Shorts

This lecture explores the absolute sovereignty of Allah, contrasting it with earthly kingship where power is often susceptible to corruption. It highlights that Allah’s authority is unchecked by any external force, but is governed by His perfect wisdom. The discussion draws parallels with the story of Pharaoh in Surah Momin, illustrating how even a self-proclaimed god faced limitations due to internal dissent and the inherent flaws of absolute power. The lecture emphasizes that Allah’s absolute authority is balanced not by external checks, but by His complete and perfect wisdom, ensuring just and equitable decisions.

Dr. Israr Ahmad

64

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) observed Tarawih prayers individually for only three nights, leading an eight-rak’ah congregation. He performed these prayers after the Tahajjud prayers. The practice of offering twenty rak’ahs in congregation did not exist during the Prophet’s era or the caliphate of Abu Bakr. It began during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab, who standardized the practice after observing fragmented congregations in the mosque. He instituted a system of twenty rak’ahs to be performed immediately after Isha, led by a single imam.

Dr. Israr Ahmad

83

The vast majority of Muslims today lack true faith, with only a small fraction embodying genuine belief. This lecture highlights a pervasive disconnect between professed belief and actual practice, particularly regarding adherence to Quranic principles. Many prioritize worldly concerns and are fixated on death without acknowledging the reality of the afterlife as the true life. The speaker emphasizes a critical contradiction: professing belief in the Quran while simultaneously engaging in prohibited practices like usury, demonstrating a lack of genuine faith in divine commandments.

Dr. Israr Ahmad

69

This lecture explains that on the Day of Judgement, a manifestation of Allah will occur, but only those with faith will be granted this divine vision. The Quran states that disbelievers will be veiled on that day, unable to witness this manifestation reserved for the believers. This vision is a special blessing for the faithful, inaccessible to those who rejected faith.

Dr. Israr Ahmad

52

This lecture details the historical development of Taraweeh prayers. Initially, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) led the congregation for only three nights, praying eight rak'ahs and combining it with Tahajjud. The practice of twenty rak'ahs connected to Isha prayer originated during the Caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab, an innovation aimed at unifying diverse congregations. While some, like the Ahl-e-Hadith, maintain the original eight rak'ahs, the majority of Sunni schools (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali) follow Umar's practice, citing the principle of adhering to the traditions of the Prophet and the rightly guided Caliphs. This practice is also observed in the Haramain Sharifain. The lecture clarifies the historical context and differing viewpoints surrounding Taraweeh.

Dr. Israr Ahmad

128

The number of verses in the Quran is a subject of some debate, estimated to be around 6,200, with variations stemming from whether or not to include the opening 'Bismillah' verse before each chapter (Surah), except for Surah At-Taubah. Including it would add 113 verses to the total. The number of Surahs, however, is definitively 114. Translating the concept of 'Surah' into English presents a challenge, and retaining the original term will likely foster wider understanding and acceptance. The lecture explains these nuances of Quranic structure.

Dr. Israr Ahmad

64