction123

Proof of Infallibility for a Divine Leader124

Points to Ponder124

Some Special Merits of the Prophets125

Submission to Allah126

A Glance at the Life of the Holy Prophet127

His Morals128

His Family Life128

His Feelings For the New-born128

He Was Not an Opportunist129

He Was Always on the Lead129

His Hospitality130

His Extreme Dedication130

His Insight and Sagacity130

The Holy Prophet in the Battlefield131

His Decisiveness131

His Piety and Devotion131

His Loyalty132

His Method of Teaching132

His Sheltering the Enemy132

His Behavior with the Enemies133

Affectionate Treatment of His Friends133

Some Special Traits of the Holy Prophet133

His Concern of the Common Man134

His Consulting the People135

His Behavior with His Opponents135

An Apology To the Holy Prophet136

False Accusations139

Prophets' Achievements147

The Duties of the Prophets147

Prophets-the Warners and Bearers of Glad Tidings154

Friends and Foes of Prophets160

The Opponents of the Prophets160

Why People Opposed the Prophets?162

Sufferings of the Followers of the Prophets168

Destructive Activities of the Hypocrites168

They Raised Objections169

Why the Followers of the Prophets Were Sincere?169

Unsteady Followers170

The Loyal Followers of the Prophets172

Imamate175

Is Imamate Included in the Fundamentals of Faith?175

Imamate is One of the Fundamentals of Faith175

Direct Link of Imamate with Monotheism177

The Need of an Imam178

Is the Holy Qur'an Not Sufficient?178

The Conduct of the Imam180

The Stress on the Meaning of Imam182

The Role of Imam in Hadith183

The Purpose of Imamate and Leadership183

The Signs and the Attributes of the Imam185

The Holy Prophet's Endeavours187

What would be a greater sin than to ignore the bequest of the Holy Prophet?190

Expression of Truth and Endeavors for it190

Some Attributes of the Imam190

Some Other Attributes of the Imam193

Some More Attributes of Imam195

The Method of Appointing the Imam196

Unpleasant Experiences197

Was Bal'am Ba'ur not a wise man who for the love of worldly things lost all his merits?198

People's Decision is Not Always Correct199

Various Methods of Appointing the Leader200

The Imam is Appointed by Allah200

Natural Flaws of Election System204

The Right Method For Selecting the Imam204

Election is Forbidden205

Nomination is the Only Correct Method205

The Nomination of the Best Person206

Some of the Attributes of Imam Ali and ahlul bayt206

Even the Angel Could Not Do208

Imam's House is the Place of Angels' Visits208

Some Other Attributes of Imam Ali208

Mutual Rights of the Imam and His Followers209

Obligations of the Ummah210

The Last Purpose of the hajj210

The Zealous Shi'ah211

False Shi'ah211

How the Imamate of the Infallible Imams Got Weakened?211

Sufferings of the True Believers211

Novel Forms of Tyrannies and Oppression213

Oppression by Pen214

Allegations Against the Shi'ah214

Is It Possible For People to Give up Truth?215

Why People are Distracted From Truth Despite Their Good Deeds?215

Conformity Between the Shi'ah and Ahlus Sunnah215

Lawful and Unlawful Guardianship215

Who is the Qualified Leader and Guardian?216

The Role of the Jurist218

The Day of Resurrection222

Natural Arguments222

Guidance to Right Arguments223

Allah's Message Through Prophets223

Coming of the Dead to Life is Not Impossible224

A Memorable Incident of the Holy Qur'an224

Other Examples in Proof of Resurrection225

The First Proof of Resurrection is Allah's Justice227

Standard of Values in Islam229

Self-sacrifice of Ahlul Bayt229

Tooth for Tooth, Nail for Nail230

Examples of Worldly Punishments231

The First Proof-Justice of Allah233

There is No Obstacle in the Resurrection234

(i) Immense knowledge and234

Real Difficulty That Faces Us235

The Second Proof-Allah's Wisdom235

The Earth Underneath a Glorious Canopy236

The Holy Prophet as a Sympathetic Physician236

The Impact of the Belief in Resurrection241

Impact of Resurrection on Economic Matters241

Impact of Resurrection on Military Affairs241

Impact of Resurrection Against Politicians and Transgressors242

Impact of Resurrection of the Deprived Persons243

Belief in Resurrection Ensures Perfection244

Belief in Resurrection and Its Remembrance244

The Effects of Remembering Death and the Resurrection Day246

Remembering of Death in Supplications247

Imam Ali's Supplication in Masjid Kufa247

Why Do We not Remember Death?248

Consequences of Denying the Resurrection Day248

Death Is a Divine Law250

Foreword

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

The Book in hand is the compilation of the series of lectures that were delivered to a select group of young men over a long period of time by Professor Mohsin Qara'ati. It is the substance of his speeches that he made from time to time. The novel style together with his insight and vast knowledge of the teachings of Islam has brought fame to Prof. Qara'ati.

It was about fifteen years ago that when Prof. Qara'ati rose as a scholar from the religious centre of learning and teaching in Qum, he selected for himself a different mode of imparting religious knowledge to the younger people of his hometown.

One day while Prof. Qara'ati was on a visit to his hometown, Kashan, a novel idea suddenly struck him. He saw some young men at the corner of the street; approaching them he said: "O my dear young men! Can I have the favor of winning your friendship so that we could give to one another a good company in a masjid and have small discussions on religious matters and arrive at a solution of problems confronting us".

Thus he started a program of giving lectures in a small masjid in Kashan during the Holy month of Ramazan. At the end of the month, Prof. Qara'ati suggested to his students to continue this program on weekly basis. He used to come to Kashan every Friday and deliver lectures. This routine continued for four years and the number of his people gradually increased as they were greatly attracted by Prof. Qara'ati's talks.

When his fellow-students in Qum learnt about his activity in Kashan, they became curious about it and wanted to have a close view of the small gathering there. They liked the idea of imparting education on religion in an exceptionally unique style of delivering brief talks with audio-visual aids. Prof.

Qara'ati used a black-board for the purpose of demonstrations. Gradually, they expanded the area of their activity on a countrywide basis and an annual gathering was held in Qum. This program continued for six years. This was the time when the last of the monarchs of the Pahlavi dynasty ruled over the people of Iran in the most abominably despotic manner.

He got very much scared of the activities of these devoted followers of Islam and ultimately by the order of the Shah such meetings and seminars on religious teachings were banned. Despite this Prof.

Mohsin Qara'ati stood as a sentinel, and his guidance and training of his dedicated students which swelled in large numbers proved very successful, as after the Islamic Revolution in Iran these classes were given official recognition, so much so that his lectures are broadcast by radio and telecast on television.

Now a few words about the book in itself. One thing is certain that whatever you happen to read in this book it is the same which was taught to his pupils by Prof. Qara'ati in his talks in the classroom through audio-visual system.

But it is not necessary to explain here as to how these talks were reproduced in the form of written lessons. It is just like an art of chiseling statues out of stones. Just as chiseling itself cannot be produced in writing so also the delivery of speech cannot be reproduced in black and white.

Therefore, lecturing is like an art where words are chiseled out in order to give a correct form and shape in the mind like mental pictures. Here, the lecturing or delivering sermons is an art which the pupils learn by watching and listening to an experienced teacher, who is the master of his craft and who applies his own experience and vision. That kind of acquiring knowledge is not as simple as studying books.

The series of lectures contained in this book have been based on Qur'anic verses and the sayings of the Holy Prophet and his Chosen descendants (peace be on them) with logical conclusions and connotations of the subject-matter being dealt with therein.

Unfamiliar terms and unnecessary details have been avoided. Another noteworthy point worth-mentioning is that these lessons were primarily addressed to and meant for the pupils who were about 18 years of age.

Besides, the problems that have been discussed in these lessons were solved by citing examples and quoting proverbs. Hence, the problems appear to be interesting and the solution obtained by logic and reasoning are easily understood.

It was a novel method that Prof. Qara'ati used on the pattern of Qur'anic teachings. If one cares to scrutinize these lessons carefully it will soon become evident that the Holy Qur'an too has used parables and cited metaphors and similes.

In a nutshell one should take into consideration the following points;

(i) After completing the preliminary education one should decide to teach the ideology and the principles of faith to the people or one should hand over this responsibility to the one who is expert in this field.

(ii) One should try to find out the dire necessity of the society and one's inclinations to discover the Right Path so as to lead oneself to that path.

(iii) Religious scholars, teachers and speakers should specialize in more than one branch of knowledge e.g. Islamic history, Islamic ideology, fundamentals of faith, exegeses and the art of teaching children and young people.

(iv) The lecture classes in masjid should include the imparting of religious knowledge to young girls, housewives, workers and laborers and even educated male persons.

(v) The system of imparting knowledge should be adapted to the present day conditions and demands, and the masjids should be treated as the citadel of Islam as well as the seat of learning.

(vi) According to Imam Ja'far Sadiq, (peace is on him) a teacher besides imparting lessons of fundamental knowledge, should also enlighten his pupils on the subject in whom they are interested.

(vii) Special care should be taken in teaching children and younger people and this should be done by one who is expert in child psychology.

The large number of books which have been written for children and young people in simple and easy-to-understand style are not sufficient enough and, therefore, it is necessary that this work should be expanded on the country-wide basis.

In conclusion, this book deals with all the vital problems that confront our younger generation. We hope that this comprehensive book will also help those who are engaged in teaching and learning the principles of Islam. We pray to Almighty Allah to grant us enough strength to acquaint the people in large numbers with the teachings of Islam.

The Publishers