SHORT ANSWERS - THE SAVIOUR OF MANKIND

(i)  What type of land Arabia is?

Ans. Arabia is a land of unparalleled charm and beauty, with its trackless deserts of sand dunes in the dazzling rays of a tropical sun. It has a desert climate with extremely high day-time temperature and a sharp temperature drop at night. 

(ii) Where is Makkah situated?

Ans. Makkah is the holiest city of Islam in the Hejaz in Saudia Arabia. It is situated about fifty miles from the Red Sea. It is located 70 km inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of 277 m above the sea level. 

(iii) What type of competition was held at Ukaz?

Ans. Every year a fair was held for poetical competitions at Ukaz; a few miles towards the desert from Taif, on the high east plateau of Makkah. The poetic form set for the competition was the qasidah, an ode. 

(iv) Why was the Holy Quran sent in Arabic?

Ans. The Holy Quran was sent in Arabic because the Arabs had great love for their national language, Arabic. Moreover, Arabic is the best language in terms of being easy to understand. It is the most phonetic language because there are only four vowels in it. 

(v) For which ability were the Arabs famous?

Ans. Before the promulgation of Islam, the Arabs were famous for two things; remarkable memory and eloquence. The memory and the art of using language with fluency and aptness found expression in their poetry. 

(vi)  What was the condition of mankind before the Holy Prophet (SAW)?

Ans. Mankind stood on the verge of chaos before the Holy Prophet (SAW). There was injustice, unfairness, violence, bloodshed, wars, and struggles between the humans. It seemed that the civilization which had taken four thousand years to grow had started crumbling. 

(vii) Why did the Holy Prophet (SAW) stay in the cave of Hira?

Ans. When Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) was thirty-eight years of age, he spent most of his time in solitude and meditation. In the cave of Hira, he used to retire with food and water and spend days and weeks in remembrance of Allah Almighty. 

(viii) What was the first revelation?

Ans. The first revelation was; "Read in the name of thy Lord Who created; created man from a clot (of congealed blood): Read and thy Lord is most Bountiful, Who taught (the use of) the pen, taught man that which he knew not." (Qur'an, 96:1-5)

(ix) Why did the pagan Arabs threaten the Holy Prophet's (SAW) uncle?

Ans. The pagan Arabs were in power. The Holy Prophet's (SAW) belief was threatening their dominance in the society. So they threatened the Holy Prophet's (SAW) uncle, Abu Talib to restrain the Holy Prophet (SAW) from preaching Allah Almighty's message, or face their enmity.

(x) What did Hazrat Ayesha (RA) say about the life of the Holy Prophet (SAW)?

Ans. Hazrat Ayesha (RA) was the daughter of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (RA) and the wife of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW). In reply to a question about the life of the Holy Prophet (SAW), Hazrat Ayesha (RA) said: "His morals and character are an embodiment of the Holy Quran."