bookinkIslam gives importance to the acquisition of knowledge

Islâm stands as the most rational and precise religion that Allâh [az] has given to the whole mankind.  It gives importance to the acquisition of knowledge.  In fact, the first revelation that Allâh [az] has revealed to His Messenger [saws] for the guidance of mankind pertains to reading.  Allâh, the Most High, commands: {Read! In the name of your Rabb (Only God and Sustainer) Cherisher, Who created — created man, out of a leech-like clot: Read! And your Rabb is Most Bountiful. He Who taught (the use of) the Pen, taught man that which he knew not.} (Qur’ân 96:1-4)

When we follow the divine commandment to read,  we learn in the Qur’ân  that  aside from reading Allâh  commands us:  to know (e.g., 2:194, 196, 203, 223, 235, 14:52) to learn (e.g., 6: 151,  9:122, 12:2,  22:46 also 54,  40:58 and 68:37), to understand (e.g., 2:44,  6:32,  7:169,  10:16,  11:51,  12:109,  21:10,  40:67,  43:3,  47:24, 57:17), to ponder (4: 82 and 23:68) or contemplate (38:29), and even to ask questions (i.e., 10:94 and  43:45)

The Prophet Muhammad [saws], Allâh's Messenger to the whole mankind (34:28), also enjoins us to acquire knowledge.  He  even stresses that it is our obligation to search for knowledge.  We read the following authentic Ahâdîth: Anas Ibn Malik [ra] reported that Allâh's Messenger [saws] said, “Seeking of knowledge is incumbent upon every Muslim....” (Ibn Majah 1/224 and Tirmidhi  218)

Abu Hurairah [ra] narrated that Allâh 's Messenger [saws] said, “Learn the obligatory acts and the Qur’ân and teach them to the people, for I am a mortal.” (Tirmidhi  244)

Abdullah ibn Mas`ud [ra] narrated that Allâh's Messenger [saws] said to me, “Acquire the knowledge and impart it to the people.  Acquire the knowledge of Fara'id (laws of inheritance) and teach it to the people.  Learn the Qur’ân and teach it to the people; for I am a person who has to depart this world.  And the knowledge will be taken away and turmoil will appear to such an extent that two people will not agree in regard to a case of inheritance distribution and find none who would decide between them.” (Tirmidhi  279, Darimi and Daraqutni)

In line with the divine injunctions to acquire knowledge of Islâm, Allâh's Messenger [saws] inspires us to do our best to seek knowledge.  We should, therefore, spend time, efforts, money and other resources to seek knowledge of Islâm.   We should take guidance and inspiration from the following prophetic teachings:

Anas ibn Malik [ra] narrated that Allâh's Messenger [saws] said: “One who goes out to search for knowledge is (devoted) to the cause of Allâh till he returns.” (Tirmidhi  220)

'Abdullah ibn Abbas [ra] narrated that Allâh's Messenger [saws] said, “Acquiring knowledge in company for an hour in the night is better than spending the whole night in prayer.” (Tirmidhi  256)

Abu Hurairah [ra] narrated that Allâh's Messenger [saws] said, "Learn and recite the Qur’ân, for to one who learns, recites and uses it in prayer at night, it is like a bag filled with musk whose fragrance is diffused everywhere.  And he who learns it and goes to sleep having it within him, is like a bag with musk tied up in it." (Tirmidhi  2143 Nasa'i and Ibn Majah)

Religious knowledge is the most important knowledge to be learned

Islâm as a complete religion, does not limit the acquisition of knowledge into the field of religion. It also encourages us to seek other knowledge, which are beneficial to us. However, it stresses that knowledge of the Qur’ân and authentic Ahâdîth and prescriptions rightly deduced from the two constitute the essential knowledge:

‘Abdullâh ibn ‘Amrreported that Allâh's Messenger [saws] said, “Knowledge consists of three things: the decisive verses (Qur’ân), authentic Ahâdîth and prescriptions rightly deduced from the two. What is beside them is superfluous.” (Ibn Mâjah 1/54)

‘Abdullah ibn Amir ibn Al-Asn narrated that the Prophet [saws] said, “Knowledge has three categories; anything else is extra; a precise verse, or an established Sunnah (practice), or a firm obligatory duty.” (Abu Daawood 2879)

Mu’adh ibn Jabal [ra] narrated that some companions of Mu'adh ibn Jabal [ra] said, When Allâh's Messenger [saws] intended to send Mu'adh ibn Jabal [ra] to Yemen, he asked: “How will you judge when the occasion of deciding a case arises?” He replied, “I shall judge in accordance with Allâh's  Book.” He was asked: “(What will you do) if you do not find any guidance in Allâh's Book?” He replied, “(I shall act) in accordance with the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allâh.” He [saws] asked, “(What will you do) if you do not find any guidance in the Sunnah of Allâh's Messenger and in Allâh's Book?" He replied, "I shall do my best to form an opinion and I shall spare no effort.” Allâh's Messenger [saws] then patted him on the breast and said: “Praise be to Allâh  Who has helped Allâh's Messenger [saws] to find something which pleases Allâh's Messenger.” (Abû Dâwûd, 3585)

Moreover, it is for our benefit that we learn Islâm as it is the knowledge that leads us to truth against ignorance.  Islâm teaches us to learn wisdom:

{Say: `Come, I will rehearse what Allâh has (really) prohibited you from: join not anything with Him; be good to your parents; kill not your children on a plea of want, We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not nigh to indecent deeds, whether open or secret; take not life, which Allâh has made sacred, except by way of justice and law.  Thus does He command you, that you may learn wisdom.} (6:151)

{A.L.R.[1][4] These are the Verses of the Perspicuous Book. We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’ân in order that you may learn wisdom.} (12:1-2)

{Do they not travel through the land, so that their hearts (and minds) may thus learn wisdom and their ears may thus learn to hear?  Truly it is not the eyes that are blind, but the hearts which are in their breasts.} (22:46)

The Prophet [saws] inspired those who acquire knowledge of Islam

Mankind must seek knowledge of Islâm because Allâh the Almighty has obliged us to obey His Messenger [saws].  Prophet Muhammad [saws] as Allâh’s Messenger to all mankind also serves as the teacher and educator of all mankind.  This is a fact which the Prophet [saws] himself has made clear to us as narrated in the following Hâdîth:

Abdullah ibn Amir [ra] narrated that Allâh’s Messenger [saws] happened to pass by two groups (of Muslims) in the mosque and he said: "Both of them are good, but one is superior to the other. One group is supplicating Allâh and praying Him. If He so wills He will confer upon them and if He so wills He will withhold. So far as those who are acquiring the understanding of religion and its knowledge and are busy in teaching the ignorant, they are superior. Verily I have been sent as a teacher.” He then sat down amongst them. (Tirmidhi  257 and Darimi)

The world’s Great Teacher and Educator inspires those who acquire knowledge of Islâm and those who are knowledgeable.  He [saws] says in the following Ahâdîth: Abu Musa [ra] narrated that the Prophet [saws] said,

“The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allâh has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rain water and Allâh benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allâh's religion and gets benefit (from the knowledge) which Allâh has revealed through me (the Prophets and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allâh's guidance revealed through me (He is like that barren land.).” (Bukhari 1/79)

Abu Hurairah [ra] narrated that the Prophet [saws] said, “Those who were the best in the pre-lslamic period of ignorance will be the best in Islâm provided they comprehend the religious knowledge.” (Bukhari 4/572 and Muslim)

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet [saws] said, “... He who treads the path in search of knowledge, Allâh will make that path easy, leading to Paradise for him and those persons who assemble in one of the houses of Allâh (mosques), recite the Book of Allâh and learn and teach the Qur’ân (among themselves). There will descend upon them tranquillity, mercy will cover them, the angels will surround them and Allâh will mention them in the presence of those near Him. He who is slow-paced in doing good deeds, his (long) descent does not make him go ahead.” (Muslim 6518)

Abu Umama [ra] narrated that the Prophet [saws] said: “A learned person is as much above a worshipper as I am above the least of you. He added: Allâh, His angels and all those in Heavens and on Earth, even the ants in their hills and the fish in the water, call down blessings on those who instruct people in beneficial knowledge.” (Tirmidhi: 1392)

Abu Hurairah [ra] narrated that Allâh’s Messenger [saws] said, “Verily what a believer continues to receive (in the form of reward) for his action and his virtues after his death is the knowledge which he acquired and then disseminate;  the pious son that he left behind him, or a copy of the Qur’ân which he left as a legacy, or the mosques that he had built, or the inn that he had built for the wayfarers, or the canal that he caused to flow, or a sadaqah which he gave out of his property in the state when he was healthy and alive. (These are the acts of goodness the reward of which) reaches him even after his death.” (Tirmidhi  254 and Ibn Majah)

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud [ra] narrated that Allâh’s Messenger [saws] said, “There are two avaricious people who are never contented: the man of learning and the man of the world, but the two are not equal. The man of knowledge increases in submission to Allâh, and as for the man of the world, he becomes headstrong and defiant.” Abdullah then recited: {Nay man is surely rebellious when he sees himself free from want.} (46:6). Concerning the other he recited the verse: {Surely those of His servants who are possessed of knowledge, fear Allâh.} (35:28).” (Tirmidhi 261 and Darimi)

Abu Darda [ra] narrated that Kathir ibn Qays said: "I was sitting with Abu Darda' in the mosque of Damascus.  A man came to him and said: “Abu Darda, I have come to you from the town of the Allâh’s Messenger [saws] for a tradition that I have heard you relate from the Allâh’s Messenger [saws]. I have come for no other purpose.” He said: “I heard Allâh's Messenger [saws] say: ‘If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, Allâh will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise. The angels will lower their wings in their great pleasure with one who seeks knowledge, the inhabitants of the heavens and the Earth and the fish in the deep waters will ask forgiveness for the learned man. The superiority of the learned man over the devout is like that of the moon, on the night when it is full, over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets leave neither dinar nor dirham, leaving only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion..’” (Abu Daud 3634)

Anas ibn Malik [ra] narrated that Allâh’s Messenger [saws] said: “Do you know who is most generous?” They said: “Allâh and His Messenger know best.” Whereupon he [saws] said: “Allâh is the Most Generous, then I am most generous to mankind, and the most generous people after me would be those who will acquire knowledge and then disseminate it…” (Tirmidhi  259)

Hasan Al-Basri [rah] narrated that Allâh’s Messenger [saws] said: “He whom death overtakes while he is engaged in acquiring knowledge with a view to reviving Islâm with the help of it, there will be one degree between him and the Prophets in Paradise.” (Tirmidhi  249 and Darimi)

Abu Hurairah [ra] narrated that he heard Allâh's Messenger [saws] as saying: “He who comes to this mosque of mine and he comes only to learn or teach a khayr (good, i.e. the Qur’ân and the Sunnah),  his status is like that of one who strives in the cause of Allâh. He who comes for any other motive, his status is like that of a person who covets the property of another.” (Tirmidhi  742, Ibn Majah and Bayhaqi)

Allâh [az] commends those who are endowed with knowledge and promises them everlasting rewards

Allâh [az] not only commands the whole mankind to seek knowledge but also commends those who are knowledgeable.  He encourages the learned by promising them rewards. The following ayât state: {He grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and he to whom wisdom is granted receives indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the Message but men of understanding.} (2: 269)

{...Allâh will raise up, to (suitable) ranks (and degrees), those of you who believe and have been granted Knowledge.  And Allâh is well-acquainted with all you do.} (58:11)

Allâh [az] has honored and extolled the people who possess knowledge of Islâm.  He I has raised their status high by including them among with those who bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh [az].  He the Almighty says: {Allâh bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but He, and the angels, and those having knowledge (also bear witness to this); (He is always) maintaining His Creation in justice.  None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Almighty the All-Wise.} (3:18)

In another verse, Allâh [az] tells us that: {Only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allâh...} (35:28).

In return for their being god-fearing, Allâh is pleased with them.  They receive Allâh's [az] admonition. Allâh [az] the Exalted tells us in His Book: {On the other hand for those who fear their Rabb are gardens with rivers flowing beneath therein are they to dwell (for ever) a gift from the presence of Allâh and that which is in the presence of Allâh is the best (bliss) for the righteous.} (3:198)

{O you who believe!  If you fear Allâh, He will grant you a criterion (to judge between right and wrong) remove from you (all) evil (that may afflict) you and forgive you: for Allâh is the Rabb of grace unbounded.} (8:29)

{As for those who fear their Rabb Unseen, for them is Forgiveness and a great Reward.} (67:12)

{Are then one who does know that, that which has been Revealed unto you from your Rabb is the Truth, like the one who is blind?  It is those who are endowed with understanding that receive admonition;  those who fulfill the Covenant of Allâh and fail not in their plighted word; those who join together those things, which Allâh has commanded to be joined, hold their Rabb in awe, and fear the terrible reckoning; those who patiently persevere, seeking the countenance of their Creator; establish regular prayers, spend out of (the gifts) We have bestowed for their sustenance, secretly and openly; and turn off Evil with good: for such there is the final attainment of the (eternal) Home.  Gardens of perpetual bliss: they shall enter there as well as the righteous among their fathers, their spouses and their offspring and angels shall enter unto them from every gate (with the salutation) “Peace unto you for  that  you persevered in patience!  Now how excellent is the final Home!} (13:19-24)

When we acquire knowledge of Islâm we learn not only the divine purpose why Allâh [az] has created us but also understand the meaning of this temporary world, and how we should prepare our lives to enjoy the everlasting life in the hereafter.  We know that only when we peacefully and completely submit to Allâh, believe and fear in Him, follow His commands, do righteous deeds for the sole purpose of pleasing Him alone, and subsequently refrain from committing sins do we attain salvation.  When we acquire knowledge we are assured of Allâh's [az] everlasting reward. We gain Allâh's [az] protection from the terrible punishments in the hell-fire that await those who do not believe because they are devoid of wisdom.  For our benefit we should strive to acquire knowledge because Allâh  makes it very clear that those who know are not equal with those who do not know.  He [az] tells us: {Is one who worships devoutly uring the hours of the night prostrating himself or standing (in adoration), who takes heed of the Hereafter, and who places his hope in the Mercy of his God — like one who does not)?   Say: 'Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know?”  It is those who are endowed with understanding that receive admonition.'} (39:9)

Islâm teaches us how to sincerely pray to Allâh to bestow us beneficial knowledge

Knowing the importance of acquiring Islâmic knowledge, it becomes imperative, therefore, for mankind to seek knowledge of Islâm.  We must think of our everlasting life by knowing the Truth and adhering to it for our guidance and supreme success.  We must sincerely pray to Allâh  to bestow us knowledge of Islâm.  We should bear in mind that Allâh, the All-Knowing, All-Wise (4:26), the exalted in power, full of Wisdom (31:27), is the One Who grants wisdom to whom He pleases: {He (Allâh) grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and he to whom wisdom is granted receives indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will receive admonition but men of understanding.} (2:269)

We must pray to Allâh the All Knowing, All Wise to bestow upon us knowledge of Islâm.  Both the Qur’ân and the Sunnah guide us to seek Allâh’s guidance through prayers or supplication.  Let us include in our prayers the following supplications:

{O my Rabb! Increase me in knowledge.} (20:114)

{O my Rabb!  Bestow wisdom on me, and join me with the righteous; grant me honorable mention on the tongue of truth among the latest (generations); make me one of the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss.} (26:83-84)

Umm Salamah [rah] narrated that the Prophet [saws] used to say after the dawn prayer, “O Allâh, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, acceptable action, and good provision.” (Tirmidhi  2487,  Ahmad and  Ibn Majah)

‘Aishah [rah] narrated that when Allâh’s Messenger [saws] would awake at night, he said: “There is no god but You, glory be to You, O Allâh, I ask Your pardon for my sin and I ask You for Your mercy. O Allâh!  Advance me in knowledge: do not cause my heart to deviate (from guidance) after You have guided me, and grant me mercy from  Yourself; verily  You are the Grantor.” (Abu Daud 5043)

We must  pray to Allâh [az] for knowledge of Islâm and other knowledge that would benefit us not only in this temporary world, but most important is in the eternal world to come. When we pray to Allâh [az] for other knowledge outside of Islâm, we should pray that such knowledge is beneficial for us. The knowledge that we seek outside Islâmic knowledge must strengthen our understanding and application of Islâm.  It should make us better Muslims and not to be out of Islâm.   We must, therefore, refrain from knowledge that does not benefit us.  We should take admonition from the following Ahâdîth:

Abu Hurairah [ra] narrated that the Prophet [saws] said, “It is part of the excellence of a person’s Islâm that he should discard that which is of no benefit to him either in this world or the Hereafter.” (Tirmidhi  67)

Abu Darda [ra] narrated that Allâh's Messenger [saws] said, “The worst of men in the eyes of Allâh on the Day of Resurrection will be the scholar who does not derive benefit from his knowledge.” (Tirmidhi  268)

Abu Hurairah [ra] narrated that Allâh's Messenger [saws] said, “The knowledge from which no benefit is derived is like a treasure out of which nothing is spent in the cause of Allâh.” (Tirmidhi  280)

As much as possible, we must seek Allâh’s protection from the knowledge that will just destroy our faith.  We must include in our prayers and supplications to Allâh the Almighty that He will protect us from such knowledge that does more harm than good to us and to others.  This is a guidance that we must follow from the Prophet [saws] as narrated in the following Ahâdîth:

Sa’id ibn Arkam [ra] narrated: “I am not going to say anything but only that which Allâh's Messenger [saws] used to supplicate: ‘O Allâh, I seek refuge in You from incapacity, from sloth, from cowardice, from miserliness, decrepitude and from torment of the grave. O Allâh, grant to my soul the sense of righteousness and purify it, for You are the Best Purifier thereof.  You are the Protecting friend thereof, and Guardian thereof. O Allâh, I seek refuge in  You from the knowledge which does not benefit, from the heart that does not entertain the fear (of Allâh), from the soul that does not feel contented and the supplication that is not responded.’” (Muslim, 6568)

Abu Hurairah [ra] narrated that Messeger of Allâh [saws] used to say: “O Allâh, I seek refuge in  You from four things: Knowledge which does not profit, a heart which is not submissive, a soul which has an insatiable appetite, and a supplication which is not heard.” (Abu Dawud 1543)

Islâm encourages us not only to learn Islâm but also to teach it to others

Islâm as a rational religion enjoins mankind not only to acquire authentic knowledge of Islâm but also encourages us to teach Islâm to others.  We should be inspired to teach what we know of Islâm with the following Ayâh and authentic Ahâdîth:

{But teach (the Message): for teaching benefits the Believers.} (Qur’ân 51:55)

‘Abdullâh ibn Mas‘ûd [ra] narrated that Allâh's Messenger [saws] said, “Do not wish to be like anybody except in two cases: The case of a man whom Allâh has given wealth and he spends it in the right way;  and that of a man whom Allâh has given religious wisdom (i.e., Qur’ân and Sunnah); and he gives his verdicts according to it and teaches it to others i.e., religious knowledge of Qur’ân and Sunnah.” (Bukhâri 9/419)

Abu Hurairah [ra] narrated that Umar bin 'Abdul 'Aziz [rah] wrote to Abu Bakr bin Hazm, "Look for the knowledge of Hâdîth and get it written, as I am afraid that religious knowledge will vanish and the religious learned men will pass away (die). Do not accept anything save the Ahâdîth of the Prophet . Circulate knowledge and teach the ignorant, for knowledge does not vanish except when it is kept secretly (to oneself).” (Bukhari 1/98)

Abdullah ibn Mas`ud [ra] narrated that Allâh's Messenger [saws] said to me, “Acquire the knowledge and impart it to the people.  Acquire the knowledge of Fara'id (laws of inheritance) and teach it to the people.  Learn the Qur’ân and teach it to the people; for I am a person who has to depart this world.  And the knowledge will be taken away and turmoil will appear to such an extent that two people will not agree in regard to a case of inheritance distribution and find none who would decide between them.” (Tirmidhi  279, Darimi and Daraqutni)

Abu Umamah [ra] narrated that the Prophet [saws] said, “A learned person is as much above a worshipper as I am above the least of you. Allâh, His angels and all those in Heavens and on Earth, even the ants in their hills and the fish in the water, call down blessings on those who instruct people in beneficial knowledge.” (Tirmidhi  1392)

Abdullah ibn Mas`ud [ra] narrated that Allâh's Messenger [saws] said, “May Allâh be well pleased with the servant who heard our words, remembered them, retained them well and then passed them on to others. How many scholars are there who are the scholars of religion without having an understanding of it, and how many scholars of religion are there who convey knowledge to those who are well versed compared with them. There are three things on account of which no rancor enters a Muslim heart: the sincerity of purpose for Allâh’s sake, seeking goodness for the Muslims and adhering to their main body (jama'ah), for their prayers encompass them all round.” (Tirmidhi  228)

Al Hasan Al Basri [rah] narrated that Allâh’s Messenger [saws] said, “The superiority of a scholar, who observes the prescribed prayer and then sits down to teach people goodness, over the worshipper, who observes fast during the day and worships during the night, is like my superiority over the lowest in rank amongst you.” (Tirmidhi  250)

Abu Hurairah [ra] narrated that Allâh’s Messenger [saws] said: “Learn the obligatory acts and the Qur’ân and teach them to the people, for I am a mortal.” (Tirmidhi  244)

We must further know that Islâm warns the learned among us from concealing our knowledge.

The Prophet [saws] admonishes us as narrated in the following Hâdîth:

Abu Hurairah [ra] narrated that Allâh's Messenger [saws] said, "He who is asked about knowledge and conceals it will be bridled on the Day of Judgment with a bridle of fire." (Abu Dawud  3650, Tirmidhi and Ibn Maja)

In line with our obligation to teach what we know of Islâm, the Prophet [saws] encourages us to teach and be good teachers:

Abdullah ibn Amir [ra] narrated that Allâh’s Messenger [saws  happened to pass by two groups (of Muslims) in the mosque and he said: "Both of them are good, but one is superior to the other. One group is supplicating Allâh and praying Him. If He so wills He will confer upon them and if He so wills He will withhold. So far as those who are acquiring the understanding of religion and its knowledge and are busy in teaching the ignorant, they are superior. Verily I have been sent as a teacher.” He then sat down amongst them. (Tirmidhi  257 and Darimi)

Abu Humamah Al- Bahili [ra] narrated that mention was made to Allâh's Messenger [saws] of two persons: the one being a devout, and the other being a scholar. Thereupon Allâh's Messenger [saws] said: “The superiority of the scholar over the devout is like my superiority over one who is of the lowest rank amongst you." Then Allâh's Messenger said: “Verily (for the scholars) Allâh and His angels, the dwellers of the Heavens and of the Earth, even an ant in its hole and fish (in the depth of water) invoke blessings on one who teaches people goodness.” (Tirmidhi 213)

For our benefit, we must acquire knowledge of Islâm and teach it to others.   We must always remember that Islâm is the right religion but most men do not know it.  It is therefore mandatory that we share our knowledge to others in order to guide them to righteousness.  We have to teach Islâm to others, especially the non-Muslims, to the best of our capacity.  We must remember that when we guide others to Islâm, we expect rewards from Allâh the Almighty.  The Prophet [saws] says:

Abu Mas`ud Al-Ansari [ra] narrated that Allâh's Messenger [saws] said, “…One who guides to something good has a reward similar to that of its doer.” (Muslim  4/4665)

Abu Hurairah [ra] narrated that Allâh's Messenger [saws] said, “He who called people to righteousness, there would be reward (assured) for him like the rewards of those who adhered to it, without their rewards being diminished in any respect. And he who called (people) to error, he shall have to carry (the burden) of its sin, like those who committed it, without their sins being diminished in any respect.” (Muslim  4/6470)

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[1] Allah is an Arabic term, which connotes the One and Only True God.  Even among Christian Arabs, they always use the word Allah when they mean God.  Allah is not only the God of the Muslims.  Allah is the true God of the whole mankind (114:3).  He is the universal God of all.  The term Allah has no plural word unlike the word God.  It signifies absolute Oneness of God.  Hence, it is a must to use the word Allah instead of God.

[3] Traditions or practices of Prophet Messenger , which include his Ahâdîth  (Teachings and Sayings).

[4] A.L.R. is one of the “abbreviated letters" prefixed in some verses of the Qur’ân. Only  Allâh knows its meaning (3:7).