Professional Documents
Culture Documents
What Is Islam
What Is Islam
what is
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CONTENTS
TITLES
PAGE
Who is Allah
What is Islam
Who are Muslims
Believes of Muslims
The pillars of Islam
What Islam stands for ?
What does it take to become a Muslim
Kabah
The QuranWho is Mohammad()
What non-muslims say about Muhammad ()
Islam and its contribution to the modern world
Hadith and Sunnah of the Prophet()
What is a mosque
Prayers
Essence of prayer
Fasting in Islam its origin, its laws and objectives
Zakat Compulsory charity
Status of women in Islam
Understanding the Islamic Dress Code for Women
4 wives or up to 4 wives and why?
Islam and Terrorism
Islamic Monotheism
Islam and other faiths
Jihad
Life Hereafter
Expiation of Sin
Who was Jesus (peace be upon him)
Family values and elders in Islam
Pre-marital relations
What food Muslims eat
Why Pork is forbidden in Islam
What else Islam forbids
Human Rights in Islam
Islam in the West
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PREFACE
Born and raised a Hindu, and keeping in mind the diametrically
opposed tangents of Hindu philosophy versus Islam, it was only the
express will of Allah that I was blessed with Islam and for this I will
always be short of words and actions to show my gratitude to Him. As
Prophet Muhammad () said: When Allah wishes well for someone He
grants him understanding of Deen (Religion). For me I could never
come to terms with the idea of God incarnate or reincarnation,
which is the central theme Hinduism revolves around. I always
thought that there certainly has to be a better way to connect to
God and achieve salvation. The very fact that we have been given
this life, hence there is a start and what actually awaits us at the end
is surely something that I always contemplated. I remember at an
young age of 16 and coming from a strict traditional family, when
at a religious event I mustered all the strength I had in me to tell my
father, the rituals in our religion do not impress me and I should be
allowed the freedom of choice. Listening this I clearly remember the
astonishment and disbelief on his face. After giving me a piercing
look I could sense that he conceded. It re-established my trust in
my father whom I always thought to be a reasonable man. That
day was the turning point in my life. Torn apart between what I was
always made to believe and the search for truth is something that I
was consumed in all the time. My restiveness grew by the day and
I always thought that there had to be something else which was
more acceptable to my soul and intellect.
Ultimately my inner commotion came to rest when I embraced
Islam in 1990 while working in Saudi Arabia. The sudden electrifying
transformation that I felt within me at the very moment I was taking
shahada (declaration of faith) can never be fully explained. Best
described, it was as if, there was something that was pulled out of
me with extreme difficulty bit by bit and simultaneously there was
something that was forcefully being thrusted inside me. My entire
being felt and witnessed the enormity of the change that I was
going through. I could feel so strongly that I knew it was a new
beginning from here on. Since then I have come a long way in my
personal and spiritual journey.
As time passed I arduously read a lot and more I was learning
more there was this ever growing sense of urgency within me to
present my new found religion in a manner that will appeal to
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those who have never even heard the word Islam. Some have at
least heard of it but know very little or what it represents. Whereas
yet some know only the distorted and violent image of Islam. In
todays challenging times, when religious intolerance is on the rise
everywhere, communal violence, hatred and antipathy are the
norm, the need to reach out to people of other faiths, culminated
in putting together a book that you hold in your hand. It is also an
effort to bridge the ever increasing gap between religions that are
monotheistic by definition and spirit.
Since early days of my Islamic life, I have fervently pursued the
ambition of sharing with others the light that shined on me. In other
words, to talk about Islam is my only passion and as if I have nothing
better to do. Being involved intensely in propagation activities and
after interacting with people from various intellectual and spiritual
backgrounds all the way to the man on the street, I have understood
to a great degree, the numerous specifics a non-Muslim needs to
know about Islam. As a result I have very meticulously researched
and compiled, taking the help of various sources of information to
present just that. So inexhaustible is the knowledge on Islam that it
was virtually impossible for me as to what I must ignore and what
to choose for this book. However, I have tried to be both, as brief
as well as comprehensive on the subjects that I believe will be of
immediate interest to the reader. Anything less may have failed
to accomplish the fullness of the message that I intended. I trust
this aim was achieved, especially when someone is reading about
Islam for the very first time.
I also like to extend my deep gratitude to .who
so willingly agreed to give their time in going through the text and
giving valuable numerous suggestions of improvements. May Allah
reward them amply for the assistance they provided me.
Lastly, I only hope that Allah() in His infinite mercy, accept my humble
efforts in conveying His word to those who remain unknowledgeable
of it and that I succeeded in portraying the true image of Islam.
Suhail Kapoor
Who is Allah
Allah (Arabic:
,) is the creator and judge of mankind, omnipotent,
omnipresent, compassionate, and merciful. Belonging from an old
Semitic root word meaning Divine and used in the Canaanite El, the
Mesopotamian ilu, and the biblical Elohim, the term Allah is used by
most of the Arabic-speaking Muslims, Christians, Jews, and others
alike. Muslims eliminate any anthropomorphism (human qualities)
to their understanding and concept of Allah. His attributes are in no
way resembling the attributes possessed by human, despite similar
labels or appellations. Prior to the advent of Islam, Jews and other
tribes in Arabia also referred to the supreme creator as Allah. The
belief that mediation is necessary in order for ones prayers to be
accepted, finds no place in Islamic thought. And that Allah is too
holy to approach is negated in Islam in the following Quranic verse,
And indeed We have created man, and We know what his own
self whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein
(by Our Knowledge). (Quran 50:16).
The word for God used in Aramaic is Alaha which comes from the
same Proto-Semitic word (ilh-) as the Arabic and Hebrew terms.
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Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god; the Sovereign, the Holy
One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith,
the Preserver of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, Supreme:
Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him.
(Quran)
He is Allah, the Creator, the Evolver, the Bestower of Forms (or
Colours). To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names: whatever is in
the heavens and on earth, doth declare His Praises and Glory; and
He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.(Quran 59:22-24).
Say: Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman: by whatever name
ye call upon Him, (it is well): for to Him belong the Most Beautiful
Names. (Quran17:110)
What is Islam
Islam (Arabic:
; al-islam) is a religion none other but a
continuation and confirmation of the same message that was given
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Mt. Hira, Tur Zeeta, Mt. Lebanon and AI-Judi. (14, v. 3. p. 14).
Abraham and Ismail (peace be upon them) reconstructed the
House over the foundations of Adam as instructed by Allah, the
The Kabah Makkah, Saudi Arabia (the dots that appear represents people).
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The Quran states; Those who reject our signs, We shall cast into the
fire; as often as their skins are roasted through. We shall change
them for fresh skins, that they may taste the punishment; for Allah is
Exalted in power; Wise. ( 4:56)
Creation Of Human
Since Aristotle had summed up the prevailing theories in his age
relating to the creation of the embryo, controversy continued
among the supporters of the theory of the full dwarf embryo
existing in mans sperm and those of the theory of the full dwarf
embryo created out of the womans menstrual blood coagulation
(thickening). Most of them believed that man was reduced into
that sperm drop, and they drew a figure in which they imagined the
embryo as a full creature in the sperm drop, which then grew up in
the womb as a small tree(bottom left).
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try him: so We gave him (the gifts), of hearing and sight. (76:2).
He It is Who created all things in the best way and began the
creation of man from clay, and made his progeny from an extract
of despised fluid (Sulalah) (32: 7-8)
So, let man consider of what he was created. He was created of
gushing water (86: 5-6)
Who is Mohammad()?
He was born in Arabia in the year 570 AD in the noblest of clans
of Makkah, the Quraish. During one of his meditative retreats to
the Cave of Hira in Makkah, he received his first revelation from
God through Angel Gabriel. He started his mission of preaching
the religion of Truth, Islam, at the age of forty until his death, at
the age of sixty three. During this not so long period of 23 years
his prophethood changed the complete Arabian Peninsula from
paganism and idolatry to worship of One God. From tribal quarrels
and wars to national solidarity and cohesion, from drunkenness and
debauchery to sobriety and piety, from lawlessness and anarchy to
disciplined living, from utter bankruptcy to the highest standards of
moral excellence, human history has never known such a complete
transformation of a people or a place before or since and imagine
all these unbelievable achievements in just over two decades.
What the greatest Historians, Philosophers and Scholars of this
century say about Mohammad () the prophet of Islam
Alphonse de LaMartaine in Historie de la Turquie, Paris, 1854.
If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astonishing results
are the three criteria of a human genius, who could dare compare
any great man in history with Muhammad? Philosopher, Orator,
Apostle, Legislator, Conqueror of Ideas, Restorer of Rational beliefs....
The founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire
is Muhammad. As regards all standards by which human greatness
may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than
he?
Thomas Carlyle in Heroes and Hero Worship and the Heroic in
History, 1840
The lies (Western slander) which well-meaning zeal has heaped
round this man (Muhammad) are disgraceful to ourselves only.
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A silent great soul, one of that who cannot but be earnest. He was
to kindle the world, the worlds Maker had ordered so.
A. S. Tritton in Islam, 1951
The picture of the Muslim soldier advancing with a sword in one
hand and the Quran in the other is quite false.
De Lacy OLeary in Islam at the Crossroads, London, 1923.
History makes it clear, however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims
sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of sword
upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths
that historians have ever repeated.
Gibbon in The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire 1823
The good sense of Muhammad despised the pomp of royalty. The
Apostle of God submitted to the menial offices of the family; he
kindled the fire; swept the floor; milked the ewes; and mended with
his own hands his shoes and garments. Disdaining the penance and
merit of a hermit, he observed without effort of vanity the abstemious
diet of an Arab.
Sir George Bernard Shaw in The Genuine Islam, Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936.
If any religion had the chance of ruling over England, nay Europe
within the next hundred years, it could be Islam.
Edward Gibbon and Simon Oakley in History of the Saracen Empire,
London, 1870
The greatest success of Mohammads life was affected by sheer
moral force.
Reverend Bosworth Smith in Muhammad and Muhammadanism,
London, 1874.
Head of the State as well as the Church, he was Caesar and Pope
in one; but he was Pope without the Popes pretensions, and Caesar
without the legions of Caesar, without a standing army, without a
bodyguard, without a police force, without a fixed revenue. If ever
a man ruled by a right divine, it was Muhammad, for he had all
the powers without their supports. He cared not for the dressings of
power. The simplicity of his private life was in keeping with his public
life.
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Every detail of his private life and public utterances has been
accurately documented and faithfully preserved to our day. The
authenticity of the record so preserved are vouched for not only
by the Muslims but even by his prejudiced critics. Mohammad,
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the seal of all of Gods Messengers and Prophets, 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, 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.
When he appeared Arabia was nothing but a desert. Out of nothing
a new world was modeled by the dynamic spirit of Mohammad()
-- a new life, a new dimension and a dawn of a new civilization
unfurled which spread from Morocco to Indies and influenced the
thought and life of three continents -- Asia, Africa and Europe.
Micheal H. Hart, the great American scientist, philosopher,
mathematician, physicist and historian of this century, in his book,
The 100 most influential men in human history, lists Mohammad at
no.1 and Jesus at 3.
Today after a lapse of fourteen centuries, the life and teachings
of Muhammad(), have survived without the slightest loss, human
interference or interpolation. They
offer the same everlasting hope
for
treating
mankinds
many
maladies, which they did when he
was alive. This is not a claim of his
followers but also the inescapable
conclusion forced upon by a critical
and unbiased history. Quran itself
confirms that Mohammad() is Gods
last messenger to mankind and the
seal of prophethood.
The spread of Islam and its contribution
to the modern world
In these troubled and extremist times,
when the religion and culture of
Islam are under seemingly perpetual
attack, it is salutary to consider how
much Islam and the Christian West,
have in common, and how much it
owes to the spiritual insights of the
Qutub Minar built during the 15th Century
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Mosque built during the 800 years of Muslim rule in Cordoba, Spain
Taj Mahal in India built by moghul emperior Shehjehan in love of his wife Noor Jehan
during the14th century
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Jewish doctors who received their training in Moorish Spain and North
Africa. Tim Wallace-Murphy shows how over the last century it was
European Western powers who laid the foundations for the chaos
that reigns in the Middle East. We need to find a just and equitable
solution to these problems and we should begin by acknowledging
our common spiritual heritage and the profound debt that Western
civilization owes to Islamic culture.
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Hadith 730
[The man asked] Who is more entitled to be treated with the best
companionship by me? The Prophet said, Your mother. The man
said. Who is next? The Prophet said, Your mother. The man further
said, Who is next? The Prophet said, Your mother. The man asked
for the fourth time, Who is next? The Prophet said, Your father.
Sahih al-Bukhari, 8:2.
He who has been a ruler over ten people will be brought shackled
on the Day of Resurrection, until the justice (by which he ruled)
loosens his chains or tyranny brings him to destruction. Al-Tirmidhi,
Hadith 1037
Avoid cruelty and injustice...and guard yourselves against
miserliness, for this has ruined nations who lived before you. Riyadhus-Salaheen, Hadith 203.
What is a mosque?
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Sawm (Arabic:
) is an Arabic word for fasting regulated by
Islamic jurisprudence. O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to
you, as it was prescribed for those before you (i.e. Jews & Christian)
so that you may (learn) self-restraint. Quran - 2:183
Fasting is another unique moral and spiritual characteristic of
Islam. Literally defined, fasting means to abstain completely from
foods, drinks, intimate intercourse with your spouse, and smoking,
before the break of the dawn till sunset, during the entire month of
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year. It also has medical
benefits such as; it lowers the blood pressure and insulin level. This
causes breakdown of glycogen from liver to provide glucose and
breakdown of fat from adipose tissue to provide for energy needs.
Fasting not only brings a wholesome physiological rest for the digestive
tract and central nervous system and normalizes metabolism, it is an
exercise of self discipline. And above all its the spiritual attainment
for it teaches man the principle of sincere Love: because when he
observes Fasting he does it out of deep love for God.
It cultivates in man a vigilant and sound conscience and
indoctrinates patience and selflessness, as through fasting, he feels
the pains of deprivation but he endures them patiently.
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Zakat
Compulsory charity (Arabic:
zakat or zakah, meaning grow,
purify, or foster). Besides Zakat allows the needy with income
opportunities.
(Zakat) Islamic religious tax, is among the five basic requirements
(arkan or pillars)
of Islam. All adult
Muslims of sound
mind and body
with a set level of
income and assets
are
expected
to pay zakat. It
is due yearly on
certain types of
property
and
is distributed to
eight categories
of individuals specified by the Quran. These categories are usually
defined to include orphans, the poor, travelers, beggars, debtors,
slaves, and the efforts to propagate Islam.
Zakat is payable, on crops, harvests, herds, gold, silver, and
merchandise. It is one of the basic principles of Muslim economy,
based on social welfare and fair distribution of wealth. Money
collected can be used for the general benefit of the community at
large by exploring and investing in trade. One of its main objectives
also is to serve the destitute and maintain equilibrium between the
rich and the poor. The prophet () said putting a morsel of food
in your wifes mouth and meeting your brother with a smile, is also
charity.
Status Of Women In Islam
As part of submitting ones self to their creator (i.e. Islam), modesty
and a sense of shyness is one of the necessary components of faith
and paramount to achieving righteousness. Our bodys adornments
or physical features are a gift, which our creator has given us,
and this gift is a trust that comes with certain responsibilities. For
both Males and females, God has made their physical features
extremely attractive to each other for the purpose of culmination in
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for corruption and immorality. But aside from the moral question
these women are also exploited. They are used as a tool for mans
pleasures, yet have no guarantees, no rights or security, financial or
emotional. Should they become pregnant, it is their burden alone.
But even if such women are ready to pay the price for this personally,
society also suffers seriously from such situations. The increasing
number of illegitimate children born today under conditions such
as these provides a potential base for tomorrows maladjusted
and even criminals. Furthermore, it is inhuman, humiliating for those
children to grow up without knowing who their fathers were without
enjoying a clean and normal family life.
Restricting each and every man to have only one wife is not practical.
Even if every man got married to one woman, there would still be
more than thirty million females in USA, 4 million in Britain, 5 million in
Germany, nine million in Russia and so on, who would not be able
to get husbands (considering that America has twenty five million
gays). The only two options remaining for these women are that
they either marry a man who already has a wife or becomes public
property. There is no other option. Islam prefers giving women the
honorable position by permitting the first option and disallowing the
second.
In Western society, it is common for a man to have mistresses and/
or multiple extra-marital affairs, in which case, the woman leads a
disgraceful, unprotected life. The same society, however, cannot
accept a man having more than one wife, in which women retain
their honorable, dignified position in society and lead a protected
life. This I consider extremely hypocritical. So then which option is
better : to let a woman marry a married man or leave her to be
used as an object of pleasure as long as she is young and abandon
her as she gets older ? This I will leave to the reader to decide.
To sum up, Islam being against immorality, hypocritical pretense of
morality and against divorce unless no better solution is available,
does actually provides that better alternative which is consistent
with human nature and with the perseverance of pure and
legitimate sex relationships. In a situation like this, it is doubtful that
any solution would be better than polygamy. But above all this its
mainly to protect the modesty of women.
Q: If a man is allowed to have more than one wife, then why does
Islam prohibit a woman from having more than one husband?
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mans. One can imagine what would happen if the family has two
or more heads. Its like asking 4 women to take a cup of milk from a
bucket, then return it and then ask them to take out the exact same
milk that they took out in the first time. Food for thought.
A woman who has more than one husband will have several sexual
partners at the same time and has a high chance of acquiring
venereal or sexually transmitted diseases, which can also be
transmitted back to her husband even if all of them have no extramarital sex. This is not the case in a man having more than one wife,
and none of them having extra-marital sex.
Islam and Terrorism
Terrorism is a crime against humanity. Islam is a religion that means
peace. In the Quran God commands believers to bring peace
and security to the world. The Islamic morality is the cure for terrorism,
not the source of it. However, it should be noted that the actions
of an individual or a small group do not necessarily represent the
beliefs of a particular religion, nor the religion responsible for such
actions, whatever faith that may be.
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. Muslims follow a religion of
peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the vast majority have nothing
to do with the violent events that have come to be 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.
If someone kills another personunless it is in retaliation for someone
else or for causing corruption in the earthit is as if he had murdered
all mankind. And if anyone gives life to another person, it is as if he
had given life to all mankind. Our Messengers came to them with
Clear Signs, but even after that, many of them committed outrages
in the earth. (Quran, 5:3).
Any Muslim who believes in God with a sincere heart, who
scrupulously abides by His verses and fears suffering in the Hereafter,
will avoid harming even an ant. He knows that the Lord of Infinite
Justice will suitably reward or punish him for all his deeds.
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Concept Of Monotheism In
Islam
Islam is a religion without any
mythology. Its teachings are
simple and acceptable to
human intellect. It is free from
superstitions and irrationality.
The oneness of God, the
prophethood of Muhammad (
)and the concept of life after
death are the basic articles of its faith. They are based on reason
and sound logic. All of the teachings of Islam flow from those basic
beliefs and are simple and straightforward. There is no hierarchy
of priests, no farfetched abstractions, and no complicated rites or
rituals. It enjoins him to see things in the light of reality. The Quran
advises man to seek knowledge and invoke God to expand his
awareness:
Say O, my Lord! Advance me in knowledge.
(Quran 20: 114)
God also says:
Are those who know equal with those who know
not? But only men of understanding will pay
heed. (Quran 39: 9)
According to Lord Snell: We have built a nobly-proportioned
outer structure, but we have neglected the essential requirement of
an inner order; we have carefully designed, decorated and made
clean the outside of the cup; but the inside was full of extortion and
excess; we used our increased knowledge and power to administer
to the comforts of the body, but we left the spirit impoverished.
While there are theological differences, some of which might
be significant, there are nonetheless other important areas of belief
that are shared by Muslims, Christians and Jews alike.
The next essential concept that needs to be clarified is the term
Allah What does it mean? It should be emphasized first that the
term Allah has no connotation at all of a tribal god, an Arabian
or even a Muslim god. The term Allah in Arabic simply means the
One and Only True, Universal God of all. To think that Allah is different
from God, with a capital G is no more valid than saying the French
Christians worship a different god because they call him Dieu.
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or to ones own whims and desires. These all are regarded as forms
of associating others with Allah (shirk), whether by believing that
such creatures of Allah possess divinity or by believing that they
share the Divine Attributes of Allah. It should be added that, to the
Muslim, monotheism is not simply a dogma. Islams pure, pristine and
strict monotheism is much more than a
thought or a belief; it is something that
deeply influences the Muslims whole
outlook on life.
Islam And Other Faiths
The average Christian and Non-muslim
has heard of or has read about Islam
mostly through writers who have had
colonial or missionary motives, which
might have given a certain slant to
their interpretation of Islam to the
western mind.
For the Muslim, constructive dialogue is
not only permitted, it is commendable. In the Quran we read, Say,
O people of the book (a term which particularly refers to Jews and
Christians) come to common terms as between us and you: that
we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him
(in His powers and divine attributes); that we erect not from among
ourselves lords and patrons other than Allah. If then they turn back
say you Bear witness that we are Muslims (bowing) to the will of
God. (al-Imran;3:64).
Why People of the Book? Because the Muslim makes a clear
distinction between a polytheist or an atheist, and follows the
prophets who originally received revelations from Allah.
In conclusion and against this background, what is the implication
for the Muslims in their attitudes toward non-Muslims? To start with,
and we must be frank about it, the Quran makes it incumbent on
the Muslim to convey Allahs message in its final form, the Quran, to
all humanity. We are not talking here about conversion. Indeed, to
turn to Islam, the religion of all the prophets in its final form is not to
turn ones back on the preceding Prophets. It is an augmentation,
rather than a conversion, because it does not involve changing
ones basic spiritual nature. In the Quran, pure human nature is a
Muslim nature, which knows its Lord and wishes to submit to Him.
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The Quran states, Let there be no compulsion in religion. (alBaqarah; 2:256) Substitute for the term conversion is reversion,
in the sense of a return to the pure monotheism in which we were
all created. Thus the Muslim is taught to be tolerant toward others.
Indeed, the Quran not only prohibits compulsion in religion, but it
prohibits aggression as well.
Strongest among men in enmity to the Believers wilt thou find the
Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the Believers
wilt thou find those who say We are Christians: because amongst
these are men devoted to learning (priests), and men who have
renounced the world (monks), and they are not arrogant. And then
they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, thou wilt see
their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth. They
pray: Our Lord! We believe, write us down among the witnesses.
(Sura Al-Maida 82-83)
Jihad
Jihad as presented in the Quran and any of the other scriptures
implies the striving of spiritual good. This Jihad particularly involves
change in ones self and mentality. It may concern the sacrifice of
material property, social class and even emotional comfort solely
for the salvation and worship of God ALONE. As a result, one who
practices Jihad will gain tremendously in the Hereafter.
By the means of media, Islam (Submission) has been given a sinister
image in the eye of the public opinion; this notorious image is
mainly due to the ignorance and misunderstanding of the media
and public. A word which is often heard and associated with the
acts of certain individuals, claiming to act in the name of Islam, is
the Arabic word: Jihad. Its significance plays an extremely crucial
role in the image of Islam. But what does this so widely known word
mean?
Quran says :
The day will come when every soul will serve as its own advocate,
and every soul will be paid fully for whatever it had done, without
the least injustice. (16:111).
The day will come when each soul will find all the good works it
had done brought forth. As for the evil works, it will wish that they
were far, far removed. GOD alerts you that you shall reverence Him
alone. GOD is Compassionate towards the people. (3:30).
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Say, O my people, do your best, and so will I. You will surely find
out who the ultimate victors are. Certainly, the wicked will never
succeed.(6:135).
The Hereafter is far better for you than this first (life.)(93:4)
In Brief; the meaning the media gives to this word (Jihad) is false
and grossly overstated. This word does not mean a holy war, for
there is nothing holy about a war in Islam (submission). There are
times when war is tolerated, permitted and even, in some case, to
a point accepted, but never considered holy. Islam (Submission)
is a religion of peace, no matter what certain media or deranged
individuals say or claim. Islam (Submission) revolves around the
concept of peace.
If they resort to peace, so shall you, and put your trust in GOD. He
is the Hearer, the Omniscient.(8:61).
Life Hereafter
The Muslim believes that there is reward and punishment, that there
is life hereafter and that reward or punishment does not necessarily
wait until the Day of Judgment, but start immediately after burial.
The Muslim believes in resurrection, accountability, and the Day of
Judgment. The Quran teaches that life is a test, that earthly life is
temporary (al-Mulk; 67:2). We Muslims believe in the life hereafter
and in a divinely inspired moral code organizing and regulating
human life during our earthly journey to eternity.
Quran: (Chapter Zalzala, The Earthquake)
When the earth is shaken to her (utmost) convulsion,
And the earth throws up her burdens (from within),
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families and societal bonds is that of the family. And while it can
be justifiably argued that the basic family unit is the foundation of
any given human society, this holds particularly true for Muslims. As
a matter of fact, the great status that Islam affords to the family
system is the very thing that so often attracts many new converts to
Islam, particularly women.
Islam considers the family as the basic unit of human society. The
foundation of a family is laid through marriage. Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) noted once, The best among you is who treats the members
of his family best. The following verse of the Quran sums it all:
The strongest of all Your Lord has commanded that you worship
none but Him, and be kind to parents. If either or both of them reach
old age with you, do not say uff to them or chide them, but speak
to them in terms of honor and kindness. Treat them with humility,
and say, My Lord! Have mercy on them, for they did care for me
when I was little. (Chapter 17: 23-24)
Pre-marital relations
In Islam, there is no such thing as a girlfriend-boyfriend relationship.
You are either married or you are not. The idea of such a relation
ship is alien to Islamic values. Prophets saying Whenever a man
is alone with a woman, Satan (Shaytan) is the third among them
(Tirmidhi). When young people are getting to know each other,
being alone together is a temptation toward wrongdoing. At all
times, Muslims should follow the commands of the Quran (24:3031) Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and to protect their
private parts. That is purer for them. Verily Allah is All-Aware of what
they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and
protect their private parts... [24:30-31]
Islam recognizes that we are human and are given to human
weakness, so this rule provides safeguards for our own sake. Social
entertainments in Islam are generally either within the family and
close friends of the family, or among men and women in separate
groups. It unleashes base desires that, once allowed free-reign, will
destroy families. Are the results of promiscuity not in front of us ?
The illegitimate and abandoned children, broken homes, abortions,
and sexual diseases - the list goes on. Relationship out of wedlock
is only known as fornication, punishable by Islamic Law in an
Islamic state. It is in the larger interest of our society that high moral
standards are enforced.
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France.
Rights laid down by man cannot be superseded or even compared
with the rights sanctioned by God.
The right to life, the right to the safety of life, Respect for the chastity
of women, the right to the Basic Standards of life, Individuals right
to Freedom, Abolition of Slavery (it was Islam that brought dignity
to every man for in the sight of God, every child is born free), the
right to Justice, the right to Co-operate or not to Co-operate, the
Security of Life and Property, the Protection of Honor, the Sanctity
and Security of Private Life, the Security of Personal Freedom, the
right to Protest against Tyranny, the right to Freedom of Expression,
Freedom of Conscience and Conviction, Protection from Arbitrary
Imprisonment, Equality before Law, Rulers not above the Law, The
right to avoid Sin.
The rights of the Non-Combatants. Under the rights of the
Combatants: No Torture with Fire, Protection of the Wounded, The
Prisoner of War should not be slain, No one should be tied and
killed, No Looting and Destruction in the Enemys lands, Sanctity of
Property, Sanctity of a Dead Body, Return of Corpses of the Enemy,
Prohibition of Breach of Treaties, Rules about Declaration of War.
This is a brief sketch of those rights which Islam gave to man. The
world has not been able to produce more just and more equitable
laws than those given 1400 years ago. On the other hand it hurts
ones feelings that Muslims are in possession of such a splendid and
comprehensive system of law and yet they look forward for guidance
to those leaders who could not have dreamed of attaining those
heights of truth and justice which was achieved a long time ago.
Islam In The West
It is the fastest growing religion in the world. Because Islam is a
complete way of life, it tells man about the purpose of his creation
and existence, his ultimate destiny, his place among other creatures
and more importantly, it provides him with guidance to lead a
balanced and purposeful life which will enable him to avoid the
Hell-fire and be rewarded with a place in Paradise in the life after
death. Simply Islam is to Obey Allah (Allah is the Name of the Only
One True God). Islam is a verb in Arabic (a doing word). The one
who does Islam is called a Muslim. (Allah calls us Muslims in His
Speech of Qurn).
50,000 embrace Islam each year in US alone. They come from
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an ambassador of Islam.
Christian,
her
contact
prompted her to seriously
to conclude that many
but they are sincerely
Islam asks of us to
ponder, and those who do,
consider making the
most significant decision
they will ever make in their lives, infinitely more important than the
choice of career, food, or marriage; one that will affect the very
core of their being for the remaining part of their lives, and most
importantly will have serious consequences in the hereafter.
Idris Tawfiq has a degree in English language and
Literature from the University of Manchester and
a degree in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical
University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome,
embraced Islam.
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