Thursday 22 December 2016
WHAT CAN ISLAM DO FOR YOU? PART 5
Some non-Muslims are wondering whether Islam can spare all life’s problems, save its followers from death or turn them into pure sinless creatures. And some Muslims go overboard when it comes to preaching Islam and its greatness to others and thus forget reality and truth. In this last of the five-part series we're going to ask this question:
"What can Islam do for people in real life?"
In order to answer that question we have to know why people convert to Islam in the first place.
God says in the Quran:
"O mankind! verily there has come to you a convincing proof (=the Quran) from your Lord: for We have sent unto you a light (that is) manifest.
Then those who believe in Allah and hold fast to Him soon will He admit them to Mercy and Grace from Him and guide them to Himself by a straight Way." [Quran 4:174-175]
The above verse tells us that Islam is the religion for all people in the world. How can that be?
In order to clarify the answer to the above question, we must know some of the beauties, benefits and unique aspects of Islam as compared to other beliefs and religions.
1. Close Relationship with the Creator
At the core of Islam is the focus of an individual’s personal relationship with God, their Creator. It encourages a believer to have sustained awareness of God which is a key to lasting happiness.
Islam teaches that God is the source of peace. By focusing on this important relationship and following God’s guidance, believers will be able to acquire inner peace and tranquillity. Seeking lasting happiness through other means, such as following one’s desires or the accumulation of material possessions, will never fill the void we have. This need can only be filled with the awareness of God.
True contentment is found in acknowledging and obeying the Creator: “Truly, in remembering God do hearts find rest.” Quran 13:28
The primary reason for this close relationship is that Muslims have a direct connection with their Creator. There is no intermediary, such as praying to, or through, others, in worshipping God.
2. Positive Outlook on Life
Islam gives a person a clear perspective on the events that happen in their life, both good and bad, as they are, in fact, tests from God. It encourages a person to understand events in the context of the overall purpose of life, which is to acknowledge God and obey Him. He created humans with intellect and free will to test them as to who will wilfully choose to follow His guidance. This life is an ultimate testing ground and although we cannot control everything that happens to us, we can control how we react. Islam encourages a person to focus on what is in their control, to be grateful to God for blessings, and to be patient during hardships. Patience or gratitude – this is the formula for a happy life.
Islam encourages the believer to remain free from the extremes of worldly happiness that may cause one to forget God, and the extremes of sadness that may cause one to lose hope and blame God. By not being overly attached to the material world, a Muslim is empowered not only to better handle any calamities, but to be beneficial and generous to society. This leads to a more balanced and optimistic outlook on life.
3. Pure and Clear Concept of God
Unlike other religions, Islam is not named after its founder or the community of its birth. Islam is an attributive title that signifies obedience to God, the Creator of the Universe. One of its main beauties is that it acknowledges the complete perfection, greatness and uniqueness of God with absolutely no compromises. This is reflected in Islam’s pure teachings of the attributes of God.
God is One and Unique:
God has no partners, no equals and no rivals.
God has no father, mother, sons, daughters or wives.
God alone is worthy of all worship.
God is the All-Powerful:
God has full authority and power over all things.
Obedience to God does not increase His Power, nor does disobedience decrease His power.
God is the Most High:
There is nothing above or comparable to God.
The attributes of God do not resemble that of His creation.
No part of God is present in anyone or anything.
God is Perfect:
God does not have any human limitations, such as resting on the seventh day after He created the universe.
God always maintains attributes of perfection and does not do anything to compromise this perfection such as “becoming a man” as claimed by other religions. God does not do ungodly acts, so if God became man and took on human attributes, he would, necessarily, no longer be God.
4. Emphasises Both Evidence and Faith
Islam is a religion in which faith is based on clear proof. It encourages people to use their God given intelligence to think and ponder over their life and the universe. Although this life is a test, God has provided sufficient signs and guidance to people who are open-minded and sincere to be able to acknowledge the truth.
“We (God) have certainly sent down Signs that make things clear: and God guides whom He wills to the straight path.”Quran 24:46
Unlike other religions, there are many clear proofs, signs and miracles that the book of Islam, The Quran, is from God.
The Quran:
Is free from any errors or contradictions, despite it being revealed over a period of 23 years.
Is preserved, word-for-word, since it was revealed in its original Arabic language, unlike other scriptures which have been distorted, changed or lost.
Contains a simple, pure and universal message that has a profound effect on all those who are sincerely searching for the truth.
Contains a unique and inimitable style of language that is universally known as the pinnacle of Arabic eloquence and linguistic beauty – yet the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was known to be illiterate.
Contains many amazing scientific facts which have only been discovered recently, despite being revealed over 1400 years ago.
The most rational explanation for the many unique and miraculous aspects of the Quran is that it cannot be from other than God.
5. Forgiveness of Sins
Islam encourages a balance between hope in God’s mercy and fear of His punishment – both of which are required to lead a positive and humble life.
We are born sinless but have the free will to commit sins. God created us and knows we are imperfect and commit sins, but the key is how we react to committing those mistakes.
“Do not despair of God’s mercy; He will forgive you of all your sins.”Quran 39:53
Islam teaches that God is the Most Merciful and will forgive and pardon those who sincerely want to repent.
The beautiful steps for repentance include being sincere, remorseful, refraining from committing the sin as well as having the intention not to repeat it. Islam encourages a continuous process of self-development and self-purification. This process happens directly between the individual and God – there is no need for sins to be shared or “confessed” to a righteous person/priest. Furthermore, God does not need to sacrifice himself to forgive sins, nor is anyone “born into sin”.
6. Accountability and Ultimate Justice
Islam teaches that God is the Most Just and that each person will be held responsible for their own actions on the Day of Judgement. Each person is accountable, as they have freedom of choice and intelligence to discern between right and wrong.
It is an absolute demand of justice that there be a Day of Judgement where every person is rewarded or punished, otherwise life would be unjust as not everyone receives true justice in this world.
Islam teaches that ultimately we will be judged for how well we fulfilled our responsibilities and exercised our free will. We will be judged by God, the All Knowing and All Wise, who knows and sees everything we do. This encourages a more harmonious society and gives people contentment knowing that justice will ultimately prevail.
7. Practical and Balanced Way of Life
Islam provides the right balance between faith and action, as both are required for a stable life. It provides guidance for all situations and circumstances. It is a practical religion with practical acts of worship that are designed to fulfil the spiritual, physical, psychological and social needs of people.
Examples of practical acts of worship that have numerous benefits include:
The five daily prayers – Enriches the soul by satisfying the spiritual need of being in regular contact with God (especially in today’s busy lifestyle); makes one humble by bowing and prostrating to God; removes any barriers/pride/racism between believers praying in congregation; helps one refrain from committing sins given the person stands regularly before God.
The obligatory charity – Purifies a person from selfishness; encourages empathy to the poor; reminds one of the blessings of God; helps reduce poverty; bridges the gap between rich and poor.
The fasting in Ramadan – Promotes spiritual self-purification, self-restraint and growth; scientifically proven health benefits; empathy and awareness of those less fortunate; trains people to acquire the habit of obeying God.
The pilgrimage – Unites people of every colour, race, status and nationality, as pilgrims wear simple and similar clothing, while performing a range of good deeds in congregation.
Given that Islam is from God, every command found in the religion is ultimately good and beneficial to the individual and society when practised correctly. Quranic examples include being honest, forgiving, truthful, kind to one’s wife, patient, fair, moderate, modest, sincere, and respecting parents, family and the elderly. There are also many principles in the teachings of Islam that prevent or reduce many of the individual and social ills facing the world today.
8. Universal and Timeless Message
Islam has a message that applies to all people at all times, from the creation of Adam up until the Day of Judgement. It is applicable today as it always has been.
God is accessible to everyone. People may distinguish themselves and earn God’s favour through belief and righteous actions only – not through race, wealth, gender, nationality or social class.
Conclusion
Islam’s timeless and beautiful message is the same message of all Prophets, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). They all called their people to “Submit to the One True God” which, in Arabic, means to become a “Muslim”. This submission to God enables one to fulfil the purpose of life by acknowledging the greatness of God and sincerely worshipping Him alone. In doing so, one will acquire the countless benefits of Islam mentioned above.
Peace be upon those who follow the truth.
Wednesday 23 November 2016
WHAT CAN ISLAM DO FOR YOU? PART 4
This is the fourth of the five-part series regarding what Islam can do for you. Some people think that Islam is a panecea for all life’s problems, saving people from death or making them perfect angels BUT the truth is Islam is far above all that. This Friday we are going to look at what others said what Islam actually did for them and this world!
"Now I realize I can get in direct contact with God, unlike Christianity or any other religion. As one Hindu lady told me, “You don’t understand the Hindus. We believe in one God; we use these objects (idols) to merely concentrate.” What she was saying was that in order to reach God, one has to create associates, that are idols for the purpose. But Islam removes all these barriers. The only thing that moves the believers from the disbelievers is the salat (prayer). This is the process of purification." -- Yusuf Islam ( formerly known as Cat Steven ).
"So the hypocrisy of American society came to surface and lay uncovered before me. Islam unknotted many complications for me. As a matter of fact, I came to think of myself as a complete human being, in the literal sense of the word. After becoming Muslim, I felt a tremendous change in me." -- Jermaine Jackson.
"There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colors, from blue-eyed blonds to black-skinned Africans. But we were all participating in the same ritual displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white and the non-white... America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem. Throughout my travels in the Muslim world, I have met, talked to, and even eaten with people who in America would have been considered white - but the white attitude was removed from their minds by the religion of Islam. I have never before seen sincere and true brotherhood practiced by all colors together, irrespecitve of their color." -- Macolm X.
"Since then I have lived a Muslim life in theory and practice to the extent of my ability. The power and wisdom and mercy of God are boundless. The fields of knowledge stretch out ever before us beyond the horizon. In our pilgrimage through life, I feel assured that the only befitting garment we can wear is submission, and upon our heads the headgear of praise, and in our hearts love of the One Supreme. “Wal-Hamdu lil’ Lahi Rabbi ‘l-’Alameen (Praise be to God, the Lord of all the worlds.” --William Burchell Bashyr Pickard, poet and novelist, UK.
"The universal brotherhood of Islam, regardless of race, politics, color or country, has been brought home to me most keenly many times in my life and this is another feature which drew me towards the Faith." --
Colonel Donald S. Rockwell, poet and critic, USA.
“Math is logical. It consists of using facts and figures to find concrete answers. That is the way my mind works, and it is frustrating when I deal with things that do not have concrete answers. Having a mind that accepts ideas on their factual merit makes believing in a religion difficult because most religions require acceptance by faith. Islam appeals to man’s reasoning." -- Jeffrey Lang, professor of mathematics and writer, USA
"I could not have drawn up a list of demands, but I had a fair idea of what I was after. The religion I wanted should be to metaphysics as metaphysics is to science. It would not be confined by a narrow rationalism or traffic in mystery to please its priests. There would be no priests, no separation between nature and things sacred." -- Michael Wolfe, journalist, USA.
"After all, it was a matter of love; and love is composed of many things; of our desires and our loneliness, of our high aims and our shortcomings, of our strength and our weakness. So it was in my case. Islam came over me like a robber who enters a house by night; but, unlike a robber, it entered to remain for good." -- Leopold Weiss, statesman and journalist, Austria.
Peace be upon those who follow the truth.
"Now I realize I can get in direct contact with God, unlike Christianity or any other religion. As one Hindu lady told me, “You don’t understand the Hindus. We believe in one God; we use these objects (idols) to merely concentrate.” What she was saying was that in order to reach God, one has to create associates, that are idols for the purpose. But Islam removes all these barriers. The only thing that moves the believers from the disbelievers is the salat (prayer). This is the process of purification." -- Yusuf Islam ( formerly known as Cat Steven ).
"So the hypocrisy of American society came to surface and lay uncovered before me. Islam unknotted many complications for me. As a matter of fact, I came to think of myself as a complete human being, in the literal sense of the word. After becoming Muslim, I felt a tremendous change in me." -- Jermaine Jackson.
"There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colors, from blue-eyed blonds to black-skinned Africans. But we were all participating in the same ritual displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white and the non-white... America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem. Throughout my travels in the Muslim world, I have met, talked to, and even eaten with people who in America would have been considered white - but the white attitude was removed from their minds by the religion of Islam. I have never before seen sincere and true brotherhood practiced by all colors together, irrespecitve of their color." -- Macolm X.
"Since then I have lived a Muslim life in theory and practice to the extent of my ability. The power and wisdom and mercy of God are boundless. The fields of knowledge stretch out ever before us beyond the horizon. In our pilgrimage through life, I feel assured that the only befitting garment we can wear is submission, and upon our heads the headgear of praise, and in our hearts love of the One Supreme. “Wal-Hamdu lil’ Lahi Rabbi ‘l-’Alameen (Praise be to God, the Lord of all the worlds.” --William Burchell Bashyr Pickard, poet and novelist, UK.
"The universal brotherhood of Islam, regardless of race, politics, color or country, has been brought home to me most keenly many times in my life and this is another feature which drew me towards the Faith." --
Colonel Donald S. Rockwell, poet and critic, USA.
“Math is logical. It consists of using facts and figures to find concrete answers. That is the way my mind works, and it is frustrating when I deal with things that do not have concrete answers. Having a mind that accepts ideas on their factual merit makes believing in a religion difficult because most religions require acceptance by faith. Islam appeals to man’s reasoning." -- Jeffrey Lang, professor of mathematics and writer, USA
"I could not have drawn up a list of demands, but I had a fair idea of what I was after. The religion I wanted should be to metaphysics as metaphysics is to science. It would not be confined by a narrow rationalism or traffic in mystery to please its priests. There would be no priests, no separation between nature and things sacred." -- Michael Wolfe, journalist, USA.
"After all, it was a matter of love; and love is composed of many things; of our desires and our loneliness, of our high aims and our shortcomings, of our strength and our weakness. So it was in my case. Islam came over me like a robber who enters a house by night; but, unlike a robber, it entered to remain for good." -- Leopold Weiss, statesman and journalist, Austria.
Peace be upon those who follow the truth.
Friday 11 November 2016
WHAT CAN ISLAM DO FOR YOU? PART 3
I have already established the indisputable truth that Islam cannot spare anyone's life's problems nor it can save anyone from death nor it can make anyone live completely without sin in Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.
However, people have to know what Islam at least can do for them so this Friday, we are going to discuss the benefits that come from converting to Islam and some of the many advantages gained therefrom.
When a person realises they have discovered one of life's most basic truths, a sense of calmness and well being descends upon them. Establishing a relationship with God in the most pure and simple way is liberating and exhilarating, and it results in serenity. However it is not the only advantage of converting to Islam, there are other benefits that one would experience and we will discuss them here one by one.
1. Converting to Islam liberates a person from slavery to manmade systems and lifestyles.
Islam emancipates the mind from superstitions and uncertainties; it liberates the soul from sin and corruption and frees the conscience from oppression and fear. Submission to the will of God, does not curtail freedom, on the contrary it gives a very high degree of freedom by freeing the mind from superstitions and filling it with truth and knowledge.
Once a person accepts Islam they are no longer slaves to fashion, or consumerism, and they are free from the slavery of a monetary system designed to subjugate the people. On a smaller but equally as important scale Islam liberates a person from the superstitions that rule the lives of those not truly submitted to God. A believer knows that good and bad luck do not exist. Both the good and the bad aspects of our lives come from God and as Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, explains all the affairs of a believer are good:
"If he is granted ease then he is thankful, and this is good for him. And if he is afflicted with a hardship, he perseveres, and this is good for him".
After a person is freed from manmade systems and lifestyles he or she is free to worship God in the correct manner. A believer is able to put his trust and hope in God and sincerely seek His mercy.
2. Converting to Islam allows a person to truly experience God’s love.
Converting to Islam allows a person to achieve God’s love by following His guide to life - the Quran, and the authentic teachings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad. When God created the world He did not abandon it to instability and insecurity. He sent a rope, firm and steady, and by holding tightly to this rope an insignificant human being can achieve greatness and eternal peace. In the words of Quran, God makes His desires perfectly clear, however human beings have free will and are free to either please or displease God.
"Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "If you (really) love God then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah), God will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Quran 3:31)
"There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in God, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And God is All-Hearer, All-Knower." (Quran 2:256)
3. A benefit of converting to Islam is that God promises Paradise to the believer.
Paradise, as described in many verses of Quran, is a place of eternal bliss and it is promised to believers. God shows his mercy to the believers by rewarding them with Paradise.Whoever denies God or worships something with, or instead of Him, or claims that God has a son or daughter or partner, will be doomed in the Hereafter to the hellfire. Converting to Islam will save a person from the torment of the grave, suffering on the Day of Judgement and eternal hellfire.
"And those who believe (in the Oneness of God) and do righteous good deeds, to them We shall surely give lofty dwellings in Paradise, underneath which rivers flow, to live therein forever. Excellent is the reward of the workers." (Quran 29: 58)
4. Happiness, tranquillity and inner peace can be achieved by converting to Islam.
Islam itself is inherently associated with inner peace and tranquillity. The words Islam, Muslim and salaam (peace) all come from the root word "Sa - la – ma" denoting peace, security, and safety. When one submits to the will of God he or she will experience an innate sense of security and peacefulness.
Perfect happiness exists only in Paradise. There we will find total peace, tranquillity and security and be free from the fear, anxiety and pain that are part of the human condition. However the guidelines provided by Islam allow us, imperfect humans, to seek happiness in this world. The key to being happy in this world and the next is seeking the pleasure of God, and worshipping Him, without associating partners with Him.
Many people around the globe spend countless hours reading and studying the principles of Islam; they pour over translations of the meanings of the Quran and are held entranced by the life and times of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him. Many need only a glimpse of Islam and convert immediately. Still others recognise the truth but wait, and wait and keep on waiting, sometimes to the point of putting their hereafter in peril. Therefore today we continue our discussion on, the sometimes not so obvious benefits of converting to Islam.
“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” (Quran 3:85)
5. Converting to Islam is the first step in establishing a lifelong connection to the Creator.
Every single member of the human race is born innately knowing that God is One. Prophet Muhammad said that every child was born in a state of fitrah, with the correct understanding of God. According to Islam this is a natural state of being, instinctively knowing there is a Creator and naturally wanting to worship and please Him. For many, allowing God into their lives and worshipping Him in a way that is pleasing to Him, gives a whole new meaning to life.
“Verily, in the remembrance of God do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13:28)
Through acts of worship such as prayer and supplication, one begins to feel that God is close at hand, through His infinite knowledge and wisdom. A believer is secure in the knowledge that God, the Most High, is above the heavens, and comforted by the fact that He is with them in all their affairs. A Muslim is never alone.
“He knows what goes into the earth and what comes forth from it, what descends from the heaven and what ascends thereto. And He is with you (by His Knowledge) wheresoever you may be. And God is the All-Seer of what you do.” (Quran 57:4)
6. Converting to Islam reveals God’s mercy and forgiveness towards His creation.
As feeble human beings we often feel lost and alone. It is then that we turn to God and seek His Mercy and Forgiveness. When we turn to Him in true submission His tranquillity descends upon us. We are then able to feel the quality of His mercy and see it manifest in the world around us. However in order to worship God, we need to know Him. Converting to Islam opens the gateway to this knowledge, including the fact that God’s forgiveness knows no bounds.
Many people are confused or ashamed of the many sins they have committed over the course of their lives. Converting to Islam completely washes those sins away; it is as if they never happened. A new Muslim is as pure as a new born baby.
“Say to those who have disbelieved [that] if they cease, what has previously occurred will be forgiven for them. But if they return [to hostility] - then the precedent of the former [rebellious] peoples has already taken place.” (Quran 8:38)
If after converting to Islam a person commits more sins the door to forgiveness is still wide open.
“O you who believe! Turn to God with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise)…” (Quran 66:8)
7. Converting to Islam teaches us that trials and tests are part of the human condition.
Once a person converts to Islam he begins to understand that the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of this life are not random acts of a cruel and unorganised universe. A true believer understands that our existence is part of a well-ordered world, and life is unfolding in exactly the way God, in His infinite wisdom, has ordained.
God tells us we will be tested and He advises us to bear our trials and tribulations patiently. This is difficult to understand unless one embraces the Oneness of God, the religion of Islam, where God has given us clear guidelines about how to behave when faced with trials and tribulations. If we follow these guidelines, found in the Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad, it is possible to bear afflictions with ease and even be grateful.
“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient ones.” (Quran 2:155)
Prophet Muhammad said, “A man will be tested according to the level of his religious commitment, and the trials will keep affecting a believer until he is left walking on the face of the earth with no burden of sin whatsoever”.
A Muslim knows with certainty that this world, this life, is no more than a transient place, a stop on the journey to our eternal life in either the hell fire or the paradise. To face the Creator with no burden of sin is a marvellous thing, certainly worth the tests that befall us.
8. Converting to Islam answers all life’s BIG questions.
One of the major benefits of converting to Islam is that it lifts the fog. Suddenly life, and all its ups and downs becomes clearer, it all makes more sense. The answers to the big questions that have been plaguing humankind for millennia are all laid bare. At any time during our lives, when we stand on the precipice, or at the fork in the road we ask ourselves – “Is this it, is this really all there is?” Well no, this is not all there is. Islam answers the questions and asks us to look beyond materialism and see that this life is little more than a transient stop on the way to life everlasting. Islam gives a clear aim and purpose to life. As a Muslim we are able to find answers in the words of God, the Quran, and in the example of His final messenger Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him.
Being Muslim indicates complete submission to the Creator and the fact that we were only created to worship God Alone. That is the reason we are here, on this spinning planet in the seemingly infinite universe; to worship God and God Alone. Converting to Islam frees us from the only potentially unforgiveable sin, which is to associate partners with God.
“And I (God) created not the jinn and humankind, except to worship Me (Alone).” (Quran 51:56)
“Oh humankind, worship God, you have no other god but Him.” (Quran 7:59)
It must be said however, that God is not in need of human worship. If not a single human worshipped God, it would not diminish His glory in any way, and if all of humankind worshipped Him, it would not increase His glory in any way. We, humankind, need the comfort and security of worshipping God.
9. Converting to Islam allows every aspect of life to be an act of worship.
The religion of Islam was revealed for the benefit of all humankind who will exist until the Day of Judgement. It is a complete way of life, not something only practiced on the weekend or at annual festivals. A believer’s relationship with God is twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. It does not stop and start. Through His infinite mercy, God has provided us with a holistic approach to life, one that covers all aspects, spiritual, emotional and physical. He has not left us alone to stumble in the darkness rather God has given us the Quran, a book of guidance. He has also given us the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad that explain and expand on the guidance of the Quran.
Islam fulfils and balances our physical and spiritual needs. This system, designed by the Creator for his creation, not only expects a high standard of behaviour, morality and ethics but it also allows each and every human act to be transformed into worship. In fact, God commands the believers to dedicate their lives to Him.
“Say: ‘Surely my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for God, the Lord of all the worlds.’” (Quran 6:162)
10. Converting to Islam makes all relationships harmonious.
God knows what is best for His creation. He has complete knowledge of the human psyche. Consequently Islam clearly defines the rights and responsibilities we have towards God, our parents, spouses, children, relatives, neighbours, etc. This brings order out of chaos, harmony out of confusion and replaces friction and conflict with peace. Converting to Islam allows one to face any and all situations with confidence. Islam is able to guide us through all aspects of life, spiritual, political, familial, societal and corporate.
When we fulfil our obligation to honour and obey God we automatically acquire all the manners and high standards of morality that Islam demands. Converting to Islam means submitting to the will of God and this entails honouring and respecting the rights of humankind, all living creatures and even the environment. We must know God and submit to Him in order to make decisions that will earn His pleasure.
In conclusion, there is one benefit of converting to Islam that makes every day a delight. No matter what circumstances a Muslim finds him or herself in, they are secure in the knowledge that nothing in this universe happens without the permission of God. The tests, trials and triumphs are all good and if faced with complete trust in God, they will lead to a happy conclusion and real contentment.
Prophet Muhammad said, “Indeed amazing are the affairs of a believer! They are all for his benefit. If he is granted ease then he is thankful, and this is good for him. And if he is afflicted with a hardship, he perseveres, and this is good for him”.
However, people have to know what Islam at least can do for them so this Friday, we are going to discuss the benefits that come from converting to Islam and some of the many advantages gained therefrom.
When a person realises they have discovered one of life's most basic truths, a sense of calmness and well being descends upon them. Establishing a relationship with God in the most pure and simple way is liberating and exhilarating, and it results in serenity. However it is not the only advantage of converting to Islam, there are other benefits that one would experience and we will discuss them here one by one.
1. Converting to Islam liberates a person from slavery to manmade systems and lifestyles.
Islam emancipates the mind from superstitions and uncertainties; it liberates the soul from sin and corruption and frees the conscience from oppression and fear. Submission to the will of God, does not curtail freedom, on the contrary it gives a very high degree of freedom by freeing the mind from superstitions and filling it with truth and knowledge.
Once a person accepts Islam they are no longer slaves to fashion, or consumerism, and they are free from the slavery of a monetary system designed to subjugate the people. On a smaller but equally as important scale Islam liberates a person from the superstitions that rule the lives of those not truly submitted to God. A believer knows that good and bad luck do not exist. Both the good and the bad aspects of our lives come from God and as Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, explains all the affairs of a believer are good:
"If he is granted ease then he is thankful, and this is good for him. And if he is afflicted with a hardship, he perseveres, and this is good for him".
After a person is freed from manmade systems and lifestyles he or she is free to worship God in the correct manner. A believer is able to put his trust and hope in God and sincerely seek His mercy.
2. Converting to Islam allows a person to truly experience God’s love.
Converting to Islam allows a person to achieve God’s love by following His guide to life - the Quran, and the authentic teachings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad. When God created the world He did not abandon it to instability and insecurity. He sent a rope, firm and steady, and by holding tightly to this rope an insignificant human being can achieve greatness and eternal peace. In the words of Quran, God makes His desires perfectly clear, however human beings have free will and are free to either please or displease God.
"Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "If you (really) love God then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah), God will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Quran 3:31)
"There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in God, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And God is All-Hearer, All-Knower." (Quran 2:256)
3. A benefit of converting to Islam is that God promises Paradise to the believer.
Paradise, as described in many verses of Quran, is a place of eternal bliss and it is promised to believers. God shows his mercy to the believers by rewarding them with Paradise.Whoever denies God or worships something with, or instead of Him, or claims that God has a son or daughter or partner, will be doomed in the Hereafter to the hellfire. Converting to Islam will save a person from the torment of the grave, suffering on the Day of Judgement and eternal hellfire.
"And those who believe (in the Oneness of God) and do righteous good deeds, to them We shall surely give lofty dwellings in Paradise, underneath which rivers flow, to live therein forever. Excellent is the reward of the workers." (Quran 29: 58)
4. Happiness, tranquillity and inner peace can be achieved by converting to Islam.
Islam itself is inherently associated with inner peace and tranquillity. The words Islam, Muslim and salaam (peace) all come from the root word "Sa - la – ma" denoting peace, security, and safety. When one submits to the will of God he or she will experience an innate sense of security and peacefulness.
Perfect happiness exists only in Paradise. There we will find total peace, tranquillity and security and be free from the fear, anxiety and pain that are part of the human condition. However the guidelines provided by Islam allow us, imperfect humans, to seek happiness in this world. The key to being happy in this world and the next is seeking the pleasure of God, and worshipping Him, without associating partners with Him.
Many people around the globe spend countless hours reading and studying the principles of Islam; they pour over translations of the meanings of the Quran and are held entranced by the life and times of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him. Many need only a glimpse of Islam and convert immediately. Still others recognise the truth but wait, and wait and keep on waiting, sometimes to the point of putting their hereafter in peril. Therefore today we continue our discussion on, the sometimes not so obvious benefits of converting to Islam.
“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.” (Quran 3:85)
5. Converting to Islam is the first step in establishing a lifelong connection to the Creator.
Every single member of the human race is born innately knowing that God is One. Prophet Muhammad said that every child was born in a state of fitrah, with the correct understanding of God. According to Islam this is a natural state of being, instinctively knowing there is a Creator and naturally wanting to worship and please Him. For many, allowing God into their lives and worshipping Him in a way that is pleasing to Him, gives a whole new meaning to life.
“Verily, in the remembrance of God do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13:28)
Through acts of worship such as prayer and supplication, one begins to feel that God is close at hand, through His infinite knowledge and wisdom. A believer is secure in the knowledge that God, the Most High, is above the heavens, and comforted by the fact that He is with them in all their affairs. A Muslim is never alone.
“He knows what goes into the earth and what comes forth from it, what descends from the heaven and what ascends thereto. And He is with you (by His Knowledge) wheresoever you may be. And God is the All-Seer of what you do.” (Quran 57:4)
6. Converting to Islam reveals God’s mercy and forgiveness towards His creation.
As feeble human beings we often feel lost and alone. It is then that we turn to God and seek His Mercy and Forgiveness. When we turn to Him in true submission His tranquillity descends upon us. We are then able to feel the quality of His mercy and see it manifest in the world around us. However in order to worship God, we need to know Him. Converting to Islam opens the gateway to this knowledge, including the fact that God’s forgiveness knows no bounds.
Many people are confused or ashamed of the many sins they have committed over the course of their lives. Converting to Islam completely washes those sins away; it is as if they never happened. A new Muslim is as pure as a new born baby.
“Say to those who have disbelieved [that] if they cease, what has previously occurred will be forgiven for them. But if they return [to hostility] - then the precedent of the former [rebellious] peoples has already taken place.” (Quran 8:38)
If after converting to Islam a person commits more sins the door to forgiveness is still wide open.
“O you who believe! Turn to God with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise)…” (Quran 66:8)
7. Converting to Islam teaches us that trials and tests are part of the human condition.
Once a person converts to Islam he begins to understand that the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of this life are not random acts of a cruel and unorganised universe. A true believer understands that our existence is part of a well-ordered world, and life is unfolding in exactly the way God, in His infinite wisdom, has ordained.
God tells us we will be tested and He advises us to bear our trials and tribulations patiently. This is difficult to understand unless one embraces the Oneness of God, the religion of Islam, where God has given us clear guidelines about how to behave when faced with trials and tribulations. If we follow these guidelines, found in the Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad, it is possible to bear afflictions with ease and even be grateful.
“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient ones.” (Quran 2:155)
Prophet Muhammad said, “A man will be tested according to the level of his religious commitment, and the trials will keep affecting a believer until he is left walking on the face of the earth with no burden of sin whatsoever”.
A Muslim knows with certainty that this world, this life, is no more than a transient place, a stop on the journey to our eternal life in either the hell fire or the paradise. To face the Creator with no burden of sin is a marvellous thing, certainly worth the tests that befall us.
8. Converting to Islam answers all life’s BIG questions.
One of the major benefits of converting to Islam is that it lifts the fog. Suddenly life, and all its ups and downs becomes clearer, it all makes more sense. The answers to the big questions that have been plaguing humankind for millennia are all laid bare. At any time during our lives, when we stand on the precipice, or at the fork in the road we ask ourselves – “Is this it, is this really all there is?” Well no, this is not all there is. Islam answers the questions and asks us to look beyond materialism and see that this life is little more than a transient stop on the way to life everlasting. Islam gives a clear aim and purpose to life. As a Muslim we are able to find answers in the words of God, the Quran, and in the example of His final messenger Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him.
Being Muslim indicates complete submission to the Creator and the fact that we were only created to worship God Alone. That is the reason we are here, on this spinning planet in the seemingly infinite universe; to worship God and God Alone. Converting to Islam frees us from the only potentially unforgiveable sin, which is to associate partners with God.
“And I (God) created not the jinn and humankind, except to worship Me (Alone).” (Quran 51:56)
“Oh humankind, worship God, you have no other god but Him.” (Quran 7:59)
It must be said however, that God is not in need of human worship. If not a single human worshipped God, it would not diminish His glory in any way, and if all of humankind worshipped Him, it would not increase His glory in any way. We, humankind, need the comfort and security of worshipping God.
9. Converting to Islam allows every aspect of life to be an act of worship.
The religion of Islam was revealed for the benefit of all humankind who will exist until the Day of Judgement. It is a complete way of life, not something only practiced on the weekend or at annual festivals. A believer’s relationship with God is twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. It does not stop and start. Through His infinite mercy, God has provided us with a holistic approach to life, one that covers all aspects, spiritual, emotional and physical. He has not left us alone to stumble in the darkness rather God has given us the Quran, a book of guidance. He has also given us the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad that explain and expand on the guidance of the Quran.
Islam fulfils and balances our physical and spiritual needs. This system, designed by the Creator for his creation, not only expects a high standard of behaviour, morality and ethics but it also allows each and every human act to be transformed into worship. In fact, God commands the believers to dedicate their lives to Him.
“Say: ‘Surely my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for God, the Lord of all the worlds.’” (Quran 6:162)
10. Converting to Islam makes all relationships harmonious.
God knows what is best for His creation. He has complete knowledge of the human psyche. Consequently Islam clearly defines the rights and responsibilities we have towards God, our parents, spouses, children, relatives, neighbours, etc. This brings order out of chaos, harmony out of confusion and replaces friction and conflict with peace. Converting to Islam allows one to face any and all situations with confidence. Islam is able to guide us through all aspects of life, spiritual, political, familial, societal and corporate.
When we fulfil our obligation to honour and obey God we automatically acquire all the manners and high standards of morality that Islam demands. Converting to Islam means submitting to the will of God and this entails honouring and respecting the rights of humankind, all living creatures and even the environment. We must know God and submit to Him in order to make decisions that will earn His pleasure.
In conclusion, there is one benefit of converting to Islam that makes every day a delight. No matter what circumstances a Muslim finds him or herself in, they are secure in the knowledge that nothing in this universe happens without the permission of God. The tests, trials and triumphs are all good and if faced with complete trust in God, they will lead to a happy conclusion and real contentment.
Prophet Muhammad said, “Indeed amazing are the affairs of a believer! They are all for his benefit. If he is granted ease then he is thankful, and this is good for him. And if he is afflicted with a hardship, he perseveres, and this is good for him”.
Friday 4 November 2016
WHAT CAN ISLAM DO FOR YOU? PART 2
Hi. If you have read my article posted last Friday I wouldn't have to introduce the topic again. Today we are going to see what Islam can do for people. We are going to pay attention to the Quran and see what God says Islam can do for us.
Do you agree that no one's word is truer than God's? I'm sure you will agree if you indeed believe in God and love Him. God says:
38. We said (to Adam and Eve): "Get you down all from here; and if, as is sure, there comes to you Guidance from Me, whoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
39. "But those who reject Faith and belie Our Signs, they shall be companions of the Fire; they shall abide therein." [Quran 2:38-39]
After God sent Adam and his wife down to the earth, He sent down Revelation such as the Books of Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Prophet Muhammad to them and to their progeny and He sent the Messengers to them. So whoever believes will enter Paradise and whoever disbelieves will enter Hell.
After the sending of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) everyone should believe in him and follow Islam, including those who believe in Moses and Jesus (pbut) in order to attain Salvation because Islam places faith in all the Prophets, not just one.
277. Those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and establish regular prayers and regular charity, will have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. [Quran 2:277]
God promises those who embrace Islam and follow its teachings and pray in the manner that the Prophet had taught us will have their reward with their Lord. They will not fear their enemies nor will they grieve at what terrible things they say.
256. Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And God hears and knows all things. [Quran 2:256]
Here God says that whoever accepts Islam as his/her religion will never be forsaken by their Lord.
257. Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith the patrons are the evil ones: from light they will lead them forth into the depths of darkness. They will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein (For ever). [Quran 2:257]
God protects those who turn to Islam. He leads them to Enlightenment and Wisdom from the darkness of polytheism and idolatry.
61. In whatever business you may be, and whatever portion you may be reciting from the Quran,- and whatever deed you (mankind) may be doing,- We are Witnesses thereof when you are deeply engrossed therein. Nor is hidden from your Lord (so much as) the weight of an atom on the earth or in heaven. And not the least and not the greatest of these things but are recorded in a clear record.
62. Behold! verily on the friends of God there is no fear, nor shall they grieve;
63. Those who believe and (constantly) guard against evil;-
64. For them are glad tidings, in the life of the present and in the Hereafter; no change can there be in the words of Allah. This is indeed the supreme felicity. [Quran -- Jonah 10:61-64]
God says no matter what profession you may be doing. You may be a farmer, a tattoo artist, a ballerina etc but becoming a friend of God by turning to Islam and taking heed of all its commands and prohibitions is the supreme felicity one can attain in this world and in the Hereafter.
“Verily, We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Quran) for mankind in truth. So whoever accepts the guidance, it is only for his ownself; and whoever goes astray, he goes astray only for his (own) loss. And you (O Muhammad) are not a trustee or disposer of affairs, or guardian over them”
[Quran 39:41]
This means that whoever accepts Islam and follow its teachings will attain good and those who do not do that will attain loss. This is the Decree of God which will NEVER change. No matter who we are, which religion we follow, how we are treated in this world or how many good works we have done we are ALL subjected to this Decree.
This Decree of God has been in existence since time immemorial. If He sends an Apostle with Clear Signs, people should believe in him. If they do not they will be losers. The last Apostle God sent to mankind was Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Therefore, everyone should believe in him and accept Islam, including the believers of Moses and Jesus because it was the SAME GOD Who inspired all of these Prophets!
2. “And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).
3. And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things”
[Quran 65:2-3].
“Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (Paradise in the Hereafter)”
[Quran 16:97].
70. O Messenger. say to those who are captives in your hands: "If Allah finds any good in your hearts, He will give you something better than what has been taken from you, and He will forgive you: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful." [Quran 8:70]
55. Allah has promised, to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that He will, of a surety, grant them in the land, inheritance (of power), as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their religion - the one which He has chosen for them; and that He will change (their state), after the fear in which they (lived), to one of security and peace: 'They will worship Me (alone) and not associate aught with Me. 'If any do reject Faith after this, they are rebellious and wicked. [Quran 24:55]
But how can all this be true when there is a lot of mockery, slandering and prejudice against those who have embraced Islam?
“Consider it (slander) not a bad thing for you. Nay, it is good for you. Unto every man among them will be paid that which he had earned of the sin, and as for him among them who had the greater share therein, his will be a great torment”
[Quran 24:11]
“Truly, We (God) will suffice you against the scoffers”
[Quran 15:95]
6. Behold! they sat over against the (fire),
7. And they witnessed (all) that they were doing against the Believers.
8. And they ill-treated them for no other reason than that they believed in Allah, Exalted in Power, Worthy of all Praise!-
9. Him to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth! And Allah is Witness to all things.
10. Those who persecute (or draw into temptation) the Believers, men and women, and do not turn in repentance, will have the Penalty of Hell: They will have the Penalty of the Burning Fire.
11. For those who believe and do righteous deeds, will be Gardens; beneath which rivers flow: That is the great Salvation, (the fulfilment of all desires), [Quran 85:6-11]
God is the Best Protector and the Best Helper so why should anyone be scared to become a Muslim and earn the Favour of his Lord?
Do you think if you are already a Jew or a Christian and believe in God you are in no need of Islam?
Do you think if you follow all your religious values you are already on the right path and there is nothing special Islam can do for you?
Do you not know that many of your wise men, kings and scholars, when the pure and clear call of Islam reached them, had no choice but to affirm the truth of this religion, and they venerated Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and many of them announced their entry into Islam?
The king of Abyssinia, Negus affirmed that, and became a Muslim.
If these people were good Christians who followed all their religious values and believed in Abraham and Jesus, then what did they accept Prophet Muhammad and Islam for? Because this was the religion of Abraham and Jesus!
“And this (submission to God) was enjoined by Abraham upon his sons and by Jacob (saying), ‘O my sons! God has chosen for you the (true) religion, then die not except in the Faith of Islam (as Muslims)’” [Quran 2:132]
Your mothers taught you Abraham. Your fathers taught you religious values. But what good is it going to do when you don't follow the religion of Abraham?
It was Abraham who built the Sacred House of God in Mecca, the direction towards which the Muslims pray.
It was he who named those who submit their selves to their Lord 'Muslims'.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a descendant of Ishmael, son of Abraham.
"Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to God, does good, and follows the way of Abraham the true in Faith? For God did take Abraham for a friend."
[Quran 4:125]
God says if the Jews and Christians become Muslims it would be best for them. Otherwise, they will certainly become losers in the Eternal World even if they were made to look like winners in this temporary world in order to test the others:
"You are the best of Peoples (=Muslims), evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in God. If only the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) had faith (accepted Islam), it were best for them: among them are some who have Faith (they become Muslims), but most of them are perverted transgressors (ignore Islam)."
[Quran 2:110]
O mankind! The Messenger (Muhammad) has come to you in truth from God: believe in him: it is best for you. But if you reject Faith (Islam), to God belong all things in the heavens and on earth and God is All-Knowing, All-Wise. [Quran 4:170]
“Say (O Muhammad): “if you (really) love God then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic monotheism, follow the Quran and Sunnah), God will love you and forgive you your sins. And God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Quran 3:31].
The truth is from your Lord so do not be doubtful about His religion.
Islam cannot spare anyone's problems nor it can save anyone from death but it is the final and only Gateway to Salvation for mankind.
Peace be upon those who follow the truth.
Saturday 29 October 2016
WHAT CAN ISLAM DO FOR YOU? PART 1
Many Muslims believe that Islam can do wonders and miracles for people. They say it can spare all their problems.
They say the reason why the Western countries follow corrupt culture is because there is not much Islam there.
They say it can also save them from death!
Now we are going to see how true this is in THREE - PART SERIES.
PART 2 will be posted next Friday if God is willing.
In the Quran God says:
"....for the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception." 3:185
"Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives and the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere,---." 2:155
"You shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves;...." 3:186
The above verses tell us that Islam cannot spare anyone's problems. Everyone has problems, Muslim or not.
Are Islamic countries free from corrupt behaviour and culture? Muslims have started to follow the corrupt culture as well just as foretold by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that this will happen at the end of times. He also warned that a large part of the Muslim nation would follow the Jews and Christians so closely that if they entered the den of a lizard, Muslims would climb in after them as well and that before the Last Day some "Muslims" would actually worship idols, drink alcohol and commit adultery.
Can Islam save you from death?
"Every soul shall have a taste of death: And only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense...." 3:185
"Wherever you are, death will find you out, even if you are in towers built up strong and high!"...." 4:78
The above Quranic verses tell us that Islam cannot save people from death.
So why do these Muslims think that Islam is a panecea for all life's problems? These beliefs must have something to do with their psychology and not based on any real information.
Now we know that Islam cannot spare anyone's problems, nor it can save you from death nor it will make you live completely without sin. For that matter, we are going to see what CAN Islam actually do for you.
First, we are going to see what Islam did for this world and compare them with the situation in the modern-day world.
When Prophet Muhammad appeared, the world was divided between two main superpowers, the Persians and the Byzantines, who used to fight each other causing a lot of suffering to their people, let alone their tyrannical and repressive regimes.
At the same time, false beliefs and creeds prevailed; people were wandering away from the Heavenly revelations such as the Torah and the Gospels which were mixed up with fabrications and falsehood. Social conditions had also deteriorated; despotism, tyranny, bloodshed were dominant, and human dignity had been lost and morals were perverted.
Amidst this dark time, the Message of Islam arrived to steer mankind back to unblemished morality and right practices, and to anchor people to the infallible Revelation. Islam's Message arrived to provide guidance, to draw mankind to the light of God and to lead people to bliss and happiness.
The first thing that Islam did was to free people from the slavery of worshipping other deities and human beings and to relieve them from the shackles of tyranny.
The weak, the poor and the slaves rushed to Islam, where they found salvation. Islam raised them up to be on equal footing with the rich and the powerful. It opened the gates of creativity and excellence for everyone to prosper according to his/her capabilities. Take for example, Bilal the Ethiopian, Salman, the Persian and Suhayb, the Byzantine.
Now let's compare this with the modern-day world.
Ever since Islam came to this world it NEVER decreased in numbers. Why?
People embrace Islam because they find security, comfort and peace in it, they see a cure for their problems in it, and through it they are able to get rid of their feelings of confusion, anxiety and loss.
So Islam only provides cures for your problems, not spare them completely. And the Quran has the cures for all problems and mental and physical diseases and it also blocks the ways that lead to such problems.
For instance, the Quran says:
"....Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily God has been to you Most Merciful!" 4:29
If one knows that God has been most merciful to him then there will be no excuse for him to commit suicide.
Islam educates people and lifts them up to righteous conduct, good manners and virtue. Its call is distinguished from others by its realism, balance and moderation. Islam pays due attention to both the soul and the body. It neither suppresses physical desires (monasticism) nor allows extravagance in this regard (promiscuity); it makes a distinction between the natural inclination to enjoy the pleasures of this world (marriage) and forbidden desires that come under the heading of depravity and perversion (all types of illegal sexual activity).
Islam brings about for all mankind the good of this world and happiness in the Hereafter. It considers everyone's spirit as well as body, and cares for the individual as well as community. It makes lawful everything that is useful and beneficial and bans everything that is harmful. So those who abandon their own whims and desires and follow the way of Prophet Muhammad will be successful in this world and in the Hereafter.
Those who become Muslim in developed countries realize what their country’s civilization and laws, which have been fabricated from men’s whims and desires, have done to them, and they realize the extent of the misery in which people in developed countries are living. They see how prevalent psychological illnesses, nervous breakdowns, insanity and suicides are, despite the technological advances and great number of discoveries and inventions and modern systems of management. This is because all of that is concerned only with the physical and the outward, but it neglects the inward and fails to nourish and nurture the heart and soul. God says of these people in the Quran:
“They know only the outside appearance of the life of the world, and they are heedless of the Hereafter.”
[30:7]
Islam has been the only religion that completely abolished slavery of all types. There are four types of slavery in this world:
1. Slavery of human beings
2. Slavery of worshipping others besides God
3. Slavery of one's profession
4. Slavery of one’s own self
1. During the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad, a man had a flock of sheep and a Black slave-girl who tended it. One day, a wolf snatched away an ewe from the flock. The man was angry and slapped the slave-girl harshly. He regretted his action and hurried to the Prophet and told him what had happened.
The Prophet said to him:
"Bring her to me."
When the man brought her, the Prophet asked her:
"Where is Allah?"
She said:
"He is in heaven."
He said:
"Who am I?"
She said:
"You are the Messenger of Allah."
The Messenger of Allah said to the man:
"Set her free! She is a Muslim."
God says in many places of the Quran to set the slaves free:
11. But he has made no haste on the path that is steep.
12. And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?-
13. (It is:) freeing the bondman;
14. Or the giving of food in a day of privation
15. To the orphan with claims of relationship,
16. Or to the indigent (down) in the dust.
17. Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. 90:11-17
Islam honoured the woman after all the tyranny and suppression she experienced. Both Eastern and Western societies used to look down at her, denying her human rights. Then Islam came to raise her status, protecting her dignity and rights through imposing a set of laws. It put her on equal footing with man in terms of duties and obligations –in prayers, charity, pilgrimage and all other acts of worship. It made her financially independent and let her keep her name so that she remains belonging to her own family rather than acquiring a new name when she marries. It also gave her the responsibility of looking after her husband and children.
2. Now to the slavery of worshipping others besides God.
Islam came with the clear Message of Divine Oneness in which a person can liberate himself from the bonds of servitude to anything but the One True God, and he can free himself from earthly connections and religions that approve of the servitude to human beings such as leaders, personalities, idols etc, animals such as cows, snakes etc., statues and images such as Mary, Jesus, Hindu/Shinto dieties etc.
Man, whom God has honoured with reason and the soul which is created by Him, becomes a slave to those animals, humans, dolls etc etc which he regards as holy, and reveres and venerates them, although they have no power to bring him any benefit or ward off any harm; indeed they cannot do that for themselves, let alone others.
3. As for the slavery of one's profession.
There are people out there who become slaves to their own professions. A person might work from dawn to dusk for money at the expense of his/her religious commitment. An ambitious man might take the road of destruction or suicide if his plans go awry. It is widely believed that once the Westerners gave up all religions and freed themselves from them, they reached the level of civilized advancement that they have reached or attained huge success in business.
Whatever it is, God knows best. The point that needs to be understood by all is if one chooses his own ideas over the truth revealed by God there is no way he/she will enter the Gate of Paradise no matter how much wealth, good works or fame they amassed or how many people love them or speak good about them in this world.
4. The slavery of one's own self.
Self-worshipping or making one’s own ideas about God.
Following one’s or others' whims and desires or blindly following everything a leader, a personality or an idol says.
Islam came to free people from this type of slavery by making them obey God and His Messenger and NO ONE ELSE.
You should have known by now that Islam is not like any other religions and the Jews, Christians and others who embraced this religion will be enough proof for anyone who likes to doubt. But I know there are still some incredulous people among you so I will tell you about the truth in Part 2 next Friday.
Truth heals the world!
Friday 21 October 2016
WHO IS ISA?
Who is Isa?
Isa is Jesus. Because of the difference in pronunciation, many people may not be aware that when they hear a Muslim talking about Isa, he is actually talking about Prophet Jesus.
The spelling of Isa may take many forms – Isa, Esa, Essa, and Eissa. The Arabic language is written in Arabic characters, thus any transliteration system tries to reproduce the phonetic sound. No matter what the spelling, all indicate Jesus, the Messenger of God.
Jesus and his people spoke Aramaic, a language from the Semitic family. Spoken by more than 300 million people throughout the Middle East, North Africa and the Horn of Africa, Semitic languages include, among others, Arabic and Hebrew. The use of the word Eissa is actually a closer translation of the Aramaic word for Jesus – Eeshu. In Hebrew this translates to Yeshua.
Translating the name Jesus into non Semitic languages complicated things. There was no “J” in any language until the fourteenth century, so consequently, when the name Jesus was translated into Greek, it became Iesous, and in Latin, Iesus. Later, the “I” and “J” were used interchangeably, and finally the name transitioned into English as Jesus. The final “S” on the end is indicative of the Greek language where all male names end in “S”.
Aramaic -- Eeshu
Arabic -- Isa
Hebrew -- Yeshua
Greek -- Iesous
Latin -- Iesus
English -- Jesus
In sixteen of the 25 places in the Quran where Isa is used, he is called "the son of Mary" (Ibn Maryam). Since he had no father, he was named so after his mother.
Now, we are going to see whether Maryam in the Quran was Mary or not.
Like Christians, Muslims believe that Mary, Maria in Spanish, or Maryam as she is called in Hebrew as well as in Arabic, was a chaste, virgin woman, who miraculously gave birth to Jesus. Jesus’ birth in itself was a miracle in that he had no father. God describes his birth in the Quran as follows:
“And mention in the Book (the Quran), Mary, when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east. She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her a spirit from Us, (the angel Gabriel), and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects. She said: ‘Verily, I seek refuge with the Most Gracious (God) from you, if you do fear God.’ (The angel) said: ‘I am only a messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son.’ She said: ‘How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?’ He said: ‘So (it will be), your Lord said That is easy for Me (God): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (God), and it is a matter (already) decreed (by God).’” (Quran 19:16-21)
Now let's see what the Quran says about Isa:
45. Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! Allah gives thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah.
46. "He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. And he shall be (of the company) of the righteous."
47. She said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?" He said: "Even so: Allah creates what He wills: When He has decreed a matter, He but says to it, 'Be,' and it is!
48. "And Allah will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel,
49. "And (appoint him) an apostle to the Children of Israel, (with this message): "'I have come to you, with a Sign from your Lord, in that I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah's leave: And I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I quicken the dead, by Allah's leave; and I declare to you what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely therein is a Sign for you if you did believe;
50. "'(I have come to you), to attest the Law (Torah) which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was (Before) forbidden to you; I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord. So fear Allah, and obey me.
51. "'It is Allah Who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him. This is a Way that is straight.'" [Quran 3: 45-51]
Who else could this Isa be other than Jesus, the son of Mary and the Word of God?
Isa is Jesus. Because of the difference in pronunciation, many people may not be aware that when they hear a Muslim talking about Isa, he is actually talking about Prophet Jesus.
The spelling of Isa may take many forms – Isa, Esa, Essa, and Eissa. The Arabic language is written in Arabic characters, thus any transliteration system tries to reproduce the phonetic sound. No matter what the spelling, all indicate Jesus, the Messenger of God.
Jesus and his people spoke Aramaic, a language from the Semitic family. Spoken by more than 300 million people throughout the Middle East, North Africa and the Horn of Africa, Semitic languages include, among others, Arabic and Hebrew. The use of the word Eissa is actually a closer translation of the Aramaic word for Jesus – Eeshu. In Hebrew this translates to Yeshua.
Translating the name Jesus into non Semitic languages complicated things. There was no “J” in any language until the fourteenth century, so consequently, when the name Jesus was translated into Greek, it became Iesous, and in Latin, Iesus. Later, the “I” and “J” were used interchangeably, and finally the name transitioned into English as Jesus. The final “S” on the end is indicative of the Greek language where all male names end in “S”.
Aramaic -- Eeshu
Arabic -- Isa
Hebrew -- Yeshua
Greek -- Iesous
Latin -- Iesus
English -- Jesus
In sixteen of the 25 places in the Quran where Isa is used, he is called "the son of Mary" (Ibn Maryam). Since he had no father, he was named so after his mother.
Now, we are going to see whether Maryam in the Quran was Mary or not.
Like Christians, Muslims believe that Mary, Maria in Spanish, or Maryam as she is called in Hebrew as well as in Arabic, was a chaste, virgin woman, who miraculously gave birth to Jesus. Jesus’ birth in itself was a miracle in that he had no father. God describes his birth in the Quran as follows:
“And mention in the Book (the Quran), Mary, when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east. She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her a spirit from Us, (the angel Gabriel), and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects. She said: ‘Verily, I seek refuge with the Most Gracious (God) from you, if you do fear God.’ (The angel) said: ‘I am only a messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son.’ She said: ‘How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?’ He said: ‘So (it will be), your Lord said That is easy for Me (God): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (God), and it is a matter (already) decreed (by God).’” (Quran 19:16-21)
Now let's see what the Quran says about Isa:
45. Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! Allah gives thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah.
46. "He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. And he shall be (of the company) of the righteous."
47. She said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me?" He said: "Even so: Allah creates what He wills: When He has decreed a matter, He but says to it, 'Be,' and it is!
48. "And Allah will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel,
49. "And (appoint him) an apostle to the Children of Israel, (with this message): "'I have come to you, with a Sign from your Lord, in that I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah's leave: And I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I quicken the dead, by Allah's leave; and I declare to you what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely therein is a Sign for you if you did believe;
50. "'(I have come to you), to attest the Law (Torah) which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was (Before) forbidden to you; I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord. So fear Allah, and obey me.
51. "'It is Allah Who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him. This is a Way that is straight.'" [Quran 3: 45-51]
Who else could this Isa be other than Jesus, the son of Mary and the Word of God?
Friday 14 October 2016
WHICH DENOMINATION DOES JESUS BELONG TO?
Many Christians have started to wonder what true Christianity is. They have stopped attending the church because they now realize that the priests are acting as intermediaries between them and their Lord.
They have also realized that there is only one high power over them and have begun personal relationships with God and have found happiness and peace there.
However, they are still confused about who Jesus was, how he conducted his life and what he preached. Some of them go through the experience of different Christian denominations in order to find out which one Jesus belonged to. They search here and there but cannot find it because one Christian sect condemns the other and there is a lot of enmity and hatred among them.
So which denomination Jesus belonged to? It will be too easy to find out if only they are open-minded and read this post. Here is the answer:
First, we are going to look at the appearance of Jesus. They would have seen beautiful paintings of him in the church or at people's houses.
Jesus was bearded, wasn't he? Most Muslims are bearded too, but only the rare Christian.
Jesus was dressed modestly. If we close our eyes and form a mental picture, we see flowing robes, from wrists to ankles—much like the loose Arabian robes and the Indio-Pakistani shalwar kameez, typical of the Muslims of those areas. What we don’t imagine is the revealing or seductive clothing so ubiquitous in Christian cultures.
Jesus’ mother covered her hair, and this practice was maintained among the Christian women of the Holy Land up to the middle of the twentieth century. Again, this is a practice maintained among Muslims as well as Orthodox Jews (of which Jesus was one), but not among modern day Christians.
Now, let's look at the manner of Jesus.
Jesus was always praying everyday. How many “righteous” Christians fit this “It’s not just on Sundays” profile? Now how many “five prayers a day, every day of the year” Muslims?
Jesus spoke with humility and kindness. He didn’t “showboat.” When we think of his speeches, we don’t imagine theatrics. He was a simple man known for quality and truth. How many preachers and how many evangelists follow this example?
Jesus taught his disciples to offer the greeting of “Peace” (Luke 10:5), and then set the example: “Peace be with you” (Luke 24:36, John 20:19, John 20:21, John 20:26). Who continues this practice to this day, Christians or Muslims? “Peace be with you” is the meaning of the Muslim greeting, “Assalam alaikum.” Interestingly enough, we find this greeting in Judaism as well (Genesis 43:23, Numbers 6:26, Judges 6:23, I Samuel 1:17 and I Samuel 25:6).
Now for Jesus' religious practices.
Jesus was circumcised (Luke 2:21). Paul taught it wasn’t necessary (Rom 4:11 and Gal 5:2). Muslims believe it is.
Jesus didn’t eat pork, in keeping with Old Testament law (Leviticus 11:7 and Deuteronomy 14:8). Muslims also believe pork is forbidden. Christians … well, you get the idea.
Jesus didn’t give or take usury, in compliance with the Old Testament prohibition (Exodus 22:25). Usury is forbidden in the Old Testament and the Quran, as it was forbidden in the religion of Jesus. The economies of most Christian countries, however, are structured upon usury.
Jesus didn’t fornicate, and abstained from extramarital contact with women. Now, this issue extends to the least physical contact with the opposite sex. With the exception of performing religious rituals and helping those in need, Jesus never even touched a woman other than his mother. Strictly practicing Orthodox Jews maintain this practice to this day in observance of Old Testament law. Likewise, practicing Muslims don’t even shake hands between the genders. Can the adultrous people of the ancient times with crosses hanging from their necks make the same claim? Can the modern-day Christians with premarital affairs, extramarital affairs and other types of sexual liberation make the same claim?
Now how did Jesus worship?
Jesus purified himself with washing prior to prayer, as was the practice of the pious prophets who preceded him (see Exodus 40:31-32 in reference to Moses and Aaron), and as is the practice of Muslims.
Jesus prayed in prostration (Matthew 26:39), like the other prophets (see Nehemiah 8:6 with regard to Ezra and the people, Joshua 5:14 for Joshua, Genesis 17:3 and 24:52 for Abraham, Exodus 34:8 and Numbers 20:6 for Moses and Aaron). Who prays like that, Christians or Muslims?
Jesus fasted for more than a month at a time (Matthew 4:2 and Luke 4:2), as did the pious before him (Exodus 34:28, I Kings 19:8), and as do Muslims in the annual fast of the month of Ramadan.
Jesus made pilgrimage for the purpose of worship, as all Orthodox Jews aspire to do. The Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca is well known, and is alluded to in the Bible (see The First and Final Commandment).
And finally what did Jesus believe in and preach?
Jesus taught the oneness of God (Mark 12:29-30, Matthew 22:37 and Luke 10:27), as conveyed in the first commandment (Exodus 20:3). Nowhere did he declare the Trinity.
Jesus declared himself a man and a prophet of God (see above), and nowhere claimed divinity or divine sonship. Which creed are the above points more consistent with—the Christian formula or the absolute monotheism of Islam?
As everyone can see for themselves, Jesus conducted his life just as how a Muslim male should conduct his life in Islam.
Now that everyone knows which denomination Jesus belonged to, will they join it?
Peace be upon those who follow the truth.
They have also realized that there is only one high power over them and have begun personal relationships with God and have found happiness and peace there.
However, they are still confused about who Jesus was, how he conducted his life and what he preached. Some of them go through the experience of different Christian denominations in order to find out which one Jesus belonged to. They search here and there but cannot find it because one Christian sect condemns the other and there is a lot of enmity and hatred among them.
So which denomination Jesus belonged to? It will be too easy to find out if only they are open-minded and read this post. Here is the answer:
First, we are going to look at the appearance of Jesus. They would have seen beautiful paintings of him in the church or at people's houses.
Jesus was bearded, wasn't he? Most Muslims are bearded too, but only the rare Christian.
Jesus was dressed modestly. If we close our eyes and form a mental picture, we see flowing robes, from wrists to ankles—much like the loose Arabian robes and the Indio-Pakistani shalwar kameez, typical of the Muslims of those areas. What we don’t imagine is the revealing or seductive clothing so ubiquitous in Christian cultures.
Jesus’ mother covered her hair, and this practice was maintained among the Christian women of the Holy Land up to the middle of the twentieth century. Again, this is a practice maintained among Muslims as well as Orthodox Jews (of which Jesus was one), but not among modern day Christians.
Now, let's look at the manner of Jesus.
Jesus was always praying everyday. How many “righteous” Christians fit this “It’s not just on Sundays” profile? Now how many “five prayers a day, every day of the year” Muslims?
Jesus spoke with humility and kindness. He didn’t “showboat.” When we think of his speeches, we don’t imagine theatrics. He was a simple man known for quality and truth. How many preachers and how many evangelists follow this example?
Jesus taught his disciples to offer the greeting of “Peace” (Luke 10:5), and then set the example: “Peace be with you” (Luke 24:36, John 20:19, John 20:21, John 20:26). Who continues this practice to this day, Christians or Muslims? “Peace be with you” is the meaning of the Muslim greeting, “Assalam alaikum.” Interestingly enough, we find this greeting in Judaism as well (Genesis 43:23, Numbers 6:26, Judges 6:23, I Samuel 1:17 and I Samuel 25:6).
Now for Jesus' religious practices.
Jesus was circumcised (Luke 2:21). Paul taught it wasn’t necessary (Rom 4:11 and Gal 5:2). Muslims believe it is.
Jesus didn’t eat pork, in keeping with Old Testament law (Leviticus 11:7 and Deuteronomy 14:8). Muslims also believe pork is forbidden. Christians … well, you get the idea.
Jesus didn’t give or take usury, in compliance with the Old Testament prohibition (Exodus 22:25). Usury is forbidden in the Old Testament and the Quran, as it was forbidden in the religion of Jesus. The economies of most Christian countries, however, are structured upon usury.
Jesus didn’t fornicate, and abstained from extramarital contact with women. Now, this issue extends to the least physical contact with the opposite sex. With the exception of performing religious rituals and helping those in need, Jesus never even touched a woman other than his mother. Strictly practicing Orthodox Jews maintain this practice to this day in observance of Old Testament law. Likewise, practicing Muslims don’t even shake hands between the genders. Can the adultrous people of the ancient times with crosses hanging from their necks make the same claim? Can the modern-day Christians with premarital affairs, extramarital affairs and other types of sexual liberation make the same claim?
Now how did Jesus worship?
Jesus purified himself with washing prior to prayer, as was the practice of the pious prophets who preceded him (see Exodus 40:31-32 in reference to Moses and Aaron), and as is the practice of Muslims.
Jesus prayed in prostration (Matthew 26:39), like the other prophets (see Nehemiah 8:6 with regard to Ezra and the people, Joshua 5:14 for Joshua, Genesis 17:3 and 24:52 for Abraham, Exodus 34:8 and Numbers 20:6 for Moses and Aaron). Who prays like that, Christians or Muslims?
Jesus fasted for more than a month at a time (Matthew 4:2 and Luke 4:2), as did the pious before him (Exodus 34:28, I Kings 19:8), and as do Muslims in the annual fast of the month of Ramadan.
Jesus made pilgrimage for the purpose of worship, as all Orthodox Jews aspire to do. The Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca is well known, and is alluded to in the Bible (see The First and Final Commandment).
And finally what did Jesus believe in and preach?
Jesus taught the oneness of God (Mark 12:29-30, Matthew 22:37 and Luke 10:27), as conveyed in the first commandment (Exodus 20:3). Nowhere did he declare the Trinity.
Jesus declared himself a man and a prophet of God (see above), and nowhere claimed divinity or divine sonship. Which creed are the above points more consistent with—the Christian formula or the absolute monotheism of Islam?
As everyone can see for themselves, Jesus conducted his life just as how a Muslim male should conduct his life in Islam.
Now that everyone knows which denomination Jesus belonged to, will they join it?
Peace be upon those who follow the truth.
Friday 7 October 2016
ONE COMMUNITY
God loves unity, harmony, peace, and togetherness.
To achieve all that God wants us to be in One Community.
God hates divisions, sects, pride, arrogance, and falsehoods.
To get rid of all that God wants us to be in One Community.
To be in One Community everyone should be under God's Direction. To be under God's Direction, we have to be united and follow that One Direction. If we follow different directions we will not agree with one another and end up being conquered and divided.
Mankind was once staying in harmony with their belief in the One true Lord then due to the conditioning of the world they started to differ. Some of them believed, some disbelieved and some associated others with God. So God sent the Prophets with glad tidings to those who believed in them and warnings to those who disbelieved in them.
13. The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah - the which We have sent by inspiration to thee (O Muhammad!) - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that you should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than God, hard is the (way) to which thou call them. God chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).
14. And they became divided only after Knowledge reached them,- through selfish envy as between themselves. Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from thy Lord, (tending) to a Term appointed, the matter would have been settled between them: But truly those who have inherited the Book after them are in suspicious (disquieting) doubt concerning it.
15. Now then, for that (reason), call (them to Islam), and stand steadfast as you are commanded, nor follow their vain desires; but say: "I believe in the Book which God has sent down; and I am commanded to judge justly between you. God is our Lord and your Lord: for us (is the responsibility for) our deeds, and for you for your deeds. There is no contention between us and you. God will bring us together, and to Him is (our) Final Goal.
16. But those who dispute concerning God after He (His Religion) has been accepted,- futile is their dispute in the Sight of their Lord: on them will be a Penalty terrible." [Quran 42:13-16]
Here God says that He established the same religion to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Prophet Muhammad but mankind became divided through selfish desires, envy and doubts.
With the unity of prophetic religions, mankind shares one true religion and, thus, bound to a single community:
"Mankind was one single nation, and God sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they held divergent views; but the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) who had been granted this revelation (Quran) began, out of mutual jealousy, to disagree about its meaning after all evidence of the truth had come to them. But God by His Grace Guided the believers to the Truth, concerning that wherein they had disagreed. For God guides whom He will to a path that is straight." [Quran 2:213]
God says the Prophets and the true believers also make one single religious community and are called Muslims:
"Verily this community of yours is one single community since I am a Sustainer of you all, worship then Me (alone). But mankind have torn their unity wide asunder, (forgetting that) unto Us they all are bound to return." [Quran -- the Prophets: 92-93]
Therefore, Islam is the religion for all of mankind, and God has commanded us to convey it to all people. God has commanded us all to adhere to His religion and to be united, and not to be divided. He says:
“And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of God (this Quran), and be not divided among yourselves
[Quran 3:103]
Division, differences and disputes are the cause of mankind's defeat, as God says:
“And obey God and His Messenger, and do not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and your strength departs, and be patient. Surely, God is with those who are patient”
[Quran 8:46]
Islam regards all people as equal before the laws of God. Black and white, Arab and non-Arab, male and female, rich and poor – Islam brings them all together and addresses its commands and prohibitions to them all.
Islam came with clear beliefs based upon the Oneness of God, acts of worship that link all human beings with their Creator, morals that strengthen the ties between all humanity, and laws that organise society and bind it with justice and virtue. In this state, everyone can live in harmony and peace.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
“God likes three things for you and He dislikes three things for you. He likes you to worship Him (alone) and not associate anything with Him; to hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of God (Quran), and be not divided among yourselves; and to be sincere to the one who God has appointed over you. And He dislikes for you three things: gossip, asking too much and squandering wealth.”
God says:
"And be not as those (Jews and Christians) who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs (Islam) had come to them. It is they for whom there is an awful torment”
[Quran 3:105]
“Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects (all kinds of religious sects), you (O Muhammad) have no concern in them in the least. Their affair is only with God, Who then will tell them what they used to do”
[Quran 6:159]
Here God is warning those who divide their religion into sects, each of them calling himself by a name, like the Jews, Christians, Sufis, etc.. Some of them do not complete their faith; they take something from the Law of God and make that their religion, and ignore something of greater importance. This is the case with the people of sects who follow innovations and misguidance and divide the Community.
HOW DID DIFFERENT RELIGIONS COME ABOUT?
When God took the Messiah (peace be upon him) up into heaven, his followers split into different groups. Some of them believed in what God had sent him with, that he was His servant and messenger , the son of His female servant. Some of them exaggerated about him and made him the son of God, and others said that he was God, or that he was the third of three (trinity). God described what they said in the Quran, and refuted all of them.
A person is called a Muslim when he submits himself to God and believes in Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), having faith in all the angels and in all the Books (Psalms, Torah and Gospel in their original forms) without exclusion, believes in all the Prophets, including Abraham and Jesus, and acknowledges them with open hearts, and dares not to make any distinction among them.
Muslims submit to God in the manner that God wishes it to be as taught by the Prophet (pbuh) through the Quran. In this excellent Path, people can find peace and harmony.
"They say: "Become Jews or Christians if you would be guided (To salvation)." Say thou: "Nay! (I would rather) the Religion of Abraham the True, and he joined not gods with Allah.
Say you: "We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to Allah (as Muslims).
So if they believe as you believe, they are indeed on the right path; but if they turn back, it is they who are in schism; but Allah will suffice you as against them, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing." [Quran 2:135-137]
The Children of Israel were the holders of the Torah and the Gospels and their teachings were meant only for them. God did not assign them to establish new religions called Judaism or Christianity nor authorized them to preach their teachings to all mankind. The Torah was only valid for a certain period of time and became self-terminated and invalid with the advent of the Gospels. And the Gospels were valid for a certain period of time and became self-terminated and invalid with the advent of the Quran. This is why God urges the Christians and Jews to leave their religions and to place faith in Islam and become Muslims:
"O People of the Scriptures (Jews and Christians), come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but God, that we associate no partners with Him, that we shall not take lords and patrons other than God. If then they turn back, say you: 'Bear witness that we are Muslims'."
[Quran 3:64]
"...By the Quran, Full of Admonition: (This is the Truth).
But the Unbelievers (are steeped) in self-glory and Separatism." [Quran 38:1-2]
Here God tells us He hates Separatism among mankind, each calling himself by a name and stirring up enmity and hatred among themselves.
"Those who split up their Religion and become Sects---each party rejoicing in that which is with itself!" [Quran 30:32]
"Those who deny God and His Messengers, and wish to seperate between God and His Messengers, saying: "We believe in some and reject the others": and wish to take a course midway,---
They are in truth Unbelievers; and We have prepared for Unbelievers a humiliating punishment."
[Quran 4:150-151]
God warns us that if anyone believes in Moses and rejects Jesus, they are Unbelievers. And this is the same for those who believe in Jesus and reject Muhammad or those who believe in Muhammad and reject Jesus and others.
Many people have started to put away religion and cultivate personal relationships with God as they believe this will bring them peace and happiness. But this type of peace and happiness is only short-term. There will come a time when one wants to know what God's Commandments are and feel isolated and abandoned if they do not know what to do. They will start to follow their own whims and desires and become wanderers and losers in the end.
This is why God sent down the Glorious Quran to teach us about Faith in the Oneness of God, Love for God, the Messenger and Believers, Compassion and Justice for all and selflessness. It also preaches utopian high morals, and it contains scientific facts and all-comprehensive legal rulings that are just and valid for any time and anywhere. Besides, the Quran is free from any contradictions or disagreements, as God says:
"Do they not then consider the Quran carefully? Had it been from other than God, they would surely have found therein many contradictions."
[Quran 4:82]
If we accept Islam and follow it as God says, we would not need any other religions or any other walls that keep us divided and conquered.
“And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path. This He has ordained for you that you may become the Pious”
[Quran 6:153]
With the perfection of Islam and God's direction in the Quran, we can strive together towards all that is good as one community and transform this world into a place of freedom and joy.
"The Messenger (Muhammad) believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the people of faith (Muslims). Each one (of them) believes in God, His angels, His books, and His apostles. "We make no distinction (they say) between one and another of His apostles." And they say: "We hear, and we obey: (We seek) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys." [Quran 2:285]
May God send peace and blessings to all the Apostles and their righteous families.
Friday 30 September 2016
COLOURS AND COLOURED PEOPLE PART 2:THE BLACK MAN WITH THE SWEET VOICE
Many Muslims suffered hardships and great persecution for the sake of Islam, the Message of Allah.
Their impeccable characters and their closeness to Allah and His Prophet drew many people to Islam.
One of the greatest of these, one of the most humble, and one who endured horrific torture in order to become Muslim was Bilal ibn Rabah. Born in Mecca, the freed Ethiopian slave after accepting Islam was inseparable from the Messenger himself. He became the Prophet's first muezzin (caller to the five daily Prayers).
The story of Bilal's life and journey to Islam teaches us to hold fast to the message of the Oneness of Allah and to defend the reputation of His Prophet with every breath we take and every action we perform.
Bilal ibn Rabah was born as the son of an Ethiopian slave called Rabah. Because of his black skin, he was sometimes known as Bilal Al-Habashi (the Ethiopian). As a boy, he was sold as a slave to Umayyah ibn Khalaf ibn Safwan, leading member of the Quraish, head of the Bani Jumah, and a fierce believer in idol worship.
Not only did he believe in the worship of idols, but also believed that people worshipped idols according to the worshippers' dignity and social status. So he would worship an idol of gold, while his slave would worship an idol of wood or stone. Although Bilal was owned as a slave, it was his "master" who was the real slave. He was a slave of polytheism, that pernicious belief in many gods that held sway in the whole of the Arabian Peninsula at that time.
When Prophet Muhammad began to preach the message of the Oneness of Allah (tawheed, in Arabic), many people in Mecca suffered when they chose to embrace Islam at the hands of the idol worshippers. How can it be not so when even today, people feel threatened by goodness? Those idol worshippers did everything in their power to stop the spread of Islam, even though it was quite clear that these Muslims were good people who intended no harm to anyone.
Bilal saw more and more people embrace Islam in Mecca and, as they did, more and more people suffered and were tortured at the hands of idol worshippers. Abu Jahl was an important man in Mecca, noted for his cruelty and his hatred of Islam. It came to the ears of Bilal that the parents of `Ammar ibn Yasir had been tortured on the rack and had died on the orders of Abu Jahl. Ammar ibn Yasir also endured this torment and persecution of his own but he refused to return to idol worship. Touched by such heroism, Bilal decided to visit the place where Muhammad was staying.
Muhammad's words penetrated Bilal's heart and he became Muslim there and then. There was no musing over when the right time might be; no weighing up the pros and cons of what the consequences of declaring Shahadah would entail. Bilal saw that in this message he would find peace, the answer to his heart's desire.
Almost immediately, it came to the ears of his master, Umayyah, that Bilal had been heard talking about the Oneness of Allah and the futility of worshipping idols. He was made to pay a heavy price. Umayyah had him, at first, dragged through the blistering hot sand in the hottest part of the day and pulled around the city by his neck by young children. Bilal's only response was to cry out "Ahad" (God is One).
He was beaten, but to no avail. The worst was yet to come. With Bilal spread out on the burning sand, huge rocks were placed on his chest and stomach, almost squeezing life out of him, crushing his body and making it impossible to believe. None of it worked. Every time he was asked to renounce Islam and declare his belief once more in idols, he cried out, "Ahad. Ahad." Umayyah gave up the torture, leaving his slave almost dead.
Who knows how many of the people of Mecca were drawn to Islam because of the suffering of this simple and gentle man? How many renounced idol worship because of his example? Bilal did not give any speeches, did not lead any call-to-Islam workshops, and did not write books and pamphlets calling people to Islam. The witness of his life was enough.
Bilal was bought from Umayyah by Abu Bakr who then set Bilal free. Islam had made him a free man. For the rest of his life, he devoted every breath in his body to serving the message of Islam and to being by the side of its Messenger. In fact, he became Muhammad's spear bearer and was at his side in war and peace. It was this spear that was used to point out the direction of prayer from 624 CE onwards.
There was one further distinction for Bilal. Not only was he never away from the side of Muhammad, but he was also chosen by Muhammad to be the first human being to make the Adhan (call to five daily Prayers) after it had been revealed in a dream to Abdullah ibn Zaid, confirmed by Umar, and then approved by Muhammad as being from Allah. Bilal was chosen as the prayer-caller because his voice was strong and also very sweet. He would go to the rooftop of the mosque in Madinah and call out the Adhan.
Isn't the story of Bilal the story of every one who would be Muslim? His voice was strong and sweet, just as the message of Islam is strong and sweet.
Islam needs no one's approval, and Muslims do not need to seek it from anyone. Islam is strong and has nothing to be ashamed of. It is also very sweet, not the caricature that is so often portrayed on television and in newspapers. The message of Islam is both beautiful and sweet.
Bilal's story is proof of what Muhammad always taught: It is not social status or rank or education that makes one person better than another; it is piety. Those close to Allah are truly the best of people.
Bilal had suffered for Islam in his body. He was humble and gentle, faithful and loyal. He was strong and yet when he called the Muslims to Prayer, they could weep out of joy, so sweet was the sound.
"See you not that Allah sends down rain from the sky? With it We then bring out produce of various colours. And in the mountains are tracts white and red, of various shades of colour, and black intense in hue.
And so among men and crawling creatures and cattle, are they of various colours. Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge: for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving." [Quran -- Creator 35:27-28]
Their impeccable characters and their closeness to Allah and His Prophet drew many people to Islam.
One of the greatest of these, one of the most humble, and one who endured horrific torture in order to become Muslim was Bilal ibn Rabah. Born in Mecca, the freed Ethiopian slave after accepting Islam was inseparable from the Messenger himself. He became the Prophet's first muezzin (caller to the five daily Prayers).
The story of Bilal's life and journey to Islam teaches us to hold fast to the message of the Oneness of Allah and to defend the reputation of His Prophet with every breath we take and every action we perform.
Bilal ibn Rabah was born as the son of an Ethiopian slave called Rabah. Because of his black skin, he was sometimes known as Bilal Al-Habashi (the Ethiopian). As a boy, he was sold as a slave to Umayyah ibn Khalaf ibn Safwan, leading member of the Quraish, head of the Bani Jumah, and a fierce believer in idol worship.
Not only did he believe in the worship of idols, but also believed that people worshipped idols according to the worshippers' dignity and social status. So he would worship an idol of gold, while his slave would worship an idol of wood or stone. Although Bilal was owned as a slave, it was his "master" who was the real slave. He was a slave of polytheism, that pernicious belief in many gods that held sway in the whole of the Arabian Peninsula at that time.
When Prophet Muhammad began to preach the message of the Oneness of Allah (tawheed, in Arabic), many people in Mecca suffered when they chose to embrace Islam at the hands of the idol worshippers. How can it be not so when even today, people feel threatened by goodness? Those idol worshippers did everything in their power to stop the spread of Islam, even though it was quite clear that these Muslims were good people who intended no harm to anyone.
Bilal saw more and more people embrace Islam in Mecca and, as they did, more and more people suffered and were tortured at the hands of idol worshippers. Abu Jahl was an important man in Mecca, noted for his cruelty and his hatred of Islam. It came to the ears of Bilal that the parents of `Ammar ibn Yasir had been tortured on the rack and had died on the orders of Abu Jahl. Ammar ibn Yasir also endured this torment and persecution of his own but he refused to return to idol worship. Touched by such heroism, Bilal decided to visit the place where Muhammad was staying.
Muhammad's words penetrated Bilal's heart and he became Muslim there and then. There was no musing over when the right time might be; no weighing up the pros and cons of what the consequences of declaring Shahadah would entail. Bilal saw that in this message he would find peace, the answer to his heart's desire.
Almost immediately, it came to the ears of his master, Umayyah, that Bilal had been heard talking about the Oneness of Allah and the futility of worshipping idols. He was made to pay a heavy price. Umayyah had him, at first, dragged through the blistering hot sand in the hottest part of the day and pulled around the city by his neck by young children. Bilal's only response was to cry out "Ahad" (God is One).
He was beaten, but to no avail. The worst was yet to come. With Bilal spread out on the burning sand, huge rocks were placed on his chest and stomach, almost squeezing life out of him, crushing his body and making it impossible to believe. None of it worked. Every time he was asked to renounce Islam and declare his belief once more in idols, he cried out, "Ahad. Ahad." Umayyah gave up the torture, leaving his slave almost dead.
Who knows how many of the people of Mecca were drawn to Islam because of the suffering of this simple and gentle man? How many renounced idol worship because of his example? Bilal did not give any speeches, did not lead any call-to-Islam workshops, and did not write books and pamphlets calling people to Islam. The witness of his life was enough.
Bilal was bought from Umayyah by Abu Bakr who then set Bilal free. Islam had made him a free man. For the rest of his life, he devoted every breath in his body to serving the message of Islam and to being by the side of its Messenger. In fact, he became Muhammad's spear bearer and was at his side in war and peace. It was this spear that was used to point out the direction of prayer from 624 CE onwards.
There was one further distinction for Bilal. Not only was he never away from the side of Muhammad, but he was also chosen by Muhammad to be the first human being to make the Adhan (call to five daily Prayers) after it had been revealed in a dream to Abdullah ibn Zaid, confirmed by Umar, and then approved by Muhammad as being from Allah. Bilal was chosen as the prayer-caller because his voice was strong and also very sweet. He would go to the rooftop of the mosque in Madinah and call out the Adhan.
Isn't the story of Bilal the story of every one who would be Muslim? His voice was strong and sweet, just as the message of Islam is strong and sweet.
Islam needs no one's approval, and Muslims do not need to seek it from anyone. Islam is strong and has nothing to be ashamed of. It is also very sweet, not the caricature that is so often portrayed on television and in newspapers. The message of Islam is both beautiful and sweet.
Bilal's story is proof of what Muhammad always taught: It is not social status or rank or education that makes one person better than another; it is piety. Those close to Allah are truly the best of people.
Bilal had suffered for Islam in his body. He was humble and gentle, faithful and loyal. He was strong and yet when he called the Muslims to Prayer, they could weep out of joy, so sweet was the sound.
"See you not that Allah sends down rain from the sky? With it We then bring out produce of various colours. And in the mountains are tracts white and red, of various shades of colour, and black intense in hue.
And so among men and crawling creatures and cattle, are they of various colours. Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge: for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving." [Quran -- Creator 35:27-28]
Friday 23 September 2016
COLOURS AND COLOURED PEOPLE PART 1
There is a fierce and aggressive war going on against Islam. Why? Because the number of people who embrace Islam is rising daily and THEY do not like it. Islam is telling the truth and refuting all the falsehoods and THEY do not like it. So the evildoers are trying every mean way in order to distract people from Islam but everyone is going to seek the truth because of their schemes. Every cloud has a silver lining.
One of the ways they have found is to misinterpret the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and use fabricated sayings in order to make people hate Islam. For example, there is an anti-Islamic website called Wikiislam.net and it says:
"Islam's Racism Against Black People (Muhammad said, 'Whoever wants to see Satan should look at Nabtal.' He was a sturdy black man with long flowing hair... [Ishaq 243]')"
This is a totally fabricated saying. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) often likened the devil to an all-black dog or a black sheep but NEVER a black person! Take a look at these authentic traditions:
It was narrated that Abu Dharr said:
“I asked the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) about the all-black dog and he said: ‘(It is) a devil.’”
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, "Stand close together in your rows, keep nearer to one another, and put your necks in line, for by Him in Whose Hands my soul is, I see the Satan entering through the opening in the row like Al-hadhaf (i.e., a type of small black sheep found in Yemen)."
And what's with the 'long hair' in that fabricated saying? Long hair has nothing to do with the devil either. Read these authentic sayings:
Narrated Abdullah bin Umar:
Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, "I saw myself (in a dream) near the Ka`ba (the Sacred House in Mecca) last night, and I saw a man with whitish red complexion, the best you may see amongst men of that complexion having long hair reaching his earlobes which was the best hair of its sort, and he had combed his hair and water was dropping from it, and he was performing the Circumbulation around the Ka`ba while he was leaning on the shoulders of two men. I asked, 'Who is this man?' Somebody replied, '(He is) Messiah, son of Mary.' Then I saw another man with very curly hair, blind in the right eye which looked like a protruding out grape. I asked, 'Who is this?' Somebody replied, '(He is) anti-Christ, the False Prophet.'"
Baraa bin Aazib reports:
"I never seen someone with long hair and red clothing more handsome than the Messenger of Allah (pbuh). His hair reached his shoulders. The portion between his two shoulders was wide. He was neither very tall nor very short".
Now we are going to see what the Prophet actually did say about Black people!:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
A black man or a black woman used to sweep the mosque and he or she died. The Prophet (pbuh) asked about her (or him). He was told that she (or he) had died. He said, "Why did you not inform me? Show me his grave (or her grave)." So he went to her (his) grave and offered her (his) funeral prayer."
The Prophet said: “Do not marry women for their beauty for it may lead to their doom. Do not marry them for their wealth, for it may lead them to fall into sin. Rather, marry them for their religion. A black slave woman with piercings who is religious is better.”
"Indeed Allah Most High created Adam from a handful that He took from all of the earth. So the children of Adam come in according with the earth, some of them come red, and white and black, and between that, and the thin, the thick, the good, and the bad."
A bedouin came to Allah's Messenger (pbuh) and said, "My wife has delivered a black boy, and I suspect that he is not my child." Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said to him, "Have you got camels?" The bedouin said, "Yes." The Prophet said, "What color are they?" The bedouin said, "They are red." The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Are any of them grey?" He said, "There are grey ones among them." The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Whence do you think this color came to them?" The bedouin said, "O Allah's Messenger (pbuh)! It resulted from hereditary disposition." The Prophet said, "And this (your child) has inherited his color from his ancestors." The Prophet (pbuh) did not allow him to deny his paternity of the child.
Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, "You should listen to and obey, your ruler (if he adheres to what is right) even if he was an Ethiopian (black) slave whose head looks like a raisin."
One day, Messenger of Allah (pbuh) delivered a very effective speech, as a result, eyes shed tears and hearts became softened. A man said: "O Prophet of Allah! It sounds as if this is a farewell speech, so advise us." He (pbuh) said, "I admonish you to fear Allah, and to listen and obey even if a black slave has been appointed as your leader. For whoever among you lives after me will see much discord. So hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs who will come after me. Adhere to them and hold fast to them. Beware of innovation (in religion) because every innovation is a misguidance."
Islam regards all people, believer and disbeliever, black and white, Arab and non-Arab, rich and poor, noble and lowly as the descendants of one man and one woman.
It does not pay attention to differences in colour, race or lineage. All people come from Adam, and Adam was created from dust. In Islam, differentiation between people is based on faith and piety, by doing that which Allah has enjoined and avoiding that which Allah has prohibited. Allah says:
13. O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).
[Quran 49:13]
Faith, truthfulness and piety all lead to Paradise, which is the right of the one who acquires these attributes, even if he is one of the weakest or lowliest of people. God says:
“And whosoever believes in Allah and performs righteous good deeds, He will admit him into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) to dwell therein forever. Allah has indeed granted for him an excellent provision”
[Quran 65:11]
Disbelief, arrogance and oppression all lead to Hell, even if the one who does these things is one of the richest or noblest of people. God says:
“But those who disbelieved (in the Oneness of God – Islamic Monotheism) and denied Our Signs (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations, etc.), they will be the dwellers of the Fire, to dwell therein forever. And worst indeed is that destination” [Quran 64:10]
The advisors of the Messenger (pbuh) included Muslim men of all tribes, races and colours. Their hearts were filled with Tawheed (Belief in the Oneness of God) and they were brought together by their faith and piety – such as Abu Bakr from Quraysh, Ali ibn Abi Taalib from Bani Haashim, Bilal the Ethiopian, Suhayb the Roman, Salman the Persian, rich men like Uthman and poor men like Ammar, and others.
They believed in Allah and strove for His sake, until Allah and His Messenger were pleased with them. They were the true believers.
“Their reward with their Lord is Adn' Eden) Paradise (Gardens of Eternity), underneath which rivers flow. They will abide therein forever, Allah will be pleased with them, and they with Him. That is for him who fears his Lord”
[Quran 98:8]
THE RELIGION REVEALED FOR MANKIND
Islam is the religion for all of mankind, no matter what their colour, land, tribe or language is. Prophet Muhammad [pbuh) is the Messenger to all of mankind, of all origins and countries. Allah says:
“Say (O Muhammad): ‘O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of God – to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. None has the right to be worshipped but He; it is He Who gives life and causes death. So believe in God and His Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write, who believes in God and His Words, and follow him so that you may be guided.” [Quran 7:158].
In His wisdom, God has made mankind into different peoples and tribes so that they may know one another, not so that they may despise one another. He tells us that the differences in colour and languages are a sign of His Greatness and Power in creation. He says:
“And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge.”
[Quran 30:22]
The Prophet of Islam, (pbuh) affirmed the prohibition of racial discrimination and of despising coloured people, when he said in his famous speech:
“O people, your Lord is One and your father [Adam] is one. There is no superiority of the Arab over the non-Arab, or of the non-Arab over the Arab, or of the white over the black, or of the black over the white – except with regard to God-consciousness.”
(Reported by Imam Ahmad, 22391)
When a man insulted his brother (in Islam) for having a black mother, the Prophet (pbuh) said to him, “You are a man who still has ignorance in him.”
Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “There was an argument between me and one of my brothers whose mother was non-Arab. I insulted him about his mother, and he complained about me to the Prophet (pbuh). I met the Prophet (pbuh) and he said:
“O Abu Dharr, you are a man who still has ignorance in him.”
To be continued....
One of the ways they have found is to misinterpret the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and use fabricated sayings in order to make people hate Islam. For example, there is an anti-Islamic website called Wikiislam.net and it says:
"Islam's Racism Against Black People (Muhammad said, 'Whoever wants to see Satan should look at Nabtal.' He was a sturdy black man with long flowing hair... [Ishaq 243]')"
This is a totally fabricated saying. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) often likened the devil to an all-black dog or a black sheep but NEVER a black person! Take a look at these authentic traditions:
It was narrated that Abu Dharr said:
“I asked the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) about the all-black dog and he said: ‘(It is) a devil.’”
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, "Stand close together in your rows, keep nearer to one another, and put your necks in line, for by Him in Whose Hands my soul is, I see the Satan entering through the opening in the row like Al-hadhaf (i.e., a type of small black sheep found in Yemen)."
And what's with the 'long hair' in that fabricated saying? Long hair has nothing to do with the devil either. Read these authentic sayings:
Narrated Abdullah bin Umar:
Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, "I saw myself (in a dream) near the Ka`ba (the Sacred House in Mecca) last night, and I saw a man with whitish red complexion, the best you may see amongst men of that complexion having long hair reaching his earlobes which was the best hair of its sort, and he had combed his hair and water was dropping from it, and he was performing the Circumbulation around the Ka`ba while he was leaning on the shoulders of two men. I asked, 'Who is this man?' Somebody replied, '(He is) Messiah, son of Mary.' Then I saw another man with very curly hair, blind in the right eye which looked like a protruding out grape. I asked, 'Who is this?' Somebody replied, '(He is) anti-Christ, the False Prophet.'"
Baraa bin Aazib reports:
"I never seen someone with long hair and red clothing more handsome than the Messenger of Allah (pbuh). His hair reached his shoulders. The portion between his two shoulders was wide. He was neither very tall nor very short".
Now we are going to see what the Prophet actually did say about Black people!:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
A black man or a black woman used to sweep the mosque and he or she died. The Prophet (pbuh) asked about her (or him). He was told that she (or he) had died. He said, "Why did you not inform me? Show me his grave (or her grave)." So he went to her (his) grave and offered her (his) funeral prayer."
The Prophet said: “Do not marry women for their beauty for it may lead to their doom. Do not marry them for their wealth, for it may lead them to fall into sin. Rather, marry them for their religion. A black slave woman with piercings who is religious is better.”
"Indeed Allah Most High created Adam from a handful that He took from all of the earth. So the children of Adam come in according with the earth, some of them come red, and white and black, and between that, and the thin, the thick, the good, and the bad."
A bedouin came to Allah's Messenger (pbuh) and said, "My wife has delivered a black boy, and I suspect that he is not my child." Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said to him, "Have you got camels?" The bedouin said, "Yes." The Prophet said, "What color are they?" The bedouin said, "They are red." The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Are any of them grey?" He said, "There are grey ones among them." The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Whence do you think this color came to them?" The bedouin said, "O Allah's Messenger (pbuh)! It resulted from hereditary disposition." The Prophet said, "And this (your child) has inherited his color from his ancestors." The Prophet (pbuh) did not allow him to deny his paternity of the child.
Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, "You should listen to and obey, your ruler (if he adheres to what is right) even if he was an Ethiopian (black) slave whose head looks like a raisin."
One day, Messenger of Allah (pbuh) delivered a very effective speech, as a result, eyes shed tears and hearts became softened. A man said: "O Prophet of Allah! It sounds as if this is a farewell speech, so advise us." He (pbuh) said, "I admonish you to fear Allah, and to listen and obey even if a black slave has been appointed as your leader. For whoever among you lives after me will see much discord. So hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs who will come after me. Adhere to them and hold fast to them. Beware of innovation (in religion) because every innovation is a misguidance."
Islam regards all people, believer and disbeliever, black and white, Arab and non-Arab, rich and poor, noble and lowly as the descendants of one man and one woman.
It does not pay attention to differences in colour, race or lineage. All people come from Adam, and Adam was created from dust. In Islam, differentiation between people is based on faith and piety, by doing that which Allah has enjoined and avoiding that which Allah has prohibited. Allah says:
13. O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).
[Quran 49:13]
Faith, truthfulness and piety all lead to Paradise, which is the right of the one who acquires these attributes, even if he is one of the weakest or lowliest of people. God says:
“And whosoever believes in Allah and performs righteous good deeds, He will admit him into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) to dwell therein forever. Allah has indeed granted for him an excellent provision”
[Quran 65:11]
Disbelief, arrogance and oppression all lead to Hell, even if the one who does these things is one of the richest or noblest of people. God says:
“But those who disbelieved (in the Oneness of God – Islamic Monotheism) and denied Our Signs (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations, etc.), they will be the dwellers of the Fire, to dwell therein forever. And worst indeed is that destination” [Quran 64:10]
The advisors of the Messenger (pbuh) included Muslim men of all tribes, races and colours. Their hearts were filled with Tawheed (Belief in the Oneness of God) and they were brought together by their faith and piety – such as Abu Bakr from Quraysh, Ali ibn Abi Taalib from Bani Haashim, Bilal the Ethiopian, Suhayb the Roman, Salman the Persian, rich men like Uthman and poor men like Ammar, and others.
They believed in Allah and strove for His sake, until Allah and His Messenger were pleased with them. They were the true believers.
“Their reward with their Lord is Adn' Eden) Paradise (Gardens of Eternity), underneath which rivers flow. They will abide therein forever, Allah will be pleased with them, and they with Him. That is for him who fears his Lord”
[Quran 98:8]
THE RELIGION REVEALED FOR MANKIND
Islam is the religion for all of mankind, no matter what their colour, land, tribe or language is. Prophet Muhammad [pbuh) is the Messenger to all of mankind, of all origins and countries. Allah says:
“Say (O Muhammad): ‘O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of God – to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. None has the right to be worshipped but He; it is He Who gives life and causes death. So believe in God and His Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write, who believes in God and His Words, and follow him so that you may be guided.” [Quran 7:158].
In His wisdom, God has made mankind into different peoples and tribes so that they may know one another, not so that they may despise one another. He tells us that the differences in colour and languages are a sign of His Greatness and Power in creation. He says:
“And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge.”
[Quran 30:22]
The Prophet of Islam, (pbuh) affirmed the prohibition of racial discrimination and of despising coloured people, when he said in his famous speech:
“O people, your Lord is One and your father [Adam] is one. There is no superiority of the Arab over the non-Arab, or of the non-Arab over the Arab, or of the white over the black, or of the black over the white – except with regard to God-consciousness.”
(Reported by Imam Ahmad, 22391)
When a man insulted his brother (in Islam) for having a black mother, the Prophet (pbuh) said to him, “You are a man who still has ignorance in him.”
Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “There was an argument between me and one of my brothers whose mother was non-Arab. I insulted him about his mother, and he complained about me to the Prophet (pbuh). I met the Prophet (pbuh) and he said:
“O Abu Dharr, you are a man who still has ignorance in him.”
To be continued....
Friday 16 September 2016
ONE RELIGION, ONE GOD
The religion has been one and the same throughout all human history. God has never allowed a break nor a change or replacement of His religion with the advent of the new Prophets. Every Prophet, stressed on the unity of God and the essence of religion. The essence of God's revelations remained the same as God says:
"And before thy time (O Muhammad!) We never sent any apostle without having revealed to him that there is no God save me; therefore you shall worship and serve Me (alone). " [Quran -- the Prophets:25]
The THREE Abrahamic religions?
Was Abraham a Jew or a Christian?
Judaism was not established until after Moses and Christianity was not established until after Jesus so who was Abraham? Let's see what the Bible says:
Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'From ancient times your fathers lived beyond the River, namely, Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, and they served other gods. 'Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River, and led him through all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his descendants and gave him Isaac. [Joshua 24:2-3]
And he said, "Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, 'LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR RELATIVES, AND COME INTO THE LAND THAT I WILL SHOW YOU.' [Acts 7:2-3]
The above verses tell us that Abraham was a monotheist and he preached Monotheism. In Joshua we read that the father of Abraham served other gods and in Acts we read that the Glory of God appeared to Abraham. The Quran confirms both events:
120. Abraham was indeed a model, devoutly obedient to God, (and) true in Faith, and he joined not gods with Him.
121. He showed his gratitude for the favours of God, who chose him, and guided him to a Straight Way.
122. And We gave him Good in this world, and he will be, in the Hereafter, in the ranks of the Righteous.
123. So We (God) have taught thee the inspired (Message), "Follow the ways of Abraham the True in Faith, and he joined not gods with Allah."
[Quran 16:120-123]
The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham: [Matthew 1:1]
If Jesus was the son of Abraham, then how could he be the son of God or let alone God Himself???
MOSES
Now we are going to see whether Moses preached Judaism or not.
(Aaron said:) For they said to me, ‘Make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ [Exodus 32:23]
And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses' anger burned hot,....
[Exodus 32:19]
The Quran confirms the above events:
86. So Moses returned to his people in a state of indignation and sorrow. He said: "O my people! did not your Lord make a handsome promise to you? Did then the promise seem to you long (in coming)? Or did ye desire that Wrath should descend from your Lord on you, and so you broke your promise to me?"
87. They said: "We broke not the promise to thee, as far as lay in our power: but we were made to carry the weight of the ornaments of the (whole) people, and we threw them (into the fire), and that was what the Samiri suggested.
88. "Then he brought out (of the fire) before the (people) the image of a calf: It seemed to low: so they said: This is your god, and the god of Moses, but (Moses) has forgotten!"
89. Could they not see that it could not return them a word (for answer), and that it had no power either to harm them or to do them good?
90. Aaron had already, before this said to them: "O my people! you are being tested in this: for verily your Lord is Most Gracious; so follow me and obey my command."
91. They had said: "We will not abandon this cult, but we will devote ourselves to it until Moses returns to us."
92. (Moses) said: "O Aaron! what kept thee back, when thou saw them going wrong,
93. "From following me? Did thou then disobey my order?"
94. (Aaron) replied: "O son of my mother! Seize (me) not by my beard nor by (the hair of) my head! Truly I feared lest thou should say, 'Thou has caused a division among the children of Israel, and thou did not respect my word!'"
95. (Moses) said: "What then is thy case, O Samiri?"
96. He (Samiri) replied: "I saw what they saw not: so I took a handful (of dust) from the footprint of the Messenger, and threw it (into the calf): thus did my soul suggest to me."
97. (Moses) said: "Get thee gone! but thy (punishment) in this life will be that thou wilt say, 'touch me not'; and moreover (for a future penalty) thou hast a promise that will not fail: Now look at thy god, of whom thou has become a devoted worshipper: We will certainly (melt) it in a blazing fire and scatter it broadcast in the sea!"
98. But the god of you all is the One Allah. there is no god but He: all things He comprehends in His knowledge.
[Quran 20:86-98]
God gave the 10 Commandments from Mount Sinai. Moses recorded God’s words. They can be found in Exodus 20 and again in Deuteronomy 5.
Let us see the first and the second Commandment:
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them...."
The Commandments tell us that Moses was a monotheist and he preached Monotheism.
So Moses took his wife and his sons and had them ride on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the staff of God in his hand. And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power.
[Exodus 4:20-26]
It was God Who put the miracles in Moses' power and it was the same God Who put miracles in Jesus' power! Therefore Jesus was only a Messenger from God like Moses was.
This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’
[Acts 7:37]
Christians believe that Moses was referring to Jesus as the prophet (not Muhammad). If Jesus was a prophet like Moses then why do they say Jesus was god?
JESUS
Did Jesus preach Christianity?
“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent”
[John 17:3]
“A certain ruler asked him: ‘Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’
‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good – except God alone.’”
[Luke 18:18-19]
“The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.
And he said to him, ‘I will give you all their authority and splendour, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.
So if you worship me, it will all be yours.’
Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.”’”
[Luke 4:5-8]
“One of the teachers of the law came and noticed them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’
‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the LORD IS ONE.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.’
‘Well said, teacher,’ the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that GOD IS ONE AND THERE IS NO OTHER BUT HIM.
To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’
When Jesus saw that he has answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the Kingdom of God.’ And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
[Mark 12:28-34]
The Quran confirms the message of Jesus:
50. "(Jesus said) "(I have come to you), to attest the Law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was (Before) forbidden to you; I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord. So fear God, and obey me.
51. "'It is God Who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him. This is a Way that is straight.'" [Quran 3:50-51]
Jesus was also a monotheist and he preached Monotheism.
And lastly the Quran says:
"Say (to them, O Muhammad!): Will ye dispute with us about God, seeing that He is our Lord and your Lord; that we are responsible for our doings and you for yours; and that we are sincere (in our faith) in Him?
Or do you say that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: Do you know better than God? Ah! Who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they have from God. But God is not unmindful of what you do!"
[Quran 2:139-140]
"And before thy time (O Muhammad!) We never sent any apostle without having revealed to him that there is no God save me; therefore you shall worship and serve Me (alone). " [Quran -- the Prophets:25]
The THREE Abrahamic religions?
Was Abraham a Jew or a Christian?
Judaism was not established until after Moses and Christianity was not established until after Jesus so who was Abraham? Let's see what the Bible says:
Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'From ancient times your fathers lived beyond the River, namely, Terah, the father of Abraham and the father of Nahor, and they served other gods. 'Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River, and led him through all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his descendants and gave him Isaac. [Joshua 24:2-3]
And he said, "Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, 'LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR RELATIVES, AND COME INTO THE LAND THAT I WILL SHOW YOU.' [Acts 7:2-3]
The above verses tell us that Abraham was a monotheist and he preached Monotheism. In Joshua we read that the father of Abraham served other gods and in Acts we read that the Glory of God appeared to Abraham. The Quran confirms both events:
120. Abraham was indeed a model, devoutly obedient to God, (and) true in Faith, and he joined not gods with Him.
121. He showed his gratitude for the favours of God, who chose him, and guided him to a Straight Way.
122. And We gave him Good in this world, and he will be, in the Hereafter, in the ranks of the Righteous.
123. So We (God) have taught thee the inspired (Message), "Follow the ways of Abraham the True in Faith, and he joined not gods with Allah."
[Quran 16:120-123]
The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham: [Matthew 1:1]
If Jesus was the son of Abraham, then how could he be the son of God or let alone God Himself???
MOSES
Now we are going to see whether Moses preached Judaism or not.
(Aaron said:) For they said to me, ‘Make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ [Exodus 32:23]
And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses' anger burned hot,....
[Exodus 32:19]
The Quran confirms the above events:
86. So Moses returned to his people in a state of indignation and sorrow. He said: "O my people! did not your Lord make a handsome promise to you? Did then the promise seem to you long (in coming)? Or did ye desire that Wrath should descend from your Lord on you, and so you broke your promise to me?"
87. They said: "We broke not the promise to thee, as far as lay in our power: but we were made to carry the weight of the ornaments of the (whole) people, and we threw them (into the fire), and that was what the Samiri suggested.
88. "Then he brought out (of the fire) before the (people) the image of a calf: It seemed to low: so they said: This is your god, and the god of Moses, but (Moses) has forgotten!"
89. Could they not see that it could not return them a word (for answer), and that it had no power either to harm them or to do them good?
90. Aaron had already, before this said to them: "O my people! you are being tested in this: for verily your Lord is Most Gracious; so follow me and obey my command."
91. They had said: "We will not abandon this cult, but we will devote ourselves to it until Moses returns to us."
92. (Moses) said: "O Aaron! what kept thee back, when thou saw them going wrong,
93. "From following me? Did thou then disobey my order?"
94. (Aaron) replied: "O son of my mother! Seize (me) not by my beard nor by (the hair of) my head! Truly I feared lest thou should say, 'Thou has caused a division among the children of Israel, and thou did not respect my word!'"
95. (Moses) said: "What then is thy case, O Samiri?"
96. He (Samiri) replied: "I saw what they saw not: so I took a handful (of dust) from the footprint of the Messenger, and threw it (into the calf): thus did my soul suggest to me."
97. (Moses) said: "Get thee gone! but thy (punishment) in this life will be that thou wilt say, 'touch me not'; and moreover (for a future penalty) thou hast a promise that will not fail: Now look at thy god, of whom thou has become a devoted worshipper: We will certainly (melt) it in a blazing fire and scatter it broadcast in the sea!"
98. But the god of you all is the One Allah. there is no god but He: all things He comprehends in His knowledge.
[Quran 20:86-98]
God gave the 10 Commandments from Mount Sinai. Moses recorded God’s words. They can be found in Exodus 20 and again in Deuteronomy 5.
Let us see the first and the second Commandment:
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them...."
The Commandments tell us that Moses was a monotheist and he preached Monotheism.
So Moses took his wife and his sons and had them ride on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the staff of God in his hand. And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power.
[Exodus 4:20-26]
It was God Who put the miracles in Moses' power and it was the same God Who put miracles in Jesus' power! Therefore Jesus was only a Messenger from God like Moses was.
This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’
[Acts 7:37]
Christians believe that Moses was referring to Jesus as the prophet (not Muhammad). If Jesus was a prophet like Moses then why do they say Jesus was god?
JESUS
Did Jesus preach Christianity?
“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent”
[John 17:3]
“A certain ruler asked him: ‘Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’
‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good – except God alone.’”
[Luke 18:18-19]
“The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.
And he said to him, ‘I will give you all their authority and splendour, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.
So if you worship me, it will all be yours.’
Jesus answered, ‘It is written: “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.”’”
[Luke 4:5-8]
“One of the teachers of the law came and noticed them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’
‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the LORD IS ONE.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.’
‘Well said, teacher,’ the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that GOD IS ONE AND THERE IS NO OTHER BUT HIM.
To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’
When Jesus saw that he has answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the Kingdom of God.’ And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
[Mark 12:28-34]
The Quran confirms the message of Jesus:
50. "(Jesus said) "(I have come to you), to attest the Law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was (Before) forbidden to you; I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord. So fear God, and obey me.
51. "'It is God Who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him. This is a Way that is straight.'" [Quran 3:50-51]
Jesus was also a monotheist and he preached Monotheism.
And lastly the Quran says:
"Say (to them, O Muhammad!): Will ye dispute with us about God, seeing that He is our Lord and your Lord; that we are responsible for our doings and you for yours; and that we are sincere (in our faith) in Him?
Or do you say that Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes were Jews or Christians? Say: Do you know better than God? Ah! Who is more unjust than those who conceal the testimony they have from God. But God is not unmindful of what you do!"
[Quran 2:139-140]
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