WHAT IS ISLAMIC JIHAD?
The following is a response to a report which was published in a Canadian Press in which an Imam was asked the question: Is it correct to say that "all followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith; so they can have a place in heaven? The Imam replied, "Yes".
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The Arabic word Jihad comes from the root word Jahada which means the following:
He strove, laboured, or toiled; exerted himself or his power or efforts or endeavours or ability, employed himself vigorously, strenuously, laboriously, diligently, studiously, sedulously, earnestly, or with energy; was diligent, or studious; took pains, or extraordinary pains in such a thing. (Lane Arabic/English Lexicon, vol. 2, p. 473)
Coming out of the root word, the word Jihad means the following:
The using, or exerting, one's utmost power, efforts, endeavours, or ability, in contending with an object of disapprobation; and this is of three kinds: namely, a visible enemy, the devil, and one's self; all or which are included in the term as used in the Qur'an 20:78 (ibid. "Jihad").
In the Holy Qur'an Allah says:
And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive, (with sincerity and discipline): He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion: it is the way of life of your Father Abraham.
No where will you find that the meaning of Jihad is to go out and kill a person just because he has not accepted Islam. A Muslim is commanded to fight if he is attacked, or in order to prevent oppression, etc. In this connection Allah says:
Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits, for Allah does not love the transgressors. (2:190)
Even when one is attacked and has the power to retaliate aggressively, Allah enjoins upon believers to use their discretion. For example He says:
And if you have to retaliate, do not retaliate worse than what they did to you, but if you show patience, that is indeed the best (course) for those who show patience. (16:126)
Islam does not uphold the principle of turning the other cheek; as a result a Muslim has the right to defend himself when attacked, but that does not give him the right to punish anyone for not accepting Islam, except if it is in an enemy country (i.e. those who attacked Islam) and in the process of repelling the attack the enemy is overpowered, then the Muslims can use their discretion in prescribing punishment to the attackers.
Prophet Muhammad (pboh) demonstrated the best meaning of Jihad when, after returning from one of the battles, he is reported to have said: Now we are leaving the small Jihad and returning to the great Jihad. When asked by his companions: What is the great Jihad, O Messenger of Allah? He replied; The Jihad against the Nafs; i.e. to control oneself from doing evil.
It is unfortunate that people associate Jihad with killing. Even in bringing the Message of Islam, the persons who are inviting others do not behave like the people of some other faiths where incentives and conditions are attached to the invitation to be converted. Allah directs Muslims to invite to Islam, not by force, but in the following way. He says:
Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord, with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best, and most gracious; for thy Lord knows best who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance. (16:125)
When Prophet Muhammad (pboh) captured Makkah, and held all those who made every effort to kill him before he migrated to Madinah; he asked them what shall I do with you? They replied: forgive us: He said: I forgive you as Joseph forgave his brothers.
It is the religious duty of every Muslim (believer in the Oneness of Allah) to convey to the non-believers the Message of Belief in One Creator of the universe and submission to Him only. That is the believers' Jihad. It is left to the person to accept or not to accept. The preacher cannot use any kind of force or scheme to convert the listener. Allah says:
O Messenger, proclaim the (Message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord; if thou didst not, thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His Mission. (5:67)
Prophet Muhammad (pboh) did not spread Islam with the sword, he was the most loving and compassionate person, even among all the Messengers of God who came on earth; and because he is the believer role-model, all believers are supposed to relate with every human on the basis of love, and nothing else.
Friday, 27 November 2009
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Love For Allah And The Prophet (pboh)
Love for Allah and His Habeeb
When a person falls in love with someone he would want to be close to that person. He would admire her and would want to say nice things to that person. It would be a thrilling experience to be close to the one that is loved.
Just as the lover has undying love for the beloved, so too, Allah wants us, His servants, to love Him more than anything else, because He loves us more than we could ever imagine. He says about the true believers the following:
“Those of Faith are overflowing in their love for Allah.”
(Chapter 2, verse 165)
If we culivate love for our Creator He will take us closer to Him,; on the other hand, if we are not sincere in our relationship with Him, He can replace us with people who will really love Him.
Allah gives us a lot of refrences in the Qur’an of what He is capable of doing. He says that if there are people who do not love and worship Him He can cause them to go out of existance and bring forth a group who will demonstrate love and devotion. This is recorded in the Qur'an in the following verse. Allah says:
O you who believe, if any from among you turn back from his Faith; soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him. (5:54)
Allah has recorded about the past nations, how He erased them and brought others in their places. For example, the people of 'Ad and Thamud, the people at the time of Prophet Noah (pbuh), the people at the time of Pharaoh; they were all destroyed and others were brought in their places.
Allah gave the Israelites the mission of establishing His Religion on earth; as they all disobeyed He removed the responsibility of projecting religion from them and He bestowed it upon the Muslims. Allah created a special bond between Him and the Muslims.
The true believers follow the ways of Father Abraham. He was a Muslim, and desmonstrated complete submission to the orders of his Lord. The Qur'an records that he said:
"Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds”.
Prophet Muhammad also demonstrated sincere love for Allah as a result he said nothing of his own desire. He had so much of love for Allah that he only said and did what Allah inspired him to do; he taught the believers to do likewise so they are taught to say: we hear and obey.
Now Allah has created a people, i.e. the Believers, that will have plenty of love for Him. They do not behave towards Him like the past nations who stipulated conditions for obeying and loving Allah . For example, when Jesus asked: Who will be helpers in the way of Allah, some of the Israelites said: we will be helpers on condition that you get us food from the skies.
The human personality comprises a physical (nafs) and non-physical (ruh). The ruh is pure and it cannot be contaminated and, if given a chance, it can have a beautiful connection with Allah . But Allah also wants us to use the physical side of our bodies to demonstrate love for Him. We do so by showing love to a material thing that He has created. This creation is His Beloved as, Prophet Muhammad is called the "Beloved of Allah". Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is therefore the common object of love from Allah on one side and the true believers on the other. The true believer is supposed to love him more than anything else in this world. He is reported to have said:
He is not a true believer until he loves me more than his father, his children and mankind at large.
Allah has made ways of cementing the bond of love between Himself and the true believers. One of these ways is His invitation to visit His Holy House in Makkah. So people who can afford it avail themselves of the opportunity to visit the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah. They either perform Haj at the specified time or Umrah whenever it is convenient.
Haj is especially significant, as during that time the beleivers from all around the world assemble in Makkah and connect themselves with the Sunnah of Father Abraham and his family. He was true in faith and a real model for mankind.
The believers also take the opportunity to visit the Holy City of Madinah and to cement their relationship with the beloved Prophet of Allah. They send salutations to him near to his person.
All the true believers are supposed to express love for Allah and Prophet in a respectable manner. Through this you will gain closeness to Him. True, pure, sencere love will get you close to Him, and that should be our goal.
We beg Allah to take us closer and closer to Him and His Habeeb and may He raise us in the Prophet's (pboh) companionship on the Promised Day.
When a person falls in love with someone he would want to be close to that person. He would admire her and would want to say nice things to that person. It would be a thrilling experience to be close to the one that is loved.
Just as the lover has undying love for the beloved, so too, Allah wants us, His servants, to love Him more than anything else, because He loves us more than we could ever imagine. He says about the true believers the following:
“Those of Faith are overflowing in their love for Allah.”
(Chapter 2, verse 165)
If we culivate love for our Creator He will take us closer to Him,; on the other hand, if we are not sincere in our relationship with Him, He can replace us with people who will really love Him.
Allah gives us a lot of refrences in the Qur’an of what He is capable of doing. He says that if there are people who do not love and worship Him He can cause them to go out of existance and bring forth a group who will demonstrate love and devotion. This is recorded in the Qur'an in the following verse. Allah says:
O you who believe, if any from among you turn back from his Faith; soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him. (5:54)
Allah has recorded about the past nations, how He erased them and brought others in their places. For example, the people of 'Ad and Thamud, the people at the time of Prophet Noah (pbuh), the people at the time of Pharaoh; they were all destroyed and others were brought in their places.
Allah gave the Israelites the mission of establishing His Religion on earth; as they all disobeyed He removed the responsibility of projecting religion from them and He bestowed it upon the Muslims. Allah created a special bond between Him and the Muslims.
The true believers follow the ways of Father Abraham. He was a Muslim, and desmonstrated complete submission to the orders of his Lord. The Qur'an records that he said:
"Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds”.
Prophet Muhammad also demonstrated sincere love for Allah as a result he said nothing of his own desire. He had so much of love for Allah that he only said and did what Allah inspired him to do; he taught the believers to do likewise so they are taught to say: we hear and obey.
Now Allah has created a people, i.e. the Believers, that will have plenty of love for Him. They do not behave towards Him like the past nations who stipulated conditions for obeying and loving Allah . For example, when Jesus asked: Who will be helpers in the way of Allah, some of the Israelites said: we will be helpers on condition that you get us food from the skies.
The human personality comprises a physical (nafs) and non-physical (ruh). The ruh is pure and it cannot be contaminated and, if given a chance, it can have a beautiful connection with Allah . But Allah also wants us to use the physical side of our bodies to demonstrate love for Him. We do so by showing love to a material thing that He has created. This creation is His Beloved as, Prophet Muhammad is called the "Beloved of Allah". Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is therefore the common object of love from Allah on one side and the true believers on the other. The true believer is supposed to love him more than anything else in this world. He is reported to have said:
He is not a true believer until he loves me more than his father, his children and mankind at large.
Allah has made ways of cementing the bond of love between Himself and the true believers. One of these ways is His invitation to visit His Holy House in Makkah. So people who can afford it avail themselves of the opportunity to visit the Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah. They either perform Haj at the specified time or Umrah whenever it is convenient.
Haj is especially significant, as during that time the beleivers from all around the world assemble in Makkah and connect themselves with the Sunnah of Father Abraham and his family. He was true in faith and a real model for mankind.
The believers also take the opportunity to visit the Holy City of Madinah and to cement their relationship with the beloved Prophet of Allah. They send salutations to him near to his person.
All the true believers are supposed to express love for Allah and Prophet in a respectable manner. Through this you will gain closeness to Him. True, pure, sencere love will get you close to Him, and that should be our goal.
We beg Allah to take us closer and closer to Him and His Habeeb and may He raise us in the Prophet's (pboh) companionship on the Promised Day.
Friday, 6 November 2009
The Beauty of Islam
The Beauty of Islam
One of the beauties of Islam is that it connects us with the past and the future. It connects us with the experiences of the past and the physical and practical experiences of the future. For example Allah says in Surah Al An'am
"Travel through the earth and see what was the end of those who rejected truth."
(Chapter 6, verse 11)
Islam takes you to the past and shows you all of what the Qur’an narrates. You sometimes feel as though you have experienced it. For example, the trials and tribulations that of Prophet Joseph (as) experienced.
Islam also tells you and can make you feel something of the future. For example when you visit Masjid Nabawi in Madinah there is a spot inside the Masjid that is call Ar-Rawdah An-Nabawiyah. Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said “the area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens of Paradise”. So you have the opportunity to actually go to and sit in Paradise, even in this world.
One of the most mature and best experience a believer can have in this world is making the scared pilgrimage. This is why Hajj is the last of the fundamental principles mentioned. Hajj is obligatory on those who could afford it, so you must have some wealth. However, your wealth can help you up to a certain point in this world. For example your wealth can allow you to reach Makkah, but it is practically useless once you enter into a state of Ihram.
Hajj is like a rehearsal for the hereafter. First of all, the pilgrim puts on Ihraam. This makes you feel as though you have nothing materially. Just like this everyone will be resurrected, i.e. without anything materially.
ThenAllah says that on the Day of Ressuraction His Arsh will be lowered and everyone will be moving towards it and this is like the tawaf and sai the Hujjaj makes.
Allah says:
And the angels will be on the sides; and eight will, that Day bear the Throne of thy Lord above them. That Day shall ye be brought to Judgment. (69:17-18)
On the plain of Arafat when the sun begins to set you see all the pilgrims begging and weeping to Allah . After all the rituals are complete you then go to Madinah al Munawarah and benefit from this blessed city.
Madinah is completely different from Makkah. Madinah is peaceful and tranquil, and this is possibly why Allah has designated a piece of Jannah in Masjid Nabawi.
Allah has connected the whole of mankind, past, present and future, regardless of age, gender and race. We should always keep this in mind especially when going for Hajj. As during the actual every one loses his or her identity. While performing the haj rituals, everyone is equal in the sight of Allah .
Use the blessings what He has bestowed upon you to get closer to Him, just as how the haji can go to perform the haj if he or she has the material assets to purchase the tickets, etc; so too, a person can use the material gifts given to him by Allah to prepare a place in the Garden of Bliss, by sending before him "savings" in the form of charity, etc. which he makes available for those in need. By so doing Allah will, insha Allah, provide for him in the Hereafter.
Be thankful to Him for what He has bestowed on you and use it to benefit you in this life as well as in the next. Do not find faults with what He has bestowed upon you, and do not believe that He loves others more than you. He gives you what is best for you, and your success depends on how you use it for your benefit in both the worlds.
We beg Allah to enlighten us, bless us and may He enable us to be among the rightous, insha Allah.
One of the beauties of Islam is that it connects us with the past and the future. It connects us with the experiences of the past and the physical and practical experiences of the future. For example Allah says in Surah Al An'am
"Travel through the earth and see what was the end of those who rejected truth."
(Chapter 6, verse 11)
Islam takes you to the past and shows you all of what the Qur’an narrates. You sometimes feel as though you have experienced it. For example, the trials and tribulations that of Prophet Joseph (as) experienced.
Islam also tells you and can make you feel something of the future. For example when you visit Masjid Nabawi in Madinah there is a spot inside the Masjid that is call Ar-Rawdah An-Nabawiyah. Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said “the area between my house and my minbar is one of the gardens of Paradise”. So you have the opportunity to actually go to and sit in Paradise, even in this world.
One of the most mature and best experience a believer can have in this world is making the scared pilgrimage. This is why Hajj is the last of the fundamental principles mentioned. Hajj is obligatory on those who could afford it, so you must have some wealth. However, your wealth can help you up to a certain point in this world. For example your wealth can allow you to reach Makkah, but it is practically useless once you enter into a state of Ihram.
Hajj is like a rehearsal for the hereafter. First of all, the pilgrim puts on Ihraam. This makes you feel as though you have nothing materially. Just like this everyone will be resurrected, i.e. without anything materially.
ThenAllah says that on the Day of Ressuraction His Arsh will be lowered and everyone will be moving towards it and this is like the tawaf and sai the Hujjaj makes.
Allah says:
And the angels will be on the sides; and eight will, that Day bear the Throne of thy Lord above them. That Day shall ye be brought to Judgment. (69:17-18)
On the plain of Arafat when the sun begins to set you see all the pilgrims begging and weeping to Allah . After all the rituals are complete you then go to Madinah al Munawarah and benefit from this blessed city.
Madinah is completely different from Makkah. Madinah is peaceful and tranquil, and this is possibly why Allah has designated a piece of Jannah in Masjid Nabawi.
Allah has connected the whole of mankind, past, present and future, regardless of age, gender and race. We should always keep this in mind especially when going for Hajj. As during the actual every one loses his or her identity. While performing the haj rituals, everyone is equal in the sight of Allah .
Use the blessings what He has bestowed upon you to get closer to Him, just as how the haji can go to perform the haj if he or she has the material assets to purchase the tickets, etc; so too, a person can use the material gifts given to him by Allah to prepare a place in the Garden of Bliss, by sending before him "savings" in the form of charity, etc. which he makes available for those in need. By so doing Allah will, insha Allah, provide for him in the Hereafter.
Be thankful to Him for what He has bestowed on you and use it to benefit you in this life as well as in the next. Do not find faults with what He has bestowed upon you, and do not believe that He loves others more than you. He gives you what is best for you, and your success depends on how you use it for your benefit in both the worlds.
We beg Allah to enlighten us, bless us and may He enable us to be among the rightous, insha Allah.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
AN INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM
An Introduction to
Islam
In the name of Allah
the Beneficent the Merciful
In the year 571, there was born, in the country of Arabia a baby boy name Muhammad (pboh). He was from the descendent of Ishmael who was from Abraham and Hagar.
Muhammad (pboh) grew up to be an outstanding person; gentle, kind, loving, truthful and trusted. He was known as Al Ameen—the trusted one.
This title was given to him by the barbarous Arabs, who, at that time, lived by the principles of "might is right, and survival of the fittest".
When he was forty years old, one day, in the Cave of Hira, where he was meditating, Angel Gabriel appeared to him and informed him that he was a Prophet of God; the last of the divinely appointed Messengers. His mission was to remind the people of the teachings of all the previous Messengers from Adam to Jesus.
Muhammad's (pboh) birth was the beginning of the promise God made to Abraham many centuries before, concerning the progeny of Ishmael, which, up to that time was not yet fulfilled.
The Bible has it recorded in the following words:
As for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. (Gen.17:20)
What did Muhammad (pboh) preach?
Prophet Muhammad (pboh) was not sent to any particular tribe or nation like the previous messengers. He was sent as the Universal Messenger with a Universal Message.
The first thing that he preached was belief in One God (Allah). He reminded the people that all the previous Prophets taught their followers to believe in One God and to worship Him alone.
The Bible supports belief in One God: some of the verses are:
Abraham said: I have lifted my hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of the heaven and the earth. (Gen.17:9)
Moses was commanded to preach: Thou shalt have no other god before me. (Ex.20:3)
Isaac prayed: O God of my father Abraham… I am not worthy of the least of thy mercies, and of all the truth … deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother… (Gen.332:9 ff.)
Jesus said: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. (Mt.22:37)
The Qur'an adds:
The sons of Jacob said to their father: We shall worship thy God, the God of thy father, Abraham, and Ishmael and Isaac. One god, and unto Him have we surrendered. (3:165)
He is Allah, the One Allah, the Eternally besought of all. He begets not; nor was He begotten; and there is none comparable unto Him. (Ch.112)
The Essence of Islam:
Belief in One God and submission to Him alone: form the main theme upon which the whole message of Islam is based. In fact, humanity at large is invited to surrender themselves to Allah and His Commands. The Commands are nothing but that prescribed by Him for leading a successful life here with guarantee of a place in the Garden of Bliss in the Hereafter.
Anyone who accepts these two principles are said to have surrendered, and is expected to follow the example set by the Divinely appointed Messenger Muhammad (pboh) in order to be successful in both the worlds.
Declaration of belief:
There are no rituals for becoming a Muslim; and no baptism. Anyone wishing to become a Muslim must believe in one God. He or she also has to believe that Muhammad (pboh) is the Final Messenger of God, as Muhammad (pboh) is the best example of submission to the Divinely Revealed Code of Life.
It is expected then that such a person will be ready to declare such a belief. This has to be done before two witnesses. This is called the declaration of faith.
The standard form of declaration is:
I testify to the fact that there is no god but Allah; Who is alone and has no partner; and I testify to the fact that Muhammad (pboh) is Allah's servant and Apostle.
The Mission:
Prophet Muhammad (pboh) reminded the people of the wrath of Allah on all those who do not submit to Him. The Qur'an gives examples of some nations and tribes who were destroyed when they deliberately continued to refuse to recognise His Oneness: Sodom, Gomorrah, Pharaoh, the people in the time of Noah. Etc.
Prophet Muhammad (pboh) also told the people that they should acquaint themselves with the message from Allah if they want to stay rightly guided. He told them that they can only find the true and pure message from Allah in the Holy Qur'an—the last of the Revealed Scriptures.
The Holy Qur'an:
The Holy Qur'an is not the word of any human being; it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (pboh). Allah sent the revelations through Angel Gabriel, a little at a time.
The Angel used to read the verses and the Prophet used to recite after him; then the Prophet recited and the Angel listened. The Prophet used to then dictate to a scribe who would copy what was dictated to him. The scribe would then read what he wrote and the Prophet used to listen in order to verify that the scribe wrote correctly what was dictated. The other companions would then write and memorised what was revealed.
The Qur'an has been preserved in memory and in written form all through the ages; and it has not undergone any change. It is the chief source of guidance for the whole of mankind, as a result, Muslims from everywhere in the world follow its guidance. In it the dos and don'ts are clearly stated, and anyone can be guided by reading the Commands and upholding them.
Sabbath:
There is no Sabbath in Islam; as every day is a day of activity and prayer. There is the Friday Congregational prayer (Jumuah); which is compulsory for all male adult Muslims, who may not be sick, travelling or feeble.
The Qur'an tells us about the Friday Congregational Prayer in the following verse:
O you who believe, when the Call is proclaimed to prayer of Friday, hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah; and leave off business. That is better for you if you only knew. And when the prayer is finished, then you may disperse through the land and seek of the Bounty of Allah; and celebrate the Praises of Allah often that you may prosper. (62:9-10)
What Islam teaches:
• It is the words, deeds and intentions of the individual that are important to him or her. On the Day of Judgment, every individual has to stand before the Lord and account to Him about his/her life on earth.
• The devil to man is an enemy trying to prevent him from becoming Godly.
• Man can resist the temptations by following the part that takes him away from it. That path is called the Straight Path.
• Islam gives a complete moral code of life, based on the principle of Justice translated into action that a believer should like for his brother what he would like for himself.
• The fundamentals for this Code of belief are declaration of faith, prayer, fasting, compulsory poor tax, and pilgrimage for those who can afford.
• These five fundamentals strengthen the individual's relationship with Allah on one hand and with human beings on the other.
• Life is this world is not permanent; and the grave is not the end. There is a Great Day called the Day of Judgment, after which the individual will either dwell in Eternal Bliss or Damnation.
• Between death and the Day of Judgment is "waiting" barrzakh. The individual cannot come back physically in any form, but waits there until resurrection.
• Everyone is living in the presence of Allah all the time. He knows what a person does openly and secretly, and all actions are recorded in a "book of deeds". This will be given to the individual on the Day of Judgment.
• Both man and woman are equal in the sight of Allah; and both pious men and women will enter heaven.
• There are no racial or class barrier in Islam; all are equal in the sight of Allah; the best among human beings is the one possessing the best moral conduct.
• The acquisition of knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim
Dear friend; if by reading this short introduction to Islam, you are convinced that it is the best way of life for which you were looking, then I invite you to become a Muslim.
If you should require more information; you may kindly communicate with me at:
mwl@tstt.net.tt.
Islam
In the name of Allah
the Beneficent the Merciful
In the year 571, there was born, in the country of Arabia a baby boy name Muhammad (pboh). He was from the descendent of Ishmael who was from Abraham and Hagar.
Muhammad (pboh) grew up to be an outstanding person; gentle, kind, loving, truthful and trusted. He was known as Al Ameen—the trusted one.
This title was given to him by the barbarous Arabs, who, at that time, lived by the principles of "might is right, and survival of the fittest".
When he was forty years old, one day, in the Cave of Hira, where he was meditating, Angel Gabriel appeared to him and informed him that he was a Prophet of God; the last of the divinely appointed Messengers. His mission was to remind the people of the teachings of all the previous Messengers from Adam to Jesus.
Muhammad's (pboh) birth was the beginning of the promise God made to Abraham many centuries before, concerning the progeny of Ishmael, which, up to that time was not yet fulfilled.
The Bible has it recorded in the following words:
As for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. (Gen.17:20)
What did Muhammad (pboh) preach?
Prophet Muhammad (pboh) was not sent to any particular tribe or nation like the previous messengers. He was sent as the Universal Messenger with a Universal Message.
The first thing that he preached was belief in One God (Allah). He reminded the people that all the previous Prophets taught their followers to believe in One God and to worship Him alone.
The Bible supports belief in One God: some of the verses are:
Abraham said: I have lifted my hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of the heaven and the earth. (Gen.17:9)
Moses was commanded to preach: Thou shalt have no other god before me. (Ex.20:3)
Isaac prayed: O God of my father Abraham… I am not worthy of the least of thy mercies, and of all the truth … deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother… (Gen.332:9 ff.)
Jesus said: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. (Mt.22:37)
The Qur'an adds:
The sons of Jacob said to their father: We shall worship thy God, the God of thy father, Abraham, and Ishmael and Isaac. One god, and unto Him have we surrendered. (3:165)
He is Allah, the One Allah, the Eternally besought of all. He begets not; nor was He begotten; and there is none comparable unto Him. (Ch.112)
The Essence of Islam:
Belief in One God and submission to Him alone: form the main theme upon which the whole message of Islam is based. In fact, humanity at large is invited to surrender themselves to Allah and His Commands. The Commands are nothing but that prescribed by Him for leading a successful life here with guarantee of a place in the Garden of Bliss in the Hereafter.
Anyone who accepts these two principles are said to have surrendered, and is expected to follow the example set by the Divinely appointed Messenger Muhammad (pboh) in order to be successful in both the worlds.
Declaration of belief:
There are no rituals for becoming a Muslim; and no baptism. Anyone wishing to become a Muslim must believe in one God. He or she also has to believe that Muhammad (pboh) is the Final Messenger of God, as Muhammad (pboh) is the best example of submission to the Divinely Revealed Code of Life.
It is expected then that such a person will be ready to declare such a belief. This has to be done before two witnesses. This is called the declaration of faith.
The standard form of declaration is:
I testify to the fact that there is no god but Allah; Who is alone and has no partner; and I testify to the fact that Muhammad (pboh) is Allah's servant and Apostle.
The Mission:
Prophet Muhammad (pboh) reminded the people of the wrath of Allah on all those who do not submit to Him. The Qur'an gives examples of some nations and tribes who were destroyed when they deliberately continued to refuse to recognise His Oneness: Sodom, Gomorrah, Pharaoh, the people in the time of Noah. Etc.
Prophet Muhammad (pboh) also told the people that they should acquaint themselves with the message from Allah if they want to stay rightly guided. He told them that they can only find the true and pure message from Allah in the Holy Qur'an—the last of the Revealed Scriptures.
The Holy Qur'an:
The Holy Qur'an is not the word of any human being; it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (pboh). Allah sent the revelations through Angel Gabriel, a little at a time.
The Angel used to read the verses and the Prophet used to recite after him; then the Prophet recited and the Angel listened. The Prophet used to then dictate to a scribe who would copy what was dictated to him. The scribe would then read what he wrote and the Prophet used to listen in order to verify that the scribe wrote correctly what was dictated. The other companions would then write and memorised what was revealed.
The Qur'an has been preserved in memory and in written form all through the ages; and it has not undergone any change. It is the chief source of guidance for the whole of mankind, as a result, Muslims from everywhere in the world follow its guidance. In it the dos and don'ts are clearly stated, and anyone can be guided by reading the Commands and upholding them.
Sabbath:
There is no Sabbath in Islam; as every day is a day of activity and prayer. There is the Friday Congregational prayer (Jumuah); which is compulsory for all male adult Muslims, who may not be sick, travelling or feeble.
The Qur'an tells us about the Friday Congregational Prayer in the following verse:
O you who believe, when the Call is proclaimed to prayer of Friday, hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah; and leave off business. That is better for you if you only knew. And when the prayer is finished, then you may disperse through the land and seek of the Bounty of Allah; and celebrate the Praises of Allah often that you may prosper. (62:9-10)
What Islam teaches:
• It is the words, deeds and intentions of the individual that are important to him or her. On the Day of Judgment, every individual has to stand before the Lord and account to Him about his/her life on earth.
• The devil to man is an enemy trying to prevent him from becoming Godly.
• Man can resist the temptations by following the part that takes him away from it. That path is called the Straight Path.
• Islam gives a complete moral code of life, based on the principle of Justice translated into action that a believer should like for his brother what he would like for himself.
• The fundamentals for this Code of belief are declaration of faith, prayer, fasting, compulsory poor tax, and pilgrimage for those who can afford.
• These five fundamentals strengthen the individual's relationship with Allah on one hand and with human beings on the other.
• Life is this world is not permanent; and the grave is not the end. There is a Great Day called the Day of Judgment, after which the individual will either dwell in Eternal Bliss or Damnation.
• Between death and the Day of Judgment is "waiting" barrzakh. The individual cannot come back physically in any form, but waits there until resurrection.
• Everyone is living in the presence of Allah all the time. He knows what a person does openly and secretly, and all actions are recorded in a "book of deeds". This will be given to the individual on the Day of Judgment.
• Both man and woman are equal in the sight of Allah; and both pious men and women will enter heaven.
• There are no racial or class barrier in Islam; all are equal in the sight of Allah; the best among human beings is the one possessing the best moral conduct.
• The acquisition of knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim
Dear friend; if by reading this short introduction to Islam, you are convinced that it is the best way of life for which you were looking, then I invite you to become a Muslim.
If you should require more information; you may kindly communicate with me at:
mwl@tstt.net.tt.
Sunday, 1 November 2009
PARADISE
PARADISE
The Garden of Eden is different from the Paradise that Allah has promised the believers. In the Garden of Eden there were certain restrictions and certain creatures that had ulterior motives. For example Hazrat Adam and Eve (pbut) were restricted from approaching a particular tree. In the end they both used their freedom to unfortunately commit a mistake. Because impurities are not allowed in the Garden, Adam and Eve (pbut) had to vacate.
Along with them in the Garden was Satan. He had an ulterior motive. He was devotedly worshipping the Lord with the hope that he would have excelled all others and be the highest in rank, nearest to his Maker. But when the test came he displayed his real self and became a cursed one. As he begged for respite, Allah gave him it up to the Day of Judgment.
While still in the Garden of Eden, Adam Eve and Satan were all guilty of disobedience. Adam and Eve repented but Satan did not. So Satan remained a challenge to both of them as he did not accept the fact that they were superior to him in the sight of Allah. This had still to be proven, as he was able to tempt them with his flattering words.
Allah does not want man to be outside the Paradise, which is better than the Garden of Eden, so He selected a level playing field on earth for all and He gave the guidelines for the ascent of man to Paradise.
Satan cannot ascend because when Allah cast him out of the Garden He closed the door of re-entry for all evil. Therefore no evil can go beyond the lower levels of the first sky. So Satan and all those who follow him will never be able to get back up beyond the lower end of the sky nearest the earth.
As this principle is applicable to everything on earth, even the evil deeds of man are kept in a record that is not in the sky. If evil cannot go up then where are the sins of man recorded? Allah gives us the answer in Surah Mutaffifin. He says:
•
“Surely the record of the wicked is (preserved) in Sijjin. And what will explain to thee what Sijjin is? (There is) a Register (fully) inscribed.”
(Chapter 83, verse 7-9)
About the recoding of the good deeds of a believer, Allah says that these will be recorded in the skies, (somewhere that is high above). He tells us about this in the Holy Qur'an in the following verse:
•
Nay, verily the Record of the righteous is (preserved) in Illiyeen; and what will explain to thee what Illiyeen is; (It is) a Register (fully) inscribed; to which bear witness those nearest (to Allah). (83:18-21)
Allah has created a system where good is recorded in the sky and evil is recorded in a ‘dungeon’. Good and evil cannot mix, even in the process of storing. So that while good is being recorded somewhere in the skies, evil is being kept in a record stored in a dungeon somewhere in the earth in the place called Sijjeen as is mentioned in the Surah quoted above.
The recording of the sins in Sijjeen can be a sort of a blessing for the believers, because since evil is stored in a dungeon the believers have the opportunity of removing them. Remember that Allah says: good removes evil.
So that by doing good and repenting for the mistakes committed, one can send more to the record in the skies and cover more of the mistakes committed. Just like how correcting fluid can hide what was typed on a paper, so too repentance and atonement can cover up mistakes committed. Believers are taught to pray: Allahummas turrnaa bi satrikal jameel. O Allah cover us (i.e. our faults) with a beautiful covering.
On the Day of Judgment when everyone will be resurrected, those who have to collect their record from the dungeon will collect it in their left hand behind their backs and those who will get their record from above will collect it in front of them, in their right hands. After collecting the records, those who will be getting theirs in their right hands will be qualified and will be allowed to enter Paradise.
This world is a testing ground for us. The test comes in the forms of trails and temptations. Some of the trials and temptations come from Satan who has been given the permission by Allah to test the sons and daughters of Adam to see who will follow him (Satan), and who will aspire to return above the skies into the Garden of Paradise. We have to work in order to attain the Paradise Allah has promised us.
Satan is already decreed to enter the hell fire and as such he would try to take as many with him as he can. He will try to divert your focus which should be to go back to Allah and dwell in the Garden. Be cautious and steadfast in order to qualify yourself to attain the promised reward of Allah .
May Allah forgive us and bless us all.
The Garden of Eden is different from the Paradise that Allah has promised the believers. In the Garden of Eden there were certain restrictions and certain creatures that had ulterior motives. For example Hazrat Adam and Eve (pbut) were restricted from approaching a particular tree. In the end they both used their freedom to unfortunately commit a mistake. Because impurities are not allowed in the Garden, Adam and Eve (pbut) had to vacate.
Along with them in the Garden was Satan. He had an ulterior motive. He was devotedly worshipping the Lord with the hope that he would have excelled all others and be the highest in rank, nearest to his Maker. But when the test came he displayed his real self and became a cursed one. As he begged for respite, Allah gave him it up to the Day of Judgment.
While still in the Garden of Eden, Adam Eve and Satan were all guilty of disobedience. Adam and Eve repented but Satan did not. So Satan remained a challenge to both of them as he did not accept the fact that they were superior to him in the sight of Allah. This had still to be proven, as he was able to tempt them with his flattering words.
Allah does not want man to be outside the Paradise, which is better than the Garden of Eden, so He selected a level playing field on earth for all and He gave the guidelines for the ascent of man to Paradise.
Satan cannot ascend because when Allah cast him out of the Garden He closed the door of re-entry for all evil. Therefore no evil can go beyond the lower levels of the first sky. So Satan and all those who follow him will never be able to get back up beyond the lower end of the sky nearest the earth.
As this principle is applicable to everything on earth, even the evil deeds of man are kept in a record that is not in the sky. If evil cannot go up then where are the sins of man recorded? Allah gives us the answer in Surah Mutaffifin. He says:
•
“Surely the record of the wicked is (preserved) in Sijjin. And what will explain to thee what Sijjin is? (There is) a Register (fully) inscribed.”
(Chapter 83, verse 7-9)
About the recoding of the good deeds of a believer, Allah says that these will be recorded in the skies, (somewhere that is high above). He tells us about this in the Holy Qur'an in the following verse:
•
Nay, verily the Record of the righteous is (preserved) in Illiyeen; and what will explain to thee what Illiyeen is; (It is) a Register (fully) inscribed; to which bear witness those nearest (to Allah). (83:18-21)
Allah has created a system where good is recorded in the sky and evil is recorded in a ‘dungeon’. Good and evil cannot mix, even in the process of storing. So that while good is being recorded somewhere in the skies, evil is being kept in a record stored in a dungeon somewhere in the earth in the place called Sijjeen as is mentioned in the Surah quoted above.
The recording of the sins in Sijjeen can be a sort of a blessing for the believers, because since evil is stored in a dungeon the believers have the opportunity of removing them. Remember that Allah says: good removes evil.
So that by doing good and repenting for the mistakes committed, one can send more to the record in the skies and cover more of the mistakes committed. Just like how correcting fluid can hide what was typed on a paper, so too repentance and atonement can cover up mistakes committed. Believers are taught to pray: Allahummas turrnaa bi satrikal jameel. O Allah cover us (i.e. our faults) with a beautiful covering.
On the Day of Judgment when everyone will be resurrected, those who have to collect their record from the dungeon will collect it in their left hand behind their backs and those who will get their record from above will collect it in front of them, in their right hands. After collecting the records, those who will be getting theirs in their right hands will be qualified and will be allowed to enter Paradise.
This world is a testing ground for us. The test comes in the forms of trails and temptations. Some of the trials and temptations come from Satan who has been given the permission by Allah to test the sons and daughters of Adam to see who will follow him (Satan), and who will aspire to return above the skies into the Garden of Paradise. We have to work in order to attain the Paradise Allah has promised us.
Satan is already decreed to enter the hell fire and as such he would try to take as many with him as he can. He will try to divert your focus which should be to go back to Allah and dwell in the Garden. Be cautious and steadfast in order to qualify yourself to attain the promised reward of Allah .
May Allah forgive us and bless us all.
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