Correct Answer: B. navel to the knee

Correct Answer: C. ambiguous matters

Explanation

Muhammad was born around 570, AD in Mecca (now in Saudi Arabia). His father died before he was born and he was raised first by his grandfather and then his uncle. He belonged to a poor but respectable family of the Quraysh tribe. The family was active in Meccan politics and trade.

Many of the tribes living in the Arabian Peninsula at the time were nomadic, trading goods as they crisscrossed the desert. Most tribes were polytheistic, worshipping their own set of gods. The town of Mecca was an important trading and religious center, home to many temples and worship sites where the devoted prayed to the idols of these gods. The most famous site was the Kaaba (meaning cube in Arabic). It is believed to have been built by Abraham (Ibrahim to Muslims) and his son Ismail. Gradually the people of Mecca turned to polytheism and idolatry. Of all the gods worshipped, it is believed that Allah was considered the greatest and the only one without an idol.

In his early teens, Muhammad worked in a camel caravan, following in the footsteps of many people his age, born of meager wealth. Working for his uncle, he gained experience in commercial trade traveling to Syria and eventually from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean. In time, Muhammad earned a reputation as honest and sincere, acquiring the nickname “al-Amin” meaning faithful or trustworthy.

In his early 20s, Muhammad began working for a wealthy merchant woman named Khadijah, 15 years his senior. She soon became attracted to this young, accomplished man and proposed marriage. He accepted and over the years the happy union brought several children. Not all lived to adulthood, but one, Fatima, would marry Muhammad’s cousin, Ali ibn Abi Talib, whom Shi’ite Muslims regard as Muhammad’s successor.

Correct Answer: D. Abddur Rahman b. Harith b. Hisham

Correct Answer: C. Indifferent to the world

Correct Answer: B. al Ghazali

Correct Answer: D. al Alaq. Quran chapter 95 vs 1. Allah says:

Correct Answer: B. Friend of God

Correct Answer: C. Hasan

Explanation

In the science of Hadith, the classification of Hadiths in terms of authenticity is as follows: Sahih (Authentic), Hasan (Good), and Da'if (Weak). Therefore, the next to Sahih in terms of authenticity is Hasan.

Explanation

The month of Zhul Hijja is a special month. It is the month of Hajj. Just as the last ten nights of Ramadan are the best nights of the year, so are the first ten days of Zhul Hijjah. In fact, they are the best ten days of the year filled with immense blessings. One should increase his/her acts of worship (ibadat) through fasting, charity, zikr, additional prayers, supplications, and of course,udhiyah or animal sacrifice, a tradition commemorating the legacy of Ibrahim (AS) for his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael. This occasion occurs on the tenth day of Zhul Hijjah.

In the tenth year after migration to al-Madinah (hijirah), Muhammad (SAW) performed his only hajj along with thousands of companions. The journey of hajj was indeed a significant event. The Prophet (SAW) established the rites of Hajj, an important mode of worship incumbent upon every able Muslim once in his/her lifetime. Additionally, according to some scholars, it is believed that on the ninth day, the day of Arafat, he (SAW) received the last revelation,“This day, I have perfected for you your religion (deen), completed my favor upon you and am pleased with Islam as your deen (way of life).”(al-Ma’idah, 5:3)

The companions rejoiced. However, upon hearing the ayah, Omar (RAA) cried. The Prophet (SAW) asked, “What makes you cry O’ Omar?” “Although nothing is perfect, our deen is perfect now and I fear that with time it is going to deteriorate,” Omar replied. The Prophet (SAW) agreed and said, “You have spoken the truth.” He (SAW) then said, “Islam began as something strange, and shall return to being strange as it began, so blessed are the strangers.”

Indeed, the samejahili practices that were prevalent before Islam such as tribal wars, bloodshed, intoxication, music, adultery and fornication, interest and usury, etc. can be seen today everywhere in the world and just as Islam was conceived to be strange back then, the same teachings today are considered to be strange. Therefore, blessed are strangers who adhere to the deen dearly while sharing its message with others.

Throughout the journey of hajj, the Prophet (SAW) would admonish and advise his people. His speeches were collected in what is commonly known as “The Prophet’s Farewell Sermon” orHajjatul Wada’.The sermon highlighted the most significant teachings of his prophetic mission of twenty-three years. Such pearls of wisdom have been etched in the books and minds of many Muslims for all time to come. It was, among others things, a document of human rights.

After praising and thanking Allah (SWT), the Prophet (SAW) said, “O people! Lend me an attentive ear. For I know not whether after this year I shall ever be among you. Therefore, listen to what I am saying very carefully and take these words to those who are not present here today.” Months after he delivered the sermon, the Prophet (SAW) returned back to His Lord leaving behind a great legacy.

The Prophet’s speech began with a word of caution. He addressed the sanctity of human lives. He (SAW) reminds, “O people! Just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will meet your Lord and that He will indeed reckon your deeds.”

The Prophet (SAW) took advantage of the most blessed and sacred day of Arafat in the sacred month of Hajj, in the most sacred place in the world, Makkah to make a point. Bloodshed is forbidden due to the sanctity of human life. In addition to human life, people’s properties are also sacred. In a hadith the prophet insisted, “The blood, wealth and honor of the Muslim are sacred to all Muslims.” He (SAW) stressed, “The destruction of the world in the sight of Allah is lighter than the killing of one Muslim man.”

The Qur’an is very clear on this subject as many passages address the sanctity of human lives. In one place Allah emphatically stresses this point,“And do not take any human being’s life – (the life) which God has willed to be sacred – except through (due process of) law.” (17:33) The Qur’an clearly states that whoever kills an innocent soul has committed an act akin to murdering all of humanity.“If anyone kills a person; unless in retribution for murder or spreading corruption in the land, it is as if he kills all mankind, while if any saves a life it is as if he saves the lives of all mankind” (al-Ma’idah,5:32).

The US declaration of “War