Contentment: Wisdom for Wise

By Dr. M. K. R. Khan and Nehala Khan

This book is not intended to add one more to the already existing treasure of knowledge about Islam. This book is to clarify any discrepancies, solve any mis-understood concepts, justify the foundations laid as the principles of Islam for our own good and for the good of others.
This book is an attempt to rationalize the need of contentment to straighten the ways of living and to create a balance in multitude of tasks endowed on us. This book hopes to remove any controversies, inflexible ideas about Islamic practices and confusions over the labels given to Islam by some around the world, more so in the west.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796046915

Dr. M. K. R. Khan

Dr. M.K.R.Khan is a retired professor and consultant Psychiatrist, with several published books to his credit, including books on religion, his faculty, social problems and biographies and now trying to let people live in contentment. Nehala Khan is his daughter with a career in management and information science, her interest in decoding contentment and peace lead her to read, comprehend, question and reflect more about the same, which she shares in this book. Both are living with their families in Midwest, of course with contended lives.

Book preview

CONTENTMENT

Wisdom for Wise

Dr. M. K. R. Khan/

Nehala Khan

Copyright © 2019 by Dr. M. K. R. Khan/ Nehala Khan.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 07/16/2019

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CONTENTS

Dedication

In The Name Of God, The Beneficient And Merciful

Preface

Facts About Islam

Facts About Prophet

Facts About Quran And Hadith

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Postface

DEDICATION

We dedicate this book to God and humanity created by Him for a harmonious living. We especially dedicate it to this diverse community in America, in search of contentment.

Authors

IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE BENEFICIENT AND MERCIFUL

We extend thanks to God for His blessings first and then to the religious scholars for enabling us to attempt interpreting the Quran, Sunnah and Hadith. This book could not be completed without the inspirational lectures from teachers like Nauman Ali Khan, Dr. Zakir Naik, Dr. Yasir Qadhi, Hamza Yousuf and Yasmin Mogahed. We remain grateful to our family for their unseen help and Dr. Shahid Ekbal for his experiential insights and guidance.

Dr. M.K.R. Khan & Nehala Khan

PREFACE

In todays world lives are lived restlessly and people lack the required satisfaction and peace in daily routine. This kind of livelihood is a mere waste of time and purpose behind the creation of Universe for the creations including the humanity. Selfishness and greed antagonize the principled life.

Appraisal and gratefulness shown towards God reminds us of the blessings we have been given. Remaining humble and modest, avoiding arrogance and pride in our attitudes, which in turn would give us the much-required contentment in life.

Working hard with honesty to continuously perfect our tasks and getting returns is equally satisfying. Keeping steadfast and dealing with respect and honor is helping us to improve our relations, followed by good deeds like kindness and charitable effects leading again to contentment.

Communicating with God on regular basis and supplicating with invocations for cleansing our minds and getting gratification out of results is solacing. Involvement in cleanliness and righteous acts is similarly very rewarding. Seeking refuge in God, submitting to His directives and feeling contented is our goal, achieved for a life in this world and hereafter.

Authors

FACTS ABOUT ISLAM

Islam meaning peace literally, actually in practice is total submission followed by practice of balancing with equilibrium and serenity and compassion. Religion is simple with one God, one book and one last prophet, preaching simplicity, honesty and consideration.

Islam is FAITH in monotheism, PRAYERS undertaken 5 times a day for meditation, CHARITY of obligatory 2.5% of saving is compulsory for sharing and caring mankind, FASTING done in the month of Ramadan to test our tolerance thresholds and pilgrimage for HAJJ is obligatory once in life time to Holy shrine of KAABA in Mecca depending upon affordability for conjoint consideration towards humanity.

There are 2 major sects 1. Sunni, and 2. Shia (Symbolic to hand) and minor sects are Ehle-hadees, Mehdis, Khojas, Maimans, etc. Pre-Islamic life was clan based and post-Islamic life based on brotherhood. Now there are approximately 2 billion Muslims in the world, which is about 25% of world population. Among them 90% are Sunnis and 10% Shias. Islam is considered the fastest growing religion in the world.

In middle East there are about 90% Muslims and 10% Christians. But the majority of Muslims are in Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, in that order, making them the largest section in non-Arab countries. 62% of Muslims are in Asia and a big majority in separated countries from USSR with more than 50 countries having Muslim governance. Maldives is the smallest Muslim country after Brunei and Bahrain. Largest number of Muslims live in Germany, France, UK in that order.

FACTS ABOUT PROPHET

Prophet Mohamed was born on 12 rabbi-al-awwal (Muslim calendar) in 570 CE, his father Abdullah having died before his birth, his mother Amina sent him to Bedouin tribe. Halima nursed and cared for him up till 6 years and when Amina died Abdul Mutallib his grandfather became his Guardian, who also died at his 8 years of age. His uncle Abu-Talib (Clan chief) became his guardian and taught him trade and archery.

His Occupation was that of a shepherd and he was illiterate. He became businessman carrying goods all over Arabia, having been labeled AL Ameen meaning Trust worthy. He married Khadija at his 25 years of age, when she was 40 years old and with her, all children were conceived. Except Ibrahim who was conceived by Mariam, but all sons died at an early age.

In Mecca, he started secret preaching for 3 years, faced hindrances and then he gave 1 year of public preaching, faced atrocities, leading to the beginning of migration by Muslims because of persecutions, then Khadija died in 619 CE. All subsequent marriages of the Prophet were after his 50th year of age, with a total of 11 wives, all for socio-political reasons.

His 1st proclamation was ‘all have equal rights’, 1st Mosque construction took place in Medina and 1st Azan (call for prayers) given by Bilal, a black slave. Several Battles were fought in Medina from 624 to 627, the first being Badr and the last being Tabuk against the Roman Empire. The famous TREATY OF HUDAIBIYA was signed in 628. Battles outside Medina took place from 629 to 630. Conquest of Mecca took place in 630 and generalized amnesty was granted by him to the defeated. Last war of Byzantine took place in 631, which was eastern Roman capital of Constantinople (Istanbul).

During this life time negotiations, challenges, diplomacies, hurdles, difficulties, compromises, conversions, pledges continued. Missions and delegations spread Islam across Arabia, Ethiopia, Persia, Egypt, Rome, Damascus, Bahrain, etc. He undertook the important Journey to Jerusalem and then to seven heavens in 621 CE, and then he performed HIJRAT (migration) to Medina in 622 CE. Prophecy was declared at his 40 years of age in Ramadan 610 CE. Prophecy time in Mecca was 13 years and in Medina 10 years. His demise was on 12 Rabbi-al-awwal of Muslim Calendar in 632 CE.

FACTS ABOUT QURAN AND HADITH

Quran advocated that since the evolution of universe, over 100,000 messengers were sent to earth, all conveyed same message of single GOD namely ALLAH and only 25 names of prophets are recorded in Quran. Quran has 300 pages and chapters are arranged in order of volume of verses. Second being the largest, AL-BAQRA which has 286 verses and smallest being AL-KAUTHER with only 3 verses.

In Quran after names of ALLAH the second oft repeated word is ILM, meaning equals knowledge. Qur’an mentions God’s compassion and mercy 192 times, as opposed to God’s wrath, which is mentioned only 17 times. There are 99 names of God mentioned in Quran, 95 for goodness and 4 otherwise.

The Quran is the last revelation to humanity and has been unchanged since it was sent down to Prophet Mohamed in the 7th century. The Quran has 114 chapters and a total of 6236 verses, which are the source of every Muslim’s faith.

It is well known that 2/3 of Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohamed in Mecca and 1/3 in Medina. In Chapter 2 namely Al-Baqra which had 286 verses and in the middle of it at the 143 verse the word ‘Middle’ was noted, which was documented only once, denoting the God sent word being a miracle itself.

The first Chapter of Quran, namely Al-Fatiha or the opening, is divided into 2 halves the first about God and the second about mankind. Both halves have similar number of verses. There are many more similar incidences notifying Quran as Godly. In the Chapter 3 namely Al-Imran the prophets Adam and Jesus are compared as one missing two parent and the other missing one parent. The names were endorsed 25 times for each.

Within hundred years of the demise of Prophet they started collecting his sayings known as ‘AHADITH’ and his practices in life known as ‘SUNNAH’. They are considered a model of emulation for pious Muslims and has to a great degree influenced the Muslim culture. The Sunnah also played a major role in the development of the Islamic sciences. It contributed much to the development of Islamic law, particularly from the end of the first Islamic century.

There were about a million Sunnah/Hadith documented, revised up to 30,000 and lastly accepted as 7300 (with 2000 having repetitions of content) equaling to approximately 5000 registered finally as authentic with Jama-e-Al Azher in Egypt. The Biographies of Prophet Mohamed being many, up to 2713 recorded in the last 25 years.

……..Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.

(Q. 25:74)

CHAPTER 1

Contentment is the goal of Muslims, spread over the world with their cultures and traditions, being carried since long and some of them feel like sticking to them. Of course, some deviate but the majority of Muslim population, being domiciled in Non-Muslim countries and the rest living in about 50 Muslim countries, all have to make sense with reasoning and had to balance their roles to suit the image of Islam, being that of tolerance, expectancy and assurance given by God. Without this vision Muslims are not supposed to distort the legacy of this religion.

Islam from the very incept circulated the message of peace, universalism and brotherhood to mankind, whether of any era and any region, while Quran was very insistent that there should be no compulsion in forcing religion upon anyone. Each one can follow their faith, which they wish to continue. So, the misunderstanding that Islam spread with the force of sword is incorrect and on the contrary, there was that freedom to allow people to live and let live with their own faiths since beginning.

The pre-Islamic times held the belief of only good and evil. The several religions cropped up but the main religions like Judaism, got their revealed scriptures adulterated and Christianity, took up the doctrine of Trinity comprising of Father, son and the Holy ghost. Buddhism had been converted into an idolatrous faith. Later in the sixth century C E, Hinduism went ahead of every other religion in the number of gods and goddesses they worship. The Zoroastrians also followed suit in the hierarchy of gods and goddesses, but could not spread their doctrines much further.

In the west around the same time rulers of the Sasanian Empire were alienated from the people, as they regarded themselves as the descendants of celestial gods. The kings and nobles were enmeshed with massive wealth and treasures and were interested only in raising their own standard of living and cherished their cadre without any consideration for others. The common people on the other hand were left neglected and lived in great distress and despair. They were unhappy and wished this discrimination to end.

The result was that the peasants rose into revolt in many places, becoming bandits breaking into the houses of nobles to steal upon their property and to abduct their assets. Gangsters took over the possession of landed properties and gradually the agricultural holdings became barren as the new owners knew nothing about the cultivation of land. Robberies, thefts and looting was a day to day routine and somehow, they survived at the cost of diminishing reserves of food-stock.

On the east, among the inhabitants of India there were outcasts and untouchables to ensure the superiority of the Brahmins. It’s code of life was applicable to the entire society, dividing it into four distinct classes: the Brahmins or priests enjoying the monopoly of performing religious rites; The Kshatriyas or nobles and warriors supposedly governing the country; and The Vaisyas or merchants, undertaking business and controlling peasants and artisans; and the Sudras or the non Aryans were the most down trodden, meant only to serve the first three castes.

The social laws accorded the Brahmin class distinctive privileges and their sermons were the laws of the land, even tax could not be imposed on a Brahmin, nor could a Brahmin be executed for any crime. The widow should burn herself alive with the funeral fire of her dead husband under the practice known as ‘Sati’. The Sudras, were the untouchables and could never acquire any property, nor could retain any assets and were not even permitted to read the sacred scriptures. They were at the mercy of the other sects.

In Europe around the same time, the knowledge and all the literary and artistic achievements of the past were lost. The German races were raised to political power and they still debated the point whether others had the soul of human beings. Others could neither acquire nor inherit any property nor had the right to sell or transfer the same. There were persecutions and oppression taking place as a norm and the rulers gave no scope for resistance or revolt.

The Byzantine Empire was engrossed in the experience of its love for sports and recreation with no concern for administrative reforms and governance and got into moral corruption. Egyptian kingdom in that province was directed to the sole purpose of squeezing profits from the ruled peasants and enjoyed the privileges. Syria, another part of the Byzantine Empire used to treat the locals as slaves and kept them at their mercy. There were no set rules or regulations which should have been followed and later faced the wrath from the common man.

The Greeks and the Iranians were peoples of a different type, accustomed to improving upon them and they lacked the morale to fight against injustice and brutality. No idea or no concept was attractive enough for them, no conviction or call was sufficiently proven in a way that they could jeopardize their comfort and pleasure. The common man of Byzantium and Persia with the conduct of the pre-Islamic people could see the difference between the social life styles of the Arabs and other nations of the world, but neither changed not adapted any improvisations.

The continents of Asia, Africa and Europe, occupied the most suitable place for being chosen as the center of enlightenment for radiating divine guidance and knowledge to the entire world. All the three continents had been cradles of great civilizations and powerful empires, while Arabia lay in the center through which passed the merchandise of all the countries far and near, affording an opportunity to different nations and races for exchange of thoughts and ideas. Such a country, unimpeded by political and social constraints, was ideally suited to become the nucleus of a universal message preaching human equality, liberty and dignity.

In Arabia the idea of morals, was unknown to the ancient Bedouin, who were extremely fond of wine and gambling. The Bedouin was bound by unbreakable bonds of fidelity to his family, blood relations and, finally, to the tribe. Fights were the sport and murder a trifling affair. A minor incident sometimes gave rise to a long-drawn warfare between two powerful tribes.

But in Arabia since ages Medina was an agricultural settlement, while Mecca was business and financial center. In those days only Taif and Medina were the places in Arabia which had water and grazing lands and Mecca was the place with barren lands and Rocky Mountains with no sustainable life. Tribal life support was essential for survival and tribal grouping was encouraged by the need to act as a unit, this unity being based on the bond of kinship by blood. The Arabs had been the followers of Abraham’s religion in the olden times, which had the distinction of having the first House of God in