Small Question and Answers

Q: What does the word "Islam" mean?
A: Islam from its root means "peace," and is derived from the same source as the word "shalom" in Hebrew. A more literal translation is entering into a condition of peace and security through God.

Q: Do Muslims want to force all others to adopt their religion?
A: No. According to the Qur'an, the Muslim holy book, you cannot force an individual to become a Muslim. "There shall be no compulsion in religion."

Q:  Does in Islam every one are equal .

 A: All Mankind is from Adam and Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said no Arab has superiority over a non-Arab Nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab : Also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action . "






Q: Does Islam permit the killing of people who disagree with the religion?
A No. Killing another person is unequivocally condemned in the Qur'an. It is considered a sin that leads straight to Hell.

Q1) What is the meaning of the word "Qur'an"?
A) That which is Read.

Q2) Where was the Qur'an revealed first?
A) In the cave of Hira (Makkah)

Q3) On which night was the Qur'an first revealed?
A) Lailatul-Qadr (Night of the Power)

Q4) Who revealed the Qur'an?
A) Allah revealed the Qur'an

Q5) Through whom was the Qur'an revealed?
A) Through Angel Jibraeel (Alaihis-Salaam)

Q6) To whom was the Qur'an revealed?
A) To the last Prophet, Muhammed (Sallahu Alaihi Wasallam)

Q7) Who took the responsibility of keeping the Qur'an safe?
A) Allah himself

Q8) What are the conditions for holding or touching the Qur'an?
A) One has to be clean and to be with wudhu (ablution)

Q9) Which is the book which is read most?
A) The Qur'an

Q10) What are the other names of the Qur'an according to the Qur'an itself?
A) A l-Furqaan, Al-Kitaab, Al-Zikr, Al-Noor,Al-Huda



Q12) How many Makki Surahs (chapters) are there in the Qur'an?
A) 86

Q13) How many Madani Surahs (chapters) are there in the Qur'an?
A) 28

Q14) How many Manzils (stages) are there in the Qur'an?
A) 7

Q15) How many Paara or Juz (parts) are there in the Qur'an?
A) 30

Q16) How many Surahs (chapters) are there in the Qur'an?
A) 114

Q17) How many Rukoo (paragraphs) are there in the Qur'an?
A) 540

Q18) How many Aayaath (verses) are there in the Qur'an?
A) 6666

Q19) How many times is the word 'Allah' repeated in the Qur'an?
A) 2698

Q20) How many different types of Aayaath (verses) are there in the Qur'an?
A) 10

Q21) Who is the first 'Haafiz' of the Qur'an?
A) Prophet Muhammed (Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam)

Q22) At the time of the death of Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) how many Huffaz were there?
A) 22

Q23) How many Aayaath (verses) on Sajda (prostat ion) are there in the Qur'an?A) 14

Q24) In which Paara (part) and Surah (chapter) do you find the first verse about Sajda (prostation) ?A) 9th Paara, 7th Chapter-Surah- al-Araaf, Verse 206

Q25) How many times has the Qur'an stressed about Salaat or Namaaz (prayer)?A) 700 times

Q26) How many times has the Qur'an emphasized on alms or charity?A) 150

Q27) How many times in the Qur'an, is the Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)
addressed asYaa-Aiyu-Han- Nabi?
A) 11 times

Q28) Where in the Qur'an has Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) been named 'Ahmed'?A) Paara 28th, Surah Saff, Ayath 6th

Q29) How many times has the name of Rasool-ullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) been mentioned in the Qur'an?A) Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)-4times Ahmed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)-1 time


Q30) Name the Prophet whose name is mentionedand discussed most in the Qur'an?A) Moosa (Alahis-Salaam)



Q31) Who were the Kaathibe-Wahi (copyists of the revelations) of the Qur'an?A) Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu), Usman (Radhiallahu Anhu), Ali (Radhiallahu Anhu), Zaid Bin Harith(Radhiallahu Anhu) And Abdullah bin Masood(Radhiallahu Anhu)

Q32) Who was the first person who counted the Aayaath (verses) of the Qur'an?A) Ayesha (Radhiallahu Anha)

Q33) On whose advice did Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu) decide to compile the Qur'an?A) Omer Farooq(Radhiallahu Anhu)

Q34) On whose order was the Qur'an compiled completely in written form?A) Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu)

Q35) Who confined the recitation of the Qur'an on the style of the Quraysh tribe?A) Usman (Radhiallahu Anhu)

Q36) Out of the copies of the Qur'an compiled by Usman (Radhiallahu Anhu), how many and where are they at present?A) Only 2 copies. One in Tashkent and the other in Istanbul .

Q37) Which Surah of the Qur'an was Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) reciting while praying, that Hazrat Jabeer Bin Muth'im Listened to and embraced Islam?A) Surah Thoor

Q38) Which was that Surah of the Qur'an which the Prophet Muhammed Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had recited when one of his enemies Utba after listening to it fell in Sajda (prostation) ?

A) The first five Ayaaths of Ham-Meem-Sajda

Q39) Which is the first and the most ancient Mosque according to the Qur'an?A) Kaaba

Q40) In Qur'an mankind is divided into two groups.Which are those two groups?A) Believers and disbelievers



Q41) Who is the man about whom, Allah has said in the Qur'an that his body is kept as an admonishing example for future generations to come?A) Fir'aun. (Pharaoh)

Q42) Besides the body of Pharaoh, what is that thing which is kept as an admonishing example for future generations to come?A) Noah's Ark.

Q43) After the wreckage of Prophet Noah's Ark , which is its place of rest mentioned in theQur'an? 
A) Cave of Judi .

Q44) In the Qur'an the name of whic h companion of Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is mentioned?A) Zaid Bin Harith.

Q45) Who is the relative of the Prophet Muahmmed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)whose name is mentioned in the Qur'an?A) Abu Lahab

Q46) In the Qur'an there is a mention of a Prophet who has been called by his mother's name. Who was he?A) Jesus [Prophet Isa (Alahis salaam)] is mentioned as bn Maryam.

Q47) Which was the agreement that was titled Fath-hum-Mubeen' without fighting a battle?A) Treaty of Hudaibiya

Q48) What are the different names used for Satan or Devil in the Qur'an?A) Iblees and Ash-Shaitaan.


Q49) Which category of creature does the Qur'an put 'Iblees' into?A) Jinn.


Q50) What were those worships and prayers that were ordered by Allah to the community of Bani Israeel and which were continued by the Muslim Ummah also?A) Salaat and Zakaat. (Al-Baqarah: 43)

Q51) The Qur'an repeatedly warns of a certain day.Can you say which day it is?A) Youmal Qiyamah.(Doomsday)

Q52) Who were those people with whom Allah was pleased and they were pleased with Him, as mentioned in the Qur'an?A) Companions of Prophet Muhammed.(Sallallah u Alaihi Wasallam)

Q53) In which Holy Book of Non-Muslims the Qur'an mentioned repeatedly?A) In the Holy Book of Sikh Community-Granth Saheb.

Q54) In which year were the vowels inserted in the Qur'an?A) 43 Hijri.

Q55) Who were the first serious students of the Qur'an?A) As-haabus Suffah.

Q56) Which is the first Residential University where the faculty of the Qur'an was established for the first time?A) Masjid-e-Nabvi. [Mosque of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)]


Q57) By what name did the Qur'an address those noble and pious people who were selected by Allah to convey His message to mankind?A) Nabi (Prophet) and Rasool (Messenger).

Q58) What type of a person does the Qur'an want to make?A) Momin.

Q59) What is the scale or measure of one's dignity according to the Qur'an?A) Thaqwa. (Piety)

Q60) What according to the Qur'an is the root cause of the evil?A) Alcohol.

Q61) What are the two most important types of kinds of Aayaat (Verses)found in the Qur'an?A) Muhakamaat and muthashabihaath.

Q62) Which is the longest Surah (Chapter) in the Qur'an?A) Surah-al-Baqarah.

Q63) Which is the smallest Surah in the Qur'an?A) Surah-al-Kausar.

Q64) What was the age of Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) when Qur'an was first revealed to him through Jibraeel (Alaihis-salaam) ?A) 40 Years.


Q65) How long did Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) receive the revelation of the Qur'an in Makkah?
A) 13 Years.

Q66) How long did Prophet Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) receive the revelation of the Qur'an in Madinah?
A) 10 Years.

Q67) Where was the first Surah revealed?
A) In Makkah.

Q68) Where was the last Surah revealed?
A) In Madinah.

Q69) How many years did it take for the complete revelation of the Qur'an?
A) 22 years,5 months and 14 days.

Q70) Which Surah(Chapter) of the Qur'an is to be read compulsorily in each raka'at of the Salaat (Namaaz)?

A) Surah-al-Fatihah.

Q71) Which is the Surah, which Allah taught as a Du'a(Prayer) ?
A) Surah-al-Fatihah.


Q72) What is the reason of keeping Surah-al-Fatihah in the beginning of the Qur'an?
A) It is the door to the Qur'an

Q73) What is the Surah (Chapter) revealed completely and found first place in the Qur'an?
A) Surah-al-Fatihah.

Q74) Who was the only lady whose personal name is found in the Qur'an?
A) Mariam(Alaihis- salaam).

Q75) In which Surah (Chapter) of the Qur'an do you find maximum instructions?
A) Surah-al-Baqarah.

Q76) When and Where did the Prophet Muhammed Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and Jibraeel (Alaihis-salaam) meet for the second time?
A) On Friday,18th Ramadan,in the Cave of Hira .

Q77) What was the interval between the first and the second revelation?
A) 2 years and six months.

Q78) Which is the Surah (Chapter) that does start without Bismillah?
A) Surah-al-Taubah or Bara'ath.


Q79) In which Surah (Chapter) of the Qur'an Bismillah is repeated twice?
A) Surah-al Naml.

Q80) How many Surah (Chapter) in the Qur'an have the titles named after different Prophets?
A) 6 Surahs (Chapters):
a) Surah-al-Yunus.
b)Surah-al-Hood.
c) Surah-al-Yusuf.
d) Surah-al-Ibraheem.
e)Surah-al-Nuh.f) Surah-al-Muhammed.

Q81) In which part of the Qur'an do you find 'Ayat-ul-Kursi' (Verse of the Throne)?A) In the beginning of the third Part .(Chapter2-55)

Q82) How many different names of Allah are mentioned in the Qur'an?A) 99

Q83) Who were the three non-prophets whose names are mentioned with due respect in the Qur'an?A) Luqman,Aziz of Egypt and Zulqarnain.

Q84) At the time Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu) how many companions had compiled the Qur'an in the form of a book?A) 75 companions.

Q85) Which is that only book which is completely memorized by millions of people in the world?A) Al-Qur'an.

Q86) What did the Jinns who heard a few Aayaath Verses) of the Qur'an say to each other?A) We have heard a unique discourse which shows the right path, verily we believe in it.


Q87) Which are the most popular translations of the Qur'an in English?
A) Translation by Muhammed Marmaduke Pickthall and by Allama Yusuf Ali.

Q88) Into how many languages of the world has the Holy Qur'an been translated?A) Nearly 103 languages.

Q89) Who was the first translator of the Holy Qur'an into Urdu?



A) Moulana Shah Rafiuddin Muhaddis Dehlavi.


Q: What is a jihad?
A: Militant, radical Islamic fringe groups have emphasized this term as meaning a "holy war" waged against non-Muslims. The true meaning is "to strive in the cause of God" and it is generally applied to the internal struggle of individuals to follow the laws of the Islamic religion. Through this effort Muslims attempt to show, by word and example, not through violence, that Islam is the true faith. Physical, violent war is only permitted in self-defense.

Q: Does Islam encourage terrorist acts in defense of the religion?
A: No. In fact Muhammad himself, the most important prophet in the religion of Islam, established firm rules on how a war of self-defense should be waged: "In avenging the injuries inflicted upon us, do not harm the non-belligerents in their homes; spare the weakness of women; do not injure infants at the breast, nor those who are sick. Do not destroy the houses of those who offer no resistance; and do not destroy their means of subsistence..." The Qur'an says: "Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors." (2:190)

Q: Islam is an intolerant religion. True or False?
A: False. The Qur'an says: "As regards those who do not fight against you because of your religion and do not drive you out of your homes, God does not forbid you to treat them with goodness and to be just to them." (60:8) It is one function of Islamic law to protect the privileged status of religious minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places of worship have flourished all over the Islamic world.

Q: How do Muslims view death?
A: Like Jews and Christians, Muslims believe that the present life is only a preparation for the next realm of existence. Basic articles of faith include: the Day of Judgement, resurrection, Heaven and Hell. When a Muslim dies, he or she is washed, usually by a family member, wrapped in a clean white cloth, and buried with a simple prayer preferably the same day.

 
Q: Do Christianity and Islam have different origins?  
A: No. Together with Judaism, they go back to the patriarch Abraham, and their three prophets are directly descended from his sons Muhammad from the eldest, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus from Isaac. Abraham established the settlement which today is the city of Makkah (Mecca), and built the Ka'abah towards which all Muslims turn when they pray. In fact, Christians and Jews are thus afforded a special, protected place in Islamic tradition and are known as "People of the Book."

Q: Islam is a monolithic religion that does not allow debate or discussion on matters of faith. True or False?
A: False. There are important divisions within the Muslim community, the most significant of which is the split between Shiites (about 10%) and Sunni (the majority) Muslims. There are many different interpretations of Islamic law, and there is no final doctrinal authority or clergy per se (such as the Papacy in Catholicism). Thus, when militant, fringe groups issue a fatwa or decree (such as bin Laden's injunction to kill Americans), it is in no way binding on Muslims.

Q: If Islam is tolerant of other faiths, please explain why two young American Christian women are currently imprisoned and sentenced to death in Afghanistan for simply professing their faith?
A: The Taliban regime is not a mainstream Islamic group. Its leaders are fundamentalists who interpret the Qur'an literally. According to the Taliban, the two women are being imprisoned because they tried to convert Muslims in Afghanistan to Christianity and that is considered a religious crime in Islam. To convert to another religion from Islam is considered harram, or forbidden.

Q: Could you please tell me what the difference is between a Sunni and a Shiite Muslim?
A: There are no significant doctrinal or ritual differences between the two when it comes to the basic beliefs and practices of Islam. Sunni Muslims believe that leadership of the religion can be passed on after the prophet Muhammad only through election by elders. The Shia believe it should be passed down to Muhammad's nearest living male relative. Sunnis now make up about 85 percent of Muslims worldwide. The Shia live mostly in Iran and Lebanon; the Sunni and other minor sects are everywhere else. The two groups also differ in their interpretation of Islamic law. The Sunni are orthodox; that is, they believe that the law is immutable and cannot be changed beyond the basic texts assembled within the lifetime of the prophet Muhammad and his contemporaries. The Shia believe that the law can be interpreted to keep time with current needs. The Afghanis and the Taliban are Sunni Muslims.

Q: I would like to understand the Islamic faith better. Is there a book you would suggest reading?
A: Check our Web site at www.aaiusa.org for lots of suggestions. Books and articles by John Esposito of Georgetown University's Center for Christian-Muslim Understanding are a good place to start. The Web site has lots of brief papers that are useful for all ages.

Q: Does Islam rely solely on the Qur'an for its doctrines? Do Muslims use the Old Testament in their beliefs?
A: Islam relies on three sources for the sharia, or religious law: the Qur'an, which is the primary source since Muslims consider it the revealed word of God/Allah; the Hadith, which are the sayings of the prophet Muhammad on matters of faith and life as remembered by his contemporaries; and the Sunnah, which are commentaries on the Qur'an and Hadith by Islamic scholars and jurists in the first century of Islam. Sunnis believe that the entire basis for the law then closed. Shiites believe that the Sunnah can continue to be interpreted. The Old Testament does not have a direct impact on Islamic beliefs, but parts of the Old and New Testament are contained in the Qur'an.

Q: How do Muslims view Jesus Christ?
A: He is considered a prophet, but not the son of God.

Q: Is suicide an acceptable way to achieve paradise in Islam?
A: No.

Q: Why don't other Muslims, those who adhere to the true teachings of Muhammad, speak out more actively and loudly against radical Islamic fringe groups, and why don't they do more to stop these kinds of activities?

A: As a matter of fact, all the major Muslim countries have spoken out quite harshly against the tragic events of Sept. 11, and they are very much aware that groups such as bin Laden's pose a threat to their own societies. From Tunisia and Algeria to Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and the Gulf states all have Islamic radical groups operating within their borders that they're trying to keep in check or remove. As President Bush said, it's going to take an international effort, diverse resources and a lot of time to do so. We need to help Muslim countries govern in ways that strengthen ties with their people, not alienate them. And we need to have U.S. policies in place that do not degrade and humiliate people, which is how many in the Middle East view our policies toward the Iraqis and Palestinians.