The messages in 'Hello, Little Muslim!'
1. Allah is our God
The concept of Tawheed meaning the oneness of God is the core of Islam itself. The first of the six pillars of Iman. Declaring the oneness of Allah S.W.T and submitting oneself to Allah and not taking others (physically or metaphorically) as equals is required to be on the straight path. As life is a journey to be on the straight path, it is befitting that this reminder has been chosen to be on the first page of the book.
2. Prophet Muhammad is God's Messenger
The fourth pillar of Iman, bearing witness that Prophet Muhammad S.A.W is God's Messenger. Combined, the first theme coupled with the second one becomes the declaration of faith or Shahada, ‘ There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger.’
The second and third pillars of Iman (To believe in his Angels and his books or revelations) are not included as total belief in the first and fourth pillars of Iman would have encompassed the other two.
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مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّلَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَجِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَالَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَدُوٌّ لِّلْكَافِرِينَ - 2:98
SAHIH INTERNATIONAL
Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and His messengers and Gabriel and Michael - then indeed, Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers.
To believe in Allah S.W.T's prophet would require a person to also believe in the revelation – Al Quran – that was sent down to him is the truth, and that revelation was sent down by the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) A.S.
3. Kaaba is our Qibla
The Kaaba is the holiest place in Islam. Built by prophets Ibrahim A.S (Abraham) and his son Ismail A.S (Ishmael), It sets the qibla, the direction of prayer in Islam. Apart from being the qibla, the Kaaba is also where Muslims perform Hajj to seek forgiveness from the judge Allah S.W.T before the day of judgement takes place.
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وَإِذْ جَعَلْنَا الْبَيْتَ مَثَابَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَمْنًا وَاتَّخِذُوا مِن مَّقَامِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى ۖ وَعَهِدْنَا إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَا بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْعَاكِفِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ - 2:125
SAHIH INTERNATIONAL
And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], "Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer]."
The purification of the Kaaba as it has been taken upon by prophets Ibrahim and Ismail is the mission of the prophet Muhammad S.A.W. and further extended to the Muslims.
4. Water for Wudu
To perform one of the pillars of Islam which is performing Salah five times a day, Wudu' or ablution is required. A purification act for Muslims.
Narrated Nu`am Al-Mujmir:
Once I went up the roof of the mosque, along with Abu Huraira. He perform ablution and said, "I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, "On the Day of Resurrection, my followers will be called "Al-Ghurr-ul- Muhajjalun" from the trace of ablution and whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so (i.e. by performing ablution regularly)."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 136, In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 2
5. Perform Salah at mosque
life is a journey to be on the straight path, the straight path that those who were favoured as found in the 3rd sura, Ali' Imran.
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صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ - 1:7
SAHIH INTERNATIONAL
The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favour, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.
In every Salah, we ask for Allah S.W.T's guidance to be on the straight path. It is also the Sunnah of the prophet to perform the Salah in congregation.
Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The prayer in congregation is twenty seven times superior to the prayer offered by person alone."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 645, In-book reference : Book 10, Hadith 42
6. Sighting of Ramadan moon & 7. Fasting from fajr till dawn
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رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ - 2:129
SAHIH INTERNATIONAL
Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
The duʿā made by our father, prophet Ibrahim A.S above was fulfilled with the coming of the last messenger prophet Muhammad S.A.W and with him, the final revelation, the Holy Qur'an. Allah S.W.T. further continues with:
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شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ - 2:185
SAHIH INTERNATIONAL
The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.
As Muslims, we are required to fast in this month as the act of fasting clears your mind and thoughts so you may ponder and reflect on the Qur'an and be guided as Allah S.W.T describes the Qur'an as 'Hudallinnas' (هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ).
Although the act of fasting is prescribed as ending at dusk and begins at dawn, the good practices that we performed during the day and the bad things we abstained from should extend throughout the day, the whole month and ultimately the entire year. Hence the phrase 'Fasting from fajr till dawn'.
8. Smile is sadaqah
Smile has a magical effect for those who smile and compliment it. Allah has created mankind to be attached to those who are friendly, and those who smile to others can spread tranquillity and calmness and drive away the anxiety.
One of the characteristics of the prophet Muhammad S.A.W. was that he loved to smile.
Jabir bin Abdullah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
"Every good is charity. Indeed among the good is to meet your brother with a smiling face, and to pour what is left in your bucket into the vessel of your brother."
Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1970
9. Say salaam to other Muslim
Saying salaam is what Muslims say when greeting other Muslims. The meaning of salaam is harmlessness, safety and protection from evil and faults.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "By Him in Whose Hand is my life! You will not enter Jannah until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I inform you of something which, if you do, you will love one another? Promote greetings amongst yourselves."
[Muslim].
Sunnah.com reference : Book 6, Hadith 4
Arabic/English book reference : Book 6, Hadith 848