DEEPENING MY UNDERSTANDING OF

THE QUR’AN

The First Theme: Importance of Obeying The Law

The bulk of the first Juz of the Quran comprises the first half of Surah Al-Baqarah.
Surah Al-Baqarah is the longest Surah in the Qur’an. The core theme of this Surah are
the Laws of Islam and the importance of obeying them.

Historical Context — This Surah was revealed in Madinah when the Islamic State was being
formulated and the importance of the laws was crucial for the successful foundation of the state.
If we wish to revive Islam today, the first step is to go back to treating the law of Allah
as the priority in our lives.

Note that while most of the laws in this Surah are addressed to the believers, the very
first commandment in the Qur’an is addressed to all of mankind, “Oh Mankind,
worship your Lord,” (2:21) => Tawheed (Islamic Monotheism) is the first and most
emphasized command in the Qur’an. Every human needs to acknowledge Tawheed
before anything else.

THE FIRST STORY — ADAM AND SHAYTAAN

In order to emphasize the importance of obeying the laws, the first Juz of the Qur’an is
full of stories of those who disobeyed the laws of Allah. The first story mentioned in the
Qur’an is that of Adam and Shaytaan, and Shaytaan’s refusal to bow to Adam, which
was the first act of disobedience against Allah.

The story of Adam and Shaytaan is repeated throughout the Qur’an due to its historical
and moral significance. This story teaches us about the origins of mankind, the
beginning of evil, the dangers of arrogance and the purpose of life. This story should be
studied carefully and reflected upon to discover its many lessons.

THE SECOND STORY — BANI ISRAEL / LE PEUPLE D'ISRAËL

The bulk of this Juz comprises the stories of Bani Israel and how time after time in a
variety of different ways, they violated the laws of Allah, as well as the consequences of
them doing so. These stories are remarkably similar to the different ways in which many
Muslims today violate the laws of Allah.

One story which stands out is the story that this Surah is named after.
A murder had occurred among the Israelites and they asked Prophet Moses (peace be upon
him) to assist them in identifying the murderer. Allah revealed that they should sacrifice a
cow and Allah will reveal who the murderer is.
The people did not take this seriously and began to ask a multitude of questions, each of
which restricted the type of cow they needed to slaughter. Eventually, after they had made
the law too difficult upon themselves, they had to search for a very specific type of cow and
only after slaughtering it, was the murderer made clear to them.

— WHAT DO WE LEARN ?

The lesson of this story is to avoid asking unnecessary questions that will make this
religion stricter than it needs to be. Allah has purposely left certain things general,

and kept silent on other things, as a Mercy to us.

Too many questions about minute issues lead to the establishment of laws that are too
strict and not in keeping with the goal of the Shariah i.e. the removal of hardship.
Nowadays, it is quite common to find Muslim communities stressing over such minute
issues, making the laws of Islam unnecessarily stricter upon themselves than it needs to
be. It will serve us well to reflect on the lesson from this story.
 Conclusion on The First Juz

The Juz ends with a reminder to follow the example of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon
him) and his descendants who were amazing examples of submission and obedience to
the laws of Allah. Prophet Ibrahim, Hajar, Ismail and the rest (peace be upon them all)
obeyed Allah even in things which average people can’t understand. Whether it was the
command to sacrifice his firstborn son, or the command to leave his wife and son in the
desert of Makkah, Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is one of the best examples of
true submission (Islam) to the will of Allah.
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KEY NOTIONS AND SELF REFLECTION
● Trusting Allah (swt) with your eyes closed, no matter what, because Allah knows
what’s best for you, and Mankind in general. Always put all your trust in Him.
And Insha’Allah, you’ll notice Signs that’ll indicate to you if what you wish for is
bad or good for you. In the second case, it’ll most likely happen (Insha’Allah).
● Bani Israel were too curious, that led them away from guidance by their
Prophet(s) and the Truth. They should’ve known better.
● If some things are the way they are, don’t question yourself too much, cause Allah
knows things you don’t. All your questions and enigmas will be answered in the
Akhira (the Hereafter). So focus on the present by obeying the laws that Allah
established for you in order to live a life worth to be lived, full of good deeds,
good manners, prayers for those who make your time on Earth so cherishable and
of course for yourself (This said, I’ve never prayed literally in my whole life… but
I’m planning to do so which I think is a big step since I thought I was too
immature for this act several years ago). Prayer sure is important in order to
strengthen your connections with Allah (swt) and to wish great things for
yourself and others. Giving charity and doing good is primordial (about that I
REALLY need to carry some pennies with me T-T).

➢ The very first commandment stated in the 1st Juz : Tawheed = Islamic
Monotheism in (2:21) “O hommes ! Adorez votre Seigneur, qui vous a créés vous
et ceux qui vous ont précédés. Ainsi atteindriez-vous à la pitié.”
 ➢ Al Shariah = the removal of hardship - Al Tasdeeq = confirmation

Les prières sur le Prophète ‫ﷺ‬

Il existe plusieurs sortes de prières sur le Prophète. La plus courante des formules est
celle que l’on doit prononcer chaque fois que le Prophète est mentionné : « salla
Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam » (que la paix et les bénédictions de Dieu soient sur lui). Elle
est souvent représentée par ce symbole calligraphie : ‫ﷺ‬

َ ‫اللَّهُ َّم‬
ِ ‫صلِّ َعلَ ٰى ُم َح َّم ٍد َو َعلَ ٰى‬
‫آل ُم َح َّم ٍد‬

‫آل ِإ ْب َرا ِهي َم‬ َ ‫صلَّي‬

ِ ‫ْت َعلَ ٰى ِإ ْب َرا ِهي َم َو َعلَ ٰى‬ َ ‫َك َما‬

َ َّ‫ِإن‬
‫ك َح ِمي ٌد َم ِجي ٌد‬

ِ َ‫اللَّهُ َّم ب‬
ِ ‫ار ْك َعلَ ٰى ُم َح َّم ٍد َو َعلَ ٰى‬
‫آل ُم َح َّم ٍد‬

َ ‫َك َما بَا َر ْك‬

ِ ‫ت َعلَ ٰى ِإ ْب َرا ِهي َم َو َعلَ ٰى‬
‫آل ِإ ْب َرا ِهي َم‬

َ َّ‫ِإن‬
‫ك َح ِمي ٌد َم ِجي ٌد‬

RANDOM VOCABULARY

☆ Namaz ☆ Zaker ☆ Huda ☆ Hassanat ☆ Zakāt ☆ Tahajjud ☆ Tawakal ☆ Taqwa ☆

Shirk ☆ Tawwakul ☆ Quiblah ☆ Sabr ☆ Dhikr ☆ Mehr
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How to Pray Salah

Now that our wudu (= purification of the body) has been properly made we can proceed
and begin to pray salah.
Here are the steps of the salah:

1. Standing
2. Takbir
3. Fatihah – Recitation
4. Ruku – Bowing
5. Sujud – Prostration
6. Tashahud – Sitting

To understand the steps of the salah it is important to understand that the prayer is
made up of rakah, or units of prayer. Every rakah has the same basic steps within it.

There will be :
I. A part when you are standing
II. A part when you recite from the Quran
III. A part when you bow down
IV. A part where you prostrate =make sujud

Depending on which prayer you are performing there will be slight differences in how
these rakah are performed. Here is a summary of how each of the five daily prayers
differ from one another:

□ FAJR – has 2 rakah

□ DHUR – has 4 rakah
□ ASR – has 4 rakah
□ MAGHRIB – has 3 rakah
□ ISHA – has 4 rakah

Step 1 – Make your intention to pray

We first began the prayer by making an intention from the heart to pray to Allah. As soon
as you begin, your entire focus should be on the prayer itself and nothing else.

Step 2 – Raise your hands to your ears and say ‘Allahu

Akbar”

— START OF PRAYER —

The moment you say “Allahu Akbar” the prayer will officially begin. From this point
forward you should focus wholeheartedly on the prayer and do your best to ignore all
distractions.

Step 3 – Lower your hands and place them over your naval.

Your right hand should be placed over your left hand

Step 4 – Keep your eyes focused on the ground in front of

you

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that while you pray your eyes should
always look to where you will prostrate.

Although it is not obligatory, it is also highly recommended to read the following dua
(supplication) after saying Allahu Akbar:
 subhanakal-lahumma wabihamdika
watabarakas-muka
wataa ‘ala jadduka
wala ilaha ghayruka.
How perfect you are, O Allah. I praise you
How blessed is Your name
How lofty is Your position
And none has the right to be worshiped but You

Step 5 – Recite the opening chapter of the Qur’an

The first chapter of the Qur’an is called Surah Fatihah. You will begin by saying this
Arabic phrase:
A’auodu billaahi minash-shaytaanir rajeem

‘I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan (devil).’

And then begin to recite Surah Al-Fatihah.

In the name of God, the infinitely Compassionate and Merciful.

Praise be to Allah, Lord of all the worlds.
The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Master on the Day of Recompense (Judgement Day).
You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help.
Guide us on the straight path,
The path of those who You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger
or of those who are astray.

After reciting Surah Fatihah, you can recite another chapter from the Qur’an. However, at
a minimum you must recite Surah Fatihah in every raka’at of prayer.

Step 6 – Bow down. This is known as the ‘ruku’

As you are bowing down say ‘Allahu Akbar’.

the posture to maintain:
- Make sure to keep your back straight,
- your hands on your knees,
- and your eyes focused on the ground where you will be prostrating.

When you are in this position you will say this sentence 3 times:

Subhanna rabbeeyal adheem

‘How perfect is my Lord, the Magnificent’

Step 7 – Return to standing up again

As you are rising up from the ruku position to a standing position you will bring your
hands to your ears and will say:

Samee Allahu leeman hameeda

‘Allah hears those who praise him’

And when you are standing upright then lower your hands to your waist and say:

Rabbana walakal hamd

‘Our Lord, to You is all praise’

Step 8 – Go down to perform prostration. This is known as

‘sujud’

As you are moving into this position say :

Allahu Akbar
And also make sure your forehead, nose, palms of both hands, knees, and both toes
are touching the ground !

Step 9 – Say this phrase while in sujud (prostration)

Say this sentence 3 times:

Subhanna rabbeeyal aala

How perfect is my Lord, the Most High

Step 10 – Rise up from sujud and sit for a moment

Say Allahu akbar as you rise from sujud and then sit on your left leg. Your left foot will
rest on the floor while your right foot is upright. Place your hands on your knees.

When you are in this position it is recommended to ask Allah for forgiveness. A simple
and easy dua you can say is:
Rabbigh-fir lee

O my Lord, forgive me.

Step 11 – Return to the position of sujud

You will repeat step 9 again and perform a second sujud and say subhanna rabbeeyal
‘aala three times again.

Step 12 – Arise from the sujud to return to the standing

position and say Allahu Akbar

Congratulations, you have just completed one full rakah! The first rakah of every prayer
is performed with these twelve steps.

When you reach the end of the second rakah you will perform the tashahud.
Step 13 – Perform the tashahhud at the end of every two
rakah

Instead of standing up after the two sujud, this time around you will sit on your legs
and knees again. You will raise your right index finger and say:

At Tahiyyatu lillahi was Salawaatu wat tayyibaat

Assalaamu ‘alaika ayyuhan nabiyyu wa rahmatu Allahi wa barakaatuh
Assalaamu ‘alaynaa wa ‘aala ‘ebaadillaahi saaliheen,
Ash hadu allaa ilaha illa Allah Wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluhu

All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah.

Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
Peace be upon us, and on the righteous slaves of Allah.
I bear witness that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah, and I bear witness
that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger

If this is the final rakah in the prayer then you will add this part to the tashahhud:

Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammad

Kama salayta ‘ala Ibraaheem wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim
Innaka Hameedun Majeed
Wa baarik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammad
Kamaa baarakta ‘ala Ibraaheem wa ‘ala ali Ibrahim
Innaka Hameedun Majeed

O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family (or followers) of
Muhammad, Just as You sent prayers upon Ibrahim and the family (or followers) of
Ibrahim,
Verily, you are full of Praise and Majesty.
O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family (or followers) of Muhammad as You blessed
Ibrahim and the family (or followers) of Ibraaheem,
Verily, you are full of Praise and Majesty.
The ‘tasleem’: after reciting the second part of the tashahhud, you will say the “tasleem.”

The tasleem is to look to your right and say:

Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatu Allah

And then to look to the left and say it again:

Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatu Allah

— END OF PRAYER —

Now you know how to perform a rakah – one unit of prayer. The next step is to combine
2, 3, or 4 rakah together to complete one salah. We’ll cover that in the next chapter.