Quranic Verses about Hijab
“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear therof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, or their brothers' sons or their sisters' sons, or their women or the servants whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex, and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O you Believers, turn you all together towards Allah, that you may attain Bliss.” (Quran 24:31).
“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognised and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.” (Quran 33:59)
It was a peaceful and quiet evening in Mecca. Not yet a messenger, Muhammad [s] was busy pondering in the cave of Hira when he heard a strange voice from above saying, “Iqraa”. It was demanding him to read. The voice repeated again, “Read in the name of your Lord who created” [Surat al-Alaq, Verse 1]. This was the first verse of the Holy Quran revealed to the Holy Prophet. The very first verse revealed to the Prophet of Islam, the Prophet of Mankind, was demanding him to read. This simple verse illustrates the importance of reading the Quran and the reason for the revelation of the Holy Quran. Before even revealing the religion of Islam to Prophet Muhammad [s], Allah [swt] stresses the importance of reading and understanding the Quran. The religion of Islam was originally revealed to mankind through the first man on earth, Prophet Adam [s]. Since then, there have been numerous prophets and messengers who have instructed their people and taught them the message of Islam. Unfortunately, many of these people eventually deviated from the religion. In order to prevent this from occurring again, Allah [swt] starts His revelation to Prophet Muhammad [s] by emphasizing the importance of holding tight to the rope of Allah [swt]. At this day and age, the Quran is one of our strongest links to Allah [swt]. The Quran contains treasures that have yet to be discovered by many. Prophet Muhammad [s] advised us to read the Quran frequently. He says, “…When afflictions surround you like the dark night, refer to the Quran, because it is an Intercessor whose intercession is accepted. It reports evils (of people) that will be confirmed. It leads the person to Heaven who puts it in front of himself (follows it); and he who puts it behind himself (neglects it) will be driven to Hell. This very Quran is the best guide to the best ways. It is a Book in which there are useful explanations, statements, and gaining (of goals). It is the Separator (of right and wrong)…” – Usul-I-kafi, vol. 2, p. 599 – There will come a day when all of mankind will have to answer to God. Every human will be held accountable for all that he did and did not do. This day is the Day of Judgment, the Day of Accountability. On this day, Allah [swt] will ask us whether or not we used these gems that He has given us. On this day the Quran will complain to Allah [swt] claiming that the Muslims did not utilize it to their advantage. It will complain that it was not read on a regular basis and that in some households it was merely considered a decoration.
The honey bee exhibits a combination of individual traits and social co-operation which is unparalleled in the animal kingdom. A glimpse into the nest makes it apparent why honey bees have fascinated us from the earliest days of scientific observations. The infrastructure of the nest, the perfectly uniform and functional comb, is composed of beeswax and is constructed into a repeating series of almost perfect hexagonal cells. The comb is the stage for the activity of the colony and is used for almost everything imaginable, from larval nursery to pantry to message centre. At the individual level, honey bees have not one but three types of colony members: queens, drones and workers, each with their own specialisations and place in honey bee society. The queen reigns over the nest, surrounded by attendants and fed the rich food she requires to perform her few but crucial tasks in the colony. The queen produces powerful pheromones, chemical signals to recipient workers which control many of their behaviours and provide part of the 'social glue' which holds honey bee life together. A highly organised social structure exists within the colony and elaborate 'dances' are used to communicate the location of food sources. The products of the hive are important to the modern agricultural system. Not only do honey bees provide us with honey, wax, propolis, royal jelly and pollen but they also pollinate a good portion of our crops, including such diverse agricultural plants as fruit trees, oilseeds, small berries and forage crops. Honey is a remarkable viscous liquid, prepared by the bees from the nectars of various plants. It has occupied a prominent place in traditional medicines throughout world history. The ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Chinese, Greeks and Romans employed honey for wounds and diseases of the gut. When the Children of Israel were in Egypt or journeying through the desert, their promised goal was a 'land flowing with milk and honey'. Both the holy Qur'an and Hadith refer to honey as a healer of disease. 'And thy Lord taught the bee to build its cells in hills, on trees and in (men's) habitations..... there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for mankind. Verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought'. In addition, the Prophet (PBUH) said: 'Honey is a remedy for every illness and the Qur'an is a remedy for all illness of the mind, therefore I recommend to you both remedies, the Qur'an and honey.' The reader may be surprised to learn that the above quotation from the Qur'an is mentioned in a well known encyclopedia on honey (reference 3). In recent years, scientific support is beginning to emerge confirming the beneficial effects of honey on certain medical and surgical conditions. These effects may be summarised as follows: These properties of honey are well established. Undiluted honey inhibits the growth of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, certain gut pathogens and fungi such as Candida albicans. At a concentration of 30-50%, honey has been shown to be superior to certain conventional antibiotics in treating urinary tract infections. The exact mechanism of the anti-microbial effect of honey remains obscure. Low pH, osmotic disruption of pathogens and the At a concentration of 40%, honey has a bactericidal effect on various gut bacteria known to cause diarrhoea and dysentery such as Salmonella, Shigella, enteropathogenic E. coli and Vibrio cholera. In one study, honey given with oral rehydration fluid was shown to reduce the duration of bacterial diarrhoea in infants and children. Honey is of value in treating burns, infected surgical wounds and decubitus ulcers. Honey is very viscous, enabling it to absorb water from surrounding inflamed tissue. For example, a study in West Africa showed that skin grafting, surgical debridement and even amputation were avoided when local application of honey to wound promoted healing, whereas conventional treatment failed. In another study, wound healing was accelerated by application of honey in women who had undergone radical vulvectomy for vulval cancer. Also, it has been suggested that honey may be useful in the treatment of chronic, foul smelling ulcers seen in leprosy. These anti-cough properties of honey are related to its capacity to dilute bronchial secretions and improve the function of the bronchial epithelium. Uncontaminated honey is a healthy, easily digestible, natural and energy rich food. It contains carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, enzymes and vitamins. One tablespoon of honey provides 60 calories and contains 11g of carbohydrates, 1mg of calcium, 0.2mg of iron, 0.lmg of vitamin B and 1mg of vitamin C. Honey is widely available in most communities but its medical potential remains grossly underutilised. Its mode of action remains incompletely understood and the healing properties of honey in other clinical and laboratory situations requires further evaluation. The miraculous beneficial properties of honey, so beautifully ex-pressed in the holy Qur'an and Sunnah 14 centuries ago expose the reluctance of modern science to accept and exploit this 'traditional remedy'. Source: http://www.islamicresearch.orgby Dr. Monzur Ahmed
(Translation of Quran 16:68-69)
(Bukhari)Antibacterial and antifungal properties
presence of bactericidal substances, collectively called inhibine may all play a part.Anti-diarrhoeal properties
Wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties
Anti-tussive and expectorant properties
Nutritional properties
Selected References:
We have seen so far traditions from the Sunni sources related to Imam Ali (a.s.), which prove the superiority of Ali (a.s.) over all other companions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.). Now after proving this fact (superiority of Ali (a.s.)) from the traditions of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), we now take a look at the Holy Quran and see what it has to say in this regard. There are about 86 verses in the Holy Quran extolling the virtues of Ali ibne Abi Talib (a.s.). We will take a look at some of them. Ayat 1. “Verily, your master is only Allah and His Apostle and those who believe, those who establish prayers and pay the zakaat while bowed (in worship)” The Muslim scholars, Sunni and Shia alike, agree that this verse was revealed in honor of Imam Ali (a.s.). It clearly shows that there are only three masters of the believers. Firstly, Allah, secondly, His Prophet (s.a.w.) and thirdly Ali (a.s.) (with the eleven succeeding Imams). Abu Dharr al-Ghifari says that one day he was praying with the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) when a beggar came to the Prophet’s mosque. None responded to his pleas. The beggar raised his hands towards heavens and said, Allah! Be a witness that I came to the Prophet’s Mosque and no one gave me anything. Ali (a.s.) was bowing, in ruku at that time. He pointed his little finger, on which was a ring, towards him who came forward and took away the ring. This incident occurred in the Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.) presence who raised his face towards heavens and prayed : O Lord! My brother Musa had begged to You to open his chest to make his work easy for him, to loosen the knot of his tongue so that people might understand him and to appoint from among his relations his brother, as his vizier, and to strengthen his back with Harun and to make Harun his partner in his work. O Allah! You said to Musa, We will strengthen your arms with your brother. No one will now have an access to either of you! O Allah! I am Mohammed and You have given me distinction. Open my chest for me, make my work easy for me and from my family appoint my brother Ali as my vizier Strengthen my back with him. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) had not yet finished his prayers when Jibrael (a.s.) brought the above quoted verse. Sunni References: At-Tabari: at-Tafsir, vol.6, pg 186 As-Suyuti : ad- Durrul Manthur, Vol. 2, Pgs. 293-4 Ar-Razi: at Tafsirul Kabir, vol. 12, pg. 26 Az- Zamakshari: at tafsir (al-Kashshaf), vol. 1, pg. 649 Al- Jassas: Ahkamul Quran, vol.2 pgs. 542-3 Al- Khazin : at-Tafsir, vol. 2, pg. 68 1. Obey Allah obey His Messenger and those of authority from amongst you (Ulul Amr) ... . (Nisa : 59) 2. I donot ask anything from you, except the love of my kinship. (42: 43) 3. O Apostle! Deliver what had been sent down to you from your Lord; and if you have not delivered His message (at all) and Allah will protect you from the people. (5.67) 4. This day I have perfected your religion and I have completed my bounty upon you and I have approved Islam as your religion. (5:3) 5. But whoever disputes with you in this matter after what has come to you of knowledge. Then say: “Come let us call our sons and your sons and our women and your women and ourselves and yourselves. Then let us be earnest in prayer and invoke the curse of Allah upon the liars.” (3:61) 6. Allah only desires to keep away abomination from you, O people of the house! And to purify you a through purifying. (33:33)
Fatimah (AS) in Surat Al-Insaan (76)
"Verily the Good shall drink of a Cup (of wine) mixed with Kafur. A fountain where the Devotees of God do drink, making it flow in unstinted abundance. They perform (their) vows, and they fear a Day whose evil lies far and wide. And they feed, for the love of God, the indigent, the orphan and the captive. Saying, `We feed you for the sake of God alone; no reward do we desire from you, nor thanks.' `We only fear a Day of distressful Wrath from the side of our Lord.' But God will deliver them from the evil of that day, and will shed over them a light of Beauty and a (blissful) Joy. And because they were patient and constant, He will reward them with a Garden and (garment of) silk. Reclining in the (Garden) on raised thrones, they will see there neither the sun's (excessive heat) nor (the moon's) excessive cold. And the shades of the (Garden) will come low over them, and the bunches (of fruit), there, will hang low in humility. And amongst them will be passed round vessels of silver and goblets of crystal; Crystal clear, made of silver. They will determine the measure thereof (According to their wishes). And they will be given to drink there of a Cup (of wine) mixed with Zanjabil. A fountain there, called Salsabil.
And around about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness): if thou seest them, thou wouldst think them scattered Pearls. And when thou lookest, It is there thou wilt see a Bliss and a Realm Magnificent. Upon them will be green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, and they will be adorned with Bracelets of silver; and their Lord will give to them to drink of a Wine pure and Holy. Verily this is a Reward for you, and your Endeavor is accepted and recognized." (76: 5-22)
These verses were revealed after Ali, Fatima, Hassan, and Hussain (A) gave charity to needy people; this story is stated in the book Al-Kashaf by Zamakhshari; it goes as follows:
"Ibn Abbas said:
`Once Al-Hassan and Al-Hussain (A) were ill, the Messenger of Allah and a group went to visit them. The visitors suggested to Imam Ali (A) to make a vow to Allah: if He were to relieve them, he would perform some good action. Therefore, Imam Ali together with Fatima and their servant Fidhdha vowed to Allah that they would fast for three days if He would relieve Hassan and Hussain.'
'When Allah had relieved them, Imam Ali (A) borrowed three (3) aswu (a cubic measure) of barley from a Jew known as Shimon. Fatima ground one (1) sa'a (singular of aswu) of the barley and baked five loaves of bread for her family's meal at sunset. As sunset approached, a needy man knocked on the door and said: Assalamu Alaikum, Family of Muhammad. I am a needy man from among the Muslims, feed me, may Allah feed you from the food of Paradise.' The holy family preferred the needy man over themselves and spent the night with nothing in their stomachs save water.'
'They fasted the second day, and again at sunset, when they were waiting for their food, an orphan asked them for help and they again preferred him over themselves. The third evening a captive (prisoner of war) asked them for help and they repeated their preference for the needy above themselves.'
'The following morning, Imam Ali (A) took Al-Hassan and Al-Hussain to the Messenger of Allah (S) who said the following when he saw them shaking like little chicks from hunger:
"The Prophet said: It displeases us to see you in this condition.'
Then he went with them, for he wanted to see Fatima. When they arrived, Fatima (A) was in the Mehrab (prayer place), and her condition was such that it further displeased the Prophet (S). At this time, Gabriel descended and said:
`Take this chapter Muhammad, - Allah surely congratulates you for having this family. "
It is worthy to state that the Good ones mentioned here are Ali, Fatima, Hassan and Hussain; who deserve Paradise because of their act of feeding the needy, the orphan, and the captive.
Another point to keep in mind here is that despite the detailed description of Paradise given in the verses, Allah, the Exalted, does not mention the huris. This understood to be in honor and exaltation of Fatima (A) the wife of Imam Ali, and the mother of Hassan and Hussain
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