CHAPTER IV

DAWN OF ISLAM (2)

In the begiining of Islam, Muhammad tge messenger delivered his message to his
family as wll as to the Quraysh people. With much strunggle and unmatched
patience Muhammad managed to collect a few followers. Muhammad talked to
peiple and advised them not to worship the idols which were made of stone and
which could neither do them any good not bring them any harm. He called them
instead to follow the relegion of Abraham: to believe in one God Allah, and worship
only Him.
but non-believers went on believing in the idols and refused to accept Islam. They
were afraid that Islam would bring them lots of enemies and make the rest of the
Arabs hate them and boycott their trade. If that happened, they would be in great
trouble. Therefore, they decided to do something to Muhammad and his followers.
They agreed to send delegation to Abu Talib and asked him to sette this matter once
and for all.
the spokesman said: Look Abu Talib, you are one of ourleaders, we greatly honour
you.Will you judge between us and your nephew? Tell him to stop insulting our
Gods, the idols, mocking our religions, creticizing our beliefs and slandering our
fathers who taught us these beliefs. Either you stop him or let us deal with him.
Abu Talib gave them no answer, but instead sent someone to look for the prophet
and tell him to go to his uncles house. When the prophet arrived he saw all the
important Quraysh men gathered in his uncles house. As soon as he got there, his
uncle, Abu Talib, said to him. My dear nephew, these are the heads of your people
and the rich Quraysh men wishing to make a deal with you. They want you stop
attacking ther gods, the idols and they will let you worship your God.
The prophet replied. Can I call upon them wo worship somebody else who is better
than these idols? Who is that, little phrase. If they say it the rest of the Arabs will
submit to them and they will rule the people of the world. All I want them to say is
There is no God but Allah.
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CHAPTER VII
THE QURANIC RECITATION FESTIVAL
The Second Annual North American competition for Quranic Recitation took place
ot the Mosque Foundation i Chicago on December 2, 1984. An audience of 400
Muslimims were treated to what, insya Allah, will be an annual Islamic society
tradition for excellence in the recitation of the Quran. The events was coordinated
by brothers Rasoul Penjwiny, Talat Sultan and Muhammad Nour, sho acted as the
moderator for the program.
Before the more than 20 participants filled the hall with their eloquent
recitations, Sheikh Ahmad Zaki Hammad delivered a very inspring inauguration

speech. Brother Maurice Bucaille, the author of The Bible, Quran, and Science and
The Origin of Man, also gave an informative lecture on the harmony between the
Quran and Science. His lecture was followed by Brother Salman Nadvis timely
lecture on education of children.
The heart of the program was of course the recitation it self. There were three
categories of reciters: those who memorized the entire Quran, who gad memorized
one-third of the Quran, and a special group for young children. In this category
every one was pleasantly stunned by the recitation of a small child of 2 years. The
winner of the second category was Brother Ahmad Muhyiddin Nadvi, and the winner
the first category was Brother Omal Idlibi. Winners will participate in the
International Celebration for the Recital and Tajweed of the Holy Quran to be held,
insya Allah in Makkah al-Mukarramah. Special appreciation should be extended to
the judges who presided over the comptetition namely Sheikh Ahmad Zaki Hammad
Ghouth Nadvi and Muhammad Al-Shengity.