Quran (Koran)

Modesty in Islam is one of the principles of faith. It is freedom from vanity and showiness. It is decency and moderation in speech, manner, dress and total attitude and behavior towards life. It is shyness, simplicity and humility about our abilities and accomplishments.

Modesty is for both male and female. It isn't only for women as many people have the misconception. The sphere of Modesty in Islamic morality is so vast that it encompasses all aspects of human life.

Imran bin Hussain narrated that prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as saying, "Modesty brings nothing but qood. Modesty is part of Faith and Faith is in Paradise. But obscenity is part of hardness of the heart and hardness of the heart is in hell."

Zaid bin Talha narrated that prophet Muhammad as saying: " Modesty and Faith are companions; when one of them goes out, the other follows it. He also reported, God's Messenger said, Every religion has a character and the character of Islam is Modesty"

Modesty prevents human beings from indulging into indecency and obscenity. If they commit sin under pressure of animal nature, it is modesty which makes them feel the pangs of conscience. If we lack modesty, desires will lay complete hold of us and we will not hesitate to indulge into any sin. Modesty is a strong moral deterrent against all evil inclinations.

One of the main differences between animal and human behavior is the characteristic of modesty.

Abdullah bin Masud narrated that prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as saying, Shall I not tell you who is kept away from hell, and from whom hell is kept away? Everyone who is gentle, kindly, approachable and of an easy disposition. That's what is called Modesty.

The Muslim woman is beautified by her modesty in dress and manners, and guarded against indecent looks and behavior - even though she may be different from everyone else around her.

Modesty is dignity, grace and adornment of a believer, given by the All-Wise Beneficent Allah (SWT), for the benefit of the Muslims and all mankind.

Abdullah bin Musalm reported,prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as saying, "Modesty is a part of the teachings of the previous prophets, and anyone who lacks it may do whatever he likes."

It is a pity that in the current, so called "free" society, Islamic standards of purity and modesty face continual threat and criticism. Modesty is the most important part of Islamic morals and characteristics. God do not like the arrogant and who is not modest. Quran says (meaning English translation): "Assuredly, Allah knows what they conceal and what they declare. Indeed, He does not like the arrogant." (16:23)

Praise be to Allah

114 surahs are in quran

Allah knows the best

#Surah (Chapter)Surah meaningRevealed inAyah numberSujda in Ayah1سورة الفاتحة - Al-FatihaThe Opening Mecca7--2سورة البقرة - Al-BaqaraThe Cow Madina286--3سورة آل عمران - Aal-e-ImranThe family of Imran Madina200--4سورة النساء - An-NisaThe Women Madina176--5سورة المائدة - Al-MaedaThe Table Spread Madina120--6سورة الأنعام - Al-AnaamThe cattle Mecca165--7سورة الأعراف - Al-ArafThe heights Mecca2062068سورة الأنفال - Al-AnfalSpoils of war, booty Madina75--9سورة التوبة - At-TaubahRepentance Madina129--10سورة يونس - YunusJonah Mecca109--11سورة هود - HudHud Mecca123--12سورة يوسف - YusufJoseph Mecca111--13سورة الرعد - Ar-RadThe Thunder Mecca431514سورة إبراهيم - IbrahimAbraham Mecca52--15سورة الحجر - Al-HijrStoneland, Rock city, Al-Hijr valley Mecca99--16سورة النحل - An-NahlThe Bee Mecca1285017سورة الإسراء - Al-IsraThe night journey Mecca11110018سورة الكهف - Al-KahfThe cave Mecca110--19سورة مريم - MaryamMary Mecca985820سورة طه - TahaTaha Mecca135--21سورة الأنبياء - Al-AnbiyaThe Prophets Mecca112--22سورة الحج - Al-HajjThe Pilgrimage Mecca781823سورة المؤمنون - Al-MumenoonThe Believers Mecca118--24سورة النور - An-NoorThe Light Mecca64--25سورة الفرقان - Al-FurqanThe Standard Mecca776026سورة الشعراء - Ash-ShuaraThe Poets Mecca227--27سورة النمل - An-NamlTHE ANT Mecca932628سورة القصص - Al-QasasThe Story Mecca88--29سورة العنكبوت - Al-AnkabootThe Spider Mecca69--30سورة الروم - Ar-RoomThe Romans Mecca60--31سورة لقمان - LuqmanLuqman Mecca34--32سورة السجدة - As-SajdaThe Prostration Mecca301533سورة الأحزاب - Al-AhzabThe Coalition Mecca73--34سورة سبأ - SabaSaba Mecca54--35سورة فاطر - FatirOriginator Mecca45--36سورة يس - Ya SeenYa Seen Mecca83--37سورة الصافات - As-SaaffatThose who set the ranks Mecca182--38سورة ص - SadSad Mecca882439سورة الزمر - Az-ZumarThe Troops Mecca75--40سورة غافر - GhafirThe Forgiver Mecca85--41سورة فصلت - FussilatExplained in detail Mecca543842سورة الشورى - Ash-ShuraCouncil, Consultation Mecca53--43سورة الزخرف - Az-ZukhrufOrnaments of Gold Mecca89--44سورة الدخان - Ad-DukhanThe Smoke Mecca59--45سورة الجاثية - Al-JathiyaCrouching Mecca37--46سورة الأحقاف - Al-AhqafThe wind-curved sandhills Mecca35--47سورة محمد - MuhammadMuhammad Madina38--48سورة الفتح - Al-FathThe victory Madina29--49سورة الحجرات - Al-HujraatThe private apartments Madina18--50سورة ق - QafQaf Mecca45--51سورة الذاريات - Adh-DhariyatThe winnowing winds Mecca60--52سورة الطور - At-turMount Sinai Mecca49--53سورة النجم - An-NajmThe Star Mecca626254سورة القمر - Al-QamarThe moon Mecca55--55سورة الرحمن - Al-RahmanThe Beneficient Mecca78--56سورة الواقعة - Al-WaqiaThe Event, The Inevitable Mecca96--57سورة الحديد - Al-HadidThe Iron Madina29--58سورة المجادلة - Al-MujadilaShe that disputes Madina22--59سورة الحشر - Al-HashrExile Madina24--60سورة الممتحنة - Al-MumtahinaShe that is to be examined Madina13--61سورة الصف - As-SaffThe Ranks Madina14--62سورة الجمعة - Al-JumuaThe congregation, Friday Madina11--63سورة المنافقون - Al-MunafiqoonThe Hypocrites Madina11--64سورة التغابن - At-TaghabunMutual Disillusion Madina18--65سورة الطلاق - At-TalaqDivorce Madina12--66سورة التحريم - At-TahrimBanning Madina12--67سورة الملك - Al-MulkThe Sovereignty Mecca30--68سورة القلم - Al-QalamThe Pen Mecca52--69سورة الحاقة - Al-HaaqqaThe reality Mecca52--70سورة المعارج - Al-MaarijThe Ascending stairways Mecca44--71سورة نوح - NoohNooh Mecca28--72سورة الجن - Al-JinnThe Jinn Mecca28--73سورة المزمل - Al-MuzzammilThe enshrouded one Mecca20--74سورة المدثر - Al-MuddathirThe cloaked one Mecca56--75سورة القيامة - Al-QiyamaThe rising of the dead Mecca40--76سورة الإنسان - Al-InsanThe man Madina31--77سورة المرسلات - Al-MursalatThe emissaries Mecca50--78سورة النبأ - An-NabaThe tidings Mecca40--79سورة النازعات - An-NaziatThose who drag forth Mecca46--80سورة عبس - AbasaHe Frowned Mecca42--81سورة التكوير - At-TakwirThe Overthrowing Mecca29--82سورة الإنفطار - AL-InfitarThe Cleaving Mecca19--83سورة المطففين - Al-MutaffifinDefrauding Mecca36--84سورة الانشقاق - Al-InshiqaqThe Sundering, Splitting Open Mecca252185سورة البروج - Al-BuroojThe Mansions of the stars Mecca22--86سورة الطارق - At-TariqThe morning star Mecca17--87سورة الأعلى - Al-AlaThe Most High Mecca19--88سورة الغاشية - Al-GhashiyaThe Overwhelming Mecca26--89سورة الفجر - Al-FajrThe Dawn Mecca30--90سورة البلد - Al-BaladThe City Mecca20--91سورة الشمس - Ash-ShamsThe Sun Mecca15--92سورة الليل - Al-LailThe night Mecca21--93سورة الضحى - Ad-DhuhaThe morning hours Mecca11--94سورة الشرح - Al-InshirahSolace Mecca8--95سورة التين - At-TinThe Fig Mecca8--96سورة العلق - Al-AlaqThe Clot Mecca191997سورة القدر - Al-QadrThe Power Mecca5--98سورة البينة - Al-BayyinaThe Clear proof Madina8--99سورة الزلزلة - Al-ZalzalaThe earthquake Madina8--100سورة العاديات - Al-AdiyatThe Chargers Mecca11--101سورة القارعة - Al-QariaThe Calamity Mecca11--102سورة التكاثر - At-TakathurCompetition Mecca8--103سورة العصر - Al-AsrThe declining day Mecca3--104سورة الهمزة - Al-HumazaThe Traducer Mecca9--105سورة الفيل - Al-filThe Elephant Mecca5--106سورة قريش - QuraishQuraish Mecca4--107سورة الماعون - Al-MaunAlms Giving Mecca7--108سورة الكوثر - Al-KautherAbundance Mecca3--109سورة الكافرون - Al-KafiroonThe Disbelievers Mecca6--110سورة النصر - An-NasrThe Succour Madina3--111سورة المسد - Al-MasaddThe Flame Mecca5--112سورة الإخلاص - Al-IkhlasAbsoluteness Mecca4--113سورة الفلق - Al-FalaqThe day break Mecca5--114سورة الناس - An-NasThe mankind Mecca6--
114

Answer 1: Islamic Perspective

It is apparent that there is some confusion.

• Ezra is not the one referred to in Qur'an. The one referred to in Qur'an is Uzayr (not to be Ezra but Azariah), mentioned in the book of Daniel as Abednego.

• The verse (Q, 9:30) refers to those Jews; who lived in Arabia during the time of prophet Muhammad; who did or do call Uzayr son of God, rather than the overwhelming majority who revere him as a scribe. Accordingly, this verse referred to a specific group of Jews who lived in Arabia during the time of prophet Muhammad. In the Qur'an, the verses do not specify to particular groups. For example, when it speaks of the Christians worshiping Christ as the son of God, it doesn't specifically say Trinitarian Christians, instead just using the generic term Christian. Therefore, it obviously does not refer to all Christians, such as Unitarians, who call Christ a prophet rather than son of God. Refer to link below.
• Refer to the attached link, authored by Westerners, to know that in history there were a group of Jews who considered Uzayr (not to be Ezra but Azariah) as son of God.

Answer 2: Jewish and Historical Perspective

• No Jewish Sect ever even considered Azariah/Abednego to even be a prophet, let alone something as revered as the Son of God. At least Ezra, the common translation of Uzayr by Qur'an translators - Muhsin Khan, Sahih International, Pickthall, Dr. Ghali, etc. - was an important person in Judaism, but he was never called the Son of God.
• Almost all Christians were Trinitarians by 250 C.E. and has remained consistent to this day. It would have been more apropos to distinguish Christians who were not Trinitarian from the majority. The Qur'an 9:30 claim is not substantiated by any source outside of the Qur'an. Additionally, Unitarianism is a modern Christian movement and part of Protestantism (1600s-Present). Even the heretical forms of Christianity in 7th Century Arabia - Justinians, Ebionites, Nestorians - all had Trinities, but some of them were Father, Son, and Mary as opposed to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• As concerns the particular book cited, "History of Jews of Arabia", the argument is Circular Reasoning. Newby, the author, admits that there are few sources that describe Arabian Jewry so he uses the Qur'anic verses to reconstruct a form of Judaism that may have existed without using materials produced by the Jews themselves. As a result, his view of Jews in Arabia necessarily comports with the Qur'anic version because he used the Qur'an exclusively to define Arab Jewish beliefs. So, yes, the Qur'an agrees with the Qur'an, but that does not make it accurate history. Please read the Review of the book in the Related Links to see a discussion of this very issue.

Islamic Counterpoint

• It is mentioned above that Almost all Christians were Trinitarians by 250 CE which means that there are still minority of Christians who are Unitarians. The Unitarian movement, although not called "Unitarian" initially, began almost simultaneously in Poland-Lithuania and Transylvania in the mid-sixteenth century. Among the adherents were a significant number of Italians. In England the first Unitarian Church was established in 1774 on Essex Street, London, where today's British Unitarian headquarters are still located. Refer to link below.

Sawm (Arabic: صوم‎) is an Arabic word for fasting regulated by Islamic jurisprudence. In the terminology of Islamic law, Sawm means "to abstain from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse". The observance of sawm during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, but is not confined to that month.

Muslims are prohibited from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sexual intercourse from dawn (fajr) to sunset (maghrib). Fasting is essentially an attempt to seek nearness to Allah and increase one's piety. One of the remote aims of fasting is to sympathize with those less fortunate ones who do not always have food and drink readily available. Also one must try to avoid cursing and thinking evil thoughts. Fasting is also viewed as a means of controlling one's desires (of hunger, thirst, sexuality, anger) and focusing more on devoting oneself to God. Sawm also carries a significant spiritual meaning. It teaches one the principle of love: because when one observes Fasting, it is done out of deep love for God.

For a fast to be valid in the first instance, an intention (niyyah) must be made beforehand; this is considered to form an oath. If this is not performed then the fast is not valid, it is not required to be made verbally. Throughout the duration of the fast itself, Muslims will abstain from certain provisions that God has otherwise allowed; namely eating, drinking, and sexual intercourse. This is in addition to the standard obligation already observed by Muslims of avoiding that which is not permissible under Qur'anic or Shari'ah law (e.g. ignorant and indecent speech, arguing and fighting, and lustful thoughts). Without observing this standard obligation, Sawm is rendered useless, and is seen simply as an act of starvation. The fasting should be a motive to be more benevolent to the fellow-creatures. Charity to the poor and needy in this month is one of most rewardable worship. If one is sick, nursing or travelling, one is considered exempt from fasting. Any fasts broken or missed due to sickness, nursing or traveling must be made up whenever the person is able before the next month of Ramadan. According to the Qur'an, for all other cases, not fasting is only permitted when the act is potentially dangerous to one's health - for example; those elderly who are too weak to fast for extended periods of time, but this must be made up by paying a fidyah which is essentially the iftaar, dinner and suhur for a fasting person who requires such financial help, diabetics, nursing, and pregnant women. Observing the fast is not permitted for menstruating women. However, when a woman's period has ceased, she must bathe and continue fasting. Any fasts broken or missed due to menstruation must be made up whenever she can before the next month of Ramadan. Women must fast at times when not menstruating, as God indicates that all religious duties are ordained for both men and women. During Ramadan, one who fasts and breaks the oath out of forgetfulness must nevertheless continue, since the fast will remain valid. If, however, one intentionally breaks the fast, by eating, drinking, or smoking, then they must continue for the rest of the day, add one day onto their fast and pay a "penalty'" (fidyah). Fidyah differ in the different schools of thought. In Malaysia however, a fidyah consists of the amount of rice used for a meal. However if one intentionally breaks the fast by having sex (without breaking it first by other means such eating, etc.) a set of "penalty" (kaffarra) shall apply. These exist in three forms, of which the person must choose one: * Fasting for an extra 60 consecutive days * Feeding and clothing 60 people in need Penalties for voluntary fasts at other times of the year, are, however, more lenient; if an oath is given, and circumstances dictate that if broken (or if the one giving the oath deliberately breaks it), one needs to fast for three days consecutively if they cannot initially find 10 poor people to feed and provide clothing for (both of which are commanded before the act of fasting as a form of repentance). The penalties are harsher during Ramadan because all mentally able Muslims are expected to have an increased awareness of the fast at that time. In accordance with traditions handed down from Muhammad, Muslims eat a pre-dawn meal called the suhoor. All eating and drinking must be finished before Salat-ul-Fajr, the pre-dawn prayer. Unlike the Salat-ul-Zuhr and Salat-ul-Maghrib prayers, which have clear astronomical definitions (noon and sunset), there are several definitions used in practice for the timing of "true dawn" (al-fajr as-sadq), as mentioned in the hadith. These range from when the center of the sun is 12 to 21 degrees below the horizon [1] which equates to about 40 to 60 minutes before civil dawn. There are no restrictions on the morning meal other than the restrictions on Muslims diet. After completing the suhoor, Muslims recite the fajr prayer. No food or water is allowed to go down the throat after the suhoor. However, water unlike food may enter the mouth, but not go down the throat during wudu. The meal eaten to end the fast is known as al-Iftar. Many Muslims, following the Sunnah of the Prophet, Muhammad, break the fast with dates and water before praying Salat-ul-Maghrib, after which they might eat a more wholesome meal. Fasting inculcates a sense of fraternity and solidarity, as Muslims can feel and experience that which needy and hungry humans feel. However, even the poor, needy, and hungry participate in the fast. Moreover, Ramadan is a month of giving charity and sharing meals to break the fast together, the latter offering more reward than if eating alone. Most importantly, the fast is also seen as a great sign of obedience by the believer to Allah. Faithful observance of the Sawm is believed to atone for personal faults and misdeeds and to help earn a place in paradise. As briefly mentioned earlier, fasting can also be observed voluntarily (as part of the Greater Jihad ): Sawm is intended to teach believers patience and self-control in their personal conduct, to help control passions and temper, to provide time for meditation and to strengthen one's faith. Fasting also serves the purpose of cleansing the inner soul and freeing it of harm. Although fasting is considered a pious act in Islam, there are times when fasting is prohibited. There are certain days on which fasts are prohibited: * Eid ul-Adha * Eid ul-Fitr * Day of Ashura [10th of Muharrum] (For Shia Muslims only - however they can do a faqa, which is a fast from morning to mid day prayers) * Ayyam at-Tashriq (the 11th, 12th and 13th of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah).

Source: Wikipedia