The following excerpts are taken from a presentation given by Professor M Riaz Khan on Thursday, October 19, 2000, at a lecture series entitled: “If This Were The Last Lecture I Would Give, What Would I Say?” sponsored by the Multi-faith Council of the University of Massachusetts Lowell. The full transcript was extracted from the … Continue reading If This Were the Last Lecture I Would Give, What Would I Say?
Author: maijazi
The Focus of the Qur’an
"The most Merciful (Allah) has taught this Qur'an. He it is Who created man (and) taught him speech." [Qur’an, 55: 1-4] Every breath we take to stay alive in this world is a favor of Allah SWT, and each one is with His permission. His favors are boundless and beyond human horizon: "Were you to … Continue reading The Focus of the Qur’an
The Laws of Inheritance in Islam
To write a will about the distribution of the wealth a Muslim leaves behind is an obligation in Islam. The inheritance needs to be distributed to the inheritors in accordance with verses: 11, 12 & 176 of surah Al’Nisa [Qur’an, 4: 11, 12 & 176]. However, many of us have our favorite causes to support … Continue reading The Laws of Inheritance in Islam
Gender Balance
“In a fair manner, women have the same rights against their men as men have against them, and men are a degree above them (in responsibility)…” [Qur’an, 2: 228] Since the beginning of human civilization women have been treated unjustly in every society. They have been abused, exploited, and subjected to sub-human standards, including domestic … Continue reading Gender Balance
Hajj and Eid-ul Adha
"The fact is that Ibrahim was a community by himself---." [Qur’an, 16: 120, 121] Abdullah bin Omar bin A’as reports that the Prophet Muhammad saw said: Following the arrival of Adam and Eve on earth, Allah swt ordered them through Archangel Gabriel to build Ka’bah. After they had fulfilled the Divine Will, they were ordered … Continue reading Hajj and Eid-ul Adha
The Leader of Mankind
“Recall that when his Lord put Ibrahim to test in certain things and he fulfilled all of them, He said, ‘I am going to make you the leader of mankind…” [Qur’an, 2:124] The notion of sacrifice, which means offering something to a deity in homage, is as old as life on earth. The first … Continue reading The Leader of Mankind
Chronology of Ka’bah and Hajj
“…Behold, the first House (of Prayer) established for humanity is the one at Bakkah (Makkah)…” [Qur’an, 3: 96] Man has been created solely for the purpose of worshipping Allah SWT: “I have not created the jinns and humans but to worship Me.” [Q, 51: 56] Thus, the first man who resided on earth was the … Continue reading Chronology of Ka’bah and Hajj
Effects of Kufr and Shirk on Life
“Surely those who do not expect to meet Us, who are gratified with the life of this world and content with it, and are heedless of Our signs, their abode shall be the Fire in return for their misdeeds.” [Qur’an, 10: 7-8] Before we discuss Kufr (atheism) and Shirk (polytheism) and their effects on life, … Continue reading Effects of Kufr and Shirk on Life
Wisdom and Communication
“He grants wisdom to those Whom He wills: and whoever is granted wisdom has indeed been granted much good. Yet none except men of understanding take heed.” [Qur’an, 2: 269] Two major characteristics of a Muslim define his personality as a conscious and disciplined person mindful of his duties to his Creator and society. Wisdom … Continue reading Wisdom and Communication
The Last Sermon of the Prophet Muhammad
After his first and the last Hajj on Friday, 9th Dhul al’Hijjah, 10 AH (632 AC), the day the fictitious lunar calendar coincided with the true calendar, the Prophet Muhammad saw delivered his landmark Sermon in the valley of Arafat in which he spotlighted twenty-five cardinal points, mostly embedded in the Qur’an (Q). These points … Continue reading The Last Sermon of the Prophet Muhammad
