When was Islam's first mosque built

On reaching Quba, Rasoolullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam had a Mosque constructed. The Mosque was named ‘Musjid-e-Quba’. This Mosque was renovated on numerous occasions over numerous periods of time.

They reached Quba on the 8th of Rabi-ul-Awwal 13 Nabawi and remained there for fourteen days.

• Between 87 Hijri and 93 Hijri, Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz renovated it whilst doing renovations of Musjid-e-Nabawi
• In 435 Hijri Abu Ya’la constructed the Mehraab (Pulpit) in the Mosque.
• In 555 Hijri, Jamaalud’deen Isfahaani did renovation to the Mosque
• In 681 Hijri there were further renovations done
• In 733 Hijri it was worked on again
• In 881 Hijri Qaatiba, the Egyptian King renovated it and rebuilt the Mehraab and Mimbar.
• In 1245 Hijri Sultan Mahmood Thaani Uthmani extended the Mosque giving it a face-lift.
• In 1351 Abdul Aziz did some renovations to the Mosque (Monthly Istiqaamat Magazine Kanpur – 1985)

A further renovation was also done by the Turks in 1389 Hijri and then further extensions continued.

Rasoolullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam arrived in Madinah Munawwarah on a Monday, the22nd of Rabi-ul-Awwal from Quba. Rasoolullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam made his Hijrat (migration) whilst riding on a camel called Qiswa. In the same year, from the 16 July 622 C.E. the beginning of the Hijri Calendar commenced, but it was only officially introduced during the era of Hazrat Umar-e-Farouk radhiallahu anhu on a Thursday, the 3rd of Jamadis Thaani 17 Hijri.

Continue Reading

Ahadith on Fasting and Ramadan

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): One who while fasting does not guard his tongue from telling lies and does not refrain from bad deeds, is not respecting his fast. Allah does not approve of mere abstention from food. He (pbuh), also said: Fast and you shall be healthy.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): When you are fasting, you should not speak ill of anybody, nor should you be rough and noisy. If anybody speaks ill of you or tries to pick a quarrel with you, reply him not, but say to him that you are fasting.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): A person gets the same reward by reciting in this month, one
verse of the Holy Qur’an, as others do by reciting the whole of the Qur’an in other months.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): Whoever is prevented from food that he likes, because of his fast, Allah will feed him from the food of Heaven and from its drink.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): If people understood what good there was in Ramadan, they would have liked that it last for a year.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): Unfortunate is the person who is deprived of the forgiveness of Allah during this great month.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): Whoever is not forgiven in the month of Ramadan, and then in which month will he be forgiven?

Imam Ali (pbuh): The sleep of a fasting person is worship, his silence is glorification (of Allah), his prayers are answered and his actions are multiplied.

Imam Ali (pbuh): Many persons get nothing out of their fasts but hunger and thirst; many more get nothing out of their night prayers but exertions and sleepless nights. Wise and sagacious persons are praiseworthy even if they do not fast and sleep during the nights.

Imam Ali (pbuh): The prayer of a fasting person at the time of Iftar is never rejected.

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (pbuh): O Jabir! Whoever during the month of Ramadan, fasts in
its days, stands up for prayers in parts of the night, controls his desires and emotions, puts a rein on his tongue, keeps his eyes down, and does not injure the feelings of others, will become as free of sins as the day he was born.

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (pbuh): Everything has a spring and the spring of the Qur’an is the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (pbuh): The day of your fast should not be like any ordinary day. When you fast, all your senses - eyes, ears, tongue, hands and feet must fast with you.

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (pbuh): There are two pleasures for a fasting person; one when he breaks his fast, and one when he meets his Lord.

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (pbuh): Fasting is a protection from the fire.

Continue Reading

Information on the holy month of Ramadan - Part 2

Q: What about children, can they fast voluntarily?
A: Muslim children under the age of puberty can fast with the permission and supervision of their parents. The parents will help them develop the practice of fasting gradually so that when the children reach the age of puberty they are mentally and physically prepared to fast in Ramadan. If a child cannot or does not feel like continuing the fast, he/she will be allowed to break the fast before dusk without blame or penalty.

Q: What are the traditional practices for the month of Ramadan?
A: Many practices can be seen in various cultures and ethnically groups. However, the following
four practices are universal among all Muslims.

(1). Suhoor, i.e. Waking up before dawn to eat something before the commencement of the fast.
(2). Futoor (Iftar), i.e. Breaking the daily fast with a drink of water, salt or dates at dusk.
(3). Tilaawah, i.e. Qur’an Recitation. Most Muslims recite 1/30th (Juz or Sipara) of the Holy
Qur’an every night so as to complete reciting the entire Holy Qur’an during the month.
(4). Social visits and giving of alms and charity are highly recommended during this month.

Q: Are there any special events during Ramadan?
A: The most important event is the celebration of Laylatul Qadr.

Q: What is Laylatul Qadr?
A: Laylatul Qadr, i.e. “the Night of Power & Grandeur” marks the anniversary of the night on which the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) received the Qur’an from God, through the angel Gabriel. An entire chapter in the Qur’an deals with this night: “Surely, We have sent it (the Qur’an) down inthe night of Qadr.

What will make you know what the night of Qadr is?
The night of Qadr is better than a thousand months. The angels and the (holy) spirit descend in
it, with the permission of their Lord, with (decrees) for every affair. Peace, until the
break of dawn.” (Chapter 97)
Muslim’s believe Laylatul Qadr is one of the last odd numbered nights of Ramadan.

Q: Are there differences between the Sunni and the Shi’a regarding Ramadan and Fasting?
A: There are a few minor differences between the two on account of the interpretations of the
respective jurists. The following differences should be noted.
(1). The Sunnis end the fast at sunset, whilst the Shi’ahs ends at dusk.
(2). The Sunnis celebrate Layltul Qadr on the eve of 27th of Ramadan. The Shi’ahs celebrates it on the eve of the 23rd. They also perform the rites of Laylatul Qadr on the eve of 19th and the 21st of Ramadan.
(3). The Sunnis give a lot of importance to Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan after the daily evening (Eisha) prayer. The Shi’ah Muslim’s do not say the Taraweeh. Instead, they gather in their centers to do Qur’an recitation, say supplications (Du’as) for Ramadan and partake from lectures on the significance of fasting, Ramadan, and other religious topics. Plus they do the following special Nawafil (recommended or supererogatory prayers):

(a). 1st to 20th day: 20 Raka’at (2 Rak’at x 10) each of the first twenty nights.
(b). 19th, 21st & 23rd: 100 Raka’at (2 Rak’at x 50) each of the three eves.
(c). 21st to 30th: 30 Raka’at (2 Rak’at x 15) each of the last ten nights.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “…I recommend you to say prayers in your homes because the best of a person’s prayers is in his home except for the obligatory (prayers).”

Read FAQ part1

Continue Reading

Information on the holy month of Ramadan - part1

Q: What is Ramadan?
A: Ramadan is the ninth (9) month of the Islamic calendar. In this month Muslims all over the world fast from dawn to dusk.

Q: When does Ramadan begin?
A: Muslims follow the Islamic Lunar calendar which is about eleven (11) days shorter than the Georgian calendar. This makes a lunar year 354 days long in comparison to 365 days in a Solar year. The beginning of the Islamic lunar months depends on the actual sighting of the new moon. Thus Ramadan begins on a different day each
year.

Q: Is it not an inconvenience to begin the fasting period at different times during a year?
A: No, on the contrary the lunar calendar gives us a chance of fasting during different seasons of the year. Throughout a Muslim’s lifetime, Ramadan will fall both during fall and winter months, when the days are short, as well as spring and summer months, when the days are long and the fast is little more difficult. In this way, the difficulty of the fast is evenly distributed between Muslim’s living in the northern and southern hemispheres.

Q: What is meant by Sawm, Roza(fasting) during Ramadan?
A: In Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking and other sensual pleasures from dawn to dusk. The fast is performed to obey God’s command with an aim to inculcate discipline, humbleness and self-restraint,to experience what the poor and destitute feel, and to develop the noble habit of generosity.

Q: How did the fast during Ramadan become obligatory for Muslims?
A: The revelations from God to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that would eventually be compiled as the Qur’an began in the year 610 CE. The obligation to fast is explained in the second chapter of the Qur’an: “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may become careful about your duties toward God ... Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting...” (The Qur’an, Chapter 2, verses 183 and 185)

Q: Do Muslim’s gain anything from fasting?
A: The main benefits of Ramadan are an increased humbleness and compassion for those in need of the necessities of life, a sense of self-purification and reflection, and a renewed focus on spirituality. Muslim’s also appreciate the feeling of togetherness shared by family and friends throughout the month. Perhaps the greatest practical benefit is the yearly lesson in self-restraint and discipline that is carried forward to other aspects of a Muslim’s life.

Q: Do all Muslim’s fast in Ramadan?
A: Fasting is compulsory for all Muslim’s who are mentally and physically fit, past the age of puberty, in a settled situation (not traveling), and are sure that fasting is unlikely to cause real physical or mental injury.

Go to FAQ part2

Continue Reading

What is Ramadan? Information on the Holy Month of Ramadan

The holy month of Ramadan enjoys a special importance in the Islamic calendar.As the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “It is Allah’s Own month.”

Ramadan has a special relationship with the Qur'ân, of course: "The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Qur'ân was sent down, a guidance for mankind, clear proofs for the guidance, the Criterion; so whoever amongst you witnesses this month, let him fast it." (Soorah al-Baqarah 2:185)


شَہۡرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ هُدً۬ى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَٱلۡفُرۡقَانِ‌ۚ فَمَن شَہِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّہۡرَ فَلۡيَصُمۡهُ‌ۖ وَمَن ڪَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ۬ فَعِدَّةٌ۬ مِّنۡ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ‌ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِڪُمُ ٱلۡيُسۡرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِڪُمُ ٱلۡعُسۡرَ وَلِتُڪۡمِلُواْ ٱلۡعِدَّةَ وَلِتُڪَبِّرُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَٮٰكُمۡ وَلَعَلَّڪُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ (١٨٥)

The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desireth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful. (185)

It is the chief of all months and the most glorious one. As we already know, Fasting’ is one of the important pillars of Islam and it is the very month of Ramadan during which fasting has been made obligatory for all adults and sane Muslims. By fasting during Ramadan, a Muslim besides discharging an obligation imposed upon him by Allah, becomes entitled to great reward in the Hereafter.

On the other hand, any lapse in the matter amounts to a great sin. Fasting is an article of worship, the knowledge about the performance or otherwise whereof rests only with Allah and the person concerned. Hence, it is Allah alone who will reward that person for it, on the Day of Judgment. The blessings of Ramadan are not limited to fasting alone, because the performance of all sorts of worship and good deeds during this month is also a source of great Divine favor.

The revelation of the Holy Qur’an commenced during this very month and it is therefore the duty of every Muslim to read and try to understand the meaning of the Holy Qur’an and thereby gain an insight into the Divine secrets enshrined therein. It brings peace and illumination to the mind and imparts purity to the soul.

Ramadan is the month of fasting, intensive prayer, sacrifice and Divine worship. Throughout this month a devout Muslim fasts during the day in the true sense of the word, that is, he had merely denies himself food and water, but as explained by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), exercises strict control over his tongue, eyes, ears, thoughts and deeds and does everything possible to seek the pleasure of Allah.

Devout supplications to Allah and repentance of one’s sins during Ramadan are the sources of Divine blessings and mercy. Some nights, among the last ten (10) nights of Ramadan, are called the ‘Nights of Glory’ (Laylatul Qadr). Muslims believe Laylatul Qadr is one of the last odd numbered nights of Ramadan, like 19th, 21st, and 23rd nights. Muslims keep awake during these nights and offer special prayers. Even among these nights, the 23rd enjoys excellence over all the others. It is accompanied by great blessings, and he usually grants the supplications made to Allah during this night.

The holy month of Ramadan, besides being the month of worship and Divine blessings, carries a historical importance as well. As already mentioned above, the revelations of the Holy Qur’an commenced in this month. The epoch-making ‘Battle of Badr’ and the ‘Conquest of Makkah’ also took place during the holy month of Ramadan.

Continue Reading