Surah Yusuf

أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم
 I seek Allah’s protection/refuge/shelter from Shaitaan, the Accursed one.
 بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Meaning:
This Surah is a beautiful and instructive biography of "Hazrat Yusuf (as)".
Prophet Yusuf (as)'s name has been mentioned 25 times in this Surah while the other two Surahs also mentioned his name : Surah Ghafir, Ayat: 34 and Surah Al-Anam, Ayat 84.
His life as dicussed in this Surah, has divided into three sections:

• Prophet Yusuf (as)'s childhood.
• Prophet Yusuf (as)'s youth.
• Prophet Yusuf (as)'s as a king/ruler.

Introduction:

• This is the 12th Surah of Quran.
• This is "Makki" Surah.
• This Surah has 111 verses
• This Surah has 12 Ruku.

Though all the stories in the Quran are the best but as said in Quran that this story is " Ahsan-ul-Qassas"; means the best among all stories. 

Theme and Topics:

• Power of Allah, and Allah is the best planner.
• Importance of having faith in Allah.
• Trials, difficulties, happiness and bliss is all part of our life. The Surah describes the phase of life from being tested to being blessed.
•  Importance of seeking refuge in Allah (swt) when there is no way out.
• Dynamics of love on the stage of human history, how it conquers jealousy, passion and pride. Surah Yusuf told us about the journey of life from humiliation to grandeur.
• The importance of honesty and integrity. True virtues can bring a human from slavery to kingship.
• Dialectic between the Qalb (the heart), the Nafs (the Self) and Aql (the mind) in the shadows of enticements from Iblis and the ultimate triumph of Divine love.
• Triumph of the Qalb (the heart) over the Nafs (the Self).
• Maintaining one’s akhlaaq even towards those who have wronged you. The Surah teaches us the phase of life from division to unity.
• Allah’s compassion, mercy, forgiveness, guidance and love for humankind. From grief to joy is another phase of life, as faith in Allah is a must.

Surah Yusuf Teaches :

• The sick do recover.
• The missing do return.
• Trails are eased.
• The sad become happy.

( All by the will of ALLAH!)

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Surah Hud

أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم
 I seek Allah’s protection/refuge/shelter from Shaitaan, the Accursed one.

 بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Meaning:
The name of "Hazrat Hud (as)" has been repeated five times in this Surah.
Name taken from Verse : 50-60 where there is a mention of the story of "Prophet Hud."
 وَإِلَىٰ عَادٍ أَخَاهُمْ هُودًا ۚ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ ۖ إِنْ أَنْتُمْ إِلَّا مُفْتَرُونَ 

Introduction: 

• This is "Makki" Surah.
• This is the 11th Surah of Quran.
• This Surah has 123 Verses.
• This Surah has 10 Ruku.
• 
  

Topics:

• Religion is not separated from society, and society's destiny depends entirely upon people's religion and the way of life.

• Story of "Aad" people and Prophet Hud.
• Story of "Thamud" people and Prophet Salih.
• Story of "Lut" people, when Angels came to Hazrat Ibrahim(AS).
• Prophet Shu'aib and his message.
• Prophet Musa was sent to Pharaoh and his peole.

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Arabic Alphabets Designs

Allah has chosen Arabic language for His Book, "Quran". In this regard for Muslims, Arabic language is highly exalted and most respectable language of the world.

Islamic art is all about Arabic calligraphy. Arabic script is full of depth and diversity. Arabic writing and its various styles emerged from different regions of Islamic world.

 

Its beauty lies in its alphabets. Regional and cultural elements add variety into it. Thus, Arabic calligraphy possesses its unique influence in the history of Islamic Empire.

Arabic alphabets are also have their unique value. These alphabets add grace to the place or object and make it more valuable.

Therefore these alphabets are capable to fulfill the need of aesthetics.

As we all know that Arabic script is the most beautiful and sophisticated script, so it has its own distinguished value and holds a strong impact over all.

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Surah Yunus

أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم
 I seek Allah’s protection/refuge/shelter from Shaitaan, the Accursed one.

 بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Meaning:
The Surah takes its name from Verse: 98, in which there is a reference to Prophet Yunus.
                      ٩٨  فَلَوْلَا كَانَتْ قَرْيَةٌ آمَنَتْ فَنَفَعَهَا إِيمَانُهَا إِلَّا قَوْمَ يُونُسَ لَمَّا آمَنُوا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمْ عَذَابَ الْخِزْيِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَمَتَّعْنَاهُمْ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ  
Introduction:

• This is the 10th Surah of Quran.
• This Surah has 109 Verses.
• Surah Yunus has 11 Ruku.
• This Surah was revealed during the last stage of Prophet's residence at Makkah.
• The name is symbolical and does not deal with the story of Prophet Yunus.

Main Topics:

• The main subject deals with the faith in Allah and belief in the Hereafter.
• Allah is the only creator of this Universe.
• The story of Prophet Noah.
• The story of Prophet Mussa. and Pharaoh.
• Quran provides the cure for all the problems of mankind.
• You must always follow Allah's guidance.

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Surah At-Taubah

 أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم
 I seek Allah’s protection/refuge/shelter from Shaitaan, the Accursed one.

 بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Meaning:
At-Taubah means "The Repentance."
This Surah is also known as "Al Bara'ah" (taken from the first word of the Surah).
"Act of setting free or getting rid of obstructions by customs."

Introduction:

• This is the 9th Surah of Quran.
• This is "Madni" Surah.
• This Surah has 129 verses.
• Surah At-Taubah has 16 Ruku.
• It is the only Surah of Quran that does not begin with "Bismillah".

Battle of Tabuk:
The subject matters of this Surah are mostly related to surah Al-Anfal.
Some parts of the Surah were revealed before the Battle of Tabuk, some parts during the Battle and other parts were revealed after it. 
The main incidents occured during this time period were: 

• The help of Hazrat Umer, Hazrat Abu Bakar, Hazrat Uthman,
• Help of Abdul Rehman Bin Awf.
• Sacrifices of Muslim Women.
• "Bakkaun" (Cries)
• Munafiqs appeared with their baseless rumors.
• Islamic Army sets off from Madinah.
• The Rain Prayers of Prophet(SAW).
• "Qaswa"( the Camel of the Messenger (SAW) got lost.
• The Prophet (SAW)'s Sermon in Tabuk.
• After staying in Tabuk for twenty days, the Prophet(SAW) set off from Tabuk toward Madinah.
• The Islamic army did not confront in Tabuk. However, it was a great victory to cover such a distance in such circumstances. The fact that the challenge was not responded was very significant showed the power of Islam.

The Event of Masjid-ad-Dirar: 
It was built by a group of Munafiqs to target Muslims. Their aim was to divide the Islamic congregation even if it was on a small scale. It was demolished and burned down.

Main Topics:

• Surah deals with the problems of peace and war.
• This Surah bases the theme on the Tabuk Expedition also known as Expedition of Usra.
• "Munafiqs" become active and started to stir up trouble. 
• The conclusion of this Surah is:" Follow the Messenger who is gentle and compassionate and your greatest well-wisher, and trust in Allah, The Lord of the Universe."( Verse:128-129)

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Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is indeed a crown possessed by the world of Islamic architecture.

The project of the grand Mosque was launched by Sheik Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan. It was conctructed between 1996 and 2007. It was designed by a Syrian architect Yousef Abdelky, covering the area of more than 30 acres.

 As per desire of the Sultan, this grand Mosque is the best example of Islamic cultural diversity of the Muslim world. Late Sultan's final resting place is also on the grounds adjacent to the complex nearby.

The Mosque is a beautiful and balanced combination of different elements of  many Muslim architectects. No doubt, it is the best example of harmony as well as uniqueness in this regard.

It's design has been inspired by Persian, Mughal, and Alexandrian of Abbu-al-Abbas Murssi Mosque and also the Indo-Islamic mosque architecture, particulary the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan.

 Its 82 domes of various sizes and floors were inspired by Badshahi Mosque, Lahore. It's floral designed courtyards, considered to be the largest example of marble mosaic in the world.

It's archways are Moorish. It's minarates classically Arab.
Natural materials were chosen for most of it's conctruction due to their long lasting qualities. It includes gold, stones, crystals,marble,semi precious stones, ceramics.

Artisans and materials came from all around the world including Pakistan, Italy, Egypt, India, Morocco, Germany, Malaysia, China, Iran, United Kingdom, North Mecidonia and New Zealand.

There is a large accomodation of 41,000 worshipers in this grand Mosque. Main prayer hall has a capacity of over 7,000 worshipers.

 In it's various unique and distinguished elemnts, its carpet is supposedto be thw world's largest carpet designed by an Iranian artist. it's weight is 35 ton.

One of its chendliers, from Germany, considered the world's third largest chendlier.
The unique lightining system along the pool side is designed to reflect the phases of moon.

Beautiful bluish gray clouds are projected in lights onto the external walls and  get brighter and darker according to the phase of moon.

Different shades of Mosque also enhance it's beauty and grandeur in its own way.

The 99 name of Allah, are featured on the Qibla wall  in traditional Kufi calligraphy. Over all, three calligraphy styles Kufi, Thuluth and Nuskh used throughout the Mosque.

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Surah Al Anfal

أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم
 I seek Allah’s protection/refuge/shelter from Shaitaan, the Accursed one.

 بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Meaning:
Al Anfal means" The Spoils of War". 
Name taken from verse:1
"They ask you,(O Muhammad!) about the bounties, (of war) say,( "the decision concerning) bounties is for Allah and the Messengers". So fear Allah and amend that which is between you and obey Allah and His Messenger, if you should be believers." 

١  يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْأَنْفَالِ ۖ قُلِ الْأَنْفَالُ لِلَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ ۖ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَأَصْلِحُوا ذَاتَ بَيْنِكُمْ ۖ وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ

Introduction:

• This is "Madni" surah.
• This surah is consist of 75 verses.
• This surah has 10 Ruku.
• Total number of words: 1,242.
• Total no of letters:5,387.
• Its revelation occured after the revelation of surah Al-Baqarah.
• In this surh, six times, Allah has addressed Muslims with " O you who believe!" (verses: 15,20,24,28,29,46)

Battle of Badr: 

Most of the verses of this surah are about thep Battle of Badr ( Ghazwa-e-Badr). It was the first war of Muslims against the disbelievers. It was hapened after thirteen years of Muslim's patience. Allah has granted victory to Muslims. This surah is revealed soon after the Battle of Badr, in the 2nd year of Hijrah. 

Main Topics:

• Treasury of the Muslims.
• Things taken as spoils of war.
• Battle of Badr.
• Help of one thousand Angels.
• The ordiances of the Holly struggle; The night when the Prophet Muhammad( SAW) decided to be stabbed in his bed and Hazrat Ali laid there instesd of Prophet(SAW).
• Allah's help for the Believers in the Battle of Badr.
• Only the righteous shoud be the guardians of Bait-Ul-Haraam.
• Rules about the distribution of the spoils of war.
• Unity in the time of war.
• Muslim should obey Allah and His Messenger during the time of combat.
• Victory of the Believers.
• Make peace if the enemy is inclined towards peace.
• Treatment of the prisoners of war.

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