Light from the Holy Quran

Table of Contents:

• Chapter 1: Al-Fatihah (The Opening):
  
  • Quranic Lesson No. 1 [Bismil-laa-hir rahmaa-nir raheem]:
    
    • Attributes of Allah
    • The Human Soul
    • Knowledge of the Holy Quran
  • Quranic Lesson No. 2 [The Holy Quran, 1:1]:
    
    • The Wisdom of Al-Fatihah
    • Man’s Quest after God
    • All Praise is for Allah
    • Proof of Existence of the Divine Being
  • Quranic Lesson No. 3 [The Holy Quran, 1:1]:
    
    • Undeniable Proof of Divine Existence
    • Modern Age of Atheism
    • Recognition of Divine Being through His Attributes
    • Purpose of Man’s Creation
    • Divine Guidance to all Nations
  • Quranic Lesson No. 4 [The Holy Quran, 1:2]:
    
    • Attributes of Allah are Infinite
    • Four Basic Attributes of Allah
    • Lord of the Worlds
    • The Beneficent, the Merciful
  • Quranic Lesson No. 5 [The Holy Quran, 1:3–4]:
    
    • Master of the Day of Requital
    • Concept of Paradise and Hell
    • Only Allah is to be served with Humility
    • Asking for Divine Assistance
  • Quranic Lesson No. 6 [The Holy Quran, 1:5]:
    
    • Man created for a Higher Objective
    • The Path of the Righteous
    • Testimony of a Righteous Servant of Allah
  • Quranic Lesson No. 7 [The Holy Quran, 1:6–7]:
    
    • Closeness to God achieved through the Religion of Islam
    • The Perfect Model of Righteousness
    • Those who did not benefit from Divine Guidance
    • A Comprehensive Prayer
• Chapter 2: Al-Baqarah (The Cow):
  
  • Quranic Lesson No. 8 [The Holy Quran, 2:1–2]:
    
    • Answer to the Prayer of Al-Fatihah
    • Lessons to be learned from Previous Nations
    • Significance of the Name Al-Baqarah (The Cow)
    • Allah is the Author of this Book
    • The Book of Guidance
  • Quranic Lesson No. 9 [The Holy Quran, 2:2]:
    
    • Authenticity of the Holy Quran
    • Meaning of the Word Taqwa
    • Guidance for the Dutiful
  • Quranic Lesson No. 10 [The Holy Quran, 2:3]:
    
    • Belief in the Unseen
    • Limitations of Human Vision
    • Vision of the Truthful
  • Quranic Lesson No. 11 [The Holy Quran, 2:3]:
    
    • Proof of Divine Existence
    • Basis of all Human Development
    • The Spiritual Eye
  • Quranic Lesson No. 12 [The Holy Quran, 2:3]:
    
    • Prayer the means of Divine Realization
    • God is Omnipresent
    • The True Spirit of Prayer
    • Rules of Prayer
  • Quranic Lesson No. 13 [The Holy Quran, 2:3]:
    
    • Prayer as a means of guarding against Evil
    • Spiritual Sustenance
    • Spiritual Ascension
  • Quranic Lesson No. 14 [The Holy Quran, 2:3–4]:
    
    • Broad Concept of Charity
    • All Sustenance from Allah
    • The Middle Course
    • Means of Spiritual Development
    • Service of Humanity
    • Universality of Divine Revelation
    • Belief in Life After Death
  • Quranic Lesson No. 15 [The Holy Quran, 2:21]:
    
    • Message of the Quran is for all Nations
    • Service with Humility
    • Freedom of Will
    • Power to suppress Animal Instincts
    • Spiritual Benefits of:
      • Guidance for Proper Usage
  • Quranic Lesson No. 16 [The Holy Quran, 2:21]:
    
    • Guidance for all Nations
    • Purpose of Divine Guidance
    • Uniqueness of Man’s Physical and Spiritual Faculties
    • Man’s Tendency to follow the Religion of his Forefathers
    • The Consequences of following and ignoring Divine Guidance
  • Quranic Lesson No. 17 [The Holy Quran, 2:22–23]:
    
    • Purpose of Man’s Creation
    • The Metaphor of Spiritual Sustenance
    • Seven Realms of Spiritual Development
    • Revelation a Source of Life for the Spirit
    • A Challenge for the Critics of Divine Revelation
  • Quranic Lesson No. 18 [The Holy Quran, 2:23–25]:
    
    • Quranic Teachings are Practical for all Times
    • A Challenge and a Prophecy
    • Stones as Fuel of Fire
    • The Concept of Hell and Heaven
    • Spirit — the Real Sensor of Pain and Pleasure:
      • Pure Companionship and Everlasting Nature of Paradise
    • Addendum to Lesson No.18
  • Quranic Lesson No. 19 [The Holy Quran, 2:26–29]:
    
    • Weakness of False Deities
    • Guidance of the Holy Quran
    • The Transgressors:
      • The Covenant of Allah
      • Consequences of Transgression
    • Quranic Debate with the Atheists
  • Quranic Lesson No. 20 [The Holy Quran, 2:30–32]:
    
    • The Incident of Adam and Eve:
      • Erroneous Interpretation of
      • Adam and Eve in Heaven on Earth
      • Origin of the Human Race
    • Incident of Adam and Eve applicable to all of Humanity
  • Quranic Lesson No. 21 [The Holy Quran, 2:30–32]:
    
    • Summary of Previous Discussion
    • Divine Knowledge given through Revelation:
      • Distinctive Features of Man’s Creation in Light of the Quran
    • Purpose of Creation of Angels:
      • Angels informed of Divine Intent to create Man
      • The Angels’ Response
    • Divine Purpose of giving Man Freedom of Will
  • Quranic Lesson No. 22 [The Holy Quran, 2:31–39]:
    
    • How Divine Knowledge is given to Mankind
    • Adam being taught all the Names
    • Submission of the Angels to Man
    • The Devil and his refusal to submit
    • Concept of Paradise and the Forbidden Tree
    • Salvation of Mankind in following the Quran
  • Quranic Lesson No. 23 [The Holy Quran, 2:40–46]:
    
    • Divine Blessings on the Israelites
    • A Brief History of
    • The Cause of Divine Wrath
    • Muslims warned
    • Covenant of the Prophet
    • Objective of Prayer
    • Keeping up Prayer with Humility
  • Quranic Lesson No. 24 [The Holy Quran, 2:113–115]:
    
    • Muslims warned not to follow the Ways of the Jews and Christians
    • Divine Warning not heeded by Muslims of the Present Age
    • Spread of Islam in the West prophesied
  • Quranic Lesson No. 25 [The Holy Quran, 2:153–157]:
    
    • Quranic Philosophy of Trials and Tribulations
    • Prayers in Adversity strengthen Bond between Man and God
    • Patience, a Divine Attribute
    • Adversity a means of Spiritual Development
    • The Greatest Blessing achieved by those who are Patient
  • Quranic Lesson No. 26 [The Holy Quran, 2:164]:
    
    • The True Meaning of Worship of One God
    • Signs of the Existence and Unity of the Divine Being in the Universe:
      
      • Sign of Creation of the Heaven and the Earth
      • Sign of Alternation of Day and Night
      • Sign of the Ships and the Sea
      • Sign of the Life-giving Rainwater
      • Sign of Creation of Animal Life
      • Sign of the Changing Winds
  • Quranic Lesson No. 27 [The Holy Quran, 2:165–167]:
    
    • Nature’s Testimony towards Divine Unity (A Brief Summary of Lesson 26)
    • Submission to Allah appealing to Man’s Intellect:
      
      • Love of the Benefactor also Leads to Submission
    • Association with God, the Greatest Inequity
    • False Deities unable to assist in Time of Real Need
  • Quranic Lesson No. 28 [The Holy Quran, 2:168]:
    
    • Dietary Laws in Islam
    • Why Certain Foods are Forbidden
    • Dietary Laws relaxed in Times of Necessity
    • Hadith relating to Dietary Prohibitions
  • Quranic Lesson No. 29 [The Holy Quran, 2:177]:
    
    • The True Meaning of East and West
    • Condition of the Muslim Religious Leaders during the 19^th Century
    • Minor Degrees of Righteousness Exist in all Man-made Cultures
    • True Righteousness lies in Higher Moral Values
    • Quranic Code of Higher Moral Values:
      • Unity of God
      • Higher Moral Values acquired through Awareness of Divine Attributes
      • Quran is Unique in giving Knowledge of Divine Attributes
  • Quranic Lesson No. 30 [The Holy Quran, 2:177]:
    
    • Belief in the Day of Judgment, a Highly Effective Deterrent against Evil
    • Belief in the Angels involves listening to the Inner Voices of Guidance
    • Divine Scripture, a Guidance in Black and White
    • A Human Role Model Essential for the teaching of Righteousness:
      
      • The Holy Prophet (pbuh) a Role Model of Quranic Teachings
  • Quranic Lesson No. 31 [The Holy Quran, 2:177]:
    
    • Islam discourages Asceticism
    • Quranic Philosophy of Wealth (Part 1):
      
      • Spending of Wealth on Relatives
      • Spending on the Orphans and the Needy
  • Quranic Lesson No. 32 [The Holy Quran, 2:177]:
    
    • Quranic Philosophy of Wealth (Part 2):
      
      • Spending on the Wayfarer
      • Helping the Beggar
      • Helping the Captive
    • Prayer and Obligatory Charity
    • Keeping up of Promises
    • Patience the Greatest Virtue
  • Quranic Lesson No. 33 [The Holy Quran, 2:183–184]:
    
    • Unbridled Passions the cause of Spiritual decline of a Nation
    • Islamic Teachings suited to Human Nature
    • Fasting the means to regulate Human Passions:
      
      • Divine Wisdom behind Fasting
      • Fasting enjoined on all Nations
      • Fasting for the Sake of Spiritual Development
    • Those exempted from Fasting
  • Quranic Lesson No. 34 [The Holy Quran, 2:185]:
    
    • Control of the Animal within Self leads to Spiritual Progress
    • Holy Quran the only Complete and Fully Preserved Guide
    • Guidance for all Nations:
      
      • Supports Guidance with Clear and Concise Arguments
      • Distinguishes between Truth and Falsehood
    • A Practical Demonstration of the Truth of the Holy Quran
  • Quranic Lesson No. 35 [The Holy Quran, 2:186]:
    
    • Summary of the Previous Lesson
    • Purpose of Man’s Spiritual Journey:
      
      • Perfect Example of the one who completed his Spiritual Journey
      • Bond between Holy Prophet [Muhammad (pbuh)] and Spiritual Wayfarer needed to Complete Journey
      • Other Necessities for the Spiritual Journey
  • Quranic Lesson No. 36 [The Holy Quran, 2:188]:
    
    • Quranic Expression an Example of True Eloquence
    • Divine Philosophy of the Creation of Wealth
    • False means of accumulating Wealth
    • Property of an Orphan protected by the Holy Quran
    • Injunctions regarding Bribery
  • Quranic Lesson No. 37 [The Holy Quran, 2:228]:
    
    • Condition of Women in Arabia and the World before Islam
    • Holy Quran predicts resurgence of Women’s Rights in the Modern Age
    • Status of Women in Islam:
      
      • Spiritual Rights of women
      • Material Rights of Women in Islam
  • Quranic Lesson No. 38 [The Holy Quran, 2:228]:
    
    • Quranic Charter of Women Liberation
    • Criticism of the Charter answered
    • Why Men are given a Degree above Women:
      
      • A Warning to Men
    • Public discussions on the Subject
  • Quranic Lesson No. 39 [The Holy Quran, 2:228]:
    
    • An Example of the Purity of Speech and Eloquence
    • Disruption of Family Order
    • Quranic Remedy for Women who desert their Husbands
    • Testimony of a Woman in Islam
    • The Marriage of a Muslim Woman to a Follower of the Book
  • Quranic Lesson No. 40 [The Holy Quran, 2:246–250]:
    
    • Purpose of Warfare
    • Similarities between Leaders of Israelite Nation and Modern Politicians
    • Divine Criteria for selection of Leaders
    • Trial of the Israelite Forces
    • Divine Criteria for granting Victory
  • Quranic Lesson No. 41 [The Holy Quran, 2:254–255]:
    
    • Monetary Sacrifice required for striving in the Way of Allah
    • Spiritual Development is the Purpose of spending in Allah’s Way:
      
      • Belief and Righteous Actions are both Complementary
    • The True Meaning of Intercession
    • Wrongdoing of the Disbelievers
    • The Meaning of ‘Allah’— There is no God (Ilaha) but He
  • Quranic Lesson No. 42 [The Holy Quran, 2:255]:
    
    • Why Islam discourages Monasticism as a Way of Life
    • Wealth as a means of Spiritual Development of Mankind
    • The Purpose of Man’s Creation in the Words of a Righteous Servant of Allah [Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian]
  • Quranic Lesson No. 43 [The Holy Quran, 2:255]:
    
    • Concept of the Divine Being in other Religions
    • Concept of the Divine Being in Islam
  • Quranic Lesson No. 44 [The Holy Quran, 2:256–257]:
    
    • Fighting with the Sword Lawful only in Defensive Wars
    • Death is not the Punishment of Apostasy in Islam
    • Holy Prophet’s [Muhammad (pbuh)] Life — A Magnificent Example of Religious Tolerance
    • Freedom of Will Essential for Spiritual Development
    • Divine Guidance necessary to save Mankind
    • Holy Quran — A Guidance with Clear Proofs
  • Quranic Lesson No. 45 [The Holy Quran, 2:256–257]:
    
    • Truth Clearly Distinguished from Error
    • Disbelief in the Devil
    • Service of Allah the Right Way
    • Low Desires and the Devil
    • Belief in Allah the Firmest Handle
    • Allah listens and responds to the Cries of the Believer
  • Quranic Lesson No. 46 [The Holy Quran, 2:284]:
    
    • Questions about the Creation of the Universe
    • Mankind’s Reformation possible only through Reformation of the Heart
  • Quranic Lesson No. 47 [The Holy Quran, 2:284]:
    
    • Philosophy of Accountability of the Self
    • The Human Soul and its Stages of Development
  • Quranic Lesson No. 48 [The Holy Quran, 2:284]:
    
    • Human Soul the Trust of God
    • The Heart of Man Capable of manifesting the Divine Presence
    • Why Man is Capable of bearing the Trust of the Divine Spirit
    • Allah’s Mercy takes Precedence
  • Quranic Lesson No. 49 [The Holy Quran, 2:285]:
    
    • Progress of the Human Soul
    • Belief with Practice Essential for Human Spiritual Development
    • Belief through Divine Revelation:
      
      • Belief Essential for Serenity
      • The Evolution and Progression of Belief
  • Quranic Lesson No. 50 [The Holy Quran, 2:285–286]:
    
    • How to achieve the Objective of Belief
    • The Example of the Holy Prophet [Muhammad (pbuh)] and his Companions
    • Burden laid down upon the Soul in Proportion to its Capacity:
      
      • Three Types of Burdens
  • Quranic Lesson No. 51 [The Holy Quran, 2:286]:
    
    • Limitations in Religious Law not to exceed those of Allah and His Prophet [Muhammad (pbuh)]
    • Burdens in Accordance with the Law of Divine Measure
    • Burden laid down to increase the Capacity of the Soul
    • Burden of Man’s own Sins
    • The Prayer of one lost in the Love of God
• Chapter 3: Al-Imran (The Family of Amran):
  
  • Quranic Lesson No. 52 [The Holy Quran, 3:1–4]:
    
    • Significance of the Name Al-Imran
    • The usage of Abbreviations in the Holy Quran
    • Allah, (there is) no God (Ilaha) but He
    • The Ever-living
    • The Self-subsisting, by Whom all Subsist
    • Verification of Previous Scriptures by the Holy Quran
    • The Holy Quran discriminates between Truth and Falsehood
  • Quranic Lesson No. 53 [The Holy Quran, 3:5–7]:
    
    • Misinterpretations of Allegorical Verses by Previous Nations
    • Definition of Decisive and Allegorical
    • Divine Objective behind Allegorical Verses
    • Difference between the Divine and Human Perception of Time
    • Relationship of the Decisive Verse to the Allegorical
    • Those firmly rooted in Knowledge
    • Perversity of the Heart
  • Quranic Lesson No. 54 [The Holy Quran, 3:10–13]:
    
    • Summary of the Previous Lesson
    • Consequences of going Astray
    • Similarities between Pharaoh and the Christian Nations
    • Accountability in this Life not on Basis of Belief
    • A Sign in the Battle of Badr
  • Quranic Lesson No. 55 [The Holy Quran, 3:14–18]:
    
    • Holy Quran prophesied the Dominance of Christian Nations
    • Scheme to convert the Colonies to Christianity
    • Christian onslaught against Islam
    • Defense of Islam by the Reformer (Mujaddid) of the 14^th Century Hijra [Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian]
    • Different Elements employed in the Conversion Scheme
    • The fall of the Empire
    • Higher Goal of Man’s Creation
    • The Nature of Paradise
    • The Path of Spiritual Development
    • Stages of the Spiritual Journey of those, “who guard against evil”
    • The Doctrine of Divine Unity to prevail
  • Quranic Lesson No. 56 [The Holy Quran, 3:26–27]:
    
    • Allah, the Real Source of All Power
    • Allah, the Source of Life and Sustenance
  • Quranic Lesson No. 57 [The Holy Quran, 3:26–27]:
    
    • Western Domination prophesied by the Holy Quran
    • Scope and Objective of Western Domination
  • Quranic Lesson No. 58 [The Holy Quran, 3:25–26]:
    
    • The Tribulation of the Dajjal
    • The crumbling of the Cross and the Prayer of the Promised Messiah [Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian]
  • Quranic Lesson No. 59 [The Holy Quran, 3:28–30]:
    
    • Relations amongst Sovereign Muslims and non-Muslim Nations
    • Polytheists Fear of Islam
    • Muslims suffer as a consequence of not heeding the Quran
    • Rules of conduct for Muslims
  • Quranic Lesson No. 60 [The Holy Quran, 3:102–104]:
    
    • Islam the Religion of Humanity
    • Muslims warned against Disunity
    • Holding Fast to the Covenant of Allah
    • The Lesson of History
    • Organization for the Purpose of Propagation
  • Quranic Lesson No. 61 [The Holy Quran, 3:122]:
    
    • The True Meaning of Trust in Allah
    • Example of the Holy Prophet [Muhammad (pbuh)] and his Companions in the Battle of Uhud
    • Action of the Hypocrites and its Consequences
    • Actions of the Holy Prophet [Muhammad (pbuh)] and his Companions
    • Action and Patience, Essential Components of Trust in Allah
  • Quranic Lesson No. 62 [The Holy Quran, 3:133]:
    
    • Forgiveness of the Lord and the Garden of Paradise
  • Quranic Lesson No. 63 [The Holy Quran, 3:133–134]:
    
    • Summary of the Previous Lesson
    • The Paradise of the Heart and the Hereafter only for the Dutiful
    • Time for Reformation is Limited
    • The Garden of Paradise achieved through spending of Wealth
    • Islamic Teachings regarding Wealth — A Unique means of Spiritual Development
  • Quranic Lesson No. 64 [The Holy Quran, 3:134–135]:
    
    • Summary of the Previous Lesson
    • Suppression of Anger the Key to Serenity
    • Consequences of Uncontrolled Anger
    • Forgiveness and doing of Good Complement suppression of Anger
    • Suppression of Anger, a Divine Attribute