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ISLAM
Part I & Part II
May the peace and blessings of God be upon everyone who made it
possible for us to receive God’s Message, especially all of the
Messengers and Prophets of God, their companions, and all others
who followed them, and paved the way for us.
Introduction
Praise be to the Lord of the universe who gives the best reward to
the God-fearing and the great loss to the transgressor. I bear witness
that there is no God but Allah; He has no partner and possesses real
sovereignty. I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and
messenger; the seal of the prophets and the leader of the God-
fearing and the guide of all the human beings. May Allah bless him,
his family, his Companions, and those who follow them till the Day
of Judgment.
Allah has sent His messenger Muhammad, peace be upon him, with
the real guidance and the true religion as a mercy to mankind, as a
model for those who do well, and as His argument against mankind.
Through Muhammad and what was revealed to him (the Qur'an and
the Prophetic sayings), Allah showed mankind all means of
reforming itself and straightening its religious and mundane affairs
in sound beliefs, right conduct, fine morals, and laudable manners.
The Prophet(peace be upon him), "left his followers on a clear
straight path, only the doomed will deviate from it"(Ibn Majah and
Ahmad). His followers, the Companions, their followers, and those
who followed them faithfully are the best of mankind. They
established his law, upheld his way, and held fast to it as a belief
and practice, a moral and manner. Thus "they are considered the
party who are victorious, on the straight path, unharmed by those
who are against them till the end of the world" (Bukhari and
Muslim).
May Allah accept our times, energy and support regarding this
research work and thanks to those for their all sorts of contributions
for the publications of my compilations, editions and research works
for the greater benefits of all human beings in here and in the
hereafter.
Ameen! Summa Ameen!!
Akm Fakhrul Islam
President
Al-Qur’an Research Foundation-USA(AQRF-USA)
161 Park Ave # 1
Brooklyn, NY11205
Tel:718-855-8114(H); 646-610-3804(Cell)
Email:islamakm@yahoo.com
www.scribd.com/my_docs
www.travelsandhajj.com
Bismilla-hir’rah Ma-nir-Rahim
All the Scripture revealed to mankind from God advocate one and
the same religion. This religion God calls Islam (Submission to
God). Submission to God as a religion is also described as
Monotheism (Hanifeyah) …see 3:67, 6:79, 10:105, 98:5.
Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith,
and bowed his will to Allah's (Which is Islam), and he joined not
gods with Allah.[3:67]
"For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards Him Who
created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to
Allah."[6:79]
"You shall have no other gods besides Me" [Old Testament: Exodus
20:3 (First Commandment)]
"You shall worship the Lord your God and Him ONLY you shall
serve" [New Testament: Luke 4:8]
The need for different revelations at different times and for different
people is justified by the following factors:
(1) Mankind has gone through enormous development through the
ages physically, mentally and spiritually, that there was always
the need for various revelations at different times and for
different peoples. Although the various revelations are united in
message and truth, yet we find that God never addresses
identical revelations to two different people. This being so, it
can be said that the diverse revelation do not, and should not
contradict one another, for although they differ in form, the
religion decreed in all of them (Monotheism) is one.
(3) We find that up until the advent of the industrial revolution and
the fast travel era, the world was still a wide expanse of
disjointed lands and peoples.
Many people would have not even heard of those Scripture that
have already been revealed in various other parts of the world.
This is why a new scripture would be revealed to new
communities who have not received the Scripture.
God calls this One religion that He decreed to all previous prophets
Islam (Submission).
Islam’s message has been restored and manifested in the last stage
of the religious evolution by God’s last Prophet and Messenger,
Muhammad (peace be up them).
Everything and every phenomenon in the world, other than man and
jinn is administered totally by God-made laws, they are obedient to
God and submissive to His laws, i.e. they are in the state of Islam.
Man possesses the quality of intelligence and choice, thus he is
invited to submit to the good will of God and obey His law, i.e.
become a Muslim. Submission to the good will of God, together
with obedience to His beneficial law, i.e. becoming a Muslim, is the
best safeguard for man's peace and harmony.
Islam dates back to the age of Adam and its message have been
conveyed to man by God's Prophets and Messengers including
Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. Islam's message has been
restored and enforced in the last stage of the religious evolution by
God's last Prophet and Messenger Muhammad.
"ISLAM" is derived from the Arabic root 'salama' (i.e. peace, purity,
submission and obedience). In the religious sense, Islam means
"submission to the will of God and obedience to His law".
Everything in the world, except man and jinn is totally obedient to
God and submissive to His laws (i.e. they are in the state of Islam).
The name of God's religion was chosen by Allah (God) Himself and
clearly mentioned in His final revelation to man:
[Quran 5.3] ...This day have I perfected for you your religion and
completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion;
Nowhere in the Bible will you find Allah (God) saying to Prophet
Moses' people or their descendants that their religion is Judaism, nor
to the followers of Christ that their religion is Christianity.
Islam dates back to the age of Adam and its message have been
conveyed to man by God's Prophets and Messengers including
Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mohammed.
Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed
through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's
population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life.
Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the
majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events which
have come to be associated with their faith.
The first five verses of the Koran represent the Islamic natural
approach to believe in the one God:
Read in the name of your Lord who created;
Created man from a clot that clings
Read and your Lord is the most generous;
He who taught by the pen;
Taught man that which he knew not.
In fact both concepts (the son-ship of Jesus and the Trinity) tend to
negate many clear verses in the old and New Testament. For
example:
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord." (Deuteronomy 6:4)
Introducing Islam Part I & II 19
...that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I Am He:
before Me there was no God, neither shall there be after Me. 1, even
1, am the Lord; and beside Me there is no savior. (Isaiah 43:10-11)
And Jesus answered him: The first of all the commandments is hear,
0 Israel:' Me Lord our God is one Lord. (Mark 12:29)
...We know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is
none other God but one. (I Corinthians 8:4)
Given these verses, one should be careful not to take the verse in
John 1: I literally because it could easily have been mistranslated
from the Aramaic into the Greek and should read "and the word was
God's."
The prime message of Islam is the Unity of God, that the Creator of
the world is One and He alone is worthy of worship and that
Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) is His Messenger and
Servant. The follower of this belief is thus a Muslim - a Muslim’s
other beliefs are: God’s angels, previously revealed Books of God,
all the prophets, from Adam to Jesus (peace be on them both), the
Day of Judgment and indeed the Decree of God. A Muslim has five
main duties to perform, namely; bearing witness to the Unity of God
and Muhammad (peace and blessings on him) as His Messenger,
observing the prescribed prayer, payment of Zakat, keeping the fasts
of Ramadhan and performing the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 25
Islam believes that each person is born pure. The Holy Qur’an tells
us that God has given human beings a choice between good and evil
and to seek God’s pleasure through faith, prayer and charity. Islam
believes that God created mankind in His image and by imbuing the
attributes of God on a human level mankind can attain His nearness.
Islam’s main message is to worship God and to treat all God’s
creation with kindness and compassion. Rights of parents in old age,
orphans and the needy are clearly stated. Women’s rights were
safeguarded 1,400 years ago when the rest of the world was in total
darkness about emancipation. Islamic teachings encompass every
imaginable situation and its rules and principles are truly universal
and have stood the test of time.
At present there are 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide and they form
the majority in more than 50 countries of the world. Today Islam is
the fastest growing faith in the world - its beautiful message is
reaching millions in the far corner of the earth.
[http://www.introductiontoislam.org/index2.shtml]
Introducing Islam Part I & II 26
02.00.00: Origins of Islam
Allah revealed the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad 1439 years ago;
this is, however, not to say that anything new from the prior
religions such as Christianity and Jewism was revealed; instead,
Islam came as a much easier and final version to be practiced by
mankind for attaining spiritual, physical and intellectual perfection.
Islam is the religion which was given to Adam, the first man and the
first prophet of Allah, and it was the religion of all the prophets sent
by Allah to mankind. The name of God's religion Islam was not
decided upon by later generations of man. It was chosen by Allah
Himself and clearly mentioned in His final revelation to man. In the
final book of divine revelation, the Qur'aan, Allah states the
following:
"This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My
favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion".
[Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:3]
Nowhere in the Bible will you find Allah saying to Prophet Moses'
people or their descendants that their religion is Judaism, nor to the
followers of Christ that their religion is Christianity. In fact, Christ
was not even his name, nor was it Jesus! The name "Christ" comes
from the Greek word Christ’s which means the anointed. That is,
Christ is a Greek translation of the Hebrew title "Messiah". The
name "Jesus" on the other hand, is a Latinized version of the
Hebrew name Esau.
It is worth noting that the basic message of Islam is that Allah and
His creation are distinctly different entities. Neither is Allah His
creation or a part of it, nor is His creation Him or a part of Him.
Similarly, those who have asserted the godhood of others after their
passing have found fertile ground among those who accept the false
belief of God's presence in man. One who has grasped the basic
message of Islam and its implications could never agree to worship
another human being under any circumstances. God's religion in
essence is a clear call to the worship of the Creator and the rejection
of creation-worship in any form. This is the meaning of the motto of
Islam:
"Laa Elaaha lllallaah" that means ‘There is no god but Allah.’
Its repetition automatically brings one within the fold of Islam and
sincere belief in it guarantees one Paradise.
Thus, the final Prophet of Islam is reported to have said, "Any one
who says: There is no god but Allah and dies holding that (belief)
will enter paradise". (Reported by Abu Dharr and collected by Al-
Bukhaaree and Muslim).
Thus, it may be stated that the basic message of false religion is that
Allah may be worshipped in the form of His creation. False religion
invites man to the worship of creation by calling the creation or
some aspect of it God. For example, Prophet Jesus invited his
followers to worship Allah but those who claim to be his followers
today call people to worship Jesus, claiming that he was Allah!
That which you worship besides Him are only names you and your
forefathers have invented for which Allah has sent down no
authority: The command belongs only to Allah:
He has commanded that you only worship Him; that is the right
religion, but most men do not understand ". [Surah Yusuf 12:40]
It may be argued that all religions teach good things so why should
it matter which one we follow. The reply is that all false religions
teach the greatest evil, the worship of creation. Creation-worship is
the greatest sin that man can commit because it contradicts the very
purpose of his creation. Man was created to worship Allah alone as
Allah has explicitly stated in the Our'aan:
"I have only created Jlnns and men, that they may worship me".
[Surah Az-Zaariyat 51:56]
If only they had stood by the law, the Gospel, and all the revelation
that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoyed
happiness from every side. There Is from among them a party on the
right course; but many of them follow a course that is evil. [Surah
Al-.Maa'idah 5:66]
Introducing Islam Part I & II 32
Allah then explained why He had all of mankind bear witness that
He is their creator and only true God worthy of worship. He said,
"That was In case you (mankind) should say on the day of
Resurrection, "Verily we were unaware of all this." That is to say,
we had no idea that You Allah, were our God. No one told us that
we were only supposed to worship You alone. Allah went on to
explain that it was also In case you should say, "Certainly It was our
ancestors who made partners (With Allah) and we are only their
descendants; will You then destroy us for what those liars did?"
Thus, every child is born with a natural belief in Allah and an
inborn inclination to worship Him alone called in Arabic the
"Fitrah". If the child were left alone, he would worship Allah in his
own way, but all children are affected by those things around them,
seen or unseen.
So, just as the child submits to the physical laws which Allah has
put in nature, his soul also submits naturally to the fact that Allah is
his Lord and Creator. But, his parents try to make him follow their
Introducing Islam Part I & II 33
own way and the child is not strong enough in the early stages of his
life to resist or oppose the will of his parents. The religion which the
child follows at this stage is one of custom and upbringing and
Allah does not hold him to account or punish him for this religion.
Throughout people's lives from childhood until the time they die,
signs are shown to them in all regions of the earth and in their own
souls, until it becomes clear that there is only one true God (Allah).
If the people are honest with themselves, reject their false gods and
seek Allah, the way will be made easy for them but if they
continually reject Allah's signs and continue to worship creation, the
more difficult it will be for them to escape. For example, in the
South Eastern region of the Amazon jungle in Brazil, South
America, a primitive tribe erected a new hut to house their main idol
Skwatch, representing the supreme God of all creation. The homage
to the God, and while he was in prostration to what he had been
taught was his Creator and Sustainer, a mangy old flea-ridden dog
walked into the hut, The young man looked up in time to see the
dog lift its hind leg and pass urine on the idol. Outraged, the youth
chased the dog out of the temple, but when his rage died down he
realized that the idol could not be the Lord of the universe. Allah
must be elsewhere he now had a choice to act on his knowledge and
seek Allah, or to dishonestly go along with the false beliefs of his
tribe. As strange as it may seem, that was a sign from Allah for that
young man. It contained within it divine guidance that what he was
worshipping was false.
Have you noticed how fanatic many people are in their beliefs? I am
certain that your mind is already preoccupied with this, and you
may find out that the only right thing is to be reached if there would
exists one religion only, and that this one should be understood by
all humanity.
The partition of that one religion has brought humanity to the point
where the true faith has been almost forgotten. Islam has been called
Mohammedanism with relation to the prophet Mohammed, as well
Introducing Islam Part I & II 35
as other religions has been called after the names of their prophets
while all of them recognize a single faith in one God.
Islam as we have said means also peace with oneself and with
others and devotion to God. These meanings are summed up in the
Qur’an, and one is taught to do well to others and purify oneself by
carrying out its teachings. Muhammad was last the last and not the
only prophet of Islam. The Muslim believes in all the prophets of all
times-in Abraham, Moses and Jesus, etc. God has sent his prophets
to mankind to tell them to fulfill His will and to lead a sound life.
The Holy Scripture of Islam is the Qur’an which contains the real
teachings of all the Holy Scriptures. Islam teaches the Moslem to
believe in one God, in the Angles, in the Holy Scriptures, in His
prophets in the resurrection after death, and in the Day of Judgment.
If Jesus called God his father this does not exactly mean that he is
His Father, but it is only a sign of God’s goodness and mercy. God
is everywhere, and when Jesus prayed to God in Heaven, he does
not mean that God is only in Heaven, but it is simply a sign of the
Highness of God.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 36
Belief and deed: Belief without deed is dead letters; belief alone is
not sufficient as long as it is not transformed into deeds, The
Moslem believes in the responsibility of his own deeds either be it
in this world or in the other. Each Moslem carries his own burdens
and none can take the responsibility of other’s sins.
I can say from a true Islamic point of view that our woman is highly
considered and respected anywhere, but if in some places in the
Orient she is put in a low position, this is due to the fact that the
instructions and teachings of Islam are not perfectly practiced in
these places.
The evil ideas that are published about Islam in the books of the
fanatic writers are not true and it is not right on their part to suppose
false views in their writings which they spread throughout the
world.
A fair judge should acquaint himself with the fundamental teachings
of the case, so as to be able to give a right opinion about it ; but
those fanatics seem to be after the favor of serving colonization,
they say nothing as to persecution of the West endured by the
disarmed East.
At the time they fight the idea of slavery they already commit it
under the mask of reform and protection of the so-called (savages).
It is easy to weaken and corrupt a pure nation by spreading
Introducing Islam Part I & II 37
alcoholics and prostitution; are such to be the reforms introduced to
the Oriental nations by the West?
02.02.06: Work: “pay the workman before his sweat is dry”. These
are the well-known words of the holy Prophet. Any work which
provides mankind with an honorable living is respected; and
idleness is a sin.
The Muslim is ordered through his religion to help the poor and the
needy as far as he can.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 38
The following principal duties to be done by the Muslims beside the
main belief of one God etc. are:
It offers itself as the first religion revealed to all those who are sent
by Allah, whom people in a state of ignorance, wrong by untrue and
false interpretations with a view to satisfying their ambitions and
subduing the people.
It recommends to its believers to put faith in all those who are sent
by Allah whether known by their names or remaining unheeded.
It uplifts the mind so as to make it the only master in all the disputes
that arise concerning faith and the private and social behavior, thus
conferring the mind all the powers, which belong to it.
Islam forbids any social intercourse with the opposite sex before
marriage. Any psychologist will tell us the effect of trying to remain
within the bounds of decency in such cases as dancing or
association of any kind with the opposite sex, we may succeed but
the cost will be grave just the same.
The real joys are those we get without repentance afterwards. They
are possessed by the high sentiments of the soul and safeguarded by
our spiritual strength. We find a good example in the story of the
man who had the wicked desire to commit adultery and yet his
conscience would not allow him but when under the influence of
drink he forgot himself so far as to give into the evil temptation and
when faced by the rightful intruder to whom the wretched woman
belonged, he murdered him in a struggle while unconscious under
the effect of alcohol – from this we conclude that intoxicants are the
route to sins.
I do not gamble, not even for small items in any way. A gambler or
a speculator loses respect of his own earnings. To place one’s luck
in the balance of a deal in cards or the like is a shameful weakness
in character.
Now brothers, read this with attention and devote a part of your time
to study the peaceful teachings of this institution in favor of the
relief of our long suffering humanity afflicted by false information
laid by selfish calumniators.
[Muhammad Taufiek Ahmad]
In Islam, Allah is seen to be one God and there are no other Gods
besides Him, so Islam is known as a monotheistic religion and Allah
is just the Arabic word for 'God'; Allah == God and it is as simple
as that! You can view different religions as different paths that aim
to lead to heaven and/or enlightenment for people who follow those
roads. The aim is to reach God by following a religion that is the
best according to the individual - a religion that feeds the human
soul, is fulfilling and correct. Muslims believe that the best path to
follow is the path of Islam as the Muslims believe it is the best of
religions.
It is not uncommon to find people who think they have reached this
level of enlightenment but most of these people have fooled
themselves into believing these things based on influences from
their surroundings, upbringing or mental state. Allah says:
[22.8] And among men there is he who disputes about Allah without
knowledge and without guidance and without an illuminating book,
[22.9] Turning away haughtily that he may lead (others) astray from
the way of Allah; for him is disgrace in this world, and on the day of
resurrection.
God gave man all this attention and yet some of His creation are
ungrateful and continue to stay ungrateful and refuse to worship
Him. Some among these ungrateful or confused people changed the
religion that God sent to them. They created their own doctrines and
split the people into sects and creeds. Some even went so far as to
pervert the concept of tawheed by ascribing partners in worship
with God, or making other Gods to worship. Allah will decide their
fate, what their punishments will be.
[22.17] Surely those who believe and those who are Jews and the
Sabeans and the Christians and the Magians and those who
associate (others with Allah)-- surely Allah will decide between
them on the day of resurrection; surely Allah is a witness over all
things.
Conclusion
So we conclude - Allah is the Arabic word for God. Allah is the
same God as the Jews and the Christians, and He is the God of
every person and every thing. He is the creator of everything and
has complete rulership over the universe. He is the only One, the
only God and there is no other God besides Him. This concept of
one God supreme is known as Tawheed.
[9.71] And (as for) the believing men and the believing women,
they are guardians of each other; they enjoin good and forbid evil
and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, and obey Allah and His
Apostle; (as for) these, Allah will show mercy to them; surely Allah
is Mighty, Wise.
[9.72] Allah has promised to the believing men and the believing
women gardens, beneath which rivers flow, to abide in them, and
goodly dwellings in gardens of perpetual abode; and best of all is
Allah's goodly pleasure; that is the grand achievement.[Surah
Tauba, 9:71-72]
[5.105] O you who believe! take care of your souls; he who errs
cannot hurt you when you are on the right way; to Allah is your
return, of all (of you), so He will inform you of what you did.
Of course, you may say: who says Islam is the right religion? Well,
all the Prophets taught tawheed, and Islam is a religion of pure
tawheed, and tawheed is an inbuilt part of our nature that God made
a part of us, and Islam has the Quran, the holy book that contains
the words of God. If you want to know God then read the Quran and
study the religion from its own sources and then decide for yourself
if Islam is the true religion.
The One true God is a reflection of the unique concept that Islam
associates with God. To a Muslim, Allah is the Almighty, Creator
and Sustainer of the universe, Who is similar to nothing and nothing
is comparable to Him. The Prophet Muhammad was asked by his
contemporaries about Allah; the answer came directly from God
Himself in the form of a short chapter of the Qur’an, which is
considered the essence of the unity or the motto of monotheism.
This is chapter 112 which reads:
But God is also just. Hence evildoers and sinners must have their
share of punishment and the virtuous, His bounties and favors.
Actually God's attribute of Mercy has full manifestation in His
attribute of Justice. People suffering throughout their lives for His
sake and people oppressing and exploiting other people all their
lives should not receive similar treatment from their Lord.
Expecting similar treatment for them will amount to negating the
very belief in the accountability of man in the Hereafter and thereby
negating all the incentives for a moral and virtuous life in this
world. The following Qur’anic verses are very clear and
straightforward in this respect:
The concept that God rested in the seventh day of creation, that God
wrestled with one of His soldiers, that God is an envious plotter
against mankind, or that God is incarnate in any human being are
considered blasphemy from the Islamic point of view.
[Note that what is meant above applies ONLY to those people who
die in a state wherein they are associating others with God. The
repentance of those who yet live is acceptable to God if He wills -
MSA of USC]
"No creature is there crawling on the earth, but its provision rests on
God. He knows its lodging place and it repository." (11:6)
GOD'S ATTRIBUTES:
If the Creator is Eternal and Everlasting, then His attributes must
also be eternal and everlasting. He should not lose any of His
attributes nor acquire new ones. If this is so, then His attributes are
absolute. Can there be more than one Creator with such absolute
attributes? Can there be for example, two absolutely powerful
Creators? A moment's thought shows that this is not feasible.
And Why, were there gods in earth and heaven other than God, they
(heaven and earth) would surely go to ruin." (21:22)
In the earlier epochs there had been separate prophets for different
nations, and the history of prophethood shows that even in one and
the same nation several prophets appeared one after the other. In
that age Islam was name of that religion which was taught to a
nation by its own prophet or prophet. Though the nature and
substance of Islam was the same in every age and country, the
modes of worship, codes of law, and other detailed rules and
regulations of life were a bit different according to the local and
particular conditions of every people. It was not, therefore,
necessary for any nation to follow another nation’s prophet and its
Introducing Islam Part I & II 56
responsibility was confined only to following the guidance given by
its own prophet.
God creates in man the mind to understand, the soul and conscience
to be good and righteous, the feelings and sentiments to be kind and
humane. If we try to count His favors upon us, we cannot, because
they are countless. In return for all the great favors and mercy, God
does not need anything from us, because He is Needless and
Independent. God asks us to know Him, to love Him and to enforce
His law for our benefit and our own good.
But the difference which occurs between the believers and the
unbelievers is not the result of mere chanting of a few words.
Evidently the mere utterance of a phrase or two cannot bring about
such a mighty difference. The real force lies in the conscious
acceptance of this doctrine and its stipulations and complete
adherence to it in practical life. Unless you know the real meaning
of the phrase "there is no deity but Allah" and the bearing of its
acceptance on human life, you cannot realize the real importance of
this doctrine. It would never become effective unless these
essentials are achieved. Mere repeating of the word ‘food’ cannot
dull the edge of hunger; mere chanting of a medical prescription
Introducing Islam Part I & II 58
cannot heal the disease. In the same way if the Kalima is re0peated
without any understanding of its meanings and dictates, it cannot
work the revolution which its meanings and dictates, it cannot work
the revolution which it is meant to bring about. The revolution in
thought and life can occur only if a person grasps the full meaning
of the doctrine, realizes its significance, reposes true belief in it, and
accepts and follows it in letter and spirit. Unless this grasp of the
Kalima is developed it cannot become fully effective. We avoid fire
because we have a realization that it burns; we keep away from
poison because we believe that its use kills a man. Similarly, if the
real meanings of Tawheed are fully grasped, it should necessarily
make us avoid, in belief as well as in action, every form and shade
of disbelief, atheism, and polytheism. This is the natural dictate of
belief in the Unity of God. [Towards Understanding Islam: Sayyid
Abul A’la Maududi]
The word Allah, on the other hand, is the essential personal name of
God. La- ilaha illallah would literally mean "There is no ilah other
than the One Great being known by the name "Allah". It means that
in the whole of the universe, there is absolutely no being worthy to
be worshipped other than Allah, that it is only to Him that heads
should bow in submission and adoration, that He is the only Being
possessing all powers, that all powers, that all are in need of His
Introducing Islam Part I & II 59
favor, and that all are obliged to solicit His help. He is concealed
from our senses, and our intellect fails to perceive what He is.
Having known the meanings of these worlds, let us now find out
their real significance.
From the most ancient known history of man as well as from the
oldest relics of antiquity that we have been able to obtain, it appears
that in every age man had recognized some deity or deities and had
worshipped them. Even in the present age every nation on the face
of the earth, from the most primitive to the most civilized, dose
believe in and worship some deity. It shows that the idea of having a
deity and of worshipping him is ingrained in human nature. There is
do so.
In the most primitive stage of ignorance, man thinks that the great
objects of nature whose grandeur and glory are visible, and which
appears to be injurious or beneficent to him, hold in them the real
power and authority, and therefore, they are diving. Thus he
worships trees, and numerous other objects. This is the worst form
of ignorance.
First of all we are faced with the question of divinity. We are face
to face with a grand, limitless universe. Man’s mind fails to discern
its beginning and visualize its end. It is moving on in its chartered
course from time immemorial and is continuing its journey in the
vast vista of the future. Creatures beyond number have appeared in
it-and go on appearing every day. The phenomena are so
bewildering that a thinking mind finds itself aghast and
wonderstruck. Man is unable to understand and grasp the reality by
his unaided vision. He cannot believe that all this has appeared just
by chance or accident. The universe is not a fortuitous mass of
matter. It is not a jumble of uncoordinated objects. It is not a
Introducing Islam Part I & II 63
conglomeration of thing chaotic and meaningless. All this cannot be
without a Creator, a Designer, a Controller, a Governor. But who
con create and control this majestic universe? Only He can do so
master of all; who is infinite and eternal; who is all-powerful, all
wise, omnipotent, and omniscient; who is all-knowing and all-
seeing. He must have supreme authority over all that exists in the
universe. He must possess limitless powers, must be the lord of the
universe and all that it contains, must be free from every flaw and
weakness and none may have the power to interfere with His work.
Only such a being can be the Creator, the Controller and the
Governor of the universe.
But this is not the end of our quest. We have found that divinity
does not vest in any material or human element of the universe and
that none of them possess even the slightest trace of it. This very
inquiry leads us to the conclusion that there is a Supreme Being,
over and above all that our unwary eyes see in the universe, who
possesses the Divine attributes who is the Will behind all
phenomena, the Creator of this grand universe, the Controller of its
superb Law, the Governor of its serene rhythm, the Administrator of
all its working: He is Allah, the Lord of Universe and has none as
associate in His Divinity. This is what "illallah" (but Allah) means.
This knowledge is superior to all other kinds of know ledge and the
greater You exert, the deeper will be your conviction that this is the
starting-point of all knowledge. In every filed of inquiry-may it be
that of physics chemistry, astronomy, geology, biology, zoology,
economics, politics, sociology, or humanities, you will find that the
deeper you probe, the clearer become the indications of the truth of
La ilaha illallah, in every field of knowledge and inquiry. It is this
concept which opens up the doors of knowledge with the light of
reality. And if you deny or disregard this reality, you will find that
at every step you meet disillusionment, for the denial of this primary
truth robs everything in the universe of its real meaning and true
Introducing Islam Part I & II 65
significance. The universe becomes meaningless and the vistas of
progress get blurred and confused. [Towards Understanding Islam:
Sayyid Abul A’la Maududi]
(d) This belief makes man virtuous and upright. He has the
conviction that theirs is no other means of success and salvation for
him except purity of soul and righteousness of behavior. He has
perfect faith in God who is above all need, is related to none, is
absolutely just, and none has any hand or influence in the exercise
of His divine powers. This belief creates in him the consciousness
that, unless he lives rightly and acts justly, he cannot succeed. No
influence or underhand activity can save him from ruin. As against
this, the kefirs and the mushriks always live on false hopes. Some of
them believe that God’s son has atoned for their sins; some think
that they are God’s favorites, and will not be punished, others
believe that their saints will intercede with God on their believe that
their deities and believe that by so bribing the deities they have
acquired a license for all frivolities and ill-deeds s and depending
upon their deities, they do not live pure and good lives. As to the
atheists, they do not believe that there is any Being having power
over them, to whom they would be responsible for their good or bad
action; therefore they consider themselves altogether independent to
act in whatever way them like in this world. Their own fancies
become their gods and they live like slaves of their wishes and
desires.
We also reject the practice of those who make them devoid of their
meanings as conveyed by Allah and His Messenger. Finally, we
reject the approach of those who exaggerate, who gave them a
physical interpretation that makes Allah similar to some of His
creatures.
Note: This has been taken From the Book: ‘The Muslim's Belief’
Shaikh Muhammad as-Saleh Al-'Uthaimin
Translated by Dr. Maneh Al-Johani
islamworld.net
Introducing Islam Part I & II 69
(c) An Imam is a person who has been given authority to guide the
people by a Prophet (and therefore by Allah). Imams are the
successors and points of authority after the death of a Prophet. The
word Imam is commonly used as a general term by Muslims as the
word for someone who leads the people in things like the prayer, or
even a scholar, but the true essence of the word is in reference to
rightly appointed men and not just anybody. Muslims use Acronyms
like (AS) after the name of an Imam to show respect. [Al-Kauthar
magazine, Issue no.11, Volume 1, September 2000. Issued by Imam
Ali Foundation – London]
Allah said about the last among them, Muhammad, peace be upon
him: "Blessed be He who sent down the Qur'an to His servant, that
he may warn mankind" (25:1). As for some other messengers, he
said: "And mention Our servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, men of
might and vision" (38:45); "And remember Our servant David, who
was a mighty and penitent man" (38: 17); "And to David, We gave
Solomon, he was an excellent and penitent servant" (38:30).
Allah said about Jesus, son of Mary: "He is only a servant whom
We blessed and We made him an example to the children of Israel"
(43: 59).
It is our opinion that whoever claims that any religion other than
Islam is acceptable, such as Judaism, Christianity and so forth, is a
non believer. He should be asked to repent.
We believe that the Muslim Ummah is the best among nations, and
Allah, the Dignified and Exalted, has blessed it, because He said:
"You are the best nation ever brought forth for mankind, enjoining
what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah"
The Prophet's Companions:
We believe that the best among the Muslim Ummah are the
Prophet's Companions, then their followers, and then those who
followed them.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 74
We believe that the disputes that took place among the Prophet's
Companions were the result of sincere interpretations that they
worked hard to reach. Whoever was right among them will be
rewarded twice, and whoever was wrong among them will be
rewarded once and his mistake will be forgiven.
It is our opinion that we should stop talking about their mistakes and
mention what they deserve of beautiful praise. We should purify our
hearts from hatred and malice against any of them, because Allah
said about them: "They are not equal: those among you who spent
and who fought before the conquest of Makkah. Those are higher in
rank than those who spent and fought afterwards. But to all Allah
has promised a great reward" (57:10). And Allah said about us:
"And those who came after them say: 'Our Lord, forgive us and our
brothers who preceded us in faith, and do not put in our hearts any
malice against those who have believed. Our Lord, You are the most
Kind, Most Merciful"' (59:10).
Note: This has been taken from the Book: The Muslim's Belief
Shaikh Muhammad as-Saleh Al-'Uthaimin
Translated by Dr. Maneh Al-Johani
islamworld.net
It occurs in traditions that the total number of all the prophets sent to
different peoples at different times is 124,000. If you consider the
life of the world since it was first inhabited and the number of
different peoples and nations that have passed on it, this number
will not appear too great. We have to believe positively in those of
the prophets whose names have been mentioned in the Qur'an
Regarding the rest we are instructed to believe that all Prophets sent
by God for the guidance of mankind were true. Thus we believe in
all the prophets raised in India, China, Iran, Egypt, Africa, Europe,
and other countries of the world, but we are not in a position to be
definite about a particular person outside the list of prophets named
in the Qur'an, whether or not he was a Prophet, for we have not been
told anything definite about him. Nor are we permitted to say
anything against the holy men of other religions. It is quite possible
that some of them might have been God's Prophets that some of
them might have been God's Prophets, and their followers corrupted
their teachings after their demise, just as the followers of Moses and
Jesus (God's blessings be upon them) have done. Therefore,
whenever we express any opinion about them, it would be about the
tenets and rituals of their religions; as for the founders of those
religions, we will remain scrupulously silent, lest we should become
guilty of irreverence towards a Prophet.
As for the fact of being Prophets of God and having been deputed
by Him for teaching the same straight path of 'Islam,' there is no
difference between Muhammad and other Prophets (God's blessings
be upon them all), we have been ordered to believe in all of them
alike. But in spite of their equality in this respect, there are the
following three differences between Muhammad and other Prophets
(God's blessings be upon them all):
1. The Prophets of the past had come to certain people for certain
periods of time, while Muhammad (God's blessings be upon
him) has been sent for the whole world and for all times to
come.
2. The teachings of those Prophets have either disappeared
altogether from the world, or whatever of them remains is not
pure, and is found intermingled with many erroneous and
Introducing Islam Part I & II 76
fictitious statements. For this reason even if anyone wishes to
follow their teachings, he cannot do so. In contrast to this, the
teachings of Muhammad (God's blessings be upon him), his
biography, his discoursed, his ways of living, his morals, habits,
and virtues, in short, all the details of his life and work, are
preserved. Muhammad (God's blessings be upon him),
therefore, is the only one of the whole line of Prophets who is a
living personality, and in whose footsteps it is possible to follow
correctly and confidently.
3. The guidance imparted through the Prophets of the past was not
complete and all- embracing. Every Prophet was followed by
another who effected alterations and additions in the teachings
and injunctions of his predecessors and, in this way, the chain of
reforms and progress continued. That is why the teachings of
the earlier Prophets, after the lapse of a certain period of time,
were lost in oblivion. Obviously there was no need of
preserving former teachings when amended and improved
guidance had taken their place. At last the most perfect code of
guidance was imparted to mankind through Muhammad (God's
blessings be upon him) and all previous codes were
automatically abrogated, for it is futile and imprudent to follow
an incomplete code while the complete code exists. He who
follows Muhammad (God's blessings be upon him) follows all
the Prophet, for whatever was good and eternally workable in
their teaching has been embodied in his teachings. Whoever,
therefore, rejects and refuses to follow Muhammad's teachings
and chooses to follow some other Prophet, only deprives
himself of that vast amount of useful and valuable instruction
and guidance in Muhammad's teachings, which never existed in
the books of the earlier Prophets and which were revealed only
through the Last of the Prophets.
That is why it is now incumbent upon each and every human being
to have faith in Muhammad (peace be upon him) and follow him
alone. To become a true Muslim (a follower of the Prophet's way of
life) it is necessary to have complete faith in Muhammad (peace be
upon him) and to affirm that:
"So woe to those who write the Book with their hands, and then say:
'This is from Allah,' which they may sell it for a little price. So woe
to them for what their hands have written, and woe to them for their
earnings" (2:79);
"Say, who sent down the Book that Moses brought as a light and
guidance to people? You put it into sheets of paper showing some of
them and concealing much" (6:91);
"And there is a group among them who twist their tongues with the
Book, that you may think it is a part of the Book but it is not part of
the Book. And they say 'It is from Allah,' yet it is not from Allah,
and they tell a lie against Allah and they know it. It is not for any
human being to whom Allah has given the Book, the Wisdom and
the Prophet Hood to say to men 'Worship me instead of Allah"'
(3:79);
"People of the Book! Our Messenger has come to you, making clear
to you many things you have been concealing of the Book and
forgiving you of much. A light has come to you from Allah and a
glorious Book, with which He will guide whoever follows His
pleasure in the way of peace, and brings them forth from darkness
into the light by His will" (5:15-16).
Note: This has been taken From the Book: The Muslim's Belief
Introducing Islam Part I & II 79
Shaikh Muhammad as-Saleh Al-'Uthaimin
Translated by Dr. Maneh Al-Johani
islamworld.net
The message of all the prophet and messengers is the same. They all
asked the people of their time to obey and worship Allah and none
other. Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus and Muhammad who were
revealed their own book of Allah, were sent at different times to
bring back straying human beings from deviation to the right course.
The Qur’an is the sacred book of the Muslims. It is the last book of
guidance from Allah, sent down to Muhammad, peace be upon him,
through the angel Jibraeel (Gabriel). Every word of it is the word of
Allah. It was revealed over a period of 23 years in the Arabic
language. It contains 114 Surahs (chapters) and over 6000 verses.
The Qur’an deals with man and his ultimate goal in life. Its
teachings cover all areas of this life and the life after death. It
contains principles, doctrines and directions for every sphere of
human life. The theme of the Qur’an broadly consists of three
fundamental ideas: Oneness of Allah, Prophet hood and life after
death. The success of human beings on this earth and in the life
hereafter depends on obedience to the Qur’anic teaching.
These hadiths go along hand in hand with Qur’an to form the laws
which are known as Sharia laws which are derived from the texts.
The Shariah law is the law of God and is followed by the faithful.
What the Prophet did and approved-of was what God approved-of
and God guided His messenger and this Prophet brought guidance
to mankind. The Shariah laws are found by reading the Quran and
the Hadiths together to form a sound understanding on how Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) would have dealt with a matter. Any
undetermined things or differences in opinion are left to scholars to
argue over, and Muslims have a choice of which scholar to follow.
Some Muslims believe that some Hadiths are untrustworthy to
follow, while most Muslims are more adamant in their belief that
these books are too reputable to contain mistakes. However, all
Muslims believe in hadiths as long as they are sound and correct,
and the laws they both follow and believe in are almost exactly the
same. There will be more information about this in a future article.
[Al-Kauthar magazine, Issue no.11, Volume 1, September 2000.
Issued by Imam Ali Foundation – London]
Angels are concealed from us, so we cannot see them. Allah may
show them to some of His servants. The Prophet Muhammad saw
Gabriel in his real shape with six hundred wings that covered the
horizons (Bukhari and Muslim). Gabriel took the form of a
handsome human being who met Mary and engaged in conversation
with her. He came to the Prophet while he was among his
Companions in the appearance of an unknown man who did not
show any trace of long travel, with very white clothes, and very
black hair. He sat facing the Prophet, his knees to the Prophet's
knees, peace be upon him, and his palms on the Prophet's thighs and
talked with the Prophet. The Prophet later told his Companions that
the man they saw was Gabriel (Bukhari and Muslim).
Note: This has been taken from the Book: The Muslim's Belief
Shaikh Muhammad as-Saleh Al-'Uthaimin
Translated by Dr. Maneh Al-Johani
islamworld.net
"Every man's work We have fastened on his own neck, and on the
Day of Judgment We shall bring out for him a book which he will
see spread open, saying: 'Read your own book! Enough for you this
day that your own soul should call you to account"' (17:13-14).
Introducing Islam Part I & II 86
We believe that scales of deeds will be set up on the Day of
Judgment, and that no soul shall be wronged: "Whoever has done an
atom's weight of good shall see it" (99:7-8); "Those whose scales
are heavy, they are the successful; but those whose scales are light,
they are the ones who have lost their souls in Hell dwelling forever.
The fire will burn their faces, and there they will be gloomy with
lips displaced" (23: 102-4); and "He that does a good deed shall be
rewarded ten times the like of it, and he that does evil shall only be
rewarded the like of it, and they shall not be wronged" (6:160).
Both paradise and hell exist now and will never perish: "Whoever
believes in Allah and does righteousness, He will admit him to
gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein for ever. Allah
had indeed made for him an excellent provision" (65-11);
"Certainly, Allah has cursed the unbelievers and prepared for them a
blazing fire to dwell therein forever, they shall find neither protector
nor helper. On the day when their faces are turned about in the fire
they shall say: 'Would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the
Messenger!"' (33: 64-6).
Note: This has been taken From the Book: The Muslim's Belief
Shaikh Muhammad as-Saleh Al-'Uthaimin
Translated by Dr. Maneh Al-Johani
islamworld.net
Introducing Islam Part I & II 89
05.05.08: Belief in Life after Death
The fifth article of Islamic Faith is belief in life after death. Prophet
Muhammad (peace is upon him) has directed us to believe in
resurrection after death and in the Day of Judgment. The essential
ingredients of this belief, as the life of this world and of all that is in
it will come to an end on an appointed day. Everything will be
annihilated. That day is called Qiayamah, i.e. the Last Day. That all
the human beings who had lived in the world since its inception will
then be restored to life and will be presented before God who will
sit in court on that day. This is called Hashr: Resurrection.
That the entire record of every man and woman of all their doings
and misdoings-will be presented before God for final judgment.
That God shall finally adjudge the reward of every person. He shall
weigh everyone's good and bad deeds. One who excels in goodness
will be rewarded a goodly reward; one whose evils and wrongs
overweigh his good deeds, will be punished.
Now think of the man who does not believe in the Day of Judgment.
Would he not consider belief in God and a life in accordance with
His code of no consequence? What value will he attach to a life in
pursuit of His pleasure? To him neither obedience to God is of any
advantage nor disobedience to Him of any harm. How, the
injunctions of God, Him Prophet, and His Book? What incentive
would remain there for him to undergo trials and sacrifices and to
avoid worldly pleasures? And if a man does not follow the code of
God and lives according to his own likes and dislikes, or what use is
his belief in the existence of God, if any such belief he has?
That is not all. If you reflect still deeper, you will come to the
conclusion that belief in life after death is the greatest deciding
factor in the life of a man. Its acceptance or rejection determines the
very course of his life and behavior.
A man who has in view the success or failure of this world alone
will be concerned with the benefits and harms that accrue to him in
this life only. He will not be prepared to undertake any good act if
he has no hope of gaining thereby some worldly interest, nor will he
be keen to avoid any wrong act if that is not injurious to his interests
in this world.
But a man who believes in the next world as well and has a firm
conviction of the final consequences of his acts would look upon all
world look upon all worldly gains and losses as temporary and
transitory and would not stake his eternal bliss for a transitory and
would his eternal bliss for a transitory gain. He will look upon
Introducing Islam Part I & II 91
things in their wider perspective and will always keep the
everlasting benefit or harm in view. He will do the good, however
costly it may be to him in terms of worldly gains, or however costly
it may be to him in terms of worldly gains, or however injurious it
may be to his immediate interests; and he will avoid the wrong,
however charming it may look. He will judge the things from the
viewpoint of their eternal consequences and would not submit to his
whims and caprices.
Thus it is the belief or disbelief in life after death which makes man
adopt different courses in life. For one who does not believe in the
Day of Judgment it is absolutely impossible to fashion his life as
suggested by Islam. Islam says: "In the way of God give zakat
(charity) to the poor." His answer is: "No, zakat will diminish my
Introducing Islam Part I & II 92
wealth; I will, instead, take interest on my money." And in its
collection he would not hesitate to get attached each and everything
belonging to the debtors, though they be poor or hunger-stricken.
Islam says: "Always speak the truth and shun lying, though you may
gain ever so much by lying and lose ever so much by speaking the
truth." But his reply would be: " Well, what shall I do with a truth
which is of no use to me here, and which instead brings loss to me ;
and why should I avoid lying where it can bring benefit to me
without any risk, even that of a bad name?" He visits a lonely place
and finds a precious metal lying there; in such a situation Islam
says: "This is not your property, do not take it" ; but he would say:
"This is a thing I have come by without any cost or trouble ; why
should I not have it? There is no one to see this pick-up, who might
report it to the police or give evidence against me in a court of law,
to give me a bad name among the people. Why should I not make
use of this valuable?" Someone secretly keeps a deposit with this
man, and after that that he dies. Islam says: "Be honest with the
property deposited with you and give it over to the heirs of the
deceased." He says: "Why? There is no evidence of his property
being with me; his children also have no knowledge about it. When
I can appropriate it without any difficulty, without any fear of legal
claim, or stain on my reputation, why should I not do so?" In short,
at every step in life, Islam will direct him to walk in a course of
behavior; but he will take recourse to the opposite direction. For
Islam Measures and values everything from the viewpoint of its
everlasting consequence; while such a person always has in view
only the immediate and earthly outcome. Now, you can understand
why a man cannot be a Muslim without belief in the Day of
Judgment. To be a Muslim is a very great thing; the fact is that one
cannot even become a good man without this belief, for the denial
of the Day of Judgment degrades man from humanity to a place
even lower than that of the lowest of animals.
A section of the people says that there is nothing left of man after
death, and that after this life-ending event, there is no other life.
According to these people, this belief has no reality. They say that
there is no possibility of it and such a belief is quite unscientific.
This is the approach and brings in western science in their support.
Now let us consider these viewpoints one by one. The first section,
which arrogates to itself the authority and support of science, alleges
that there is no reality in life after death. They say that they have
never seen anybody coming back after his death. There is not a
single case of revival. We see that after death a man is reduced to
dust. Therefore death is the end of life and there is no life after
death: But just think over this reasoning: is this really a scientific
argument? Is the claim really founded on reason? If they have not
seen any case of revival after death, they can only say that they do
not know what will happen after death. But, instead of remaining
within this limit, they declare that nothing will happen after death at
the same time alleging that they speak out of knowledge! In fact
they merely generalize on ignorance. Science tells us noting
negative or positive in this respect and their assertion that life after
death has no existence is totally unfounded. Their claim is not
dissimilar to the claim of an ignoramus who has not seen an airplane
Introducing Islam Part I & II 94
and on that "knowledge" proclaims that airplanes have no existence
at all! If anybody has not seen a thing, it does not mean that that
thing has no existence. No man, not even the entire humanity, if it
has not seen a thing, can claim that such a thing does not, or cannot,
exist. This claim is illusionary and is out and out unscientific. No
reasonable man can give it any weight.
Now consider the third viewpoint. Its first proposition is: "This
world will one day come to an end.
God will destroy and annihilate the universe, and in its place will
evolve another higher and far superior cosmos."
The third proposition is that "the record of all the actions of man in
this world is preserved and be presented on the Day of
Resurrection". The proof of the truth of this proposition is provided
here in these days by science itself. It was first understood that the
sounds which we make produce slight waves in the air and die out.
Now, it has been discovered that the sound leaves its impression on
its surrounding objects and can be reproduced. Gramophone records
are made on the same principle. From this it can be understood that
the record of every movement of man is being impressed on all
things which come into contact with the waves produced by the
movements. This shows that the record of our entire deed is
completely preserved and can be reproduced.
The fourth proposition is that "on the Day of Resurrection, God will
hold His Court and with just judgment, reward or punish man for his
good and bad deeds." What is unreasonable about it? Reason itself
demands that God should hold His court and pronounces just
judgment. We see here that a man does a good deed and thereby
gains nothing in this world. We see another man who does a bad
deed and does and does not suffer for it here. Not only this, we see
thousands of cases of a good act bringing trouble on the doer, and of
a bad deed and not suffer for it here. Not only this have we seen
thousands of cases of a good act bringing trouble on the doer and of
the guilty person. When we notice these events happening every day
our reason and sense of justice demand that a time must come when
the man who dose good must be rewarded and the one who does
evil must be punished. The present order of things as you can see
yourself is subject to physical law according to which it is quite
natural that a man who has got the means to do evil can do so if he
chooses and it is not necessary that its evil consequences should
Introducing Islam Part I & II 96
react upon him wholly or partly. If you have a tin of petrol and a
match-bow you can set fire to the house of your opponent and you
can escape every consequence of this deed if the worldly forces are
in your favor. Does it mean that such an offence has got no
consequence at all? Certainly not! It means only that its physical
result has appeared and the moral result is reserved. Do you really
think it reasonable that it should never appear? If you say it should
the question is where? Certainly not in this world because in the
physical world only physical world only physical consequences of
this higher category can appear only if there comes into existence
another other of things wherein rational and moral laws reign
supreme and occupy the governing poison and where the physical
laws are made subject to them. That is the next world which as we
have said before is the next evolutionary stage of the universe. It is
evolutionary in this sense that it will be governed by moral laws
rather than by physical laws. The rational consequences of man's
action, which are reserved wholly or partly in this world, will appear
therein. Man's status will be determined by his rational and moral
worth adjudged in accordance with his conduct in this life of test
and trial. There you will not find a worthy man serving under a fool
or a morally superior man in a position inferior to a wretch, as is the
case in this world.
The above are the five articles of Faith which from the foundation
for the superstructure of Islam. Their gist is contained in the short
sentence know as Kalima-e-tayyibah. When you declare La ilaha
illallah (there is no deity but Allah) you give up all false deities and
profess that you are a creature of the One God and when you add to
these words Muhammad-ur-Rasulullah, (Muhammad is Allah's
Messenger) you confirm and admit the Prophet hood of Muhammad
(God's blessings be upon him). With the admission of his Prophet
hood it becomes obligatory that should believe in the divine nature
and attributes of God, in His angels in His Revealed Books, and in
life after death and earnestly follow that method of obeying God and
worshipping Him which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
has asked us to follow. Herein lays the road to success and
salvation. [Towards Understanding Islam: Sayyid Abul A’la
Maududi]
If some good deeds are seen not to get full appreciation and credit in
this life, they will receive full compensation and be widely
acknowledged on the Day of Judgment. If some people who commit
sins, neglect Allah and indulge in immoral activities, seem
superficially successful and prosperous in this life, absolute justice
will be done to them on the Day of Judgment. The time of the Day
of Judgment is only known to Allah and Allah alone.
Allah is Wise, Just, and Loving and whatever He does must have a
good motive, although we may fail sometimes to understand it fully.
We should have strong faith in Allah and accept whatever He does
because our knowledge is limited and our thinking is based on
individual consideration, whereas His knowledge is limitless and He
plans on a universal basis. Man should think, plan and make sound
choices, but if things do not happen the way he wants, he should not
lose faith and surrender himself to mental strains or shattering
worries.
[Islam: It’s Meaning and Message: Sayyid Abul A’la Maududi]
We may also say to him: "If you are offered two jobs, one of which
has a higher salary, you will certainly take the one with the higher
Introducing Islam Part I & II 102
salary. Why do you choose what is lower in the hereafter and use
the divine decree as an excuse?"
We may further say to him: "We see you when you are afflicted
with a disease, you knock at every physician's door looking for
treatment and bearing whatever pain that may result from surgical
operations and the bitterness of medicine. Why do not you do the
same when your heart is spiritually sick with sins?"
Cutting off the thief's hand or stoning the adulterer is an evil thing
for the thief and the adulterer, but it is good for them in one respect,
because it is purification for them so that the punishment of this life
and the hereafter are not combined for them. These punishments are
good in another respect: their application protects property, honor,
and relationships.
Note: This has been taken From the Book: The Muslim's Belief
Shaikh Muhammad as-Saleh Al-'Uthaimin
Translated by Dr. Maneh Al-Johani
islamworld.net
Introducing Islam Part I & II 103
Ease of mind and comfort, because when the individual knows that
everything is by Allah's decree and that mishaps are going to take
place anyway, his soul will be at ease and his heart will be satisfied
with Allah's decree. No one has a more comfortable life, worry-free
soul, and stronger confidence than a believer in fate.
Note: This has been taken From the Book: The Muslim's Belief
Shaikh Muhammad as-Saleh Al-'Uthaimin
Translated by Dr. Maneh Al-Johani
islamworld.net
There is no question that the mere saying of, "I bear witness that
there is none worthy of worship except Allah and I bear witness
that Muhammad is His servant and messenger," is not sufficient
for salvation.
In fact, the hypocrites used to make this statement quite often yet
Allah describes them as liars and says that they shall abide in the
lowest abyss of the Hell-fire.
If we study the verses of the Quran and the Hadith of the Prophet
(peace be upon him), we will find that the conditions of the
shahadah are seven, eight or nine in number depending on how we
look at them. It is important that all of us make sure that we are
meeting these conditions in our own lives and in our own testimony
of faith. We must do our best to satisfy these conditions before it is
too late and our testimony will be no avail whatsoever. It is not
simply for the sake of teaching these conditions. Indeed, there is no
benefit to that. But it is, instead, for all of us to look to ourselves
and to make sure that we are actually meeting these conditions so
that, by Allah's mercy, the doors to Paradise will be open for us by
our key of la ilaha illa-llah.
Today, there are many Muslims who wonder why we should not
accept secularism. They think that there is nothing wrong with
secularism! Many of these Muslims pray five times a day and utter
the shahadah repeatedly. Yet they see nothing wrong with accepting
a Lawgiver other than Allah? What kind of shahadah are these
people making?
Allah describes the believers in the Quran as those who have belief
in Allah and then their hearts waver not. Allah says, "The (true)
believers are those only who believe in Allah and His messenger
and afterward doubt not, but strive with their wealth and their lives
for the cause of Allah. Such are the sincere" (Qur'an, al-Hujurat 15).
Many scholars have stated that the diseases of the heart, or the doubt
and suspicions that one allows into one's heart, are more dangerous
for a person's faith than lusts and desires. This is because lusts and
desires may be satisfied at some time yet the person still knows
them to be wrong and he may control himself and repent and give
up that evil deed. On the other hand, the doubts and suspicions may
linger in the heart, with no cure, until the person finally leaves Islam
entirely or continues to practice Islam while, in fact, in his heart he
does not have the true faith.
I will give you just one example on this point. This is related to all
of the doubts, suspicions and misconceptions that are circulating
about the authenticity of the Hadith literature. For example, some
Introducing Islam Part I & II 109
Muslims even claim that Hadith were not recorded until at least 200
years after the death of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Indeed,
there are Muslims who seem to have a great deal of doubt about
Hadith and are very quick to reject Hadith on that basis. But, in fact,
if one actually takes the time to study the history and preservation of
Hadith, one will immediately recognize that all those claims and
charges against the Hadith are not based on anything scientific
whatsoever. They are nothing but false claims that come from Satan
and which Muslims with poor understanding and knowledge have
allowed to creep into their hearts.
This is one aspect that the Muslims must be aware of. Although it is
not the same as the complete refusal to accept the truth, by rejecting
part of the truth that has come from Allah, one also negates his
testimony of faith.
The Prophet (peace be upon his) said, "No one bears testimony to
there being no one worth of worship save Allah, sincerely from his
heart, except that Allah makes the Hell-fire forbidden for him."
(Recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim.)
We are all familiar with those who say the testimony of faith yet
they are not saying it honestly. They do not believe in it but they are
simply saying it in order to protect them or to get some gain from
doing so. These are the hypocrites. Allah has described them in the
opening of the Qur’an with the following words, "And of mankind
are some who say, 'We believe in Allah and the Last Day,' when
they believe not. They think to beguile Allah and those who believe,
and they beguile none save themselves, but they perceive not. In
their hearts is a disease, and Allah increases their disease. A painful
doom is theirs because they lie" (Qur'an, al-Baqara 8-10).
And Allah also says, "And they are ordained nothing else than to
serve Allah, keeping religion pure for Him, as men by nature
upright and to establish worship and to pay the poor-due. That is
true religion" (Qur'an, al-Bayyinah 5).
And the Prophet (peace be upon him) added, "Allah has forbidden
for the Hell-fire anyone who says, 'There is no one worthy of
worship except Allah,' and say so desiring the face [and pleasure] of
Allah." (Recorded by Muslim).
One of the signs that we are Muslims for the sake of Allah is that we
do whatever Allah asks of us, regardless of what anybody else
desires or wants from us. That is, in the same way that we are
Muslims solely for the sake of Allah, all of our actions are done for
the sake of Allah.
(7) The seventh condition is love: That is, the believer loves this
shahadah, he loves in accordance with the shahadah, he loves the
implications and requirements of the shahadah and he loves those
who act and strive for the sake of this shahadah. This is a necessary
condition of the shahadah. If a person makes the shahadah but does
not love the shahadah and what it stands for, then, in fact, his faith is
not complete. It is not the faith of a true believer. And if he loves
something more than this shahadah or if he loves something more
than Allah, then he has negated his shahadah. The true believer, the
one meeting the conditions of the shahadah puts no one whatsoever
as an equal to Allah in his love.
Allah says in the Quran, "Yet of mankind are some who take unto
themselves (objects of worship which they set as) rivals to Allah,
loving them with a love like (that which is due to) Allah only.
However, those who believe are stauncher in their love of Allah"
(Qur'an, al-Baqara 165).
This is one of the most important aspects of Islam yet, for some
reason, it is missing from the lives of many Muslims. They act in
Islam as if Islam were a chore instead of doing things out of the love
of Allah. When Allah orders us to do something, like bear witness
to the faith, we should realize that that thing is pleasing to Allah
and, therefore, out of our love for Allah, we should be very pleased
to do the acts that are pleasing to Allah. But, as I said, this feeling is
missing from many, many Muslims today.
(8) The eighth condition of the shahadah is that the person who
makes the shahadah must deny every other object of worship:
Although that is clear in the words of the testimony of faith, it does
not seem clear to everyone who makes that testimony. Therefore, I
am mentioning it explicitly here.
Perhaps the Prophet (peace be upon him) made this point even
clearer when he said, "Whoever says there is no one worthy of
worship except Allah and denies whatever is worshipped besides
Allah, then his wealth and blood are protected and his accounting
will be with Allah." (Recorded by Muslim)
(9) The ninth condition of the shahadah is that the Muslim adheres
to the shahadah until he dies: This is must if the shahadah is to mean
anything for you in the Hereafter. You can not rest on your laurels
of what you may have done in the past. No, indeed, the shahadah
must be your banner until your death. The Prophet (peace be upon
him) said, "A man spends a long time doing the deeds of the people
of Paradise and then he ends his deeds with the deeds of the people
of the Hell-fire. And a man spends a long time doing the deeds of
the people of the Hell-fire and then he ends his deeds with the deeds
of the people of Paradise." (Recorded by Muslim)
In another Hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "By the
One whom there is no other God, one of you does the actions of
Paradise until there is just a handspun between him and Paradise
and then the book [preordainment] overtakes him and he does the
actions of the people of Hell and he enters into it" (Recorded by al-
Bukhari and Muslim.)
And Allah says in the Quran, "O believers, observe your duty to
Allah with right observance, and die not save as Muslims
[surrendering yourselves to Allah]" (Qur'an, ali-Imran 102).
Dear brothers and sisters, these are the conditions of the shahadah.
These are the aspects of the shahadah that each and every one of us
should look to in ourselves and ask ourselves, "Is my shahadah
meeting those requirements? Am I saying it sincerely, honestly and
out of love for Allah? Am I saying it based on what it really means?
Am I denying all other false objects of worship?"
God has ordained four major exercises of faith, some are daily,
some weekly, some monthly, some annually and some are required
at least once in a lifetime.
They are the framework of the Muslim life: faith, prayer, concern
for the needy, self-purification, and the pilgrimage to Makkah for
those who are able. The five pillars of Islam are:
Salat is the name for the obligatory prayers which are performed
five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and
God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam, and no priests, so
the prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Qur’an,
chosen by the congregation. These five prayers contain verses from
the Qur’an, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation,
but personal supplication can be offered in one's own language.
A Moroccan in prayer.
Prayers are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall,
and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. Although it is
preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray
almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and
universities. Visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the
centrality of prayers in daily life.
08.02.04: Prayer
It is a matchless and unprecedented formulate of intellectual
meditation and spiritual devotion, of moral elevation and physical
exercise, all combined.
The recipients of Zakah are: the poor, the needy, the new Muslim
converts, the Muslim prisoners of war (to liberate them), Muslims in
debt, employees appointed to collect Zakah, Muslims in service of
research or study or propagation of Islam, and wayfarers who are
foreigners in need of help.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 123
Every Muslim, male and female at the end of the year must give
Zakah at the minimum rate of 2.5% on the net savings after paying
expenses, taxes etc. [Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim Elmasry]
Obligatory fasting is done once a year for the period of the month of
Ramadan; the ninth month of the Islamic year. Recommended
fasting includes every Monday and Thursday of every week, three
days in the middle of each Islamic month, six days after Ramadan
following the Feast Day and a few days of the two months before
Ramadan. Fasting of Ramadan is a worship act which is obligatory
on every adult Muslim, male or female if he/she is mentally and
physically fit and not on a journey. Exceptions: women during their
period of menstruation and while nursing their child, and also in
case of travel and sickness for both men and women. [Islam: It’s
Meaning and Message: Sayyid Abul A’la Maududi]
Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from first
light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual
relations. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women
who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break the fast and
make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are
physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for
every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer)
from puberty, although many start earlier.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 126
Although the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded
principally as a method of self purification. By cutting oneself off
from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains
true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth in one's
spiritual life.
Muslims from all walks of life, from every corner of the globe
assemble in Mecca in response to the call of Allah. There is no
royalty, but there is loyalty of all to Allah, the Creator. It is to
commemorate the Divine rituals observed by the Prophet Abraham
and his son Ishmael, who were the first pilgrims to the house of
Allah on earth: the Ka'bah. It is also to remember the great assembly
of the Day of Judgment when people will stand equal before Allah.
The close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, the Eid al-Adha, which
is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim
communities everywhere. This, and the Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day
commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the main festivals of the
Muslim calendar.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 129
09.00.00: Islam is a Complete,
Comprehensive Code of Life
Islam is the God-given system of life based on Qur’an and the
teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
Islam brings man close to God, taking into consideration his
material and spiritual demands, thus elevating his spiritual status
and controlling his physical desires.
A Muslim also believes that every person is born Muslim, but the
environment around him affects his purity. Every person is born free
from sin. When the person reaches the age of maturity and if he is
sane, he becomes accountable for all his deeds and intentions. Man
is free from sin until he commits sin. There is no inherited sin, and
no original sin.
A Muslim believes that man must work out his salvation through the
guidance of Allah (God). In order to obtain salvation, a person must
combine faith and action, belief and practice. Faith without doing
good deeds is as insufficient as doing good deeds without faith.
Also, a Muslim believes that Allah (God) does not hold any person
responsible until he has shown him the Right Way. If people do not
know and have no way of knowing about Islam, they will not be
responsible for failing to be Muslim.
Islam's message has been restored and enforced in the last stage of
the religious evolution by God's last Prophet and Messenger
Mohammed (SAW). [Al-Kauthar magazine, Issue no.11, Volume 1,
September 2000. Issued by Imam Ali Foundation – London]
A Muslim believes that man must work out his salvation through the
guidance of Allah. No one can act on behalf of another or intercede
between him and Allah. In order to obtain salvation, a person must
combine faith and action, belief and practice. Faith without doing
good deeds is as insufficient as doing good deeds without faith.
Also, a Muslim believes that Allah does not hold any person
responsible until he has shown him the Right Way. If people do not
know and have no way of knowing about Islam, they will not be
responsible for failing to be Muslim. Every Muslim must preach
Islam in words and action.
Acceptance of Faith
A Muslim believes that faith is not complete when it is followed
blindly or accepted unquestioningly. Man must build his faith on
well-grounded convictions beyond any reasonable doubt and above
uncertainty. Islam ensures freedom to believe and forbids
compulsion in religion (one of the oldest synagogues and one of the
oldest churches in the world are in Muslim countries).
Sources:
a. Sayyid Abul A’la Maududi, Islam: Its Meaning and Message, in
M. Tariq Quraishi (ed.), American Trust Publications,
Indianapolis, Indiana, 1984, 12-14.
b. Islam, An Introduction. Undated. Compiled by Dr. Mohammed
Ibrahim Elmasry c/o KW Islamic Association, P.O. Box 823,
Waterloo, Ontario, CANADA N2J 4C2, (519) 885-2225.]
People embrace Islam because they find security, comfort and peace
in it, they see a cure for their problems in it, and through it they are
able to get rid of their feelings of confusion, anxiety and loss.
What is meant is that Allah has created mankind with the potential
to learn the truth, accept Tawheed (pure monotheism) and submit to
Allah. Their natural inclination is to learn Islam and love it, but a
bad education, a kaafir (disbelieving) environment, their own whims
and desires and the devils among jinn and mankind turn them away
from the truth. Mankind is basically inclined towards Tawheed
(pure monotheism), as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him) reported that his Lord (Allah) said: “I created all my
slaves as ‘hunafa’ (pure monotheists), but the devils turned them
away from their religion.” (Hadith: Muslim).
For this reason the one who becomes a Muslim after having been a
disbeliever is described as having “reverted” to Islam, as this is
more correct than saying that he “converted.” When Islam enters a
country where there is no nationalism or great legacy of jaahiliyah
(ignorance), it spreads quickly because of its strength and the small
number of obstacles. You may also see that Islam is suitable for all
people, educated and uneducated, male and female, old and young;
everyone finds in it what he wants and needs. Those who become
Muslim in developed countries realize what their country’s
civilization and laws, which have been fabricated from men’s
whims and desires, have done to them, and they realize the extent of
the misery in which people in developed countries are living. They
see how prevalent psychological illnesses, nervous breakdowns,
insanity and suicides are, despite the technological advances and
great number of discoveries and inventions and modern systems of
management. This is because all of that is concerned only with the
physical and the outward, but it neglects the inward and fails to
nourish and nurture the heart and soul. Allah says of these people
(interpretation of the meaning): “They know only the outside
Introducing Islam Part I & II 135
appearance of the life of the world, and they are heedless of the
Hereafter.” [Surah Ar-Rum 30:7]
The fact that there are those who are not committed or who fall
short will not prevent Islam from succeeding, with the permission of
Allah, and nothing can distort its beauty. Its light will not falter
because some people abandon it or fail to adhere to it. What Islam
has given humanity in the way of progress and civilization, and
lifting them up from the darkness of oppression and enmity, is pride
enough. [Islam Q&A: Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid]
There are many reasons for this, which include the following:
(1) The Muslim worships One God, Who has no partner, and Who
has the most beautiful names and the highest attributes. Thus the
Muslim’s focus and aim is concentrated, focused on His Lord and
Creator; he puts his trust in Him and asks Him for help, patience
and support; he believes that Allah is able to do all things, and has
no need of a wife or son. Allah created the heavens and earth; He is
the One Who gives life and death; He is the Creator and Sustainer
from Whom the slave seeks provision. He is the All-Hearing Who
responds to the supplication of His slave, and from Whom the slave
hopes for a response. He is the All-Merciful and All-Forgiving, to
Whom the slave turns in repentance when he has committed a sin or
fallen short in his worship of Allah. He is the omniscient and All-
Seeing, who knows all intentions and what is hidden in people’s
hearts. The slave feels ashamed to commit a sin by doing wrong to
him or to others, because his Lord is watching over him and sees all
that he does. He knows that Allah is All-Wise, the Seer of the
Unseen, so he trusts that what Allah decrees for him is good; he
Introducing Islam Part I & II 136
knows that Allah will never be unjust to him, and that everything
that Allah decrees for him is good, even if he does not understand
the wisdom behind it.
(2) The effects of Islamic worship on the soul of the Muslim include
the following:
Prayer keeps the slave in contact with his Lord; if he enters it in a
spirit of humiliation and concentration, he will feel tranquil and
secure, because he is seeking a "powerful support," which is Allah,
may He be glorified and exalted. For this reason, the Prophet of
Islam, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used
to say: "Let us find relaxation and joy in prayer." If something
distressed him, he would hasten to pray. Everyone who finds
himself faced with disaster and tries prayer finds strength, patience
and consolation, because he is reciting the words of his Lord, which
cannot be compared to the effect of the words of a created being. If
the words of some psychologists can offer a little comfort, what do
you think of the words of the One Who created the psychologist?
Hajj is the Pilgrimage to the sacred House of Allah, which was built
by (Ibrahim (Abraham (upon whom be peace). By performing Hajj
one is obeying the command of Allah and the call to come and meet
Muslims from all over the world.
(3) Islam commands all kinds of good and forbids all kinds of evil.
It encourages good manners and proper treatment of others. It
Introducing Islam Part I & II 137
enjoins good characteristics such as truthfulness, patience,
deliberation, kindness, humility, modesty, keeping promises,
dignity, mercy, justice, courage, patience, friendliness, contentment,
chastity, good treatment, tolerance, trustworthiness, gratitude for
favors, and self-control in times of anger. Islam commands the
Muslim to fulfill his duty towards his parents and to uphold family
ties, to help the needy, to treat neighbors well, to protect and
safeguard the wealth of the orphan, to be gentle with the young and
show respect to the old, to be kind to servants and animals, to
remove harmful things from the road, to speak kind words, to
forgive at the time when one has the opportunity to take revenge, to
be sincere towards one’s fellow-Muslims, to meet the needs of the
Muslims, to give the debtor time to repay his debt, to prefer others
over oneself, to console others, to greet people with a smiling face,
to visit the sick, to support the one who is oppressed, to give gifts to
friends, to honor his guest, to treat his wife kindly and spend on her
and her children, to spread the greeting of peace (salaam) and to
seek permission before entering another person’s house, lest one see
something private that the other person does not want one to see.
Islam forbids the Muslim to raise his voice in prayer, lest it disturb
other believers; to continue offering supererogatory prayers at night
when one feels drowsy - such a person should sleep then get up; to
stay up all night in prayer, especially one night after another; and to
stop praying when there is doubt as to the validity of one’s wudoo’ -
unless one hears a sound or smells an odor.
Islam forbids telling lies; one of the worst kinds of lie is to lie about
dreams, like fabricating dreams and visions in order to prove one’s
virtue, or make some material gains, or to frighten an enemy.
Islam forbids speaking ill of the dead; praying for death; wishing for
death because of some suffering that one is passing through; praying
against one’s self, one’s children, one’s servants or one’s wealth.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 142
Muslims are told not to eat the food that is directly in front of others
or to eat from the centre of the dish or platter; rather they should eat
from what is directly in front of them or thereabouts, because the
barakah blessing comes in the middle of the food. It is forbidden to
drink from a broken edge of a vessel, because this could cause
harm; or to drink from the mouth of a vessel; or to breathe into it. It
is forbidden to eat while lying on one’s stomach; to sit at a table
where wine is being drunk; to leave a fire burning in one’s house
when one sleeps; to sleep with Ghamr in one’s hand, like an
offensive smell or the remainder of food (grease); to sleep on one’s
stomach; or to talk about or try to interpret bad dreams, because
these are tricks of the Shaytaan.
Islam forbids betraying a trust; asking for charity that one does not
need; alarming a Muslim brother or taking away his possessions,
whether jokingly or seriously; changing one’s mind after giving a
gift, except in the case of a gift from a father to his child; practicing
medicine without experience; or killing ants, bees and hoopoe birds.
A man is forbidden to look at the ‘awrah (private parts) of another
man and a woman is forbidden to look at the ‘awrah of another
woman. It is forbidden to sit between two people without their
permission; or to greet only those whom one knows, because the
greeting is to be given to those whom you know and those whom
you do not know. A Muslim is forbidden to let an oath come
between him and good deeds; he should do what is good and make
expiation for the oath. It is forbidden to judge between two
disputing parties when one is angry, or to judge in favor of one
party without hearing what the other has to say. It is forbidden for a
man to walk through the market-place carrying something - like a
sharp weapon - that could harm the Muslims, unless it is properly
covered. A Muslim is forbidden to make another person get up, so
that he can take his place.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 144
There are more commands and prohibitions which came for the
benefit and happiness of individuals and mankind as a whole. Have
you ever seen any other religion that can compare to this religion?
Read this response again, and then ask yourself: is it not a great pity
that I am not one of them? Allah says in the Qur’aan (interpretation
of the meaning): "And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it
will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of
the losers." [Al- Imraan 3:85]
Finally, I hope that everyone who reads this will be guided to the
correct way and to follow the truth. May Allah protect you and us
from all evil.
While there are one billions Muslims in the world there are about
200 million Arabs. Among them, approximately ten percent are not
Muslims. Thus Arab Muslims constitute only about twenty percent
of the Muslim population of the world.
IV. Muhammad.
Muhammad was chosen by God to deliver His Message of Peace,
namely Islam. He was born in 570 C.E. (Common Era) in Makkah,
Arabia. He was entrusted with the Message of Islam when he was at
the age of forty years. The revelation that he received is called the
Qur'an, while the message is called Islam.
V. Source of Islam.
The legal sources of Islam are the Qur'an and the Hadith. The
Qur'an is the exact words of God; its authenticity, originality and
totality are intact. The Hadith is the report of the sayings, deeds and
approvals of the Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet's sayings and
deeds are called Sunnah. The Seerah is the writings of followers of
Muhammad about the life of the Prophet. Hence, it is the life history
of the Prophet Muhammad which provides examples of daily living
for Muslims.
B. Oneness of mankind:
People are created equal in front of the Law of God. There is no
superiority for one race over another. God made us of different
colors, nationalities, languages and beliefs so as to test who is going
to be better than others. No one can claim that he is better than
others. It is only God Who knows who is better. It depends on piety
and righteousness.
A. Creed (Shahada):
The verbal commitment and pledge that there is only One God and
that Muhammad is the Messenger of God, is considered to be Creed
of Islam.
B. Prayers (Salat):
The performance of the five daily prayers required of Muslims.
C. Fasting (Saum):
Fasting is total abstinence from food, liquids and intimate
intercourse (between married couples) from dawn to sunset during
the Month of Ramadan.
E. Pilgrimage (Haul):
The performance of pilgrimage to Makkah is required once in a
lifetime if means are available. Hajj is in part in memory of the
trials and tribulations of Prophet Abraham, his wife Hagar and his
eldest son Prophet Ishmael.
B. Celebrations (Eid):
Introducing Islam Part I & II 149
Muslims have two celebrations (Eid); namely, Eid of Sacrifice and
Eid of Fast-Breaking. The Eid of Sacrifice is in remembrance of the
sacrifice to be by Prophet Abraham of his son. The Eid of Fast-
Breaking comes at the end of the month of fasting, Ramadan.
C. Diets:
Islam allows Muslims to eat everything which is good for the
health. It restricts certain items such as pork and its by-products,
alcohol and any narcotic or addictive drugs.
D. Place of Worship:
The place of worship is called Mosque or Masjid. There are three
holy places of worship for the Muslims in the world. These are:
Mosque of Kaaba in Makkah, Mosque of the Prophet Muhammad in
Madinah, and Masjid Aqsa, adjacent to Dome of the Rock in
Jerusalem.
E. Holiday:
The holy day of the Muslims is Friday. It is considered to be sacred
and the Day of Judgement will take place on Friday. Muslims join
together shortly after noon on Friday for the Friday congregational
prayer in a Mosque. A leader (Imam) gives a sermon (Khutba) and
leads the congregational prayer.
The Muslims of the early period of the Islamic era were pioneers in
medicine, chemistry, physics, geography, navigation, arts, poetry,
mathematics, algebra, logarithms, calculus, etc. They contributed to
the Renaissance of Europe and world civilization.
IX. Non-Muslims.
Muslims are required to respect all those who are faithful and God
conscious people, namely those who received messages. Christians
and Jews are called People of the Book. Muslims are asked to call
upon the People of the Book for common terms, namely, to worship
One God, and to work together for the solutions of the many
problems in the society.
Jews fled from Spain during the Inquisition, and they were
welcomed by the Muslims. They settled in the heart of the Islamic
Caliphate. They enjoyed positions of power and authority.
This book has never been altered or changed, nor was it ever revised
or edited. Who gives man the status to revise the Word of God, or to
edit it?
Due to the above and much more, Muslims are convinced beyond
any doubt whatsoever that the Qur'aan is authentic and will remain
so.
However every compiler MUST make sure that he clearly states the
entire chain of narrators between himself and the Prophet PBUH.
This means he has to say whom he heard the saying from and whom
that person heard it from and so on, until it meets the Prophet
PBUH. Then each chain is very carefully studied.
Having seen the main sources we now move on to the topic itself:
01. Islam:
The word Islam holds two meanings: Submission and Peace.
The formula of peace and serenity lying solely in the submission to
the Divine Commands of God Almighty. The idea is - obey God
Alone and you will achieve peace.
To pray.
There are two types of prayers. The first is known as "du'aa", which
is prayer to God Almighty and calling out to him at any time. There
is no fixed time to call out in this prayer to God Almighty nor is
there a fixed language. Before eating, after meals, when going to
bed, when awaking, when in need, when in distress, at times of
happiness or any other time - just raise your hands to God Almighty
as a beggar of His Mercy and Protection and call out to Him. He
answers every call positively.
The second type of prayer is the special prayer which only Muslims
have been given. It has been prescribed five times a day in the
Arabic language (again the factor of protection of the Word of God
comes in - since it MUST be read as it was revealed). Each prayer
consists of a number of units of actions and words in praise of God
Introducing Islam Part I & II 154
and in His service and worship. A certain level of cleanliness and
purity is required in order to present oneself in front of God
Almighty. (Look at the subtitle - Cleanliness in Islam).
Each prayer lasts about five to ten minutes. The first is just before
sunrise. The second is immediately after midday. The third is in the
late afternoon. The fourth is immediately after the sun sets. The fifth
is when the sky is dark and has no trace of the redness of the suns
rays at all - about one and a half to two hours after the sun sets.
To give "Zakaah"
Zakaah is a compulsory percentage of one's wealth that must be
given to the "needy" if it has been held for a full year. Zakaah is
neither charity nor is it a tax. It is payable only on the following
items at the respective percentages: 2,5% on cash, gold, silver and
merchandise (business stock). 5% on produce irrigated through man
made means. 10% on produce irrigated through natural means.
Upon fulfilling this pilgrimage one becomes pure and free from sin
and vice. One is expected to lead a purer life after this, with a higher
spiritual level.
Cleanliness in Islam
Cleanliness in Islam is of an extremely high standard. We need to be
clean in all spheres of life. Physical purity is only a very small part
of cleanliness. Moral purity is to be free from immorality. Social
purity is to be an asset to society and to help every member of
society wherever and however possible. Economic purity is to clean
all one's dealings from deception, cheating stealing and conning.
Also to be pure and straightforward in one's business deals. It
requires one to bear in mind the condition of the consumer when
fixing a selling price. Verbal purity is to stay away from vulgar
language and to make sure than one's tongue is not used to hurt and
offend fellow humans. Spiritual purity is to worship God Alone
without worshipping any creature of His. It includes taking account
of all the deeds of the day everyday, and looking into ways of
increasing the good that one is doing and decreasing the bad that
one is involved in, thus constantly raising one's spiritual level. In
this manner cleanliness and purity are required in every sphere of
living.
Pubic hair and hair under the armpits must be shaved regularly as a
religious requirement.
All this maintains the highest standards of hygiene, and helps one
feel healthy and good.
When a person dies, it is the duty of his relatives to wash his body
with soap - just as when we take a bath - and then wrap him in two
pieces of white cloth and bury him without delay.
03. To believe in all the Heavenly Books. This includes the books
revealed to Abraham, David etc. as well as the torah, the bible, and
the Qur'aan. The condition of authenticity applies to each of these.
Reality is that today it is only the Qur'aan that is 100% authentic.
Thus we only believe what the Qur'aan says about the other books.
There are verses describing the various books and their contents. In
essence the call is light from the same lantern - we must believe that
they are all books that were revealed to the Prophets of God.
However, what is in the Qur'aan is sufficient and complete. As for
what appears in the other books, if the Qur'aan has confirmed it, we
confirm it. If the Qur'aan has rejected it, we reject it. If the Qur'aan
has not spoken about it we do not need it and so we do not accept
nor reject it.
Jesus in Islam
Muslims believe that Jesus was a Messenger of God sent to
mankind through the Virgin Mary. God Almighty creates man in
four ways. The first is with neither a man nor a woman such as the
example of Adam. The second is through a male but without a
female such as the example of Eve. The third is through a female
without a male such as the example of Jesus. The fourth is the
common means through both male and female such as all of us.
Thus Muslims believe that Jesus was born to an unmarried mother,
Mary and there is an entire chapter in the Qur'aan named after her.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 159
Jesus was given the power of miracles just like every prophet was.
Though the miracles were different from prophet to prophet, they
were connected to the development and knowledge of the time. At
the time of Jesus, people were engaged in all sorts of medical
discovery. He was thus given the power to cure the sick, to give life
by the power of God to the dead etc.
Jesus is not God, nor is he the son of God, nor is he part of a trinity.
Rather, Muslims believe that he is the Messenger of God whose
birth was miraculous. Jesus was not crucified, nor did he die. He is
alive but he was taken up to heaven before anybody could harm
him. He will return to earth closer to the Day of Judgment.
05. To believe in the Day of Judgement - The Last Day and Life
after Death. God Almighty has sent us to earth, which is this
temporary life, then we return to Him and to the eternal life that He
has kept in store for us. From the age of maturity every human
being is answerable to God Almighty. Accountability and
responsibility make up the core of purity. As human beings, we all
make mistakes. However, the best of those who make mistakes is
the one who repents continuously. Repentance is always accepted
by God Almighty so long as a person admits his error, regrets about
it and promises not to do it again. If it is repeated and one repents
again, it is accepted again and again with the same conditions. Until
death, there is always a chance of being forgiven and becoming pure
once again. If we take a closer look at death, we will realize that it is
in fact the beginning of the real and everlasting life, and it is only
after death, that we will be able to get to what God has promised us
- Paradise.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 160
Muslims believe that every person has an angel that orders him to
do good and stops him from evil and bad, and a "qareen" (satan) that
orders him to do bad and stops him from good. The choice is the
persons. The fight between the two is won by the one whom the
person follows. If he follows satan all the time, then satan becomes
strong and the angel becomes insignificant. If this continues, the
person becomes spiritually dead, and he becomes evil and loses
track. If he follows the angel, then satan becomes insignificant and
the person becomes spiritually elevated, pure and good. He becomes
an asset to society and he doesn't need much thinking to understand
and stay away from evil.
In the case of animal life, it is only for food, clothing or any other
valid reason which the Shariah recognizes that one may take the life
of the animal away. Another example is when a dangerous animal is
in sight and may attack, then in order to defend, it becomes
necessary to take the life of that animal. However, the conditions of
taking the life of animals are as follows:
a) It should be done as quick as possible with the least suffering to
the animal
b) The Name of God Almighty should be said - seeking permission
from the giver of that life to take it away. What gives us the right to
take away any life that God has given?
In the case of animals being killed for food there are a few more
conditions
c) The maximum blood must be drained from the animal.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 162
d) A knife or very sharp object must be used and the killing should
be done from the throat.
It has been proven that the animal dies without suffering at all if it is
killed from the throat and all major veins are quickly cut. This is
because the message from the point of bleeding (the throat)
informing the brain that "you are hurt" does not get to the brain at
all because it is already cut off. The animal numbs and dies without
feeling. This is known as Halaal. If an animal is not Halaal,
Muslims consider it condemned because it has literally been
"stolen" from the property of God Almighty without seeking His
permission or without following the manner taught by Him which is
th quickest manner. International Standards of W.H.O. have agreed
that Halaal manner of slaughter is the most hygienic in that all the
blood is drained so any disease is eradicated with the eradication of
the blood, and has least suffering for the animal.
Some animals have been prohibited and deemed totally unfit for
human consumption either because they are poisonous or they cause
sickness and disease or they weaken the brain etc. Examples are
pigs, dogs, monkeys, lions etc.
Also under the protection of life, we find the Shariah has prohibited
backbiting, arguing, causing conflict, not sorting out
misunderstandings etc because all these may lead to death if out of
proportion.
Drinking is prohibited under this Law and so are drugs and other
intoxicants. Intentionally causing mental stress or tensions to a
person is forbidden.
The dream of Joseph where he saw the sun, the moon and eleven
stars is not just a story to be read and appreciated, but it has deeper
meanings if we take a closer look. The sun depicted the father
(Jacob), the moon depicted the mother and the stars were the eleven
children.
If we take a close look at the qualities of the sun, we will find that
they are surely the qualities that are expected from the father of the
home. The sun is strong; it shines so bright one cannot look at it
directly. The sun provides a sense of protection as well as
sustenance in that people work during the day. The sun brings
warmth and it is only through the brightness of the sun that the
moon shines and the stars twinkle. These are some of the qualities
of the father in the home.
The stars have the qualities that we need in our children. They
twinkle with the moon and yet they appear not to be around when
Introducing Islam Part I & II 165
the sun is out. They are definitely there, but the brightness of the sun
makes them fall under him. The hold of the father and his careful
nurturing of his children is vital. If respect for the father is lost, we
have driven into a road that will lead to everything being lost.
Now, take a look at the sun and moon. When the sun wants to do
what the moon is doing and when the moon wants to do what the
sun is doing and they both want to appear in each others places,
what do we have? An eclipse! Where both the sun and the moon
become insignificant and disappear. The stars are no where to be
spotted. There is turmoil and disaster.
Similarly, when the mother wants to play the role of the father and
the father wants to play the roles of the mother in the home, there is
a "social eclipse" where the family unit is disintegrated. Both
become insignificant and lose their status. The children lose the
most since they will have no guidance whatsoever. There will be no
love and peace in the home. The home will be lacking goodness and
purity, safety and happiness. This is why it is important to
understand that God Almighty has created each person with a
specific role to play. We should all fulfill our correct roles and
please God. It is only through such means that we will achieve
happiness.
Dressing in Islam
Also under the protection of lineage, certain dress codes have been
established for both men and women. Men should cover from navel
to knees in public. Women should dress modestly and cover their
beauty in public. This is in order to protect society directly from ills
such as immorality. Revealing the face, hands and feet is
permissible. The idea is to safeguard the precious jewels of beauty
that lie there under. A jewel will be kept in a jewelry box in the safe
under lock and key, far from the public who may pounce on it and
pinch it if it is not properly guarded. Dressing appropriately sends a
clear message to the children. A policeman who has no uniform will
wave his hand all day trying to bring the vehicles to a halt, but he
will not succeed because he is not properly dressed. An ordinary
person in police uniform will succeed in stopping any vehicle the
moment he makes a single sign with his hand. Parents who do not
Introducing Islam Part I & II 166
dress properly will not be able to control the dressing of their kids,
no matter how hard they try. Lead by example.
It is encouraged to dress similar to the Messengers of God. Studies
have proven that they have all dressed in a very similar manner.
Each person must have direct contact with His Creator. It is also
prohibited to worship someone or something else (no matter who or
what it is) together with God Almighty. No prophet, angel, saint,
priest, Imam, Sheikh or others can be given any act of worship at
all.
Under this law, Muslims must fulfill all their obligations and stay
away from all prohibitions. Similarly, all religions must be tolerated
(freedom of religion and belief) so long as they tolerate us.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 168
Interference in Islam will not be tolerated, just as other religions
would not tolerate interference in theirs.
This article, although brief, explains some of the basic beliefs and
practices of Muslims. It also discusses some questions on Islam that
we are frequently asked by our many non-Muslim friends. It is
hoped that this booklet will inspire the readers to further explore the
many dimensions of Islam - one of the great religions of the world.
Islam
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. Indeed, one out of
every five persons on this earth is a Muslim. There are nearly 6
million Muslims living in North America and the number is
growing. Yet, unfortunately, Islam is also the most misunderstood
religion. Muslims live in different parts of the world ranging from
China to Argentina, Russia to South Africa. The country with the
largest Muslim population is Indonesia.
Islam teaches that God (called Allah in Arabic) is the source of all
creation and that human beings are the best of His creation. He
communicates by inspiring them towards goodness and by sending
Prophets who deliver God's message. Muslims believe that the first
Prophet was Adam followed by a long chain of Prophets to guide
humanity. The Qur'an, according to Muslim belief, is the word of
God revealed to Prophet Muhammad. It mentions many other
Prophets like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Moses, Jacob, Joseph
and Jesus. All the Prophets had brought the same message, i.e.,
belief in one God, upright human conduct and belief in the
accountability of human acts at the end of time.
Jesus in Islam
Muslims respect and venerate Jesus Christ. They consider him to be
one of God's greatest messengers to humankind. The Qur'an re-
affirms his miraculous birth and his miraculous abilities.
Furthermore, his mother Mary is regarded as one of the most pure
and exalted women of all creation. As the Qur'an says:
"Behold! The angel said: 'God has chosen you and purified you and
has chosen you above the women of all nations. O Mary! God gives
you the good news of a word from Him, whose name shall be
Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, honored in this world and the hereafter,
and one of those brought near to God" (3:42).
Islam has two major schools of thought - the Shi'i and the Sunni.
The Sunnis believe that the community selected its own leader after
Prophet Muhammad's death whereas the Shi'as believe that the
Prophet had, by divine will, appointed 'Ali to be his successor.
Leadership is thus divinely designated. It is to be noted that both the
Sunnis and the Shi'as are united in their major beliefs i.e., they
believe in the same God, the same book, the same Prophets and pray
in the same direction. The differences are mainly theological and
jurisprudential.
Muslim Practice
Salat (Prayers): Islam demands from its adherents that beliefs be
supplemented with actions. Just as God communicates with us, we
need to respond to Him by undertaking certain spiritual and social
duties which will draw us closer to Him. Human beings can
communicate directly with God through prayers. Although they can
pray anywhere, Muslims are encouraged to pray in congregation.
Muslims are required to pray five times every day. Prayers are
offered in Arabic. Personal supplication may be recited in any
language in the pursuit of closeness to the Lord. Prayers engender
inner strength and inspire one to a closer relationship with the
Creator. Muslims pray towards the Ka'ba, which is situated in
Mecca. It was built by Abraham and Ishmael over four thousand
years ago.
Cleanliness
Islam places great emphasis on cleanliness, in both its physical and
spiritual aspects. On the physical side, Islam requires the Muslim to
clean his body, his clothes, his house, and the whole community,
and he is rewarded by God for doing so. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
said, for example:
"Removing any harm from the road is charity (that will be rewarded
by Allah)." [Bukhari]
Moral hygiene was not ignored, either, for the Prophet (pbuh)
encouraged the Muslims to make a special prayer upon seeing
themselves in the mirror:
"Allah, You have endowed me with a good form; likewise bless me
with an immaculate character and forbid my face from touching the
Hellfire." [Ahmad]
And modesty in dress, for men as well as for women, assists one in
maintaining purity of thought. Being charitable is a way of purifying
one's wealth. A Muslim who does not give charity (Sadaqah) and
pay the required annual Zakah, the 2.5% alms-tax, has in effect
Introducing Islam Part I & II 179
contaminated his wealth by hoarding that which rightfully belongs
to others:
"Of their wealth take alms so that you may purify and sanctify
them." [9: 103]
All the laws and injunctions given by Allah and His Prophet (pbuh)
are pure; on the other hand, man-made laws suffer from the
impurities of human bias and other imperfections. Thus any formal
law can only be truly just when it is purified by divine guidance - as
elucidated by the Qur'an and the Sunnah - or if it is divinely
ordained to begin with - the Shari'ah.
"The heavens and the earth were ordered rightly, and were made
subservient to man, including the sun, the moon, the stars, and day
and night. Every heavenly body moves in an orbit assigned to it by
God and never digresses, making the universe an orderly cosmos
whose life and existence, diminution and expansion, are totally
determined by the Creator." [Qur'an 30:22]
Since the religion did not forbid it, Muslim scholars used human
cadavers to study anatomy and physiology and to help their students
understand how the body functions. This empirical study enabled
surgery to develop very quickly.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 183
Ibn Sina (d. 1037), better known to the West as Avicenna, was
perhaps the greatest physician until the modern era. His famous
book, Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb, remained a standard textbook even in
Europe, for over 700 years. Ibn Sina's work is still studied and built
upon in the East.
Human Rights
Islam has been from its inception very concerned with issues of
human rights. Privacy, freedom, dignity and equality are guaranteed
in Islam. The holy Qur'an states clearly:
"There is no compulsion in religion."
And there are no reliable reports to confirm the old accusations that
when the Muslim armies were expanding into Asia, Africa and
Europe the people were put to the sword if they failed to convert to
Islam. The best proof is that not only did the Christians, Jews,
Zoroastrians and Hindus in those areas not perish or otherwise
disappear, they actually flourished as protected minority
communities, and many individuals rose to prominent positions in
the arts, sciences, even in government.
The lives, property and privacy of all citizens in an Islamic state are
considered sacred, whether or not the person is Muslim. Non-
Muslims have freedom of worship and the practice of their
religions, including their own family law and religious courts. They
are obliged to pay a different tax (Jizyah) instead of the Zakah, and
the state is obligated to provide both protection and government
services. Before the modern era it was extremely rare to find a state
or government anywhere in the world that was as solicitous of its
minorities and their civil rights as the Islamic states.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 185
In no other religion did women receive such a degree of legal and
moral equality and personal respect. Moreover, racism and tribalism
are incompatible with Islam, for the Qur'an speaks of human
equality in the following terms:
"Mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female, and
made you into nations and tribes, that you may come to know one
another. Truly, the most honored of you in God's sight is the
greatest of you in piety."
Jesus
Islam honors all the prophets who were sent to mankind. Muslims
respect all prophets in general, but Jesus in particular, because he
was one of the prophets who foretold the coming of Muhammad.
Muslims, too, await the second coming of Jesus. They consider him
one of the greatest of Allah's prophets to mankind. A Muslim does
not refer to him simply as "Jesus," but normally adds the phrase
"peace be upon him" as a sign of respect.
"Behold!' the Angel said, God has chosen you, and purified you, and
chosen you above the women of all nations. Mary, God gives you
good news of a word from Him, whose name shall be the Messiah,
Jesus son of Mary, honored in this world and in the Hereafter, and
one of those brought near to God. He shall speak to the people from
his cradle and in maturity, and he shall be of the righteous. She said:
"My Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?'
He said: "Even so; God creates what He will. When He decrees a
thing, He says to it, 'Be!' and it is." [3:42-47]
Muslims believe that Jesus was born immaculately, and through the
same power which had brought Eve to life and Adam into being
without a father or a mother.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 186
"Truly, the likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of Adam.
He created him of dust, and then said to him, 'Be!' and he was."
[3:59]
Knowledge
Islam urges people to read and learn on every occasion. The verses
of the Qur'an command, advice, warn, and encourage people to
observe the phenomena of nature, the succession of day and night,
the movements of stars, the sun, moon, and other heavenly bodies.
Muslims are urged to look into everything in the universe, to travel,
investigate, explore and understand them, the better to appreciate
and be thankful for all the wonders and beauty of God's creations.
The first revelation to Muhammad showed how much Islam cares
about knowledge.
"Read, in the name of your Lord, Who created..." [96:1]
Learning is obligatory for both men and women. Moreover,
education is not restricted to religious issues; it includes all fields of
knowledge, including biology, physics, and technology. Scholars
Introducing Islam Part I & II 187
have the highest status in Islam, second only to that accorded to
prophets.
Main Pillars
Shahadah
The first pillar of Islam is that a Muslim believes and declares his
faith by saying the Shahadah (lit. 'witness'), also known as the
Kalimah:
This declaration contains two parts. The first part refers to God
Almighty, the Creator of everything, the Lord of the Worlds; the
second part refers to the Messenger, Muhammad (pbuh) a prophet
and a human being, who received the revelation through the
Archangel Gabriel, and taught it to mankind.
Salah (Prayer)
Prayer (Salah), in the sense of worship, is the second pillar of Islam.
Prayer is obligatory and must be performed five times a day. These
five times are dawn (Fajr), immediately after noon (Dhuhr), mid-
afternoon ('Asr), sunset (Maghrib), and early night (Isha'). Ritual
cleanliness and ablution are required before prayer, as are clean
clothes and location, and the removal of shoes. One may pray
individually or communally, at home, outside, virtually any clean
place, as well as in a mosque, though the latter is preferred. Special
is the Friday noon prayer, called Jum'ah. It, too, is obligatory and is
to be done in a mosque, in congregation. It is accompanied by a
sermon (Khutbah), and it replaces the normal Dhuhr prayer.
Sawm (Fasting)
The fourth pillar of Islam is fasting. Allah prescribes daily fasting
for all able, adult Muslims during the whole of the month of
Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar, beginning with the
sighting of the new moon. Exempted from the fast are the very old
and the insane. On the physical side, fasting is from first light of
dawn until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual
relations. On the moral, behavioral side, one must abstain from
lying, malicious gossip, quarreling and trivial nonsense.
Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are
menstruating, pregnant, or nursing are permitted to break the fast,
but must make up an equal number of days later in the year. If
physically unable to do so, they must feed a needy person for each
day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayers) from
puberty, although many start earlier.
During the last ten days - though the exact day is never known and
may not even be the same every year - occurs the Night of Power
(Laylat-ul-Qadr). To spend that night in worship is equivalent to a
thousand months of worship, i.e. Allah's reward for it is very great.
On the first day of the following month, after another new moon has
been sighted, a special celebration is made, called E'id-ul-Fitr. A
quantity of staple food is donated to the poor (Zakat al-Fitr),
everyone has bathed and put on their best, preferably new, clothes,
and communal prayers are held in the early morning, followed by
feasting and visiting relatives and friends.
There are other fast days throughout the year. Muslims are
encouraged to fast six days in Shawwal, the month following
Ramadan, Mondays and Thursdays, and the ninth and tenth, or tenth
and eleventh of Muharram, the first month of the year. The tenth
day, called Ashurah, is also a fast day for the Jews (Yom Kippur),
and Allah commanded the Muslims to fast two days to distinguish
themselves from the People of the Book.
Zakah
The third pillar of Islam is the alms-tax (Zakah). It is a tax on
wealth, payable on various categories of property, notably savings
and investments, produce, inventory of goods, salable crops and
cattle, and precious metals, and is to be used for the various
categories of distribution specified by Islamic law. It is also an act
of purification through sharing what one has with others.
The rationale behind this is that Muslims believe that everything
belongs to God, and wealth is held by man as a trust. This trust must
be discharged, moreover, as instructed by God, as that portion of
our wealth legally belongs to other people and must be given to
Introducing Islam Part I & II 191
them. If we refuse and hoard this wealth, it is considered impure and
unclean. If, for example one were to use that wealth for charity or to
finance one's pilgrimage to Makkah, those acts would also be
impure, invalid, and of course unrewarded. Allah says:
"Of their wealth, take alms so you may purify and sanctify them."
[9:103]
For most purposes this involves the payment each year of 2.5% of
one's capital, provided that this capital reaches a certain minimum
amount that which is not consumed by its owner. A generous person
can pay more than this amount, though it is treated and rewarded as
voluntary charity (Sadaqah). This amount of money is provided to
bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, and can be used in
many useful projects for the welfare of the community.
Hajj
The fifth pillar of Islam is to make a pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah,
in Saudi Arabia, at least once in one's lifetime. This pillar is
obligatory for every Muslim, male or female, provided that he/she is
physically and financially able to do so. Prerequisites for
performing the Hajj are to be a Muslim, to be free, to be an adult or
mature enough, to be of sound mind, and to have the ability to
afford the journey and maintain one's dependents back home for the
duration. The reward for the Hajj is nothing less than Paradise.
It was this reality that he gradually and steadily came to learn and
believe, until he fully realized that it is the truth.
After several years and some significant battles, the Prophet and his
followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave their
enemies and established Islam definitively. By the time the Prophet
died, at the age of 63, the greater part of Arabia had accepted Islam,
and within a century of his death, Islam had spread as far west as
Spain and as far east as China. It was clear that the message was not
limited to Arabs; it was for the whole of humanity.
"Those who do not show tenderness and love cannot expect to have
tenderness shown to them."
[Bukhari]
"Adore Allah (God) as though you see Him; even if you do not see
Him, He nonetheless sees you." {Bukhari, Muslim]
Women
At a time when the rest of the world, from Greece and Rome to
India and China, considered women as no better than children or
even slaves, with no rights whatsoever, Islam acknowledged
women's equality with men in a great many respects. The Qur'an
states:
"And among His signs is this: that He created mates for you form
yourselves that you may find rest, peace of mind in them, and He
ordained between you love and mercy. Lo, herein indeed are signs
for people who reflect." [30:21]
Muslims believe that Adam and Eve were created from the same
soul. Both were equally guilty of their sin and fall from grace, and
both were forgiven by Allah. Many women in Islam have had high
status; consider the fact that the first person to convert to Islam was
Khadijah, the wife of Muhammad, whom he both loved and
respected. His favorite wife after Khadijah's death, Aeisha, became
renowned as a scholar and one of the greatest sources of Hadith
literature. Many of the female Companions accomplished great
deeds and achieved fame, and throughout Islamic history there have
been famous and influential scholars, jurists and mystics.
With regard to education, both women and men have the same
rights and obligations. This is clear in Prophet Muhammad's saying:
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"Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every believer." [Ibn Majah]
A Muslim woman also has obligations. All the laws and regulations
pertaining to prayer, fasting, charity, pilgrimage, doing good deeds,
etc., apply to women, albeit with minor differences having mainly to
do with female physiology.
Despite the fact that in many places and times Muslim communities
have not always adhered to all or even many of the foregoing in
practice, the ideal has been there for 1400 years, while virtually all
other major civilizations did not begin to address these issues or
change their negative attitudes until the 19th and 20th centuries, and
there are still many contemporary civilizations which have yet to do
so.
Other Religions
Islam is the religion of all prophets. Muslims believe that all the
prophets were sent to their respective peoples from God (Allah).
They all had the same mission and message - guiding people to the
right path.
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Christians and Jews hold a special place in Islam. They are called
the People of the Book (Ahl al-Kitab), since the original Torah and
Gospel were also divinely revealed and they shared in the prophetic
tradition. Islamic states have nearly always shown their religious
minorities tolerance and respect and those communities flourished
under Islamic rule. God says:
"[T]hose who believe (in the message of Islam), and the Jews, the
Sabaeans, and the Christians - all those who believe in Allah and the
Last Day, and act righteously - no fear shall come upon them..."
[5:69]
The Jews, from the very beginning in Medina, and later everywhere
else, were lifted from the burden of being clients of individual Arab
tribes to being citizens of the state, thus freeing them to focus on
their Jewish ness. When the Islamic state expanded outside Arabia
the Jews of other lands were treated for the first time as liberated
citizens. Judaism flourished as never before, with Jews even serving
Introducing Islam Part I & II 197
in Muslim armies and administrations while their culture bloomed
in the arts, sciences, medicine and philosophy. This knowledge they
transmitted to their brethren in the hostile climate of Christian
Europe. Even Jewish mysticism originated under the influence of
Sufism and spread to northern Europe.
When Islam reached Persia the concept of People of the Book was
extended to the Zoroastrians as well. Later, when the Muslims
conquered parts of India and encountered Buddhists and Hindus,
who appeared to worship idols, the question was referred to the
ulema (council of scholars), who judged that even they could have
the same protected status as the Jews and Christians, so long as they
did not fight Islam and they paid the Jizyah tax.
Peace
"Peace" is the most common word on a Muslim's tongue. Whenever
two people meet, they exchange greetings, wishing each other
peace: "Peace be upon you." But peace cannot prevail except
through justice. Since the concept of justice may differ from one
man to another or from one society to another, Muslims believe that
real justice is that which is specified by Allah (God).
Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of the religion, or
by those who have been expelled forcibly from their homes. At the
same time, Islam requires one to treat one's enemy mercifully. It
lays down strict rules of combat which include prohibitions against
harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees, and livestock.
Islam also requires that if an enemy declares his desire to end
hostilities and seek peace, the Muslims must do the same.
To show how Islam cares for the environment, one can cite the
many laws that protect the environment. About fourteen hundred
years ago. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
"The world is green and beautiful, and Allah has appointed you as
His stewards over it. He sees how you acquit yourselves."
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Sources
The ultimate manifestation of God's grace for man, the ultimate
wisdom, and the ultimate beauty of expression: in short, the word of
God.² This is how the German scholar, Muhammad Asad, once
described the Qur'an. If one were to ask any Muslim to depict it,
most likely they would offer similar words. The Qur'an, to the
Muslim, is the irrefutable, inimitable Word of God. It was revealed
by God Almighty, through the instrument of Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh). The Prophet (pbuh) himself had no role in authoring the
Qur'an, he was merely a human secretary, repeating the dictates of
the Divine Creator:
"He (Muhammad) does not speak of his own desire. It is no less
than an Inspiration sent down to him." [53:3-4]
The Qur'an is a book which provides the human being the spiritual
and intellectual nourishment he/she craves. Its major themes include
the oneness of God, the purpose of human existence, faith and God-
consciousness, the Hereafter and its significance. The Qur'an also
lays a heavy emphasis upon reason and understanding. In these
spheres of human understanding, the Qur'an goes beyond just
satisfying the human intellect; it causes one to reflect on
implications. There are Qur'anic challenges and prophecies. One of
the most exciting fields in recent years has been the discovery that,
of the significant amount of scientific information in the Qur'an,
including the event of the Big Bang, embryological data, and other
information concerning astronomy biology, etc., there is not a single
statement that has not been borne out by modern discoveries In
short, the Qur'an fulfills the heart, the soul, and the mind.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 201
Perhaps the best description of the Qur'an was given by Ali, the
cousin of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) when he expounded upon it
as,
Sunnah
The term Sunnah comes from the root word Suannh, which means
to pave the way or make a path easily passable, such that it becomes
a commonly followed way by everyone afterwards. Thus Sunnah
can be used to describe a street or road or path on which people,
animals, and cars travel. Additionally, it can apply to a prophetic
way, i.e. the law that they brought and taught as an explanation or
further clarification of a divinely revealed book. Normally, the
prophetic way includes references to his sayings, actions, physical
features and character traits.
Each narration is composed of two parts: the isnad and the matn.
The isnad refers to a chain of people who narrated a particular
narration. The matn is the actual text of the narration. The isnad
must comprise upright and sincere individuals whose integrity is
unquestionable.
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The Speech of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
The speech of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) refers to his sayings. For
example, he said:
"Actions are judged by their intentions; everyone will be rewarded
according to his/her intention. So whoever migrates for the sake of
Allah and His Prophet then his migration will be noted as a
migration for the sake of Allah and His Prophet. Conversely, one
who migrates only to obtain something worldly or to marry a
woman, then his migration will be worth what he had intended".
[Bukhari]
The Prophet (pbuh) also said: "Whoever believes in Allah and the
Last Day should say something good or keep quiet."
The above two accounts clearly show that the Prophet (pbuh) spoke
these words. Consequently, these are known as his speech.
"I saw a man, his face radiant with a bright glow, not too thin or too
fat, elegant and handsome. His eyes had a deep black hue with long
eyelashes. His voice was pleasant and his neck long. He had a thick
beard. His long black eyebrows were beautifully arched and
connected to each other. In silence, he remained dignified,
commanding utmost awe and respect. When he spoke, his speech
was brilliant. Of all people he was the most handsome and the most
pleasant, even when approaching from a distance. In person, he was
unique and most admirable. Graced with eloquent logic, his speech
was moderate. His logical arguments were well organized as though
they were a string of gems. He was not too tall or too short, but
exactly in between. Among three, he appeared the most radiant and
most vibrant. He had companions who affectionately honored him.
When he spoke, they listened to him attentively. When he gave
orders, they were quick to execute them. They rallied around him
guarding him. He never frowned or spoke frivolously." [Hakim]
Along with his physical features, his Companions also described his
habits and behavior with people. Once Anas reported:
"I served the Prophet of Allah (pbuh) for ten years. Never once did
he so much as express any bit of displeasure nor did he ever ask
'Why did you do it?' for something I did or 'Why didn't you do it?'
for something I didn't do."
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From the above we can clearly see that when the term sunnah
appears in a general context referring to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
it comprises anything narrated about the Prophet (pbuh) and
authentically traced to him. Once a Muslim learns of the
authenticity of any narration, he/she is obliged to follow and obey it
accordingly. Such obedience is mandated by Allah as He declares
"...and obey Allah and His Prophet and do not turn away when you
hear (him speak)." [8:20]
At times, some Muslims are perplexed when people say that sunnah
is something only recommended and is not mandatory. Thus they
conclude that we are only required to follow the Qur'an and not the
Sunnah. Such an argument results from a gross misunderstanding.
Scholars of Islamic jurisprudence use the term sunnah to denote
what is authentically established of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in
deeds which were not subsequently made mandatory by Allah.
From the above, we can clearly see that the term sunnah takes on
different meanings when used by different Islamic disciplines.
Tolerance
Freedom of belief is guaranteed in Islam. It should be very clear that
Islam tolerates not only other faiths but even its enemies. This is
stated clearly in the Qur'an:
"God forbids you not with regard to those who fight you not for
(your) faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly
and justly with them, for God love those who are just." [60:8]
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It is one function of Islamic law to protect the privileged status of
minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places of worship have
flourished all over the Islamic world. Islamic law also permits non-
Muslim minorities to set up their own courts to implement family
laws drawn up by the minorities themselves and to govern their own
affairs.
Islam teaches that the closest to Allah and the most beloved of Allah
are those who are the best in piety. Thus all people, male and
female, and regardless of race, color, nationality or ethnicity, are
considered and treated as equal before Allah and before the law.
This concept of tolerance did not reach the West even in theory until
the 18th century and in practice not until the 20th century.
Universality
In the Qur'an, Allah says:
"We have sent you (Muhammad) as a mercy for all nations."
[21:107]
Thus Islam is not restricted to any particular race or nation, as many
other religions are, but is universal, meaning that its message
applies to all humanity, at all times, in all places.
Since the Qur'an is the final testament, with every word and every
letter unadulterated and unchanged, and protected by Allah from
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any change or tampering, it is the final revelation, and no other law
will ever supersede it.
If you do not know any Muslims and you are interested in becoming
a Muslim, then contact us or start a Live Chat.
All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe. May peace and
blessings of Allah be upon Mohammad, His last messenger.
We wish to clarify that the whole matter is very easy and that none
of these conditions or obligations are required. For Allah, Almighty,
is above all comprehension and knows well the secrets of all hearts.
Nevertheless, those who are going to adopt Islam as their religion
are advised to register themselves as Muslims with the concerned
governmental agency, as this procedure may facilitate for them
many matters including the possibility of performing Hajj
(Pilgrimage) and Umrah.
We have to consider that when we declare from our heart that "there
is no god (deity) worthy to be worshipped but Allah", it implies on
our part love, devotion, faith and obedience to the rules of Islamic
legislations which are legally binding on all Muslims. It is a
requirement of "there is no god worthy to be worshipped but Allah"
to love for the sake of Allah and to reject for the sake of Allah.
If you do not know any Muslims and you are interested in becoming
a Muslim, then contact us or start a Live Chat. islamworld.net
The Holy Quran and Hadeeth (prophetic sayings) both stress the
importance of following Islam. God states:
“...The only religion in the sight of God is Islam...” (Quran 3:19)
In another verse of the Holy Quran, God states:
“If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be
accepted of him; and in the Hereafter, he will be in the ranks of
those who have lost (their selves in the Hellfire).” (Quran 3:85)
The first part of the testimony consists of the most important truth
that God revealed to mankind: that there is nothing divine or worthy
of being worshipped except for Almighty God. God states in the
Holy Quran:
“We did not send the Messenger before you without revealing to
him: ‘none has the right to be worshipped except I, therefore
worship Me.’” (Quran 21:25)
“Muhammad is not the father of any man among you but he is the
Messenger of God and the last (end) of the Prophets and God is
Ever All-Aware of everything.” (Qur’an 33:40)
Footnotes:
[1] God created him through His statement, “Be!”
Introducing Islam Part I & II 214
Praise be to Allaah.
Islam honors women greatly. It honors women as mothers who must
be respected, obeyed and treated with kindness. Pleasing one's
mother is regarded as part of pleasing Allah. Islam tells us that
Paradise lies at the mother’s feet, i.e. that the best way to reach
Paradise is through one's mother. And Islam forbids disobeying
one’s mother or making her angry, even by saying a mild word of
disrespect. The mother’s rights are greater than those of the father,
and the duty to take care of her grows greater as the mother grows
older and weaker. All of that is mentioned in many texts of the
Qur'an and Sunnah.
And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through
mercy, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did
bring me up when I was young’. [Al-Isra, 17:232-24]
And there are other texts which we do not have room to mention
here.
One of the rights which Islam gives to the mother is that her son
should spend on her if she needs that support, so long as he is able
and can afford it. Hence for many centuries it was unheard of
among the people of Islam for a mother to be left in an old-people’s
home or for a son to kick her out of the house, or for her sons to
refuse to spend on her, or for her to need to work in order to eat and
drink if her sons were present.
Islam also honors women as wives. Islam urges the husband to treat
his wife in a good and kind manner, and says that the wife has rights
over the husband like his rights over her, except that he has a degree
over her, because of his responsibility of spending and taking care
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of the family’s affairs. Islam states that the best of the Muslim men
is the one who treats his wife in the best manner, and the man is
forbidden to take his wife’s money without her consent. Allah says
interpretation of the meaning: “and live with them honorably”. [An-
Nisa, 4:19]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “I
urge you to treat women well.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 331;
Muslim, 1468.
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“The best of you is the one who is best to his wife, and I am the best
of you to my wives.” [Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3895; Ibn Maajah,
1977; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi]
Ibn Maajah (3669) narrated that ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir (may Allah be
pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) say: “Whoever has three daughters
and is patient towards them, and feeds them, gives them to drink
and clothes them from his riches, they will be a shield for him from
the Fire on the Day of Resurrection.” [Classed as saheeh by al-
Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah]
To conclude:
Islam raised the status of women, and made them equal with men in
most rulings. So women, like men, are commanded to believe in
Allah and to worship Him. And women are made equal to men in
terms of reward in the Hereafter. Women have the right to express
themselves, to give sincere advice, to enjoin what is good and forbid
what is evil, and to call people to Allah. Women have the right to
own property, to buy and sell, to inherit, to give charity and to give
gifts. It is not permissible for anyone to take a woman’s wealth
without her consent. Women have the right to a decent life, without
facing aggression or being wronged. Women have the right to be
educated; in fact it is obligatory to teach them what they need to
know about their religion.
Until 1805, English law allowed a man to sell his wife, and set a
wife’s price at six pennies.
In the modern age, women were kicked out of the house at the age
of eighteen so that they could start working to earn a bite to eat. If a
woman wanted to stay in the house, she had to pay her parents rent
for her room and pay for her food and laundry. [See ‘Awdat al-
Hijaab, 2/47-56]
How can this compare to Islam which enjoins honoring and kind
treatment of women, and spending on them?
Secondly:
With regard to the changes in these rights throughout the ages, the
basic principles have not changed, but with regard to the application
of these principles, there can be no doubt that during the golden age
of Islam, the Muslims applied the sharee’ah of their Lord more, and
the rulings of this sharee’ah include honoring one’s mother and
treating one’s wife, daughter, sister and women in general in a kind
manner. The weaker religious commitment grew, the more these
rights were neglected, but until the Day of Resurrection there will
continue to be a group who adheres to their religion and applies the
sharee’ah of their Lord. These are the people who honor women the
most and grant them their rights.
I hope that you will pay attention to this question, because I am having
doubts about my religion. If this is what Allah has prescribed then we hear
and obey and there is no power and no strength except with Allah.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
We are shocked by what the sister has mentioned in her question,
that is not part of the religion of Allaah but she is attributing to it,
and her belief in rulings for which Allah has not sent down any
authority, such as her saying that “after I got married I was surprised
by some rulings which treat me as if I am not human, because they
treat me as if I am only an object for the enjoyment of the man”!
Then Islam came and forbade burying females alive; it regarded that
as murder, which is a major sin. It forbade leaving women
suspended as a result of vows or making one's wife haraam by
means of zihaar [a jaahili form of divorce in which the husband said
to his wife, ‘You are to me as my mother’s back’; intimacy thus
became forbidden, but the woman was not divorced completely and
was not free to enter into a new marriage - Translator]. Islam gave
women their share of inheritance, and stipulated an ‘iddah of four
months and ten days after the death of her husband, during which
she could bathe, change her clothes and see other women and her
mahrams. It allowed women to buy, sell and own property, and
encouraged them to seek knowledge and call people to Allah. It
commanded that women should be honored as wives and as
mothers, and made the mother’s rights three times greater than those
of the father. And there are many other ways in which Islam
honored women, which we have no room to discuss in detail here;
rather we just wanted to remind you of this. Please also see the
answer to question no. 210/10 for more information.
Secondly:
The sister says in her question: “such as the fact that the angels will
curse me if I refuse intimacy under any circumstances”.
This is not correct. Rather the angels do not curse the wife who
refuses to share her husband’s bed unless she has no valid excuse. If
she has an excuse – such as being sick, or menstruating, or bleeding
following childbirth (nifaas), or observing an obligatory fast, then
she is not cursed, rather her husband who calls her to bed is sinning
if he insists on calling her, or forces her when he knows of her
situation.
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This curse is limited to cases where the husband remains angry with
her all night. But if he calls her and she refuses, then he foregoes his
right, then she is not cursed.
Thirdly:
The sister says in her question “at the time when he is under no such
burden if he refuses to have intercourse with his wife even if he
does that to cause her harm.” This also is not correct. Islam forbids
harming others, which includes a husband harming his wife by
preventing her from breastfeeding her child, or denying her right to
intercourse and pleasure.
Fourthly:
The sister says in her question, “So he gets the reward of doing
charity if he has intercourse with her and enjoys intimacy with her,
and she will not have any reward, even if she responds unwillingly”
This is also not correct. Rather the wife will be rewarded for
intercourse in two ways:
• Because she is the twin half of man in rulings and rewards,
except those where an exception is stated in the texts. Allah says
(interpretation of the meaning :
“So their Lord accepted of them (their supplication and answered
them), Never will I allow to be lost the work of any of you, be he
male or female. You are (members) one of another, so those who
emigrated and were driven out from their homes, and suffered harm
in My Cause, and who fought, and were killed (in My Cause),
verily, I will expiate from them their evil deeds and admit them into
Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise); a reward from Allah,
and with Allah is the best of rewards”. [Al-Imran, 3:195]
It was narrated from Abu Dharr that some people from among the
companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him) said to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him): “O Messenger of Allah, the rich people will get more reward.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 223
They pray as we pray, and they fast as we fast, but they give in
charity from their excess wealth.” He said, “Has not Allah given
you things with which you can give charity? Every tasbeehah
(saying ‘Subhaan Allah (Glory be to Allah)’) is a charity. Every
Takbeerah (saying ‘Allahu akbar (Allah is Most Great)’) is a
charity. Every Tahmeedah (saying ‘al-hamdu-Lillaah (praise be to
Allah)’ is a charity. Every Tahleelah (saying ‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allah
(there is no god but Allah)’) is a charity. Enjoining what is good is a
charity. Forbidding what is evil is a charity. Having intercourse
(with one’s wife) is a charity.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, if
one of us fulfils his desire, is there reward in that?” He said, “Do
you not see that if he does it in a haraam way he will have the
burden of sin? So if he does it in a halaal way, he will have a reward
for that.” [Narrated by Muslim, 1006]
So the wife will be rewarded just as her husband will, just as she is
sinning if she fulfils her desires in a way that is haraam, just as is
the case with the husband.
Fifthly:
The sister says in her question: “If he upsets me and humiliates me
in front of people, I have to make up with him and try to please him;
otherwise the angels will curse me”.
This also is not correct. The curse applies in the case of a woman
who refuses to come to her husband’s bed with no excuse, when her
husband stays angry with her all night – as explained above.
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But if the husband humiliates her, then he is undoubtedly sinning by
doing that, and sharee’ah allows her to answer him back in a manner
that befits his wrongdoing.
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning:
“And indeed whosoever takes revenge after he has suffered wrong,
for such there is no way (of blame) against them”. [Ash-Shura,
42:41] i.e., there is no sin on them.
So what he must do is to make up with her and try to please her, not
the other way round. If a person does wrong, in order for his
repentance to be complete he must try to please the one who has
been wronged, with apologies and kind words.
Sixthly:
The sister says: “And of course I have no right to differ with his
opinion or to argue with him, and if I lose my temper I am not
forgiven.”
With regard to what the sister mentioned about not being forgiven
for any loss of temper or irritation on her part, this is not right at all,
because there are some kinds of irritation for which a person will
not be taken to task if he does not speak of them or act upon them,
because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
said: “Allah will forgive my ummah for that which crosses their
minds, so long as they do not speak of it or act upon it.” And there
are some which a person cannot help at all, because of intense
anger, etc, which is beyond his or her control. At the end of Surah
al-Baqarah is mentioned the du’aa’ of the believers (interpretation
of the meaning)
“Our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to
bear”. [Al-Baqarah, 2:286]
and it is proven in the Sunnah that Allah has answered this du’aa’
and said, “I will do that.”
Seventhly:
The sister says in her question: “as you have stated in a fatwa that
the reward for praying in congregation is only for men and not for
women”.
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This also is not correct. Rather what we said – based on the
ahaadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him) – is that the twenty-seven-fold reward is for men only, because
they are the ones for whom prayer in congregation is enjoined, not
women. Prayer is congregation is mustahabb for women, but we
cannot be certain that women will get the twenty-seven-fold reward.
It is permissible for women to attend the prayers in the mosque, and
it is not permissible for men to forbid them to go. If they go and
pray with (the men), they will have a share of the reward for praying
in congregation.
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not prevent your women
from coming to the mosques, although their houses are better for
them.” [Narrated by Abu Dawood, 567; Ahmad, 5445 – this version
narrated by Ahmad.]
Eighthly:
The sister says in her question: “Is this the fate of the Muslim
woman if she does well and does what is required of her? If she
avoids sin, she does not attain any virtue and if she falls short she is
one of those who are cursed and expelled from the mercy of Allah,
and do I and the accursed Iblees become the same?”!
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This is thinking badly of Allah, and what you say is not correct at
all.
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning)
“Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he
(or she) is a true believer (of Islamic monotheism) verily, to him We
will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and
lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in
proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e., Paradise in the
Hereafter.” [An-Nahl, 16:97]
“Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islam) men and
women, the believers men and women (who believe in Islamic
Monotheism), the men and the women who are obedient (to Allah),
the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the
men and the women who are patient (in performing all the duties
which Allah has ordered and in abstaining from all that Allah has
forbidden), the men and the women who are humble (before their
Lord -- Allah), the men and the women who give Sadaqaat (i.e.
Zakaah and alms), the men and the women who observe Sawm
(fast) (the obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadaan, and the
optional Nawafil fasting), the men and the women who guard their
chastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the men and the women who
remember Allaah much with their hearts and tongues. Allah has
prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise.”
[Al-Ahzaab, 33:35]
With regard to the sister’s saying that if she falls short, she and
Iblees would be the same, this is an exaggeration and there is no
need for this; and it is an unacceptable comparison, because the
curse of Allah to Iblees is the eternal curse for which no repentance
will be accepted, and it cannot be compared to the curse that applies
Introducing Islam Part I & II 228
in the case of a Muslim who believes in Allah alone and submits to
Him, but commits some major sins.
The clear verses and words that we have quoted are sufficient to
explain the error of what you say. We ask Allah to help you to
understand Islam properly and to make you steadfast in adhering to
goodness and true guidance.
At the end of this response, we should not forget to praise our sister
for her frankness in asking about the doubts about some Islamic
matters that the Shaytaan has thrown into her heart which, if she had
kept them to herself, could have spoiled her religious commitment
and generated waswaasa (whispers from the Shaytaan) which could
have caused a great deal of trouble in her life. Asking such
questions dispels confusion and dispels doubt from one’s heart.
But when asking such questions, that should be done with more in a
more appropriate manner, when asking about the wisdom of Allaah
in what He prescribes, and the questioner should avoid everything
that may be taken as objecting to the rulings, because the human
mind is incapable of comprehending the greatness of Allaah’s
wisdom and the vastness of His bounty towards His creation.
Islam Q&A
The status of the family in Islam
What does Islam teach about the family and the roles of men, women and
Children?
Praise be to Allah.
Before we find out about the role of Islam in organizing and
protecting the family, we should first find out what the situation of
the family was before Islam, and what it is in the west in modern
times.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 229
Before Islam, the family was based on mistreatment and oppression.
All affairs were controlled only by men or in other words, the
males, and women and girls were oppressed and humiliated. An
example of that is that if a man died and left behind a wife, his son
by another wife had the right to marry her and control her life, or to
prevent her from getting married. Men were the only ones who
could inherit; women and children had no share. They viewed
women, whether they were mothers, daughters or sisters, as a source
of shame, because they could be taken as prisoners, thus bringing
shame upon the family. Hence a man would bury his infant daughter
alive, as is referred to in the Qur’aan, where Allah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
“And when the news of (the birth of) a female (child) is brought to
any of them, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with inward
grief!
He hides himself from the people because of the evil of that whereof
he has been informed. Shall he keep her with dishonor or bury her
in the earth? Certainly, evil is their decision”. [An-Nahl, 16:58]
The family in the broader sense, i.e., the tribe, was based on
supporting one another in all things, even in wrongdoing.
When Islam came, it did away with all that and established justice,
giving each person his or her rights, even nursing infants, and even
the miscarried fetus who was to be respected and prayed for (i.e.,
given a proper funeral)
When you examine the family in the west today you will find that
families are disintegrating and the parents cannot control their
children, whether intellectually or morally. The son has the right to
go wherever he wants and do whatever he wants; the daughter has
the right to sit with whoever she wants and sleep with whoever she
wants, all in the name of freedom and rights. And what is the result?
Broken families, children born outside marriage, (elderly) mothers
and fathers who are not looked after. As some wise men have said,
if you want to know the true nature of these people, go to the
prisons and the hospitals and seniors’ homes, for children do not
remember their parents except on holidays and special occasions.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 230
The point is that among non-Muslims the institution of family is
destroyed. When Islam came it paid a great deal of attention to the
establishment of strong families and protecting them from things
that could harm them, and preserving family ties whilst giving each
member of the family an important role in life.
Islam encourages men to treat their wives well, and gives women
the freedom to choose their husbands; it gives women much of the
responsibility for raising the children.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 231
Islam gives fathers and mothers a great deal of responsibility for
raising their children. It was narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar
heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him) say, “Each of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his
flock. The leader is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The
man is the shepherd of his family and he is responsible for his flock.
The woman is the shepherd of her husband’s household and is
responsible for her flock. The servant is a shepherd of his master’s
wealth and is responsible for his flock.” He said, I heard this from
the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 853; Muslim, 1829)
Islam protects the honor, chastity, purity and lineage of the family,
so it encourages marriage and forbids free mixing of men and
women.
18.00.00
THE PARTIAL ABLUTION
(Wudu')
Before offering the prayer one must be in good shape and pure
condition. It is necessary to wash the parts of the body which are
generally exposed to dirt or dust or smog. This performance is
called ABLUTION (Wudu') and is preferably carried out as follows:
1. Declare the intention that the act is for the purpose of worship
and purity, start by saying Bismillah.
2. Wash the hands up to the wrists, three times.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 233
3. Rinse out the mouth with water, three times, preferably with a
brush whenever it is possible.
4. Cleanse the nostrils of the nose by sniffing water into them, three
times.
5. Wash the whole face three times with both hands, if possible,
from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin and from ear
to ear.
6. Wash the right arm three times up to the far end of the elbow, and
then do the same with the left arm.
7. Wipe the whole head or any part of it with a wet hand, once.
8. Wipe the inner sides of the ears with the forefingers and their
outer sides with the thumbs. This should be done with wet fingers.
9 Wash the two feet up to the ankles, three times, beginning with the
right foot.
At this stage the ablution is completed, and the person who has
performed it is ready to start to start his prayer. When the ablution is
valid a person may keep it as long as he can, and may use it for as
many prayers as he wishes. But it is preferable to renew it as often
as possible. It is also preferable to do it in the said order, although it
will be accepted from those who fail to keep this order. Ablution in
the said way is sufficient for prayer unless it is nullified by any
reason.
It should be pointed out that at the start of the bath or ablution the
intention must be clear that it is for the purpose of purity and
worship. Also, a person who is performing an ablution, partial or
complete, should combine his performance with some utterances
glorifying God and asking Him for true guidance. The forms of such
utterances are described in detail in the elaborate sources of the
religion. One, however, can say one's own best utterances if one do
not know the exact wording. That is sufficient as long as it is in the
praise of God and is said with sincerity.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 235
18.01.00
How to Perform Wudu
Islamic Ablution
There are two forms of ablution: the partial ablution (wudu) and the
complete ablution (shower/ghusl). In addition, there is a symbolic
ablution (tayammum), to be used when no water is available or a
person cannot use water because of reasons of health. One should be
in a state of purity before performing prayer or reading the Qur'an.
The following actions or conditions nullify this state of purity and
require the partial ablution:
01. Discharges from the body (urine, stools, gas)
02. The flow of blood or pus from the body
03. Vomiting
04. Falling asleep
05. Becoming intoxicated
The following actions or conditions require the full ablution:
01. Sexual intercourse
02. Wet dreams
03. The expiration of a women's menstrual period
04. After childbirth
19.00.00
PRAYER TIMINGS
Prayer timings do not remain constant as they are determined by
looking at the sun. Consequently the time of a particular prayer
would be different in different parts of the World. Prayer Time
Tables are easily available at the mosques and Islamic Centers
throughout the World. Now-a- days electronic devices like 'TBilal"
or "Spectronic" are available in the market which can tell the prayer
times of nearly 1000 major cities of the World. They are particularly
helpful to the Muslims traveling to non-Muslim countries However,
the following general timetable for prayers can fairly be observed in
almost any part of the World. There are five obligatory prayers
which are performed at five different times of the day.
(1) Salat-ul-Fajr. The morning Prayer
It is the first of the Five obligatory prayers of the day. It can be
performed at any time between the breaking of the dawn till sunrise.
It consists of two raka's (two units as explained through the
accompanying postures).
(2) Salat-ul-Zuhr. The noon prayer
It consiss of four raka's, (4 units); Its time begins after the sun
declines from its zenith until it is about midway from setting.
(3) Salat-ul -Asr. The afernoon Prayer
It consists of four raka's (4 units). Its time begins soon after the time
for Zuhr prayer ends and extends to just before sunset
(4) Salat-ul-Maghrib. The evening prayer
Introducing Islam Part I & II 238
It consists of three raka's (3 units). Its time begins just after sunset
and extends to a period of an hour and a half.
(5) Salat-ul-lsha. The night prayer.
It consists of four raka's (4 units) and its time begins about an hour
and a half after sunset and extends to dawn.
19.01.00
The Conduct of Salah
2. Dress
Before offering your Salah makes sure that you are properly
dressed. For men and boys, the dress should be such that it covers
their bodies from the navel to the knees at least.
3. Place
Wherever a man might be, he can turn towards Allah in Salah and in
devotion. The prophet has said, "The (whole of the) earth has been
rendered for me a mosque: pure and clean". Preferable Salah is to be
offered in Jama'at - congregation. Whenever possible, one should
pray facing the Ka'ba, Mecca.
Fardh Or Naafillah
Salah is composed of the Fardh (Obligatory) and the
Naafilah (Superogatory) prayers.
When traveling one may offer two rakaats in place of four rakaats in
Zuhr, Asr and Isha, but there is no change in two rakats of Fajr and
three rakats of Maghrib Salah. Besides this concession in Fardh
Salah, one may leave all additional Sunnah except the two Sunnah
rakats of Fajr & the Witr of Isha prayer. But a section of Muslims
do perform Sunnah even on a journey.
In case the stay at any one place during the journey exceeds a
fortnight, complete the Salah with all the Fardh and Sunnah rakats
must be offered.
If you are sick, you may offer your Salah in a sitting position or
lying in bed, by making signs in place of the physical movements.
19.04.00: Iqamah
After Adhan when the Muslims are assembled at the place of
worship, a second call (Iqamah) is recited by one of the group. This
signals the start of the congregational Salah. It is similar to Adhan
except that it is recited faster but in a lower tone and these sentences
are recited after Haya Alal Falah.
Iqamah is another call to prayer said just before the actual start of
Salah.
The following is aid (in Arabic language):
Masjid-e-Nabubi, Medina-al-Munawwarah
50,000 times reward for One Rakah Salah in the Holy Medina
Introducing Islam Part I & II 246
353. Narrated Ibn Mas'ud: Allah's Apostle said, "The (call for
prayer) Adhan of Bilal should not stop anyone of you from
taking his Suhur for he pronounces the Adhan in order that
whoever among you is praying the night prayer, may return
(to eat his Suhur) and whoever among you is sleeping, may
get up, for it is not yet dawn (when it is like this)." (Yahya,
the sub-narrator stretched his two index fingers side ways).
356. Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle finished his prayer after
offerings two Rakat only. Dhul-Yaddain asked him whether
Introducing Islam Part I & II 247
the prayer had been reduced, or you had forgotten?" The
Prophet said, "Is Dhul-Yaddain speaking the truth?" The
people said, "Yes." Then Allah's Apostle stood up and
performed another two Rakat and then finished prayer with
Taslim, and then said the Takbir and performed a prostration
similar to or longer than his ordinary prostrations; then he
raised his head, said Takbir and prostrated and then raised his
head (Sahu prostrations).
359. Narrated Anas bin Malik: I used to offer drinks prepared from
infused dates to Abu Talha Al-Ansari, Abu 'Ubada bin Al
Jarrah and Ubai bin Ka'b. Then a person came to them and
said, "All alcoholic drinks have been prohibited." Abii Talha
then said, "O Anas! Get up and break all these jars." So I got
up and took a mortar belonging to us, and hit the jars with its
lower part till they broke.
360. Narrated Hudhaifa: The Prophet said to the people of Najran, "I
will send to you an honest person who is really trustworthy."
Introducing Islam Part I & II 248
The Companion, of the Prophet each desired to be that person,
but the Prophet sent Abu 'Ubaida.
361. Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, "For every nation there is an
Amin (honest, trustworthy person) and the Amin of this
nation is Abu 'Ubaida."
361. Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, "For every nation there is an
Amin (honest, trustworthy person) and the Amin of this
nation is Abu 'Ubaida."
362. Narrated 'Umar: There was a man from the Ansar (who was a
friend of mine). If he was not present in the company of
Allah's Apostle I used to be present with Allah's Apostle, I
would tell him what I used to hear from Allah's Apostle, and
when I was absent from Allah's Apostle he used to be present
with him, and he would tell me what he used to hear from
Allah's Apostle.
364. Narrated Abu Huraira and Zaid bin Khalid: Two men sued
each other before the Prophet.
366. Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah: On the day of (the battle of) the
Trench, the Prophet called the people (to bring news about the
enemy). Az-Zubair responded to his call. He called them
again and Az-Zubair responded to his call again; then he
called them for the third time and again Az-Zubair responded
to his call whereupon the Prophet said, "Every prophet has his
Hawairi (helper), and Az-Zubair is my Hawari."
367. Narrated Abu Musa: The Prophet entered a garden and told
me to guard its gate. Then a man came and asked permission
to enter. The Prophet, said, "Permit him and give him the
good news that he will enter Paradise." Behold! It was Abu
Bakr. Then 'Umar came, and the Prophet said, "Admit him
and give him the good news that he will enter Paradise." Then
'Uthman came and the Prophet said, "Admit him and give him
the good news that he will enter Paradise."
371. Narrated Ibn Abbas: When the delegate of 'Abd Al-Qais came
to Allah's Apostle, he said, "Who are the delegate?" They
said, "The delegate is from the tribe of Rabi'a." The Prophet
said, "Welcome, O the delegate, and welcome! O people!
Neither you will have any disgrace nor will you regret." They
said, "O Allah's Apostle! Between you and us there are the
infidels of the tribe of Mudar, so please order us to do
something good (religious deeds) that by acting on them we
may enter Paradise, and that we may inform (our people)
whom we have left behind, about it." They also asked (the
Prophet) about drinks. He forbade them from four things and
ordered them to do four things. He ordered them to believe in
Allah, and asked them, "Do you know what is meant by belief
in Allah?" They said, "Allah and His Apostle know best." He
said, ''To testify that none has the right to be worshipped
except Allah, the One, Who has no partners with Him, and
that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle; and to offer prayers
perfectly and to pay Zakat." (the narrator thinks that fasting in
Ramadan is included), "and to give one-fifth of the war booty
(to the state)." Then he forbade four (drinking utensils): Ad-
Duba', Al-Hantam, Al-Mazaffat and An-Naqir, or probably,
Al-Muqaiyar. And then the Prophet said, "Remember all these
things by heart and preach it to those whom you have left
behind."
20.00.00
01) Intention
02) Takbeer
03) Opening Supplications
04) Recitation of Suratul Fatiha
05) Recitation after Suratul Fatiha
06) Bowing (Rukoo')
07) Straightening up from Rukoo':
08) Prostration (The sujud)
09) Rising from Sajdah
10) The second Sajdah
11) The Second Rak'a
12) The First Tashahud
13) The Second Tashahud
14) The Salution (Tasleem)
Introducing Islam Part I & II 253
1- Intention
The prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) used to say:
All actions are by intention, and every man shall have what he
intended.
Note: You shouldn't say the intention by mouth because it is
Innovation Make it in your heart
2- Takbeer
The First step to enter the prayer is Takbeer. The prophet peace be
upon him used to say:
Allaahu Akbar
This means: Allah is the greatest
Notes :
1- You should raise your hands with the
takbeer. Look at the picture
2- Then you should place your right arm
on you left arm and place it over your
chest.
3- You should place the right arm on the
back of your left palm, wrist and
forearm
4- Then you should incline your head
during prayer and fix your sight towards
the ground ... as the Prophet peace be
upon him do...
5- Be careful: When you start to pray
don't look at the sky because it is
forbidden as the Prophet peace be upon
him said :" People must refrain from
looking up at the sky in prayer, or their
sight will not return to them (and in one
narration: or their sight will be plucked
away)
3- Opening Supplications
The prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) used to say one of this
opening Supplications, You can choose the easiest one for you:
Introducing Islam Part I & II 254
Subhanaka Alla-humma wabi ha’mdika wataba-ra kasmuka wata
'ala jadduka wala ilaha ghayruk
This means: You are Glorified, O Allah, and Praised; Your Name is
Blessed; Your Majesty is Exalted, and none has the right to
worshipped but You.
Maliki yawmid-deen
This means: Master of the Day of Judgment
Ameeen
This means: Oooh Allah please accept
Note:
The Prophet peace be upon him said: "No prayer is acceptable
without the recitation of Fathiha"
2- In Zuhr and Asr you have to recite it quitly as Jaabir said: We
used to recite behind the imaam in Zuhr and 'Asr: soorah al-Faatihah
and another soorah in the first two rak'ahs, and soorah al-Fatihah in
the last two."
If you are praying in Jama'a then you should raise your voice when
you are saying "Ameen".
Allah hus-samad
This means: Allah helps and does not need help
Malikin nas
This means: The Owner of Mankind
Ila hin-nas
This means: Lord of Mankind
Notes:
You have to read Surah after the Fatiha only in the first two Rak'a in
the Zuhr or Asr but in Fajr, Maghrib and E'sha you just hear the
Imam and you should't say it with him.
If you tried to memorize this two Suras but you failed.. Then there is
a permission to read Al-Fatiha only. and in-Shaa-Allah your prayer
is right
6- Bowing (Rukoo')
Allaahu Akbar
This means: Allah is the greatest
Notes :
1- You should raise your hands with the
takbeer. Look at the picture
2- Be careful: When you start to pray
don't look at the sky because it is
forbidden as the Prophet peace be upon
him said :" People must refrain from
looking up at the sky in prayer, or their
sight will not return to them (and in one
narration: or their sight will be plucked
away)
Note:
When you straightening up from Rukoo': you would raise your
hands like what we described early in the Takbeer.
Note :
1- The right position of sitting down:
The Prophet peace be upon him
would lay his left foot along the
ground and sit on it [relaxed].
2- You should stay a while in this
sitting, cause the prophet peace be
upon would sit straight on his left
foot, upright, until every bone
returned to its position.
Note :
1- You should say Subhana
Rabbi yal a'la three times on
each Sujud .
2- The right postion of Sujud:
a)You would support yourself
on your palms [and spread
them]
b)put your fingers together
c)point them towards the
qiblah
d)Make your nose touch the
ground cause the prophet
said : There is no prayer for
the one whose nose does not
feel as much of the ground as
the forehead
e)Put your knees and toes
Introducing Islam Part I & II 261
down firmly and point with
the front of the toes towards
the qiblah and put your heels
together and keep your feet
upright.
f)These are the seven limbs on
which he (sallallaahu 'alaihi
wa sallam) would prostrate:
the palms, the knees, the feet,
and the forehead and nose.
Note :
When you rise up from Sujud to the second Rak'a you can rise up
supporting one self with hand . Take a look at this video
This means: All compliments, all physical prayer, and all monetary
worship are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah's
mercy and blessings. Peace be on us and on all righteous slaves of
Allah. I bear witness that no one is worthy of worship except Allah.
I bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is his slave and
Messenger.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 262
Note :
1- What is the right sit position in
The first Tashahud? : In the Fajr
there is only one Tashahud so it there
is no first or second Tashahud so in
the first Tashahud on the other
prayers and in Al-Fajr Tashahud you
would sit as you are setting between
the two sujud, but if you can't sit in
this way you can sit in any way you
can, but this is the way the prophet
used to sit.
2-While reading : " Ash-hadu ..........
to : Abduhu wa rasuluh" a person
should raise the index finger of the
right hand slightly and returt it
previous position after he had
finished saying it.
Note :
1- What is the right sitting position in The second Tashahud? : In
the prayers like Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and 'eisha, in the last rak'a you
should sit in a position called "Iftirash" click here to see how you
can sit in this position ... but if you can't sit in this way you can sit
as you feel comfortable ...
2-While reading: " Ash-hadu .......... to: Abduhu wa rasuluh" a
person should raise the index finger of the right hand slightly and
returt it previous position after he had finished saying it.
All Praise is due to Allah we praise Him, and seek His help and
forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah the Most High, from the evils
of our own selves and from our wicked deeds. Whomsoever has
been guided by Allah none can misguide him, and whomsoever has
been misguided by Allah none can guide him. I bear witness that
there is no true god worthy of being worshipped except Allah alone,
without partner or associate. I further bear witness that Muhammad
is His true slave and Messenger. May Allah the Exalted, bestow His
peace and blessings on the final Prophet Muhammad, upon his good
and pure family, and upon all of his noble companions.
"O ye who believe! Fear Allah(by doing all that He ordered and
abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared,
and die not except in the state of Islam as Muslims with complete
submission to Allah" (the Holy Qur'an, 3:102)
"O ye who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and
speak (always) the truth, He will direct you to do righteous good
deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah
and His Messenger; he has indeed achieved a great success" (Qur'an
33:70-71).
Introducing Islam Part I & II 265
Know that the most truthful speech is that of Allah’s Book (the
Qur'an, and that the best of guidance is that of Muhammad,
sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. The worst of evils are innovations
(foreign to the true teachings of Islam, and every innovated matter
(in religion) is a Bid'ah, and every Bid'ah is a misguidance, and
every mean of misguidance is in the Fire of Hell.
Second, acknowledging that Allah alone is the One and Only true
God who deserves to be worshipped and thus abstaining from
worshipping any other being or thing. This belief is called Tawheed
Al-Ulooheeyah.
Third, having faith and belief in the Oneness of Allah’s Names and
Attributes. This belief is called Tawheed Al-Asmaa was-Sifat.
The one who associate others with Allah and dies on this shirk will
not be forgiven and Jannah (Paradise) is forbidden to him, as Allah
Most Mighty and Honored says:
"Verily, Allah forgives not those partners should be set up with Him
in worship, but He forgives anything else, to whom He pleases; and
whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed
invented a tremendous sin." (Qur'an, 4:48).
Asking the dead or idols for help, slaughtering for them and making
vows for them are examples of this Shirk.
Riya (showing off) and swearing by other than Allah are examples
of this kind of Shirk. Prophet Muhammad, salla All ⨠u alihi wa
sallam, said:
"Of which I fear for you the most is Minor Shirk ".When he was
asked what was it, he said, "Riya".
This kind of Shirk does not necessarily lead to disbelief from Islam
or an eternal stay in Hell. It negates, however, the completeness of
faith.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 268
The Third kind of shirk is the hidden Shirk.
Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, explained:
"Shall I not tell you of which I fear for you more than I fear of the
Anti-Christ?" They said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah, and he said,
"The hidden Shirk, where one beautifies his way of praying only
because another one is looking at him".
Notice: Washing the dead does not nullify the ablution except for
that the washer's hand touches (without any barrier) the sexual
organs. Kissing women with or without desire does not nullify
ablution because the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, once
kissed one of his wives and prayed without performing ablution.
This holds as long as there are no associated sexual excretions (e.g.
semen). As for the saying of Allah Most Glorified:
"... or you have been in contact with women (by sexual relations) ...
" (Qur'an, 4:43)
Introducing Islam Part I & II 274
The contact with women is the involvement in a full sexual relation
as related by Ibn Abbass (companion) and others, and it is the
correct opinion.
The one who has the most right to wash the dead body of a man is
his chosen guardian (if any) then his father, his grandfather, then the
closest of his relatives. The woman is best washed by her chosen
female then the mother, the grandmother, then the closest one of her
female relatives. The husband can wash the body of his wife and
vice versa because Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, was
washed by his wife; and Ali bin Abi Taleb, may Allah be pleased
Introducing Islam Part I & II 276
with him, washed his wife, Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet,
may Allah be pleased with her.
"O Allah grant forgiveness to our living and to our dead, and to
those who are present and to those who are absent, and to our young
and our old folk, and to our males and our females. O Allah
whomsoever you grant to live, from among us, help him to live in
Islam and whomsoever of us you cause to die, help him to die in
faith. O Allah do not deprive us of the reward for patience on his
(her, their) loss and do not make us subject to trial after him...."
"O Allah forgive him (her, them) and have your Mercy upon him;
protect him and pardon him, receive him with honor and make his
grave spacious; wash him with water, snow and hail, and clean him
from sins and wrong-doings as is cleaned a white garment from
impurity; requite him with an abode more excellent than his, and
with a mate better than his mate. Admit him to the Garden, and
Introducing Islam Part I & II 277
protect him from the torment of the grave and the torment of the
Fire; widen his space in his grave and bring him light therein. O
Allah doesn’t deprive us from his reward and don't let us go astray
after him."
Then after saying "Allahu Akbar" for the fourth time one turns his
head to the right (making tasleem) and thus ending the funeral
prayer.
"O Allah makes him a preceding reward and a reserve treasure (on
the Day of Judgment) for his parents; a one whose intercession
would be granted. O Allah makes of him an excess in the measures
and in the rewards (granted by Allah to his parents. Let him join the
company of the righteous believers and make him under the care of
Abraham (may the peace of Allah be upon him), and protect him, by
Your Mercy, from the torment of the blazing Fire ".
The men right in front of the Imam. The women further towards the
Qibla. The male children are between the men and women and more
towards the men while the female children follow women further
down in the direction of Qibla (all of the dead bodies are to be laid
parallel to those praying). The bodies are to be arranged such that
the head of the male child lies next to that of a man while the middle
of a woman lies next to the head of a man. The head of the female
child lies next to the head of a woman.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 278
The followers of Imam are to stand behind him just as in other
prayers. It is acceptable for one to stand to the right of the Imam if
he finds no place behind him.
All praise is due to Allah and His blessings and peace be upon His
Prophet, his family and his companions.
INTRODUCING
ISLAM
Part II
22.01.00: ISLAM
The word "Islam" is Arabic word which means "submission to the
will of God". This word comes from the same root as the Arabic
word "salaam", which means "peace". As such, the religion of Islam
teaches that in order to achieve true peace of mind and surety of
heart, one must submit to God and live according to His Divinely
revealed Law. The most important truth that God revealed to
mankind is that there is nothing divine or worthy of being
worshipped except for Almighty God, thus all human beings should
submit to Him.
But in particular, we use the word Islam to indicate all the belief and
practices of the religion, of which Muhammad is the Prophet and
the Qur'an the sacred scripture.
Islam means submission to one God and it also means” Peace”. The
word Muslim means the one who has submitted him / herself to God
and lives with peace. If ones life is not peaceful, he /she should be
concerned about his or her level of submission to God. The more
you submit yourself to God, the more you enjoy peace, tranquility
and contentment in life.
Islam is not a new religion, but the same truth that God revealed
through all His prophets to every people. For a fifth of the world's
population, Islam is both a religion and a complete way of life.
Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the
majority have nothing to do with the extremely grave events which
have come to be associated with their faith.
The root Arabic word from which Islam is derived implies peace,
safety, salutation, protection, blamelessness, wholesomeness,
submission, acceptance, surrender, and salvation.
In the first he, like all other creatures, is a born Muslim, invariably
obeys the injunctions of God, and is bound to remain so. As far as
the second aspect is concerned, he is free to become or not to
become a Muslim. Here he has been given the freedom of choice-
and it is the way a person exercises this freedom, which divides
mankind into two groups: believers and non-believers. An
individual who chooses to acknowledge his creator, accepts Him as
his real Master, honestly and scrupulously submits to His laws and
injunctions and follows the code He has revealed unto man for his
individual and social life, thereby becomes a perfect Muslim. He
has, so to say, achieved completeness in his Islam by consciously
deciding to obey God in the domain in which he was endowed with
freedom and choice. Now his entire life has become one of
submission to God and there is no conflict in his personality. He is a
perfect Muslim and his Islam is complete-for this submission of his
entire self to the will of Allah is Islam and nothing but Islam. He has
now consciously submitted to Him whom he had already been
unconsciously obeying. He has now willingly offered obedience to
the Master whom he already owed obedience unintentionally. His
knowledge is now real for he has acknowledged the Being who
endowed him with the power to learn and to know. Now his reason
and judgment are set on an even keel-for he has rightly decided to
Introducing Islam Part I & II 286
obey the Being who bestowed upon him the faculty of thinking and
judging. His tongue also is truthful for it expresses with conviction
its confession of the Lord who gave it the faculty speech. New the
whole of this existence is an embodiment of, in all spheres of life,
he voluntarily as well as involuntarily obeys the laws of the same
One God with the whole universe for he worships Him whom the
whole world is for him and he is for God. [Towards Understanding
Islam: Sayyid Abul A’la Maududi]
Chapter 3, Verse 195 of the Qur’an reminds us, “So their Lord
answers their prayers, saying: ‘I will not let the good deed of any
worker among you, whether a male or female, be wasted. You are
the offspring of one another.”
Huston gives another example from the Muslim scholar Rumi, who
says that there are 3 ways to learn about fire:
i) To be told about it;
ii) To see it;
iii) To be burnt by it.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 289
At this point, Bill Moyers asks Huston, “Have you been burnt by
it?” Houston replies, “Yes”, and he ads, “Those are the moments of
bliss that don’t last for ever, but show you another world, and give
you hope”.
23.00.00: MUSLIM
The word "Muslim" means one who submits to the will of God,
regardless of their race, nationality or ethnic background. Being a
Muslim entails willful submission and active obedience to God, and
living in accordance with His message. Some people mistakenly
believe that Islam is just a religion for Arabs, but nothing could be
further from the truth. Not only are there converts to Islam in every
corner of the world, especially in England and America, but by
taking a look at the Muslim World from Bosnia to Nigeria, and from
Indonesia to Morocco, one can clearly see that Muslims come from
many various races, ethnic groups and nationalities. It is also
interesting to note that in actuality, more than 80% of all Muslims
are not Arabs - there are more Muslims in Indonesia than in the
whole Arab World! So, though even though it is true that most
Arabs are Muslims, the large majority of Muslims are not Arabs.
However, anyone who submits completely to God and worships
Him alone is a Muslim.
Now you may ask as to how can one render Allah His due for His
favour to us? In reply I have to say that since Allah has included
you in the Ummah of Muhammad (peace be on him) the best form
of gratitude for this favour of His, is to become the sincere followers
of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). Since God has included
you in the Muslim community the only way for you to reciprocate
this kindness is to become full-fledged Muslims. In no other way
can you render what is due to Allah for this immense favour by
Him. And if you do not render this due, the punishment for this
Introducing Islam Part I & II 297
ungratefulness will be as great as is the favour of Allah. May Allah
save all of us from this punishment! Amen.
f. First requirement-knowledge
From this answer of yours the fact automatically comes to light that
al-Islam is firstly the name of knowledge and then the name of
putting that knowledge into practice. A man can be a Brahmin
without having knowledge because he is born as a Brahmin and
remains a Brahmin. So also a Jat can be Jat though he be bereft of
knowledge because he is born as a Jat and remains a Jat all his life.
But a man cannot become a Muslim without acquiring knowledge
because he does not become a Muslim from birth but from
knowledge. Unless he comes to know what is the teaching of Hazrat
Muhammad (peace be upon him), how can he affirm faith in it and
how can he act according to it? And if he has not affirmed faith
knowingly and after full understanding of it, how can he become a
Muslim? So it is clear that it is impossible to become a Muslim and
remain a Muslim while in a state of ignorance. Whosoever is born in
a Muslim home, bears a Muslim like name, dresses like a Muslim,
and calls himself a Muslim, is in reality not a Muslim. But that
person alone is a Muslim in the real sense that knows what Islam
stands for and affirms faith in it with full consciousness. The real
difference between a Kafir and a Muslim is not that of a name, that
one is Ram Parshad and the other one is 'Abdullah, and so one is a
Kafir and the other is a Muslim. Similarly, the real difference
Introducing Islam Part I & II 299
between a Kafir and a Muslim is not that of dress also, that one
wears dhoti and the other pajamas, and so the former is a Kafir and
the latter a Muslim. But the real difference between the two is that
of knowledge. The one is a Kafir because he does not know what
relation has God with him and what relation he was with God, and
what is the right path for him to lead his life in the world in
accordance with the wish of God? If a born Muslim too is ignorant
in this respect, then tell me on what ground do you differentiate
between him and a Kafir and why do you say that one is a Kafir and
the other is a Muslim.
g. Importance of knowledge
Brethren! On this knowledge, the necessity of which I am
explaining to you, depends yours and your children's being Muslims
and remaining as Muslims. This is not an ordinary thing which may
be neglected. You do not show any carelessness in cultivating your
land, in irrigating and protecting your crops, in supplying fodder to
your cattle and in other work of your profession, simply because if
you do so you will be starved to death and will lose a precious thing
like life. Then tell me why do you show negligence in acquiring that
knowledge on which depends your becoming a Muslim and
remaining a Muslim. Does not this entail the danger of losing a
precious thing like Iman? Is not Iman dearer than life? Out of the
time and labour you spend on things which sustain your life, can
you not spend one-tenth part of them on things which protect your
Imam?
I do not say that every one of you should become a Maulvi, read
voluminous books and spend ten to twelve years of your life in this
pursuit. It is not necessary to read so much to become a Muslim. I
only want this much that each one of you should spend only one
hour out of the twenty-four hours of day and night in acquiring the
knowledge of Deen. At least that much knowledge should be
acquired by every Muslim youth, adult and old person as may
enable him to understand the essence of the teaching of Qur'an and
the purpose for which it was revealed. He should be able to clearly
understand the mission of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him)
with which he came into this world. What was the wrong he wanted
to be demolished and what was the right he wished to be
established? He should also get acquainted with that particular mode
of life which Allah has ordained for Muslims. Not much time is
required to acquire this quantum of knowledge. And if Iman is dear
Introducing Islam Part I & II 301
to you, it is not so difficult to find one hour per day to acquire it.
[Fundamentals of Islam: Sayyid Abul A’la Maududi]
The Quran says: Your Lord has commanded that you worship none
but Him, and be kind to parents. If either or both of them reach old
age with you, do not say 'uff' to them or chide them, but speak to
them in terms of honor and kindness. Treat them with humility, and
say, 'My Lord! Have mercy on them, for they did care for me when
I was little'. [Surah Bani Isra’il, v.17:23-24]
There are 60 countries in the world where the majority of the people
are Muslim. However, there is not a single country among them that
can truly be called an ‘Islamic State’; where the government and the
people conduct themselves truly in accordance with the message
that was given to humanity in the 7th century AD. The difference is
only the degree to which each country and its inhabitants are
adhering to the message and the spirit of Islam. That is why, we are
reminded to strive and be righteous, and is told that God is Most
Forgiving, Most Merciful. [www.understandingislam.org]
25.00.00: ALLAH
25.01.00: Who Is Allah?
Often one hears the Arabic word “Allah” being used in discussions
regarding Islam. The word “Allah” is simply the Arabic word for
Almighty God, and is the same word used by Arabic speaking
Christians and Jews. As a matter of fact, the word Allah was in use
Introducing Islam Part I & II 304
far before the word God ever came into existence, since English is a
relatively new language. If one were to pick up an Arabic
translation of the Bible, one would see the word “Allah” being use
where the word “God” is used in English. For instance, Arabic
speaking Christians says that Jesus is, according to their canon
belief, the Son of Allah. In addition, the Arabic word for Almighty
God, “Allah”, is quite similar to the word for God in other Semitic
languages. For example, the Hebrew word for God is “Elah”. For
various reasons, some non-Muslims mistakenly believe that
Muslims worship a different God than the God of Moses and
Abraham and Jesus. This is certainly not the case, since the Pure
Monotheism of Islam calls all people to the worship of the God of
Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and all the other prophets, peace be
upon them. [By Daniel Masters, Isma'il Kaka and Robert Squires]
Allah means the God. Allah is the name that he calls Himself in the
Qur’an where this originates. It can also be found in an Aramaic
copy of the Bible, and even Christian Arabs say Allah. Muslims
believe in Allah's complete authority over human destiny and in life
after death. [Dr. Ibrahim Dremali]
Allah is the Arabic word for "God," or more literally "the God" (al-
ilah). Allah is neither male nor female, however, there are no neuter
terms in the Arabic language, so God is referred to as "He" rather
then "It" or something similar. Allah is the Creator of all that exists
and the God of all the prophets, the God of Noah, Abraham, Moses,
Christ, and Muhammad, among others. The word Allah is used by
Arabic speaking Jews and Christians, in addition to Muslims. In the
Qur'an, God Almighty tells us, that "whether you call me Allah or
Ar-Rahman (the Merciful One), all of My names are beautiful."
[Sayyid Abul A’la Maududi]
Allah is the name of the One and Only God. Allah has ninety-nine
beautiful names, such as: The Gracious, The Merciful, The
Beneficent, The Creator, The All-Knowing, The All-Wise, The
Lord of the Universe, The First, The Last, and others.
Allah then explained why He had all of mankind bear witness that
He is their creator and only true God worthy of worship. He said,
"That was In case you (mankind) should say on the day of
Resurrection, "Verily we were unaware of all this." That is to say,
we had no idea that You Allah, were our God. No one told us that
we were only supposed to worship You alone. Allah went on to
explain that it was also In case you should say, "Certainly It was our
ancestors who made partners (With Allah) and we are only their
descendants; will You then destroy us for what those liars did?"
Thus, every child is born with a natural belief in Allah and an
inborn inclination to worship Him alone called in Arabic the
"Fitrah". If the child were left alone, he would worship Allah in his
own way, but all children are affected by those things around them,
seen or unseen.
So, just as the child submits to the physical laws which Allah has
put in nature, his soul also submits naturally to the fact that Allah is
his Lord and Creator. But, his parents try to make him follow their
own way and the child is not strong enough in the early stages of his
life to resist or oppose the will of his parents. The religion which the
child follows at this stage is one of custom and upbringing and
Allah does not hold him to account or punish him for this religion.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 310
Throughout people's lives from childhood until the time they die,
signs are shown to them in all regions of the earth and in their own
souls, until it becomes clear that there is only one true God (Allah).
If the people are honest with themselves, reject their false gods and
seek Allah, the way will be made easy for them but if they
continually reject Allah's signs and continue to worship creation, the
more difficult it will be for them to escape. For example, in the
South Eastern region of the Amazon jungle in Brazil, South
America, a primitive tribe erected a new hut to house their main idol
Skwatch, representing the supreme God of all creation. The homage
to the God, and while he was in prostration to what he had been
taught was his Creator and Sustainer, a mangy old flea-ridden dog
walked into the hut, The young man looked up in time to see the
dog lift its hind leg and pass urine on the idol. Outraged, the youth
chased the dog out of the temple, but when his rage died down he
realized that the idol could not be the Lord of the universe. Allah
must be elsewhere he now had a choice to act on his knowledge and
seek Allah, or to dishonestly go along with the false beliefs of his
tribe. As strange as it may seem, that was a sign from Allah for that
young man. It contained within it divine guidance that what he was
worshipping was false.
All the Scripture revealed to mankind from God advocate one and
the same religion. This religion God calls Islam (Submission to
God). Submission to God as a religion is also described as
Monotheism (Hanifeyah) …. see 3:67, 6:79, 10:105, 98:5.
Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith,
and bowed his will to Allah's (Which is Islam), and he joined not
gods with Allah.[3:67]
"For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards Him Who
created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to
Allah."[6:79]
"You shall have no other gods besides Me" [Old Testament: Exodus
20:3 (First Commandment)]
Introducing Islam Part I & II 312
"You shall worship the Lord your God and Him ONLY you shall
serve" [New Testament: Luke 4:8]
"You shall know that: "There is no other god beside God" [The
Quran: 47:19]
.
Submission to God is the religion whereby we recognize God's
absolute authority, and reach an unshakeable conviction that God
ALONE possesses all power; no other entity possesses any power
that is independent of Him. The natural result of such a realization is
to devote our lives and our worship absolutely to God ALONE. As
shown this is the message of all Scripture.
The need for different revelations at different times and for different
people is justified by the following factors:
(1) Mankind has gone through enormous development through the
ages physically, mentally and spiritually, that there was always the
need for various revelations at different times and for different
Introducing Islam Part I & II 313
peoples. Although the various revelations are united in message and
truth, yet we find that God never addresses identical revelations to
two different people. This being so, it can be said that the diverse
revelation do not, and should not contradict one another, for
although they differ in form, the religion decreed in all of them
(Monotheism) is one.
(3) We find that up until the advent of the industrial revolution and
the fast travel era, the world was still a wide expanse of disjointed
lands and peoples.
Many people would have not even heard of those Scripture that
have already been revealed in various other parts of the world. This
is why a new scripture would be revealed to new communities who
have not received the Scripture.
God calls this One religion that He decreed to all previous prophets
Islam (Submission). It is through this overall plan that we should
understand the meaning of the phrase (the only religion acceptable
to God is Islam). It does not mean that Islam is exclusively the
religion of the Qur’an, nor does it mean that Islam is the religion
first brought by Muhammad.
25.13.00: The first introduction
on the qualities God loves
Steps to Gaining Allah’s Love
[Umm Haneefah is a Nigerian Muslimah and Muslim writer
residing in Warwickshire, UK. She is a regular contributor to Sisters
Magazine]
The Qur'an details seven qualities that Almighty Allah loves and
seven qualities that Almighty Allah does not love. Then, we the
Muslims have a way to explore the steps to gaining His Love.
Therefore, to complete one's faith and gain this love, we should seek
only Allah alone in love, hate, giving and withholding and Allah
alone must be our Lord and the only One whom we worship.
This was how our pious predecessors achieved the criteria of true
worshippers and reached the highest level in their efforts. Allah
loves His servant to beautify his tongue through speaking the truth,
his heart through sincerity, piety, repentance, trust and patience, his
body through obeying and purifying it from all dirt.
This is the only way by which the past can be set right. Allah has a
concern for those He loves, therefore each time we slip and relapse
into the abyss of desires and sincerely repent, He (exalted be Him)
leads us out of it to the summit of forgiveness and further relieves us
of hardship and provides for us.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 317
2. Taharah (Purification)
...Allah loves those who purify themselves (Al-Baqarah 2: 222).
This is the external purification. The secret to this is performing the
acts with the intention of following the example of the Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him).
The removal of filth from the body by performing wudu’ (ablution)
and ghusl (ritual bath) and removal of filth from the garment, body
and place of prayer. They are acts that purify the body and radiate
the Iman. It is a means by which Almighty Allah will wipe out our
sins and raise our ranks.
3. Taqwa (Piety)
Surely, Allah loves Al-Muttaqun (the pious. (At-Tawbah 9: 4).
The fear of Allah is the source of a pure soul – it is borne out of love
and obedience. Thus, a pious person is constantly driven to do good
only.
He/She is humble and does not flaunt piety in front of others. The
fear of Allah beautifies the Iman and is the origin of all good as one
continues to strive to do only what pleases Allah and stay away
from the things that would displease him.
One should never feel that too much time has passed by without
supplications being answered; rather we should always place our
hope on the One who is able to do all things. Prophet Muhammad
(peace and blessings be upon him ) says, "If you all depend on
Allah, with due reliance, He would certainly give you provision as
He gives to birds who go forth hungry in the morning and return
with full bellies at dusk" (At-Tirmidhi).
6. Qist (Justice)
Verily, Allah loves those who act justly. (Al-Ma’idah, 5:42).
Justice is a prerequisite to peace which is missing in our
contemporary society. It involves giving other people the right we
give ourselves, treating people the way we would like to be treated.
Justice sounds like a word meant for the leaders alone but rather it
affects us all.
It means:
a. To beequitable in speech and in actions.
b. With no degree of discrimination or false testimony.
c. It involves being fair with regards to one's family and those who
are in our custody; justice between children by not giving one
preference over the other.
d. By not committing wrong against oneself such as engaging in
sinful practices and immoral acts.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 319
e. Justice with Allah in not associating any being with Him in
worship and obedience.
7. Sabr (Patience)
And Allah loves As-Sabirin (the patient). (Al-Imran 3:146).
Patience is one of the most noble of virtues and traits. It is to endure
what one dislikes with a sense of acceptance and submission and
anticipating Allah's reward.
Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "patience to Iman is like
the head to a body: if the head is cut off, the body perishes as
well." (Gems and Jewels)
2. Istikbaar (Pride)
He likes not the proud. (An-Nahl 16:23)
And the Prophet says: "Pride is to completely disregard the truth
and scorn (looking down upon) the people" (Muslim)
Introducing Islam Part I & II 320
Sometimes a person might be deceived by his/ her knowledge,
wealth and property, lineage and ancestry, or worship and be
arrogant and boastful.
The one who is arrogant in this world will be disgraced on the Day
of Judgment.
4. Udwaan (Transgression)
Verily, Allah does not like the transgressors-(mu'tadeen). (Al-
Ma’idah 5: 87).
Human characteristics have limitations, which if surpassed would be
transgression and if one falls short of it, it would be a defect – for
example, generosity has a limitation, when surpassed, it becomes
Introducing Islam Part I & II 321
extravagance, when courage is surpassed, it becomes rashness;
when ibadah (worship) is surpassed, one falls into the risk of
adopting bid’ah - some of the Companions almost fell into this trap
when one of them said, "I will not eat meat,'' another said, "I will
not marry women,'' while the third said, "I will not sleep on the
bed.''
When the Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) heard
these statements, he said, “What is the matter with some people who
said such and such? I fast and break the fast, sleep and wake to
stand to pray, eat meat, and marry women. He who is not pleased
with my Sunnah is not with me.”(Al Bukhari)
6. Khiyaanah (Treachery)
Certainly, Allah likes not the treacherous. (Al-Anfal 8: 58)
The treacherous one is two-faced and inconsistent in words and
deeds. Acts of treachery lead to betrayal, disloyalty, perfidy,
deception and hypocrisy which in turn soil the Iman.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 322
7. Ifsaad (Mischief-making)
And Allah does not like the mufsidun (mischief makers). (Al-
Ma’idah 5: 64)
This is a comprehensive term which includes great crimes, sins,
oppression, carrying false tales, hypocrisy, tyranny and all kinds of
mischief. All these acts are despicable and stain the Iman.
Hasten today to adopt the qualities that Almighty Allah loves and
don't rest until they become second nature to you; hasten today to
abandon all the qualities Allah does not love and don't relent until
you hate them with all your heart. The Prophet said: "Faith wears
out in the heart of any one of you just as clothes wear out, so ask
Allah to renew the faith in your hearts." (Al-Haakim in Al-
Mustadrak and Al-Haythami in Majma Az-Zawaa'id)
References:
•Tafsir Ibn Kathir
•Al-Fawaid – A collection of wise sayings by Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim
•The key to paradise by Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali
•Gems and jewels –wise sayings, interesting events & moral lessons
from the Islamic history, compiled by Abdul-Malik Mujahid
(Darussalam)
•Glimpses of the lives of Righteous people, compiled by Majdi
Muhammad Ash-Shahawi (Darussalam)
http://www.islamonline.net
‘And (both) the Jews and the Christians say: "We are the children of
Allâh and His loved ones." Say: "Why then does He punish you for
your sins?" Nay, you are but human beings of those He has created,
He forgives whom He wills and He punishes whom He wills. And
to Allâh belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all
that is between them, and to Him is the return (of all).’ [Surah Al-
Ma'ida, V.5:18]
(ii) The Qur'an calls God "the loving" (Al Wadud), but the meaning
is rather different from the Christian idea of God's love. It implies
"approval"; thus the Qur'an says that God loves (approves of) the
good, but does not love (approve of) the evil-doers. As Allah says in
the Qur’an:
We believe in Allah's god ship; that is, He is the true God and every
other so-called deity is false.
We believe that He is "Allah there is no God but He, the Living, the
Everlasting. Slumber does not seize Him, neither sleep; to Him
belongs all that is in the heavens and the Earth. Who is there that
shall intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what
is before them and what is behind them, and they do not encompass
anything of His knowledge except what He wills. His throne
extends over the heavens and the Earth, the preservation of them
does not burden Him; He is the High, the Great" (2:255).
We believe that "He is Allah; there is no god but He, the Knower of
the Unseen and the Visible. He is the Most Gracious, Most
Merciful. He is Allah; there is no God but Him, the King, the Holy
One, the Source of Peace, the Keeper of Faith, the Guardian, the
Almighty, the Subduer, and the Sublime. Glory be to Allah above
what they associate with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Maker,
and the Shaper. His are the most beautiful Names. All that is in the
heavens and the Earth glorifies Him. He is the Almighty, the Wise"
(59:22-4).
We believe that "there is no creature that moves on the Earth but its
provision depends on Allah. He knows its dwelling and its resting
place. All is recorded in a clear book". (11:6)
Introducing Islam Part I & II 326
We believe that "with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows
them but He. He knows what is in land and sea; not a leaf falls, but
He knows it. Not a grain in the deep darkness of the Earth, not a
thing green or dry but it is in a clear Book". (6:59).
We believe that "Allah alone has the knowledge of the Hour, sends
down rain, and knows what is in the wombs. No soul knows what it
shall earn tomorrow, and no soul knows in what land it shall die.
Surely, Allah is All-knowing, All-aware" (31:34).
We believe that "if the ocean became ink for the words of my Lord,
the ocean would be finished before the words of my Lord came to
an end" (18:109); "And if all the trees that are in the earth were
pens, and the ocean (were ink), with seven oceans swelling it
therefore, the words of Allah would not be exhausted. Surely, Allah
is Mighty, Wise" (31:27).
We believe that Allah is well above His creatures in His Person and
His Attributes, because He says: "He is the High, the Great" (2:22);
Introducing Islam Part I & II 327
"He is Supreme over His servants, and He is the Wise, the All-
aware" (6:18 ).
We believe that He "created the Heavens and the Earth in six days,
then He settled Himself on the throne; He manages everything"
(10:3). His "settling on the throne" means that He is sitting in person
on His throne in a way that is becoming to His majesty and
greatness. Nobody except He knows exactly how He is sitting.
We believe that His universal and legal wills are part of His
wisdom. Every thing He performs in the universe or requires legally
from His creatures is for a good reason and according to His
wisdom, whether we grasp it or not: "Is not Allah the best of
Judges?" (95:8); "And who is better than Allah in judgment for a
people who have firm faith" (5:50).
We believe that Allah loves His select servants and that they love
Him: "Say if you love Allah, follow me and Allah will love you"
(3:31); "Allah will bring a people whom He will love and who will
love Him" (5:54); "Allah loves the steadfast" (3:146); "And act
justly, surely, Allah loves the just" (49:9); and "Do good; Allah
loves those who do good" (5:93).
"But Allah disliked their marching forth. So He kept them back, and
it was said to them: 'Stay with the weaklings"(9: 46).
We believe that Allah is pleased with those who believe in Him and
do good deeds: "Allah is well pleased with them and they are well
pleased with Him. That is for him who fears his Lord" (98:8).
Introducing Islam Part I & II 329
We believe that Allah is angry with those who deserve His anger
among the non-believers and others: "And those who think evil
thoughts of Allah, against them shall be the evil turn of fortune.
Allah is angry with them" (48:6); " But whoever opens his heart to
disbelief, on them is Allah's wrath and they shall have a severe
punishment" (16:106).
We believe that Allah has two generous hands: "No, both His hands
are wide open; He spends how He pleases" (5:64); "They do not
esteem Allah with the esteem that is due to Him. The whole Earth
will be His handful on the Day of Resurrection, and the Heavens
will be rolled up in His right hand. Glory be to Him and exalted is
He above that which they associate with Him" (39:67).
We believe that Allah possesses two real eyes, because He said:
"And build the ark under Our eyes as We reveal" (11:37). The
Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "His veil is light. Had He
removed it, the sublimity of His countenance would have burnt all
that His sight reached" (Muslim and Ibn Majah). The Sunnites
unanimously have agreed that He has two eyes. This is supported by
the Prophet's saying about the Dajjal (the anti-Christ) that "he is
one-eyed and your Lord is not one-eyed" (Bukhari and Muslim).
We believe that the believers will see their Lord on the Day of
Resurrection: "Upon that day some faces shall be radiant, gazing
upon their Lord" (75:22-3).
Muhammad was the son of Abdullah and Amina and was born in
Makkah, Saudi Arabia in 570 C.E. He died in Medina (Saudi
Arabia) at the age of 63. He communicated the message of Islam to
humanity. He was known as Amin (trustworthy) Sadiq (truthful)
from his childhood. He was humble and sincere, loving and caring,
forgiving and showing mercy to all. Muhammad was chosen by God
to deliver His Message of Peace, namely Islam. He was entrusted
with the Message of Islam when he was at the age of forty years.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 333
The revelation that he received is called the Qur’an, while the
message is called Islam.
The last and final prophet whom God sent to humanity was the
Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon
him. At the age of forty, he received the revelation from God. He
then spent the remaining portion of his life explaining, and living
the teachings of Islam, the religion that God revealed to him. The
Prophet Muhammad is the greatest of all prophets for many reasons,
but primarily because he was chosen by God to be the last prophet -
who’s mission to guide humanity would continue until the Last Day
- and because he has been sent as a mercy to all of mankind. The
result of his mission has brought more people into the pure belief in
One God than any other prophet. Since the beginning of time, God
sent prophets to the earth, each one to his own specific nation. The
Introducing Islam Part I & II 334
Prophet Muhammad, however, was sent as the final Messenger to
all of humanity.
After several years, the Prophet and his followers were able to
return to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies and established
Islam definitively. Before the Prophet died at the age of 63, the
greater part of Arabia was Muslim, and within a century of his death
Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as far East as China.
God Almighty addresses Prophet Muhammad in Chapter 21 Verse
107 of The Qur’an: “We sent thee not, but as a mercy to all the
worlds.”
Sir Bernard Shaw said, "If Muhammad were alive today, he would
succeed in solving all those problems which threaten to destroy
human civilization in our times." He continued to say, “Muhammad
was by far the most remarkable man that ever set foot on this earth.
He preached a religion, founded a state, built a nation, laid down a
moral code, initiated numerous social and political reforms
including women’s rights, established a powerful and dynamic
society to practice and represent his teachings, and completely
revolutionized the worlds of human thought and behavior for all
times to come.”
Non-Muslims, observing that what the Qur'an says about Jesus and
the Gospel is substantially different from the teaching of the Bible
are compelled to answer, "No, Muhammad did not know the
Gospel, he was misinformed by the ignorant Christians whom he
met.
After several years, the Prophet (SAW) and his followers were able
to return to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies and
established Islam definitively. Before the Prophet (SAW) died at the
age of 63, the greater part of Arabia was Muslim, and within a
century of his death Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as far
East as China. [Dr.Ibrahim Dremali]
26.15.00:
Question: When Islam is against idol worship, why do Muslims
worship, and bow down to the Kaaba in their prayer?
Answer: Kaaba is the Qibla i.e. the direction Muslims face during
their prayers. It is important to note that though Muslims face the
Kaaba during prayers, they do not worship the Kaaba. Muslims
worship and bow to none but Allah.
If some Muslims live towards the west of the Kaaba they face the
east. Similarly if they live towards the east of the Kaaba they face
the west.
The Kaaba was at the centre. Later, western cartographers drew the
map upside down with the north facing upwards and south
downwards. Yet, Alhamdullilah (Thanks to God) the Kaaba is at the
centre of the world map.
This act symbolizes the belief and worship of One God, since, just
as every circle has one centre, so also there is only one Allah (swt)
worthy of worship.
One may ask those who allege that Muslims worship the Kaaba;
which idol worshipper stands on the idol he worships?
He healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind and raised the dead.
The Jews of his time would not obey his message and determined to
kill him …..all of this is similar to the teaching of the Bible. But
contrary to the teaching of the Bible, Muslims say that God did not
allow the Jews to crucify Jesus, God saved him from them and
raised him up to Himself so that he never knew death. So, for
orthodox Muslim belief, there is no Cross of Jesus and no
Resurrection. Again, Muslims deny the Biblical teaching that Jesus
Introducing Islam Part I & II 346
is the Son of God, that he is the Savior who atoned for the sins of
mankind, or that he should be worshipped.
'Behold!' the Angel said, 'God has chosen you, and purified you, and
chosen you above the women of all nations. O Mary, God gives you
good news of a word from Him, whose name shall be the Messiah,
Jesus son of Mary, honored in this world and the Hereafter, and one
of those brought near to God. He shall speak to the people from his
cradle and in maturity, and shall be of the righteous.' She said: 'O
my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?' He
said: 'Even so; God creates what He will. When He decrees a thing
He says to it, "Be!" and it is.' (Quran, 3.42-7)
Jesus (SAW) was born miraculously through the same power which
had brought Adam (SAW) into being without a father: ‘Truly, the
likeness of Jesus with God is as the likeness of Adam. He created
him of dust, and then said to him, 'Be!' and he was.’ (3:59).
She said: “O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath
touched me?” He said: “Even so: God createth what He willeth:
When He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it, ‘Be,’ and it is!”
“And God will teach him The Book and Wisdom, The Law and the
Gospel.”
Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified but was raised to
heaven by God Almighty. Translation of Chapter 4 verses 157-158
reads: “That they said (in boast), We killed Christ Jesus the son of
Mary, The messenger of God” - But they killed him not, Nor
crucified him, But so it was made to appear to them, And those who
differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, But
only conjecture to follow, For of a surety They killed him not. Nay,
God raised him up unto Himself; and God is exalted in Power,
Wise”.
The Qur’an:
Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the world, Who
has said in His Noble Book: ‘There has come to you from Allah
Light and a Perspicuous Book.’ And may peace and blessings be
upon the Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad, who has said that: The
best among you is he who learned the Qur’an and then taught it.
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family and
all his companions.
The Glorious Qur’an is the Book of Allah, the Wise and Worthy of
all Praise, Who has promised to safeguard it from any violations in
its purity. It becomes incumbent upon each and every person who
seeks the dignity of this world and the bliss of the Hereafter to
regulate his life according to it, to implement its commandments
and to pay homage to the magnificence of the One Who revealed it.
This can be an easy task for those favored with guidance from
Allah, especially those blessed by an understanding of Arabic, the
language of the divine communication. But for those not acquainted
with Arabic, their ignorance is a barrier between them and this
source of guidance and illumination. A translation of the message of
Allah is thus a task not to be taken lightly or performed
superficially.
Before the reader begins to study the Qur’an, he must realize that
unlike all other writings, this is a unique book with a supreme
author, an eternal message and a universal relevance. Its contents
are not confined to a particular theme or style, but contain the
foundations for an entire system of life, covering a whole spectrum
Introducing Islam Part I & II 355
of issues, which range from specific articles of faith and
commandments to general moral teachings, rights, and obligations,
crime and punishment, personal and public law, and a host of other
private and social concerns. These issues are discussed in a variety
of ways, such as direct stipulations, reminders of Allah's favors on
His creation, admonitions and rebukes. Stories of past communities
are narrated, followed by the lessons to be learned from their actions
and subsequent fates.
4. Allah has perfected His religion for all mankind with the
revelation of this Book. He says:
This day have I perfected your religion for you, Completed my
favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.
Sometimes, the people ask, “How many books are there in the
Islamic scripture, the Qur’an”?
The Qur’an is only one book. It has 114 chapters that vary in length.
Each chapter is referred to as a ‘Surah’ and each has a name. The
shortest chapter of the Qur’an has three verses and the longest one
has 286 verses.
The first chapter of The Holy Qur’an is called the ‘Al-Fatiha’ – The
Opening. One could say that it is the essence of the Qur’an, and
summarizes the relationship that Muslims believe they have with
God Almighty. It is recited by Muslims several times in each of
their daily obligatory prayers.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 359
Its translation reads:
“In the name of God, The Compassionate, The Merciful,
Praise Be to God,The Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;
The Compassionate, the Merciful;
Master of the Day of Judgment,
Thee do we worship, Thine aid do we seek.
Show us the straight way;
The way of those on whom, Thou hast bestowed thy grace,
Those whose (portion) Is not wrath, And who go not astray.”
Ameen. [www.understandingislam.org]
The Qur’an is not a book of science, but it describes facts that were
not known to humankind in the 7th century, and were discovered, or
let us say proven by humankind during the last 100 years or so. Let
me give you an example:
The Qur’an gives detailed accounts of the states of a human embryo
in its development including the sperm finding the egg, the clinging
nature of the fertilized egg to the uterus, and the timing of the
appearance of bones, muscles, and flesh. The Translation of Verses
13 and 14 of the 23rd Chapter of the Qur’an reads:
“Then We made man as a small drop in a safe lodging, firmly
established, then We made the drop into something which clings;
then We made out of that chewed mass, bones; then flesh; and then
We brought it forth as another creation. So blessed is God, the Best
of creators.”
The Qur’an was revealed 1400 years ago to the last Prophet of God,
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a guidance for all
humanity. The entire Quran has been committed to memory by
millions of Muslims around the world and has been preserved by
God from any interpolations, for continuing guidance. Although the
Quran is a religious book with a total of about 6600 plus verses
dealing with many aspects of a person's life, about 1000 of those
verses are of scientific nature, none contradicting established
scientific facts.
Currently, the Big Bang model of the origin of the universe is the
cosmological paradigm most widely accepted by astronomers. It
Introducing Islam Part I & II 361
holds that about 15 billion years ago the universe began with the
explosive expansion of a single, extremely dense matter, the
primordial mass. Only after the development of radio telescopes in
1937 that, the necessary observational precision was achieved in
order for astronomers to arrive at the above conclusion. What does
the Qur’an say about our universe's origin?
"Do not the unbelievers see that the Heavens and the earth were
joined together, then We split them apart." (21:30)
Expanding Universe
In 1925, Edwin Hubble (after whom the Hubble Space telescope is
named) provided the observational evidence for the expansion of the
universe. Stephen Hawking (author of 'A Brief History of Time')
states: "The universe is not static, as had previously been thought, it
is expanding". So what did God reveal in the Qur’an, 1400 years
ago?
"And the firmament, We constructed with power and skill and verily
We are expanding it" (51:47) ("We" is the Arabic plural of respect,
not the Christian plural of 'trinity")
The sun traveling at roughly 150 miles per second takes about 200
million years to complete one revolution around the center of our
Milky Way Galaxy and 25 days to make one complete rotation
around its own axis. See how beautifully and accurately God
revealed this phenomenon in the Quran:
"It is He who created the night and the day, and the sun and the
moon, all (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its orbit with its
own motion." (21:33)
Introducing Islam Part I & II 362
Conquest of Space by Human
Human exploration and the conquest of space began with the
launching of the Russian Satellite, Sputnik I on Oct. 4, 1957. Then
followed the launching of humans into space, which eventually led
to a manned space flight to the Moon on July 20th, 1967. Thus the
dream of humanity since the dawn of civilization to go beyond the
earth to the heavens was realized.
"O assembly of Jinns and humans, if you can penetrate the regions
of the heavens and the earth, then penetrate them! You will not
penetrate them save with a power (of God)." (55:33)
Embryology
The Dutch naturalist Anthony van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723)
produced lenses powerful enough to prove that many tiny creatures
are not spontaneously generated but are produced from eggs. The
science of Embryology as we know it today did not discover many
of the detailed aspects of human embryonic development until the
1970s, using powerful microscopes, ultra sound and fiber optics
technology. See how the Quran described the stages of embryonic
development.
"And He (God) gave you hearing and sight and feeling and
understanding." (32:9)
The internal ears appear before the eyes, and the brain (the sight of
understanding) differentiates last.
Gender Determination
The concept of "Gender Determination" as being described by
geneticists is one of the outstanding information revealed to us in
the Qur’an. This information is now a known fact, that sperms are
the deciding factors in determining the type of gender (male or
female) in the new embryo. This determination through the male
sperm is due to the fact that sperms have an X and Y chromosomes,
while the female ovum has only X Chromosomes (X, X). Through
the Qur’an, The Almighty informs us that it is the male sperms that
determine the type of gender for the new offspring:
"Does man think that he will be left uncontrolled (without purpose)?
Was he not a drop of sperm emitted (in humble form)? Then did
(God) make and fashion (him) in due proportion. And of him He
made two sexes, male and female..." (75:36-40)
"Hallowed is He, Who created pairs in all things, those that grow
from the earth and of themselves, and what they know not." (36:36)
By realizing these Truths about the Qur’an and the religion of Islam
revealed by our Creator and Sustainer, many modern scientists are
turning towards it.
References:
1) Dr. T.V.N. Persaud, Professor and Head of the Department of
Anatomy, University of Manitoba, Canada, received in 1991 the
most distinguished award presented in the field of Anatomy in
Canada, the J.C.B. Grand Award.
2) Dr. E. Marshall Johnson, Professor and Chairman of the
Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, and the
Director of the Daniel Baugh Institute, Thomas Jefferson
University, Philadelphia, USA
3) Dr. Keith Moore, Professor of Embryology, Department of
Anatomy, Univ. of Toronto, Canada, recipient of numerous awards
and honors, including in 1984, the J.C.B. Grand Award, which is the
highest honor granted by the Canadian Association of Anatomists.
4) Dr. Maurice Bucaille, French Physician, Author of 'The Bible,
the Quran and Science, Seghers, Paris, 1987.
5) Dr. Joe Leigh Simpson, Professor and Chairman of the
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Baylor College of
Medicine, Houston, Texas, and the President of the American
Fertility Society.
6) Dr. Tejatet Tejasen, Professor and Head of Department of
Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chiang, Thailand
Suggested Readings
1. The Holy Quran Abdullah Yusuf Ali (trans.)
2. The Life of Muhammad By Hayykal
3. Towards Understanding Islam By Abul Ala Maududi
4. Jesus: A Prophet of Islam By. M. Ataur Rahim
5. The Bible, The Qur’an and Science By Maurice Bucaille
6. What the Qur’an is All About Vol. I-V: Sayyid Abul A’la
Maududi,
Introducing Islam Part I & II 367
Compiled and edited by Akm Fakhrul Islam, Al-Qur’an Research
Foundation-USA(AQRF-USA)
A Christian will say that definitely God alone is sufficient for all
things; therefore we must not put our trust in anything that human
hands have made. Human hands can make a "reminder" (e.g. verses
of scripture on the walls of our house to remind us to look to God
always. But this is a means of strengthening our trust in God. We do
not think there is any power in the mere written word, whether on
the wall or in an amulet.
It calls Jews and Christians to observe their own Tawrat and Injil
(Surah Al-Ma'ida,v. 5:72/68). Belief in all these scriptures is an
article of Muslim faith. (Surah Yunus, 10:94).
For the Christian, there are two main reasons for believing in the
Bible :- (i) the immense labor of scholars studying the ancient
copies has proved it to be a faithful copy of the original
manuscripts; (ii) the Bible gives a consistent message which has
convinced our hearts and brought us to forgiveness and peace with
God.
32.00.00
Belief in the Sunnah is part of the Islamic faith
32.01.00: Are There Any Other Sacred Sources?
Yes, the Sunnah, the practice and example of the Prophet (SAW), is
the second authority for Muslims. A hadith is a reliably transmitted
report of what the Prophet (SAW) said, did, or approved. Belief in
the Sunnah is part of the Islamic faith.
Examples of the Prophet's sayings The Prophet (SAW) said:
• 'God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for others.'
• 'None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother
what he wishes for himself.'
• 'He who eats his fill while his neighbor goes without food is
not a believer.'
• 'The truthful and trusty businessman is associated with the
prophets the saints, and the martyrs.'
• 'Powerful is not he who knocks the other down, indeed
powerful is he who controls himself in a fit of anger.'
• 'God does not judge according to your bodies and
appearances but He scans your hearts and looks into your
deeds.'
• 'A man walking along a path felt very thirsty. Reaching a
well he descended into it, drank his fill and came up. Then
he saw a dog with its tongue hanging out, trying to lick up
mud to quench its thirst. The man saw that the dog was
Introducing Islam Part I & II 370
feeling the same thirst as he had felt so he went down into
the well again and filled his shoe with water and gave the
dog a drink. God forgave his sins for this action.' The
Prophet (SAW) was asked: 'Messenger of God, are we
rewarded for kindness towards animals?' He said, 'There is a
reward for kindness to every living thing.' [From the Hadith
collections of Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi and Bayhaqi]
'None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he
wishes for himself.'
The Muslims of the early period of the Islamic era were pioneers in
medicine, chemistry, physics, geography, navigation, arts, poetry,
mathematics, algebra, logarithms, calculus, etc. They contributed to
the Renaissance of Europe and world civilization. [The Institute of
Islamic Information and Education, Chicago, IL 60641-0129
U.S.A.]
Muslims also believe in the Angels created by God, all prophets and
Muhammad as the seal of Prophets: revelation and the Holy
Scripture and Qur’an as the final scripture to humanity. The Muslim
believe in the hereafter: the day of the rend of the world, the
resurrection of humanity, the accountability and judgment by God
alone, and the existence of Heaven and Hell and the reward for
Good believers and punishment for sinners.
Muslims are brothers and sisters. A Muslim should love for his
brother or sister what he/she loves for him/herself. Allah's wealth
does not run out and Allah can provide for us all. We pray for each
other and love each other. We love for our brothers and sisters what
we love for ourselves. [Dr.Ibrahim Dremali]
Salat is the name for the obligatory prayers which are performed
five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshiper and
God. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam, and no priests, so
the prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Quran,
chosen by the congregation. These five prayers contain verses from
the Quran, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation,
but personal supplication can be offered in one's own language.
Every year in the month of Ramadan all Muslims fast from first
light until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual
relations. Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women
who are pregnant or nursing are permitted to break the fast and
make up an equal number of days later in the year. If they are
physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for
every day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayer)
from puberty, although many start earlier.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 381
Although the fast is most beneficial to the health, it is regarded
principally as a method of self purification. By cutting oneself off
from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains
true sympathy with those who go hungry as well as growth in one's
spiritual life.
The close of the Hajj is marked by a festival, the Eid al-Adha, which
is celebrated with prayers and the exchange of gifts in Muslim
communities everywhere. This, and the Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day
commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the main festivals of the
Muslim calendar.
The Pilgrimage is, in a way the biggest of all Ibadat. For unless a
man really loves God he would never undertake such a long journey
all his near and dear ones behind him. Then this pilgrimage is unlike
any other journey. Here his thoughts are concentrated on Allah; his
very being vibrates with spirit of intense devotion. When he reaches
the holy place, he finds the atmosphere laden with piety and
godliness; he visits place which bear witness to the glory of Islam,
and all this leaves an indelible impression on his mind, which he
carries t o his last breath.
Then there are as in other 'Ibadat many benefits that the Muslims
can enjoy from this pilgrimage. Mecca is the center towards which
the Muslims must converge once a year meet and discuss topics of
common interest and in general create and refresh in then selves the
faith that all Muslims are equal and deserve the love and sympathy
of others irrespective of their geographical or cultural origin. Thus
the pilgrimage unites the Muslims of the world into one
international fraternity. [Towards Understanding Islam: Sayyid
Abul A’la Maududi]
Each Muslim calculates his or her own zakat individually. For most
purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half
percent of one's capital. A pious person may also give as much as he
or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although
this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider
meaning. The Prophet (SAW) said: 'Even meeting your brother with
a cheerful face is charity.'
36.06.12: CHARITY
Islam places great emphasis upon charity i.e. sharing one’s wealth
with those who are less fortunate. The subject of charity is discussed
at least 45 times in the Holy Qur’an.
The Prophet also said: “Hasten to do good deeds before you are
overtaken by one of seven things:
Such starvation as will make you unmindful of devotion,
Or such prosperity as will make you corrupt,
Or such disease as will disable you,
Or senility as will make you mentally unstable,
Or sudden death,
Or the antichrist,
Or the day of destruction.
Greed: Prophet Muhammad said: “If the son of Adam, had a valley
full of gold, he would desire two of them. Nothing can fill his mouth
except the earth of his grave. God turns with mercy to the one who
feels penitence.”
[www.understandingislam.org]
B. Oneness of mankind:
People are created equal in front of the Law of God. There is no
superiority for one race over another. God made us of different
colors, nationalities, languages and beliefs so as to test who is going
to be better than others. No one can claim that he is better than
others. It is only God Who knows who is better. It depends on piety
and righteousness.
The Islamic view of the nature of man is also realistic and well-
balanced in that human beings are not believed to be inherently
sinful, but are seen as equally capable of both good and evil; it is
their choice. Islam teaches that faith and action go hand-in-hand.
God has given people free-will, and the measure of one's faith is
their deeds and actions. However, since human beings have also
been created innately weak and regularly fall into sin, they are in
need of continually seeking guidance and repentance, which is, in
itself, also a form of worship loved by Allah. The nature of the
human being as created by God in His Majesty and Wisdom, is not
inherently ‘corrupt’ or in need of repair. The avenue of repentance
is always open to all. Almighty God knew that humans were going
to make mistakes, so the real test is whether they seek repentance
for their sins and try to avoid them, or if they prefer a life of
heedlessness and sin, knowing well that it is not pleasing to
God. The true balance of an Islamic life is established by having a
healthy fear of Allah's rightful punishment for crimes and sins, as
well as a sincere belief that Allah, in His infinite Mercy, takes
Introducing Islam Part I & II 396
pleasure in bestowing His reward for our good deeds and sincere
worship to Him. A life without fear of Allah leads to sin and
disobedience, while believing that we have sinned so much that God
will not possibly forgive us only leads to despair. In the light of this
fact, Islam teaches that only the misguided despair of the Mercy of
their Lord, and only wicked criminals are devoid of the fear of Allah
their Creator and Judge. The Holy Qur’an as revealed to the
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, also contains a great deal
of teachings about life in the hereafter and the Day of Judgment.
Muslims believe that all human beings will ultimately be judged by
Allah, the Absolute Sovereign King and Judge, for their beliefs and
actions in their earthly lives. In judging human beings, Allah the
Exalted will be both and absolutely Just by only punishing the truly
guilty and rebellious unrepentant criminals, and absolutely Merciful
for those people who He, in His wisdom, judges worthy of mercy.
None will be judged for that which was beyond their capacity, or for
that which they did not actually do. It is sufficient to say that Islam
teaches that life is a test designed by Allah, the Creator, Almighty
and Most Wise; and that all human beings will be accountable
before Allah for what they did with their lives. A sincere belief in
the life of the hereafter is the key to leading a well-balanced and
moral life. Otherwise, life is viewed as an end in itself, which
causes people to become more selfish, materialistic and immoral by
their blind pursuit of pleasure even at the expense of reason and
ethics. [By Daniel Masters, Isma'il Kaka and Robert Squires]
38.04.00: Why is there difference between a Muslim and a
'Kafir'?
Brethren-in-Islam!
Every Muslim personally believes and you too must surely believe
alike, have a Muslim's rank is higher than of a Kafir. God likes a
Muslim and dislikes a Kafir. A Muslim will get salvation from God
while a Kafir will not. A Muslim will go to Paradise and a Kafir
will go to Hell. Today I want you to ponder over this matter as to
why should there be so much difference between a Muslim and a
Kafir? A Kafir is as much an offspring of Adam as you are. He too
possesses hands, feet, eyes and ears as you possess. He too, like
you, breathes the same air, drinks the same water, and inhabits the
same land as you do. That very God Who created you, created him
also. Then why is his rank low and yours high? Why will you get
Introducing Islam Part I & II 397
Paradise and why will he be thrown into Hell? [Fundamentals of
Islam: Sayyid Abul A’la Maududi]
Now you should yourself consider with justice that if a man who
calls himself Muslim is as ignorant and disobedient as a Kafir, how
can he be superior to the latter merely on the basis of bearing a
different name, wearing a different dress and eating a different
food? Also on what basis is he entitled to the blessing of God in this
world and in the Hereafter? Islam is not akin to a race or family or
brotherhood which is automatically bequeathed from father to son
and from son to grandson. It is not the case here that a Brahmin's
son, however, ignorant and of bad conduct he may be, will
command a lofty status just because he is born in a Brahmin's home
and belongs to the high caste, while the son of a scheduled caste,
however will remain in the low strata because he is born in a
scheduled caste home and is a menial. On this point God has
explicitly stated in His book:
"In reality the most honoured among you, in the sight of Allah, is he
who is most pious." (Al-Qur'an 49:13)
That is, the more one knows God and the more one obeys His
commandments, the more honourable is he in the sight of God.
Hazrat Ibrahim (Abraham) was born in the home of an idolater, but
Introducing Islam Part I & II 399
he came to know God and obeyed Him. That is why God made him
Imam of the whole world.The son of Noah was born in a prophet's
home but he did not understand God and disobeyed Him. That is
why God did not care at all for his family and gave such a
punishment to him that it became an object-lesson for the world.
Therefore, please understand thoroughly that whatever difference is
there in the sight of Allah between man and man, it is in relation to
knowledge and deeds. Both in this world and the Hereafter God's
blessing is served for those who understand Him, know the right
path shown by Him and carry out His commandments. Those who
do not have this quality, though their names may be 'Abdullah and
'Abdur Rahman' or Deen Dayal or Kartar Singh, there is no
difference between these two sets in the sight of God and they are
not entitled to His blessing. [Fundamentals of Islam: Sayyid Abul
A’la Maududi]
Is this the blessing of God? If this is not blessing but obvious wrath,
then how strange it is that these are Muslims and yet on them
descends the wrath of God! These are Muslims and are yet
wallowing in disgrace. These are Muslims and are yet in slavery!
This situation appears to be an impossibility just as it is impossible
for an object to be both white and black. Since a Muslim is the
Introducing Islam Part I & II 400
loved one of God, how can he be disgraced in this world? Is your
God (may Allah forbid) an oppressor that while you, on your part,
acknowledge His due to you and obey His orders, He makes the
disobedient ones rule over you, and gives you punishment for your
obedience to Him? If it is an article of faith with you that God is not
an oppressor and if you believe that the reward of obedience to God
can never be in the shape of disgrace, then you will have to concede
that there is something wrong in your claim of being a Muslim.
Though your name is surely entered as a Muslim in government
papers but God does not pass judgment on the authenticity of the
office of the British Government. God maintains His own office.
You will have to search in His list to find whether your name is
entered among His obedient or disobedient servants?
God sent you His Book so that by reading it you may know Him
and learn the way of obeying Him. Did you ever try to find out what
is written in it? God sent His Prophet to you to teach you the
method of becoming Muslim. Did you ever try to find out what His
prophet has taught? God showed you the way to attain honour and
dignity in this world and the Hereafter. Do you follow that way?
God very explicitly informed you as to what are those works which
debase man in this world and the Hereafter. Do you avoid such
works? Say what answer have you to these questions? If you admit
that you neither obtained knowledge from God's Book and His
Prophet's life nor followed the way shown by Him, then how did
you become Muslim to merit His reward? The reward you are
getting is proportionate to the degree of your being Muslim and you
will get a like reward in the Hereafter too!
When you yourself are not thirsty for water it will be useless even if
a spring brimming with water were to come before you. You ought
to first understand yourself what a great loss you are incurring by
remaining ignorant of Deen. The Book of God is with you but you
do not know what is written in it. What a greater loss can there be
than this? You do not know even the meaning of Kalima by reciting
which you enter Islam, nor do you know what responsibilities
devolve on you soon after reciting this Kalima. Can there be a
greater loss than this for a Muslim? You know the loss caused if
crops are burnt; you know the suffering due to failure to obtain
livelihood; you know the harm resulting from loss of property, but
Introducing Islam Part I & II 403
you do not know the loss of being unaware of Islam. When you will
realize this loss then you will yourself come and ask to be saved
from this loss. And when you will yourself make this request then
Insha-Allah (may God will it so) arrangement will be made to
protect you from this loss. [Fundamentals of Islam: Sayyid Abul
A’la Maududi]
Jews fled from Spain during the Inquisition, and they were
welcomed by the Muslims. They settled in the heart of the Islamic
Caliphate. They enjoyed positions of power and authority.
Islam is the religion which was given to Adam, the first man and the
first prophet of Allah, and it was the religion of all the prophets sent
by Allah to mankind. The name of God's religion Islam was not
decided upon by later generations of man. It was chosen by Allah
Himself and clearly mentioned in His final revelation to man. In the
final book of divine revelation, the Qur'an, Allah states the
following:
Nowhere in the Bible will you find Allah saying to Prophet Moses'
people or their descendants that their religion is Judaism, nor to the
Introducing Islam Part I & II 405
followers of Christ that their religion is Christianity. In fact, Christ
was not even his name, nor was it Jesus! The name "Christ" comes
from the Greek word Christos which means the anointed. That is,
Christ is a Greek translation of the Hebrew title "Messiah". The
name "Jesus" on the other hand, is a Latinized version of the
Hebrew name Esau.
It is worth noting that the basic message of Islam is that Allah and
His creation are distinctly different entities. Neither is Allah His
creation or a part of it, nor is His creation Him or a part of Him.
Similarly, those who have asserted the godhood of others after their
passing have found fertile ground among those who accept the false
belief of God's presence in man. One who has grasped the basic
message of Islam and its implications could never agree to worship
another human being under any circumstances. God's religion in
essence is a clear call to the worship of the Creator and the rejection
of creation-worship in any form. This is the meaning of the motto of
Islam: "Laa Elaaha lllallaah" (There is no god but Allah). It’s
repetition automatically brings one within the fold of Islam and
sincere belief in it guarantees one Paradise.
Thus, the final Prophet of Islam is reported to have said, "Any one
who says: There is no god but Allah and dies holding that (belief)
will enter paradise". [Reported by Abu Dharr and collected by Al-
Bukhari and Muslim]
There are six articles of faith in Islam. These are the basic beliefs
that one must have in order to be considered a true Muslim. They
are belief in:
(A) The One God.
(B) All the prophets of God.
(C) The original scriptures revealed to Prophets Moses, David,
Jesus, and Muhammad.
(D) The angels.
(E) The Day of Judgment and the Hereafter.
(F) The divine decree (or destiny).
Islam is a complete way of life that governs all facets of life: moral,
spiritual, social, political, economical, intellectual, etc.
Allah is not the God of Muslims only. He is the God of all people
and all creation. Just because people refer to God using different
terms does not mean that they are different gods. Spanish people
refer to God as "Dios" and French people refer to God as "Dieu",
yet they are all the same God. Interestingly, most Arab Jews and
Arab Christians refer to God as "Allah". And the word Allah in
Arabic appears on the walls of many Arab churches.
The word "jihad means the inner struggle that one endures in trying
to submit their will to the will of God. Some Muslims may say they
are going for "jihad" when fighting in a war to defend themselves or
their fellow Muslims, but they only say this because they are
conceding that it will be a tremendous struggle. But there are many
other forms of jihad which are more relevant to the everyday life of
a Muslim such as the daily struggles against self-desire, the struggle
against a tyrant ruler or against the temptation of Satan, etc., etc.
Women are not oppressed in Islam. Any Muslim man that oppresses
a woman is not following true Islam. Among the countless teachings
of Prophet Muhammad which protected the rights and dignity of
women is his saying,"...the best among you are those who treat their
wives well."
All Muslims are not Arab. Islam is a universal religion and way of
life which includes followers from all races of people. There are
Muslims in and from virtually every country in the world. Arabs
only constitute about 20% of Muslims worldwide. Indonesia has the
largest concentration of Muslims with over 120 million. [Dr.Ibrahim
Dremali]
42.00.00: Tawheed or Oneness of God:
42.01.00: TAWHEED: The Backbone of Islamic Faith
Literally Tawheed means to make something one or to call it one. In
English when something is made one, it is considered unified.
However, in Islamic terminology Tawheed means to believe that
Allah is the one and only true God, and He alone deserves to be
Introducing Islam Part I & II 410
worshipped. Tawheed is sometimes referred to as monotheism.
However, in its purest sense in the Islamic definition is that no other
entity can in any way have Allah's perfect attributes or be equivalent
or even in competition with Him. All acts of worship that a person
does should be directed to Allah or for Allah Alone. For example,
prayer should only be directed to Allah, religious animal sacrifice
should only be done in Allah's name, or fighting to establish and
protect religion (Jihaad) should be done for His sake.
Every human being has responsibilities to the Creator, and these are
referred to as the 5 Pillars of Islam. Then there are responsibilities to
one’s family, to one’s neighbors, to the community, to the nation, to
humankind, and to all of God is other creation, whether animate or
inanimate. Muslims believe that each of us will be held accountable
on the Day of Judgment, and will receive reward or punishment,
based upon how well he carried out his responsibilities to the
Creator, and to His creation in this life.
All beings in the heavens and on earth declare God’s glory; all
bounties are in His hand; all faces shall be humbled before him; all
good is from Him; all honor is with Him; He brings to light what is
hidden; creates what He wills; He created all things in due
proportions and truth; encompasses all things including unbelievers;
enlarges the provision and restricts it; feeds but is not fed; gives life,
sustenance, and wealth without measure; knows all that we reveal or
conceal; knows the secrets of the heart; is the best of the planners;
listens to the distress; listens to those who believe and do righteous
deeds; loves those who believe, are kind, just, make themselves
pure, and put their trust in Him.
Today we know that the sun, a massive star, travels more than 17
million kilometers a day, and the moon revolves around the earth.
The translation of Verses 38–40 of Chapter 36 of the Qur’an
describes the motions of the celestial’s bodies: “And the sun runs on
its fixed course for a term appointed. That is the decree of the
Almighty, the All-Knowing. And the moon, We have measured for
it destinations, till it returns like the old dried curved date stalk. It is
not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the
day; they each swim, each with its own motion.”
44.00.00: Family:
44.01.00: WHY IS THE FAMILY
SO IMPORTANT TO MUSLIMS?
The family is the foundation of Islamic society. The peace and
security offered by a stable family unit is greatly valued, and seen as
essential for the spiritual growth of its members. A harmonious
Introducing Islam Part I & II 413
social order is created by the existence of extended families;
children are treasured, and rarely leave home until the time they
marry. Children are the blessing of God. Good parenting in the light
of Islam has high merits, bringing near God.
Typical of their status was the fact that they were prevented from
inheriting property. When a parent died, his property was divided
among his sons. His daughters got nothing.
Actually, it was worse than that. For example, a son could inherit
Introducing Islam Part I & II 414
his father’s wife (assuming, of course, she was not his mother).
Children, too (both male and female) were also excluded from their
“rightful” inheritance.
“For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for
devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and
women who are patient and constant, for men and women who
humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for
men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and
women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who
engage much in Allah's praise, for them has Allah prepared
forgiveness and great reward.” 33:35
“And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce
not four witnesses, (to support their allegations), flog them with
eighty stripes; and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are
wicked transgressors;” 24:4
“Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and
guard their modesty that will make for greater purity for them: and
Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.”
Introducing Islam Part I & II 415
“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze
and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty
and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that
they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their
beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands'
fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their
brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves
whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical
needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and
that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to
their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together
towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss”. (24: 30-31)
“O Prophet! tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women,
that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when
abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as
such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful.” (33:59)
The Qur’an requires both men and women to dress modestly. How
that modesty is expressed is interpreted differently from one society
to another, from one time to another. [Dr. Ibrahim Dremali]
47.00.00: Hijab
47.01.00: What is Purdah?
Purdah is the seclusion of women "for God". The Qur'an
commanded that Muhammad's wives should remain in their houses
and be seen by no adult males other than slaves and close relatives.
(33 Ahzab 33: 55).
Introducing Islam Part I & II 417
Many Muslims have secluded their women-folk in order to follow
the example of Muhammad. But other Muslims take this as a
command to Muhammad only, or as ancient custom unsuited to
modern times. A majority of Muslim women are not now secluded.
'If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in God for He is
the One that heareth and knoweth all things.' (8.61)
48.03.00: Jihad
Jihad is a part of this overall defense of Islam. Jihad means struggle
to the utmost of one's capacity. A man who exerts himself
physically or mentally or spends his wealth in the way of Allah is
indeed engaged in Jihad. But in the language of the Shari'ah this
word is used particularly for the war that is waged solely in the
name of Allah and against those who perpetrate oppression as
enemies of Islam. This supreme sacrifice of lives devolves an all
Muslims. If however a section of the Muslims offer themselves for
participating in the Jihad the whole community is absolved of its
responsibility. But if none comes forward everybody is guilty. This
concession vanishes for the citizens of an Islamic State when it is
attacked by a non-Muslim power. In that case everybody must come
forward for the Jihad. If the country attacked has not strength
enough to fight back then it is the religious duty of the neighboring
Muslim countries to help her if even they fail then the Muslims of
the whole world must fight the common enemy. In all these cases
Jihad is as much a primary duty of the Muslims concerned as are the
daily prayers or fasting. One who shirks it is a sinner. He is plainly a
hypocrite who fails in the test of sincerity and all his 'Ibadat and
prayers are a sham a worthless hollow show of devotion. [Towards
Understanding Islam: Sayyid Abul A’la Maududi]
49.00.00: Food
49.01.00: What About Food?
Although much simpler than the dietary law followed by Jews and
the early Christians, the code which Muslims observe forbids the
consumption of pig meat or any kind of intoxicating drink. The
Prophet taught that 'your body has rights over you’ and the
consumption of wholesome food and the leading of a healthy
lifestyle are seen as religious obligations.
The Prophet (SAW) said: 'Ask God for certainty [of faith] and well-
being; for after certainty, no one is given any gift better than health!'
'O mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female,
and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may come to
know one another. Truly, the most honored of you in God’s sight is
the greatest of you in piety. God is All-Knowing, All-Aware'.
(49:13)
Iran Mali
Introducing Islam Part I & II 426
55.00.00: Worship
55.01.00: Concept of Worship
Islam does not teach or accept mere Ritualism. It emphasizes
intention and action. To worship God is to know Him and Love
Him, to act upon His laws in every aspect of life, to enjoin goodness
and forbid evil and oppression, to practice charity and justice and to
serve Him by serving mankind. Islam seeks to implant in man's
heart the strongest conviction that his every thought and action are
with God, Who sees him at all times and in all places.
In addition, there are five obligatory acts of worship, which are also
called the five pillars of Islam. The purpose of worship is to
remember God, to strengthen the individual's faith and submission
Introducing Islam Part I & II 432
to God and to solidify the individual's character. This process is to
make the individual a better and more useful member of the society.
These acts of worship are obligatory to all Muslims at all times and
places, except when someone is unable to perform them because of
age, sickness, lack of financial resources or the fear of persecution.
[Mohammad I. Hussain, M.D.]
55.02.00: Ablution
What is the purpose of Ablutions?
Tradition records that Muhammad said, "Ritual purity is the half of
faith and the key of Prayer". The acts and objects which cause ritual
defilement makes one unfit to perform the Prayer. Therefore a
Muslim must know how to purify himself before Prayer. For some
defiling acts and objects, a "lesser ablution" is sufficient; this is
done by touching with water the face, the hands and arms up to the
elbows, the head (rubbed with a wet hand), and the feet up to the
ankles, etcetera. All this must be done exactly according to rule. In
some other cases the "greater ablution" is necessary; for this a
complete bath is needed, so that every part of the body may be
touched by water. Pure or running water should be used, but if this
Introducing Islam Part I & II 433
is not available the worshipper may purify himself with sand or
dust, first making a declaration of his intention.
55.00.00: Prayer or Salat
55.01.00: What are the actions of the Prayer?
There are four main postures in the Ritual Prayer; standing (Arabic,
iqama); bowing (ruku') with hands resting on the knees; prostration
(sujud) in which the knees first touch the ground, the worshipper
sits on his hells, then bends forward so that hands and first nose then
forehead touch the ground; and sitting (julus) on the hells, the body
upright, hands on thighs, fingers slightly apart (not together), eyes
lowered (but not shut). There are many other complicated details,
and a mistake in the actions or in the words may nullify the whole
prayer, so that the worshipper must start again at the
beginning…..There is also ablution before the Prayer, and at the
beginning a declaration of the intention to offer a certain number of
prayer-cycles.
Salatul Janaja is being performed after the death and before the
buried of all the Muslims.
"Fight in the cause of God against those who attack you. But, be
careful to maintain the limit since God does not love transgressors"
(2:190).
"O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for God, as witnesses to fair
dealing, and let not others' hatred of you make you depart from
justice and swerve towards wrong. Be just: for justice is next to
piety. And fear God; for God knows all you do." (5:9)
The Prophet also related the following: "Do not attack a wounded
person," and "no prisoner should be put to the sword." (Mawlana
Maududi's 'Human Rights in Islam').
Introducing Islam Part I & II 441
"The Messenger of God forbade the killing of women and children"
(Bukhari 56:147)
The Messenger of God said: "He who kills himself with anything,
God will torment him with that in the fire of Hell" (Muslim v.1,
p.62 #203)
Once when a man killed himself, the Prophet said: "He is a dweller
of the Fire". When the people were surprised at this, the Prophet
(saws) said: "A person performs the deeds which to the people
appears to be the deeds befitting the dweller of Paradise, but he is in
fact one of the dwellers of the Fire" (Muslim v.1, p.63, #206).
Narrated Jundab the Prophet said, "A man was inflicted with
wounds and he committed suicide, and so Allah said: My slave has
caused death on himself hurriedly, so I forbid Paradise for him."
(Bukhari)
"The Prophet has prohibited the Believers from loot and plunder"
(Bukhari, Abu Dawud). He further said, "The loot is no more lawful
than the carrion." (Abu Dawud).
Abu Bakr Siddiq, the first Caliph and the Prophet's closest
companion, used to tell soldiers on the way to war: "Do not destroy
the villages and towns, do not spoil the cultivated fields and
gardens, and do not slaughter the cattle." Abu Bakr also used to tell
the armies that they should not even use the milk of the milk cattle
without the permission of the owners.
The Prophet said to Ali: "Never be the aggressor who starts a war.
First invite your enemy to turn to the true God. If God leads one
person through you to enter the life of faith that will be of greater
benefit for you than if you owned all that the sun shines upon."
The only time in which Muslims are allowed to take up arms are
when they need to defend their own lives, the lives of their people,
when they see the weak being oppressed, and when they are
prohibited from practicing their religion.
“And if thou fears treachery from any folk, then throw back to them
(their treaty) fairly. Lo! God love not the treacherous.” (Chapter 8,
Verse 58 of the Qur’an)
[www.understandingislam.org]
Introducing Islam Part I & II 443
God also says that whatever good you send forth for your souls, you
will surely find it with God, better and greater in recompense.
The Qur’an specifically states, “Do not kill you. God is Merciful to
you, but he that does that through wickedness and injustice shall be
burned in fire.”
[www.understandingislam.org]
Hitler and his followers were evil, not because they believed in
Christianity, but in spite of it. That does not mean that Christianity
is evil. Had they understood Christianity they would never have
committed the horrible acts they did. Likewise, let us hold every
terrorist accountable for his action regardless of what faith he may
profess to follow. Let us judge every faith by its tenants.
There are over 1.2 Billion Muslims in the world, i.e. one out of
every five human beings on our planet calls himself a Muslim. A
vast majority of these Muslims are decent, God conscious, and law
abiding citizens. Then there are those who have legitimate or not so
legitimate grievances for which they want to seek help or revenge.
Instead of staying within the limits of the law, they resort to
violence thinking that that their cause justifies the means.
One point that should be stressed at the outset is that the identities of
the perpetrators of the acts of terrorism which targeted the United
States are not yet determined. There is a chance that these horrible
attackers are linked to quite different centers. It may well be a
communist organization harboring rage and hatred against
American values, a fascist organization opposing federal
administration or a secret faction in another state. Even though the
Introducing Islam Part I & II 447
hijackers have Muslim identities, the questions regarding by whom
and for what purposes these people were used will probably remain
to be a mystery.
The fact remains however, that even if the terrorists have Muslim
identities, the terror they perpetrated cannot be labeled "Islamic
terror", just as it would not be called "Jewish terror" if the
perpetrators were Jews or "Christian terror" if they were Christians.
Thus, a religious person who has fear of God can never commit
such an act.
In fact, the aggressors can commit such violence only with the
intention of attacking religion itself. It may well be that they carried
out this violence to present religion as evil in the eyes of people, to
divorce people from religion and to generate hatred and reaction
against pious people. Consequently, every attack having a
"religious" facade on American citizens or other innocent people is
actually an attack made against religion.
All the three Theistic religions command love, mercy and peace.
Terror, on the other hand, is the opposite of religion; it is cruel,
merciless and it demands bloodshed and misery. This being the
case, while looking for the perpetrators of a terrorist act, its origins
should be sought in disbelief rather than in religion. People with a
fascist, communist, racist or materialist outlook on life should be
suspected as potential perpetrators. The name or the identity of the
triggerman is not important. If he can kill innocent people without
blinking an eye, whatever his label is, and then he is a disbeliever,
not a believer. He is a murderer with no fear of God, whose main
ambition is to shed blood and to give harm.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 448
For this reason, "Islamic terror" is quite a erroneous concept which
contradicts Islam's message. That is because; the religion of Islam
can by no means concur with terror. On the contrary, Muslims are
responsible for preventing terrorist acts and bringing peace and
justice to the world.
The values of the Qur'an hold a Muslim responsible for treating all
people, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, kindly and justly,
protecting the needy and the innocent and preventing the
"dissemination of mischief". Mischief comprises all forms of
anarchy and terror that remove security, comfort and peace. As God
says in a verse, "God does not love mischief makers". (Surat al-
Qasas: 77)
As the verse suggests, a person who kills even a single man, "unless
it is in retaliation for someone else or for causing corruption in
the earth", commits a crime as if he had murdered all mankind on
earth.
Islam was born and developed among the inhabitants of Mecca, the
most important city of the peninsula. However, as Islam spread to
the peninsula, all tribes in Arabia embraced it. Among these tribes
were also Desert Arabs, who were somehow problematic: their poor
intellectual and cultural background prevented them from grasping
the profundity and noble spirit of Islam. Of this God states the
following in a verse:
The Desert Arabs are more obdurate in disbelief and hypocrisy and
more likely not to know the limits which God has sent down to His
Messenger. God is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (Surat at-Tawba: 97)
The Desert Arabs, that is, social groups who were "obdurate in
disbelief and hypocrisy" and prone to disobey God's commands,
became a part of the Islamic world in the Prophet's lifetime. In latter
periods, they became a source of trouble for the Islamic world. The
sect called "Kharijis" that emerged among Bedouins was an
example. The most distinctive trait of this perverse sect (which was
called "Kharijis" the rebels because they greatly deviated from
Sunni practises), was their extremely vulgar, wild and fanatical
nature. The "Kharijis", who had no comprehension whatsoever of
the essence of Islam or of the virtues and the values of the Qur'an,
waged war against all other Muslims and based this war on a few
Qur'anic verses about which they made distorted interpretations.
Furthermore, they carried out "acts of terrorism". Caliph Ali, who
was one of the closest companions of the Prophet and was described
by him as the "gate of the city of knowledge", was assassinated by a
Kharijite.
It is a fact that, for the last few centuries, Muslims in all corners of
the Islamic world are being subjected to violence by Western forces
and their affiliates. The colonialist European states, local oppressive
regimes or colonialists backed by the West (Israel, for instance)
caused great suffering for Muslims at large. However, for Muslims,
this is a situation that has to be approached and responded to from a
purely Qur'anic stance.
A good action and a bad action are not the same. Repel the bad with
something better and, if there is enmity between you and someone
else, he will be like a bosom friend. (Surat al-Fussilat: 34)
Introducing Islam Part I & II 452
It is no doubt a legitimate right of Muslims to react against cruelty.
However, these reactions should never turn into a blind hatred, an
unjust enmity. God warns about this in the following verse: "... Do
not let hatred for a people who debar you from the Masjid al-Haram
incite you into going beyond the limits. Help each other to goodness
and heedfulness. Do not help each other to wrongdoing and enmity.
Heed God Allah (alone)..." (Surat al-Ma'ida: 2)
Another point that deserves a special mention here is that the entire
Western world cannot be held responsible for the aforementioned
colonialist (or "neo-colonialist) violence and oppression against
Muslims. Actually, the materialist, irreligious philosophies and
ideologies that prevailed in the 19th century are responsible for these
dismal acts. European colonialism did not originate from
Christianity. On the contrary, anti-religious movements opposing
the values of Christianity led the way to colonialism. At the roots of
the greatest brutalities of the 19th century lies the Social Darwinist
ideology.
In the Western world today, there are still cruel, mischievous and
opposing elements as well as a culture dominated by peaceful and
just elements that have its roots in Judeo-Christian faith. As a matter
of fact, the main disagreement is not between the West and Islam.
Contrary to the general opinion, it is between the religious people of
the West and of the Muslim world on the one hand, and the people
opposing religion (like materialists and atheists.) on the other.
Conclusion:
Recommendations to the Western World
Today, the Western world is concerned about the organizations that
use terror under the guise of Islam and this concern is not
misplaced. It is obvious that those carrying out terror and their
supporters should be punished according to international judicial
criteria. However, a more important point to consider is the long-
term strategies that have to be pursued for viable solutions to these
problems.
The assessments above reveal that terror has no place in Islam. They
further show the inherently contradictory nature of the concept of
"Islamic terror". This provides us with an important vantage point:
1) The Western world, especially the United States, will surely
take the most dissuasive measures to cope with terror and it has
the right to do that. However, it has to state explicitly that this is
not a war waged against Islam and Muslims but, on the
contrary, a measure serving the best interests of Islam. The
"Clash of civilizations", the dangerous scenario envisioned in
the 90's should be at all costs prevented.
2) Support should be provided for the spread of "True Islam",
which is a religion of love, friendship, peace and brotherhood
and for its true understanding by Islamic societies. The solution
Introducing Islam Part I & II 454
for radical factions in Islamic countries should not be "forced
secularization". On the contrary, such a policy will incite more
reaction from the masses and feed radicalism. The solution is
the dissemination of true Islam and the appearance of a Muslim
role-model who embraces Qur'anic values such as human rights,
democracy, freedom, good morals, science and aesthetics, and
who offers happiness and bliss to humanity.
3) The source of terrorism is ignorance and bigotry and the
solution is education. To the circles who feel sympathy with
terror, it should be said that terror is utterly against Islam that
terror only does harm to Islam, Muslims and to humanity at
large. Besides, these people have to be provided with education
in order to be purified of this barbarism. The United States'
support to such an education policy will yield very positive
results.
Our hope is that these measures will help to the world get rid of
terrorism and all other bigoted, brutal, barbarous structures. With its
Christian-dominated culture and population, the United States,
which defines itself as "a nation under God", is in fact a real friend
of the Muslims. In the Qur'an, God draws attention to this fact and
informs us that Christians are those who are "most affectionate to
those who believe". (Surat al-Ma'ida: 82)
59.00.00: RESPONSIBILITY
59.01.00: Original Sin and Personal Responsibility
Muslims do not believe in the concept of Original Sin. They do not
believe that the entire humanity is responsible for the sin committed
by Adam and Eve when they disobeyed God, and ate fruit from the
forbidden tree. Muslims believe that when God admonished Adam
and Eve for what they had done, both of them repented, and God
forgave them. Then God sent Adam and Eve to earth, not as
punishment, but for them to propagate and inhabit here. This was
God’s plan.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 455
Someone asked Prophet Muhammad, “O Messenger of God, ‘Tell
me some thing about Islam which I will not ask anyone else after
you.” The Prophet replied, “Say, God is my sustainer, and then be
steadfast. Follow the right path of faith strictly, and be steadfast, and
keep in mind that no person can achieve salvation through his good
deeds.” At this point, another person asked, “not even you, O
Messenger of God?” The Prophet replied, “Not even me, except, on
whom God bestows His Mercy and Grace.”
Prophet Muhammad said: “On the Day of Judgment, God will speak
with everyone amongst you without an interpreter. Man would look
to his right, and would find nothing but his deeds, which he had
done before, and he would look to his left, and would find nothing
but the deeds, which he had done before. He would look in front of
him and would find nothing, but the fire just before his face. So
protect yourselves from fire even if with half a date (fruit) given as
charity, or even by saying a good word.”
Verse 187 of the 2nd Chapter of the Qur’an, refers to a wife as the
man’s garment, and to the husband as the wife’s garment. Prophet
Muhammad said, “The best among you is the one that treats his wife
in the best manner.”
The questioner asked the same question one more time, to which the
Prophet replied, “Your father.”
Prophet Muhammad said, “The best gift a father can give to a child
is the best education.” The Prophet also said that if someone has
three daughters and raises them with kindness, and gives them good
education, then he (the Prophet) would guaranty that the parents
would go to paradise. Hearing this, one of the Muslims asked:
“What if someone has only two daughters?” The Prophet replied,
“He too.” Then another person asked: “What if someone has only
one daughter?” The Prophet replied again, “He too.”
The Prophet also said that the Arch Angel Gabriel reminded him so
many times about the rights of neighbors that he thought, may be
the neighbors would become participants in the heritance as well.”
He also said, “The best among you is the one who gives the
maximum benefits to others.”
‘O son of Adam, I was sick but you did not visit me.’ The person
will say: ‘O my Lord, how could I visit thee when Thou art the Lord
of the worlds?’ Thereupon God will say: ‘Didn’t you know that a
servant of mine was sick but you did not visit him, and were you not
aware that if you had visited him, you would have found me by
him?’
God will then say, ‘O son of Adam, I asked you for food but you did
not feed me.’ The person will say: ‘My Lord, how could I feed Thee
when Thou art the Lord of the Worlds?’ God will say: ‘Didn’t you
know that a servant of Mine asked you for food but you did not feed
him, and were you not aware that if you had fed him you would
have found me by his side?’
[www.understandingislam.org]
Introducing Islam Part I & II 459
During the dark ages, Cordoba in Spain was the most sophisticated
metropolis in Europe. It had roads, lights, libraries, hospitals,
palaces, running water, and people lived in big houses. The Great
Mosque of Cordoba is now the famous Roman Catholic Cathedral.
What is now its steeple was once a minaret. A Christian nun in the
10th century called this mosque the “Ornament of The World”. Al-
Hambra is the best remaining example of what a Muslim palace
looked like. In the 10th century, here the Muslim elite enjoyed the
good life, while Europeans struggled thru the “Dark Ages”.
[www.understandingislam.org]
It is our hope and prayer that God Almighty will guide us all to the
right path, and help us become better human beings. Amen.
“Our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the hereafter,
and save us from the torment of the (Hell) fire.” (The Qur’an,
2:201)
The Prophet also said: “When two Muslims fight each other with
swords, the killed and the killer both are doomed to hell.” Then the
Prophet was asked, O’ Messenger of God, as to the one who kills, it
is understandable, but what about the “killed”? The Prophet replied,
“The other longed to murder his opponent.”
“Then shall anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good, see it.”
(Chapter 99, Verse 7).
“If anyone does a righteous deed, it inures to the benefit of his own
soul; if he does evil, it works against his own soul. In the end will ye
all be brought back to your Lord.”
The Prophet also said: “Three things follow a dead body: The
members of his family, his possessions, and his deeds. Two of them
return back and only one accompanies him. The people and his
wealth return back, but his deeds remain with him.”
[www.understandingislam.org]
64.00.00: Knowledge
Islam places great emphasis on learning and knowledge.
Chapter 20 Verse 114 of The Holy Qur’an reminds us that God is
above every human event or desire. His purpose is universal, but He
is the Truth, the absolute Truth: and His kingdom is the true
kingdom that can carry out His Will that truth unfolds itself
gradually, as it did in the gradual revelation of one Qur’an to
Prophet Muhammad. But even after it was completed in a volume,
its true meaning and purpose only gradually unfold themselves to
any given individual or nation. No one should be impatient about it.
On the contrary, one should always pray for an increase in one’s
knowledge, which can never at any given moment be complete.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 465
In Chapter 58, Verse 11 of the Qur’an, God Almighty says that faith
makes all people equal in His Kingdom, as regards the essentials of
citizenship in the Kingdom. But then are leadership, and rank, and
degree, joined with greater or lesser responsibility, and that depends
on true knowledge and insight.
The Prophet also said: “Learn from cradle to grave”, and travel to
China if you have to for the sake of knowledge.”
[www.understandingislam.org]
"Our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the hereafter".
(Holy Qu'ran )
66.00.00: Patience
Several verses of the Qur’an, talk about patience. Let us share the
translation of a few:
O’you who believe, be patient, and out do all others in endurance”
(Chapter 2, Verse 200).
Be sure, We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some
loss in goods or lives or the fruits of your labor, but give glad
tidings to those who patiently persevere – who say when afflicted
with calamity: To God we belong, and to Him is our return. They
are those on whom descend blessings from their Lord, and mercy,
and they are the ones that receive guidance” (Chapter 2, Verse 155
thru 157).
“We will surely test you until we know the valiant and the steadfast
among you” (Chapter 47 Verse 31).
God Almighty has said: “I have no reward other than paradise for a
believing servant of mine who remains patient when I take away his
loved one from among the denizens of the world.”
67.00.00: Manners:
67.01.00: Anger and Good Manners
Someone asked Prophet Mohammad for a simple advice that he
could follow. His answer was, “Do not get angry.”
The Prophet also said: “The strongest among you is not the one with
most power or the one in authority or the one with the most money.
It is the one who can control his anger.”
The Qur’an specifically declares that the souls of men and women
are equal, and that obligations and rewards are equally bestowed
upon both. In Verse 124 Chapter 4 of The Holy Qur’an, God
Almighty says:
“If any do deeds of righteousness – Be they male or female – and
have faith, they will enter Heaven, and not the least injustice will be
done to them.”
Although, men and women are equal in the eyes of God, Islam
acknowledges that they are physically, biologically, and emotionally
different. It is for this reason that some lifestyle details are different.
A woman is made to be a mate or companion for man, and is not to
be considered a source of all evil, but a blessing from God.
Islamic law gives women the right to choose their husbands and to
initiate a divorce. Muslim women have always had the right to vote,
a right achieved by the women in the West only recently.
In the case of animal life, it is only for food, clothing or any other
valid reason which the Shariah recognizes that one may take the life
of the animal away. Another example is when a dangerous animal is
Introducing Islam Part I & II 470
in sight and may attack, then in order to defend, it becomes
necessary to take the life of that animal. However, the conditions of
taking the life of animals are as follows:
a) It should be done as quick as possible with the least suffering to
the animal
b) The Name of God Almighty should be said - seeking permission
from the giver of that life to take it away. What gives us the right to
take away any life that God has given?
In the case of animals being killed for food there are a few more
conditions
c) The maximum blood must be drained from the animal.
d) A knife or very sharp object must be used and the killing should
be done from the throat.
It has been proven that the animal dies without suffering at all if it is
killed from the throat and all major veins are quickly cut. This is
because the message from the point of bleeding (the throat)
informing the brain that "you are hurt" does not get to the brain at
all because it is already cut off. The animal numbs and dies without
feeling. This is known as Halaal. If an animal is not Halaal,
Muslims consider it condemned because it has literally been
"stolen" from the property of God Almighty without seeking His
permission or without following the manner taught by Him which is
th quickest manner. International Standards of W.H.O. have agreed
that Halaal manner of slaughter is the most hygienic in that all the
blood is drained so any disease is eradicated with the eradication of
the blood, and has least suffering for the animal.
Some animals have been prohibited and deemed totally unfit for
human consumption either because they are poisonous or they cause
sickness and disease or they weaken the brain etc. Examples are
pigs, dogs, monkeys, lions etc.
Also under the protection of life, we find the Shariah has prohibited
backbiting, arguing, causing conflict, not sorting out
misunderstandings etc because all these may lead to death if out of
proportion.
Drinking is prohibited under this Law and so are drugs and other
intoxicants. Intentionally causing mental stress or tensions to a
person is forbidden.
If we take a close look at the qualities of the sun, we will find that
they are surely the qualities that are expected from the father of the
home. The sun is strong; it shines so bright one cannot look at it
directly. The sun provides a sense of protection as well as
sustenance in that people work during the day. The sun brings
warmth and it is only through the brightness of the sun that the
Introducing Islam Part I & II 473
moon shines and the stars twinkle. These are some of the qualities
of the father in the home.
The stars have the qualities that we need in our children. They
twinkle with the moon and yet they appear not to be around when
the sun is out. They are definitely there, but the brightness of the sun
makes them fall under him. The hold of the father and his careful
nurturing of his children is vital. If respect for the father is lost, we
have driven into a road that will lead to everything being lost.
Now, take a look at the sun and moon. When the sun wants to do
what the moon is doing and when the moon wants to do what the
sun is doing and they both want to appear in each others places,
what do we have? An eclipse! Where both the sun and the moon
become insignificant and disappear. The stars are no where to be
spotted. There is turmoil and disaster.
Similarly, when the mother wants to play the role of the father and
the father wants to play the roles of the mother in the home, there is
a "social eclipse" where the family unit is disintegrated. Both
become insignificant and lose their status. The children lose the
most since they will have no guidance whatsoever. There will be no
love and peace in the home. The home will be lacking goodness and
purity, safety and happiness. This is why it is important to
understand that God Almighty has created each person with a
specific role to play. We should all fulfill our correct roles and
please God. It is only through such means that we will achieve
happiness.
Under this law, Muslims must fulfill all their obligations and stay
away from all prohibitions. Similarly, all religions must be tolerated
(freedom of religion and belief) so long as they tolerate us.
Interference in Islam will not be tolerated, just as other religions
would not tolerate interference in theirs.
Spiritual Life: Prayer, fasting charity, pilgrimage, love for God and
His Messenger, love for truth and humanity, hope and trust in God
and doing well for the Sake of God.
72.00.00: Significance Of
Physical Postures in Prayer
It is pity that so much effort is being wasted in transcendental
meditation (TM) to revive human consciousness (the soul) to the
supreme Reality of the Universe. A cursory study of history shows
that this technique was never really effective even in the old days
and was only confined to a few hermits and Rishis. It was an
intellectual exercise of the mind which was practiced by a very few
individuals of very high caliber to quench their thirst for the Divine
Union and was practically beyond the comprehension of the
common man in the street. It is a mental exercise which quietness
the mind so long as the person is in that state of meditation but has
no permanent effect which can give an individual peace of mind in a
practical way.
Now the question arises: do we need such mental exercises for fun,
or momentary excitement and comfort, or something which may
provide a real solution to our problems? Obviously mankind is in
need of something positive, practical and realistic that may help to
secure peace, and happiness at individual as well as at national
level. People have lost peace of mind through over-indulgence in
pleasures and neglect of their celestial and spiritual needs.
Obligatory duty:
Prayer is an obligatory duty and mere performance of it will no
doubt absolve a believer of his duty to God, but if he wants to
nourish and develop his self and soul, he must perform it in the way
it was performed by the Messenger of God himself. The Holy
Prophet laid great emphasis on the right performance of every act of
prayer.
Ruku must be moderate, neither too low nor too high but in line
with the body as taught by the Holy prophet. There must be a
reasonable gap between ruku and sajdah and between the two
sajdahs, as advised by the Holy Prophet.
There are details of qiy'am, ruku and sajdah in the hadith to help
the believers to offer their prayer perfectly.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 485
According to A'isha, "God's Messenger used to begin prayer with
takbir and the recitation of Surah Fatiha when he bowed, he neither
kept his head up nor bent it down, but kept it between these
extremes; when he raised his head after bowing he did not prostrate
himself until he had stood erect; when he raised his head after
prostration he did not prostrate himself again until he was in the
proper sitting position."
Some have spent all their lives with very little food and water in the
jungles and in the valleys of mountains in the hope of rekindling
and rejuvenating the dying light in their souls but with no, or Only
partial success.
This process of the total submission of the body and the mind before
the Ultimate Authority is explained in the words of the Holy Qur
'an: "When you threw (a handful of dust), it was not your act, but
God's."(8:17). The action of the Holy Prophet in throwing stones at
his enemies was entirely in obedience to the Command of God and
there was no personal motive or any realization of his own physical
self. In fact every action of the faithful servants of God, performed
in obedience to His Command, can be ascribed to God Himself.
Islam has given man a very short but effective recipe in the form of
prayer to achieve the required harmony between the triangular
Introducing Islam Part I & II 489
forces within him. Just study the form and the words of the prayer
and how it is performed, and you will notice the wonderful
combination it provides for body, mind and soul which no other
religion or system has yet suggested. This process of the activation
of spiritual or super-sensory powers in man can also be explained in
this way. Man is a psychosomatic organism- he has a body, which is
the external part of him and a mind, which is the internal part of him
His body is composed of matter which, in the ultimate physical
analysis, consists of atoms. His mind represents the entire world of
ideas, beliefs, hopes, fears and aspirations. All these belong to the
world of consciousness, i.e. the inner side of man. This
consciousness (mind) of man plays a vital role in relating the soul of
man to his environment. In other words, it is a vital factor in relating
spirit to matter.
There are thus two worlds in man: the physical, represented by body
and, the spiritual, represented by mind. The latter belongs to the
invisible world which exists side by side with the visible world
disclosed by sense perception. The latter is dimensional while the
former is extra-dimensional. Internally man belongs to the invisible
world, that is to say, his soul or spirit belongs to that world,
externally he belongs to the visible world, that is to say, his body
belongs to that world, but through consciousness man is related to
both the Worlds. If a man looks within his self he moves towards
higher levels of consciousness and a deeper understanding of
spiritual values. If, on the other hand, he devotes himself to the
external world of matter, he tends to move away from the higher
Spiritual values to the lower values of the visible world.
Regular prayer:
Regular prayer helps to attain the right equilibrium between the
spiritual and the material worlds of man. He lives in the world of
matter, works in it for his livelihood and satisfies all his material
Needs, but, at the same time, he keeps his link with the spiritual
world and further strengthens it. Prayer enables him to develop and
widen his perception of the extra dimensional spiritual world to
such an extent that he is able to perceive and understand the things
of a higher level of consciousness which he could hardly visualize
before.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 490
Establishment of prayer:
Establishment of prayer will strengthen the extra dimensional
powers of man to such a degree that he will be able to establish
close relationship with the Ultimate Power.
While discussing the real object of prayer, Dr, Iqbal says," prayer,
then, whether individual or associative, is an expression of man's
inner yearning for a response in the awful silence of the universe.
All in all, for him who sincerely wants to purify his soul from the
attributes of the hypocrites, let him steer clear of laziness, be active,
put into practice the action inspiring instructions laid out in our
religion, accustom himself to take the initiative and realize what he
and everybody in his position are missing in terms of the health of
the body and great reward from Allah. Only then will his
performance improve, Allah willing, and he will make up for what
he has missed and follow the lead of the best of generations.
Allah, the Most High and Exalted, is the Provider of success and
assistance. Peace and Blessings be upon Prophet Muhammed, his
household and followers. [Signed: Abdullah Ibn Abdur-Rahmaan
al-Jibreen]
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The Text
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Most surely all praise belongs to Allah, we praise Him and we seek
His Aid and Forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evils of
our souls and from the evils of our actions. Whomsoever Allah
guides there is none to misguide and whomsoever He misguides
there is none to guide. I send prayers and blessing upon our leader
Muhammed with the best of prayers and the most complete
submission.
It may be the case that this is due to their wasting away long hours
at night engaged in idle and leisure pursuits. Our ancestors not very
long ago used to make a point of going to bed early, to lock their
Introducing Islam Part I & II 497
doors after Ishaa prayer and to make their dinner light so as to be
able to wake up for Fajr prayer in an energetic state. That is why
they led a happy, peaceful and healthy life experiencing the real
taste of life.
THREE: To fill one's heart with faith and good deeds. Once faith is
alive in the heart, it induces the person to do good deeds and strive
unremittingly hard. Faith is like a tree which only yields good fruit
when irrigated from the streamlets of good deeds, thus bringing
about an improvement both in personal conduct and at the
international level with society at large.
FIVE: To bear in mind the great reward for attending Fajr prayer in
congregation on time, and the strong rebuke for him to fails to
observe it and to satisfy its conditions.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 499
SIX: To realise the bad effects resulting from one's failure to pray
Fajr, such as the melancholic and depressive state of mind and the
loss of many religious and worldly benefits, and the good effects
resulting from managing to perform it. In this respect the Prophet
(sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam) said:
"Shaytaan ties three knots on the crown of any one of you in your
sleep. He says upon each knot that he ties: "You have a long night
before you, therefore sleep". But if you wake up and mention Allah,
Most Exalted in remembrance one knot will be untied. If you then
make ablution another knot will be undone. If you then proceed to
pray the last knot will be disentangled. Thus, you will feel in the
morning energetic and in good spirits. Otherwise you will feel in a
despicable state, lazy". [Narrated by Maalik, Bukhaaree, Muslim
and Abu Dawood]
Introducing Islam Part I & II 500
There are many benefits to the health derived from waking up for
Fajr prayer. For instance, the highest proportion of ozone gas (O3)
in the atmosphere is registered at dawn. It then gradually fades away
until complete disappearance by sunrise. This gas has a very
beneficial effect on the nervous system as it vivifies the brain and
energizes the muscles such that when a person inhales the beautiful
breeze of the dawn, known as the SABAA wind, he will experience
a pleasure that is unparalleled at any other time of the day or night
(4).
"Indeed, the most difficult of prayers to bear, for the hypocrites, are
Ishaa [night] and Fajr prayers. If only they knew what they are
missing, they would sooner come, even if crawling on their knees".
These are a few suggestions to help you wake up for Fajr prayer.
May Allah make them useful. Glory be to Allah, Most Exalted over
any false attributions and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of all Beings.
"Verily, the prayer keeps one from the great sins and evil deeds"
(Al-Ankaboot 45).
Compare this to those that came before us: People used to think that
ar-Rabee' bin Khaitham, due to his constant lowering of his gaze
and keeping his head low (in Salah), was blind. He used to live
behind the house of Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood for twenty years and
when his servant girl used to see him she would say: Your blind
friend is coming, and Abdullaah used to laugh at her speech.
Let’s go back and do our Salah again. This is our topic for today.
· Why do we come to the Masjid, why do we perform Salah? We do
it in application of the command of our Creater Subhaanahu wa
Ta’aala. Why should we then lose the blessing and reward because
of a wandering heart and an itchy hand? Concentration is the soul
of our Salah. Concentration is the fruit of our Eeman. Yet
regardless of this understanding, people still leave their Salah and
only a small portion of it is written for them because of their
imperfection of it.
Uthman ibn Abi Dahshah said, “I have never prayed a Salah that I
have not asked Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala to forgive for my
shortcomings in that Salah.”
Someone who short changes his Salah is a thief. The Prophet(Sal
Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam) said: “The evilest thief is he who steals
from his Salah.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how does he
steal from his Salah?” He - Sal Allaahu alayhi wa Sallam - said,
“He does not perfect it’s ruku’ and Sujood.” – Authentic
6. Do not speed up your Salah. Take your time and do not allow
your Salah to become the most invaluable action of your day.
Ibn Wahb said, “I saw Ath-Thowree at the Ka’bah. After
Maghrib, he got up to pray and then prostrated. He did not
come out of that prostration until the Adhan for Isha’ was
given.”
75.00.00
Islam is your Birthright
The Choice Is Yours To Make!!!
There are five acts of worship that are so fundamental that the
Prophet grouped them together as the five pillars of Islam. Every
Muslim is expected to fulfill these obligations. They are:
Prayers:
A Muslim must perform the five daily prayers. These must be
performed at specific times, corresponding roughly with dawn,
noon, afternoon, sunset, and nightfall. The prayers can be made in
any clean place, but it is preferable to pray them with others in a
mosque, for these communal undertaking acts as a reminder that all
Muslims are equal. When many people are praying together, it
becomes clear that color, economic status, social position, and all
other artificial distinctions have no importance to Allah, for all
Muslims are commanded to stand together, shoulder to shoulder,
and prostrate themselves before Him. There are no exceptions.
Prayers also elevated the individual to a higher level of morality,
purify his heart, and help him to resist his desire to engage in
forbidden activities.
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Fasting The Month Of Ramadan:
Every year during the Muslim month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain
from food, drink, and sexual activity from dawn to sunset. While
this gives the body a much needed rest and improves ones health by
getting rid of excess weight, it also increases ones commitment to
Allah, develops his social conscience, and reminds him of how the
less fortunate live every day In addition, it strengthens one's
patience, self-restraint, will power, and sincerity.
CHARITY (Zakat):
Every Muslim whose net annual savings are above a certain
specified minimum must pay an annual amount of 2.5% to the poor
and needy This action purifies one's accrued wealth, fosters the
quality of sacrifice, and rids him of selfishness and greed. It also
helps to reduce resentment and envy between a society's poor and
rich classes.
Cleanliness
Islam places great emphasis on cleanliness, in both its physical and
spiritual aspects. On the physical side, Islam requires the Muslim to
clean his body, his clothes, his house, and the whole community,
and he is rewarded by God for doing so. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
said, for example:
"Removing any harm from the road is charity (that will be rewarded
by Allah)." [Bukhari]
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While people generally consider cleanliness a desirable attribute,
Islam insists on it , making it an indispensable fundamental of the
faith. A Muslim is required to to be pure morally and spiritually as
well as physically. Through the Qur'an and Sunnah Islam requires
the sincere believer to sanitize and purify his entire way of life.
Moral hygiene was not ignored, either, for the Prophet (pbuh)
encouraged the Muslims to make a special prayer upon seeing
themselves in the mirror:
"Allah, You have endowed me with a good form; likewise bless me
with an immaculate character and forbid my face from touching the
Hellfire." [Ahmad]
And modesty in dress, for men as well as for women, assists one in
maintaining purity of thought. Being charitable is a way of purifying
one's wealth. A Muslim who does not give charity (Sadaqah) and
pay the required annual Zakah, the 2.5% alms-tax, has in effect
contaminated his wealth by hoarding that which rightfully belongs
to others:
"Of their wealth take alms so that you may purify and sanctify
them." [9: 103]
All the laws and injunctions given by Allah and His Prophet (pbuh)
are pure; on the other hand, man-made laws suffer from the
impurities of human bias and other imperfections. Thus any formal
law can only be truly just when it is purified by divine guidance - as
elucidated by the Qur'an and the Sunnah - or if it is divinely
ordained to begin with - the Shari'ah.
"The heavens and the earth were ordered rightly, and were made
subservient to man, including the sun, the moon, the stars, and day
and night. Every heavenly body moves in an orbit assigned to it by
God and never digresses, making the universe an orderly cosmos
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whose life and existence, diminution and expansion, are totally
determined by the Creator." [Qur'an 30:22]
The Muslims invented the symbol for zero (The word "cipher"
comes from Arabic sifr), and they organized the numbers into the
decimal system - base 10. Additionally, they invented the symbol to
express an unknown quantity, i.e. variables like x.
Since the religion did not forbid it, Muslim scholars used human
cadavers to study anatomy and physiology and to help their students
understand how the body functions. This empirical study enabled
surgery to develop very quickly.
Ibn Sina (d. 1037), better known to the West as Avicenna, was
perhaps the greatest physician until the modern era. His famous
book, Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb, remained a standard textbook even in
Europe, for over 700 years. Ibn Sina's work is still studied and built
upon in the East.
Human Rights
Islam has been from its inception very concerned with issues of
human rights. Privacy, freedom, dignity and equality are guaranteed
in Islam. The holy Qur'an states clearly:
"There is no compulsion in religion."
And there are no reliable reports to confirm the old accusations that
when the Muslim armies were expanding into Asia, Africa and
Europe the people were put to the sword if they failed to convert to
Islam. The best proof is that not only did the Christians, Jews,
Zoroastrians and Hindus in those areas not perish or otherwise
disappear, they actually flourished as protected minority
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communities, and many individuals rose to prominent positions in
the arts, sciences, even in government.
The lives, property and privacy of all citizens in an Islamic state are
considered sacred, whether or not the person is Muslim. Non-
Muslims have freedom of worship and the practice of their
religions, including their own family law and religious courts. They
are obliged to pay a different tax (Jizyah) instead of the Zakah, and
the state is obligated to provide both protection and government
services. Before the modern era it was extremely rare to find a state
or government anywhere in the world that was as solicitous of its
minorities and their civil rights as the Islamic states.
Jesus
Islam honors all the prophets who were sent to mankind. Muslims
respect all prophets in general, but Jesus in particular, because he
was one of the prophets who foretold the coming of Muhammad.
Muslims, too, await the second coming of Jesus. They consider him
one of the greatest of Allah's prophets to mankind. A Muslim does
not refer to him simply as "Jesus," but normally adds the phrase
"peace be upon him" as a sign of respect.
"Behold!' the Angel said, God has chosen you, and purified you, and
chosen you above the women of all nations. Mary, God gives you
good news of a word from Him, whose name shall be the Messiah,
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Jesus son of Mary, honored in this world and in the Hereafter, and
one of those brought near to God. He shall speak to the people from
his cradle and in maturity, and he shall be of the righteous. She said:
"My Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?'
He said: "Even so; God creates what He will. When He decrees a
thing, He says to it, 'Be!' and it is." [3:42-47]
Muslims believe that Jesus was born immaculately, and through the
same power which had brought Eve to life and Adam into being
without a father or a mother.
Knowledge
Islam urges people to read and learn on every occasion. The verses
of the Qur'an command, advice, warn, and encourage people to
observe the phenomena of nature, the succession of day and night,
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the movements of stars, the sun, moon, and other heavenly bodies.
Muslims are urged to look into everything in the universe, to travel,
investigate, explore and understand them, the better to appreciate
and be thankful for all the wonders and beauty of God's creations.
The first revelation to Muhammad showed how much Islam cares
about knowledge.
"Read, in the name of your Lord, Who created..." [96:1]
Learning is obligatory for both men and women. Moreover,
education is not restricted to religious issues; it includes all fields of
knowledge, including biology, physics, and technology. Scholars
have the highest status in Islam, second only to that accorded to
prophets.
Main Pillars
Shahadah
The first pillar of Islam is that a Muslim believes and declares his
faith by saying the Shahadah (lit. 'witness'), also known as the
Kalimah:
This declaration contains two parts. The first part refers to God
Almighty, the Creator of everything, the Lord of the Worlds; the
second part refers to the Messenger, Muhammad (pbuh) a prophet
and a human being, who received the revelation through the
Archangel Gabriel, and taught it to mankind.
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Salah (Prayer)
Prayer (Salah), in the sense of worship, is the second pillar of Islam.
Prayer is obligatory and must be performed five times a day. These
five times are dawn (Fajr), immediately after noon (Dhuhr), mid-
afternoon ('Asr), sunset (Maghrib), and early night (Isha'). Ritual
cleanliness and ablution are required before prayer, as are clean
clothes and location, and the removal of shoes. One may pray
individually or communally, at home, outside, virtually any clean
place, as well as in a mosque, though the latter is preferred. Special
is the Friday noon prayer, called Jum'ah. It, too, is obligatory and is
Introducing Islam Part I & II 527
to be done in a mosque, in congregation. It is accompanied by a
sermon (Khutbah), and it replaces the normal Dhuhr prayer.
Sawm (Fasting)
The fourth pillar of Islam is fasting. Allah prescribes daily fasting
for all able, adult Muslims during the whole of the month of
Ramadan, the ninth month of the lunar calendar, beginning with the
sighting of the new moon. Exempted from the fast are the very old
and the insane. On the physical side, fasting is from first light of
dawn until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual
relations. On the moral, behavioral side, one must abstain from
lying, malicious gossip, quarreling and trivial nonsense.
Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are
menstruating, pregnant, or nursing are permitted to break the fast,
but must make up an equal number of days later in the year. If
physically unable to do so, they must feed a needy person for each
day missed. Children begin to fast (and to observe the prayers) from
puberty, although many start earlier.
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Although fasting is beneficial to the health, it is regarded principally
as a method of self-purification. By cutting oneself off from worldly
pleasures and comforts, even for a short time, the fasting person
gains true sympathy for those who go hungry regularly, and achieve
growth in his spiritual life, learning discipline, self-restraint,
patience and flexibility.
During the last ten days - though the exact day is never known and
may not even be the same every year - occurs the Night of Power
(Laylat-ul-Qadr). To spend that night in worship is equivalent to a
thousand months of worship, i.e. Allah's reward for it is very great.
On the first day of the following month, after another new moon has
been sighted, a special celebration is made, called E'id-ul-Fitr. A
quantity of staple food is donated to the poor (Zakat al-Fitr),
everyone has bathed and put on their best, preferably new, clothes,
and communal prayers are held in the early morning, followed by
feasting and visiting relatives and friends.
There are other fast days throughout the year. Muslims are
encouraged to fast six days in Shawwal, the month following
Ramadan, Mondays and Thursdays, and the ninth and tenth, or tenth
and eleventh of Muharram, the first month of the year. The tenth
day, called Ashurah, is also a fast day for the Jews (Yom Kippur),
and Allah commanded the Muslims to fast two days to distinguish
themselves from the People of the Book.
For most purposes this involves the payment each year of 2.5% of
one's capital, provided that this capital reaches a certain minimum
amount that which is not consumed by its owner. A generous person
can pay more than this amount, though it is treated and rewarded as
voluntary charity (Sadaqah). This amount of money is provided to
bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, and can be used in
many useful projects for the welfare of the community.
Hajj
The fifth pillar of Islam is to make a pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah,
in Saudi Arabia, at least once in one's lifetime. This pillar is
obligatory for every Muslim, male or female, provided that he/she is
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physically and financially able to do so. Prerequisites for
performing the Hajj are to be a Muslim, to be free, to be an adult or
mature enough, to be of sound mind, and to have the ability to
afford the journey and maintain one's dependents back home for the
duration. The reward for the Hajj is nothing less than Paradise.
It was this reality that he gradually and steadily came to learn and
believe, until he fully realized that it is the truth.
After several years and some significant battles, the Prophet and his
followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave their
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enemies and established Islam definitively. By the time the Prophet
died, at the age of 63, the greater part of Arabia had accepted Islam,
and within a century of his death, Islam had spread as far west as
Spain and as far east as China. It was clear that the message was not
limited to Arabs; it was for the whole of humanity.
"Those who do not show tenderness and love cannot expect to have
tenderness shown to them."
[Bukhari]
"Adore Allah (God) as though you see Him; even if you do not see
Him, He nonetheless sees you." {Bukhari, Muslim]
Women
At a time when the rest of the world, from Greece and Rome to
India and China, considered women as no better than children or
even slaves, with no rights whatsoever, Islam acknowledged
women's equality with men in a great many respects. The Qur'an
states:
"And among His signs is this: that He created mates for you form
yourselves that you may find rest, peace of mind in them, and He
ordained between you love and mercy. Lo, herein indeed are signs
for people who reflect." [30:21]
Muslims believe that Adam and Eve were created from the same
soul. Both were equally guilty of their sin and fall from grace, and
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both were forgiven by Allah. Many women in Islam have had high
status; consider the fact that the first person to convert to Islam was
Khadijah, the wife of Muhammad, whom he both loved and
respected. His favorite wife after Khadijah's death, Aeisha, became
renowned as a scholar and one of the greatest sources of Hadith
literature. Many of the female Companions accomplished great
deeds and achieved fame, and throughout Islamic history there have
been famous and influential scholars, jurists and mystics.
With regard to education, both women and men have the same
rights and obligations. This is clear in Prophet Muhammad's saying:
"Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every believer." [Ibn Majah]
A Muslim woman also has obligations. All the laws and regulations
pertaining to prayer, fasting, charity, pilgrimage, doing good deeds,
etc., apply to women, albeit with minor differences having mainly to
do with female physiology.
Despite the fact that in many places and times Muslim communities
have not always adhered to all or even many of the foregoing in
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practice, the ideal has been there for 1400 years, while virtually all
other major civilizations did not begin to address these issues or
change their negative attitudes until the 19th and 20th centuries, and
there are still many contemporary civilizations which have yet to do
so.
Other Religions
Islam is the religion of all prophets. Muslims believe that all the
prophets were sent to their respective peoples from God (Allah).
They all had the same mission and message - guiding people to the
right path.
Christians and Jews hold a special place in Islam. They are called
the People of the Book (Ahl al-Kitab), since the original Torah and
Gospel were also divinely revealed and they shared in the prophetic
tradition. Islamic states have nearly always shown their religious
minorities tolerance and respect and those communities flourished
under Islamic rule. God says:
"[T]hose who believe (in the message of Islam), and the Jews, the
Sabaeans, and the Christians - all those who believe in Allah and the
Last Day, and act righteously - no fear shall come upon them..."
[5:69]
The Jews, from the very beginning in Medina, and later everywhere
else, were lifted from the burden of being clients of individual Arab
tribes to being citizens of the state, thus freeing them to focus on
their Jewish ness. When the Islamic state expanded outside Arabia
the Jews of other lands were treated for the first time as liberated
citizens. Judaism flourished as never before, with Jews even serving
in Muslim armies and administrations while their culture bloomed
in the arts, sciences, medicine and philosophy. This knowledge they
transmitted to their brethren in the hostile climate of Christian
Europe. Even Jewish mysticism originated under the influence of
Sufism and spread to northern Europe.
When Islam reached Persia the concept of People of the Book was
extended to the Zoroastrians as well. Later, when the Muslims
conquered parts of India and encountered Buddhists and Hindus,
who appeared to worship idols, the question was referred to the
ulema (council of scholars), who judged that even they could have
the same protected status as the Jews and Christians, so long as they
did not fight Islam and they paid the Jizyah tax.
Peace
"Peace" is the most common word on a Muslim's tongue. Whenever
two people meet, they exchange greetings, wishing each other
peace: "Peace be upon you." But peace cannot prevail except
through justice. Since the concept of justice may differ from one
man to another or from one society to another, Muslims believe that
real justice is that which is specified by Allah (God).
Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of the religion, or
by those who have been expelled forcibly from their homes. At the
same time, Islam requires one to treat one's enemy mercifully. It
lays down strict rules of combat which include prohibitions against
harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees, and livestock.
Islam also requires that if an enemy declares his desire to end
hostilities and seek peace, the Muslims must do the same.
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The concept of Jihad (struggling in the cause of Allah) is stated in
the Qur'an. Allah said:
"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not
transgress limits. God does not love transgressors." [2:19]
Relevance
Since Islam is the last religion revealed by Allah, it possesses some
elements that make it unique. One of these is its relevance for
human beings regardless of place and time.
To show how Islam cares for the environment, one can cite the
many laws that protect the environment. About fourteen hundred
years ago. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
"The world is green and beautiful, and Allah has appointed you as
His stewards over it. He sees how you acquit yourselves."
Sources
The ultimate manifestation of God's grace for man, the ultimate
wisdom, and the ultimate beauty of expression: in short, the word of
God.² This is how the German scholar, Muhammad Asad, once
described the Qur'an. If one were to ask any Muslim to depict it,
most likely they would offer similar words. The Qur'an, to the
Muslim, is the irrefutable, inimitable Word of God. It was revealed
by God Almighty, through the instrument of Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh). The Prophet (pbuh) himself had no role in authoring the
Qur'an, he was merely a human secretary, repeating the dictates of
the Divine Creator:
"He (Muhammad) does not speak of his own desire. It is no less
than an Inspiration sent down to him." [53:3-4]
The Qur'an was revealed in Arabic, to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh),
over a period of twenty-three years. It is composed in a style so
unique, that it cannot be deemed either poetry or prose, but
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somehow a mixture of both. The Qur'an is imitable; it cannot be
simulated or copied, and God Almighty challenges mankind to
pursue such an endeavor if he thinks he can:
"Or do they say he forged it? Say: Bring then a chapter likes unto it,
and calls (to your aid) anyone you can, beside God, if it be you
speak the truth." [10:38].
The Qur'an is a book which provides the human being the spiritual
and intellectual nourishment he/she craves. Its major themes include
the oneness of God, the purpose of human existence, faith and God-
consciousness, the Hereafter and its significance. The Qur'an also
lays a heavy emphasis upon reason and understanding. In these
spheres of human understanding, the Qur'an goes beyond just
satisfying the human intellect; it causes one to reflect on
implications. There are Qur'anic challenges and prophecies. One of
Introducing Islam Part I & II 539
the most exciting fields in recent years has been the discovery that,
of the significant amount of scientific information in the Qur'an,
including the event of the Big Bang, embryological data, and other
information concerning astronomy biology, etc., there is not a single
statement that has not been borne out by modern discoveries In
short, the Qur'an fulfills the heart, the soul, and the mind.
Perhaps the best description of the Qur'an was given by Ali, the
cousin of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) when he expounded upon it
as,
Sunnah
The term Sunnah comes from the root word Suannh, which means
to pave the way or make a path easily passable, such that it becomes
a commonly followed way by everyone afterwards. Thus Sunnah
can be used to describe a street or road or path on which people,
animals, and cars travel. Additionally, it can apply to a prophetic
way, i.e. the law that they brought and taught as an explanation or
further clarification of a divinely revealed book. Normally, the
prophetic way includes references to his sayings, actions, physical
features and character traits.
Each narration is composed of two parts: the isnad and the matn.
The isnad refers to a chain of people who narrated a particular
narration. The matn is the actual text of the narration. The isnad
must comprise upright and sincere individuals whose integrity is
unquestionable.
The Prophet (pbuh) also said: "Whoever believes in Allah and the
Last Day should say something good or keep quiet."
The above two accounts clearly show that the Prophet (pbuh) spoke
these words. Consequently, these are known as his speech.
"I saw a man, his face radiant with a bright glow, not too thin or too
fat, elegant and handsome. His eyes had a deep black hue with long
eyelashes. His voice was pleasant and his neck long. He had a thick
beard. His long black eyebrows were beautifully arched and
connected to each other. In silence, he remained dignified,
commanding utmost awe and respect. When he spoke, his speech
was brilliant. Of all people he was the most handsome and the most
pleasant, even when approaching from a distance. In person, he was
unique and most admirable. Graced with eloquent logic, his speech
was moderate. His logical arguments were well organized as though
they were a string of gems. He was not too tall or too short, but
exactly in between. Among three, he appeared the most radiant and
most vibrant. He had companions who affectionately honored him.
When he spoke, they listened to him attentively. When he gave
orders, they were quick to execute them. They rallied around him
guarding him. He never frowned or spoke frivolously." [Hakim]
Along with his physical features, his Companions also described his
habits and behavior with people. Once Anas reported:
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"I served the Prophet of Allah (pbuh) for ten years. Never once did
he so much as express any bit of displeasure nor did he ever ask
'Why did you do it?' for something I did or 'Why didn't you do it?'
for something I didn't do."
From the above we can clearly see that when the term sunnah
appears in a general context referring to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
it comprises anything narrated about the Prophet (pbuh) and
authentically traced to him. Once a Muslim learns of the
authenticity of any narration, he/she is obliged to follow and obey it
accordingly. Such obedience is mandated by Allah as He declares
"...and obey Allah and His Prophet and do not turn away when you
hear (him speak)." [8:20]
At times, some Muslims are perplexed when people say that sunnah
is something only recommended and is not mandatory. Thus they
conclude that we are only required to follow the Qur'an and not the
Sunnah. Such an argument results from a gross misunderstanding.
Scholars of Islamic jurisprudence use the term sunnah to denote
what is authentically established of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in
deeds which were not subsequently made mandatory by Allah.
From the above, we can clearly see that the term sunnah takes on
different meanings when used by different Islamic disciplines.
Tolerance
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Freedom of belief is guaranteed in Islam. It should be very clear that
Islam tolerates not only other faiths but even its enemies. This is
stated clearly in the Qur'an:
"God forbids you not with regard to those who fight you not for
(your) faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly
and justly with them, for God love those who are just." [60:8]
It is one function of Islamic law to protect the privileged status of
minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places of worship have
flourished all over the Islamic world. Islamic law also permits non-
Muslim minorities to set up their own courts to implement family
laws drawn up by the minorities themselves and to govern their own
affairs.
Islam teaches that the closest to Allah and the most beloved of Allah
are those who are the best in piety. Thus all people, male and
female, and regardless of race, color, nationality or ethnicity, are
considered and treated as equal before Allah and before the law.
This concept of tolerance did not reach the West even in theory until
the 18th century and in practice not until the 20th century.
Universality
In the Qur'an, Allah says:
"We have sent you (Muhammad) as a mercy for all nations."
[21:107]
Thus Islam is not restricted to any particular race or nation, as many
other religions are, but is universal, meaning that its message
applies to all humanity, at all times, in all places.
Since the Qur'an is the final testament, with every word and every
letter unadulterated and unchanged, and protected by Allah from
any change or tampering, it is the final revelation, and no other law
will ever supersede it.
Apendix I
Islam Glossary
A
Abbasids*
The Abbasids--a dynasty of Sunni Moslems--took over
the Caliphate from the Umayyads in 750 and held it
until 1258. They established their capital in Bagdad.
During their reign, Islamic arts, literature, and culture
blossomed and flourished. The location of the capital
in Bagdad had a big impact on Islam, transforming it
from a distinctly Mediterranean religion to one with
more eastern elements.
Abraham*
Called Ibrahim in Arabic, Abraham is considered to be
the first Moslem, that is, the first person to submit
himself to Allah. He was also prophet. According to
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moslem belief, he and his son Ismail (i.e., Ishmael)
built the Kaba and established the practice of Hajj.
Abu Bakr*
The first of the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs, Abu
Bakr was an early believer and follower of Mohammed
who became a close advisor to him. When Mohammed
was ill towards the end of his life, Abu Bakr lead the
congregational prayers and the nineth Hajj. In 632, he
became the first successor to Mohammed following
Mohammed's death. Abu Bakr died in 634.
Adhan
The call to prayer, which traditionally the muezzin
calls from a mosque's minaret five times a day. This
lets moslems know it is time to pray, whether they
come to the mosque or pray where they are. The
muezzin faces Mecca when he calls the Adhan.
Ali*
At the age of ten, Ali Ibn Abi Talib was the second
person to belief in the teachings of Mohammed, after
Khadija. A close associate and advisor of Mohammed
all his life, Ali was renowned as a pious man, an
honest judge, a warrior, and a leader. Shortly after the
hijra (the moslem exodus to Medina), he married
Mohammed's daughter Fatima, thus making him
Mohammed's son-in-law as well as his cousin. After
Mohammed's death, Ali became the focus of the first
major split among Moslems. On the one hand, he
became the Fourth Rightly Guided Caliph in 656, for
which Sunni Moslems still revere him. On the other
hand, Ali thought that the caliphate should have gone
to him because he was Mohammed's closest male
relative. Those who agreed with him became known as
the Shia (i.e., the "party"). After his murder in 660, his
followers split from the other Moslems and became
known in English as the Shiites. Shiite belief elevates
Ali to the position of a "Friend of Allah"--next to
Mohammed--and the center of the differences between
Introducing Islam Part I & II 546
the Shiites and the Sunnis. In Shiite belief, Ali is the
first Imam.
Allah*
Allah is the one, single god of Islam; he is considered
to be the same god as that worshipped by the Jews and
the Christians (although Moslems believe the Christian
Trinity misrepresents his nature). The word "Allah" is
a contraction of the Arabic words "al illah" which
mean "the god"; thus, like Christianity which calls its
god "God," Moslems called their god "The God."
According to Mohammed, Allah is a singular being
who was neither born nor gives birth (in contrast to
Christian beliefs). He is the Creator, the Merciful
Judge who will bring the believers into heaven and put
the unbelievers and sinners into hell. In Islam, he is the
object of submission; that is to say, in accordance with
the meaning of "Islam," Moslems submit to Allah.
Almsgiving*
Almsgiving (zakat in Arabic) is one of the Five Pillars
of Islam, almsgiving constitutes one of the main means
by which Islam strives for an economically just
society. It is an obligatory "poor tax"--reckoned at
somewhere between two and ten percent of income
and holdings--which can be given directly to the poor
or to a distribution official. The money is used for
hospitals, schools, helping indigent debtors and freeing
slaves, as well as poor support. From the perspective of
the giver, "zakat" (as it is known in Arabic) purifies the
giver and the remainder of his "wealth." It is also
envisioned as a loan to Allah, who will repay it double.
Angel
In Islam, angels are thought to be created out of light.
Their main job is to praise Allah, and they obey him
perfectly. Gabriel is considered the chief angel. Angels
are not Jinn.
Arabs*
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The Arabs are the Semitic peoples who originally lived
in the Arabian Peninsula (i.e., modern day Saudi
Arabia, Yemen, etc.). Today, large groups of them also
live in northern Africa, as far west as Morocco. They
all speak the Arabic language and share a number of
cultural commonalities. Most Arabs are Moslem, the
rest (only three or four percent) are Christian.
Ayatollah*
A Shiite who is learned in Sharia, Koran, and the
Hadith, and who is known for their piety. This person
is considered by his followers as the most learned
person of his time period, which gives him the
authority to make independent judgments.
Caliph*
Caliph (Arab. kalifa) was the title used by the people
who took over the leadership of the Umma (the
Moslem community) after the death of Mohammed. It
means something like "vice-regent" and implies that
they are the temporal leader, fulfilling roles such as
judge, administrator, and general. However, they are
neither the spiritual leader of the community (in Sunni
Islam there is no spiritual leader for the entire
community) nor are they a prophet like Mohammed.
The institution of the caliphs is called the "Caliphate."
The office of caliph was held first by the Four Rightly
Guided Caliphs, then by the Umayyads, and then the
Introducing Islam Part I & II 548
Abbasids. The death of the last Abbasid emperor ended
the caliphate for all intents and purposes.
Charity *
The third of the Five Pillars of Islam is more
accurately called almsgiving. In Islam, charity (Arab.
zadaqah) is better known as the voluntary giving of
money, food, etc. to the poor. It differs from
almsgiving, which is obligatory.
Christians
See People of the Book.
David
Islam views King David as a prophet.
Dome of the Rock *
The Dome of the Rock is the shrine in Jerusalem
which makes Jerusalem the third holiest city in Islam.
It is set over an outcropping of bedrock on which the
Holy of Holies of the Jewish Temple supposedly
rested. It is from here that Mohammed rose into
heaven on his Night Journey. Although the shrine is
sometimes called "The Mosque of Omar," the Dome of
the Rock is technically not a mosque.
Eid al-Adha
This is one of two main religious festivals in Islam (not
including Ramadan and the Hajj), the other is Eid al-
Fitr. It is also known as the Festival of the Sacrifice or
the Major Festival. It is called the Festival of the
Sacrifice for two reasons. First, the first day is the 10th
day of the month Dhul al-Hijja, the day when the
pilgrims on Hajj offer the sacrifice in the valley of
Introducing Islam Part I & II 549
Mina, which is one of the final acts of the Hajj.
Second, the festival commemorates the day on which
the Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) tried to fulfill Allah's
command to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Ismael), but
was prevented from doing so by an angel. The festival
lasts for four days and is a time of feasting, rejoicing
and remembrance.
Eid al-Fitr
This is the second of the two main religious festivals in
Islam (not including Ramadan and the Hajj), the other
is Eid al-Adha. It is also know as the "festival of the
breaking of the fast" or the Minor Festival. It is a time
of celebration and rejoicing for it officially brings the
observance of fasting during Ramadan to a close.
Although called the "Minor" festival, it is often
celebrated with much more rejoicing and gaity than the
"Major" festival.
faqir
In general, "faqir" means "poor." In Islam, it is
particularly applied to a Sufi who has voluntary
become poor. In Sufism, it also applies to one who is
"poor in spirit," who has according to Sufi belief
humbled himself before Allah.
Fasting*
Fasting (sawm in Arabic) is one of the Five Pillars of
Islam. All healthy and sane Moslems are expected to
fast (to abstain from food, drink, smoking and other
bodily pleasures) during the daylight hours throughout
the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they rise
before dawn to eat breakfast and then eat a large meal
after dusk. While they fast during the day, Moslems
Introducing Islam Part I & II 550
are expected to reflect on themselves and their
standing before Allah, and ask for forgiveness for their
sins. The evening meal, by contrast, is often a time of
enjoyment and the gathering of friends and relatives.
Fatima*
The daughter of Mohammed and Khadija. She married
Ali who became the fourth Rightly Guided Caliph and
the leader of the Shia.
Five Pillars*
The Five Pillars of Islam indicate the main values and
practices of Islam. They are: the Shahadah, Prayer,
Almsgiving, Fasting, and the Hajj.
Four Rightly Guided Caliphs*
These are Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. They are
the first four leaders of Islam after the death of
Mohammed. They took the title "caliph" to make it
clear that they were not a prophet like Mohammed; it
is often translated as "vice-regent," which indicates
that the holder is an administrator (as well as a
warrior). After the killing of Ali, the Umayyad dynasty
became the leaders of the Islamic world. See also
Caliph.
Friday Mosque*
On Friday, moslems are expected to gather in
community prayer at noon. This is usually done in a
large, centrally located mosque called a "Friday
Mosque." For further discussion, click here.
Gabriel*
The angel who served as a messenger between Allah
and Mohammed to bring him the visions and the
Koran. The Arabic word for Gabriel is Jabreel
(=Jabril).
God
Introducing Islam Part I & II 551
See Allah.
Hadith*
The stories about and sayings of Mohammed. After his
death, these were tested for accuracy and collected into
an organized body of material. They provide examples
of proper behavior and instances of Mohammed's
understanding of his role.
Hajj*
The fifth of the Five Pillars of Islam. It lays out the
goal of each Moslem performing a pilgrimage to
Mecca to worship at the Kaba and to rededicate
themselves to Allah at sites important in his life. The
Hajj is immediately followed by the festival of Eid al-
Adha.
Hanif
A pre-Islamic term referring to certain individuals in
the Hejaz region who pursued experience of and
interaction with the gods of the region. Mohammed,
for example, was initially a hanif of Allah.
Hejaz
The mountainous region of the Arabian Pennisula that
is located along the north-east coast of the Red Sea. It
is here that both Mecca and Medina are located. At the
time of Mohammed's birth, it was populated by
numerous, rival Arab tribes.
Hijra*
The exodus of Mohammed and his followers from
Mecca to Medina in 622.
Ibrahim, Ibraheem
Introducing Islam Part I & II 552
See Abraham.
Imam*
(1) In Sunni Islam, the leader of worship in a mosque.
(2) In Shiite Islam, a spiritual leader whose authority
comes from Mohammed through his son-in-law Ali.
According to Shiite belief, there is an unbroken
succession of Imams after Ali, although particular
Imams may be hidden by Allah for protection. The line
of Imams living in the world has now ceased, although
most Shiites believe that the final one, the Mahdi, is
alive in hiding (occultation) and will return.
Ishmael*
The son of Abraham, Ishmael is known as Ismail in
Arabic. For Islam, Ishmael is the ancestor of the
(northern) Arabs. He is a prophet, and assisted
Abraham in building the Kaba. He is seen as the most
important of Abraham's two sons; this is the reverse of
Judaism and Christianity which sees Isaac as the
dominant son. Indeed, in the story about Abraham
almost sacrificing his son, Islam identifies the son as
Ishmael, not Isaac.
Islam*
The religion which focuses on the human submission
to Allah. The term "Islam" itself derives from two
different roots, one which means "submission" and the
other which means "peace." A person enters Islam by
saying the Shahada. Approximately 80% of Moslems
follow the Sunni line, while something over 15% are
Shiites. According to Islam, Allah is the god of the
Jews and the Christians--indeed, many Jewish and
Christian figures are considered Islamic prophets, such
as Abraham, David, and Jesus--but Mohammed is the
final prophet, who managed to bring to humanity the
complete and true understanding of Allah.
Ismail
See Ishmael.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 553
J
Jabril, Jabreel
See Gabriel.
Jerusalem*
The third most holy city in Islam. This is due to its
importance to the prophets of Islam that are also
recognized by Judaism and Christianity. It also comes
from the belief that Mohammed's night visit to heaven
began from the ruined Temple Mount in Jerusalem. In
691, Moslems built the Dome of the Rock over that
specific location. In the earliest years of Islam,
Moslems prayered towards Jerusalem, until the
direction was changed to Mecca.
Jesus*
In Islam, Jesus is considered an important prophet who
came to deliver Allah's message to humanity.
Unfortunately, that message was not transmitted
accurately and, in Moslem eyes, resulted in the false
notion that Jesus was more than a prophet.
Jews
See People of the Book.
Jihad*
There are two types of Jihad. The Lesser Jihad is the
expectation that Moslems will defend their homeland
and Islam from attack. The Greater Jihad is the inner
battle which Moslems continually fight within
themselves to submit to Allah and to fulfill his
expectations of humans.
Jinn*
Invisible begins, in Islamic belief, who were created
from fire. They can be good or bad, are held eternally
accountable for their actions.
K
Introducing Islam Part I & II 554
Kaba*
A rectangular structure (about 20 feet by 30 feet and
about 50 feet high) which is build with a special holy
stone as its cornerstone. It is in the center of a large
mosque in Hajj. The Kaba serves as the center of the
Moslem world and all Moslems pray towards it,
whereever they may be in the world.
Khadija*
Khadija was Mohammed's first wife and his first
follower. She was a moderately wealthy widow who
hired Mohammed to manage the caravan business left
to her by her first husband. Five years later, when
Mohammed was 25 and Khadija was 40, she proposed
marriage to him. They had a happy marriage with
several children, including daughter, Fatima. During
her lifetime, Mohammed took no other wives. She died
in 619.
Koran*
According to Moslem belief, Allah composed the
Koran (=Quran) and had his angel Gabriel transmit it
to sura by sura. These transmissions--called
recitations--began in 610 and continued until
Mohammed's death in 632. Gabriel would teach each
recitation to Mohammed, who would memorize it and
then teach it to his followers, who would also
memorize it. The third Caliph Uthman had the Koran
written down, with the help of Islam's best
memorizers, thereby establishing a fixed text. The
Koran is Islam's sole sacred text; to be sure, the hadith,
the sunna, and other writings are important, but they
are the work of humans whereas the Koran comes from
Allah himself. Since the Koran is the direct words of
Allah, it provides God's final and definitive revelation.
Koreish*
At the time of Mohammed's birth, the Koreish tribe
controlled Mecca and the area around it, including the
Introducing Islam Part I & II 555
Kaba. Since they gained income both from trade that
passed through their territories and from pilgrimage to
the Kaba, they opposed Mohammed's message of
monotheistic worship of Allah. After the Moslems left
for Medina, the Koreish tribe led armies out to defeat
the Medinans. After their own defeat in 630, the
Koreish tribe converted to Islam.
Masjid
See Mosque.
Mecca, Makkah*
This is the town in the Hejaz where Mohammed was
born. It was the stronghold of the Koreish tribe and the
location of the sacred site of the Kaba. After
Mohammed was driven out by the Koreiysh tribe in
622 for teaching the monotheistic worship of Allah, the
Meccans tried to kill Mohammed through military
attacks. In 630, the Meccans were definitively defeated
by Mohammed's Medinan forces, and the Moslems
took over Mecca and the Kaba. Since then Mecca has
been the most holy site in Islam (followed by Medina
and Jerusalem) and the destination of the Hajj.
Medina, Madina*
Originally called Yathrib, in 622 the elders of this
town asked Mohammed to come and govern them. He
agreed on the conditions that they accept him as a
Prophet and allow him to bring his followers.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 556
Mohammed governed this town until his death in 632.
During his stay, the town came to be known as
Medinat al-Nabi ("City of the Prophet"), or Medina for
short. The Moslem exodus to Medina is known as the
hijra. The year of the hijra, 622, became the first year
of the Moslem calendar. Since Mohammed was buried
in Medina, it is considered the second most holy city in
Islam, after Mecca.
Minaret*
The minaret is a tower attached to a mosque from
which the muezzin issues the call to prayer (the
adhan). Although the tower can be any shape, it is
typically round.
Mohammed, Muhammad*
Mohammed was born in Mecca in 570 CE. He was
orphaned early in his life and was raised by his uncle.
Mohammed worked in his uncle's business and quickly
established a reputation as a highly honest person. At
the age of twenty he was hired by a wealthy widow
named Khadija to manage her late-husband's caravan
business. When Mohammed was 25, Khadija proposed
marriage and Mohammed accepted. Although several
children were born to them, only one survived into
adulthood, their daughter Fatima. In 610, Mohammed
sought out and began to have visions from Allah.
Through the angel Gabriel, Allah transmitted the entire
Koran to Mohammed. When Mohammed began to
preach his new religion, the rulers of Mecca were
strongly opposed. In 622, Mohammed was approached
by the elders of a town some 250 miles to the north
and asked to be their ruler. Mohammed accepted on
the conditions that they would also accept him as a
prophet and that he could bring his followers. The
exodus to this town, Medina as it later came to be
known, was called the hijra. The Meccans attacked the
Medinans several times, but the Medinans always
managed to drive them off. In 630, the Meccans were
Introducing Islam Part I & II 557
defeated by Mohammed's forces and the Moslems
returned to Mecca to rule there and cleanse the Kaba of
all its idols. Mohammed continued to rule Medina,
where he died in 632. Islam considers Mohammed the
last of a long line of prophets of Allah and has given
him the title of the Seal of the Prophets.
Mosque*
The mosque (masjid in Arabic) is a house of prayer for
community worship. The main prayer hall of a mosque
is usually fairly empty; having floors covered with fine
carpets rather than chairs. The hall has a niche--called
a mihrab--which indicates the direction of Mecca,
towards which prayers are offered. Although the
prayers which Moslems pray five times a day can be
said in private--or whereever a person happens to be--
the mosque is seen as the place for communal prayer,
especially on Friday. To call worshippers to prayer, the
muezzin climbs the mosque's minaret and chants the
call. As a religious center, a mosque may have a
number of institutions attached to it; these may include
a college, an alms kitchen for the poor, a hospital, a
library, a primary school, a cemetery, and so on. See
also Friday Mosque.
Moslem, Muslim*
(1) A person who practices Islam. (2) The adjective of
the noun "Islam."
Muezzin
The muezzin calls moslems to prayer five times a day
from a high place, usually the minaret of the local
mosque by crying out the Call to Prayer (Arab. adhan).
Mullah*
In Sunni Islam, a mullah is a scholar who is learned in
the Sharia.
N
Introducing Islam Part I & II 558
Night Journey *
In the Night Journey of Mohammed, Gabriel took
Mohammed from Medina to Jerusalem. They stopped
momentarily on the spot that later became the Dome of
the Rock. From there, Mohammed ascended into
heaven to visit with prophets who had gone before
him. For a long story about the journey, along with a
picture of the Dome of the Rock, click here.
Quran
See Koran.
Quraysh
See Koreish.
Rabia
A woman who was an important eighth-century Sufi.
She introduced the emphasis on love of Allah into
Sufism. From her perspective, selfless love of Allah
was all important, and was vastly superior to loving
him because of fear of hell or desire of heaven.
Ramadan*
Introducing Islam Part I & II 560
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic year. It is
considered holy because it was during this month that
Mohammed received the first revelation of the Koran.
During this month, Moslems fast during the daytime.
At the end of the month, the festival of the Breaking of
the Fast (Eid al-Fitr) occurs. It lasts for several days,
during Moslems exchange gifts and greetings, and
engage in feasting.
Salat
See Prayer.
Seal of the Prophets*
Mohammed is considered the "Seal of the Prophets."
That is, he is the final prophet--the "Seal"-- in the line
of Islamic prophets that goes back through Jesus,
David, and Moses to Adam. The teachings Allah gave
through him--the Koran-- are the final revelation to
humanity.
Shahada*
The Shahada is the central Moslem statement of faith.
It is short, but in two parts. The first is: "There is no
god but Allah" (Arab. "La illahah illah 'lla"). The
second is: "And Mohammed is his Prophet" (Arab.
"Wah Mohammadan rasulu 'llah"). Saying the Shahada
in Arabic with the intent of becoming a Moslem
immediately makes a person a member of the Umma
(i.e., the Islamic Community).
Shaikh, Sheikh*
(1) The leader of a town or village. (2) The head
religious (Islamic) functionary in a town or region. (3)
In Sufism, a spiritual master. This individual collects
disciples around him to teach them the way of Sufism,
and ultimately how to become a shaikh themselves.
Sharia*
Introducing Islam Part I & II 561
(1) Historically, the term "Sharia" refers to all the
elements of a proper--i.e., righteous--Islamic life; these
include proper moral behavior, proper respect towards
Allah, correct belief, proper personal piety, and so on.
In other words, it means the right way to life one's life
as a Moslem. (2) In more recent times, it has come to
refer to a much narrower notion, that of "Islamic Law."
This usage is quite common in the Western press.
Shia*
The term "Shia" means "party" or "partisans," and
refers to the followers of Ali who held that Mohammed
had appointed Ali as his successor. After Ali's
assassination, they split from their fellow Moslems
(who became know as the Sunni Moslems). In English,
this branch of Islam is called Shiite Islam.
Shiite Islam*
Today, Shiite Moslems make up about 15 percent of
all Moslems (the rest are Sunni). The main reason for
their split from the rest of the Umma lies in their
different understanding of the proper succession after
Mohammed's death. The Shiites believed that
Mohammed had designed Ali as his successor and
spiritual heir. There are two important aspects here.
First, the idea that Mohammed's heir should be from
Mohammed's family. Second, that unlike the caliphate,
the successor should be a religious and spiritual leader
as well as a wielder of worldly and temporal power.
Thus the leader was called Imam rather than caliph.
The Twelver Shiites believe in the ongoing succession
of Imam, although the last living Imam was the
twelveth (born in 873); he has become the Hidden
Imam, the coming messianic figure whose arrival will
usher in the end of time (and the Day of Judgment).
Sufi, Sufism*
Sufism is a term that designates Islam's mystical and
ascetic movements. A Sufi is one who practices
Sufism. Sufis attempt to go beyond the restrictions of a
Introducing Islam Part I & II 562
"typical" Moslem life and to seek Allah in more
intimate ways. They strive to break down the barriers
between themselves and Allah by replacing their
human characteristics with divine ones. In many ways,
this is similar to the Buddhist's attempts to reach
enlightenment (the realization that all is one). Since
Allah is one himself, the attempt to reach him can
become the realization of the oneness of all things.
Sufis focus on three kinds of mysticism to accomplish
this: love mysticism (see Rabia), ecstatic mysticism,
and intuitive mysticism (see Smith, pp. 259-261).
There has always been a tension between Sufism and
classical Islam because many of the beliefs, actions,
and statement of Sufism appear heretical to non-Sufis.
Sunna*
The sunna is the paradigm of the behavior of the
perfect Moslem, based on the example set by
Mohammed. It includes aspects of ethics and morality,
purity, prayer and worship, as well as matters of social
and familial relations. This paradigm is derived from
the hadith, the stories and about sayings of
Mohammed.
Sunni Islam*
The followers of Sunni Islam make up the vast
majority of Moslems, some 80 to 85 percent. Indeed,
when people speak about "Islam," or say "Moslems
believe..." or "Moslems do...", they are usually
referring to Sunni Islam. The basis for the difference
between Sunni Islam and Shiite Islam lies in their
beliefs about the successor to Mohammed. Sunnis
believe that Mohammed did not appoint a successor,
and therefore one had to be appointed by the Moslems
themselves. This lead to the establishment of the
Caliphate, a series of men who took over Mohammed's
worldly and temporal power, but who made no claim
to be Mohammed's spiritual successor.
Sura*
Introducing Islam Part I & II 563
The Arabic term for a chapter in the Koran.
Twelvers *
The Twelvers are the largest branch of Shiite Islam,
and are also known as the Imamiyya. They are named
after their belief that the twelth Imam, Mohammed al-
Mahdi disappeared, being taken by Allah. They expect
him to return before the Judgement Day as a messiah
figure. The Mahdi is know as the Hidden Imam.
Ulama
See Mullah.
Umma*
The entire community of Moslems, those who have
submitted themselves to Allah. (See also Islam.)
Umar*
Umar was the second of the Rightly Guided Caliphs.
He took over after Abu Bakr's death in 634 and ruled
until being killed by an angry slave in 644. He began
the administrative and religious regulations that
enabled the expansion of the Islamic empire.
Umayyads*
After initially opposing Mohammed, the Umayyad
family became strong Moslems. They became rulers of
the Islamic Empire (as Caliphs) from 661-750, after
the death of Ali, the last of the Rightly Guided Caliphs.
Headquartered in Damascus, they ruled the entire
Islamic Empire--from Spain, across North Africa into
the Middle East and beyond--until they were
overthrown by the Abassids.
Uthman*
Introducing Islam Part I & II 564
Uthman was the third of the Rightly Guided Caliphs,
and ruled from the death of Umar in 644 to 656. Under
Uthman, the Quran was edited into its final form.
Uthman was a controversial appointment as Caliph,
since his extended family--the Umayyads--had been
fierce opponents of Mohammed. He was assassinated
in 656.
zakat
See Almsgiving.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 565
Apendix II
Adhan - the call to prayer.
al-Aqaba - literally the steep slope, a mountain pass to the north of Makkah just off
the caravan route to Madina, where the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) met in secret
with the first Muslims from Madina, in two successive years. On the first occassion,
they pledged to follow the Messenger, and on the second, or Great Pledge of Aqaba,
to defend him and his companions as they would their own wives and children.
al-Bayda - a place sixty kilometres south of Madina on the route to Makkah, near
Dhul Hulayfa.
Bida - innovation.
Dhikr - literally remembrance. In a general sense all ibadat (see below) is dhikr. In
common usage it has come to mean invocation of Allah by repetition of His names or
particular formulae.
Dhul Hijjah - the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar, the month of the Hajj
(pilgrimage). One of the four Sacred Months in which fighting is prohibited.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 566
Dhul Hulayfa - the miqat (see below) of the people of Madina, now near Bayar Ali.
Dhu Tuwa - famous well, now within Makkah, but in earlier times outside it.
Eid - a festival. There are two main festivals in the Islamic year, on the first day of
which Eid prayers are prayed.
• Eid al-Adha - a four day festival at the time of Hajj. The Eid of the
sacrifice starts on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah (the month of Hajj), the day
that the pilgrims sacrifice their animals. An animal such as a sheep or goat
is sacrificed as a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim's (pbuh) willingness
to sacrifice his son for God.
• Eid al-Fitr - the festival at the end of the month of fasting (Ramadan).
Fidya - literally means ransom. It is compensation paid for rites missed or wrongly
performed because of ignorance or ill-health.
Fitra - the first nature, the natural, primal condition of mankind in harmony with
nature.
Hajj al Ifrad - The type of Hajj where the pilgrim pronounces his niyyah
(i.e.intention) to perform only Hajj at Miqat while changing into Ihram.
Hajj al Qiran - The 'joined' hajj, where the pilgrim pronounces his intention to
perform both Umra and Hajj together with the same Ihram at Miqat.
Hajj al Tamattu - The 'interrupted' hajj, where the pilgrim pronounces his
intention to perform only Umra at Miqat when changing into Ihram. A second niyyah,
and a second change into Ihram follow on the 8th of Dhul Hijjah for the performance
of the remaining rites of Hajj.
Introducing Islam Part I & II 567
Hajr al Aswad - The sacred Black Stone built into the south-
east corner of the Ka'bah at a height of approximately four feet
from which Muslims begin the Tawaf (circumambulation of the
Ka'bah). The stone does not belong to the geology of the region
and is a part of the original construction of the Ka'bah by Prophet
Ibrahim (pbuh). The Black Stone was personally installed in the
wall of the Ka'bah by the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) himself
during its reconstruction following its destruction by a flash flood.
The Prophet (pbuh) also kissed it during his Last (Farewell) Hajj.
Thus, touching and kissing (Istilam) of Hajar al Aswad during
Umra and Hajj is considered sunnah.
Haram ash Shareef - The mosque around the Kabah in Makkah, as well as the
mosque in Medina. The latter, also known as Al Masjid un Nabawi, contains the grave
of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Hijaz - the region along the western seaboard of Arabia, in which Makkah, Medina,
Jeddah and Ta'if are situated.
Hijr - the semi-circular unroofed enclosure at one side of the Ka'ba, whose low wall
outlines the shape of the original Ka'ba built by Prophet Ibrahim (AS). Tradition has
it that Hajar (wife of Prophet Ibrahim [pbuh]) is buried in this enclosure. It is highly
recommended that the pilgrim should offer sunnah prayers and supplications to Allah
in this area. However, this is not a part of the official rites of Hajj.
Hijra - to emigrate in the way of Allah. Islam takes its dating from the Hijra of the
Prophet (PBUH) to Madina.
Idtiba - The mode of Ihram used during Tawaf al Qudoom. The male pilgrim drapes
one end of the top part of his Ihram over his left shoulder back-to-front. The other
end goes across his back, under his right arm, across his front, and is finally draped
over his left shoulder. Idtiba is not observed in any other type of Tawaf.
Ifadah - Refers to the Tawaf performed by a Muslim when she/he comes from
Muzdalifah.
Ihram - Ihram literally means forbidding; here it signifies the intention to enter into
the performance of the rites of Hajj or Umra, or both (qiran). The term is also used
to denote the Pilgrim's habit worn on occassion of the Hajj, and the state in which
the Pilgrim has to remain until he lays aside the garb. The distinctive garb of the
pilgrim consists of two pieces of white, plain and unsewn cloth for the male. One of
the pieces (ezaar) is wrapped around the midriff to cover his body from just above
his navel to below his ankles, and the other (reda) is draped around his shoulders to
Introducing Islam Part I & II 568
cover the upper body, and sometimes exposing the right shoulder of the Sunni male.
For ladies, ordinary, and unpretentious clothes of daily wear constitute their Ihram.
Iqama - the call which announces that the obligatory prayer is about to begin.
Istislam - Literally means submission but here refers to the greeting of the Black
Stone and Yemeni corner of the Ka'ba during tawaf by kissing, touching or
outstretched hand.
Jamra- Literally a small walled place, but meant here a stone-built pillar and in
particular the three stone pillars in Mina which symbolically represent the locations
where the devil (shaytan) attempted to tempt Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) away from the
path of Allah. The pilgrim symbolically stones these pillars on the 10th through to the
13th of Dhul Hijjah in commemoration of the rejection of the devil by Prophet
Ibrahim, and of his steadfastness to the cause of Allah.
Jamrat al Aqaba - The last stone pillar in the line. It is situated at the entrace of
Mina from the direction of Makkah
Ji'rana - a place near Makkah, when the Messenger of God (PBUH) distributed the
booty from the Battle of Hunany and from where he went into ihram to perform
umra.
al-Juhfa - the Miqat (see below) of the people of Syria and Europe.
Jumu'a - the Day of Gathering, Friday, and in particular the Jumu'a prayer.
Ka'bah - A cubic structure originally built by Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) and his
eldest son Ishmael. It is now housed within the Haram ash Shareef in
Makkah. During Hajj, the essential rite of Tawaf is performed around the
Ka'bah. Every day, millions of Muslims perform prayers (salat) facing the
direction of the Ka'bah.
Kaffara- prescribed way of making amends for wrong actions, particularly missed
obligatory actions.
Khutba - literally a specch, and in particular the adresses given by the Imam on the
day of Jumu'a and the two Eids. On Jumu'a there are two khutbas seperated by a
short pause during which the Imam sits down.
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Labbayk - A call meaning "Here I am at Thy service". It is the Muslim's expression
of answering the invitation of God to perform pilgrimage.
Madhab - a school of fiqh (see above). There are four main sunni madhabs :
Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali.
Maqam Ibrahim - The stepping stone used by Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) during the
original construction of the Ka'bah. The stone carries the imprints of his feet, and is
housed in a glass enclosure on the north side of the Kabah. It marks the place of
prayer following tawaf of the Ka'ba.
Multazam - The part of the Ka'bah between its door and Hajar ul Aswad. This is a
specially sacred part of the Ka'bah. It is recommended that, if possible, the pilgrim
should touch the Ka'bah at Multazam and offer supplications to Allah. However, this
is not a part of the official rites of Hajj.
Muzdalifah - A place between Arafa and Mina where the pilgrims returning from
Arafa spend a night in the open between the ninth and tenth of Dhul Hijjah after
performing the Maghrib and Isha prayers.
Qibla - The direction faced in Prayer, which is towards the Ka'ba in Makkah.
Qiran - The type of Hajj where a pilgrim makes Umrah in the same state of Ihram.
Raml - 'hastening' in the tawaf, a way of walking briskly, moving the shoulders
vigorously. Ladies are not required to practice Raml.
Safa - A small hillock approximately 200 m Southeast of the Ka’bah, inside Al Masjid
ul Haram, on which a pilgrim begins his/her Sai (walking). The pilgrim performs the
act of Sai between Safa and Marwah.
Sai - the main rite of umra and part of hajj. It is proceeding between the hills of
Safa and Marwa seven times. This act retraces the footsteps of Hajar (wife of
Prophet Ibrahim), during her desperate search for water to quench the thirst of her
infant son Ishmael after they were left in the desert by Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) in
response to a divine vision.
Shawt - One complete circumambulation, or circuit, of the Kabah. Each shawt (pl.
ashwaat) starts and ends at Hajar ul Aswad. Seven ashwaat constitute one Tawaf.
Talbiyah - A recital of the following words by the pilgrim during Umra and Hajj:
Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik. Labbaik, La Shareek Laka, Labbaik. Innal Hamdah, Wan
Nematah, Laka wal Mulk, La Shareek Laka
Translation: "Here I am at Thy service O Lord, here I am. Here I am at Thy service
and Thou hast no partners. Thine alone is All Praise and All Bounty, and Thine alone
is The Sovereignty. Thou hast no partners." The Talbiyah is a prayer as well as an
assertion of the pilgrim's conviction that he intends to perform Hajj only for the glory
of Allah. The pilgrim starts the recital upon changing into the Ihram, and continues
to recite it frequently throughout Hajj. Male pilgrims recite the Talbiyah loudly
whereas female pilgrims are required to recite it in a low voice.
Tamattu - The type of Hajj where a pilgrim starts with Umrah then makes Hajj later
on but in the same year
Taqseer - Shortening or clipping of the whole head of hair by the male pilgrim
following the completion of Hajj. This may be performed in lieu of Halq. However,
snipping off a few hairs here and there is not acceptable. The sunnah of Rasool Allah
(pbuh) supports only Taqseer and Halq.
Tawaf - The seven fold circumambulation of the Kabah while reciting prayers. It
constitutes an integral part of Umra and Hajj. There are five different types of Tawaf
(see below):
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Tawaf al Ifadah - The Tawaf performed by the pilgrim on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah
as the last formal rite of Hajj in Makkah after changing into street clothes (also called
Tawaf uz Ziyarah).
Tawaf al Qudoom - The initial Tawaf performed by the pilgrim upon entering Al
Masjid ul Haram in Makkah pursuant upon his intention for Hajj.
Tawaf al Wida - The Farewell Tawaf performed by the pilgrim just before leaving
Makkah for his next destination.
Umra - An Islamic ritual that is performed at Makkah anytime of the year. Umrah,
or lesser Hajj, includes Tawaf and Sai, but unlike Hajj, does not involve the rites at
Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat. It also requires some obligations from the pilgrim until
the state of Ihram is ended.
Waqfa - The ritual of waqfa (standing before Allah) is performed by pilgrims at the
Mount of Mercy in Arafat.It is a central rite of Hajj.
Yaum al Nahr - The 10th of Dhul Hijjah. This day is designated as the preferred
day of sacrifice during Hajj.
Yaum al Tarwiyah - The 8th of Dhul Hijjah signifying the start of Hajj. The pilgrim
proceeds to Mina on this day.
Zamzam - The name of the sacred well of water which sprang forth miraculously
under Prophet Ishmael's (pbuh) feet as an infant. Zamzam is now enclosed in a
marble chamber about 150 m Southeast of the Ka’abah.