Part 1

33 LESSONS FOR EVERY MUSLIM

! Compiled By Abdul Aziz Saleh Al-Shomar

The Meaning of "La Ilaaha Illa Allah, Muhammad-Rasoolullah." and the condition of "La Ilaaha Illa Allah."

Al-Fathiha (the Opening Chapter), Al-Ikhlas (the purity), Al-Falaq (the Day Break), All Nas (Mankind).

"Shirk" (Polytheism) & it's various manifestations.

What about wearing a Ring, Twine, etc.

Ruqa (incantation), Talismans and Amulets.

Seeking Blessing through a Tree, or a Stone, etc.

Slaughtering for other than Allah. To vow to other than Allah is an act of Shirk. To seek Refuge from any other than Allah is part of Shirk.

To seek help other than from Allah is an act of Shirk.

The condemnation of worshipping Allah at the Grave.

Exaggeration in the Graves of the Righteous Persons and elevating them to the level of idols.

Al-Mustafa (pbuh) protects principle of Tauhid.

Types of water & impurities.

How to perform wudu and wiping over socks.

Conditions for performances of wudu.

AT-Thayammum. Ghusl - Obligatory bath.

Necessary duties in salah & How to recite Thashahhud.

How to wash the deceased Muslim.

All praises are to Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala and blessings to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), his family and his companions.

I had the opportunity to read the book titled "The Most Important Lessons For Every Muslim" written by Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Baz (May Allah have mercy on him), which I think, is a highly beneficial book to all Muslims. It gives basic requirements for the foundation of their Aqeedah (creed) and 'Ibadah (worship). It struck me that this small but informative book would be of immense benefit for non-Arabic speaking Muslims, spread all over the world, if translated into another foreign language.

While translating this book, it dawned on me that the Sheikh has written this book, primarily for Arab speaking Muslims and thus has written most of the information very briefly. But this may not be sufficient for non-Arab Muslims, whose knowledge of Islam is mixed with their local cultures and practices, resulting in deviations from pure Islamic monotheism.

It is a known fact that huge numbers of new Muslims are attracted to Islam from different countries and different cultures. It is important that knowledge of Islam should be provided to them with great care and there should be no confusion in the basic religious knowledge imparted to them. Otherwise, we will be responsible for all the deviations which might crop up among these generations of new Muslims.

Hence, I added new information to the original text, giving a detailed description of some subjects. I also added a few sections, such as transliteration of some small chapters from the Quran, to help the new Muslims recite during the prayers and reverting to Islam.

I added a few chapters to this book when I saw some Muslims misleading other innocent ones in the area of Iman and Ibadah, and instead leading them towards Shirk (Polytheism) and finally to Kufr (Disbelief). These innocent Muslims indulge in Shirk not only by being unaware of it, but all the time assuming that they are doing a valid duty in Islam. This sad situation has to be corrected by every Muslim, by eliminating the remnants of unIslamic Jahiliya (Ignorance) practices, which are still clinging to the practices of Muslims.

I started with the intention of translation but completed my work as a compilation. I have to acknowledge the services provided by brothers Magdi Al-Radi, Jassim Kitchilan, Ibrahim Kunna Abdulqadir Abdulkhaliq, Waleed Timbang and specially my brother Soliman Albuthi for their invaluable editing, suggestions and proofreading of the text.

We will be greatly honored, if this humble effort of all of us could be of some benefit to the Muslims to improve their knowledge in Islam, and may Allah accept this service from His humble servants.

THE MEANING OF "LA ILAAHA ILLA ALLAH , MUHAMMAD RASOOLULLAH" AND CONDITIONS OF "LA ILAAHA ILLA ALLAH ."

THE MEANING OF THE TESTIMONY OF FAITH

The testimony (LA ILAAHA ILLA ALLAH ) comprises two concepts: Denial and Affirmation.

FIRST: The testimony of faith denies the attribute of divinity to anyone and anything other than Allah - the Exalted. All those other than Allah, such as the angels, the Prophets, and the rest of Mankind, let alone the idols and the political regimes in the world, are not gods and thus don't deserve to be worshipped. Therefore, denial in this respect is not denial of the existence of the alleged gods, rather the denial of divinity which is attributed to them.

SECOND: The testimony of faith affirms and restricts divinity to Allah alone. That is, the slave must believe that Allah is the only true God, and accordingly dedicate no act of worship to any, other than Allah.

THE MEANING OF MUHAMMAD RASOOLULLAH

A confession with your tongue but a heartfelt belief, "O Allah! I testify that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is Your Messenger." That means that none has the right to be followed after Allah, but the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) as he is the Last of His Messengers. As Allah said: amongst you but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last (end) of the Prophets and Allah is Ever All Aware of everything." (V.33:40)

"And whatsoever the Messenger Muhammad (Peace be upon him) gives you, take it and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain from it." (V.59:7)

And Allah said: "Say (O Muhammad) (to mankind) 'if you (really) love Allah, then follow me'." (V.3:31)

As for the others than Muhammad (Peace be upon him) their statements are to be taken or rejected as to whether these are in accordance with Allah's Book (i.e. the Quran) or with the Sunnah (legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements etc.,) of the Prophet (Peace be upon him), or not.

1. Knowledge, which consists of recognizing Allah as the only true God to Whom worship must be dedicated, and denouncing all gods worshipped beside Allah as false, and that they can neither extend benefit nor cause harm.

2. Certainty that the belief in Allah must be unblemished with any doubt.

3. Acceptance: That is, to accept all the conditions of the declaration.

4. Submission: That is, to fulfill its conditions submissively and willingly being content with Allah as the Rabb (only Lord) and Muhammad (Peace be upon him) as His last Prophet and Messenger.

5. Truthfulness: That is, to fulfill its requirements truthfully.

6. Sincerity: That is, to be sincere in worshipping Allah, dedicating all acts of worship to Him alone.

7. The love of Allah - the Exalted, and the love of His Messenger Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and the love of Allah's devotees and the people of His obedience, which means love of all Muslims

Finally it should be borne in mind that Allah must be obeyed, by following His commands and refraining from His prohibitions. Obedience to Allah must be associated with loving Him, fearing His punishment, and hoping for His reward, seeking His forgiveness and adhering to the teachings of His Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) - the last of Allah's Messengers. The Shariah (the laws and religious rites) of Muhammad (PBUH) comprises the best of every preceding Shariah.

SuratulFatiha (The Opening Chapter) I

Bis mi-Ilaahir Rahmaanir-Raheem 1. Al Hamdu-Lil-laahi 1. All praises and thanks be to Allah, the RabbilAlameen. Lord of the Alamin (Mankind, Jinns and all that exists). 2. Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem 2. The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. 3. Maaliki-Yawmi-d-Deen 3. The only owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense. i.e. the day of Resurrection.

4. Iyyaaka na'budu wa 4. You (alone) we worship, and You (alone) Iyyaaka Nastha 'een we ask for help (for each and everything.) 5.Ih-dhinas-Siraat-al5. Guide us to the Straight Way. Mustaqeem 6. The way of those on whom You have 6.Siraat-al-ladheena an'amta bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of alaihim, those who earned Your anger (such as the Ghayr-il-maghdubi-alaihim Jews), nor those who went astray (such as Wala-dd-aalleen. (Ameen) the Christians).

Surat Al-Ikhlas or At-Tauheed (The Purity) CXII

Bis mi-Ilaahir Rahmanir-Raheem 1. QulHuwallaahu Ahad 1. Say [O Muhammad (Pbuh)] :He is Allah, (the One. 2. Allaahus-Samadh 2. Allah is As-Samad (The self sufficient Master, whom all creatures need. He neither eats nor drinks.) 3. Lam Yalid walam youlad 3. He begets not, nor was He begotten. 4. Walam yakun lahu kufuwan 4. And there is none co-equal or Ahadh comparable unto Him.

Bis mi-Ilaahir Rahmaanir-Raheem 1. QulAoothu-be-Rab-bil-Falaq 1. Say I seek refuge (with Allah) the Lord of the Day break 2. Min-shar-ri-maa-khalaq 2. From the evil of what He has created. 3. Wa-min-shar-ri ghaasiqin 3. And from the evil of the darkening ithaa waqab. (night) as it comes with its darkness, (or the moon as it sets or goes away). 4. Wa-min-shar-rin-naffaathaati-fil 4. And from the evil of the witchcrafts , uqad. when they blow on the knots. 5. Wa-min-shar-ri-haasidin-idha5. And from the evil of the envier when hasad. he envies.

Bis mi-Ilaahir Rahmaanir-Raheem 1. QhulAoothu-be-Rab-bin-naas 1. Say I seek refuge (with Allah) the Lord of the mankind. 2. Malikin -naas. 2. The King of mankind. 3. Ilaah-in-naas 3. The "Ilah" (God) of mankind 4. Min-shar-ril-waswaas-il4. From the evil of the whisperer (devil khannaas who whispers evil in the heart of men) who withdraws when one remembers Allah. 5. Al-ladhee-you-waswisu fee 5. Who whispers in the breasts of sudoorin-naas mankind. 6. Min-al-jinnati wan-naas 6. Of Jinns and men

This section is only for the beginners in order to help them in their daily prayers. However, it is strongly advised that new Muslims learn how to pronounce the Qur'anic verses from a teacher.

THE 5 PILLARS OF ISLAM

According to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Islam is based on the following five pillars:

1. To testify that there is no true God but Allah and that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is His last Messenger and the seal (last) of prophets. 2. To perform prayers (5 times a day) 3. To pay zakah (Charity-poor due once a year). 4. To fast during the month of Ramadhan. 5. To perform hajj (Pilgrimage - Once in a lifetime, if one capable).

THE FUNDAMENTAL ARTICLES OF IMAN (FAITH)

5. The Day of Resurrection

6. Al-Qadr; Whatever Allah has ordained must come to pass (In other words, fate and destiny).

Tauheed (Islamic Monotheism) has three aspects:

1. Oneness of the Lordship of Allah- "Tauheed ar-Rububiyya". To believe that, there is only one Lord for all the universe, its Creator, Organizer, Planner, Sustainer and Giver of Security etc., and that is Allah.

2. Oneness of the worship of Allah - "Tauheed al-Uluhiyya". To believe that none has the right to be worshipped {e.g. by praying, invoking, asking for help (from the unseen), swearing, slaughtering sacrifices, giving charity, Fasting, and Pilgrimage etc.,} but Allah.

3. Oneness of the Names and the Qualities of Allah, "TauheeduI-Asma-was-sifaat". To believe that: i. We must not name or qualify Allah except with what He or His Messenger (Peace be upon him) has named or qualified Him.

ii. None deserve to be named or qualified with the definitive Names or Attributes of Allah; e.g. Al-Karim (Most Generous).

c. We must confirm all of Allah's Attributes which Allah has stated in His Book (the Quran) or mentioned through His Messenger Muhammad (Peace be upon him), without changing them or ignoring them completely or twisting the meanings or giving resemblance to any of the created things. {e.g. Allah is present over His Throne, as mentioned in the Quran Ch.20:V5: (Mighty) Throne, over the seventh Heaven; and He only comes down over the first (nearest) Heaven to us on the Day of 'Arafat' (i.e. the 9th of Dhul Hijjah), and also during the last third part of the night as mentioned by the Prophet (Peace be upon him), but He is with us by His Knowledge only, not by His Personal-Self (BiDhaatihi).