Four Basic Quranic Terms…
Sayyid Abul A’la Maududi
Introduction Four basic terms in Quran
Ilah, Rabb, Deen and Ibadah, are four terms basic to the whole teaching of the Qur’an.
It stresses again and again that Allah Almighty is the Rabb and the Ilah.
It also demands that we should give our Ibadah to him and him alone.Make our Deen exclusive to him and reject all other deens.
Significance
For proper comprehension of the teachings of the Qur’an, it is essential to know these four terms.
It will not be possible for an individual to make his ‘Ibadah, or his deen, exclusive for Allah alone without knowing these terms.
As centuries passed, these terms came to stand for only very limited meanings or restricted and rather vague concepts.
1. ILAH
1. ILAH
• Ilah is mentioned 120 times in Quran. In 37 cases, it is used for false gods. In the rest, it is either used for God specifically or in the general sense.
“Your god (God) is the one god, there is no god except Him, the All-beneficent, the All- merciful.”
Worshipping Allah
Idol Worshipping
No idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody is worthy of worship but
Allah Alone…
2. RABB
2. RABB
The basic meaning is to bring up. It has following connotations:One who brings up, rear, fosters or nourishes, or is
responsible for doing all or one of these,Guardian, one who supervises or is responsible for
carrying out improvements;Owner or Master
Few beautiful creations of ALLAH (swt)
Last but not the least, A HUMAN!!!Allah says in 95:4;Verily We created man (al-insān: the generic) in the best of forms, [in the best] proportioning of his shape.
3. IBADAH
What does Ibadah Mean?
• Surrendering oneself totally to God’s authority• This word also carries a sense of submission and
obedience.• It includes feeling of gratitude for God’s kindness and
favours.
He has let loose the two seas (the salt water and
the sweet) meeting together. Between them is a barrier which none of them can transgress” [ar-Rahmaan 55:19-20]
Clouds rain when they
receive Allah’s command.
4. DEEN
4. DEEN
• Usage and Meaning – Sovereignty and supreme authorityObedience and submission to such authorityThe system of thought and action established through the
exercise of that authority.
Prophet Muhammad (saws) said: "Seeking Knowledge is
obligatory upon every Muslim." (Related by Ibn 'Adiyy, Al-Bayhaqi & Al-
Tabarani)
Lifestyle of Muslim Men and Women
Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them:
And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. ... The Qur'an admonishes Muslim
women to dress modestly.
Sunnah For Men?Sunnah For
Women?
JAZAKALLAH KHAIR