ISLAM (apa) iDawat-e-Islami offers this fundamental book in introducing Islam, Especially dedicated to revert Muslims This book is equally beneficial for non-Muslims who are interested in learning about Islam. ‘WELCOME TO ISLAM (A briaf planation of lm) Presented by: Majlis Al-Madina-tul-‘ImiyyahWelcome to Islam A brief explanation of Islam Sa ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Copyright © 2013 Maktaba-tul-Madinah No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Maktaba-tul-Madinah. Edition: a Presented by: Majlis Al-Madina-tul-'Iimiyyah (Dawat-e-Islami) Date of publication: Ramadan-ul-Mubarak, 1434 AH (Aug, 2013) Publisher: Maktaba-tul-Madinah ISBN: 978-969-579-916-1 Quantity: 10,000 Maktaba-tul-Madinah Alami Madani Markaz, Faizan-e-Madinah Mahallah Saudagran, Purani Sabzi Mandi, Bab-ul-Madinah, Karachi, Pakistan v=. E-mail: [email protected] — [email protected] ® Phone: +92-21-34921389-93 — 34126999 B Fax: +92-21-34125858 ——————chests js lense ans giles aly desi ‘geplottunaby ny, geen ghring abU uuu Du’a for Reading the Book Read the following Du’a (supplication) before you study a religious book or an Islamic lesson, you will remember whatever you study, dest-abust aes: SM JENS Ls Bets ele Translation Ya Allah Jss8! Open the doors of knowledge and wisdom for us, and have mercy on us! O the One who is the most Honourable and Glorious! (Al-Mustarraf, vol. 1, pp. 40) Note: Recite Salat-‘Alan-Nabi once before and after the Dua. Geal a Hs thgs je wlansiLans db dahosabdcai “seBgt: psialn at ‘Sobsing abyss i desl A Brief Introduction to Dawat-e-Islami awat-e-Islami, the non-political Movement of Propagation D of the Quran and Sunnah is speedily progressing. Dawat-e- Islami has received ‘Satisfactory Endorsements’ not only from different departments of the Pakistani Government but also from the governments of many other countries as well. There are 98 Jami’aat (institutions of higher learning in Islamic studies) for Islamic brothers established in many cities of Pakistan. In addition to this, there are 90 Jami’aat for Islamic sisters as well. More than 75,000 boys and girls are gaining knowledge in Madrasa-tul-Madinah in order to learn Quraanic education i.e. Hifz and Naazirah (memorization of the Quran and recitation by sight), free of charge. There are Dar-ul-Madinahs whereby both religious and academic education is provided. SesteabyazsJ, There are also Jami’aat in countries other than Pakistan ie. in India, U.K., Nepal, Bangladesh, Kenya and South Africa. Besides this, there are many Madani Maraakiz (Centres) which we call Faizan-e-Madinah. The Sunnah inspiring Ijtimaa’at (Weekly Congregations) and the Bayanat (Lectures) by Muballigheen GeFr ‘Welcome to Islam (Preachers) continuously take place. There are Halqahs(Sessions)of learning and teaching the Sunnah as well as sessions of memorizing supplications (Du’as). The message of Dawat-e-Islami has reached more than 185 countries of the world. By the mercy of Allah Jss%, Dawat-e- Islami is prospering by day and night. There are more or less 90 departments of Dawat-e-Islami. It is Almighty Allah’s Jss% blessing that the Madani Qaafilas (to spread the Sunnah) are travelling worldwide for three, twelve or thirty days,even twelve or twenty-five months. There are a number of Islamic brothers who have dedicated their entire lives to serve the religion of Islam by traveling in Madani Qaafilas. Madani In’amaat program: A self accountability program. Simply act upon it on a daily basis for self accountability. You will indeed be inspired by the Madani Ina’amaat program and would become a well-mannered and practicing Muslim. It is not less than a blessing if a Muslim gets answers to his Shar’ee (islamic) questions. Jes <4) 4:4, Darul-Ifté Ahle-Sunnat is established where Muftis (religious scholars) are making efforts to research and answer the queries of the Muslim Ummah day and night. Maktaba-tul-Madinah is the publishing department of Dawat-e- Islami. It has the honor to provide the lovers of Rasoolullaah ales ails aste ats ali J+ with publishing the books and booklets of Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat «sis .44¢53¢.3, other Sunni ‘Ulam and of Al-Madina-tul-‘Imiyyah.— Se ‘A‘Brief Introduction to Dawat-e-Zlan e-Islami There are websites of at least 8 departments working under the supervision of the IT Majlis. You will be glad to know about Madrasa-tul-Madinah online. The Holy Quran is being taught to hundreds of students within the comfort of their homes through this department, free of charge. Madani Channel is broadcasted in almost all countries of the world through different satellites and Live Streaming. After watching such a large channel without any immoral display, advertisements and music, many non-Muslims have reverted to Islam and many Muslims have started to practice their faith. There is an excellent department called “Jail Khaanajaat”. The Islamic brothers of Majlis-e-Jail of Dawat-e-Islami visit jails and assist the prisoners through reformation and rehabilitation. Majlis-e-Ta’wizat-e-‘Attariyyah is the department which provides thousands of Ta’wizaat (amulets) every month, There is yet another department called “Majlis-e-Iaaj”. This is a department in which thousands of people whoare associated with Dawat-e-Islami who receive treatment free of charge. Another department is called “Langar-e-Rizwiyya”. Whether it is Ttikaaf, Shab-e-Bara-at, Shab-e-Mi’raaj, Baarwheen Shareef or Jjtima’ of Zikr-o-Na’at, your Dawat-e-Islami serves Langar (meals) to thousands of Islamic brothers. Pakistan was recently affected badly with the calamity of earthquakes and by the destructions of floods. Dawat-e-Islami worked hard by collecting and distributing goods and cash, amounting to millions of rupees among affected ones, @® ——————Tr ‘Welcome to Islam — Bethy: js wlan shins hbahosalica “Semlgrtpralin, gesnohring sly S20 tl Al-Madina-tul-‘Ilmiyyah From: Shaykh-e-Tariqat Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat, founder of Dawat-e- Islami, ‘Allamah Maulana Abu Bilal Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadiri Razavi Ziydee ald saitsiess, Dawat-e-Islami, a global and non-political movement for the preaching of Quran and Sunnah, is determined to revive Sunnah and spread righteousness as well as the knowledge of Shari’ah throughout the world. In order to carry out these great and significant tasks in an excellent way, several Majalis (departments) have been formed including the Majlis ‘Al-Madina-tul-‘Ilmiyyah’ which consists of the ‘Ulama and Muftis of Dawat-e-Islami. This Majlis has ambitiously taken on the responsibility of serving religion in the areas of knowledge, research and publication. It has the following six departments: Department of books of A’la Hadrat was of medium height, neither too tall nor short. He les ls ase ates abi J was pleasant looking and magnificent; people were full of awe when they saw him for the first time, and knew that his face was not one of a liar. eeoiss Nha QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Regarding the Religion of Islam > 1. Who is Allah? ‘Do Muslims worship a different God?’ Some people believe that Muslims worship a God that is different from the one worshipped by Christians and Jews. This might be due to the fact that Muslims often refer to God as ‘Allah’. This concept is false, since ‘ALLAH’ is simply the Arabic word for the One true ‘Almighty, the Only One Worthy of Worship,’ Who created the universe and all humanity. Let there be no doubt - Muslims worship the God of Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus +Uaiis $44 4ye, However, it is certainly true that Jews, Christians and Muslims all have different concepts of Almighty God. For example, Muslims - like Jews - reject the Christian belief of the Trinity and the Divine Incarnation. This, however, does not mean that each of these three religions worship a different God — because, as we have already said, there is only One True God. Judaism, Christianity and Islam all claim to be ‘Abrahamic Faiths.’ However, Islam teaches that other religions have, in one way or another, distorted and nullified a pure and proper belief in Almighty God by neglecting His true teachings and mixing them with man- made ideas,— SSS ‘Welcome to Islam — Arabic speaking people of all religions refer to God as ‘Allah.’ For example, if you pick up an Arabic translation of the Christian Bible you will see the word ‘Allah’ where ‘God’ is used in English. Therefore, ‘Allah’ is not the God of the Muslims only, but the same God worshipped by all faiths. This idea that ‘Allah’ is different from ‘God’ is illogical since it is tantamount to saying that the French worship a different ‘God’ because they use the word ‘Dieu,’ and that Spaniards worship a different ‘God’ because they called him ‘Dios’, and that the Hebrews worship a different ‘God’ because they called him ‘Yahweh.’ However, the word “ALLAH” is the most suitable name for the Almighty, because it doesn’t have a plural form and nor does it have any gender, while the word God has a plural and gender ie. gods and goddess. The Glorious Quran, which is the divine scripture of Muslims, was revealed in the Arabic language, so Muslims use the word ‘Allah’ for ‘God,’ even when they are speaking other languages. A more literal translation of ‘Allah’ into English might be ‘the one-and- only God ox ‘the one true God. 2. The Quran uses the word “We” when quoting Almighty Allah, Does that mean that Muslims believe in more than one God? Islam adheres to uncompromising and strict monotheism. It teaches that God is One and indivisible. In the Glorious Quran, Almighty Allah ss% often refers to Himself as “We”. But it does not mean that there is more than one God. The reference of Almighty Allah sss to Himself as “We” in many Quranic verses ®a -_ Questions & Answers is necessarily understood in the Arabic language to denote power and grandeur. In some languages there are two types of plural forms. One is related to quantity and used to refer to two or more persons, places or things. The other kind of plural is one of majesty, power and distinction. For example, in proper English, the Queen of England refers to herself as “we”. This is known as the ‘majestic plural or royal plural.’ The oneness of Allah Jss% is stressed throughout the Majestic Quran. A clear example is in this short chapter: SleBiab {Sos ebh Is OSA INS iSO Proclaim (O dear Prophet Muhammad 1s is ais 36 an J), “He is Allah (Sess), He is One. Allah (5ss) is Carefree’. He has no offspring, nor is He born from anyone. And there is none equal to Him.” [Ikhlas 112:1-4] 3. The Quran says that Almighty Allah is Merciful and that He gives severe punishment. So is He forgiving or is He revengeful? ' Perfect, does not require anything, ®— Se ‘Welcome to Islam The Majestic Quran mentions many times that Almighty Allah Jess is the Most Merciful. In fact, all oer one of the 114 chapters of the Glorious Quran begins with “e253! el a ¢-3”, which means, Allah (Ses) - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The Compassionate, the Merciful; however in Arabic grammar, both names are intensive forms of the word ‘merciful’. Rahmaan means merciful to all creations, and justice is part of this mercy. Raheem means merciful especially to the believers and forgiveness is part of this mercy. A complimentary and comprehensive meaning is intended by the use of both of them together. In addition, Almighty Allah Jss% speaks of His forgiveness throughout the Glorious Quran. In fact, Almighty Allah’s mercy and forgiveness have been mentioned together more than 70 times in the Holy Quran. Allah Jss%&, the Most Exalted, repeatedly reminds us by saying: a “And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” epee isi sbls fal-Baqgarah 2:218]} But He Jdss% also gives severe punishment to those who deserve it. Almighty Allah Jss% told the Beloved and Blessed Prophet Muhammad -Lsalsadedisaln de; OSHS EGNEE 1S O fhe SVEN TA alec Ea Gp,ar Questions & Answers. Inform My bondmen that undoubtedly, I surely am the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. And that indeed the punishment of Mine is a painful punishment, [Hijr 15:49-50] Almighty Allah Jss& is ‘Just’, and His justice necessitates that He tewards those who obey and serve Him and punishes those who disobey and rebel against Him. If Allah Jssi, the Most Just, punishes a criminal, this would be regarded as His justice and if He forgives a criminal, this would be regarded as his mercy, blessings and forgiveness. Allah dss8, the Most Merciful, forgives all those who repent and correct themselves at any stage in their lives, and He has invited all people to His abundant forgiveness and mercy: ANG) hides EAE ced Pigsclee Noted 8 Wesel Sis phe Sst se48) eased LUE are IR eosass sensi cabot seed Sess shsze slicer eer ha KI Proclaim (O dear Prophet Muhammad -Lsaissie sisal Je), “O my slaves, who have wronged themselves, do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy; indeed Allah (5s) forgives ail sins; indeed He only is the Oft Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” And incline towards your Lord and submit to Him, before the punishment comes to you and then you may not be helped.SSS ‘Welcome to Islam And follow this, the best among all, which has been sent down towards you from your Lord, before the punishment comes suddenly upon you whilst you are unaware,” [Zumar 39; 53-55] 4. Some believe that Muslims worship Muhammad -Lsqlsa%Jwali Jo, Is this true? Muslims do not worship Prophet Muhammad -Lsqlsagoyusalide in any way. We believe that he was the last Messenger, the leader of all the Prophets, sent by Almighty Allah Jss% like all His other Prophets and Messengers -1! ssc. However, some people mistakenly assume that Muslims worship Prophet Muhammad aLaalsasesisabise, Prophet Muhammad ls isas6 uusati Jo, like Jesus S124, never claimed a divine status. He called people to worship Almighty Allah dss alone. Prophet Muhammad -Lsqlsedeuisalnd> always referred to himself as “Allah’s servant and messenger.” Prophet Muhammad -Lasqs was known to be an unlettered man (meaning, that he was not schooled according to the known education system which existed in Arabia at that time, but indeed he -Lsglsaseutsalids is taught by Allah Jest the Most Wise. The Holy Quran states in chapter 4, verse 113 “And Allah (5s) has taught you what you did not know”). If he went to learn from anyone, certainly his contemporaries would have protested and exposed him. However, there are no reports of this. Without doubt there were people who rejected Prophet Muhammad’s Ls ls ade ots ali Je message, just like the— SSS ‘Welcome to Islam message of other Prophets were rejected, but none denied it for the above mentioned reason. It is also interesting to note that even though the Majestic Quran is not poetry, the Arabs were much less inclined to poetry after it was revealed. It can be said that the Magnificent Quran is the piece of Arabic literature par excellence - and Prophet Muhammad’s alesahsastsdusabije enemies, realized that as much as they tried they could not outdo or even equal it. Some Christian critics of Islam claim that Muhammad alsqlssdsyisalJe was not himself the author of the Holy Quran but that he learned and copied (plagiarism) or adapted it from Jewish and Christian scriptures. In reality, however, Prophet Muhammad's ies als ede swabs de contact with the Jewish and Christian scholars was extremely limited. Historical records available show that he made only three trips outside Makkah before announcing his Prophethood: At the tender age of nine he accompanied his Blessed mother, Lady Aamina « Jesabi ger to Madinah. Before the age of twelve, he accompanied his uncle Abu Talib on a business trip to Syria. And before his marriage, at the age of 25, he led the honorable Lady Khadijah’s =< tsabicer caravan to Syria. The most prominent Christian known to him was an old blind man named Waraqah Bin Nawfal, who was a relative of his honorable wife, Lady Khadijah a Jisali a. He was a convert to Christianity and well-versed in the gospels. The Beloved Prophet Muhammad ss als sts dis abi Jo only met him twice; the first time was briefly before his Prophetic mission and the second occasion was when