Understanding Islam

What is Quran?

2010-02-02T03:35:00.000-08:00

The Qur'an is the most often-read book in the world. Revealed by God to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the 7th century, and revered by Muslims as being God's final Scripture and Testament, its words have been lovingly recited, memorized, and implemented by Muslims of every nationality ever since.

The faithful are inspired, consoled often moved to tears by its eloquence and poetic imagery, especially when recited aloud. And yet, the Qur'an is unique in being the only Scripture that is free of scientific inaccuracies, whose historical authenticity can be verified, and whose text has been so carefully preserved that just one authorized version (in Arabic) exists. Approximately the length of the New Testament, the Qur'an is also the only holy book that can be memorized in its entirety by people of all ages and intellectual abilities - including non-Arabic speakers - which Muslims consider to be one of its miracles.

Muslim washing rite goes hi-hech with Wudu Washer

2010-02-01T03:41:00.001-08:00

Monday, February 01, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian company has invented a machine it says will help Muslims purify themselves before prayers without excessively wasting water.

The ornate, green-colored machine comes with automatic sensors and basins to curb water usage during wudu, an Arabic word used to describe the act of washing the face, arms and legs before prayers.

The wudu, or ablution, rite precedes the five daily prayers Muslims are obligated to perform. There are more than 1.7 billion Muslims in the world, with the majority in Africa and the Middle East where water supplies are scarce.

The firm, AACE Technologies is counting on rich countries in these two regions to snap up the machines that will be available in the next six months and cost $3000-$4000 a piece.

"Normal Wudu, an individual uses about 8-10 litres of water, whereas this machine only using 1.3 litres of water. So, water saving itself is the motivational factor for people to adopt this system rather than the conventional method of doing wudu, where there's a lot of water wastage," AACE Chairman Anthony Gomez told reporters at the product launch of the ablution system in the Malaysian capital late on Thursday (January 28).

The device, which also emits recorded Koranic verses and is 1.65 meters (5 ft 4.96 in) tall, only uses 1.3 liters (0.3 gallons) of water compared to the conventional methods, which usually involve leaving faucets running for the duration of the washing ritual, which can last for several minutes, Gomez said.

He added that the machine could save around forty million litres of water a day during Wudu rites during the Haj, referring to the annual three-day Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca.

Muslims heading for prayers in mainly Muslim Malaysia had mixed feelings about the high-tech, but pricey, invention.

"Water per litre in Malaysia is cheap, compared to other countries, so it still not worthwhile to have this good machine, but very expensive," said a malaysian office worker, Aminuddin.

But a tourist from neighbouring Singapore, which has scarce water supplies, said the machine could help conserve resources and protect the environment.

"Nothing is impossible. Of course we are trying ways and means to new products, those that can save mankind, those that can save nature," Azman Mohamed Noor said.

The Gulf city of Dubai has shown interest in acquiring the product for its airport, Gomez said, adding that the machine took two years to develop at the cost of $2.5 million.

Gomez says AACE wants to also target mosques and offices with new models that can be wall mounted.

9 touring boxers embrace Islam in Karachi

2010-01-05T06:47:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, January 05, 2010
KARACHI: A group of nine boxers belonging to Cameron and Central Africa today embraced Islam during ongoing Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Tournament in Karachi.

The boxers embraced Islam at the hands of Mufti Naeem at a ceremony.

They said that they were very impressed with the treatment and reception they got from the people of Pakistan.

Speaking on this occasion, Mufti Naeem said that embracing of Islam by these boxers is a proof that Islam is a religion of brotherhood.

The Pakistan Boxing Federation said that it hosted the international boxing event to create a soft image of the country.

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Sunnahs of High Importance

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x Using a miswaak is a great Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). One who makes miswaak when making wuzu and thereafter performs salaah will receive 70 times more reward. It will also enable one to easily recite the kalima at the time of death.
x To take a Ghusl (bath) on a Friday.
x To apply itr (applies to men only).
x To show mercy to those that are younger than you.
x To respect your elders.
x It is sunnah to ponder over Allah Ta'ala and His Creation.
x For men to keep a beard
x To visit a Muslim when he is sick.
x To be good towards ones neighbour.
x To meet a Muslim with a cheerful face.
x To care for the poor and the needy.
x To keep good relations with all your relatives.
x To honour a guest even though he may not be of a very high position.
x To greet all Muslims by saying " Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuhu".
x To keep the gaze on the ground whilst walking.
x To speak softly and politely..
x To command people to do good.
x To forbid them from doing evil.
x To carry ones shoes in the left hand.
x To make wuzu at home before going to the Masjid.
x To enter the Masjid with the right foot.
x To leave the Masjid with the left foot.
x To recite some portion of the Quran Shareef daily.
x To be hospitable towards one's guest.
x To exchange gifts with one another.
x To make dua to Allah Ta'ala for the fulfillment of one's needs in what ever language one desires.
x To consult with one's parents, teachers or elders before doing any work..
x To respect one's parents.

Sunnahs of the Home

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x To recite the dua before entering the home.
x To greet those that are in the house with "Assalaam o Alaykum".
x To announce ones arrival by coughing, greeting, etc. Even though it may be your own house.

Sunnahs of the Toilet

2009-12-29T02:04:00.001-08:00

x Enter the toilet with your head covered.
x To enter the toilet with shoes.
x Recite the dua before entering the toilet.
x Enter with the left foot.
x To sit and urinate. One should never urinate whilst Standing.
x To leave the toilet with the right foot.
x To recite the dua after coming out of the toilet.
x One should not face Qiblah or show his back towards the Qiblah.
x Do not speak in the toilet.
x Be very careful of the splashes of urine (being unmindful in this regard causes one to be punished in the grave)
x After relieving oneself, to cleanse oneself using water.

Sunnahs when wearing clothes

2009-12-29T02:02:00.003-08:00

x Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) loved white Clothing.
x When putting on any garment Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam) always began with the right limb.
x When removing any garment Rasullallah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) always removed the left limb first.
x Females should ensure that their lower garment covers their ankles.
x Males should wear a "topee" or turban. Females must wear scarves at all times.
x When wearing shoes, first wear the right shoe then the left.
x When removing them first remove the left and then The right.

Sunnahs on Awakening

2009-12-29T02:00:00.001-08:00

x On awakening rub the face and the eyes with the palms of the hands in order to remove the effects of sleep.
x When the eyes open in the morning say " Alhamdullilah" thrice.
x Thereafter recite the dua on awakening.
x On awakening cleanse the mouth with a miswaak.

Sunnahs of Sleeping

2009-12-29T01:59:00.000-08:00

x Discuss with one's family members matters pertaining to Deen before going to sleep (whether it is in the form of reading some Islamic Books or narrating some incidents of Sahabah etc.).
x To sleep in the state of Wuzu.
x To make the bed yourself.
x Dust the bed thrice before retiring to bed.
x One should change into some other clothes (e.g.pyjamas) before going to sleep.
x It is Sunnah to sleep immediately after Esha Salaah.
x To brush the teeth with a miswaak.
x To sleep on the right hand side.
x To sleep with the right palm under the right cheek.
x To keep the knees slightly bent when sleeping.
x To refrain from sleeping on ones stomach.
x To sleep on a bed or to sleep on the floor are both sunnah.
x To face Qiblah.
x To recite Surah Mulk, before sleeping.
x To recite Ayatul Qursi.
x To recite Surah Ikhlaas, Surah Falaq and Surah Naas before sleeping 3 times and thereafter blow over the entire body thrice.
x Recite Tasbeeh-e-Fathima Zahra S.A. before sleeping.( i.e. 34 times Allaho Akbar, 33 times Alhamdolillah and 33 times Subhan Allah
x To recite the dua before sleeping.
x To wake up for Tahajjud Salaah.

Sunnahs of drinking

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x A Muslim should drink with the right hand. Shaytaan Drinks with the left hand.
x Sit and drink.
x Recite "Bismillah" before drinking.
x After drinking say " Alhamdullilah".
x Drink in 3 breaths removing the utensil from the mouth after each sip.
x Do not drink directly from the jug or bottle. One should pour the contents into a glass first and then drink.

Sunnahs of Eating

2009-12-29T01:54:00.000-08:00

x Sit and eat on the floor.
x Spread out a cloth on the floor first before eating.
x Wash both hands up to the wrists.
x Recite "Bismillah wa'la barakatillah' aloud.
x Eat with the right hand.
x Eat from the side that is in front of you.
x If a morsel of food falls down, pick it up, clean it and eat it.
x Do not lean and eat.
x Do not find fault with the food.
x Remove your shoes before eating.
x When eating, sit with either both knees on the ground or one knee raised or both knees raised.
x Clean the plate and other utensils thoroughly after eating..
x By doing this, the utensils make dua for one's
forgiveness.
x Recite dua after eating.
x First remove the food then get up.
x After meals wash both the hands.
x Thereafter gargle the mouth.
x Whilst eating one should remain completely silent.
x Eat with three fingers if possible.
x One should not eat very hot food.
x Do not blow on the food.
x After eating one should lick his fingers.

No place for terrorism in Islam

2009-11-26T08:50:00.000-08:00

MAKKAH: The Mufti-e-Azam Saudi Arab Sheikh Abdul Aziz in his sermon said that Islam stresses respecting and helping each other and being kind to one another as Islam is a religion of compassion and respect.The Arafat sermon was delivered by the chief Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz in Masjid-e-Nimra at Arafat.In his sermon the chief Mufti said that Islam emphasizes on the rights of family and prevents to grab the properties of orphans illegally.He said that anti Muslim forces were hatching conspiracies against Islam and Muslims across the world, he urged unity among Muslims, adding that doubts were being created in the minds of Muslim youths though modern communications. He affirmed that the enemies of Islam would meet the same fate that met Kuffaar when battled against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).Chanting, “I am at your service, Allah, I am at Your service.” They will stand at Arafat till sunset in the most spiritual moment of the Hajj. They will pray, supplicate and recite Quran till sunset. There they will also combine Zhur and Asru prayes after listening to the Hajj sermon delivered by one of the chief Imams of Makah in Masjid Namira.He said: “There is no place for terrorism in Islam… The Muslim intellectuals should address this menace and should take measures to root out this hazard besides eradicating misunderstandings about Islam and its teachings.”The Imam stressed the importance of respecting and helping and being kind to one another saying “Islam is a religion of compassion and respect.” The sermon also focused on education and learning as a means for human development and advancement. The role of youth and women as well as brining up children also dominated the sermon.The Hajj sermon advocates these virtues and severely condemns violence, terrorism and inhuman actions. It also expressed grave concern and sorrow over the sufferings of innocent peoples and communities whose rights and freedom are deprived and calls for the restoration of rights and freedom of such people. The sufferings and inhuman treatment caused to the Palestinian people is severely deplored in the sermon.Nearly 3 million Muslims from different parts of the world have converged in Mt Arafat, a rocky desert outside the Holy city of Macca to perform “Wuquf” (standing) at Mount Arafat, one of the most important rituals of Hajj pilgrimage. Saudi authorities have made their best arrangements for the safety and convenience of pilgrims.

Was the Call of Islam Spread by the Sword?

2009-11-16T11:38:00.001-08:00

The enemies of Islam have, throughout history, accused Islam with this allegation. Indeed Islam has never forced people to believe in it, nor placed swords on their necks to push them to bear witness to what it has born witness to, or submit to its doctrine, in any way. This assertion is very much mistaken for a variety of reasons:

1) It is wrong because history tells us that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH.) lived in Makkah thirteen years calling people to the religion of Islam under much persecution by its occupants at the time. He faced hostility and torture even from his own family and the nearest people to him, nevertheless he persevered and endured the pain of isolation and marginalisation. He used to walk past his companions being tortured saying no more than: "Patience O people for your destination is Paradise." Nevertheless, many of those early believers kept their will and faith. The Ansar, the people of Madeenah, also accepted him as the messenger of Allah following a brief encounter with him during the Hajj season after which a convoy came to offer him their oath of allegiance finally leading to the covenant of Al-Aqabah- the covenant which ultimately lead to the great emigration of the Prophet. In all of this the Prophet did not meet his enemies with the sword, but he used to persevere and be patient with good manners and modesty, saying: "O Lord! Forgive my people for they Know not." The permission to fight was not received from Allah by revelation until the second year after Hijrah, after the enemies of Islam had increased in number and had begun to provoke him and plot against him. Allah sent these verses in which one finds the most magnificent examples of the nobility of purpose, and of the reasons for war:

‘Permission to fight is given to those who (i.e. believers against disbelievers), who are being fought because they (believers) have been wronged, and surely, Allah is Able to give them (believers) victory - those who have been expelled from their homes unjustly only because they said: "Our Lord is Allah" - For had it not been that Allah checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the Name of Allah is mentioned much would surely have been pulled down. Verily, Allah will help those who help His Cause. Truly, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty. Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) order for the establishment of prayer, to pay charity, and they enjoin goodness and forbid evil. And with Allah rests the end of (all) matters.’

(Surat-al-Hajj (22), ayahs 39-41)

History tells us that the companions of the messenger of Allah entered the lands with their good conduct and honest dealings before they conquered them with their swords, armaments and numbers. For, it is inconceivable that a small number of Arabs could subvert the throne of Kisra (Persia), flatten the kingdom of Rome and inherit the world after these huge civilisations, in the short while that they did. It is unimaginable that eight thousand soldiers could conquer a vast region the size of Egypt, and spread their religion, culture and belief with force and imposition. It is through kind discourse and beautiful treatment that they were able to achieve what they had achieved. From this it can been seen why peoples used to crave for the return of the Muslims after they had left, so how can it be said that Islam was founded on the sword or spread by it.

2) It is also refuted by the verses in the Holy Qur’an that affirm freedom of conviction by saying in all clarity and honesty:

‘There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the right path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in the tyranny and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is the All-Hearer, All-Knower.’

(Surat-al-Baqarah (2), ayah 256)

He Also says:

‘And say: "the truth is from your Lord.", then whosoever wills, let him believe, and whosoever wills let him disbelieve.’

(Surat-al-Kahf (18), ayah 29)

Allah also says:

And if anyone of the disbelievers seeks your protection, so that they hear the Word of Allah, then escort him to where he can be secure, that is because they are men who know not.’

(Surat-at-Tauba(9), ayah 6)

These verses bind the believers such that if anyone among the disbelievers asks them for clarification they must explain the message and simplify the objectives of Islam to him, then protect him till he reaches his place of security, and leave him to reach a decision through personal conviction and not through fear and compulsion.

3) It is false because the pillars of Islam and what was practised in accordance with them refutes it in the strongest possible terms. For the basis of belief in Islam is rationality, contemplation and deep conviction:

‘The Bedouins say: "We believe." Say: "You believe not but only say, ‘We have surrendered (to Islam),’ for faith has not yet entered your hearts’

(Surah Al-Hujuraat (49), ayah 14)

And the cause of responsibility in Islam is that the message is heard in such a way that it deserves consideration, hence refusing it would mean the denial of the well contemplated message of Allah. And that imitation is not a good grounds for Imaan (faith), let alone compulsion. Some contemporary scholars have said in this regards:

‘Verily, everyone who imitates on matters of belief

His faith is not without hesitation.’

Also, in Islam, the words of the one under pressure or threat are rejected and he will not be accountable for his actions. Thus, the religion which considers the sound mind and freedom of choice as the bedrock of belief and responsibility can not be said to have been established or expanded by the sword; even though it has permitted fighting for the purposes mentioned earlier. The sign of true belief is confidence in it:

‘Those who believe, and whose hearts rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts not find rest? Those who believe and work righteousness, all kinds of happiness is for them and a beautiful place of final return.’

(Al-Ra’d (13), ayahs 28-29).

Is Islam Unique in Calling for the Use of the Sword in the Protection of the Truth?

Islam is not alone in resorting to war and fighting as a means for safeguarding the truth. In fact, all past and present laws came with a similar principle.

The Books of the Old Testament which are referred to by the Jews today are filled with statements on war, struggle, fighting, destruction, devastation, ruin and hostage taking; thus affirming the legality of war but in its most reckless form, for in Deuteronomy, book 20, verses 10 and above: ‘When you come near to a city to fight, call for peace; if it responds to your call for peace and opens its doors in front of you then all its people will be under your command and all will be your slaves. If it does not heed to your demands for peace then besiege it, and if your Lord God pushes it to you then strike all its males with the edge of your sword. As for the women, children, and beast and all that is in the city, they are all a booty for you. And eat the booty, of your enemy, which your Lord has given you. Such should you do to all those cities that are very far from you and those cities that are not the cities of those nations. As for the cities of those peoples which your Lord God gives unto you do not leave a soul in it-the Hannites, the Amorite, the Ankanites, Fayarazites, Yousite, like your Lord has ordered you.’

In Gospel Matthew in the tenth book, verses 25 and onwards: ‘Think not that I have come to spread peace in the land, but the sword. For, I have come to separate a man from his son, and the son from his father and the daughter-in-law from her mother-in-law... and the animosity of the person with his household, whoever loves a son or a daughter more than I will not deserve me, and whosoever does not take his cross and follow me also does not deserve me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find me.’

Modern international law has also admitted to certain circumstances under which war becomes legal and laid down laws and regulations for it.

The Islamic rules regarding this issue are finer, more detailed, more merciful, and more just than all this and even lead to peace:

‘Indeed , there has come to you from Allah a light and a plain Book. Wherewith Allah guides all those who seek His Good Pleasure to ways of peace, and He brings them out of darkness by His will unto light and guides them to a Straight Way.’

(Surat-al-Maa’idah (5), ayah 16)

Source: PEACE IN ISLAM HASAN AL-BANNA

Islam: The Perfect Religion and Best Way of Life for All

2009-11-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

It is a must that we strive to know Islam. Allâh’s Messenger (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam, meaning: May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to the whole mankind encourages us to acquire knowledge of Islam in order to comprehend it. He says in the following authentic Ahâdith:

Abu Hurairah (radhiallâhu anhu, meaning: May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that... the Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, “Those who were the best in the pre-lslamic period of ignorance will be the best in Islam provided they comprehend the religious knowledge.” (Bukhâri 4/572 and Muslim)

‘Abdur Rahmân ibn Abi Bakrah (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated on the authority of his father that the Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, “If Allâh wants to do good to a person, he makes him comprehend the religion; and of course knowledge is attained by learning.” (Bukhâri 1/67)

Mu‘awiyah ibn Abi Sufyân narrated that Allâh’s Messenger said, “Goodness is a (natural) habit while the evil is a stubbornness. To whomsoever Allâh wills to show goodness, He favors him with the understanding in the Religion.” (Ibn Mâjah, 1/221)

When we study Islam or at least read the Qur’an and the authentic Ahâdith we learn that Islam is easy, complete and the perfect religion as well as way of life for the whole mankind. We read in the Qur’an and the Ahâdith the following unique features of Islam:

1. Islam is easy:
“But whoever believes and works righteousness he shall have a goodly reward and easy will be his task as We order it by Our command.” (Qur'an 18:88)

Abu Hurairah (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, “Religion (Islam) is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by offering the prayers in the mornings, afternoons and during the last hours of the nights.” (Bukhâri 1/38)

Anas bin Malik (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "Make things easy for the people, and do not make it difficult for them, and make them calm (with glad tidings) and do not repulse (them).” (Bukhâri,8/146)

2. Islam is complete:
“…He it is Who has sent unto you the Book, explained in detail. They know full well, to whom We have given the Book, that it has been sent down from your Rabb in truth. Never be then of those who doubt.” (6:114)

“For We had certainly sent unto them a Book based on knowledge, which We explained in detail -- a guide and a mercy to all who believe.” (7:52)

“…(This is ) a Book with verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning) -- further explained in detail -- from One Who is Wise and Well-Acquainted (with all things).” (11:1)

3. Islam is perfect:
“...This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (5:3)

As the perfect religion, Islam teaches mankind how to attain success in the most perfect way. The following are some of the Ahâdith that serve as enlightenment and guidance to those who desire for perfection:

Abu Hurairah (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "Goodness and comfort are for him who worships his Rabb in a perfect manner and serves his master sincerely.” (Bukhari 3/725)

Ibn Umar (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "If a slave is honest and faithful to his master and worships his Rabb (Allâh) in a perfect manner, he will get a double reward.” (Bukhari 3/722)

Abu Hurairah (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "Whoever believes in Allâh and His Messenger, offers prayers perfectly and fasts (the month of) Ramadan then it is incumbent upon Allâh to admit him into Paradise, whether he emigrates for Allâh’s cause or stays in the land where he was born.” They (the companions of the Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "O Allâh’s Messenger (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam)! Should we not inform the people of that?" He said, "There are one-hundred degrees in Paradise which Allâh has prepared for those who carry on Jihad in His Cause. The distance between every two degrees is like the distance between the sky and the Earth. So if you ask Allâh for anything, ask Him for the Firdaus, for it is the last part of Paradise and the highest part of Paradise, and at its top there is the Throne of Beneficent, and from it gush forth the rivers of Paradise.” (Bukhari 9/519)

Abdullah ibn Hisham (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated: “We were with the Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) and he was holding the hand of 'Umar bin Al-Khattab. 'Umar said to Him, "O Allâh’s Messenger! You are dearer to me than everything except my own self.” The Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, (you will not have complete or perfect faith) till I am dearer to you than your own self.” Then 'Umar said to him, "However, now, by Allâh, you are dearer to me than my own self.” The Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "Now, O 'Umar, you are a believer.” (Bukhari 8/628)

Abu Hurairah (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “The most perfect believer in respect of faith is he who is best of them in manners.” (Abu Dawud 4665)

Abu Humamah (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “If anyone loves for Allâh’s sake, hates for Allâh’s sake, gives for Allâh’s sake and withholds for Allâh’s sake, he will have perfect faith.” (Abu Dawud 4664)

Abu Hurairah (radhiallâhu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “Among the Muslims the most perfect, as regards his faith, is the one whose character is excellent, and the best among you are those who treat their wives well.” (Tirmidhi 278, 628, 3264 and Abu Dawud)

Aishah (Radhiallâhu anha) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, "Among the believers who show most perfect faith are those who have the best disposition, and are kindest to their families.” (Tirmidhi 3263)

All the above Prophetic teachings in addition to the Qur’anic Ayât (Verses) earlier quoted clearly tell us that indeed, Islam is the perfect religion and hence the best way of life for all. Islam as a universal religion is Allah’s Blessing and Mercy for all of us. It is for us to enjoy it and be successful in the eternal world to come. The best way to attain success through Islam is to learn it according to its authentic Sources. That is, to acquire knowledge of Islam through the Qur’an and the Sunnah and the right deductions from these revealed Sources of Knowledge and Guidance.

Since Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) is the One Who gives guidance, earnestly ask Him for authentic Islamic knowledge. We must seek His help and guidance to be able to apply such knowledge and share them to others – all for His Pleasure. May our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) increase our knowledge of Islam and enjoy the best life of being true Muslims forever. Ameen.

40 Guiding Principals of Islam

2009-10-26T03:24:00.000-07:00

The following list compiled by brothar Kassim is neither exhaustive nor are they necessarily arranged in order of importance. However, the list might be useful to provide a quick information about the nature of islam, that is, surrendering God in peace and for peace.

We have summarized the teachings of the Holy Quran into 40 principles, arranging them, to the best of our knowledge, in an order of priority given in the Quran. We hope that Muslims can easily order their lives in that pattern and attain success. The numbers in parenthesis refer to some of the Quranic verses stating each principle.

1--Believe in God and live righteously. (2:62, 112)
2--Worship God alone and do not associate Him with anyone or anything else. (17:22-23)
3--Do not fear mankind, but fear God. (5:44; 33:37, 39)
4--Respect and honor your parents. (17:23-24)
5--Enjoin good and forbid evil. (3:104)
6--Fight in the cause of justice and truth with your wealth and your lives. (4:75; 9:111)
7--Act justly, do not commit evil and rule according to God’s laws, i.e. justice, truth and mercy. (4:58, 135; 5:8; 7:28-29; 5:44)
8--Perform prayers and other rites of worship, without quarrelling over methodology, and pay the poor-rate.
(98:5; 22:67)
9--Obey just leaders, respect, honor and support them, but do not idolize them. (4:59; 33:56; 9:30-31)
10--Be an active, dynamic, creative and courageous person. (2:30-34; 4:75-77; 15:28-30)
11--Do not be egoistic and proud. (25:43; 17:37)
12--Treat everyone with civility and give greetings to all. (2:83; 28:55; 43:89; 4:86)
13--Hold firmly to principles, but be flexible in methods. (2:67-71, 142; 3:103; 5:54; 22:67)
14--Put moral considerations uppermost, but do not disregard your due material interests. (28:77)
15--Save lives and do not kill except in the cause of justice. (17:33)
16--Do not kill for fear of poverty. (17:31)
17--Do not practice usury, but practice charity. (2:275-80)
18--Be honest and fair in financial and economic dealings. (6:152)
19--Practice consultations to solve problems. (42:36)
20--Do not accept unverified information. (17:36)
21--Listen to all views and follow the best. (39:18)
22--Read in order to know, but read critically. (96:1-5)
23--Unite and do not divide. (3:103; 6:159; 61:4)
24--Fulfill promises. (17:34)
25--Do not practice bribery and corruption. (2:188)
26--Do not devour the properties of orphans. (17:34)
27--Do not be extravagant and wasteful, or stingy. (17:26-29)
28--Give charities to relatives, the poor and destitute and towards public welfare. (9:60; 17:26)
29--Do not aggress, but defend yourself against aggression. (7:33; 42:39)
30--Believers are brothers and make peace between believers. Avoid suspicion, spying and backbiting among believers. (49:9-10,12)
31--Persevere in any good effort and do not fear to face difficulties and hardships.
Success comes only after hardships. (2:45, 177; 94:5-8)
32--Use intelligence, reason and historical precedents to understand and carry out God’s commands. (7:179; 8:22; 10:100; 12:111; 3:137)
33--Speak the truth. Do not lie, although stratagem is allowed against adversaries. (8:7-8; 25:72; 33:70; 12:70-81)
34--Enter into marriage with believers, do not marry disbelievers, and do not commit adultery.
(5:5; 30:21; 17:32)
35--Cooperate and help each other in good works; do not cooperate in evil works. (5:2)
36--Eat and drink moderately, and avoid intoxicants and gambling. (7:31; 2:219)
37--Dress decently. (24:30-31)
38--Be kind and forgiving. (42:40,43)
39--Do not ridicule or mock one another. (49:11)
40--Do not ask about small and inconsequential details. (2:67-71; 5:101-102; 22:67)

What Does Islam Say about Terrorism?

2009-10-14T01:44:00.000-07:00

Islam, a religion of mercy, does not permit terrorism. In the Quran, God has said:

“God does not forbid you from showing kindness and dealing justly with those who have not fought you about religion and have not driven you out of your homes. God loves just dealers.” (Quran 60:8)

The Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, used to prohibit soldiers from killing women and children,[1] and he would advise them: “...Do not betray, do not be excessive, do not kill a newborn child.”[2] And he also said: “Whoever has killed a person having a treaty with the Muslims shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance is found for a span of forty years.”[3]

Also, the Prophet Muhammad has forbidden punishment with fire.[4]

He once listed murder as the second of the major sins,[5] and he even warned that on the Day of Judgment, “The first cases to be adjudicated between people on the Day of Judgment will be those of bloodshed.[6]”[7]

Muslims are even encouraged to be kind to animals and are forbidden to hurt them. Once the Prophet Muhammad said: “A woman was punished because she imprisoned a cat until it died. On account of this, she was doomed to Hell. While she imprisoned it, she did not give the cat food or drink, nor did she free it to eat the insects of the earth.”[8]

He also said that a man gave a very thirsty dog a drink, so God forgave his sins for this action. The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, was asked, “Messenger of God, are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?” He said: “There is a reward for kindness to every living animal or human.”[9]

Additionally, while taking the life of an animal for food, Muslims are commanded to do so in a manner that causes the least amount of fright and suffering possible. The Prophet Muhammad said: “When you slaughter an animal, do so in the best way. One should sharpen his knife to reduce the suffering of the animal.”[10]

In light of these and other Islamic texts, the act of inciting terror in the hearts of defenseless civilians, the wholesale destruction of buildings and properties, the bombing and maiming of innocent men, women, and children are all forbidden and detestable acts according to Islam and the Muslims. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the vast majority have nothing to do with the violent events some have associated with Muslims. If an individual Muslim were to commit an act of terrorism, this person would be guilty of violating the laws of Islam.

Footnotes:
[1] Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1744, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #3015.
[2] Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1731, and Al-Tirmizi, #1408.
[3] Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #3166, and Ibn Majah, #2686.
[4] Narrated in Abu-Dawood, #2675.
[5] Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6871, and Saheeh Muslim, #88.
[6] This means killing and injuring.
[7] Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1678, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6533.
[8] Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2422, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2365.
[9] This saying of Muhammad has been mentioned in more detail on this page. Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2244, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2466.
[10] Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1955, and Al-Tirmizi, #1409.

THE PRINCIPLES OF ISLAM ARE UNIVERSAL

2009-10-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

The universality of the Islamic teaching can be shown in its non-discriminatory teaching in regard to the human race, and in the recognition of all the previous prophets.

Since the time of its birth, Islam has carried the brand of universality. It addressed itself to the whole human race, discriminating neither among nations nor among ethnic groups. Every human being is a member of a huge family. No individual or nation is God's chosen or favorite creation because of birth, nationality, or belief in a particular dogma. People are equal in the sight of God, and everyone may have an access to the kingdom of God, if he (she) is righteous.

A truth never contradicts another truth. Therefore, Islam proclaims that there is only one heavenly religion which has been revealed at different times to the prophets whom the Almighty had commissioned to convey His messages to mankind. It is inconceivable that the Almighty would reveal a certain doctrine to one messenger and then reveal to another messenger a doctrine that contradicts the first one. The Almighty has revealed his heavenly principles, commandments and laws at different stages of the human civilization according to the capacity of the human understanding. The subsequent revelation supplements, and never contradicts, the previous ones. Therefore, Islam says that it is a duty for every Muslim to recognize and respect Jesus, Moses, and all true prophets and their true teachings. This is repeatedly recorded in the Holy Qur'an:

"Say: We believe in God and (in) that which has been revealed to us, and to Abraham, .. .and that which was given to Moses and Jesus, and that which was given to the prophets from their Lord. We do not make any distinction between any of them, and to Him do we submit." 2:136

The Christians who were in contact with the Muslims in the early days of Islam observed the great respect the Muslims had for Jesus. As a result, millions of them embraced Islam, not because they wanted to abandon the teaching of Jesus, but because they wanted to continue their adherence to his true teaching within the coherent teaching of Islam.

THE PRINCIPLES OF ISLAM HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS ALL ASPECTS OF THE HUMAN LIFE

2009-10-01T00:59:00.000-07:00

Islam, unlike many other religions, stresses the importance of both the spiritual and material aspects of the human life. God, according to Islam, does not want man to neglect his biological needs, nor is there an intrinsical conflict between our response to these needs and our spiritual development. On the contrary, the two sides are interdependent. They merge in each other and can be united in most of the human activities. A man who lacks the necessary food, warmth, and shelter, can hardly meditate, perform a devotional duty, or do good for other human beings. But when such necessities are satisfied, man can easily direct himself to his Lord.

Therefore, the well-intended work for meeting the bodily needs ought to be a portion of our religious duty. Religion, according to the Islamic teaching, does not aim at suppression of the biological desires; it aims at cultivating them and preventing the individual from becoming excessive and harmful to himself or to society.

THE PRINCIPLES OF ISLAM ARE CONSISTENT AND COHESIVE

2009-10-01T00:56:00.000-07:00

They do not contradict each other, nor do they contradict any other established truth. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all advocate the justice of God and His fairness. Islam, however, takes this fundamental concept and follows it thoroughly. It builds on it many other religious concepts which follow the concept of justice inseparably. When God is just and fair, He does not impose on any soul to do what is beyond its ability. Islam tells us also that the Most Just does not hold an individual responsible except for what he does by his own choice. He does not hold a person responsible for the sins of his father or forefathers because he had no control over their actions.

Islam tells us also that because God does not hold a person responsible for what his father did, He does not condemn the whole human race for a sin that was committed before the existence of any human generation. Such a condemnation is contradictory to the concept of the justice of God Instead of burdening mankind with the original sin, Islam tells us that every human being is born pure and free of any sin, and will stay so, until he commits a sin as an adult.

THE PRINCIPLES OF ISLAM WERE A GREAT SOURCE OF ATTRACTION BECAUSE THEY WERE, AND ARE, LOGICAL AND CLEAR

2009-10-01T00:55:00.000-07:00

Upon serious thought, one can easily accept a religious teaching which declares the following: There is no God but the Almighty Who created the whole universe; none is worthy of worship but He; He is the Lord alone, without partner, associate, or son; He did not beget nor was He begotten, and nothing is like Him; He is the Just, the Merciful, and the Powerful, neither anthropomorphic nor physical; and His power encompasses the whole universe.

Such a simple and uncompromising monotheism is readily acceptable to the human mind which seeks an explanation to the existence of the world. It does not confuse the human mind by stating that God is One and that He, at the same time, is more than one. Nor does it represent God as a human being born out of another human being.

THE STRONG FAITH OF THE EARLY MUSLIMS

2009-10-01T00:53:00.000-07:00

Due to the complete honesty and the influence of the appealing personality of Mohammad peace be upon him, the faith of his companions in him was unusually strong. It was based on their first-hand acquaintance with his exemplary life.

We are told that the followers of Moses refused to enter Jerusalem when commanded to do so and told him that he and his Lord should go to fight the enemies. We are told that the multitudes who had gathered around Jesus deserted him when the crisis came. Even his disciples deserted him. His chief disciple denied him three times before dawn on that fateful night. Similar situations happened to most of the prophets. None of them enjoyed a true support from their followers when they encountered a crisis.

The companions of Mohammad peace be upon him, however, were different. When Mohammad peace be upon him was in Mecca, he and the hundreds of his followers were powerless and without any legal protection. All of them stood the test of the crisis, and none of them abandoned the faith or the Prophet. The actions of those Muslims proved their faith in Islam and the Prophet. All of them preached Islam and practiced what they preached, and every genuine Muslim gave his faith a genuine support in word and in deed.

THE PERSONALITY OF THE PROPHET OF ISLAM

2009-10-01T00:49:00.000-07:00

Mohammad Peace be upon him was born under the shining light of history. No cloud has shrouded his birth, his existence or his life among his people. If any other prophet is considered a part of the religious history, Mohammad Peace be upon him is a part of both the religious and the world history.

Mohammad Peace be upon him was born in Mecca from a well-known father and mother and lived with his people forty years before he was commissioned as a prophet of God. He was observed by the people during his childhood and manhood. He was noticed by all his associates as an example of honesty and integrity. People never found in him a fault. They called him the Truthful, the Trustworthy.

Mohammad Peace be upon him did not live as an isolated person. On the contrary, he associated with the people constantly. As a businessman, Mohammad travelled and associated with people from all walks of life, but he was never affected by their low desires or worldly ambitions. He lived in a pagan society, dominated by idol-worshippers, but he never subscribed to their ideas, nor did he join them in their faith. He lived in that world as a world to himself. He was respected by his enemies and admired by his friends, and no prophet in history received as much as Mohammad Peace be upon him did of spontaneous obedience from his companions.

THE HOLY QUR'AN

2009-10-01T00:41:00.000-07:00

It is an undeniable fact that the Qur'an is a living book that has influenced millions of people through its beauty and style. The superiority of the Qur'anic discourse was, and still is, challenging. The Qur'an itself called upon its opponents to try to produce a discourse that measures up to it.

The Qur'an repeatedly states that if the opponents will produce at any time a comparable discourse, they will automatically disprove the whole faith of Islam. The Qur'an has remained standing above and beyond any comparison in the whole Arabic literature ever since its revelation in the 7th century The Holy Qur'an, therefore, has remained since the time of its introduction until now a great source of attraction for the Islamic faith.

660 Chinese workers embrace Islam in KSA

2009-09-10T13:33:00.000-07:00

Thursday, September 10, 2009 :: MAKKAH :: Six hundred and sixty Chinese nationals working on the Haramain train construction project have embraced Islam in a ceremony in Makkah.Abdul Aziz Al-Khudhairi, Makkah Governorate Undersecretary, who witnessed the declaration of the shahada described the event as a “direct response to critics of the government for contracting Chinese company.”“We received hundreds of letters opposing the signing of a contract with the Chinese company and demanding that Muslims be contracted,” Al-Khudhairi said. “Six hundred and sixty of them have now embraced Islam. Now those who were calling for them to be dismissed are happy at their embracing Islam. The numbers will also go up, as this is only the beginning, and represents around ten percent of the 5,000 working on the Haramain train.”Al-Khudhairi demanded that “our conduct reflect the teachings of our religion and our words should match our deeds to have an effect on people”. “We must also respect human rights,” he added.Meanwhile, as many as 2,722 people have embraced Islam at the Cooperative Office for Call, Guidance and Awareness of Communities in Al-Taif Governorate. The Office’s Director General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Ibrahim Al-Sawat pointed out that the office has also distributed during that period 1,247,694 copies of the Holy Qur’an, religious books and pamphlets as well as 225, 901 religious cassettes.

ISLAM: A JEWEL TO BE UNCOVERED

2009-09-04T19:23:00.000-07:00

Islam is a jewel that has, over the centuries, gotten covered with layers of ignorance and prejudice. It teaches human beings to be peaceful, caring, humble, and God conscious.

Prophet Muhammad said that a person is not a Muslim unless he wishes for another human being what he wishes for himself. He also said that a person is not a Muslim if his neighbor goes to bed hungry, while he himself has eaten a meal.

A Muslim is not allowed to start a war, but is obligated to defend himself and others when attacked. Even when defending himself, he must not harm or attack non-combatants, elderly, women, and children. He is not allowed to cut even a single tree, damage the water supply, or do any other harm to the environment.

Chapter 5, Verse 32 of The Qur’an, translated reads; “…That if anyone slew a person – unless it be (after due process) for murder or for spreading mischief in the land – it would be as if he slew the whole people. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.”

Chapter 2, Verse 256 of The Qur’an, translated reads; “Let there be no compulsion in religion.” Chapter 109, Verse 6 of The Qur’an translated reads; “ To you be your way, and to me mine.”

As Muslims, Christians, Jews, and followers of many other faiths, we believe that we all had a common father and a mother, i.e. Prophet Adam and Eve. We all have love and affection for our immediate biological brothers and sisters. Why not remind us that every human being is our biological brother or sister, though somewhat removed. We all carry the same genes that we inherited from our parents, Prophet Adam and Eve. We should never allow ourselves to get so angry that we forget our blood relationship, and cause pain to each other.

We need to be God conscious. Islam teaches us that there are only two states of beings; the Creator, and the Creation. In other words, we as human beings need to be conscious of our kinship with everything around us. Our Creator had a reason and a purpose for creating each and every one of us, and every thing around us, animate as well as inanimate. We as humans, are allowed to use and consume some of these things to take care of our needs, but we are not allowed to waste or destroy. We must constantly remind ourselves that each of us will be held accountable for what we do, and will face the consequences.

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)

“Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: If Though forgive us not And bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall certainly be lost.” (The Qur’an, 7:23)

ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION

2009-09-04T19:22:00.000-07:00

On September 26, 2001, Carly Fiorina, CEO of Hewlett Packard delivered a speech in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The speech was titled, Technology, Business and Our Way of Life: What’s Next?

She ended her speech by telling a story.

“There was once a civilization that was the greatest in the world.

It was able to create a continental super-state that stretched from ocean to ocean, and from northern climes to tropics and deserts. Within its dominion lived hundreds of millions of people, of different creeds and ethnic origins.

One of its languages became the universal language of much of the world, the bridge between the peoples of a hundred lands. Its armies were made up of people of many nationalities, and its military protection allowed a degree of peace and prosperity that had never been known. The reach of this civilization’s commerce extended from Latin America to China, and everywhere in between.

And this civilization was driven more than anything, by invention. Its architects designed buildings that defied gravity. Its mathematicians created the algebra and algorithms that would enable the building of computers, and the creation of encryption. Its doctors examined the human body, and found new cures for diseases. Its astronomers looked into the heavens, named the stars, and paved the way for space travel and exploration.

Its writers created thousands of stories. Stories of courage romance and magic. Its poets wrote of love, when others before them were too steeped in fear to think of such things.

When other nations were afraid of ideas, this civilization thrived on them, and kept them alive. When censors threatened to wipe out knowledge from past civilizations, this civilization kept the knowledge alive, and passed it on to others.

While modern Western civilization shares many of these traits, the civilization I’m talking about was the Islamic world from the year 800 to 1600, which included the Ottoman Empire and the courts of Baghdad, Damascus and Cairo, and enlightened rulers like Suleiman the Magnificent.

Although we are often unaware of our indebtedness to this other civilization, its gifts are very much a part of our heritage. The technology industry would not exist without the contributions of Arab mathematicians. Sufi poet-philosophers like Rumi challenged our notions of self and truth. Leaders like Suleiman contributed to our notions of tolerance and civic leadership.

And perhaps we can learn a lesson from his example: It was leadership based on meritocracy, not inheritance. It was leadership that harnessed the full capabilities of a very diverse population–that included Christianity, Islamic, and Jewish traditions.

This kind of enlightened leadership — leadership that nurtured culture, sustainability, diversity and courage — led to 800 years of invention and prosperity.”

These are profound words of Carly Fiorina, CEO, Hewlett Packard Company.

MUSLIM CONTRIBUTIONS TO HUMANITY

2009-09-04T19:21:00.000-07:00

Muslims was a worldwide power found simply on faith.

Election of A Leader: After the death of Prophet Muhammad, in 632 AD, Muslims elected Abu Bakr to be their leader and the Head of the Islamic State. Except for the Roman Empire, no one in the world had, at that time heard of electing a Head of State. That was democracy.
Water Purification & Distribution: Tunisia, North Africa – Muslims designed an ingenious water purification system using two water basins and gravity to filter clean water from one basin to the other. They built a distribution system so that the cities had clean running water. This was hundreds of years before anyone in Europe thought of having running water in the cities.
Baghdad: 200 years after Prophet Muhammad’s death, the borders of the Islamic empire stretched from Spain to India. It took nearly a year to travel from one end of its borders to the other. At its heart was the fabled city of Baghdad. It had exquisite neighbor- hoods filled with parks on both sides of the river. It was a city of learning, filled with the best scholars, the best thinkers, and the best artists. People from all over the empire came there looking for solutions to their staggering scientific and engineering problems. Baghdad’s renowned House of Wisdom and its public libraries attracted Jewish, Christian and Muslim scholars from all over the world. Muslim scholars embraced the ideas of Aristotle and Plato, writers that Christian world considered blasphemous. Renaissance had its true beginning during this period. It was during this period that Muslims began to challenge the earlier knowledge. Spirit of scientific investigation and search to develop new solutions was everywhere. System of Arabic numerals, Algebra, Trigonometry, engineering, Astronomy, and countless other disciplines trace their roots to this era.
At the time when Europeans were praying to the bones of their saints to cure their illnesses, Muslims determined that tiny organisms transmitted disease from one person to another. They concluded that a sick person should be quarantined to protect the rest of the community from germs. This is the beginning of the modern hospital. Separate wards for patients suffering from different diseases were established. They even studied mental illness. Their study of anatomy was so advanced that their discoveries remained unchallenged for the next 600 years.
The father of optics was a Muslim named Ibn Al-Hatem. He produced the first treatise as to how the eye sees. A thousand years before the European doctors attempted, Muslim doctors were surgically removing the cataracts.
For all this knowledge to be copied and communicated throughout the vast empire, there was a new invention, paper. Around 750 AD, when Muslims reached Central Asia, they found paper. Within 50 years, it was all over their empire, including Spain. From there, Europeans learned to make paper. Scribes were writing books on paper. Baghdad had streets of booksellers, some with as many as a hundred shops selling books. This was at a time when in Europe, a monastery would be lucky if it had five or ten books.
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”.

TERRORISM: PROHIBITED BY ISLAM

2009-09-04T19:20:00.000-07:00

Question: How come that some of the most horrible acts are sometimes committed by individuals who call themselves Muslims?

Answer: Evil acts are committed not by Muslims, Christians, Jews, or followers of any other faith as no religion sanctions the killing or hurting of innocent human beings.

The Holocaust by the Nazis, the Ethnic Cleansing by the Serbians, and the other similar heinous crimes in human history were not in accordance with the teachings of the great prophets of God whom we a people of faith revere, but were the actions of sick minds.

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.

Islam rejects the notion of certain individuals or nations being favored over another because of their wealth, power, or race. God created human beings as equals, and they are to be distinguished from each other only on the basis of their faith and piety.

Prophet Muhammad said: “O people! Your God is one and your forefather (Adam) is one. An Arab is not better than a non-Arab, and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab, and a red person is not better than a black person, and a black person is not better than a red person, except in piety.”

One of the major problems facing humanity in the 21st century is racism. We sent man to the moon, are attempting to inhabit the space, but have not learnt to live with each other in peace.

Timothy McVeigh, an American, was responsible for the Oklahoma City bombing. That does not mean that all Americans supported, condoned or even understood the reasoning behind his terrorist actions. He may have professed to be a Christian, but his terrorist actions are no more sanctioned by the Christian teachings than any of the evil acts of those who may call themselves Muslims, is sanctioned by the teachings of Islam. In fact, Islam strictly prohibits any act of terrorism against innocent victims.

Whenever an evil act to intentionally harm innocent human beings takes place, and the perpetrator calls himself a Muslim, the Muslims suffer three ways: firstly, as human beings they share the pain experienced by the innocent victims; secondly, they feel pain because the perpetrator has brought shame to Islam and Muslims; and thirdly, the Muslims, their families, their homes, and their places of worship become targets of those whose sensibilities have been hurt by the evil act.

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.

Islam does not allow killing or hurting of innocent human beings, or causing damage to their property under any circumstances, and for any cause whatsoever.

JIHAD: THE HOLY STRUGGLE

2009-09-04T19:19:00.002-07:00

The word Jihad means, “to strive.”

Translation of Verse 69 of the 29th Chapter of the Qur’an reads: “And those who strive in God’s cause, God will certainly guide them to His path: For Verily, God is with those who do right.”

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 biggest Jihad or struggle that a human being experiences is against himself or herself, in striving to lead his or her life in accordance with the guidance provided by God Almighty.

In spite of the fact that the consumption of alcohol, and pork is strictly forbidden by the Islamic teachings, Prophet Muhammad said, that if a Muslim breaks the bottle of wine of a Non-Muslim, or kills a pig belonging to a Non-Muslim, then on the Day of Judgment, he, the Prophet will take the side of the Non-Muslim. Then the Prophet reminded all of us that on the Day of Judgment, God Almighty will dispense justice even between two rams that may have locked horns in a fight.

Prophet Muhammad also said, “The biggest Jihad is to speak a word of justice to an oppressive ruler.” Translation of Chapter 5 Verse 32 of the Qur’an reads: “That if anyone slew a person – unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land – It would be as if he slew the whole humanity. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the entire humanity.”

Even during a war of self-defense, a Muslim is not allowed to hurt or kill non-combatants, women, children, or old people. He is not allowed to destroy crops or event cut down a single tree.

In the conquest of Makkah in 632 A.D., Prophet Muhammad left a tremendous example of behavior for a victorious party in a conflict. Prophet Muhammad preached the message of Islam, in and around Makkah, for 13 years with limited success. After suffering many hardships and persecution from the pagans of Makkah, The Prophet was ordered by God Almighty to migrate, along with his followers to Madinah. Prophet Muhammad mediated a peace between the warring tribes in Madinah, and established an Islamic State.

In order to destroy the Muslims, the Pagans of Makkah attacked Madinah several times, but failed. Nine years after the migration of Muslims from Makkah, Quraish, the most powerful pagan tribe of Makkah, in clear violation of the “Treaty of Hudaybiyya”, supplied men and arms in an effort to attack a Muslim-allied tribe that was slaughtered ruthlessly, some of them even inside the Holy Sanctuary of Ka’ba. Upon learning of the raid, Prophet Muhammad ordered Muslims, now much larger in number (10,000), to march on Makkah, and conquered it without any loss of life. In spite of the fact that the people of Makkah had earlier persecuted the Muslims and had robbed them of their properties, the Prophet instructed them not to harm anyone who does not attack them. It is a documented fact of history that not a single human being was harmed, nor any property destroyed.

Therefore, under no circumstances, no matter what the cause, Islam does not allow killing or injuring of innocent human beings or damage to their property, or suicide bombings.

The Qur’an specifically states, “Do not kill yourselves. God is Merciful to you, but he that does that through wickedness and injustice shall be burned in fire.”

WAR AND PEACE

2009-09-04T19:19:00.001-07:00

The word “Islam” is related to the word “salam”, which means “Peace”.

A Muslim is not allowed to initiate a war. “Fight in the way of God against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! God loveth not aggressors.” (Chapter 2, Verse 190 of The Qur’an).

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.

Islam makes a clear distinction between combatants and non-combatants. Soldiers are not allowed to hurt or harm the civilians, cut down trees, destroy livestock, wells, homes, or land of the enemy. Mutilation of the enemy bodies is also strictly forbidden.

Prisoners of war are to be treated with kindness. They are to be fed the same food that is consumed by their captors.

Muslims are forbidden to breach any treaty to which they have agreed. However, they are not expected to tolerate treachery.

“And if thou fearest treachery from any folk, then throw back to them (their treaty) fairly. Lo! God loveth not the treacherous.” (Chapter 8, Verse 58 of The Qur’an)

STATUS OF WOMEN

2009-09-04T19:18:00.000-07:00

Contrary to the customs practiced in most of the Muslim world today, Islam granted equal but not the same status to men and women, 1400 years ago.

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.

Islam granted women complete economic independence, before and after marriage. A Muslim women is under no obligation to provide for or supplement the family income. The husband has the entire responsibility.

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.

Prophet Muhammad said: “Paradise is under the feet of your mother.”

DOES GOD NEED OUR GOOD DEEDS?

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Prophet Muhammad told what God has said:

“My servants, I have made oppression unlawful for Me and unlawful for you, so do not commit oppression against one another. My servants, all of you are liable to err except the one whom I guide to the right path, so seek the right guidance from Me, so that I lead you to the right path. O’ My servants, all of you are hungry (needy) except the one whom I feed, so beg food from Me, so that I may give that to you. O’ My servants, all of you are naked (need clothes) except the one whom I provide garments, so beg clothes from Me, so that I may clothe you. O’ My servants, you commit error night and day, and I am there to pardon your sins, so beg pardon from Me so that I should grant you pardon. O’ my servants, you can neither do me any harm, nor can you do me any good. O’ my servants, even if the firsts among you and the lasts among you and even the whole of human race of yours, and that of the Jinn’s (ghosts) even, become (equal in) God conscience like the heart of a single person amongst you, nothing would add to my power. O’ my servants, even, if the first amongst you and the lasts amongst you and the whole human race of yours and that of the Jinn’s too and unison become the most wicked (all beating) like the heart of a single person, it would cause no loss to my power. O’ my servants, even if the first amongst you and the last amongst you and the whole human race of yours and that of Jinn’s also all stand in one plain ground, and you ask me and I confer upon every person what he asks for, it would not, in any way, cause any loss to me (even less) than that which is caused to the ocean by dipping the needle in it. My servants, these deeds of yours which I am recording for you I shall reward you for them, so that who finds good should praise, and that who encounters something else should blame only himself.”

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.”

Prophet Muhammad also said, “If anyone summons others to follow the right guidance, his reward will be equivalent to those of the people who follow him, without their reward decreased in any way. And if anyone invites others to follow the error, his sin will be equivalent to those people who follow him, without their sins being decreased in any way.”

Huston Smith, the distinguished Professor of Religion at the University of California, Berkley Campus, while discussing the existence and presence of God with Bill Moyers in the Television Program Series, Wisdom of Faith, says:

Let us say, that a bunch of dogs decide that they are going to prove the existence of mathematics. So they take some papers on which some math problems have been solved, and give them a “Sniff Test”. What answer would they come up?

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.

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”.

CHARITY

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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.

Translation of Chapter 2 Verse 261 of the Holy Qur’an reads: “The parable of those who spend their sustenance in the way of God is that of a grain of corn: it growth seven ears, and each ear hath a hundred grains. God gives manifold increase to those He pleaseth: and God careth for all, and He knoweth all things.”

Translation of Verse 263 of the same Chapter 2 reads, “Kind words, and covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. God is free of all wants and he is most forbearing.”

The Qur’an is setting a very high standard for charity: It must be in the way of God, with no expectation of reward in this world, and must not be followed by references or reminders about the act of charity.

Prophet Mohammad said, “Charity is due on every Muslim.” Someone asked the Prophet, “What if he does not have anything to give?” The Prophet said, “Let him work with both his hands, doing benefit to himself and giving charity at the same time.” The person asked again, “What if he does not have the means to do so?” the Prophet said, “Then let him assist the needy and the aggrieved.” The person asked again, “What if he cannot even do this?” The Prophet replied, “Then he should enjoin what is reputable or what is good.” The person asked one more time, “What if he cannot do that either?” The Prophet then replied, “He should do no evil, for verily that is a charity on his behalf.”

A man came to Prophet Muhammad and said, “O! Messenger of God, which charity is most rewardable?” The Prophet replied, “That you give charity in a state when you are healthy and close fisted and haunted by the fear of poverty, hoping to become rich.” You must not defer charity until that you are about to die and would be saying: This is for so and so.

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.”

ANGER AND GOOD MANNERS

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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 Prophet also gave some practical advice as how to control anger. He advised Muslims that when they are angry, to make ablution or wash their face, forearms, and feet with water. Also, that if they are standing, to sit down, and if they are sitting, to lie down.

Prophet Muhammad said: “Seven kinds of people will be sheltered under the shade of God on the Day of Judgment. They are:

A just ruler;
A young man who passed his youth in the worship, and service of God;
One whose heart is attached to the mosque;
Two people who love each other for the sake of God;
A man who is invited to sin but declines, saying: “I fear God”;
One who spends his charity in secret, without making a show;
And one who remembers God in solitude so that his eyes overflow.
The Prophet also said: “A believer, through his good manners, may achieve the status of the one who regularly fasts to please God during the day, and spends the night in prayer.”

PATIENCE

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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).

“Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure” (Chapter 39, Verse 10).

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.”

Prophet Muhammad said: “How excellent is the case of a faithful servant; there is good for him in everything. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to God, and that is good for him, and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently, and that is better for him.”

The Prophet also said: “Never a believer is stricken with discomfort, hardship or illness, grief or even with mental worry that his sins are not expiated for him. His sins drop away just as a tree sheds its leaves.”

KNOWLEDGE

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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.

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.

Prophet Muhammad said: “Anyone who travels on a road in quest of knowledge, God will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise. The angels will lower their wings over the seeker of knowledge. The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth and the fish in the depth of water will seek forgiveness for him. The superiority of the learned worshiper is like that of the full moon over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophets who leave no inheritance of wealth, but only of knowledge, and that who acquires it, acquires an abundant portion.”

The Prophet also said: “Learn from cradle to grave”, and travel to China if you have to for the sake of knowledge.”

INTENTION AND DEEDS

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Islam gives great importance to a person’s intentions when carrying out any deed, good or bad.

Prophet Muhammad said, “Verily the deeds are by the intentions, and for every person (there is in store for him) what he intended. God looks not to your figure, nor to your wealth, but He looks to your heart, and deeds.”

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.”

God Almighty reminds us in the Holy Qur’an about doing good deeds:

“And whatsoever good you do, God is aware of it.” (Chapter 2, Verse 215).

“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.”

RESPONSIBILITIES TO MANKIND

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Verse 36, Chapter 4 of the Holy Qur’an reminds mankind to “Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; And do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers or live far, the companions by your side, the wayfarer you meet, and the captives you take in war, for God loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious.”

Prophet Muhammad said, “He will not enter paradise whose neighbor is not secure from his wrongful conduct.” And, “You are not a believer if your neighbor goes to bed hungry and you had eaten.”

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.”

Prophet Muhammad said: “God will question a person on the Day of Resurrection saying:

‘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?’

RESPONSIBILITIES TO FAMILY

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Islam places great emphasis on respect and responsibilities towards one’s family.

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.”

Someone asked Prophet Muhammad, “Who should I obey?” The prophet replied: “Your mother.” The questioner again asked the same question, and the Prophet again said, “Your mother.” The questioner asked again, and the Prophet gave the same answer, “your mother.”

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.”

Prophet Muhammad also said, “Worship God alone, and do not associate anything with Him, and give up all that your ancestors said; and He commands us to establish prayer, to speak the truth, to be pious, and to strengthen the ties of kinship.”

RESPONSIBILITIES TO GOD

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A Muslim has five primary responsibilities to God Almighty, and these are referred to as the Five Pillars of Islam. These are:

Shahdah or Affirmation that there is only one God, without any partners, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.
Salaat or Daily Obligatory Prayers to be offered five times a day. These prayers are offered at the time of dawn (Fajr), at noontime (Zuhr), late afternoon (Asr), immediately after sunset (Maghrib), and at nighttime (Ish’a). Although it is preferred, and the reward is much greater if the prayers are offered at a Mosque, but one is allowed to offer them at home, at his place of work, at the airport or anywhere else. On Fridays, in lieu of the regular noon prayers, congregational prayers are offered after a sermon has been delivered by the Imam (Minister). In order to make an announcement of the time for each prayer, Adhan or a call for prayers is made. Before offering prayers, Muslims are required to perform ‘Wadhu’ or Ablution. Ablution is an act of purifying one’s self prior to appearing before the Creator. It consists of Cleaning one’s mouth and nose, and washing one’s hands, face, fore arms and feet with water.
Zakaat or Poor Due: It is an annual tax of 2.5 percent on a Muslim’s savings that he did not use for his needs during the past twelve months, and on certain business assets.
Saum or Fasting During the Month of Ramadhan: Muslims are obligated to fast from dawn till sunset for each day of the entire month of Ramadhan, the 9th lunar month, by abstaining from eating, drinking any fluids, smoking, and sexual contact. Those who are sick, or traveling, pregnant or nursing a baby are excused from fasting during the month but are required to make up for the lost days later on. The observance of the Ramdhan starts with sighting of the new moon for the 9th month, and ends with sighting of new moon for the following month. Consequently, Ramadhan lasts for 29 or 30 days. Since a lunar year is 10 days shorter than the solar year, a Muslim gets to observe the month of Ramdhan at different times of the year in his/her life time. The conclusion of the Ramdhan is marked by a day of celebration or feast, Eid-ul-Fitr.
Hajj or Pilgrimage to Makkah: In the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, is the Islam’s holiest shrine, The Ka’aba. This cubicle structure was the first house of worship built by Prophet Adam on this planet, was destroyed by the flood during the time of Prophet Noah, and rebuilt by prophet Abraham with his son Ishmael. Muslims all over the world turn towards the Ka’aba at the time of daily prayers. Hajj includes a visit to the Ka’aba, and to other holy sites in and around the city of Mecca. Every Muslim who has the financial means and is physically capable of traveling is required to perform Hajj once in his lifetime. In conjunction with the observance of Hajj, Muslims throughout the world sacrifice animals to commemorate the tradition of Prophet Abraham, when he made the ultimate sacrifice by attempting to slaughter his first born son (Ishmael) in order to carry out God’s command. This day of celebration or feast is called Eid-ul-Adha.

ORIGINAL SIN AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

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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.

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.”

In Verse 19, Chapter 41 of The Qur’an, God reminds us that on the Day of Judgment, our body parts will be a witness against us.

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.”

Prophet Muhammad said: “None of you should desire death because of any misfortune which befalls him. If he cannot help doing so, he should say, O’ God, keep me alive as long as life is better for me, and cause me to die when death is better for me.”

JESUS IN ISLAM

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Muslim believes that Jesus is one of the most prominent prophets of God Almighty. His mother Mary, is the most revered woman in Islam. Chapter 19 of the Qur’an is named Maryam (Mary).

Translation of Chapter 3 verses 45-48 reads:

“Behold! the angels said: “O Mary! God gives thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus. The son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to God. He shall speak to the people in cradle in maturity. And he shall be (of the company) of the righteous.”

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”.

Muslims believe in all of the authentic teachings of Jesus. They believe that most of his teachings have not been preserved but have been altered by others throughout history. They also believes that Jesus will return to earth before the Last Day, will fight the Anti-Christ along side Muslims, and will preach the same message about the oneness of God, before life on this earth will be ended.

CLOSENESS TO GOD

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Verse 16 Chapter 50 of The Qur’an reminds us that God Almighty created human beings, and gave them their limited free will. And that God is nearer to a human being than his jugular vein.

“God knows, of what may deceive the eyes or what the hearts may conceal. God’s perfect knowledge penetrates through all human tricks and deception.”(Qur’an Chapter 40, Verse 19)

“God is the protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light.”(Qur’an Chapter 2, Verse 257)

Prophet Muhammad said: “Adhere to and safeguard the Commandments of God. He will watch over you, He will safeguard your rights, and will always be with you. When you beg, beg of Him alone; and when you stand in need of His assistance, supplicate to Him. Remember that if all the people desire to benefit you, they will be unable to bestow anything upon you except that which God has pre-ordained for you, but if all of them agree to do you harm, they will not be able to afflict you with anything except that what God has predestined against you.”

Prophet Mohammad also said: “God says: I am to my servant as he expects of me, I am with him when he remembers me. If he remembers me in his heart, I remember him to myself, and if he remembers me in an assembly, I mention him in an assembly better than his.” God also says, “When a servant of Mine advances towards me a foot, I advance towards him a yard, and when he advances towards me a yard, I advance towards him the length of his both arms spread out. When he comes to me walking, I turn to him running.”

THE CONCEPT OF GOD

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Chapter 6 Verses 76-79 of the Qur’an, narrate the experience that Prophet Abraham had in his efforts to find God. The translation of these verses reads:

“When the night covered Abraham over, he saw a star, and said, ‘This is my Lord’. But when the star set, Abraham said, ‘I love not those that set’. When Abraham saw the moon rising in its splendor, he said, ‘This is my Lord’. But when the Moon set, Abraham said, ‘Unless my Lord Guides me, I shall surely be among those who go astray.’ When Abraham saw the Sun rising in its splendor, he said, ‘This is my Lord; This is the greatest of all.’ But when the sun set, he said: ‘O my people! I am indeed free from your guilt of giving partners to God. For me, I have set my face firmly and truly towards Him who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I associate partners with God.’’

Translation of Chapter 112 of the Qur’an reads :

“Say: He is God, The One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him”.

“God is the First and the Last, The Evident and the Hidden, and He has full knowledge of all things.” (Chapter 57: Verse 3). Translation of the 4th verse of the same chapter reads: “God knows whatever enters the earth or comes out of it; what comes down from the sky, and what mounts up to it. And He is with you wherever you may be. And God sees well wherever you may be. And God sees well all that you do.”

Translation of Chapter 24, Verse 35 of the Qur’an reads: “God is the light of the Heavens and the Earth. The parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche and within it a Lamp. The Lamp enclosed in Glass; the glass as it were a brilliant Star.”

PROPHET MUHAMMAD(Pbuh): BIOGRAPHY

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Muslims believe that there is no deity worthy of worship except the one God, and Muhammad(Pbuh) is a servant and a messenger of God.

Muhammad (Pbuh) was born in the city of Makkah, currently in Saudi Arabia in the year 571 A.D. His father died six months before Muhammad was born and his mother died when he was six years old. After his mother’s death, Muhammad(Pbuh) ’s grandfather took care of him, and upon his death, Muhammad(Pbuh) ’s uncle acted as his guardian. Muhammad(Pbuh) became a merchant and used to travel with caravans to Syria and to other places. His nickname was Al-Amin or “The Trustworthy”. At age 25, he married a businesswoman, named Khadija, who was forty years old at the time. They had two sons and four daughters. Both of their sons died at a very early age.

At age 40, Muhammad (Pbuh) received Prophethood, and preached the message of Islam, in and around Makkah, for 13 years with limited success. After suffering many hardships and persecution from the pagans of Makkah, Muhammad(Pbuh) was ordered by God Almighty to migrate, along with his followers to Madinah. Prophet Muhammad(Pbuh) mediated a peace between the warring tribes in Madinah, and established an Islamic State.

In order to destroy the Muslims, the Pagans of Makkah attacked Madinah several times, but failed. Nine years after the migration of Muslims from Makkah, Quraish, the most powerful pagan tribe of Makkah, in clear violation of the “Treaty of Hudaybiyya”, supplied men and arms in an effort to attack a Muslim-allied tribe that was slaughtered ruthlessly, some of them even inside the Holy Sanctuary of Ka’ba. Upon learning of the raid, Prophet Muhammad(Pbuh) ordered Muslims, now much larger in number (10,000), to march on Makkah, and conquered it without any loss of life. In spite of the fact that the people of Makkah had earlier persecuted Muslims and robbed them of their properties, the Prophet instructed them not to harm anyone who does not attack them. It is a documented fact of history that not a single human being was harmed, nor any property destroyed. About a year and a half later, in 632 A.D., Prophet Muhammad died at age 63, and is buried in Madinah. Prophet Muhammad(Pbuh) did not have any formal schooling, could not read or write, but over a 23-year period, with the message of Islam that he received from God Almighty, changed humankind forever.

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.”

The Encyclopedia Britannica calls Prophet Muhammad "the most successful of all religious personalities of the world."

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.”

Michael Hart ranked prophet Muhammad at the top of his list of 100 Most Influential Persons in History.(Hart, Michael H. 1992. The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, Revised and Updated for the Nineties. New York: Citadel Press Book.) For a complete list, visit http://www.adherents.com/adh_influ.html.

CREATION OF UNIVERSE

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Fourteen hundred years ago, in the 7th Century AD, the Qur’an vividly described the creation of universe, and the creation of life on earth. The Qur’an revealed, that the heavens and the earth were one mass before God ripped them apart, and that the universe is expanding.

Translation of Verse 30 Chapter 21 of the Qur’an reads: “Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and earth were of one piece, then We parted them, and We made every living thing of water? Will they not then believe?”

The translation of Verse 47 Chapter 51 of the Qur’an reads: “We have built the heaven with might, and We it is who make the vast extent – thereof.”

The first reference is strikingly similar to the widely accepted “Big-Bang” theory, and Edwin Hubble confirmed the second in 1925.

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.”

Verse 61 Chapter 25 of the Qur’an further describes the celestial bodies. The sun is described as a ‘lamp’ or ‘torch’, but the moon is simply described as a ‘borrower’ or ‘reflector’ of light. “Blessed be He Who hath placed in the heaven mansions of the stars, and hath placed therein a great lamp and a moon giving light.”

HOLY QUR’AN : THE BOOK OF GUIDANCE

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Muslims believe that the Qur’an is a miracle as it has guidance for humankind for all times to come. The Qur’an is not a book of history, but it describes historical events to remind humankind of God’s blessings to those who followed His commandments, and God’s punishment upon those who went astray.

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.”

When Dr. Keith Moore, Professor Emeritus of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Toronto, saw the above-mentioned verses, he was most astonished. He wondered, how Muhammad, 1400 years ago and without a microscope or a laboratory, could have accurately described what scientists have only come to discover in the past half-century.

It was not a description by Prophet Muhammad, but it was God Almighty who was revealing this knowledge of man’s humble beginning to humankind.

HOLY QUR’AN : THE ACTUAL WORD OF GOD

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Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the actual word of God as it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad through the Arch Angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years. The Qur’an was revealed sometimes in the form of a single verse, and other times as several verses. Prophet Muhammad dictated these verses to several scribes who recorded them with the utmost care. The Qur’an was revealed in Arabic, the language spoken by Prophet Muhammad and the people around him. The Qur’an that is available today everywhere in the world is exactly the same Qur’an in its entirety in the original language. It has been translated into every language and these translations are referred to as the “Translation of the Qur’an” and not the Qur’an itself.

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-Fateha’ – 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. It’s 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.”

Amen.

CREATOR AND CREATION

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Islamic teachings describe only two states of being: God the creator, and the Creation. God tells us in the Qur’an that He does not beget, nor is He begotten. Begetting offspring, eating, resting, sleeping are all characteristics of created things. God is All-Powerful and is able to do all things. He merely says to it “Be”, and it is. Such as the case of the miraculous birth of Prophet Jesus, the creation of the heavens and the earth, and all that is in them.

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’s 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.

In verse 152, Chapter 2 of the Holy Qur’an, God says to His creation: ”Then do ye remember me; I will remember you. Be grateful to me, and reject not Faith.”

ARTICLES OF FAITH

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The religion of Islam has 6 Articles of Faith. These are:

1-Belief that there is only one God, who does not beget, and was not begotten.

2-Belief in the Angels. Angels are creatures of God who have no will of their own, and they only carry out God’s commandments.

3-Belief in the scriptures revealed to various prophets throughout human history.

4-Belief in all of the messengers of God, starting with Prophet Adam, and including Prophets Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. There were actually over 100,000 messengers and prophets sent by God to all nations, and to all parts of the world, but only a few are mentioned in the Qur’an.

5-Belief in the Last Day on which all life in this world will end, all dead will be brought back to life, everyone will be held accountable for his/her deeds done during his/her life on earth, and will receive reward or punishment from God Almighty.

6-Belief in the divine destiny, i.e. nothing happens except what has been ordained by God. No one has the power to deny anyone what God has ordained for him or her to receive, and no one can deliver to some one anything that he or she is not destined to receive.

ONE MESSAGE OF ISLAM

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Muslims believe that God Almighty has provided the same guidance to all of humanity throughout history, i.e. starting with the first human being Adam, who was also a prophet of God, through the ages to prophets Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, Solomon, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad – peace be upon them all. That message is Islam or submission to the Will of God.

Muslims believe, not only in the 10 Commandments, but also believe in the authentic teachings of all of the prophets. They, however, feel that history has not preserved the original teachings of some of the prophets. According to Muslims, the only scripture that has been totally preserved in its original form as revealed by God to Prophet Muhammad, is the Qur’an. The Qur’an refers to the Jews, and Christians as “People of the Book” – because each of them is the recipient of Guidance from God Almighty in the form of a book.

Muslims believe that God Almighty gave the ‘Torah’ to Prophet Moses; the ‘Zaboor’ to Prophet David, parts of which are available today as the ‘Psalms of David’; the ‘Injeel’ or the ‘Gospel’ to Prophet Jesus; and the ‘Qur’an’ to Prophet Muhammad.

Hadith: The Qur’an is the primary source of Islamic teachings, and the “Hadith” is the next. The Hadith refers to the authentic collection of actions and statements made by Prophet Muhammad(pbuh)

ISLAMIC GREETING

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Have you ever noticed that when two Muslims meet, they exchange a certain greeting? Let me tell you what it is. The first one says: “As-Salaamu-Alaikum,” which is in Arabic, meaning “Peace Be Upon You.” The other person replies, “Wa-Alaikum-us-Salaam Wa-Rahmatullahe-Wa-Barakatu-Hu,” which means “And May The Peace And Blessings of God Be Upon You As Well.” What a beautiful way for human beings to greet each other. Its is like one offers a gift by wishing peace to the other, and the other responds with a better gift of prayers wishing for not only peace, but blessings of God as well.

Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) said, that a Muslim has five rights upon other Muslims. These are:

Responding to salutations.
Visiting the sick.
Following his bier.
Accepting his invitation.
Saying, “May God have mercy upon you,” when one praises God after sneezing.

NUMBER OF MUSLIMS

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Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. There are over 1.2 billion Muslims. That is, one out of every five human beings that walk on this earth is a Muslim. Not all Muslims are Arab, and not all Arabs are Muslim. Only 18 percent of the Muslims are Arab.

Seven million Muslims live in the United States; approximately half of them immigrated to this country, and the remainder were born here. The Muslims now outnumber the Jews in this country. If you think about it, Islam is no more foreign to this country than Judaism or Christianity; all three of these religions have their roots in the Middle East.

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 are told that God is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.

ISLAM AND ALLAH

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In the year 610 AD, in the city of Makkah, currently in Saudi Arabia, a 40-old man known as ‘Al-Amin,’ The Trustworthy, who had no formal education was commanded by God Almighty to pickup the mantle of earlier Prophets, and convey His guidance to mankind.

Arch Angel Gabriel, visited The Trustworthy in a cave outside Makkah, and conveyed the first verse of the Holy Qur’an. The translation of this verse reads: “Recite in the name of thy Lord who created you from a single drop of fluid.” This process in which ‘The Trustworthy’ received guidance from his Lord for a period of 23 years continued until the last verse of the Holy Qur’an was revealed in which God said, “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you, Islam, as your religion.” During the said 23 years, this unlettered man with guidance from God Almighty converted a bunch of Pagan warring tribes into a moral society, and a nucleus for a worldwide empire for the ensuing centuries.

A person who accepts Islam is called a Muslim. Muslims use the word Allah to refer to God: Allah is an Arabic word meaning “The One God.” Christians in the Arabic world (and there are many) use the word ‘Allah’ to refer to God Almighty. So Allah is not a different deity and is the same one God to whom Christians and Jews pray as well. The Qur’an repeatedly refers to Christians, and Jews as the People of the Book who pray to the same God.