IGCSE - Islamic Studies
Chapter 1 - Major themes of the Holy Quran - Part 1
Allah in Himself
1. Main Theme of Ayat-al-Kursi (The Verse of the Throne)
Theme
The theme of this verse from Surah Al-Baqarah is the concept of Allah in Himself.
Key Concepts
Oneness of Allah (Tawheed)
- Ayat-al-Kursi highlights the absolute Oneness of Allah, known as Tawheed.
- It symbolizes Allah’s authority and power over the entire universe.
- Allah’s Control and Authority:
- The universe functions according to Allah’s commands.
- He alone is worthy of worship and has control over all physical and spiritual things.
Unique Attributes of Allah
- Everything on earth and in the Heavens belongs to Allah.
- He monitors all things subtly and with complete authority.
Creation and Sovereignty
- Allah has created everything and has the right to do as He chooses with His creation.
- No one has the authority to intercede in His court except when He grants permission by His grace and mercy.
Qur'anic Reference
Surah Al-Mulk, Verse: 1:
“Blessed is He in Whose Hands is the dominion; and He has power over all things.”
Importance of Ayat-al-Kursi in the Lives of Muslims Today
Focus on Allah's Glory
- Ayat-al-Kursi magnificently highlights the glory of Allah, instilling a profound sense of devotion and security in believers.
- This verse emphasizes that our lives and devotion have no safer place than in the hands of Allah.
Protection and Safety
- Reciting Ayat-al-Kursi after every Farz Salah ensures that a person remains under the protection of Allah until the next Salah.
- The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated: “That person remains under the protection of Allah until the next Salah.”
Significance in the Qur'an
- Ali was told by the Holy Prophet: “The Qur’an is a great Word, and Surah Al-Baqarah is the leader of the Qur’an and Ayat-al-Kursi is the leader of Surah Al-Baqarah.”
Peaceful Sleep and Safety
- Reciting Ayat-al-Kursi before sleeping at night provides a peaceful sleep and keeps one safe through the night.
- It also grants one Jannah if they were to pass away while sleeping.
2. Main Theme of Surah-Al-An'aam
Theme
The theme of this passage is the concept of Allah in Himself, emphasizing His ultimate knowledge, power, and unity.
Key Concepts
Absolute Unity of Allah
- The verses discuss the absolute unity of Allah, refuting the false idea of Him having a son.
- This unity signifies that no one else is worthy of worship except Allah.
Allah's Ultimate Knowledge and Power
- Allah’s knowledge and power to originate, create, and decide all affairs are highlighted.
- His strength, power, and vision are unlimited and incomprehensible.
Guidance for Believers
- These characteristics of Allah guide humans to accept Him as their only God.
- The verses encourage believers to worship Allah alone, as He commands.
Qur'anic Reference
Surah Al-Ankaboot, Verse: 56:
“O My servants who believe! Certainly, spacious is My earth. Therefore, worship Me (Alone).”
Importance of the Theme in the Lives of Muslims Today
Highlighting Allah's Unity and Attributes
- These verses emphasize Allah’s unity, His attributes, and His sovereignty.
- They remind Muslims that Allah is free from all physical relations, as stated in Surah Al-Ikhlas: He does not give birth, nor was He born.
Understanding Allah's Role
- It is crucial for Muslims to understand that Allah is the Originator and Fashioner of the entire world, and thus, only He should be worshipped.
- Muslims are reminded that their knowledge is limited and it is impossible to fully perceive Allah.
Belief in Allah's Omnipresence
- Believers must acknowledge that Allah is far beyond His creations and that nothing is hidden from Him.
- The Qur’an reminds Muslims of Allah’s omnipresence in Surah Al-Hadeed, Verse: 4: “…and He is with you wherever you are…”
Developing Tawheed
- By understanding these verses, Muslims can develop a clear concept of Tawheed (the Oneness of Allah) and learn to bow down to Allah alone.
3. Main Theme of Surah-Al-Fussilat/HaaMeem
Theme
The theme of this passage is the concept of Allah in Himself, reflecting His ultimate power through the creation of various observable facts around us.
Key Concepts
Creation Reflects Allah's Power
- The natural objects on earth and in the sky, such as the sun and the moon, are created by Allah.
- These objects have no power or authority of their own and are not to be worshipped.
Examples from Nature
- The verse highlights the sun, the moon, and the cycle of day and night as examples.
- These natural phenomena reflect the Majesty and Glory of Allah.
Qur'anic Reference
Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verses: 190-191:
“Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of the day and night, there are indeed Signs for the men of understanding. Those who, standing and sitting and lying down, remember Allah and reflect upon (the wonders of the) structure of the earth and the heavens…”
Importance of this Theme in the Lives of Muslims Today
Highlighting Allah's Power
- This verse from Surah-Al-Fussilat emphasizes Allah’s power over the celestial bodies.
- It strengthens Muslims’ faith in His unity and omnipotence.
Encouraging Observation and Reasoning
- Just as Prophet Ibrahim identified his real Lord by observing the stars, the sun, and the moon, this verse underscores the importance of observation and reasoning.
- These natural objects reflect Allah’s presence and His Majesty.
Belief in Allah as the Sole Creator
- The verse reinforces the belief that Allah is the sole Creator of the sun and the moon, and He has made the day and night for the benefit of mankind.
- This belief keeps Muslims away from the sin of Shirk (associating partners with Allah).
Obedience to Allah
- The verse teaches that human beings are expected to obey their Lord as willingly as all His other creations obey Him.
- It makes clear that it is unlawful to prostrate before anyone except Allah.
4. Main Theme of Surah-Al-Shura
Theme
The theme of these verses from Surah-Al-Shura is Allah Himself, emphasizing His attributes of mercy and forgiveness, as well as His supremacy and power over the entire universe.
Key Concepts
Attributes of Mercy and Forgiveness
- These verses highlight Allah’s attributes of mercy and forgiveness, portraying Him as the ultimate symbol of compassion and pardon.
- Countless angels continuously praise Allah and seek forgiveness for mankind as ordained by Him.
Supremacy and Power
- Allah’s supremacy and power over the universe are emphasized, showing that no one can be greater than Him.
- Everything in the universe is under His control, bearing witness to His creative powers.
Qur'anic Reference
Surah Al-An'aam, Verse: 12:
“Ask them, to whom belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth?”
Allah's Blessings and Mankind's Duty
- The One who owns and controls the vast universe alone can bless all of mankind, as He is the most Merciful and Forgiving.
- It is the duty of mankind to worship Allah, to praise Him, and to seek His compassion.
- Importance of this Theme in the Lives of Muslims Today
Emphasis on Tawheed
- These verses of Surah-Al-Shura emphasize the concept of Tawheed (the Oneness of Allah).
- Muslims learn to repent and seek forgiveness from Allah, recognizing Him as the ultimate Controller and Owner of the world.
Belief in Angels and Their Duties
- The passage highlights the existence of angels and their duties, which is one of the articles of faith in Islam.
- Muslims realize that angels not only worship Allah but also pray for His mercy upon mankind.
Encouragement to Seek Forgiveness
- Understanding Allah’s mercy and forgiveness prepares Muslims to repent for their sins.
- Belief in Allah’s compassion encourages Muslims to seek His forgiveness regularly.
Reference to Surah-Al-Qadr
- Surah-Al-Qadr confirms the presence of angels on the Night of Power, who descend upon the earth to bless mankind with Allah’s mercy.
- The presence and actions of angels during this night serve as a reminder of Allah’s mercy and the importance of repentance.
Hadith from Imam Jafar as-Sadiq
“Whoever recites this Surah will be raised on the Day of Reckoning with a face as bright as the full moon and he will be told, ‘You are from those who used to recite Al-Shura. If you knew the reward for this, you would never have felt tired of reciting it.'”
These teachings encourage Muslims to maintain a strong belief in Tawheed, understand the role of angels, seek Allah’s mercy, and repent for their sins, reinforcing their faith and devotion.
5. Main Theme of Surah-Al-Ikhlas
Theme
The theme of Surah-Al-Ikhlas is the concept of Allah in Himself, emphasizing His absolute Oneness and unique attributes.
Key Concepts
Oneness of Allah (Tawheed)
- These verses signify the Oneness of Allah in His person, attributes, and commandments.
- Allah is As-Samad, meaning He is self-sufficient and not dependent on anyone or anything.
Freedom from Time and Space
- Allah’s existence is absolute, free from the constraints of time and space.
Uniqueness and Incomparability
- Allah has no offspring, nor does He have any parents.
- He is incomparable to any of His creation.
Qur'anic Reference
Surah Al-Anbiya, Verse: 25:
“There is no deity but Me, so worship Me alone.”
Importance of this Theme in the Lives of Muslims Today
Emphasis on Tawheed
- Surah-Al-Ikhlas proclaims the Oneness (Tawheed) and absolute nature of Allah.
- It refutes all forms of Shirk (associating partners with Allah) in beliefs and actions.
Purity of Belief
- This Surah negates all corrupted beliefs, asserting that Allah is beyond human comprehension.
- It invalidates ideas such as angels being Allah’s daughters or Jesus being His son, emphasizing that Allah has no ancestors or descendants.
Encouragement from the Holy Prophet
- The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) encouraged Muslims to recite this Surah to purify their faith.
- According to a Hadith reported by Anas (RA), reciting this Surah two hundred times daily results in the forgiveness of fifty years of sins, unless the person is in debt.
“If anyone recites two hundred times daily, ‘Say, He is Allah, the One and Only; the sins of fifty years will be wiped out, unless he is in debt.” (Tirmizi, Darimi)